Social media users criticized Coi Leray for sampling another popular song after hearing her sample the Technotronic hit “Pump Up the Jam” on Friday (May 19).
Coi Leray defended her sample usage on Twitter. The Uptown Records artist downplayed complaints about her sampling past hits.
“Bops doesn’t have a sample,” she wrote. “keep streaming BOPS OUT NOW. no more parties didn’t have a sample , Twinnem no sample , big purr no sample… but when I do a sample I BODYYYYY THAT MF !!!!”
Bops doesn’t have a sample 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪 keep streaming BOPS OUT NOW 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 no more parties didn’t have a sample , Twinnem no sample , big purr no sample… but when I do a sample I BODYYYYY THAT MF !!!! 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪😽😽😽😽🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️🤷🏽♀️
Earlier this year, Coi Leray scored her first Top 10 hit when “Players” peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song sampled Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five’s classic single “The Message.” Grandmaster Flash co-signed Coi Leray’s use of “The Message” in 2022.
“When I got a call saying this girl wanted to resurrect the beat of a song from my past – I wanted to learn more,” he wrote on Instagram. “Then when I spoke with & met @coileray, I TOTALLY got it.”
Coi Leray announced her sophomore album Coi on Friday. The project is scheduled to drop on June 23.
The 26-year-old rapper teased a snippet of her song “Make My Day” ahead of the album’s release. The track sampled “Pump Up the Jam,” which sparked strong reactions on social media.
Check out some of the comments below.
yeah i’m still mad…i need to speak to the board of sampling directors and get coi leray’s membership revoked…..THIS is not how you should sample music https://t.co/oa8cMw9uw9
Prosecutors urged a judge to sentence Fetty Wap to seven to nine years in prison for dealing cocaine.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, prosecutors cited Fetty Wap’s song “Trap Queen” as proof he is an unrepentant drug offender. The rapper is scheduled to be sentenced for a federal drug charge on May 24.
“The defendant does not have a lengthy criminal history, having only one prior misdemeanor conviction for reckless endangerment after he was arrested driving his Mercedes Benz recklessly at 105 miles per hour while he was impaired by alcohol,” prosecutors wrote. “However, this was not the first time that the defendant distributed narcotics. As he admitted in the PSR, he distributed crack cocaine in Patterson, New Jersey before 2014.”
They continued, “Specifically, he admitted to the Probation Department that his hit song ‘Trap Queen,’ which was released in 2014, was an ‘ode to a former girlfriend who assisted him in a cocaine base distribution operation in Patterson, New Jersey.’ The defendant was never held accountable for that conduct, but that does not diminish its significance. It is germane because the defendant engaged in the exact same criminal conduct as the instant offense, which is an aggravating factor warranting a Guidelines sentence.”
Fetty Wap pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in 2022. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York argued for Fetty Wap to receive more than six months in prison because he glamorized drug dealing.
“Another aggravating factor is that the defendant has used, and continues to use, his fame, sizeable platform and influence to glamorize the drug trade,” prosecutors contended. “Before his arrest, the defendant became famous singing about his experience cooking crack cocaine, selling drugs and making substantial money from those illegal endeavors. In the official video for ‘Trap Queen,’ the defendant also enlisted young children who stood behind him while he idealized selling drugs.”
They added, “From this and other songs, the defendant’s music career has flourished and he has earned millions of dollars. Even after his arrest and while awaiting trial in this very serious federal drug case, the defendant continued to glamorize the drug trade. In November 2022, he released a song entitled ‘Sweet Yams’ where he sang about selling ‘yams,’ which is code for grams of narcotics, and making significant money (i.e., ‘bands’) from that illegal trade.”
Fetty Wap’s lawyers asked Judge Joanna Seybert for a more lenient sentence of five years in prison. Defense attorneys claimed their client’s involvement in the drug trade was “motivated by his commitment to financially support others” during the pandemic.
Adidas confirmed plans to sell its Yeezy inventory on Friday (May 19).
The company announced it will begin selling Yeezy products again at the end of May. Adidas stopped sales of Yeezy products after ending its partnership with Kanye West in October 2022.
“After careful consideration, we have decided to begin releasing some of the remaining adidas YEEZY products,” Adidas CEO Bjørn Gulden said in a press release. “Selling and donating was the preferred option among all organizations and stakeholders we spoke to.”
He added, “We believe this is the best solution as it respects the created designs and produced shoes, it works for our people, resolves an inventory problem, and will have a positive impact in our communities. There is no place in sport or society for hate of any kind and we remain committed to fighting against it.”
Adidas terminated its deal with Kanye West due to his antisemitic remarks and other offensive comments. The company claimed it will donate a “significant amount” of Yeezy proceeds to organizations combating antisemitism and discrimination.
Kanye West will be entitled to 15 percent of Yeezy sales. Adidas faced the possibility of losing more than $1 billion if it did not sell its remaining stock of Yeezy products.
NFL legend Jim Brown died this week at the age of 87, his wife Monique confirmed in an Instagram post. Monique shared the grim news on Friday (May 19) but didn’t give a cause of death. Her statement read, “It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of my husband, Jim Brown. He passed peacefully last night at our LA home. To the world he was an activist, actor, and football star. To our family, he was a loving and wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. Our hears are broken.”
A gifted athlete, Jim Brown was taken in the first round of the 1957 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, the sixth overall selection. During the ninth game of his rookie season, he rushed for 237 yards, setting an NFL single-game record that stood unsurpassed for 14 years and a rookie record that remained for 40 years. Cleveland won the NFL championship in 1964 and were runners-up in 1957 and 1965, his rookie and final season, respectively. In the 1964 championship game, Brown rushed 27 times for 114 yards and caught three passes for 37.
But Brown was a multi-faceted talent. Before the 1964 season, he began his acting career, starring in the Western action film, Rio Conchos. He later starred in several blaxploitation films, including Slaughter (1972), Black Gunn (1972), Slaughter’s Big Rip-Off (1973), The Slams (1973), I Escaped from Devil’s Island (1973) and Three the Hard Way (1974).
In 1988, Jim Brown appeared in I’m Gonna G## You Sucka, a blaxploitation parody film written, directed by and starring Keenen Ivory Wayans in his directorial debut. The movie became a cult classic. Other acting credits include The Dirty Dozen, The Running Man, Any Given Sunday, Mars Attacks! and Sucka Free City.
Jim Brown was also an activist. In June 1967, he held the Cleveland Summit in support of Muhammad Ali, who refused to serve in the Vietnam War. He was joined by Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar at the time. More recently, he was attempting to secure a pardon for Jimmy Henchmen.
In December 2020, Donald J. Trump commuted Henchmen’s sentence to the time he had already served. Trump telephoned Brown and his wife Monique Brown, who’d been supporting Henchman’s years-long efforts to obtain clemency, and assured them he’d be released but failed to deliver.
The Ultimate Rap League is rolling out its NOME IMPACT card and it’s creating a lot of buzz.
NOME IMPACT is a blended franchise that combines the excitement of its Double Impact card with the heavyweight card, NOME (Night of Main Events). Instead of singular opponents taking on other emcees, this card is stacked with two-on-twos.
Usually when promoting a card, the league might release matchups.
This time they are doing something different. The platform is releasing the teams, shocking people with unusual matchups.
Tay Roc and Geechi Gotti … Fonz and Ave … Calicoe and Hollow Da Don … and now John John Da Don and DNA.
What makes the last announcement crazy is that John John Da Don and DNA share the nickname, The PG Killers.
The two New York rappers received the PG Killer title after knocking down the up-and-coming battle rap emcees that are said to be the next ones up.
Fans believe they were brought in to shut down 2 of the new Crucible class’ Top 6: Awthentic, Eaze, Footz, Hansel, Klutz and Saflare Sole.
I’ve dealt with the body shaming situation, honestly my whole entire career. Shout out to all the slim women out there. I feel like I actually paved the way in the music industry for a slim woman to just finally be accepted, honestly, after a very long time. I’m talking since [the] Mýa and Left Eye days,” said Coi Leray.
She added, “And it’s something important you talk about. It’s something very important you talk about. I wake up every day and say, ‘I love my body.’ I don’t give a f###. When I put my clothes on, I’m not saying, ‘Yo, I’m going to put this on to troll.’ I’m putting it on because I love to look good, I love to feel good. And that’s what I personally, genuinely love to wear and like. When they make it about my body, it’s just ongoing. This gets old after a while. It really does.”
The album cover art shows she ain’t worried about what people think about her body!
Leray is joined on the album with a few guest stars including David Guetta, Saucy Santana, Giggs, Lola Brooke, and Skillibeng.
In addition to new music, she also is the new 2023 voice for the WNBA.
Sorry J. Cole, Jay-Z, Talib Kweli, Kendrick Lamar, Royce Da 5’9, Lupe Fiasco, Loaded Lux, B-Dot, Chilla Jones, and all you rappity rap dudes, but one of rap’s biggest acts is not your fan. Rapper Lil Durk has admitted that he doesn’t like rappers that make him think too much.
While talking about his new single “All My Life,” the Chicago recording gave his featured artist Cole a back-handed compliment. He said he was good but too much of a lyrical miracle, saying he gets lost in all those words.
“He went crazy. I had to listen to it like four times. You know I ain’t super big on lyricist-type rappers. Cole is one of the ones, him and Jay(Z), you gotta play them 50 times to catch what they saying. Like, if you listen to Lil Wayne right now and you heard some s**t 10 years ago that you just catch onto today,” he explained in a recent interview.
One fan said the Dreamville representative took over the song.
Another fan titled his video, “I Really Got Emotional.”
One fan believed Durk should be grateful for the verse, “I just saw a video of a radio host saying Lil Durk didn’t have a hit in the past few weeks but he definitely has a hit with his new song featuring J.Cole.”
I just saw a video of a radio host saying Lil Durk didn’t have a hit in the past few weeks but he definitely has a hit with his new song featuring J.Cole.
Def Jam recording artist Armani White is one of the top rising rap acts at the moment. The Road To Casablanco EP creator hails from the same city as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Will Smith.
Throughout his career as a rapper, Will Smith faced criticism for being too commercial. Armani White spoke to Audacy to promote his new project. He also discussed Smith’s impact on their hometown.
“What I’m doing with happy hood music, that was Will Smith being from Philly but changing the narrative, changing the sound, changing the style,” Armani White told Audacy host Mike Adam.
White added, “Even just on the male side, a lot of the style and everything, all of that came from Philly. It came from Will Smith with Fresh Prince. We grew up watching that, we grew up inspired by that.”
The 26-year-old East Coaster said he has not gotten the chance to meet Will Smith yet. However, Armani White recalled spending time with the other half of the DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince duo.
“Me and Jazzy Jeff, we stayed up all night in Abu Dhabi, just talking about being from Philly,” stated White. Meeting Will Smith is still on the beaded-haired rhymer’s professional bucket list.
Armani White’s Road To Casablanco features Denzel Curry, A$AP Ferg, Fivio Foreign, and Fridayy. Plus, veteran Hip Hop stars Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, and N.O.R.E. appear on “Billie Eilish Legends Mix.”
The original “Billie Eilish” peaked at No. 58 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. White’s breakout single earned a Gold plaque from the RIAA. Additionally, MTV named him as the Global Push Artist for February 2023.
Is J. Cole set to go on another headline-grabbing run of guest features like 2018 and 2019? So far, Cole provided verses for “On the Street” with J-Hope and “All My Life” by Lil Durk in 2023. He also showed up on Summer Walker’s new project.
LVRN recording artist Summer Walker dropped the Clear 2: Soft Life EP today (May 19). The R&B singer-songwriter’s 9-track EP includes the opener titled “To Summer, From Cole – Audio Hug” which essentially serves as J. Cole’s public letter to Summer.
“Hey, Ms. Walker. Thank you for wanting a verse from me. Apologies for the wait, some times it’s hard to get the distraction up off ya for enough time to jot your thoughts. But f### it, this morning I gotsta,” raps J. Cole.
He continues, “I’m thinking about ya, I heard you just had you another lil baby. Congratulations, I hope you got through it with no complications. I find it amazing, the way that you juggle your kids, the biz, the fame, the b###### that’s hating. They sit around waiting for you to fall off like the album I’m making.”
J. Cole has been teasing his forthcoming The Fall Off studio LP for over three years. The Dreamville Records co-founder released The Off-Season in 2021. It joined a discography that also includes Cole World: The Sideline Story, Born Sinner, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, 4 Your Eyez Only, and KOD.
In addition, Cole mentioned one of his favorite Summer Walker songs. The North Carolinian rhymed, “Thank you for sharing your light, your voice, and writing them beautiful poems. ‘Session 32’ bring me to tears, be getting choked up when I hear it.”
Summer Walker’s Clear 2: Soft Life EP follows 2021’sOver It LP and 2021’s Still Over It LP. J. Cole is not the only Hip Hop superstar to open a project by the Atlanta native with a personalized message. “Bitter (Narration By Cardi B)” is the first track on Still Over It.
Clear 2: Soft Life also features fellow Atlanta musician Donald “Childish Gambino” Glover on “New Type.” Solange Knowles, Steve Lacy, and John Kirby co-produced the EP’s closer “Agayu’s Revelation.” A music video for “Pull Up” landed on Friday.
Benito “Bad Bunny” Ocasio is a chart-topping, Diamond-selling, and award-winning recording artist with over 71 million monthly listeners on Spotify. The Puerto Rican rapper/singer is also a professional wrestler.
A year later, Bunny made his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 37. The lifelong wrestling fan teamed with Puerto Rican wrestler Damian Priest to defeat The Miz and John Morrison inside Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
Earlier this month, Bad Bunny returned to the island of Puerto Rico for Backlash 2023. He faced off against The Judgement Day’s Damian Priest in a San Juan Street Fight that took place in front of a crowd of over 17,000 people.
“Wow, that was insane,” said Bad Bunny in an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1’s New Music Daily. “That was really crazy, the people, the energy was another level. What happened that night, I’m never going to forget it.”
Bunny continued, “I remember that I said before the WrestleMania fight that day was one of my favorite moments of my life, but the Backlash fight in Puerto Rico was another level. Was really one of the biggest and best moments of my life, I really enjoyed that fight.”
The San Juan Street Fight included Damian Priest slamming Bad Bunny off stacked road cases through tables. The 3-time Grammy winner puts over how taking bumps in wrestling can be extremely painful but still personally fulfilling.
“I suffer. Yeah, I got hurt. I got hurt. My back, my back. Whole body, bro. My whole body. I felt that I was going to die after that match,” Bad Bunny told Zane Lowe. He added, “I really thought that I was going to die after the match, but it’s part of it. I was prepared and then now I’m going to drop a song. I know. I’m a crazy guy. I love it. I love it, and that’s what matter.”
Bad Bunny released the new single “Where She Goes” on May 18. This year also saw him work with the Colombian band Bomba Estéreo for the “Ojitos Lindos” collaboration which dropped in February. Plus, Bunny and Texas-bred band Grupo Frontera collaborated for April’s “Un x100to.”
“I’ve been listening [to ‘Where She Goes’] one hundred times every day. The video is crazy too, so I’m really excited to show the world my new work,” said Bad Bunny. “I was in LA. That beat, my man, Mag, one of my producers, sent me this beat like, ‘Yo.’ I think eight or nine months ago. And since I heard it, I liked it, but I didn’t write anything, I just saved it.”
According to Bunny, he remembered the track about two months ago. The Coachella 2023 headliner recalled, “So I went straight to the studio with my guy… I told him, ‘Yo, I think I have a new anthem.’ So we recorded and that’s it. Really, really simple. Like I told you, I just felt it. I definitely want to perform this song soon. Where? I don’t know. So maybe I have to wait ’til next year, but I don’t know.”
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has dominated the online conversation in recent days. Even rap music legend Lil Wayne has weighed in on the controversy involving the 23-year-old NBA star.
A second video of Ja Morant brandishing a firearm on Instagram Live surfaced last weekend. The Grizzlies suspended Morant from all team activities in response to the viral footage.
Avid sports fan Lil Wayne appeared on the All The Smoke podcast with former NBA players Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson. Part of the show included Wayne jumping into the debate about Ja Morant.
Lil Wayne connected Ja Morant’s situation to his own experiences as a global celebrity. According to the Young Money leader, sometimes the public backlash does not reach the intended target.
“In a lot of situations like this, when we’re all talking about it, the actual people we’re talking about, they purposely stay away from this,” said Wayne. “And there are people protecting them that’s gonna hear it for them and gonna protect them from hearing it.”
He added, “So it’s hard for the message to get through. You got people looking dead in the camera on TV like, ‘I’m talking to you, Ja.’ It’s hard for the message to get through because I’m the breadwinner. I wish a n#### would tell me something.”
Numerous talking heads in sports and Hip Hop media, like Kwame Brown and Charlamagne Tha God, have criticized Ja Morant’s behavior. However, Morant also has defenders like the Memphis-bred rapper BlocBoy JB and ESPN analyst JJ Redick.
Lil Wayne also reflected on why he displayed aggressive actions in the past. The 40-year-old entertainer, who served time in a New York jail for gun possession, mentioned how fans and pundits are not aware of personal problems he may have had with certain adversaries.
On Ja Morant possibly having actual street ties, Wayne said, “He comes from a town of like 3000 people. What y’all expect? Y’all gave him $200 million. I just said a town with 3000 people. You expect him to be responsible? Nah, we’re tripping then… That’s magic.”
Ja Rule is toying with selling off his “lucrative” catalog of hits, but only if he can structure the deal to include a specific condition.
In a new interview, the NYC hitmaker revealed he’s shopping his discography as part of a reversion deal. He will only agree to the sale if the contract includes a clause allowing part of what’s sold to be returned to his family in the future.
“I’ve found out recently that my catalog is very lucrative,” Ja Rule explained to Bloomberg. “So I’ll be looking (to sell). I’ve really been talking about doing a reversion deal where I would probably give up half my catalog, and it would revert back to my family.”
He remained tight-lipped about how much it would cost to secure the deal, saying, “I think it’s kinda hard to put a number on the value.” Ja added, “Usually, the value of the music starts to go down as the artist starts to go away. The value of the music starts to depreciate.”
Ja Rule Predicts the Value Of His Catalog To Increase
Ja Rule also revealed he expects the value of his discography to grow in line with the value of artists’ shares of streams increasing.
“It’s kind of weird, but what’s happening now is we get less than a fraction of a cent for a stream, but that number is going up,” Ja Rule continued. “It’s going up to about 15 percent. So with that happening, I think a lot of these companies are realizing the money that’s out there.” Check out the video below.
#Rapper and media mogul Ja Rule says he’s weighing. selling his #music catalogue. He sat down with Bloomberg’s Scarlet Fu and Romaine Bostick to discuss the value of music. #musictiktok#JaRuke#rap
After beginning his rap career in the mid-nineties, Ja Rule released seven albums in nearly three decades in the game. He’s racked up a string of hits along the way, and topped the Billboard charts three times. “I’m Real,” “Ain’t It Funny,” and “Always On Time” all went to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. “Mesmerize,” “Livin’ It Up,” “Wonderful,” “Down 4 U,” and “Put It On Me,” were top ten hits.
He also earned two Billboard 200 No. 1 albums with Rule 3:36 in 2000 and Pain Is Love in 2021.
Scar Lip has snagged a major co-sign from Snoop Dogg after he kept his promise to hop on the remix of her breakout hit song. “This Is New York.”
The Bronx rapper took to Instagram on Thursday to announce the remix, sharing a video of the West Coast legend rapping along to the track in the studio.
“This is Cali,” Scar Lip wrote, tagging Snoop Dogg, before telling her followers to run up those views.
Scar Lip recently discussed her co-signs from the likes of Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Cardi B, and others during an appearance a recent interview with Chuck Creekmur and Rose D for the Amazing AllHipHop podast.
Snoop Dogg Makes Good On His Promise To Scar Lip
The remix comes just days after Scar Lip shared a text message exchange with Snoop Dogg. The screenshot revealed she reached out to the Doggfather via DM to ask him to appear on the remix.
“Hey Snoop,” the 22-year-old rapper messaged on April 20. “I’m a big fan & love your music. I have a song called This is New York and wanted to know if you’d get on the remix.”
However, Scar Lip had to double back as Snoop Dogg initially ignored her DM.
“Hey Snoop you think u can get on my remix,” she penned on May 8. Her perseverance paid off as Snoop responded the following day with: “F### yes.”
She took to the caption to reveal the Death Row Records honcho agreed to the collab, and they hopped on Facetime to seal the deal.
“Snoop dog said he will do a song with me we FaceTimed and laughed. 🥺🙏❤️” wrote Scar Lip. Check out their exchange below.
“This is Cali” arrived Friday (May 19) alongside a visualizer. Watch it at the end of the page.
“N#### move, don’t you see these gangstas on yo ass?/ N#### move, who ain’t go no problem taking all your cash/ N#### move, now this b#### n#### talking fast/ Got him on his knees, crying, beggin for a pass/ I ain’t got no time for the lovely dovey s###/ We at LAX on yo ass, carousel six/ All you see blood n#####, eses, and hella crips,” Snoop raps on “This is Cali.”
An emotional Ludacris was honored with a coveted star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The three-time Grammy Award winner was surrounded by family and friends as well as his peers, including Queen Latifah and LL Cool J at the ceremony Thursday. However, it one was of his Fast & Furious who helped deliver a very special surprise.
Ludacris didn’t expect his eldest daughter Karam to attend as she was supposedly speaking at Spelman College in Atlanta. “I know she would say something if she was standing at this podium,” Vin Diesel stated during his speech ahead of the presentation.
However, a shocked Ludacris saw Karma making her way to the stage and shared a touching embrace with her. After revealing she tricked her father into thinking she couldn’t make it, Karma gave a moving speech to honor him.
Karma Surprises Ludacris At The Walk of Fame Star Unveiling
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” Karma said to the crowd before paying tribute to Ludacris. “From plays to dance recitals to graduation, you have always found a way to be there for me. Even if it’s a call or a text from miles away, you always made it a point to make sure I felt valued.”
The surprise was nearly too much for Ludacris, who was initially overwhelmed. “I was fighting tears. Seriously, I was glad that I had my sunglasses on today,” he admitted. “That blew me away. Usually, it’s not easy for people to keep certain things from me, but that was 100 percent a surprise. Seems like everybody knew but me! I’m a little p##### off right now. I’m a little mad.”
Ludacris also showed love to his contemporaries for helping shape who he is as an artist.
“No matter what people say I can’t do, I will continue to shatter those stereotypes and show people it’s possible in order to make everyone who got me here proud,” Luda added. “Because you all inspire my hard work and dedication to receive this star today. I’m motivated by legacy and history.”
He continued: “This means that I’ve made my mark, my own personal history being documented. To be amongst these names is just amazing to me. I’m just so thankful. So, getting a star is a statement, but be clear about this statement, the even bigger statement to me is that we are all interconnected.
“And I am a culmination of the people who showed up for me today believing in me and pushing me to inspire me. So y’all be clapping for me all day I’m gonna need y’all to give yourselves a round of applause. Because I’m nothing without you.”
Watch Ludacris receive his star below.
Meanwhile, Ludacris is gearing up to release new music, promising his fans something new later this year. He also hinted that a new album is on the way, eight years after 2015’s Ludaversal.
Rihanna is reminiscing on her first pregnancy with a sultry throwback photoshoot.
Days after her son with A$AP Rocky’s son, RZA, celebrated his first birthday, the superstar songstress took to Instagram to share a collection of images dating back to before she gave birth. The seven-photo carousel features a near-nude Rhianna posing in a pair of black bikini bottoms against a picturesque ocean backdrop.
Rihanna gushed about her son in the caption while reflecting on her first pregnancy. “Here’s a little series I call ‘Rub on ya t######,’” she penned in the caption.
“In honor of my first pregnancy, embracing motherhood like a g, and the magic that this body made!” Rihanna continued. “Baby RZA… he in there not having a clue how nuts his mama is, or how obsessed he was bout to make me.”
She also teased more to come adding the hashtag “to be continued.” Check out Rihanna in the stunning maternity shoot below.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, as their son turned one, A$AP Rocky confirmed the couple named their baby boy after their favorite Wu-Tang Clan member: RZA Athelston Mayers.
He shared a series of images of Rhianna and RZA on Instagram to celebrate his first birthday. A$AP quoted Ol’ Dirty Bastard in the caption, writing, “WU TANG IZ 4 DA CHUREN 🤲.” He added, “HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY TO MY 1st BORN . RZA❤️”
The famous couple, currently expecting their second child, threw a Wu-Tang-themed party to celebrate RZA turning one on May 13. Wu-tang’s Ghostface shared an image from the party featuring baby RZA dressed as a baby Bobby Digital. He tagged Rihanna and A$AP Rocky alongside the little boy’s namesake and added a bunch of love heart emojis.
Instagram is a social media platform that allows users to share their photos and videos with their followers. One of the features that Instagram offers is the ability to repost stories that you find interesting or entertaining. In this article, we will explore how to repost a story on Instagram.
Open Instagram app: The first step is to open the Instagram app on your phone.
Find the story you want to repost: Scroll through your Instagram feed or use the search function to find the story that you want to repost.
Tap the paper airplane icon: Once you have found the story, tap on the paper airplane icon located in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Select “Add post to your story”: A new screen will appear with options for sharing the post. Tap on “Add post to your story” located at the top of the screen.
Customize the reposted story: After selecting the option, you can customize the reposted story by adding stickers, text, and other features.
Share the reposted story: Once you are satisfied with your edits, tap on “Share” to share the reposted story on your Instagram story.
Method 2: Repost a Story using Third-Party Apps
There are also third-party apps that you can use to repost Instagram stories. These apps can make it easier to repost stories, especially if you want to repost multiple stories at once. Here are the steps for using a third-party app:
Download and install a third-party app: Search for a reposting app on your app store, and download and install it.
Log in to your Instagram account: Once you have installed the app, log in to your Instagram account through the app.
Find the story you want to repost: Scroll through your Instagram feed to find the story that you want to repost.
Use the app to repost the story: The steps for reposting the story may vary depending on the app that you are using. However, most apps will have the option to repost the story directly from Instagram.
Customize the reposted story: Once you have reposted the story, you can customize it by adding stickers, text, and other features.
Share the reposted story: After customizing the reposted story, tap on “Share” to share the reposted story on your Instagram story.
Reposting a story on Instagram is a great way to share interesting or entertaining content with your followers. You can repost a story using the Instagram app or a third-party app. When reposting a story, it’s important to give credit to the original creator of the content. By following these simple steps, you can easily repost a story on Instagram and share it with your followers.
When it comes to producing Hip Hop beats, the choice of instruments can make a significant difference. This article explores a range of music instruments that are indispensable in the creation of Hip Hop music, guided by insights from the experts at MusicCritic.com.
For two decades, MusicCritic has been a trusted source of information for music enthusiasts, making it an excellent resource for anyone looking to make their mark in the Hip Hop scene.
This article will explore some of the key instruments commonly used in hip-hop production, including drum machines, synthesizers, and samplers. We’ll also provide valuable tips to help you choose the right instrument based on the specific sound you want to achieve.
A Brief About MusicCritic.com
MusicCritic started as an online music review site over 20 years ago. They have since grown into a comprehensive music resource offering reviews of albums, singles, and even music gear. This is all thanks to a team of passionate music enthusiasts dedicated to helping their audience make informed music choices.
Drum Machines: The Heartbeat of Hip Hop
Drum machines play a crucial role in hip-hop production, providing the backbone and rhythm for the beats. These electronic instruments can produce a wide range of drum sounds, from classic kicks and snare to hi-hats and claps.
Some popular drum machines used in hip-hop include:
Roland TR-808: The TR-808 has become an iconic instrument in hip hop, known for its deep booming bass and punchy snare sound. It has been used on countless hit records and continues to shape the genre to this day.
Akai MPC Series: The MPC series has long been favored by hip-hop producers for its intuitive workflow and sample-based capabilities. These machines allow you to program drum patterns, chop samples, and create intricate beats with ease.
Native Instruments Maschine: Combining the best of software and hardware, Maschine offers a powerful platform for hip-hop beat creation. It provides a vast library of sounds and samples, along with intuitive pad controllers for expressive drum programming.
Synthesizers: Shaping Hip Hop Sounds
Synthesizers are another essential tool in hip-hop production, allowing producers to create unique and captivating melodies, basslines, and atmospheric sounds.
Here are a few synthesizers that have made their mark in hip-hop:
Moog Minimoog: The Minimoog is a legendary analog synthesizer renowned for its warm and fat sound. It has been used in hip-hop to create powerful basslines and rich lead melodies that cut through the mix.
Native Instruments Massive: Massive is a software synthesizer widely used in hip-hop for its versatility and ability to produce modern, cutting-edge sounds. It offers a wide range of presets and customizable parameters, making it a go-to instrument for crafting unique sonic textures.
Korg Triton: The Triton series has been embraced by hip-hop producers for its rich selection of sampled sounds, including pianos, strings, and brass instruments. It allows for expressive playing and layering of sounds to create lush and dynamic hip-hop tracks.
Samplers: Flipping Samples and Adding Texture
Sampling is a fundamental element of hip hop, and samplers are the tools that enable producers to chop and manipulate audio samples to create new musical compositions. Some popular samplers used in hip-hop production include:
Akai MPC Live: The MPC Live is a standalone sampler and sequencer that offers a seamless sampling workflow. It allows you to sample directly from vinyl, CDs, or other audio sources and then manipulate the samples using the built-in controls.
Native Instruments Maschine: In addition to its drum programming capabilities, Maschine also functions as a powerful sampler. It provides advanced slicing and editing features, making it ideal for crafting unique beats from sampled material.
Choosing the Right Instrument for Your Sound
When selecting musical instruments for hip hop production, it’s essential to consider the specific sound and vibe you want to achieve. Here are a few tips to help you choose the right instrument:
Experiment and Explore: Hip hop is a genre that thrives on innovation and pushing boundaries, so don’t limit yourself to traditional choices. Embrace new technologies and experiment with different sounds to find your unique style.
Consider Your Workflow: Think about how you prefer to work. Some producers enjoy the tactile experience of hardware instruments, while others prefer the convenience and flexibility of software-based solutions. Find the setup that enhances your creativity and allows you to work efficiently.
Research and Listen: Take the time to research and listen to hip hop tracks that inspire you. Pay attention to the instruments and sounds used in those tracks and identify the elements that resonate with you. This can provide valuable insights and help you make informed decisions when selecting your instruments.
Budget and Accessibility: Consider your budget and the accessibility of the instruments you’re interested in. While some instruments may be out of reach due to their high cost, there are often more affordable alternatives that can still deliver great results.
Collaborate and Network: Don’t be afraid to collaborate with other musicians and producers in the hip hop community. Building connections and sharing knowledge can open doors to new opportunities. Engage in forums, attend workshops, and seek feedback from experienced producers to enhance your understanding of instrument selection.
Remember, the instruments you choose are tools to help you express your musical vision. Don’t be afraid to break the mold and create your unique sound in hip hop. Explore, experiment, and let your creativity guide you as you select the instruments that best complement your style.
Conclusion
In the world of hip-hop production, the choice of musical instruments plays a crucial role in shaping the beats and sounds that define the genre. Drum machines, synthesizers, and samplers are among the key instruments that have shaped hip-hop music over the years. By understanding the capabilities and characteristics of these instruments, you can create captivating beats and melodies that stand out in the hip-hop landscape.
R&B band LA’DY recently released their debut single, “Love Me Down” produced by Harmony Samuels. Soulful singer Ashley Kimbrae leads the melodic track while band members Kris Callazo, Zuri Appleby, Michel’Le Baptiste, and Ari O’Neal slay the keys, bass, drums, and guitar.
It’s the first single from LA’DY’s forthcoming EP, which is slated to deliver later this year.
“We are extremely excited for our first single ‘Love Me Down’ to be released,” says LA’DY. “We hope everyone enjoys this sultry R&B single and can’t wait to give y’all more! We’re appreciative to Dare Records for believing in us and pushing this record!”
The world’s newest, all-Black female band, LA’DY is composed of five musical powerhouses. Social media brought the ladies together, through each of their pure musical talents and sonic attraction to each other.
The band was officially formed in 2019 and joined by Kris Callazo on keys, Zuri Appleby on bass, Michel’Le Baptiste on drums, and Ari O’Neal on guitar.
As seasoned musicians who worked together previously with many of the industry’s top artists, the ladies felt inspired to bring their artistry to the forefront.
LA’DY’s debut EP is forthcoming with the sultry track “Love Me Down” as the lead single.
Each member of LA’DY, hailing from each end of the US, has a long history of music from childhood. They grew up singing and playing in their respective hometown church choirs and bands. Their combined experience includes working with top music artists such as Kanye West, Lizzo, Nick Jonas, Beyonce, Jay-Z and SZA.
Their classic R&B sound is infused with refreshing upbeat tempos and instrumentation that has no comparison to any bands from the past or present. LA’DY represents the union and unconditional collaboration of women. As they hold their instruments (together), they are ignited to empower generations of girls who never see women of color rock out. Check out their new single below!
Ludacris received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Thursday (May 18).
Hip-Hop legends LL Cool J and Queen Latifah attended the ceremony along with Ludacris’ family, friends and colleagues. LL Cool J praised Ludacris for being a “true titan” of the industry in a speech at the event.
“I just wanna let you know that Hip-Hop culture celebrates you and appreciates you,” LL Cool J said. “I respect and appreciate you, and I salute you for all that you’ve done in your career. And I wish you all the best moving forward. And I just wanna say this thing to all the kids around the world watching: Ludacris is proof that it can be done.”
Ludacris expressed his gratitude for LL Cool J and many others at the ceremony. The Fast and Furious star explained why it was so special for him to have LL Cool J speak at the Walk of Fame event.
“LL inspired me to wanna rap,” Ludacris said. “That’s why I’m here today. He is the man that inspired me to wanna rap. Thank you for all the hard work. You inspired me, LL … We’ve had numerous talks and conversations. I take all of that and I’ve taken it with me and that’s why I stand here today.”
Fetty Wap’s attorneys requested a lenient punishment for their client, who awaits sentencing for a federal drug charge.
According to Billboard, the rapper’s lawyers sought a five-year prison sentence. Fetty Wap is scheduled to be sentenced next week.
“What makes this case unusual is [Fetty Wap’s] motivation,” his attorneys wrote. “Personal gain was not his motivation. Rather, he was motivated by his commitment to financially support others. He now realizes that he does not have to carry the weight of the world on his shoulders.”
Sentencing guidelines recommended Fetty Way spend seven to nine years in prison. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess and distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine in 2022.
Fetty Wap’s attorneys said he struggled with financial burdens during the COVID-19 pandemic. They argued his drug dealing stemmed from a lapse in judgment.
“Suddenly it felt like life was going in reverse and he became ashamed when he began to struggle to keep up the lifestyle that he created for so many,” the lawyers wrote. “His judgment became impaired. Desperate to keep up with his financial obligations, [Fetty Wap] became involved in the instant offense for a few months in the spring of 2020.”
Fetty Wap was originally supposed to be sentenced in January. His sentencing was delayed twice over the past five months.
