GALLERY
Page: 3
HipHopWired Featured Video
Snoop Dogg lost a bit of goodwill with some of his fanbase after appearing in Washington, D.C. to appear at an event connected to President Donald Trump’s inauguration weekend. After catching the wrath of Hip-Hop fans and opponents of Trump, Snoop Dogg defended his appearance at the event and faced the criticism with love instead of the vitriol he’s faced online.
Taking to his Instagram account for a livestream, Snoop Dogg is seen driving in a vehicle and addressing his fans about the matter with his usual affable coolness and decided to combat the negative comments with positive vibes instead.
“Ya’ll can’t hate enough for me, I love too much,” Snoop says during his morning wake-and-bake drive. “Get your life right, stop worrying about mine, I’m cool. I’m together.”
Snoop continued with, “Still a Black man, still 100% Black. All out, ’til you ball out. Or until you fall out. I ain’t going nowhere. I’m right here.”
Many have speculated that Snoop’s alignment with Donald Trump is personal as the president pardoned Michael Harris, one of the co-founders of Death Row Records, a company Snoop is now the owner of. Harris, also known as Harry-O, was behind bars serving time for drug charges.
Check out the livestream of Snoop Dogg in the clip below courtesy of Livebitez.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Romain Maurice / Getty
Popeyes, the fried chicken fast food chain, and Don Julio, one of the top tequila brands in the world, aren’t exactly in the same wheelhouse on several fronts but it appears things are changing. Don Julio and Popeyes look to be hinting at an upcoming collaboration and those who make up Black Xitter on the X platform had some thoughts.
Last Thursday, Popeyes posted a video on its Instagram account that teases the Don Julio collaboration featuring a vibrant party scene and a woman DJ decked out in gear adorned with the chain’s namesake along with some fancy Black boxes featuring the tequila brand’s name as well.
The caption for the video read, “The kitchen is heating up for the big game. Party starts 1.31.25,” which we assume is meant to illustrate that the Super Bowl contest between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs is happening soon on Feb. 9.
While we’ll have to wait until the end of the month to find out what exactly Popeyes and Don Julio are up to, fans on X, formerly Twitter, are chiming in with a wild variety of theories. Naturally, with the drop happening on the eve of Black History Month, some eyebrows were raised.
Will it be a new tequila-based glaze? Will there be Mexican-themed spices in a new drop? Is it a fashion collaboration considering the DJ’s outfit in the clip? It’s all over the place.
Check out the teaser clip below.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty
DJ Akademiks is one of the most notable figures in the streaming space and his popularity has pushed him to an audience of younger viewers who engage with his content. However, DJ Akademiks is facing serious allegations of attempting to groom a teenage boy after asking him an inappropriate sexual question while later offering up an apology some feel came up short.
DJ Akademiks, 35, was in a livestream event with PlaqueBoyMax and the streamer’s moderator, NourGxd, who is 15. Ak, real name Livingston Allen, can be heard asking NourGxd if he would engage in sexual activities with Max. NourGxd shot down the advance by citing his age, causing Ak to double down and ask the teen if he would have sex with Max’s sister, who reportedly is over the age of 18.
Max seemed to join in on the fun and threatened to cut the teen from the streaming feed before Ak kept dreaming up odd scenarios including asking, quote, “You don’t know another 15-year-old you can bust down?” among other quips. NourGxd, seemingly uncomfortable at this point, expressed repeatedly that he’s not gay nor interested in doing what was suggested. Another streamer then asks NourGxd for his address to send strippers to his home.
The stream, which took place last Thursday (Jan. 23), went viral and has ignited a strong rallying cry accusing DJ Akademiks of grooming the teen and highlighting his defense of Drake, who has previously been slapped with similar allegations involving minors although those claims remain unfounded.
Ak has acknowledged his comments to NourGxd but most have taken note that the acknowledgment and the misplaced bravado attached to it nullifies any good intentions DJ Akademiks may have had. Reactions, including comments from rival Freddie Gibbs, Nitty Scott MC, and Meek Mill to the livestream going viral and Ak’s weak walk back can be viewed below.
We will share the video featuring Ak’s comments but do warn that the content might be triggering for some so proceed cautiously.
Dj Akademiks said really disturbing things to this minor pic.twitter.com/FvuwtNiWbA
— Rak (@vvsrak) January 24, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
President Donald Trump and Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro clashed over the handling of deportees from America to the South American nation via military planes, with Petro initially denying entry. After President Donald Trump threatened to impose stiff tariffs on Colombia, President Gustavo Petro agreed to the terms that allow immigrants to return who entered the United States illegally.
CNN was one of several outlets covering the brief yet intense exchange between the two leaders that began on Sunday (Jan. 27) when military planes from the United States carrying illegal immigrants attempted to land in Colombia. The outlet said it examined documents that showed the country approved the flights yet President Petro says that wasn’t the case with officials stateside saying that Colombia retracted the authorization. There have been reports on social media that the migrants were placed in shackles.
Petro initially denied access to the planes from landing stating that American officials handling the migrants as criminals and demanding a more humanitarian approach. In response, Trump threatened tariffs on imports against Colombia, which has been a longtime trade partner with America. Trump also said he would levy a travel ban on citizens of the country, revoking visas, and halting visa processing for both immigrant and non-immigrant visas.
The visa restrictions were particularly alarming as they typically only arise for countries or individuals that have committed human rights abuses. Petro fired back with tariff threats of his own and had choice words for Secretary of State Marco Rubio via social media.
By Sunday evening both sides stated that they reached an agreement, with some framing the actions of Colombia’s agreement with the United States and backing down from Trump. However, it appears that Petro was able to negotiate terms that were more in line with other deportation exchanges done under the Biden administration which ever escalated into a trade dispute.
“We will continue to receive Colombians and Colombian women who return as deportees, guaranteeing them decent conditions as citizens subject to rights,” Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo said in a statement. Murillo then shared that deportation flights are clear to go and that they will send the Colombian presidential plane to help with the efforts of bringing citizens back.
The White House issued a statement in connection to the brief standoff.
“Today’s events make clear to the world that America is respected again. President Trump will continue to fiercely protect our nation’s sovereignty, and he expects all other nations of the world to fully cooperate in accepting the deportation of their citizens illegally present in the United States,” read the statement.
On X, formerly Twitter, some are discussing the exchange between President Gustavo Petro and President Donald Trump while expressing disappointment that the country didn’t stand up further for itself. We’ve got those reactions below.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Sexyy Red is having a rather interesting 2025 so far, after clashing with the family of Martin Luther King Jr. over a poorly advised image use that she’s since apologized for. Sexyy Red is back to pushing the music once more and enlisted Bruno Mars for “Fat, Juicy & Wet” which has some fans wondering if the singer is in debt.
Sexyy Red’s brand of music is, in a word, southern-tinged “p*ssy rap” delivered in a raw, unapologetic fashion. So it begs the question of why a pop star of Bruno Mars’ magnitude would sign up to croon the words we’re sharing below.
The track opens with Mars singing the words, “Fat, juicy, and wet (Ah-ah)/I don’t even gangbang, p*ssy so good/Make me throw up a set (Ah-ah), uh/That good kitty-kitty, good kitty-kitty/Make it my pet (Ah-ah, ah-ah)/Pretty p*ssy type of pussy/You ain’t ever gon’ forget (Ah-ah)/Fat, juicy, and wet (Wet), wet (Wet), wet (Wet), wet (Wet).”
We’re not stating Mars is a saint or hasn’t cursed on a record before but to hear those words sung with such passion is almost comical. Then there is the business of the St. Louis rapper’s lyrics.
From Sexyy Red’s “Fat, Juicy & Wet”:
P*ssy like weed, p*ssy like dope
P*ssy like cocaine, put it up your nose
Ayy, slob on my cl*t, suck on my toes
Twenty-four karat, p*ssy drip like gold (Ooh)
Throw my legs back, eat my booty from the front (Mm)
Milk mustache on your face when I c*m (Yeah)
Hit it from the bottom, hit it from the top (Yeah)
Pop go the p*ssy ’cause the p*ssy say, “Pop”
Okay, then.
Produced by Bruno Mars and The Stereotypes, the track should get some requisite burn inside your classic shaky buns establishments but we’re not sure if this is going to chart beyond the strip club.
On X, folks are wondering why Bruno Mars joined Sexyy Red on “Fat, Juicy & Wet” in hilarious fashion. We’ve got those reactions below.
—
Photo: Getty
2. Ageism and hate in one tweet.
4. Check cleared?
6. Comments for engagement type vibes…
9. That’s way too much sauce on it.
14. Mans really loved GNX.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
The 97th Oscars nominations list was unveiled on Thursday (Jan. 23) and naturally, film fans online have plenty to say. With the Oscars trending on the X platform, the reactions from moviegoers and observers are all over the place.
The 97th Annual Academy Awards, better known as the Oscars, will take place next month with Conan O’Brien hosting, replacing Jimmy Kimmel from a year prior.
Top of the ticket, the Best Picture nominees are Anora, The Brutalist, A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Dune: Part Two, Emilia Pérez, I’m Still Here, Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Wicked.
One of the more impassioned replies on X seemed to be aimed at Emilia Pérez notching 13 nominations, the most by a non-English-language movie in Oscars history. Wicked earned 10 nominations total, with the film’s leads Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both nominated in their roles. The Substance, starring Demi Moore, also earned five nominations.
Some snubs were mentioned by a few with Denzel Washington’s role in Gladiator II seemingly overlooked, along with Nicole Kidman in Babygirl and Angelina Jolie in Maria among others. Fan favorite actor Colman Domingo earned an Actor in a Leading Role for his role in Sing Sing, going against Timothée Chalamet, Adrien Brody, Ralph Fiennes, and Sebastian Stan.
In the Actress in a Leading Role category, the aforementioned Cynthia Erivo was nominated for her role in Wicked. Karla Sofía Gascón, Mikey Madison, Demi Moore, and Fernanda Torres round out the nominees there.
To see the full listing of the 97th Oscars (Academy Awards) nominees, please click here.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
President Donald Trump was sworn in on Monday (Jan. 20) and the spectacle of the inauguration has concluded with many in the media offering their observations On X, President Donald Trump’s rambling and sometimes unfocused acceptance speech was dissected at great lengths with some pointing out the fallacies and falsehoods spewed from the pulpit.
President Donald Trump spoke at length from inside the U.S. Capitol Rotunda, using the moment to essentially echo many of his campaign talking points to raucous applause from his subordinates and supporters. It was more of the same tough talk and bluster most have come to expect, and there were soft lobs toward Black and Hispanic communities coupled with promises of cleaning up the crime in cities across the nation.
Trump also promised to tap into natural resources on the domestic level despite the threat to the climate it poses and wants to transform America into a manufacturing giant once more. He also made appeals to the auto industry and directed domestic companies to ramp up production. There were also the long-existing threats of tariffs against other nations and the promise of eliminating the cost to American citizens.
In a bizarre moment, Trump went back to his desire to rename the Panama Canal and said that the country “broke its promises” to America. He also used this moment to take a direct swipe at China, saying that he intends to snatch the canal back from the rival superpower.
Pastor Lorenzo Sewell’s passionate prayer in support of Trump also garnered some responses given the dramatic histrionics on display and the religious leader evoking Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Free At Last” speech inappropriately. It was, in a word, “something.”
Like much of Trump’s presidential campaign, the unchecked bravado of the former business mogul was on full display with a full-throated embrace from those in attendance who applauded nearly every word. However, how these plans are expected to move forward was not illustrated in any visible detail. Trump also circled and repeated his points, appearing to speak off script and barely spoke to the concerns of average Americans and largely aimed his words at his rabid base. There was also an unnecessary jab at the LBGTBQ community, in particular regarding gender presentation.
On X, users are chiming in regarding the inauguration of President Donald Trump and dissecting his words and a higher level than legacy media would ever dare. Check out those reactions below.
—
Photo: Getty
10.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Martin Luther King Jr. is, with little doubt, one of the more notable figures in the annals of Black history, and his sacrifice for the greater good of all maintains its resonance in modern times. In the wake of the transition of power within the White House on January 20, Hip-Hop Wired is electing to honor Martin Luther King Jr. instead and will share ways to uphold the great leader’s lasting legacy.
Hip-Hop Wired and the entire Urban One family for years have highlighted the incredible accomplishments of Martin Luther King Jr., and the sting of his light being snuffed out in 1968 nearly upended the Civil Rights Movement as over 100 cities rioted after his assassination in Memphis, Tenn. At just 39 years of age at the time, King was close to achieving the impossible feat of unifying the country and wisely highlighted the true divide in America of race and class. And in the decades since King’s passing, Black people in America achieved incredible feats in the face of insurmountable odds only to conquer those barricades admirably.
Source: Santi Visalli / Getty
Check out a portion NewsOne’s profile and recognition of Martin Luther King Jr,’s 96th birthday below:
In 1957, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was formed following the efforts and response to the “Montgomery Bus Boycott” in 1955. Rosa Parks jump-started the Civil Rights Movement that same year, after refusing to give up her seat to a White person. Dr. King and several other leaders joined the boycott, creating the SCLC.
With the help of the Quakers, Dr. King traveled to India in 1959 to visit with Gandhi. The trip was the necessary push needed to galvanize Dr. King’s desire to employ a similar approach with non-violent disobedience protests Stateside. SCLC activist Bayard Rustin, also a student of Gandhi’s teaching, served as King’s right hand in planning the 1963 “March On Washington” and was a trusted ally.
Releasing just a handful of books during his lifetime, Dr. King’s written work contained nearly the entire scope of his personal and academic pursuits. “Stride Toward Freedom: The Montgomery Story” was released in 1958. His last work, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos Or Community,” saw a 1967 release.
Please read the entire profile here.
Source: – / Getty
One of the most viable ways one can engage the world using the philosophies of King comes by way of The King Center, helmed by Dr. Bernice A. King, the leader’s youngest child. Dr. King has enacted the training and education module Nonviolence365™️, which aids in the practice of nonviolent social activism. We could not think of another way to honor Martin Luther King Jr. other than pointing directly to all of the amazing efforts and activations sparked by The King Center.
Learn more by visiting The King Center website and check out the variety of resources there.
Adding to this, MLK Day is largely seen as a day of service. In that regard, search your local community organizations and volunteer to be in service of your neighbors, including the disabled and elderly. This can also include working in soup kitchens, homeless shelters, or your local houses of worship. A gripping cold has taken over much of the country and several groups could use all hands on deck to bring warmth and comfort to the less fortunate.
On X, Martin Luther King Jr. is trending and we’ve gathered some replies to share with our readers below.
An urgent need… #MLK #MLKDay #KingHoliday pic.twitter.com/aP41uBs5ol
— The Martin Luther King, Jr. Center (@TheKingCenter) January 19, 2025
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Mac Miller left the world far too soon in 2018, just as his creative output was gaining notice and garnering him a wider fanbase. To commemorate the drop, the estate of Mac Miller has released a new body of work in Balloonerism along with a short film, and fans on X have reacted to the release in kind.
Balloonerism clocks in at 14 minutes and has just two features with SZA and Delusional Thomas showing up for “DJ’s Chord Organ” and “Transformations” respectively. According to what we read on Wikipedia, this album was recorded between 2013 and 2014. But fans reportedly have had access to some of these songs over the years via leaks and it was teased late last year at Camp Flog Gnaw.
Much of the album follows the soulful nature of Swimming, one of our favorite releases from the Pittsburgh star, and finds him flexing his singing abilities across several tracks. Songs like “5 Dollar Pony Rides” melt into a jazzy groove after a verse as Miller belts out vocals. The track “Friendly Hallucinations” continues the warm sound of the preceding track but finds Miller in confident rapper mode as he handles the hook capably.
Sonically, it sounds reminiscent of Miller’s work on his mixtape Faces, and certainly reveals more of his musical interests and connections with the sprawling musical community of Los Angeles with bassist Thundercat showing up on backing instrumentals alongside Thundercat’s brothers, drummer Ronald Bruner and keyboardist Jameel Bruner among others. Larry Fisherman, the producer moniker of Miller, shows up in the credits as well.
You can check out Mac Miller’s Balloonerism by clicking here along with the short film below supporting the project. Keep scrolling to see reactions from X regarding the new drop.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
President Joe Biden will be vacating the White House after serving four years along with his decades of public service, some of which has garnered its fair share of criticism. In his outgoing address, President Joe Biden warned of an oligarchy taking form in Washington and framed the changing landscape of content moderation in social media as a danger to democracy.
In the 17-minute farewell address, President Joe Biden was stern in his delivery as he thanked the American people before taking aim at the formation of what Biden feels is an influential core of Big Tech leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk inserting themselves in opposition of democracy.
“Today, an oligarchy is taking shape in America of extreme wealth, power and influence that literally threatens our entire democracy, our basic rights and freedoms, and a fair shot for everyone to get ahead,” Biden said.
President Biden didn’t explicitly name Zuckerberg or Musk by name but it is little secret that the pair’s recently affirmed proximity to President-elect Donald Trump is questionable considering the influence the pair wield in both wealth and across social media. Further, Meta, helmed by Zuckerberg, is adopting a new policy that does away with content moderation and instead will adopt the community notes feature from X.
Further in the address, Biden suggested that Supreme Court justices serve an 18-year term limit instead of the lifetime appointments of today. He also made slight mention of Trump’s 34-county felony convictions although he won’t face any time.
President Joe Biden’s farewell address can be viewed below.
—
Photo: Getty