Hip Hop News
Page: 2
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Anadolu / Getty
The migrant crisis overtaking the streets of New York (thanks mostly to the Republican governors of Florida and Texas who are bussing their migrants to the Big Apple to make a political point) has a lot of New Yorkers on edge and things are continuing to get more hectic with each passing day.
Weeks after a gang of migrants jumped some police officers in Midtown Manhattan, a cop used a stun gun to subdue a migrant after being called to a migrant shelter in Queens, and the incident was captured on video. According to NYMag, Venezuelan migrant Yanny Cordero was tased and subdued by police this past Friday (March 7) after police were called to the scene in response to an altercation between Cordero and the staff at the migrant shelter.
After police confronted Cordero at the shelter, things escalated and one officer pulled out his stun gun and hit him while he was holding his 1-year-old son.
NYMag reports:
Additional officers intervene and pull him from the elevators, forcing him down on a nearby desk after removing Cordero’s 1-year-old son from his arms. His wife, Andrea Parra, can be heard screaming and attempts several times to put herself between her husband and the officers, only to be pulled away.
Andry Barreto, a Venezuelan migrant who recorded the video, can be heard yelling in Spanish, “This is abuse, brother!” and “Don’t hit him! Don’t hit him!” as officers hold Cordero down and strike him multiple times, after which he tumbles to the ground.
Cordero, who has been staying at the shelter since December, tells the Timesthat the incident began when he returned to the building Friday evening after buying food for his family. He claims employees at the shelter stopped him from taking food up to his room and that, as he struggled to use a translator on his phone, one of the employees suddenly hit him in the face. They later called the authorities.
Both Cordero and his wife were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. Their 1-year-old son was taken in by the Administration for Children’s Services but returned to the couple when they were released the following Monday (March 11).
Naturally struggle Mayor Eric “Party Time” Adams defended the officer’s actions saying “This person was under the influence of alcohol, holding a child. Those officers had to get that child from him so that child was not going to be in danger.” Cordero for his part denies being drunk.
Don’t be surprised if more of these kinds of incidents continue to happen because after those migrants beat down those cops in Times Square a few weeks ago, y’all know the NYPD isn’t going to take anything lying down going forward.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
A new documentary series taking viewers inside the notable Magic City gentlemen’s club produced by Drake and Jermaine Dupri debuted at SXSW to rave reviews.
If you mention Magic City to anyone in and out of Atlanta, Georgia, you’re bound to get an approving response. The well-known strip club is the focus of a new documentary series, Magic City: An American Fantasy, which has Hip-Hop icon Jermaine Dupri and superstar Drake as producers. However, it is not currently attached to any distributor or platform. The series made its debut at the South By Southwest Festival Monday (March 11), with director Charles Todd and producer Cole Brown on hand to field questions from the audience along with fellow producer Jami Gertz after the first episode was screened at the Zach Theatre in Austin, Texas.
On the red carpet, Todd spoke of the influence that the strip club has. “Magic City is a purveyor of culture, and its an A&R – all the biggest hits that you hear on the radio, if it doesn’t break at Magic City, it doesn’t break, period.” Brown also spoke about the fine line everyone walked in bringing the series to the screen. “We wanted to walk a fine line with nudity, in particular — where you can’t make a documentary about a strip club and not have any nudity, it just isn’t true to form — and you’re trying to tell the true story,” he said. “At the same time, we didn’t want it to be salacious, gratuitous. We wanted to use it in such a way that you’re getting an image of what this place is. But if you go to Magic City, you see all the anatomy.”
That was underscored by Gigi McGuire, a former dancer at Magic City who appeared at the premiere and appears nude in the series. “I understood the vision of the artistic value of what they were trying to achieve, and I had no problem with agreeing to show these titties,” she told the audience, adding: “Strip is art, and the art is being celebrated, clearly.” In addition to Drake, the series also features appearances by Big Boi, Shaquille O’Neal, T.I., Killer Mike and Nelly.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Gillie Da Kid went on social media to break his silence on the death of his son, who was shot and killed in Philadelphia last week.
On Saturday (July 29th), Gillie shared a photograph of YNG Cheese on his Instagram account. The rapper-turned-podcaster added a deeply stirring tribute to his son in the caption. “I Miss u like $hit Dev My heart will forever have a Black hole in it but u know ur father gotta be strong to hold the family up,” he wrote.
“Thanks 4 all the support from family, friends, and all of my followers y’all really helping me get thru these ruff times Me, and my family appreciate and love y’all.” He concluded: “Rest Well dev and watch over us u know I got chase, love u Cheese”, adding five crying emojis at the end.
YNG Cheese, aka Devin Spady, was killed in a triple shooting on July 20th in the Olney neighborhood in Philadelphia. According to reports, the aspiring 25-year-old rapper had been shot once in the back and was taken to the hospital, where he died shortly afterward. Two other men who were shot at the scene were in stable condition. YNG Cheese leaves behind a son, Chase.
Wallo, Gillie’s co-host of the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, composed his own tribute to YNG Cheese on Instagram on July 24th. “Lil Cuz usually when I talk to you, I got a lot to tell you,” he wrote next to a photo of the rapper, accompanied by a slew of broken heart emojis. “Tonight the pain in my heart & tears spoke to you. I love you beyond life Cheese. I got your father, Rest Well!”
In another Instagram post before the Gillie Fest event this past Saturday, Wallo acknowledged all of the support that Gillie Da Kid has gotten. “
All your supportive words / love was heard & felt,” he began. “We greatly appreciate you all. Major love to all the friends / family who came through yesterday & put love / laughter on Gillie’s heart & mind. Please know that our mission to lift & educate the youngins will continue and become stronger. No matter what, we’ll never stop believing that tomorrow will be better than yesterday.”
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
The Rock The Bells Festival has announced a newly revamped food market and the addition of a “Hip-Hop Bar” to the event in August.
Organizers for the acclaimed Hip-Hop festival have announced a new path for their food court, a first-of-its-kind culinary experience that was a smashing success last year. This year, they’re introducing the Food That Slaps Market. In addition, this year’s festival will also see the debut of the Drinks That Slap Bar, billed as the first-ever Hip-Hop bar experience.
For the Food That Slaps Market, the Rock The Bells team partnered with the renowned James Beard Foundation to conduct a search for the best culinary innovators who are tapped into Hip-Hop culture. The winners of that search include Fly Private Social, Soul and Wheel, Made From Scratch, Backyard Barbeque, and Black Rican Vegan. These vendors also were awarded a 1-year membership to the foundation’s patron program. They will be joined by Juices For Life by Styles P, Simply Fried, Mikey Likes It, Bulldog Burgers, E-40’s Goon with the Spoon, and Nas’ Sweet Chick.
With the Drinks That Slap Bar, concert-goers can now sample the best alcoholic offerings from some of Hip-Hop’s beloved artists which include Juvenile’s Juvie Juice and E-40’s Earl Stevens wine brand among other cocktails taking their themes from the culture. The Earl Stevens wine brand was launched by the Bay Area legend in 2013 with “Function”, named after his hit at the time before expanding to include other releases made in Napa Valley, California. Juvie Juice was born out of a collaboration between the 400 Degreez rapper and Urban South Brewery based in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana.
The new markets will definitely be a welcome complement to the star-studded festival, which will take place on Saturday, August 5th at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, New York. Tickets for the Rock The Bells Festival are still available on their website.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Don Juan Moore / Getty
Florida A&M’s storied football program is suspended indefinitely after the release of an unauthorized rap video filmed in their locker room.
On Friday (July 21st), head coach Willie Simmons released a statement through Twitter announcing that “all football-related activities” at the Tallahassee, Florida school would be suspended after rapper Real Boston Richey released the video for his song “Send A Blitz” on YouTube. The video was shot inside the Rattlers’ locker room at Galimore-Powell Fieldhouse without authorization. Simmons said that the video “contained graphic language that is not consistent with Florida A&M’s core values, principles, and beliefs.” The university is currently investigating.
“It is a privilege to wear the Orange and Green and as a football program, our young men have failed to live up to the standards set before us,” Simmons wrote. “They will all learn from this mishap and we will continue to work hard every day to become the best version of ourselves and continue to make Rattler Nation Proud.” He also wrote that the video involved the usage of “licensed apparel” which could be a violation of the branding and licensing agreements that the university has.
Real Boston Richey, also known as Jalen Foster, hails from Tallahassee. He performed at the team’s homecoming game last season. In the video, he’s seen sporting a Florida A&M polo shirt and wearing the team helmet. Several Rattlers players also appear in the background of the video. On Apple Music, the artwork for the song also bears the orange and green colors of the Rattlers with football diagrams. There is no discernible information showing when the video was recorded. Real Boston Richey is signed to Future’s Freebandz music label.
[embedded content]
The decision comes just four days before the Southwestern Athletic Conference holds its media day in Birmingham, Alabama on Tuesday (July 25th) and 12 days before players are to report for training camp for the fall on August 12th. FAMU is set to open the upcoming season against Jackson State University on Sept. 3rd in the Orange Blossom Classic at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Simmons, who’s coached Florida A&M since 2018, is looking for his fourth straight season winning more than nine games with the team.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Arturo Holmes / Getty
After being criticized by Elliott Wilson for avoiding rap media to only speak with “outsiders”, Drake clapped back on social media.
On Monday (July 24th), DJ Akademiks shared a clip of the Rap Radar Podcast host doing an interview with Trippie Redd at the Rolling Loud Miami festival over the weekend. The Certified Lover Boy rapper seized the opportunity to hop into the comments of the post, which was shared on Instagram, to add a little shade to the situation.
“Lol man shits on not coming to his platform for a second time and now Elliott 10 toes doing Yes Julz run up interviews at Rolling Loud,” he wrote, also adding laughing emojis. “Just admit the youth took over big dog.” The former Editor-In-Chief of XXL didn’t take long to acknowledge the comment, and to hint at a possible retort in line with his reputation for being outspoken with his perspective as one of the leaders in the field. He shared a screenshot of the comment on his Twitter account with the caption, “Oh, it’s go time? Cool.”
The Honestly, Nevermind rapper has been upset at Wilson since the 52-year-old journalist called him out for pointedly avoiding Hip-Hop media outlets in the wake of his interviews with Caleb Presley of Barstool Sports and TikTok personality Bobbi Althoff. “Moment of clarity: No disrespect to Lil Boat,” he wrote in a tweet that’s since been deleted. “Yachty’s convo with The Boy was comfy and had some cool moments. I was more so clowning the comedy shenanigans with outsiders to our culture. It would be great to hear Drake speak to us again. Even if it ain’t me.”
Drake last appeared on the Rap Radar Podcast with Wilson and Brian “B Dot” Miller in 2019, shedding some light on his artistic journey in a two-hour discussion. Wilson’s critique comes as the Toronto artist has also drawn criticism from Ebro Darden of HOT97 and Apple Music 1, who chided Drake for throwing shade at Childish Gambino’s hit “This Is America” during a show on his current tour while not speaking on issues.
“Drake doesn’t have to,” Ebro wrote on Twitter. “Nor should he if he doesn’t feel it. But to say “This Is America” is overrated and over awarded when that song came at a time when people needed someone to say something. And he doesn’t feel the need to. That’s all.”
UPDATE: 2 Dope Boyz founder MekDot has been dragged into this feud, or whatever you want to call it.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Win McNamee / Getty
Marjorie Taylor Greene and Milo Yiannopoulos have closed a chapter after he repaid her for the financing of Ye aka Kanye West’s campaign website.
According to reports, the controversial far-right activist reimbursed the Republican representative from Georgia for the “use of campaign credit card for personal use,” based on a new filing with the Federal Election Commission. The amount came out to $7,020.16 which Yiannopoulos paid back on May 12th. The purchase was apparently for a campaign website domain, ye24.com, for West who is now known as Ye. Greene’s congressional staff did not respond to requests for comment.
Further details from the filing show that the reimbursement total matches an expense item for a “domain registration and hosting” purchase made with GoDaddy on November 22nd, 2022. That had been previously reported by Greene’s team. According to The Daily Beast, Ye’s team reported paying Yiannopoulos $9,955 for a “domain transfer”. Notably, the purchase was made on the same day that Ye and Yiannopoulos and white nationalist Nick Fuentes arrived at Mar-a-Lago to dine with former President Donald Trump. The situation caused a stir, as a purchase of that type would count as an official sign of entering the 2024 race. The “DONDA” rapper has not yet announced an official presidential run for 2024, although he had a short-lived campaign in 2020.
Yiannopoulos, who has made headlines for seemingly defending pedophilia in addition to making homophobic and racist statements, took credit for the dinner meeting claiming it was “to make Trump’s life miserable.” The dinner would be a precursor to Ye appearing with Fuentes, a rabid Holocaust denier on right-wing figure Alex Jones’ Infowars podcast where he infamously praised Hitler and the Nazi regime along with issuing other antisemitic remarks.
Yiannopoulos would be fired by Ye last December and then rehired in May, but not after suing the rapper for over $100,000. More controversy ensued after Patrick Krason, a former treasurer for Ye, resigned and internal documents were found showing Krason’s concern over Yiannopoulos submitting false invoices.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
A new surprise exhibit dedicated to highlighting the impact of Jay-Z has debuted at the Brooklyn Public Library, complete with his lyrics adorning the building.
The new exhibit, titled The Book of HOV, made its debut to the public officially on Friday (July 14). “He navigated the gritty streets of Brooklyn’s Marcy Projects to the halls of Roc Nation, and now he shines as one of the brightest stars in our constellation. With his rhymes sharper than a knife and beats hotter than a summer in the city, JAY-Z is a beacon of hope for those who dare to dream beyond the confines of their circumstances,” said a statement from the exhibit’s website.
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
The exhibit is styled like chapters in a book and spans the entirety of the main branch of the library, with lyrics from “Justify My Thug” and “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” decorating the curved facade of the building’s main entrance to greet visitors. Inside, there are various installations showing off memorabilia from the rap icon’s career including a down-to-the-detail full-scale recreation of the place where Jay-Z recorded many of the hits he’s known for, Baseline Recording Studios. Other parts of the exhibit feature turntables that play vinyl records containing his hits and the samples that helped to create them and one area that encourages young visitors to craft paper planes in homage to one of his companies.
Chief executive of the Brooklyn Public Library, Linda E. Johnson, worked closely with Sandra Perez, the president of Roc Nation to make the exhibit come alive. That includes Roc Nation footing the entirety of the bill for it, including a donation to a gala in October at the library where Jay-Z and his mother, Gloria Carter, will be honored. “People thought I was a little out of my mind,” Johnson said when interviewed. “I don’t think I’d be going out on a limb to say that this is the biggest exhibition we’ve ever done.” There will also be 13 limited edition library card variations based on each of Jay-Z’s albums available for those who sign up.
“The Book of HOV” will be on display throughout the rest of the summer. More information can be found on its website.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Taylor Hill / Getty
As Hip-Hop celebrates its 50th anniversary, KRS-One and Senator Charles Schumer reflect on their efforts to preserve its birthplace in the Bronx.
The apartment building where DJ Kool Herc threw the first party that gave birth to the culture of Hip-Hop in 1973 has seen that culture go global and change numerous lives. But the status of 1520 Sedgwick Avenue was itself in limbo until the efforts of Senator Charles Schumer and Representative Jamaal Bowman, aided by KRS-One and others, led to a Congressional resolution declaring the building as the birthplace of Hip-Hop in 2021.
“Hip-hop culture has transcended language, race, and age in addition to geographic and socioeconomic barriers,” the Senate majority leader and Brooklyn native said in a statement. “It is a uniquely American art form that has become a global cultural movement. As a proud New Yorker, I was honored to be able to work with hip-hop giants and advocates like KRS-One and DJ Kool Herc, to ensure the birthplace, 1520 Sedgwick Ave, was preserved and celebrated.”
For KRS-One, he felt that Sen. Schumer and Rep. Bowman “understood the importance of hip-hop and its rightful place in our national culture when he extended max effort to make sure this building wasn’t lost.” The legendary artist is bolstering the legacy of 1520 Sedgwick through an initiative launched this summer that will feature classes on the culture in addition to other community events and live performances held at the building. “Internationally, cultural phenoms birthplaces are regularly preserved and celebrated,” the “My Philosophy” rapper said in a statement before acknowledging that sites of Black culture in the U.S. haven’t had that consistent attention.
“The Community Room is now protected for future generations to appreciate. Many think of the room as a ‘sacred space,’” he continued. “Just the act of preserving the room serves as a reminder to all that they also have the ability to achieve their full potential.” KRS-One will be one of many artists celebrating Hip-Hop at 1520 Sedgwick on August 11th with a live concert. “It’s the birthday hip-hop deserves. Its spirit is larger and stronger now than ever before,” he stated.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Anadolu Agency / Getty
LL Cool J and Rock The Bells are setting forth on the high seas with the first-ever Afrocruise, which will sail in 2024.
The Hip-Hop icon and his Rock The Bells platform are teaming up with AfroFuture, a firm dedicated to highlighting the best of African culture through live performances and festivals to launch the inaugural Afrocruise. AfroFuture, formerly known as AfroChella, will also be partnering with AfroVerse for this maiden excursion. The voyage will set sail from Miami, Florida to Nassau in the Bahamas on the Norwegian Pearl. The Afrocruise is dedicated to all things African and its diaspora and will be presented by music cruise leader and festival lead Sixthman.
The musical lineup is stocked with some of the best artists of the diaspora beginning with Adunkele Gold. Other artists include Ayra Starr, Black Sherif, The Compozers, Juls, Mayorkun, Naira Marley, Spinall, Teni, Uncle Waffles, and Zinoleesky. Other Afrobeats and amapiano artists will be added to the lineup in the near future. In addition, the totally immersive event will have other engaging activities such as a suya BBQ on the pool deck, DJ sets, and basketball and FIFA video game tournaments. There will also be parties hosted by Afrobeats & Brunch, London’s Days Like This, Positive Vibes Only (PVO), RNB HouseParty, and NYC’s No Wahala podcast with Tune Day + Bawo.
Those booking their passage on the Afrocruise will also have the opportunity to indulge in a shore excursion in Nassau, as well as partake in the numerous amenities that the Norwegian Pearl has to offer such as the Pearl Club Casino, Mandara Spa, Body Waves Fitness Center, Sports Court and the many bars and dining options onboard. The Afrocruise will set sail from Miami on March 29th, 2024 through April 1st, 2024. Those interested can book their tickets at theafrocruise.com.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…