Musicians
Page: 2
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Jadakiss and Jim Jones joined forces to march with healthcare workers to the New York governor’s office to demand action on Medicaid.
On Saturday (March 23), members of the 1199SEIU healthcare workers union marched in New York City to the office of New York Governor Kathy Hochul to protest the new restrictions that she has placed concerning Medicaid. Joining them on the march were two top-notch rappers – Jadakiss and Jim Jones. The Dipset MC shared footage of himself and the Lox artist marching with the healthcare workers in the rain in a post on Instagram.
“What we doin?” Jadakiss asks as Jim Jones holds up the camera to capture the moment. “We gettin’ our steps on like Malcolm and Martin, out here for a good cause,” Jones replies. In the caption of the post, he wrote: “Special shout out to all the #1199Healthcare workers who show up for the cause today and march to fight for [what’s] right,” also adding:
“The government is only covering 70 percent of Medicaid cost at our new York hospitals [and] clinics. This 30 percent gap is causing underfunding [which] cause the hospitals to b[e] understaffed then eventually havin’ to close [their] doors. To prevent this from happening we [need] everyone to let the governor know we need the 30 percent to [be] implemented immediately. Shouts to @hot97 [and] @funkflex for keeping the city united when we need it the most @jadakiss.”
In January, 1199SEIU called on Governor Hochul to stop underpaying the state’s hospitals on Medicaid claims. Currently, only 70% of all bills under Medicaid are paid fully. “Over seven million New Yorkers rely on Medicaid services, the majority of whom come from Black and Latino communities. Despite the fact that Medicaid provides vital coverage to these New Yorkers, the state pays hospitals 30% less than the actual cost of needed care,” their statement reads. The practice has led to the closure of two major hospitals in New York City and 15 maternity centers in the state.
The march is the second time Jadakiss has been spotted outside in service of the people. He was recently seen offering support to those incarcerated in the Rikers Island prison system, bringing them pizza from the viral eatery, Cuts N’ Slices.
“Didn’t break my fast but I did let the brothers enjoy the meal and festivities,” he wrote in the caption.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
Pray for Keith Murray. The Long Island rapper was recently recorded in a bad state, but it’s the women behind the camera who is catching all the smoke.
Recently, a clip of “The Most Beautifullest Thing in This World” rapper was uploaded to social media that frankly showed him to be down bad, essentially begging for money. The woman behind the camera can be heard recording Murray despite his questioning why she is video taping him. Despite his protests she continually say she is recording him because he’s famous and goes as far as offering him $20 to “sing.”
Unfortunately, this is not the first time Keith Murray has been seen in this sort of state. Back in June 2023, Lord Jamar shared a video a Murray in what seemed like a mental health crisis. Worth noting, is that just a couple of weeks earlier Murray looked just fined performing in Baltimore.
With the latest video, the overall reaction is concern for Murray’s health, with many hoping he gets help for whatever he may be going through. As for the videographer, she’s catching all the slander for allegedly clout-chasing at the expense of putting a star rapper on blast at his lowest.
See the reactions for yourself in the gallery.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Emma McIntyre / Getty
Last week, social media was buzzing after NewsNation “reported” that Pop/R&B sensation Bruno Mars had racked up more than $50 million in gambling debt at MGM casinos and that a large portion of that debt is being paid off with money Mars earned during his residency at Park MGM in Las Vegas.
After the news was reported, the interwebs were flooded with memes, gifs and everybody’s opinion on Mars’ apparent gambling addiction. Shannon Sharpe even started dishing about a story he heard about the “Talking to the Moon” singer losing nearly $2 million after a single night of gambling.
Well, it turns out that the Silk Sonic member may not be a victim of his own gambling impulses, but he might be a victim of bad journalism. According to MGM Resorts International, none of the rumors about Mars’ outstanding debt are true.
“We’re proud of our relationship with Bruno Mars, one of the world’s most thrilling and dynamic performers. From his shows at Dolby Live at Park MGM to the new Pinky Ring lounge at Bellagio, Bruno’s brand of entertainment attracts visitors from around the globe,” MGM said in a statement to People. “MGM and Bruno’s partnership is longstanding and rooted in mutual respect. Any speculation otherwise is completely false; he has no debt with MGM. Together, we are excited to continue creating unforgettable experiences for our guests.”
Since the company doesn’t have any discernable reason to lie about Mars not owing it money, it seems pretty safe to say this is yet another example of why folks can’t just believe every headline they read in their news feeds.
From People:
A source had claimed to NewsNation that MGM “basically owned” Mars after he allegedly racked up millions in gambling debt with the hospitality and entertainment company.
The outlet also claimed that Mars made $90 million a year from his residencies at MGM, but the singer was using a large amount of that to pay the company back.
“[He will] only make $1.5 million per night after taxes,” NewsNation claimed.
Mars’ began his partnership with MGM in 2016, leading to his Park MGM residency. This year, his Pinky Ring cocktail bar opened at MGM’s Bellagio Resort & Casino.
So, it sounds like Bruno Mars is doing fine, and there are some entertainment media outlets out there that really need to do better at checking their facts before rushing to put a juicy celebrity story out.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Gylan Kain, a founding member of the famed spoken word group The Last Poets, has died as shared in a recently published report. The family of Kain did not initially release details of his death, which happened early last month.
The New York Times reports that Gylan Kain died in the city of Lelystad in the Netherlands while at a nursing home. According to Kain’s son, Rufus Kain, his father passed away from heart disease.
As seen on the website of founding The Last Poets member Abiodun Oyewole, the group got its start in 1968. Below is an excerpt from the biography section of Oyewole’s page:
The Last Poets were born on May 19, 1968, when David Nelson, Gylan Kain, and Abiodun Oyewole read poetry at a memorial for Malcolm X. Their goal was to be a poetic voice for Malcolm’s call for self-determination and Black Nationalism. Like many black activists of the time, they were tired of Martin Luther King’s integrationist agenda. They were much more influenced by the politics of radical members of the SNCC (Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee), the SDS Students for a Democratic Society), and the Black Panthers.
The name of the group was taken from a poem by the South African revolutionary poet Keorapetse William Kgositsile, who posited the necessity of putting aside poetry in the face of looming revolution: “When the moment hatches in time’s womb there will be no art talk,” he wrote. “The only poem you will hear will be the spearpoint pivoted in the punctured marrow of the villain….Therefore we are the last poets of the world.”
Fans of Earl Sweatshirt might know that the late Kgositsile is his father and has been a focus in some of the rapper’s lyrics throughout his career.
The Last Poets are often seen as the precursor to the Hip-Hop pillar of rapping, and their recorded works have been sampled by Hip-Hop artists. Further, many of the group’s members and their various incarnations have worked alongside the likes of Common, Nas, and Public Enemy among others.
Kain shortly turned to acting after his initial stint with the group and performed in a handful of stage productions. In the 1980s, Kain relocated to Amsterdam and continued to record music, and remained an actor. He was previously married to June Lum and the couple had three children.
Gylan Kain is survived by Rufus Kain, Khalil Kain, Khayyam Kain, Khayyam Kain, and Amber Kain along with seven grandchildren.
He was 81.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: ANDREA ARIZA / Getty
Elijah Marley, the grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, thrilled the crowd paying tribute to Jo Mersa Marley on his birthday recently.
On March 9, the family of the late, great reggae legend Bob Marley held a tribute concert to honor the birthday of the late singer and relative Joseph “Jo Mersa” Marley at Nine Mile in the St. Ann’s parish of Jamaica. Amid a star-studded lineup, one figure captivated the audience—Elijah Marley, the 12-year-old grandson of Bob and son of Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley.
With his father and uncles behind him beaming with pride, Elijah sang and the audience burst into cheers at his performance. The young Marley has been rising in prominence, having previously displayed his skills at the celebration of what would’ve been Bob Marley’s 77th birthday on February 6, 2022, at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston.
The highlight of that “Roots 77” showcase (which also incorporated live stream performances from artists such as D’Angelo) was Elijah doing a cover of Stephen Marley and Capleton’s “Rockstone”, singing lead as he played the drums. He also captivated the 3,000 audience members with a performance of John Lennon’s iconic tune “Imagine”, and even covered country music star Blake Shelton’s “God Country,” adding his own twist to it.
[embedded content]
The concert honoring Jo Mersa Marley also featured notable artists such as Kabaka Pyramid, Spragga, Christopher Ellis, Lutan Fyah, and Black Am I. Jo Mersa Marley was on his way to being an established artist carrying on the family’s legacy as the first-born son of Stephen Marley, beginning with his debut EP Comfortable in 2014. He had released several singles that moved the needle in the reggae scene including “Burn It Down”, a collaboration with his brother Yohan Marley that was released in 2019.
The 31-year-old Jo Mersa Marley died in December 2022 after being found unresponsive in his car in a parking lot in Miami, Florida. The Miami-Dade Medical Examiner’s Office would later determine the cause of death as “acute asthma exacerbation,” with rhinovirus/enterovirus infection listed as a primary cause.
Rest in powerful peace Joe Mersa Marley.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Kevin Sabitus / Getty
A few weeks ago Eminem had older heads confused when he decided to rehash his old beef with Benzino on the track “Doomsday 2.” Although Zino is open to squashing his beef with Em in 2024, It doesn’t seem like the feeling is mutual.
Dropping off some new visuals for the aforementioned song, Eminem rocks some black and yellow attire (alone with the “Thunder” Air Jordan 4’s) as he strolls through a hospital that seems like it’s been rocked by a natural disaster while his rap peers such as Big Sean and Cordae appear to take on the adlib duties. Not gonna lie, we kinda feel bad for Benzino at this point.
Another Hip-Hop OG returns to show he’s still got enough bars to lock down a block and in his Young Thug assisted clip to “OK,” Busta Rhymes uses a cloud as his sofa high in the sky while utilizing some CGI magic to have the currently incarcerated Young Thug to spit his verse. Busta still got it, man.
Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from NBA YoungBoy featuring Herm Da Sheep, Maxo Kream, and more.
EMINEM – “DOOMSDAY 2”
[embedded content]
BUSTA RHYMES & COOL & DRE FT. YOUNG THUG – “OK”
[embedded content]
NBA YOUNGBOY FT. HERM DA SHEEP – “MY BOBO”
[embedded content]
MAXO KREAM – “NO THEN YOU A HOE”
[embedded content]
STARLITO – “WRITER’S BLOCK”
[embedded content]
THE MUSALINI & SMOKE DZA – “EYE OF THE STORM”
[embedded content]
NICE – “ON THE QUICK SIDE”
[embedded content]
TRF BAMRICH – “GRIM REAPER”
[embedded content]
SY ARI DA KID – “OUTSIDE LOOKING IN”
[embedded content]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: @mr.officials.llc / Instagram
Fans of the late rapper Takeoff were stunned after seeing the MC come to life in an impressive wax figure.
During an interview with Cleveland’s Z107.9, Mr. Officials revealed the project took seven months to complete and the cost of the immaculate project, was upwards of $100,000. The sculptor said despite his urge to re-invest his money into his personal needs, he leaned into God’s voice.
Mr.Officials.LLC shared the heartfelt story behind the work of art and why it also signified “new beginnings.”
“I haven’t posted in a while and here’s why,” the narration of the Takeoff video begins. “I’m grieving and I’m mourning and I didn’t even know it. Some of you may or may not notice that I’m closing my business after three years. I’m losing my car, it’s on its last wheel. I’m driving a 14-year-old car and I soon won’t have that. I’ll be homeless if all goes well. Now before you begin to feel sorry for me, I’m okay. My gift will make room for me because it always has, and even with all my losses I still believe that this is my year.”
“I’ve heard God say over and over, ‘Finish what you started,’” the narration continued. “So I thought well maybe I could finish some sculptures. I could finish working on some projects that I started on, but it’s way too expensive and like I said, I need a new car. He kept saying to me, ‘This is not about you. Your gift is to inspire. Finish what you started.’ So, as I continued to finish working on projects, I began to grieve and mourn the individuals that I was working on. Crying while creating, this young man I’ve been working on is deceased, and yet I still feel a sense to pray for him.
The behind-the-scenes video concluded with the lesson Mr. Officials felt was behind it all, the push to keep going.
“Praying for his soul, praying for his family, friends, and band members. That’s when it hit me. This will be the year that I take off. God was using me in the life and legacy of the late rapper Takeoff to let me know that he has not forgotten about me. And what’s funny is this isn’t even my prayer. My prayer is not to have a new house, or a new car or a new business. My prayer is for this to be your year of Takeoff. Your job will go to another level. Your marriage will go to another level. Even your finances and health will increase. I believe that this will be the year to Takeoff,” the narration concluded.
This isn’t the first time Mr. Officials has gone viral, in 2022 he set the internet ablaze for creating a life-size wax figure for the late Nipsey Hussle that took him nine months to finish.
The wax figure comes over a year after the artist was tragically gunned down in downtown Houston. Takeoff, born Kirsnick Khari Ball, was tragically shot and killed during an altercation in Houston in 2022. He was 28 years old. Patrick Clark was arrested and charged with the shooting last year but was released from jail on a $1 million bond.
Check out the full interview below.
[embedded content]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty
The rumors have been swirling around for months, but this week Common and Jennifer Hudson confirmed that they are dating.
The rapper is set to appear on The Jennifer Hudson Show today (Jan. 22).
In a teaser preview, Hudson, 42, introduces the Chicago rapper with a rap freestyle saying, “Now y’all know I’m a singer, but I’ve been around this hip-hop thing a little bit.” When he emerges, Common, 51, presents her with a large floral bouquet.
“Now, we gotta get down to business, Mr. Common. I’m a host and so I have to ask you this question ’cause everybody always wanna know this — are you dating anyone?” Hudson asks in the clip.
“I’m in a relationship that is with one of the most beautiful people I ever met in life,” he said coyly. “She’s smart, she loves God, she has something real down-to-earth about her, she’s talented.”
“But I set my standard kind of high because she had to have an EGOT,” he continued. “She had to win an Oscar on her first movie. I set my stand high. She had to get her own talk show.”
In the clip, Hudson blushes at his response.
They then reverse the performance with him asking her if she is seeing anyone and she responds that she is “very happy” in her current relationship.
Common adds, “This relationship is a happy place for me,” he shared. “Seeing her happy actually makes me really happy. So, I’m very grateful. I thank God each and every day, and I’m just letting God guide this relationship.”
The couple are both Chicago natives and rumors have been swirling that they were dating for nearly a year after they were seen out and about together in both Philadelphia and their hometown.
In November, Hudson sat down for an interview with Gayle King where she also confirmed that she was “very happy.”
“Word on the street is you’re very happy,” co-host Gayle King asked, according to BET. “I am very happy, yes ma’am,” the singer replied, though she stopped short of name-dropping who the person is.
“In a very nice relationship with someone who shall remain nameless,” King added.
It looks like that special “someone” is no longer nameless.
Check out the full clip below.
[embedded content]
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Erika Goldring / Getty
The iconic Ramova Theatre is set to reopen in Chicago with the help of Quincy Jones, Jennifer Hudson and Chance The Rapper. The three natives of the city are now part of an ownership group that has reclaimed the theater which first opened in 1929.
The Ramova was a popular movie theater in the Bridgeport neighborhood of South Side Chicago until it shut down in 1985, according to Blavity.
“I believe the cultural divides in our communities will always be bridged and uplifted by music and the arts,” the 90-year-old Jones said in a statement. “With Ramova, I see a future where the rich cultural heritage of Chicago shines even brighter alongside the country’s most talented artists, which will inspire future generations to come and bring glory to America’s Second City.”
In her statement, Hudson referenced her late mother, Darnell Donnerson who was killed in the city in 2008. “My mother always taught us to take care of home first, so to support the rehabilitation of this extraordinary theater with such a rich history in Chicago means more to me than one could imagine,” Hudson said. “I am honored and thrilled to help build this new home for artists and highlight this special community in new ways that will reach far beyond the neighborhoods we call home.”
The Ramova Theater features an iconic sign and spanish-inspired architecture, it became the jewel of the neighborhood — a place for people to gather and communities to come together, according to the official website.
It will now be reimagined as a 1500+ person live concert hall, independent craft brewery, beer garden and grill.
“We’re doing a complete rehabilitation to this pillar in the community, bringing back its historic grill, creating a world-class entertainment space, adding a brewery where we hope people will meet their new best friends. We’re working closely alongside locals who have kept this space standing to allow us this opportunity to do something special for Bridgeport and Chicago,” developer Tyler Nevius wrote.
The Ramova Theater, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, will also amplify educational programs and workshops, as well as community initiatives from local non-profits.
“Chicago will always be part of who I am,” Chance The Rapper said in his statement. “I joined the team at Ramova to give back to the city that’s given me so much and to provide a stage to showcase the incredible talent Chicago has to offer. This is our moment to revitalize Chicago neighborhoods through one of the most beautiful ways possible — the arts.”
The space is set to open in Fall 2023.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Scott Dudelson / Getty
The intersection of East 99th Street and St. Clair Avenue which was featured prominently on the cover of the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony album, Creepin On Ah Come Up, will soon be renamed after the legendary Cleveland group.
HipHopDX is reporting that the ceremony will take place on August 11, the day that has been established as the 50th anniversary of the founding of Hip-Hop music. The event will be held from noon to 2 p.m.
The effort is the result of a fan-driven campaign. They created a petition in February 2022. “There’s nothing here that pays homage to that or to the group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony,” said Felicia C. Haney, owner of Beach Street Publicity told News 5 Cleveland.
Haney and Juan Goodwin went door-to-door gathering signatures. They needed 70% of the street, and that’s what they got within a span of two hours in the cold. The Cleveland City Council was reportedly shocked by how quickly the signatures were gathered.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is one of the only rap groups who made music with hip-hop legends while they were still alive including 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Eazy-E and Big Pun.
Cormega of C-N-N has been praising his fellow hip-hop artists on social media. He took some time out earlier this month to salute the Cleveland icons.
“Before Eazy E left this world he gave us a reminder of his savvy as a music executive. Bone Thugs N Harmony was and is one of the most unique rap groups ever,” Cormega captioned a photograph of the group minus Flesh, who spent several years of the group’s career in prison. “They harmonize like a choir while simultaneously lyrically staying aligned with rap group precision and verbally switching tempos perfectly.”
He added, “Their song ‘1st Of The Month’ was a catchy hit that caught my attention and their music afterwards kept my attention,” he wrote. “I’ve never heard a song about death sound sonically beautiful until I heard ‘Cross Roads.’ The video is very thought provoking and brings an added element to the song. A melodramatic emotional experience never surpassed to this very day.
“They became superstars selling over 14 million records to date making them one of the top rap groups of all time if we’re being unbiasedly honest.”
By most accounts, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony is one of the best-selling hip-hop groups of all time having sold more than 14 million albums worldwide.
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…