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Mariah the Scientist has been arrested on battery charges for an alleged incident that took place at a nightclub in Atlanta. TMZ was first to report the news.
The singer — born Mariah Buckles — was booked on Wednesday (May 1) on misdemeanor battery and simple battery charges, according to the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office. Jail records show that the artist has since posted a $5,000 bond.
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Billboard has reached out to Mariah the Scientist’s reps and attorney.
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According to legal documents obtained by Billboard, Mariah is accused of intentionally causing “bruises and cuts” and “visible bodily harm” to a woman on the night of March 28. The documents say the “Aura” singer allegedly made “physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature” by “grabbing [the victim’s] wig and pulling her to the ground.”
In the Atlanta Police Department’s incident report obtained by Billboard, the victim went to the Zone 2 precinct on March 29 and claimed that a “female grabbed her by her wig and pulled the wig off her head,” then “proceeded to drag her on the table and floor.” The victim said in the police report that she wasn’t wearing her glasses at the time, so was unable to ID her attacker, but later learned that it was Mariah the Scientist, and told police that the alleged incident had been posted to social media. The victim also told law enforcement that in addition to having her wig removed, “she suffered minor scratches on her feet from being dragged while she was wearing heels.”
In the incident report, the reporting officer noted that a call was made to Mariah the Scientist, who said that the night of the alleged incident, she and the club owner had gone over “to talk to the victim and the victim threw a drink at her.” According to the report, Mariah then claimed “a friend that was with the victim swung at her and missed, so she grabbed the victim and friend and the table broke and they all ended up on the ground.”
The victim said “that she never threw anything at the suspect and never touched the suspect,” according to the police report.
As part of Mariah the Scientist’s bond order, in addition to paying the $5,000 fine, she is ordered to have no contact with the victim and will have to stay away from Club Cavo in Atlanta, where the alleged altercation took place. The 26-year-old will also have to take and pay for an anger management class, and may not consume any alcohol or drugs, or possess weapons.
The artist is slated to wrap up her 45-date To Be Eaten Alive Tour in Atlanta on Friday night (May 3), with a show at the Tabernacle.
After a scorching round one display from Kendrick Lamar earlier this week with “Euphoria,” the pgLang stalwart is doubling down and taking a page out of Drake’s book by going “Back-to-Back” with his latest diss track, “6:16 in LA.” Released early Friday morning (May 3), Lamar charges Drake with a barrage of attacks about having […]
Xzibit seems to be teasing a return to the garage. The “What U See Is What U Get” rapper gave fans of his beloved MTV automotive makeover show Pimp My Ride some reason to get revved up when he posted an image on Instagram on Wednesday that suggested he’s rebooting the series. Explore Explore See […]
4batz has finally dropped his debut mixtape U Made Me a St4r on Friday (May 3). The mixtape features previously released singles “Act I: Stickerz ’99,’” “Act II: Date @ 8,” “Act III: On God (She Like),” and “Act V: There Goes Another Vase.” Drake hopped on the remix for his viral smash “Act II: […]
The Game is not impressed with the current rap feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
The Compton rapper — who has been in his fair share of rap beefs — reacted to a tweet from The Joe Budden Podcast co-host Officially Ice in which he says he wants someone to go at The Game so we fans “can see what a proper diss record looks like.”
The Game responded, saying that the reason no rappers go at him is because his “level of disrespect has no limit” and he can “actually rap rap.” Moreover, he says that the rap game overall is not the same as the one he came into because fans are unable to objectively pick a winner. Instead, he says, “fans gone choose up with whatever artists is currently safe for the culture to love.”
He then goes on to blame J. Cole for turning a rap game that he views as watered down into “Kool-Aid [with] no sugar” because he apologized to Kendrick Lamar onstage of the 2024 Dreamville Festival. His comments must have struck a nerve, because the West Coast MC doubled down in his Instagram Stories, saying, “Idk who softer these days these rap n—s or the rap fans.”
That said, many fans agreed with Game’s sentiment. The wrinkle of songs possibly being AI have made things equally interesting and annoying. Also, the way music is consumed today has given fans the expectation that diss tracks should be recorded and sent out ASAP. Then there’s J. Cole’s apology, which rubbed listeners and some of his peers the wrong way. All of these variables have turned many fans off of the whole beef.
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The Game took a more diplomatic approach to the Drake and Kendrick beef when talking to HipHopDX in 2022. In an interview about his Drake-featuring single “100,” The Game, when asked who he got, said, “I don’t know, man. Kendrick is just too f—ing incredible. And then Drake is so dope too. I mean, I would just like to be a fan of the moment and sit back and watch two of the greatest artists of all time have a go,” he answered when asked who would win in a battle.
The Game has beefed with a plethora of rappers throughout his career, including 50 Cent, Eminem, Jay-Z, Joe Budden, Young Thug and many more.
We’re whipping through the Carnival calendar, and the music just keeps on coming.
April was a characteristically busy month for the world of Caribbean music, with noteworthy performance, album announcements and historic achievements cutting through the noise. Sean Paul, who recently sat down with Billboard for a wide-ranging interview ahead of his Greatest Tour, won his very first Latin American Music Award, triumphing in the crossover collaboration of the year category for his Feid collab “Niña Bonita.”
“I always learn from my collabs, man,” the “Temperature” singer told Billboard. “There’s no time that I don’t learn… I learn something every time and I take that with me, so it helps my songwriting.”
Shenseea, who collaborated with Paul on her 2022 debut LP, announced her forthcoming sophomore studio album on Tuesday (April 30). Titled Never Gets Late Here, the album is due May 24 and features collaborations with Coi Leray, Anitta and Wizkid. “Hit & Run” (with Masicka & Di Genius) serves as the set’s lead single.
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In addition, a pair of performances made major waves. Jamaican dancehall artist Pamputtae opened for Nicki Minaj‘s Pink Friday 2 World Tour in Toronto, CA, on Tuesday. “First and foremost I want to give thanks to the most high God,” she wrote in an Instagram post commemorating her performance (May 1). “Big up [Nicki Minaj] for allowing me to open her second show in Toronto.”
Across the globe, Skeng returned to Guyana to headline the Real All Black concert, marking his first live performance in the country in two years. In 2022, Minister of Home Affairs Robeson Benn proclaimed that Skeng and a bevy of dancehall artists were banned from the country due to their behavior and violence-promoting lyrical content. The emcee delivered a high-octane set that included “Likkle Miss,” which Minaj remixed in 2022 for her Queen Radio: Volume 1 greatest hits compilation.
Naturally, Billboard’s monthly Reggae/Dancehall Fresh Picks column will not cover every last track, but our Spotify playlist — which is linked below — will expand on the 10 highlighted songs. So, without any further ado:
Freshest Find: Jaz Elise, “Gunman”
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On this deliciously dramatic mixture of R&B and reggae, Jaz Elise pleads for her rude boy lover to leave his life of reckless abandon behind and settle down with her. It’s a story that’s been told countless times before, but Jaz’s emotive abilities inject “Gunman” with nuance and verve. When she sings, “Me nuh wah fi bury you early/ Nuh wah yuh fi live a life a crime/ So, baby, if yuh love me/ Me beg yuh fi leave it all behind,” you can hear every last bit of desperation dripping from each syllable. Of course, the drama truly intensifies in the song’s final minute, with a swirling orchestra of backing vocals, impassioned ad-libs and grandiose strings driving the song home.
Etana, “Thankful”
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For her take on the Engraph Riddim, Jamaican reggae singer-songwriter Etana flexes the full expanse of her vocal range over swaggering guitars that employ just the slightest bit of swing. “I lift my hands to the man from whence my health comes, yes/ And every day I give thanks for the rising sun, yes,” she croons as she somersaults through dizzying riffs as easily as she dips into the depths of her sultry lower register. A laid-back praise and worship song that doubles as a vocal showcase, “Thankful” is a winner.
Lu City, “Sexy Love”
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St. Lucian duo Lu City has a catalog that stretches across the scenes of dancehall, reggae and electronic music, and their latest LP — I Miss You, the official follow-up to 2022’s Lucidity — offers more of that intoxicating amalgam. On “Sexy Love,” which feels like a dancehall-bred cousin on the Ne-Yo song of the same name name, the duo marry their respective AutoTune-tinged voices over a relatively sparse soundscape that relies on moody synths and a healthy dose of Afrobeats percussion. “Sexy Love,” like all of I Miss You, is a true testament to how the African diaspora’s myriad genres all lead back to each other.
Anika Berry feat. Lil Jelo, “Safe”
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Soca always gets the body moving, and “Safe,” a new collaboration from Anika Berry and Lil Jelo, is no different. Here, their joy isn’t sourced from the Road March or the general Carnival mood. They find their joy in one another and their monogamous love. Their vocal chemistry is strong, with Anika’s vibrato anchoring her “You safe with me / Youn in good hands, you in proper hands” refrain. Their call-and-response structure also helps play up their complementary tones while remaining true to the anthemic nature of power soca.
Subatomic Sound System, Mykal Rose & Hollie Cook, “Get High”
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For the first taste of their forthcoming collaborative album, Subatomic Sound System, Mykal Rose and Hollie Cook have teamed up to deliver a new 4/20 anthem. Although the brooding bass signals a more forward-looking sound, classic reggae production — including ominous conga percussion courtesy of Larry McDonald and sultry brass from Troy Simms — is ultimately the name of game in “Get High.” Most impressive is the track’s mixing, the way Hollie’s upper harmonies are layered evoke the ever-unfurling clouds of marijuana smoke. Mary Jane enthusiasts, your time is now.
Mr. Vegas, “Dancing Grung”
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On this sweet ode to the eternal life of dancehall, Mr. Vegas pays tribute to both the physical and creative spaces that comprise the sound and culture. His flow is catchy and the breakdown at the end is fun, if not a bit on-the-nose. Nonetheless, what’s interesting about “Dancing Grung” isn’t how easy it is to start bussing a wine to — Mr. Vegas has plenty of those — it’s the way he subtly flips the notion of “exerting dominance.” Instead of crowning himself king, he casts himself as Lord of the Vibes on “Dancing Grung.” “Dancehall will never die,” he proclaims at the song’s start, and with a deejay as infectious as him on the helm, he’s absolutley right.
Marcia Griffiths, “Looking Up”
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Reggae legend Marcia Griffiths has still got it. With “Looking Up,” the former I-Threes member offers a slice of sanctified reggae. At 74 years old, not only does her voice still sound like it’s in pristine condition, she also remains a gifted and intelligent vocal performer. Between her pitch-perfect diction and her introspective delivery, her storied life clearly informs every last phrase that she sings. Her conviction is the song’s ultimate anchor. When she sings, “It’s the only life that’s worth living” with that slight tinge of darkness before the light comes in by way of her exclamatory “Looking up!” quip — that’s magic.
Shenseea, “Neva Neva”
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After delighting dancehall fans with Di Genius and Masicka-assisted “Hit & Run” earlier this year, Shenseea introduces a more pop-forward sound with “Neva Neva,” the new single from her forthcoming Never Gets Late Here LP. The song oscillates between straightforward pop and dancehall with more finesse than anything on Alpha, Shensea’s debut album. She remains deep in her dancehall cadence and attitude during the verses, but the hooky chorus pushes her into a space that essential U.S. top 40 radio — and she sounds great. Moreover, “Neva Neva” — with its rumination on the endlessness of a good relationship — offers a smart contrast to the hit-it-and-quit-it energy of “Hit & Run.”
Chippa Don, “Clubscout”
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From the tinny background synths to the breakneck flow switches, Chippa Don flexes his chops as both an emcee and a sonic world-builder on “Clubscout.” Firmly entrenched in the modern dancehall take on gun chunes, “Clubscout” is inherently sinister; “Gwan f–k around around/ Whole place haffi move/ Di glock, di clip long / But di K me a use,” he spits. It’s Chippa’s delivery, however, that makes this song stick. He’s playful, but there’s some bite and snarl to his voice that subtly reiterates that he’s calling his opps out because he knows he can handle them.
Masicka, “Forever”
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Kicking off with contemplative country-adjacent guitar strums, “Forever” is a stunning ballad from Masicka, who released his latest album, Generation of Kings, last year (Dec. 1, 2023). “Forever brave, forever strong / Forever me, that’s who I am,” he croons, making for a ballad that makes the evergreen question of authenticity an introspective one while also showcasing yet another side of Masicka’s sprawling artistic profile. There’s a reason Sean Paul named him dancehall’s current leader.
The producers over at TNT’s Inside the NBA must be from L.A., because they keep playing West Coast diss tracks. During the Wednesday (May 1) broadcast, Kendrick Lamar‘s Drake diss song “Euphoria” can be heard playing faintly in the background as Shaq, Kenny, Chuck and Ernie were getting ready for halftime of the Clippers and […]
“I get love in Detroit like Skilla Baby.” Those eight words rapped by Jack Harlow on his chart-topping anthem “Lovin On Me” changed Skilla Baby’s life forever.
Millions of radio spins and six non-consecutive weeks atop the Hot 100 later, the rapper born Trevon Gardner admits he didn’t see the “biggest alley-oop” ever coming from Harlow last November, but now it’s his turn to make the extra exposure count with a momentous slam dunk.
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“I don’t know what inspired that [shout-out], but I thanked him so many times. The momentum I got from that, you would have to be there in real time to feel it,” he tells Billboard. “Certain people see me and familiarize my name with that song.”
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The Detroit native, who signed to Geffen in 2022, is slightly under the weather during his April visit to the Billboard office, after running around the Big Apple indulging in all that New York City has to offer.
Rocking a Gucci puffer jacket and sweatpants, he’s quick to champion NYC as his favorite place to visit. This busy trip was headlined by seeing Ryan Garcia’s boxing upset over Devin Haney, hitting up The Bronx for a Yankees game and throwing ones at the famed Starlets gentlemen’s club in Queens.
Even though he enjoyed his time, it was still a business trip with Skilla Baby delivering his 19-track The Coldest project via Geffen Records last week (April 26).
The 25-year-old invites a phalanx of collaborators to complete the effort, with appearances from upcoming tourmate Rob49, DaBaby, Moneybagg Yo, Flo Milli and Polo G among others. “I think this project is unboxing me. I’m separating myself,” he proclaims with his shiny grills peering through. “I think this project represents diversity. That’s why there’s so many different vibes.”
When it comes to his peers making records geared more toward women, Skilla Baby believes he changed the rap game in that regard, with uplifting tracks like “Bae” or his smooth assist on Yung Miami’s “CFWM.”
“I think I changed rap, for real, for the younger artists,” he contests. “I feel like more people catered toward girls this year. I feel like I’m one of the people that started that way. If I stopped doing music today, I’m satisfied with that. I feel like I cemented myself in the rap game.”
The burgeoning rapper is profound in conversation with Billboard while dishing on The Coldest, his appreciation for 50 Cent, growing up with New York Jets star Sauce Gardner (no relation) and more below.
What does this project represent for you? It feels like a pivotal time in your career to make that leap after putting in work the last few years.
I just want people to [feel] multi-cultured when they listen to me. I think that’s what it represents.
Is it tough to invite new fans in while catering to your old audience?
Definitely. Like I said, they’ll try to put you in a box. They’ll call you a girl rapper, or [say] “all he rap about is beefing.” I want people to see I’m witty and I try new things. I feel like I’m one of the most talented up-and-coming artists coming out. I think my pen crazy. I might have one of the best pens.
How would you define success for The Coldest?
Stats for sure. I like to see my success in real-time. I like to see people in the club playing it. People outside in their cars playing it. That’s how I define success. We get caught up in streams, but people forge their streams. Me, I want to sell 10,000 copies first week. That would be good for me. That’s what I’m shooting for. I just want to see it being played in real-time. People f–king with me. A lot of people that sell the most, I don’t be seeing people play them.
You had a quote when you announced The Coldest: “The pressure of being a new artist, being successful, staying disciplined and still clocking in the studio is very strenuous.” Can you expand on that?
It’s just a lot of pressure. They try to put you in a box. Last year, I was known for being a girl-friendly artist. I’m glad I was – I love females. But people notice that most of the girl songs, they featuring me. These [are] not songs I put out, other than “Bae.” I love being that for the women.
But the strenuous part is staying focused. Staying away from distractions is the hardest part of being a new artist. All of these vices. I could be in the club, I could be with different females every day. Still having time to be around my family is strenuous, but it’s clocking into work is the hardest decision to make when you don’t have to. Still being creative. I think I’m one of the most creative people around. I want people to know that with this project – that’s why we didn’t rush to put this out.
How tough is it to stay disciplined? What are your vices?
My vices are spending money. I lose track of time. I don’t do drugs or drink. My vices be staying out late. I’m not good with time. My time management is off. I work too much. I never turn down work. I make myself too busy. I don’t have a personal life, for real.
What’s been different about being on a major label?
I love being on a major label. You got that machine behind you, but I’m so used to being self-sufficient. Dropping when I want to drop. I’m used to doing things myself. Everybody in a label got an opinion. When you on a major, you got to sell what sells. It’s not what you personally want to do. It’s what works for the team. Business is business – I understand it.
What did you think about Jack Harlow’s “Lovin on Me” shout-out to you?
I didn’t expect it. It was like the biggest alley-oop ever. People don’t even know it’s me [while they’re] singing it. Do y’all even wonder who Skilla Baby is? It’s crazy. That was a crazy gesture. I know him. He came to Detroit before he blew up. We’re downtown walking and talking. I knew he was a cool guy. For him to say that out of nowhere, I don’t know what inspired that, but I thanked him so many times.
Let’s talk about “Free Big Meech.” What does he represent in Detroit and his legacy?
I think Big Meech is one of the biggest hustlers and gangsters in the world. You gotta understand the impact he had on us. In Detroit, we got a thing — like, we ain’t telling or doing no flaw stuff. There ain’t too many Detroit guys you gon’ meet that got flaws on their record. Big Meech, he like the model gangster to us. A lot of people look up to him in Detroit. It’s so many Big Meechs in Detroit. There’s so many Big Meechs coming up. He just was his own guy.
I think everybody in Detroit like that. We don’t have one guy that runs Detroit. Nobody runs Detroit. Big Meech don’t, I don’t run Detroit. Everyone got their own section. Every neighborhood got a Big Meech. Everybody got that mentality.
So more people relate to Big Meech’s story, rather than Eminem’s?
For sure. We didn’t look up to rappers. We looked up to street guys. Street guys were our role models. We ain’t want to be like no rapper. We just know how that feel. Until Tee Grizzley came out, we didn’t know how it would feel to be successful from a street point-of-view.
On “Trapped” you said, “Every time I leave the house, I feel like somebody’s trying to kill me.” Do you feel a sense of paranoia?
I don’t think it’s paranoia. I think it’s just growing with success. When you’re more successful, more eyes, more pressure, more envy, more jealousy. You could feel it. It’s not even a sense of paranoia, it’s just reality. I move better, but I still move like I think I’m regular. People around me just remind me.
That’s why you gotta have good people around. They’re reminding you that you’re coming up in the world and you’re successful and making more money. These are the things that come with success. I could be an Apple tech and move up. It’s just depends on what world you’re in that people know what you got going on.
There’s no way to prepare for that. Do you still live out in Detroit?
I’m based in Michigan, but I got vacation houses in different places. I got a house in Arizona.
You getting a spot out here [in New York City]?
Probably not. I don’t want to move nowhere I have fun at. I just feel like home should be home. When I’m at home, I don’t want to go outside. I wanna be home. I wanna do homey things. I don’t want to go home and be able to leave the house to go to the club. That’s not really my thing anyway. When I’m home, I don’t want people to know where I’m at.
“Project X” with DaBaby, is that inspired by the movie?
Yeah, I think that’s gonna be one of the biggest songs on the project. DaBaby taught me a lot when I did a record and video with him. He’s just so creative and hands-on. He’s so focused. He takes his craft very seriously. He taught me music etiquette. It’s a certain way you treat your creativity. It’s not a price you put on it. I feel like your creative is worth an unlimited amount of money. Whatever you feel it’s worth is what it’s worth. He treats the smallest things like they’re big. He’s such a genuine guy. He’s unapologetically himself.
“As an artist, I’m known as the girl’s guy, but I never forget I come from the streets.” Is it tough to balance that in your artistry?
Definitely. At a label, until you drop a project, you can’t drop multiple songs. You get caught up doing what works. They put you in that direction. Then other people in the industry want you on their songs. Then these songs coming out on their songs. They just want you to go on that trajectory, and that’s how it works. Outsiders don’t really understand that’s how it works. It’s a process. That’s why I’m so glad to drop my project — so I can show people what direction I want to go in.
Did you know “Bae” was gonna be a hit for you?
I thought it was gonna be a hit when I first made it. I sent it to my label president, “This is the one.” When it first came out, it wasn’t doing so well. It hit a TikTok wave. I gauged my songs off real-time reactions. I was playing it around girls and they kept telling me to send it to them. Without me asking them, I’m just playing it. I started posting the girls on my Story and they kept posting it.
Are you related to Sauce Gardner?
Nah, but we grew up around each other. We played for the same PAL team. If you ask Sauce, he’ll tell you I used to be real good at football. I played quarterback. Sauce was a corner. He played corner and [wide] receiver or running back on offense. He always been good. Sauce was always poppin. He always talked crazy, and that was naturally him, but that’s a Detroit thing. We talk. He like me, he’ll be in the club and just chill. His footwork crazy. He got the length. He like Darrelle Revis.
It was a fun season for the Detroit Lions this year.
That was tough because we been waiting on that my whole life. Think about this: The Pistons went like 0-24 to start the season. The Lions were 0-16 [in 2008]. That’s so disappointing. Real sports fans, that’s all we got. The Tigers and Red Wings were successful for a minute though. We had the Lions and the Pistons. If we had Sauce Gardner, we would’ve gone to the Super Bowl. Our corners were terrible. This was the first year we dominated our division.
At least you got ‘04 with the Pistons.
I was only six years old. We took pride in that though. We were underdogs of the league. We wasn’t really talented. I think Larry Brown locked us in for real. He did that with Iverson and them [on the Sixers] too. [Iverson] is undersized and so good. That was my original favorite player until Kobe [Bryant].
What do you think about the rap civil war breaking out?
I think it’s good for iron sharpening iron. I don’t know them, so I don’t have no opinion on why they beefing or care about them beefing. I think it’s good for rap. On the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, our numbers were so low as far as selling music that I know we needed this. I do appreciate on the 50th anniversary that it was girls that was really taking over.
I loved seeing your appreciation for pop music too. I saw you jamming to Miley Cyrus, Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5 and some T-Pain.
Oh yeah, I be on that. I think people think I just listen to rap all day and I really don’t. I be listening to Halsey and Chainsmokers. One of my favorite songs by them is “Closer.” That’s a banger. I listen to Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, T-Pain. I be on some s–t.
I was really into pop before 50 Cent came in and took it over for me.
I was hanging with 50 Cent this weekend. I was in Shreveport. I had a show in Grambling State University, but I stayed in Shreveport. 50’s security had noticed me and they called me. “You here? I’m downstairs come with me.” We all just hanging out and he’s showing me his new property.
He’s a really smart guy. If I was gonna look up to anyone [it’s him]. 50 might be 50 years old but he just did 103 dates. I don’t know nobody else that’s doing that. Sold most of them out across the globe. It’s different. He told me, “You just gotta keep hustling.” That’s one of my favorite people. He’s so genuine. He saw all my friends and don’t know them from a can of paint and he was giving them money in the strip club for them to throw ones. He treats the janitor like the CEO. I like his mentality.
I always see you eating green Skittles before shows.
It’s just good luck to me. I can’t explain it. I collect them. It’s just something I wanted to be superstitious. When I see the green Skittles, it gets me going.
What are your other goals for this year outside music?
I been buying property. I’m probably 10 properties in in Detroit. I’m fixing them up and renting them out. I’m not really selling them. I don’t have a need for money. I’m also trying to buy this hotel, God willingly, in Detroit. I’m with some investors about this hotel downtown off the river.
What do you think about the Detroit rap scene bubbling up these last few years?
It’s refreshing. For the longest time, they put everybody in a box, saying, “This is Detroit rap.” But there are so many sounds coming out of Detroit right now. From Babytron to Veeze to Babyface Ray to me to [42] Dugg to Sada Baby to Tee Grizzley. You got Eminem, you got Big Sean. Everything coming out is dope.
I got put on to a lot of those guys through Lil Yachty’s Michigan Boy Boat tape in 2021.
Yachty got backlash for working with Detroit artists so much, but I think it was really cool for him to shine a light on urban underground guys that might have never got that. I’ve been taking a page out of his book and writing for people. His pen is so underrated.
Who do you want to work with?
I want to work with Ye. I want to work with Lil Wayne. I want to work with Fabolous. My dream collab that will never happen is Anita Baker.
How did she become your favorite artist? Did your parents put you on?
Yeah, I just grew up in the house listening to that kinda stuff. It’s hard to clear samples. To me, Anita’s the biggest in the world. I don’t even like to touch their music. I’ll never do Anita, Michael [Jackson]. It ain’t even a hassle I’ma go through to get this cleared. It’s me paying respect to them. I don’t feel like I’d take music to the next level. It might be a little bop — but unless you make it better, I don’t think you should touch it. You can’t really make Michael Jackson’s music better.
You hosted a gun buyback in Detroit? How did that go?
It was successful. We got 300 guns off the street. I think the underrated part of the gun buyback was that it was a job fair and we expunged a lot of people’s records. That was important to me, because I’m a felon, and to help people change their life and the trajectory of their future — people judge you, and it’s hard to be successful when you’re a felon.
I like this quote you had: “Fame is a drug and I’ve seen people overdose on it.” How do you keep it in moderation?
I try to be as normal as possible. Do normal stuff and normal things I want to do, whether it’s going to the gym to work out and hooping, going to Dave & Buster’s, hanging with friends. I try to do normal things so I won’t be caught up in fame and music.
While some Toronto natives may be side-eyeing Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria,” one local business owner is reaping the benefits of K. Dot’s Drake diss.
That’s because on the scathing track, Lamar raps: “I be at New Ho King eatin’ fried rice with a dip sauce and a blammy, crodie.”
New Ho King is a Chinese restaurant located in Toronto’s Chinatown district, and is a well-known after-hours grub spot in the 6 that opened in 1975.
Toronto network CityNews caught up with Johnny Lu, the owner of New Ho King, who says business is boomin’ thanks to Kendrick’s name-drop, and a plethora of five-star reviews have poured in from fans of the Compton legend.
“This morning a lot of people texted me saying that’s your restaurant? I say, ‘Yes.’ They say, ‘Look at the song,’” he began. “He said good food and friend rice get more and more rice, the chef’s gonna be busy!”
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Lu continued: “I see, Kendrick’s a good guy. Oh my God!”
CityNews caught up with residents who are fans of Kendrick who made trips just to give the fried rice dish a try thanks to Lamar’s recommendation on the track.
“I came all the way from Markham just to see this fried rice,” one fan said. “Kendrick Lamar, man. You gotta pay respect to K. Dot, man. Ever since he dropped the diss track I was like, ‘I gotta visit this place.’”
Some fans believed that Kendrick was just playfully jabbing Drake about local Toronto slang, while others speculated it could be a sly reference to his 2009 armed robbery in the 6.
“I don’t think many people caught this bar on Kendrick’s diss Drake was allegedly robbed by rapper Sizzlac in 2010 Kendrick says ‘Dip sauce & blammy, crodie’ Sizzlac escaped (dipped) with the gun (blammy) he used to rob Drake,” a fan wrote to X.
Drake spoke about the robbery in 2010 with GQ, calling it a “set-up.” Robbers allegedly “banged on the car window with a gun and opened the door” while demanding the chain he got from Lil Wayne.
Drizzy appeared to reference the incident on Dark Lane Demo Tapes‘ “From Florida With Love.” “Weezy played that s–t for me and Kobe on the bus/ Went and got a chain for me, I had to give it up/ N—as had they pistols loaded pointed at my truck/ And you know that lesson stuck,” he raps.
Lamar turned the heat up a few notches on Tuesday (April 30) with his eviscerating six-minute “Euphoria” diss in response to Drake’s “Push Ups.” The ball now bounces back to the 6 God as fans await his next move.
Watch the CityNews clip regarding New Ho King below.
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Fat Joe, a long-time advocate for humanitarian causes, on Thursday (May 2) announced a new partnership with international charity Food for the Poor to create a new relief fund to uplift Haiti, which is currently undergoing political and economic strife due to the surge in violence within the country.
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“My heart goes out to all the Haitians that are suffering because of this humanitarian crisis. Many of my close friends are Haitian, so we’ve been watching this tragedy unfold and exploring the most efficient and effective ways to provide meaningful support,” Fat Joe tells Billboard. “All relief items and financial contributions will go directly to Food for the Poor so they can safely distribute the donations directly to the families in need.”
Titled Fat Joe & Friends Relief for Haiti, relief items needed include new and unused portable mattresses, pillows, blankets, diapers, underwear, soap/body wash, shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, combs/brushes, solar-powered lanterns, fuel-efficient cooking stoves, mosquito nets, reusable water containers and more.
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Since early March, armed gangs have taken over the country, burning down police stations and closing down the airport and the capital, Port-au-Prince. Both the airport and port remain closed during this time. In addition, the armed gangs raided two of the country’s biggest prisons, freeing more than 4,000 inmates. Through late March, 1,500 people were killed and 800 injured during these vicious attacks. In addition, according to the United Nations, more than 50,000 people have fled the country because of the rampant attacks.
Those looking to donate to the fund can go here.