State Champ Radio Uncategorized
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This past Saturday, June 22, 2024, Atlanta celebrated its 29th annual Birthday Bash, making history with its first female headliner, hometown hero Latto. Latto, who has spent the better half of her career working Atlanta’s underground scene before becoming a household name in 2021, gave fans the show they asked for, bringing out guests such as Usher, Flo Milli, Mariah the Scientist, Summer Walker, Roscoe Dash, Rasheeda, Princess of Crime Mob, and 21 Savage.
Her emphasis on honoring the pioneers from the city’s various eras of trap and swag who came before her put the perfect cherry on top of Latto’s high-energy set and left the memorable impression she was aiming for. Everything from Swag-era songs like “No Hands”, “Whoop Rico”, “Crank Dat Yank” and “Crank That Batman” to old-era Atlanta cuts like “Freak It” and Crime Mob song “Stilletos” helped bridge the generational gap and engaged the audience all night. Performing her hit songs “Sunday Service”, “Put it on the Floor”, “MuWop” and “Queen of the South” to an audience of over 16,000 fans, the show’s response added another milestone to her career and its ascent.
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In addition to Latto’s set, Atlanta collective Dungeon Family took the stage, giving a touching tribute to their comrade and legendary producer, Rico Wade. Performing a mix of posse cuts from “Dirty South”, “Cell Therapy” and “Kryptonite” as well as songs from Killer Mike’s Grammy award-winning Michael album (Killer Mike was also honored with the inaugural Rico Wade Game Changer Award), their set went hand in hand with another Atlanta staple, Big Oomp Records.
Recognized as Atlanta’s first independent record label, they performed “Eastside vs Westside” by Baby D and Atlanta’s unofficial anthem, “ATL Hoe”. Hot 107.9 also started a new tradition by awarding Killer Mike the Rico Wade Game Changer Award to commemorate Atlantans who helped change the city with their music.
Other notable acts included Key Glock, Boosie Badazz, Tee Grizzley, Skilla Baby, Hunxho, Rob49, Dess Dior, Famous YB and Sally and Bossman DLow, whose hit songs, “Mr Pot Scraper” and “Get in With Me” have rap fans across the country clamoring for more.
Forever acting as a platform for indie artists as well, Birthday Bash conducted the Who’s Hot Competition to give several of the city’s independent artists a stage to perform. Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash, which features some of the rap’s biggest artists from T.I. and Jeezy to OutKast and more, has given fans and artists alike the stage they needed to make it big since its start in 1995.
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The adulations for Killer Mike just keep on coming as the Grammy Award winning rapper continues to add new hardware to his trophy case with the latest honors coming straight out The A.
This past Saturday (June 22) the Michael rapper became the very first recipient of the inaugural Rico Wade Game Changer Award and was bestowed with the honor during Hot 107.9’s Birthday Bash concert in his hometown of Atlanta, GA. After taking the stage along with a few members of his Dungeon Family, Killer Mike was presented with the award for his contributions to the Hip-Hop community in Atlanta and needless to say, the man was blown away by the surprise decoration.
Killer Mike was blessed with the award by Rico Wade’s mother, Beatrice Wade, and his sons Rico Jr. and Ryder. Also on hand to present the award were the surviving members of Organized Noize Productions, Ray Murray and Sleepy Brown.
“I just wanna tell Atlanta this: y’all ain’t gotta wish to be nobody else. Who y’all are is the absolute shit,” said Killer Mike. “I don’t give a damn where in the world you at, there’s no place for Black people like Atlanta. There’s no place with this much opportunity, this much love, this many chances to do it. And I wanna thank the woman who raised Rico Wade, his mama.”
In an effort to keep Rico Wade’s legacy alive (Wade passed away this past April), Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced the launch of the Rico Wade Music Executive Training Program during Wade’s funeral service this past April.
Check out video of the presentation of the award below and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
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Source: Nike / NIke
Recently, Nike showcased their upcoming releases for the rest of this year and much for the next and while there weren’t any true standout silhouettes considered to be grails, there is some heat that’s sure to have many people styling and profiling out on these streets.
Source: Nike / NIke
According to Hypebeast Nike plans on releasing quite a few interesting silhouettes while bringing back some old school favorites such as the Air Footscape Woven in its OG colorway, the Air Flightposite in “Metallic Gold” and of course the highly-anticipated return of the Air Foamposite One in it’s glorious “Galaxy” colorway that hasn’t been seen since 2012.
Naturally the “Galaxy” Foams were the jewel of the showcase and while we’re sure many of these other sneakers will find their way onto many feet, for us older heads it’s always about the OG’s.
Interestingly enough there wasn’t any Jordan or Dunks or Travis Scott collaborations featured in the showcase. Not that they need the hype, but still, kinda weird.
Check out pics of the upcoming kicks below and let us know which one you’ll be trying to copp in the comments section.
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It’s been almost three years since Jadakiss basically singlehandedly dismantled the entire Dip Set crew at the classic Verzuz battle of 2021, but that’s all water under the Manhattan Bridge as Kiss and Juelz Santana connect on a new banger that’s sure to make heads bop in the city that never sleeps.
In their new visuals to “Party N Bullsh*t,” Juelz Santana links up with Jay-To-The-Muah to hit the streets of NYC to stunt in some ice while chopping it up with some of their fellow Hip-Hop peers such as Jim Jones, Queen Latifah, and DJ Drama. The icey pieces on these men are next level.
Gunna meanwhile continues to win back some of his fans and for IDK’s clip to “Tiffany,” the two men go on a shopping spree as they gear up for the Olympic games in Paris which is set to go down in just a few weeks.
Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Jim Jones, Taylor Richard and Dilla Illa, Lakeyah featuring Kash Doll, and more.
JUELZ SANTANA FT. JADAKISS – “PARTY N BULLSH*T”
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IDK FT. GUNNA – “TIFFANY”
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JIM JONES, TAYLER RICHARD & DILLA ILLA – “TOO TURNT”
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LAKEYAH FT. KASH DOLL – “GET RATCHET”
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ARSONAL DA REBEL & ALBEE AL – “LAST OF THE FEW”
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JAY WORTHY, DAM FUNK & A-TRAK FT. TY DOLLA $IGN, CHANNEL TRES & DJ QUIK – “105 WEST”
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NANDOSTL – “LOOKIN FOR ME”
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EMILIO ROJAS & ETO – “GET RICH QUICK”
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DA BEATMINERZ FT. RAS KASS – “BACK IN STYLE”
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Jacob The Jeweler might’ve been the go to ice man for celebrities from the mid 90’s to the early 2000’s, but these days that title belongs to one Avi Davidov whose diamond studded work has made it’s way to the American Museum of Natural History.
According to the Gothamist, Davidov and his close friend, Ben Shimon have spent the last decade making a name for themselves through their business, Pristine Jewelers, and with a clientele that includes the likes of 2 Chainz, Fat Joe, and Cardi B, the diamond duo have become a force to be reckoned with.
With their names being mentioned amongst the stars whenever someone needs some exclusive diamond pendants and pieces, Avi Davidov and Ben Shimon have become the highly sought after plugs for your favorite music artists and movie stars. And now, even the American Museum of Natural History has even taken notice as their “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip Hop Jewelry” exhibit features quite a few pieces designed by Pristine Jewelers.
The Gothamist reports:
It features dozens of pieces worn by hip-hop artists, including Slick Rick, Ghostface Killah, Nicki Minaj, and A$AP Rocky. It also includes two pieces designed by Pristine Jewelers: Nas’ Queensbridge pendant and Fat Joe’s Terror Squad chain.
Part of Pristine’s appeal is that its founders can match the swagger of some of their world-famous clients – jetsetting to Portugal, dressing head-to-toe in Louis Vuitton or Dior. As with many luxury brands, Pristine is selling a lifestyle as much as a product.
“It’s the way we travel, the kind of shoes and sneakers we wear,” said Davidov, who once traveled to Russia on a day’s notice for a client.
Not entirely new to the game, Davidov’s parents worked in the jewelry industry for more than 30 years operating a mom and pop jewelry spot on Fordham Road in the Bronx. Having migrated here from Uzbekistan before he was even born, his parents showed Davidov how to hustle as he worked there on most days after getting out of school, and now decades later the grind is paying off historically.
“As we were growing older, my sister and I, we saw their hardships, so we decided to help them out,” said Davidov. “And while we were helping them out, we learned more of the trade, more of the business. And I liked it.”
But it wasn’t until the year 2000 when iconic Reggaeton artist, Don Omar went to him to have some custom iced out pieces and watches made. Impressed with the work, word began to spread about Davidov’s skills and the rest if history.
Another win happened a few years later, when Davidov was tapped to upgrade Nas’ Queensbridge pendant, which became a nod to the ‘Illmatic’ rapper’s success, and is featured in the “Ice Cold” exhibition.
Gotta love the American dream when it manifests (not that MAGA sh*t).
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Big Latto is opening up about a time when she didn’t feel like the “biggest” and allowed insecurities to lead her to the surgery table.
On Monday (Jun 17) a clip taken from a live session with fans went viral after the ATLien shared that online critics of her natural body shape at 21 led to her going under the knife to get a BBL after signing her deal.
“My body was so tea,” Latto stated. “I gained a little weight ’cause I signed my deal when I was 21. When I had just turned 21, and I was just having money and living a whole new life, eating out. Y’all know I’m a foodie. So, now I have the funds to feed this foodie in me. So, I just, I gained a little weight and everybody on the internet was calling me ‘bad body’ and stuff, so I feel like that played a role, because I started to be a little insecure about my body.”
The reflection echoed her 2023 interview with Apple Music when she shared that she had a little “work” done, before giving women considering the option to go for a more natural look, saying:
“I got a little work done on my body or whatever,” Latto said at the time. “A little tea. A b***h look natural. It’s one thing about it, if you gon’ do it, do it right. I did it right. For a girl that have the little tweaky, tweaks, I be on your case about not touching nothing.”
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During the viral clip, Latto also opened up about the backlash she received for undergoing surgery, noting that the experience made her understand the importance of not caring what other people think.
“Every time I post a gym picture, people be like, ‘Oh, she got a BBL,’” Latto continued. “I’ve been so loud and clear about a BBL that I had four years ago. When I was 21, that y’all convinced me I needed, by the way.’ B***hes be on their third, fourth round by now. I got one BBL four years ago. This is all me now, know that. I get my a*s up and go to the gym! Moral of the story: I just think everybody should just stop worrying about everybody,” she expressed. “Natural girls are winning. Surgery girls… BBL girls are winning. Do what works for you and mind your own business. Make your own decisions based on what you want to do, not what other people are telling you to do.”
Latto is headlining Birthday Bash in Atlanta this Saturday, June 22.
Source: Radio One Atlanta / Radio One Digital
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The legendary Willie Mays, a trailblazing Black, pro baseball star, has passed away. He was 93.
On Tuesday, July 18, the San Francisco Giants and Mays family announced that he had passed early in the afternoon.
“My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” said son Michael Mays in a statement. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.”
Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays’ talent included an incredible mix of power, speed and finesse, which made him one of the MLB’s most popular players during his heyday, no pun, and beyond.
Mays began his career with the Negro Leagues in 1948 and made his Major League debut with the then-New York Giants in 1951 at 20 years old, winning Rookie of the Year honors. Mays played in 24 All-Stars game and secured 12 Gold Glove Awards before ending his career with 660 home runs and a .301 career batting average when retiring in 1973.
In Game 1 of the World Series in 1954, the New York Giants were at home playing the Cleveland Indians, who were the favorites. With the scored tied 2-2 at the top of Cleveland’s Vic Wertz hit a fastball to deep center field in the Polo Grounds. Mays tracked the ball down, using all his speed to bring in the drive with an over the shoulder catch, with his back to home plate. The play would become known as “The Catch.”
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Mays was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 and his number 24 was retired by the San Francisco Giants. Mays was awarded the prestigious Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015.
Rest in powerful peace Willie Mays.
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Pharrell Williams seemingly doesn’t involve himself in the war of words that some of his past collaborators have, but fans are wondering if a new track takes a shot at Drake. Via the “Double Life” track, some have suggested that Skateboard P may have had light smoke for Drake but nothing has been confirmed.
Pharrell Williams has been part of the Despicable Me franchise since its early days, producing across a majority of the soundtracks for the corresponding films. For Despicable Me 4, “Double Life” serves as the first single for the soundtrack and the opening verse has been interpreted as Drake this on Genius and across social media channels.
From “Double Life”:
Hey, what are you hiding? (Watch)/What you do when you’re gone? (Hey)/Nothin’ wrong bein’ private (Watch)/Make sure it ain’t wrong (Yeah)/Your life double-sided (Watch)/Two-faced like coins/What side do I get? (Watch)/What side are you on?
As most know, Drake took shots at Pharrell Williams on the “MELTDOWN” track from Travis Scott’s UTOPIA album and also reportedly melted down chains owned by the Virginia producer as seen in the video for Drake’s “Jumbotron Sh*t Poppin.”
In our opinion, this seems like a strong reach but anything is possible. Check out the track below.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty
A new finding has disclosed that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to reveal three more trips paid for by billionaire Harlan Crow.
On Thursday (June 13), the Senate Judiciary Committee released documents that revealed that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose that he had taken three additional trips on the private jet belonging to billionaire Harlan Crow. The documents were acquired by Democrats on the committee, and they show the details of the trips – one to Kalispell, Montana near Glacier National Park in 2017, one from Washington D.C. to his hometown of Savannah, Georgia in March 2019, and one to Northern California in 2021.
“The Senate Judiciary Committee’s ongoing investigation into the Supreme Court’s ethical crisis is producing new information – like what we’ve revealed today – and makes it crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct, because its members continue to choose not to meet the moment,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee said in a statement. A lawyer for Justice Thomas said that he has “fully complied” with a new disclosure requirement from the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts from last year that compelled judges to disclose all gifts. In a statement, he felt these trips “fell under the ‘personal hospitality exemption’ and was not required to be disclosed by Justice Thomas,” said Elliott S. Berke. A representative for Harlan Crow, Michael Zona, said that the Texas billionaire provided the committee with “information responsive to its requests going back seven years.” Zona also confirmed that as a result of providing the information, the Committee agreed to end its probe into Crow’s actions.
The revelations have added more controversy and outrage over the unethical behavior of Thomas and fellow Supreme Court Justice Thomas Alito by accepting such lavish gifts from Republican donors throughout the years, as observers note that each donor had special interests in cases that came before the court. It’s led many to demand that there be a stronger code of ethics for the Court with more punitive effects, noting that the code adopted by the highest judicial body in the land at the end of last year was too weak.
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Source: press handout / FYI Brand Group
If we know anything about French Montana it’s that if there’s a gang of thick women congregating near a body of water, he’s probably somewhere close by and his latest music video all but confirms that theory as he and Skilla Baby enjoy some poolside fun.
In their visuals to “Skyami” French Montana and Skilla throw themselves a pool party and invite a team of stacked and thick women who don’t just enjoy the rappers company, but also their fellow bikini-clad female friends as they bump and grind on each other much to the rapper’s delight and give them a sneak peak of what can be done behind closed doors. Don’t invite your kids to a French Montana pool party cause they’re gonna have questions afterwards. Just sayin.’
Back in Houston Sauce Walka shows his hood some love while giving them some shine and in his clip to “5th Ward,” Sauce rolls through his old stomping grounds where he links up with his homies and gets poured up in the middle of the day.
Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Rah Swish, Sada Baby, and more.
FRENCH MONTANA & SKILLA BABY – “SKYAMI”
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SAUCE WALKA – “5TH WARD”
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RAH SWISH – “TESEHKI”
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SADA BABY – “MIDNIGHT KLUB”
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WANMOR – “ALONE WITH YOU”
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LARRY JUNE – “DREAMS”
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ANTHONE RAY – “TIME”
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SHAAN TZY – “STILL HERSELF”
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