Month: June 2021

Coming into this second round series between the Atlanta Hawks and Philadelphia 76ers, it seemed like the 76ers were heavy favorites. There was some uncertainty as to whether or not Embiid would be able to play although eventually, that was all quelled when it was revealed today that Embiid would be good to go for Game 1. 

Despite Embiid’s presence on the court, the 76ers struggled for a large chunk of the game and at one point, they were down by 26. Trae Young was incredible for the Hawks as he scored 35 points all while adding 10 assists. It was one of his best performances of the playoffs and he made it extremely difficult for the 76ers to catch up.

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Despite the large deficits throughout the game, Embiid was able to help mount a comeback as he scored 39 points and even added nine rebounds. It was a spectacular performance when you consider how his teammates struggled mightily throughout the match. While Embiid was able to make it close, it was the Hawks who came through with a solid 128-124 victory that gives them 1-0 series lead.

This series is far from over and if there is one thing this game proved, it’s that the 76ers know how to battle back when they are in a deficit. With Game 2 going down on Tuesday, it will be interesting to see how the team responds.

It’s been almost two months since DMX tragically passed away. As the world mourns the late musical pioneer, many members of the hip-hop community have continued to tribute and pay their respects to him. Jay-Z recently recalled how he boycotted the Grammys because they failed to nominate X, while his posthumous release Exodus has been embraced with open arms by fans. 

The star-studded memorial service for X took place in Brooklyn at Barclay’s center in April and was attended by his family and friends. At the service, Swizz Beatz aired out his frustrations, addressing those who were quick to secure their exclusive passes to the event but were MIA when he was hurting. The producer recently appeared alongside his Verzuz co-creator Timbaland on REVOLT’s “Drink Champs” series hosted by N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN where he touched on the call-out, addressed critics of X’s Exodus project, and more. 

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Divulging why he felt the need to make the statements, he maintained that he was not directing his statements at any particular person or group, adding that it was as if X “came through me.”  “Even at the funeral when I said what I said, it was because of many people and many things,” explains Swizz.

He continued, “I was very close to Dog up until his last days, we had just finished the record so I was current on all his events. And X only wanted love, he didn’t want money. He didn’t really care about success that much. He just wanted to ride remote control cars, drive his four-wheelers, play pool, very simple guy.”

“But, it was certain people that he really wanted love from that it was hard for him to get the love from. So, when I see them people now showing up, and then, now making the day about them, I just had an energy. And I feel X came through me and made me say what I had to say,” he finished. 

Elsewhere, he touched on critics of X’s “new sound” on Exodus. “We gotta allow people to grow. We could’ve had a bunch of murder murder songs, but X listens to R&B music. X got soul, X likes to tell stories… ” reasoned Swizz. To hear more, check out the full “Drink Champs” episode below. 

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Travis Scott is one of the biggest sneakerheads in the hip-hop world and he is constantly looking for exclusive new shoes to wear while out and about. Of course, as a Nike signee, Travis has access to a deep vault of sneakers, and over the years, Nike has provided him with some of the rarest samples and unreleases kicks known to man. When Scott is sitting courtside at a basketball game, you can be sure he’s going to flex such gems, and on Saturday night during the Brooklyn Nets-Milwaukee Bucks game, that’s exactly what he did.

According to Nick DePaula of ESPN, Scott was courtside wearing unreleased Iron Maiden Nike Dunk Highs that were constructed all the way back in 2006. This is a shoe that is impossible to find on the market, and even if you wanted a pair through StockX, you would have to pay a whopping $100,000.

It’s clear that Travis’ sneaker collection is filled with such diamonds in the rough and we can only imagine what else he might be keeping under wraps for the right moment. If you’re an Iron Maiden fan, or just a regular old sneakerhead, you can’t help but be jealous.

Keep it locked to HNHH for more news from the sneaker world, as we will be sure to keep you informed.

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The idea of “real hip-hop” is still a topic of discussion among purists. For years now, there have been plenty of predictions that hip-hop is “dying” but as we see, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We recently chopped it up with Peter Rosenberg, who recently released his debut album Real Late, about the state of the culture and the future of hip-hop.

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Rosenberg reflected on his infamous “real hip-hop” comments at Summer Jam that led Nicki Minaj and Young Money to pull out from their performance. It was “Starships” that was at the center of criticism but even Rosenberg admitted on Ebro In The Morning that he didn’t think that particular Nicki Minaj song was at fault for the commercialization of hip-hop as a whole. 

Rosenberg explained that he no longer thinks that hip-hop can ever fade away, even as it grows more popular. However, there was a particular moment when he did. The Hot 97 personality said that the first time he went to a Mac Miller show, he thought that he was witnessing the death of the culture as he knew it. 

“I thought it so many times that hip hop was on the verge of death. You know, like, I really have. When I went to my first Mac Miller concert and I saw all these white kids and a white rapper, I’m like Oh My God, and I talked to Mac about this. White rapper, white kids. Oh my God, what’s going to happen here now,” he explained, though he acknowledged that he was wrong about his perception at the time, especially since Mac Miller’s later work became an entry point for many to discover solid hip-hop acts.

“I had no idea that Mac, for a lot of those kids, would end up being sort of their entry into really good hip hop s***,” he admitted. “Maybe not all of them. Some of them just went and liked pop, I’m sure, afterward but some of them got into Vince Staples, some of them got into Earl Sweatshirt, got into Odd Future.”

Despite his jaded attitude, he said that hip-hop in its purest form remains as healthy as ever. “I guess I’m at a stage now where I’m thinking like, ‘Yes, words used may be different, and those who don’t know may get things wrong, but ultimately the well-being of Beats and Rhymes, as it were, I think is healthy.’”

Check out our full interview with Peter Rosenberg here. 

Timothee Chalamet and Kid Cudi’s friendship is still strong.

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On June 5th, Kid Cudi posted to his Instagram a gift he had received from longtime friend, Timothee Chalamet. The Beautiful Boy actor gave him an action figure of his character from the much anticipated 2021 film Dune. The long delayed film is set to be released on October 1st of this year.

On the side of the box, Chalamet wrote “To the true master of the universe. The moon man…Kid Cudi. With humanity, Paul Atreides.” Paul Atreides is the name of Chalamet’s character from the upcoming film Dune. Social media users were in awe over the exchange.

The Lady Bird actor and Day N Nite rapper have been friends for the past couple of years. They even spent Kid Cudi’s 2019 birthday together with Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, and Pete Davidson also in attendance. They were spotted hanging out on numerous occasions, including the March 2020 dinner for GQ Magazine. 

The two have also been fans of each other for quite some time. From speaking fondly of each other in interviews, to shouting each other out on social media, these two friends are consistently supportive of one another. Audiences can expect Chalamet’s upcoming film to drop in October. While fans can listen to Cudi’s latest project Man On the Moon III: The Chosen, which was dropped in December of last year. 

How do you and your friends show each other support? Sound off in the comments below.

Unfortunately for YFN Lucci, it seems like his legal problems only continue to grow. He surrendered himself over to authorities at the top of the year after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with the shooting death of a 28-year-old man. He was wanted on multiple charges by Atlanta police like murder and gang activity and initially denied bond. 

He was able to enjoy a small taste of freedom in February after being released on bond, albeit under very strict restrictions. Sadly for the rapper, his freedom was taken away from him again in May after he was named in a 105-count racketeering indictment surrounding the Bloods gang in Atlanta. After surrendering to authorities later in the month, Lucci’s lawyer is calling bogus on his client being listed in the indictment. 

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The 75-page RICO indictment lists a dozen individuals, including the entertainer, as being associates of the gang. In a recent interview, his lawyer, who has maintained Lucci’s innocence, explained that his status as an “associate” of the named gang in the indictment is all hearsay. He points out that despite Lucci’s status as an international recording artist, references to his music to create a case against him are simply unfair. 

He furthered that the indictment is “a little bit ridiculous.” His lawyer has previously said in a statement,  “He’s not a gang member. What he is is an internationally recognized musical artist that is a triple platinum winner, that has performed all over the United States and all over the world.”

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Following Lucci’s arrest, Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant noted his indictment sends a “significant message” to other ATL residents. “I think that it sends a significant message, a profound message that regardless of your status that the City of Atlanta and Fulton County in partnership is coming after you if you violate the crimes in our county, in our city,” Bryant explained.

He’s been denied bond, so it’s looking like he may have to remain behind bars until trial. We’ll keep you updated on any subsequent developments in the case.

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