Month: June 2021

The 2021 BET Awards ceremony took place over the weekend. Megan thee Stallion, Migos & Cardi B, who revealed her pregnancy, and Lil Nas X all hit the stage. Lil Nas performed his hit single “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” which sparked controversy at the time of its release for its Satanic-filled visuals and its depiction of same-sex relationships. 

His BET rendition of the track stayed true to its already-establish aesthetic, with Lil Nas even planting a kiss on one of his male backup dancers during the performance. Reception for the performance was polarized, and the “Old Town Road” hitmaker took to social media to shut critics up one more time. 

Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

“we are 4 months in and people are still acting surprised that i am being gay and sexual in performances of a song about gay and sexual shit,” tweeted the Grammy winner on Monday (June 28), a day removed from his performance.

He continued in another tweet, “like the song is literally about gay sex what y’all want me to do play the piano while baking a cake?” Another critic responded to the tweets suggesting Lil Nas was insecure about his sexuality and was simply overcompensating for it “every chance you get.” 

In response, the 22-year-old artist explained, “You’re right i am insecure about my sexuality. i still have a long way to go. i’ve never denied that. when you’re conditioned by society to hate yourself your entire life it takes a lot of unlearning. which is exactly why i do what i do.”

Another challenged Lil Nas should consider the fact that children are watching the award show and homophobically suggested he should “chill that gay sh*t out.” 

“that’s not my problem, stop letting ur kids watch the bet awards n*gga put on cocomelon,” responded the hitmaker sarcastically. All in all, Lil Nas certainly had time today to respond to his noisiest critics. 

Diddy also sent out warm words of support to Lil Nas X on social media following his performance, penning, “Lil Nas X did that!! Be fearless!!!” 

Rise & Grind is a new editorial series, meant to introduce and dissect new, buzzing, or underground artists.

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LVRN Records have quickly positioned themselves as the record-label-to-watch, at least when it comes to rising voices in the r’n’b and alt-hip-hop space. While they have a pointedly cool selection of both rappers and singers on the imprint, their stranglehold on new-age r’n’b is perhaps what sets them apart the most: from Summer Walker, their flagship artist, to 6lack, to the latest singing-voice on the highly-curated roster: Young Rog. Lest we forget, LVRN also has a management arm where they have a few notable singing-names too: Shelley FKA DRAM and dvsn among them.

Now, speaking of Shelley: it seems to somehow makes sense then, that Young Rog is actually jointly-signed to both Shelley’s imprint, WAVER, as well as LVRN Records. The artist shares a homestate of Virginia with Shelley, whom he signed to first, before Shelley connected the dots with LVRN and then, Interscope for the budding Rog. 

After a smattering of records, including the lead single “Bullshit” with labelmate Summer Walker, Young Rog finally debuted his first project– although not his debut album– titled Boy Next Door on Friday. With the album now in rotation, and making an appearance on our R&B SEASON playlist, we hopped online to catch up with Young Rog. 

Stay tuned for a new installment of Rise & Grind every Monday.

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Image provided by the artist

Stomping Grounds:

“My stomping grounds is Newport News, Virginia. I lived in Hampton for a little bit, Norfolk, and a little bit in Williamsburg but I mostly grew up in Newport News.”

Zodiac Sign:

My zodiac sign is Aries.

Biggest Accomplishment:

Just being alive everyday and being able to continue my journey, I already feel like I obtained my dreams

Studio Habits & Essentials:

Weirdest studio habit is not caring who is in the room and just going all out and not caring what I say either. I don’t care if I sound stupid on the track, chances are I already go harder than you so it doesn’t matter.

[As far as] essentials: the beat has to be right, and autotune has to be right. I need my area to be focused and everyone needs to know the importance of what’s going down. 

“Bullshit” with Summer Walker:

On “The Boy Next Door,” I produced the “Bullshit” record and a few others on the project. I’m going to produce more of my records soon as I’m learning more instruments like the bass guitar, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, and keys right now.

I already had the song done and the team thought it would be a good idea to have Summer Walker on the track. We put her on the second verse and it was a very cohesive collaboration.

Summer Walker is very cool. She’s dope and can sing her ass off. Meeting her in real life was cool and is definitely an amazing woman.

First Bars:

“I’m On My New Sh*t,” “Stole Your B*tch,” and “You See Touring In That Foreign Whips”… I don’t know what the f*** I was talking about. Those were a few of my first songs and I actually produced the beat.

First Show:

My first performance was at a show in Virginia Beach and I got to perform one of my favorite songs at the time which was “Think I’m Flexin.” I also produced the beat for that as well. 

Guilty Pleasures:

I like to smoke weed. During my off-time, I just smoke a lot of weed.

Up Next:

Next goal is to make as many connections as possible. I’m really thankful for this opportunity because it shows me that people care whether it’s for good reasons or not — thank you for picking my brain.

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Image provided by the artist

You are signed to Shelley FKA DRAM’S Waver imprint as well as LVRN correct – how does that work for you, what does that mean for you structurally – business-wise – and creatively? 

Well, all together, they’ve helped me become the person that I want to be, which is a successful music artist, and with the management and backing of LVRN, Waver Records, and Interscope. It’s just the structure they have in place to do anything possible.

Which deal or opportunity came first? 

Well, the opportunity to sign with Waver Records and Shelley FKA DRAM was what came first, and then Shelley took me to LVRN and then we solidified it with Interscope.

Why do you think both Shelley and LVRN make sense for you as an artist?

Shelly is from Virginia and LVRN is a Black culture label so being an R&B artist, it fits because we’re number one in Black culture as far as music goes. Waver Records is Shelley’s label and he’s from Virginia so I killed two birds with one stone to solidify a team. 

What’s your relationship like with Shelley?

That’s the bro. He always checks up on me. He gives me advice and creative ideas for me to grow as a person, so he’s like my big bro.

What’s the vibe like with LVRN? 

LVRN is crazy! They do so much of everything…I like to pay attention to greatness and they say that your five closest friends show the trajectory of where you’re going so to watch them and learn at the same time and to know that they’re working to help me get to where I want to be is eye opening.

I’m actually not familiar with the apparent viral billboard moment you had last year – for the new fans and those unfamiliar with the billboard, can you walk us through what this was all about, how you set it up, and the aftermath/response to it? Was there an actual impact on your career, in a sense?(numbers-boosted or otherwise?)

The billboard was just to promote my music that was coming and my project The Boy Next Door. I was able to tap in with my fans first hand. It also boosted my career because people are feeling like they can get in contact with me. I just want to be able to reach out and touch the people in any way I can and with the billboard that was like a big gesture.

You seem to run with this comparison of yourself to Roger from “Sister Sister” – can you speak on this a little bit?

My name is Roger and they had a show called Sister Sister and they had a guy named Roger and that show was very big. The character was like a hopeless romantic and basically, he’s a spitting image of me… Not necessarily ugly, but also can’t get the cute girl he wants… Roger was like me, I don’t get any girls.

Why do you relate to him? 

I relate to Roger because he definitely knows what it’s like to be a “Roger” in this society. Roger is like the ‘boy next door.’ The similarity between Roger and I is that I can’t stop until I find the one that I love and there’s nothing in between me finding it.

When did this comparison start?

It started when I was a young kid and everyone used to say “Go home Roger” and that was at the time Sister Sister was out.

Did you Summer Walker get any other records done together, or have any ideas in the works?

Not necessarily — whatever happens, happens. I don’t really know too much about the future so I don’t like to speak on what it’ll possibly hold but one day we can work on new music. 

With Freddie Gibbs being the only proper rapper featured on the project – it begs the question – why him? How did you connect?

My homie Domo, my manager, had the connection for Freddie to get on one of my records and made it happen. His verse on “Organized Chaos” was tough.

What’s your personal favorite song off Boy Next Door and why?

One of my favorite songs off The Boy Next Door is “Calling Calling” because that song was a lot of inspiration from my Virginia background. My homegirl Cora the artist was the inspiration behind it.

Stream Young Rog’s Boy Next Door here.

Later this year, during the Holiday season, one of the greatest Adidas Yeezy Boost 350 V2 colorways is set to make a big comeback. Of course, we are talking about the colorway that started it all, the infamous “Beluga” model. This shoe was known for having a two-toned grey zebra upper and an orange stripe along the side. This colorway put the 350 V2 on the map and set the foundation for various colorways to come. It remains one of Kanye’s best silhouettes and the “Beluga” offering is one that fans have been requesting to have back.

This time around, it will come with a twist. The new “Beluga” will also be reflective which is a detail that many fans seem to love. In fact, we now have a fresh look at how this aesthetic will grace the “Beluga” colorway, thanks to @sneakerjamz_new on Instagram. The photos certainly do the shoe justice and if you missed out on the original, you can’t help but feel optimistic that you might land these upon release.

There is no concrete release date for these just yet, so keep it locked to HNHH as we will be sure to bring you all of the latest updates from the sneaker world. In the meantime, give us your thoughts on these, in the comments below.

Tyler, The Creator had a massive weekend that included the release of his incredible new album, CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST, and his inaugural performance at the BET Awards. The rapper’s latest album includes some help from DJ Drama who provides Gangsta Grillz-level shit-talking throughout the project.

Rich Fury/Getty Images

Tyler admitted that Westside Gunn played a pivotal role in his approach to his album, even if it was indirectly. He shouted out Gunn during an IG Live where he also gave Drama his flowers for shifting the culture. “Shoutout rap music, I love it. DJ Drama, I love you,” said Tyler. “What you did for rap…phenomenal. From all the Waynes, all the Dedications,” he said. “From Lupe’s mixtape run, the Fahrenheit to the Revenge Of The Nerds. To JAY-Z to Andre [3000], to Westside Gunn, for making me just want to rap again. I love rap, it changed n***as’ lives.” Tyler later reiterated his appreciation for Westside Gunn on Twitter. 

Westside Gunn spoke to HipHopDX at Red Carpet of the 2021 BET Awards where he revealed that he did catch wind of Tyler’s comments. “Of course I did. Tyler’s the homie. I talked to him after that, I talked to him yesterday,” he said. “I just told him congratulations. We got more work to do.”

Gunn continued to explain that they first met at The Alchemist’s home. “There’s always been a mutual respect and shit,” he continued. “We meet up at Alchemist’s house and discuss things. I play shit for him, he send me shit. He play shit for me. He the homie. We got more coming. This is Griselda finally like crossing over a little bit. We crossing over, but we’re still keeping it Griselda.”

Tyler, The Creator appeared on Westside Gunn’s Pray For Paris album alongside Joey Bada$$ and Billie Escoe on the track, “327.”

Peep the clip below. 

It doesn’t get much more polarizing than Azealia Banks. Exceptions come around every so often but, knowing how outspoken the Harlem-bred sensation has been from the get-go, there is virtually no room for comparison. 

The rapper took to Instagram yesterday to (yet again) announce the sequel to Fantasea, her 2012 mixtape that earned nothing but a good reception. On top of the new project, Banks also mentioned a new single titled, get this, “Kanye West.” Harking back to that comment about how polarizing some people can be, that is a name that surely appears on the list of exceptions. Though presumably not a part of the title, she wrote (F*ck him all day) right below it, not to give anyone the wrong idea.

Regardless, people in her comment section are raving, saying that this song will be the best thing they’ll hear all year long, with a couple of people even mentioning that it will make for a great birthday gift. What seems to be a spiteful new single is set to release on July 9th, with not much information being provided on the release of Fantasea 2: The Second Wave. For what it’s worth, she did caption her photo in reference to it saying “All summer.” 

While the Queen of the 212 is best known for her online controversies and often petty beef-searching, that could never diminish the expectations people have for this project, especially from an artist that offers such a steady discography. Keep your eyes peeled and ears open for July 9th.

 

These days, it seems like Tekashi 6ix9ine has given up his musical aspirations to be a troll full-time. Following his release from prison after serving a brief amount of jail time for his high-profile R.I.C.O. case, it seems like the disgraced rapper has still yet to revive his career all the way. 

His one and only single released this year was “ZAZA” back in February, and he’s yet to release anything else. He has, however, spent a considerable amount of time taking shots at other members in the rap community like the late King Von, Lil Durk, and Pooh Shiesty. He was scheduled to appear at a show in Texas over the weekend, but it was canceled last minute with no explanation. Now, the contested Bushwick native is explaining that money is what caused him to bail out. 

Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for Power 105.1

The rapper explained to TMZ that he had itched a contract with the Humble Civic Center in Humble, TX guaranteeing him a cool $250k for a show on Sunday. He says when he got there, however, he was only paid $70k in cash and didn’t receive the rest of the balance before the show, although the contract required it. 

He says he then returned the $70k and bailed, never hitting the stage. Concert-goers tell the publication that the venue opened its doors at 3 pm and they waited until around 10 pm before cops and security began forcing everyone to leave. The venue allegedly didn’t make any announcement regarding 6ix9ine’s whereabouts before they were kicked out. 

It was a pretty big disappointment for fans. Some coughed up $500 for tickets, while others dropped $3k for VIP. The venue has yet to speak out about the mishap. 

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Tekashi 6ix9ine is apparently still making bank. Many predicted that 6ix9ine’s career, and cash flow, would take a hit after taking the stand but that apparently isn’t the case. Over the weekend, 6ix9ine publicly called out Blueface for his upcoming boxing match. While clowning the “Thotiana” rapper for the $25K he will receive for the fight, he began flaunting a wad of cash of the same amount. 

Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

In the midst of all of this, it was reported that Tekashi 6ix9ine’s father is living at a homeless shelter. Daniel Hernandez, 6ix9ine’s dad, said that he’s been homeless for two years. Though they’ve been estranged for over a decade, Hernandez said that his son hasn’t attempted to provide him with any financial aid. “You think he’d come hook me up with something,” he said. “He’s been giving money to other people. … He gives money to everybody. ‘Here, here, here.’”

Well, it seems that even if his rich rapper son can’t help him, others from the hip-hop community might. Lil Reese, whose history with Tekashi 6ix9ine has been well documented, took to Instagram after news of Tekashi’s father came to light. Apparently, he’s more than willing to offer a couple of bucks to Hernandez. “Where his daddy at I give him some money,” Reese tweeted.

While Tekashi’s father previously attempted to show his support during the rapper’s trial, 6ix9ine was in disbelief at the attempt to get his attention. “I took one glance — I see my biological father. I haven’t seen him since the third grade,” Tekashi said ahead of being sentenced, per PageSix. “I don’t even know if this is a f–kin’ joke, everything I go through.”

Check out Lil Reese’s tweet below. 

The start of the 2021-2022 season is going to be huge for the NBA as it will be celebrating its 75th anniversary. As you can imagine, the league has a lot planned for this special celebration and you can most certainly expect some great shoes to come out of this. Of course, as basketball fans, you would probably expect some Air Jordan models, a few LeBron’s, and probably some other Nike Basketball shoes to get the “75th Anniversary” honors. While this can still be the case, it appears as though the Nike Dunk Low will be getting the call, as well.

In the images below courtesy of @pvasneakers and @zsneakerheadz, you can find a Dunk Low colorway that is modeled after a basketball. The toe box and side panels are white, all while the overlays are orange and black. This aesthetic is synonymous with basketball although if you are a fan of the Air Jordan 1, then you might see this as a bit of an homage to the infamous “Shattered Backboard” model.

This sneaker is set to drop in October, however, this release date is subject to change so be sure to keep it locked to HNHH as we will bring you all of the latest news and updates from around the NBA and the sneaker world.

Traveling overseas can sometimes be incredibly risky depending on the mode of transportation. While taking flights is obviously the easier and most efficient way to travel overseas, it’s not always realistic and affordable for everyone to do so. Traveling across the ocean by boat is sometimes a cheaper option.

Unfortunately for one group of travelers, things went haywire. Authorities in Turks and Caicos discovered a drifting boat on the coast carrying 20 dead people, including two children on Thursday (June 24). They’re currently trying to piece together exactly what happened. 

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Beaches Turks & Caicos

According to reports, fishermen spotted the boat drifting near Grand Turk last Thursday morning and immediately alerted the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force. In a press release published Friday (June 28), law enforcement said that although the “deaths are unexplained, there is no indication of foul play.” 

 

“Work is now underway to establish their identity, the cause of death and the circumstances that led them to be found in the Turks and Caicos Islands waters,” the press release added.

Commissioner of Police Trevor Botting explained they believe the ship came from outside the Caribbean region, and neither the islands of Turks and Caicos nor its surrounding region was the intended destination. “My investigators are working to establish their identities and how they met their death. This work will take some time to complete,” he said. 

Botting added, “Whatever the circumstances, this is a tragic situation where many people have lost their lives, and the thoughts and prayers of the Force go out to those families who have lost a loved one. We will do all we can to identify them and contact their families.” 

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Beaches Turks & Caicos

Notably, boats of migrants have been intercepted in the waters around the archipelago. About an hour after the press release published Friday, officers posted about a different interception of a boat with 43 Haitian migrants on board. 

Our thoughts go out to the families affected by this massive tragedy. 

 

 

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Trae Young has been the cornerstone of the Atlanta Hawks offense and while he is still young, he has shown tremendous leadership capabilities throughout the Hawks’ deep playoff run. Last night, they lost a heartbreaker to the Milwaukee Bucks and are now down 2-1 in the series. While they still have an opportunity to come back, it is going to be a lot harder now that Young is dealing with an injury.

After stepping on the foot of the referee last night, Young had to come out of the game and while he eventually returned, he was simply a shell of himself. Many were worried that this injury could affect him for the rest of the series, and as Shams Charania reported today, he could be out of the lineup entirely for Game 4. Young is now suffering from a bone bruise on his right foot and has officially been listed as “questionable.”

These types of injuries typically don’t hinder players from going out onto the court, especially when it comes to the playoffs. However, the injury could prove to give Young a hard time, especially as he looks to carry a team that has no chance without him. He’s a guy who needs a lot of minutes, and with an injured foot, it is going to be very hard.

Keep it locked to HNHH for more updates from around the NBA.

Todd Kirkland/Getty Images