Month: July 2022

The industry often pits artists against each other for one reason or another, but you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who hates Patti LaBelle. The Godmother of Soul has been a favorite in and outside of the industry for decades, and she’s responsible for music classics that continue to rack up streaming numbers. Within the R&B community alone she’s hailed as one of the greatest singers to ever pick up a microphone, but during her appearance on Drink Champs, LaBelle admitted that she was under the impression that award-winning songbird Jazmine Sullivan didn’t like her. 

“I thought Jazmine Sullivan hated me. Let me say something, last week, she made my heart pound, hard. She called me,” said LaBelle. “The same gentleman, Marquese, who made this outfit and the outfit that I wore for Essence last couple weeks ago, he’s good friends with Jazmine. And so, he said ‘Jazmine and I always used to talk about who’s coming to Patti LaBelle’s party first? You or me?’”

Jamie McCarthy / Staff / Getty Images

“So, she’s always had this love for me but whenever I would see her, she’s shy, and I would give her all these props and stuff and I’d say, ‘Baby girl don’t like me.’ My feelings were hurt until last week. When we talked on the phone she said, ‘Patti LaBelle you’re my everything.’ She said, ‘I love you so much I get shy when I’m around you.’”

Ms. Patti shared the story to show just how things can become misconstrued based on one’s perception or reading more into a situation than there is.

“So, you see how things are misunderstood in this business, so ugly business? Sometimes people wanna make us hate each other and say, ‘Oh, she don’t like her.’ Well, Jazmine and I are recording soon. You know, after fifteen years I haven’t recorded R&B. So, I’m doing stuff with her and a bunch of other sweeties and I just wanted to clarify that for me, because I was holding this thing that she didn’t like me.”

“She loves Patti LaBelle,” the legend boasted. Watch the clip from Patti LaBelle’s Drink Champs appearance below. 

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As he celebrates the release of his latest album, Wiz Khalifa is also discussing his celebrity peers that have inspired his business moves. Today (July 29), Wiz delivered Multiverse, and just prior to its release, the Pittsburgh hitmaker sat down with XXL to not only talk about the album but his efforts outside of music. Khalifa has shaped quite the successful Rap career, but he’s also a leading force in several industries with his businesses related to food and beverage, cannabis, and even mushrooms.

Journalist Kemet High wanted to know who Wiz looked up to when it came to diversifying his portfolio with multiple streams of income. He named several familiar figures that have etched their names into the Rap Mogul Mt. Rushmore.

Frazer Harrison / Staff / Getty Images

“Jay-Z, Master P, Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle,” said Wiz. “These are people who do what the f*ck they want to do. They own they sh*t. They move when they wanna move, you know what I’m sayin’? And they don’t really, you know, show too much. They really just—they be on point. [50 Cent], you know what I’m sayin’? 50’s a really good business person and mentor of mine. Snoop has given me a lot of game. Rick Ross.”

“These are dudes that really, really handle business. Rick Ross wakes up and promotes every motherf*ckin’ day,” Wiz added with a laugh. “He promotes every day! Like, my man don’t stop! Yeah, I look up to those dudes, like, how serious they take their business.”

Watch more from Wiz Khalifa’s interview with XXL below.

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With all of the frightening tragedies that have occurred in public spaces in recent years, people have been on high alert. We’ve reported on shootings, assaults, and even murders at grocery stores, protests, subway stations, schools, nightclubs, and even concerts, so when something out of the ordinary happens, it can cause chaos. According to reports, Dua Lipa touched down in Toronto days ago for her Future Nostalgia tour, and things seemed to be going well at the Scotiabank Arena until someone set off fireworks inside.

CityNews reported that someone on the floor decided to light fireworks resulting in the injuries of at least three people.

Amy Sussman / Staff / Getty Images

The victims’ injuries were described as minor, however, an investigation has been launched. It is unclear if police have narrowed in on a suspect or suspects.

Dua Lipa reportedly addressed the incident in a statement:

“Last night, unauthorized fireworks went off in the crowd during my set in Toronto. Creating a safe and inclusive space at my shows is always my first priority, and my team and I are just as shocked and confused by the events as you all are.”

“There is an ongoing investigation into the events being conducted, and everyone involved is working hard to find out how this incident occurred. Bringing this show to life for my fans has been such an amazing experience, and I’m so deeply sorry for anyone who was scared, felt unsafe, or whose enjoyment of the show was affected in any way.”

Meanwhile, Lipa enjoyed her Toronto performance and shared a few images online. Check out a clip of the fireworks moment below.

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The recent death of JayDaYoungan has stunned his loved ones and the news related to the tragedy continues to be discussed in Hip Hop circles. According to reports, the 24-year-old rapper was outside of his Louisiana home when he and his father, Kenyatta Scott, were ambushed by an assailant. Both men were shot, but while the father survived the attack, Jay would die from his injuries at a nearby hospital. 

There have been several rumors about the shooting shared online, including speculation about a motive, and amid the ongoing conversations, JayDaYoungan’s grandfather, L.C. Jefferson, has come forward to speak about losing his grandson to violence.

“There will be no stone left unturned until we find out who took him,” said Jefferson. “This is only what I hear. Someone came from behind the house with a ski mask on and gunned him down. In broad daylight, on a busy road. People have gotten so comfortable to where they think they can shoot someone down and not be caught.”

“I remember when he first started his music. I remember him sitting out here, two and three in the morning with his cousin. Writing music. It is sad that at his young age, just getting stuff right and he had to be taken away,” Jefferson said.

Authorities also reportedly stated that there were a string of shootings in the area that evening and they believe that the events were all connected to one another. Police have asked the public for help in identifying the person or persons responsible, but as expected, they’re keeping information close to the vest. However, they have shared that they have “a few suspects.” A motive has not been given.

“Looking at him. The way he makes his music and where he comes from. It gives other people hope. His music gave him hope. But it’s gone now,” said the grieving grandfather.

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The internet is a strange place and today (July 29), Blueface and the mother of his children are laying some rumors to rest. Blueface has been making headlines for months due to his hot and cold romance with Chrisean Rock, but while they show off their love during double dates with DDG and Halle Bailey, Jaidyn Alexis awaits her due date. 

Jaidyn, who already has a son with Blueface, is pregnant with the rapper’s second child, but she began receiving congratulatory messages today after the public believed she had given birth.

Blueface’s mother, Karlissa, shared a photo of a newborn baby in a hospital along with a message that read, “My princess is here #Leo gang.” She didn’t specify whose child that was, but the baby’s photo was quickly shared online and blogs reported that Jaidyn and Blueface welcomed their latest addition.

However, Jaidyn jumped online to deny that the child was hers. “My baby has NOT been born yet [sideways crying laughing emoji],” she wrote. Blueface later added, “The baby still in her belly idk who day baby is y’all posting.” Meanwhile, Karlissa returned to her Instagram Story to share a comment saying that anyone who follows her knows she had other grandchildren on the way.

Check it out below.

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While discussing industry politics and how he avoids it like the plague, Bobby Shmurda mentioned Joyner Lucas’s success. Shmurda has been adjusting to the ins and outs of the industry since his release from prison, and now as an independent artist, he’s learning new lessons about how the game is played. During his appearance on The Party Starters podcast, Shmurda spoke about not fitting the industry standard and brought up Lucas as he questioned why Joyner isn’t a topic of discussion in Hip Hop circles.

“The sh*t that I hate about the industry is [that] they don’t talk about Joyner Lucas,” said Shmurda, suggesting that Lucas is overlooked. “He can sit in his house, making a quarter million a month off his sh*t that he’s putting out there.” 

“He making more money than the top five artists, like I just said! He’s making three-four hundred a month. Easy, sitting down. He got more money than, sh*t, the biggest rappers n*ggas talk about, but the fame and the money, that’s the thing, you know what I’m sayin’? I don’t give a f*ck about popularity.”

After the quote circulated online, Lucas resurfaced to thank Shmurda for the acknowledgment.

“I been telling Google to put some respek on my net worth for years,” Lucas wrote. “Lol they still got me at 3 million. [loud crying emoji] [Bobby Shmurda] thank u for this [praying hands emoji].”

Watch Bobby Shmurda’s interview The Party Starters Podcast and Joyner Lucas’s response below.