Month: February 2023

Yeat – ‘AfterLyfe’ Album Review

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Yeat’s oddball cloud rap isn’t engaging enough to justify the 1-hour runtime, but is undeniably exhilarating in small doses on ‘AfterLyfe’.

Yeat has been on a creative rager since blowing up onto the scene. The mystifying MC first blew up in 2021 with eccentric vocals and a sound that blended the trap/electronic genres. Tracks such as “Sorry About That” began populating millions of videos on TikTok. Similar to fellow cloud-rappers, he got his start releasing various mixtapes on Soundcloud. Now an established trendsetter and Internet personality, he’s been a hot topic of debate throughout the hip-hop scene. Since then, Yeat has been on a mission to prove that here’s here to stay. ‘AfterLyfe’ is his sixth full-length record, and potentially his first of multiple projects to populate 2023.

Is Yeat a trend-setter building on the cloud-punk blend of trap that Playboi Carti pioneered? Is he just another derivative rapper who became famous off of sheer appeal rather than quality of music? In many ways, ‘AfterLyfe’ proves both of these perspectives correct. Featuring 22 tracks, it’s a marathon of a listen with unpredictable highs and lows. The likes of “Back Up” and “Heavyweight” employ Yeat’s oh-so-familiar distorted 808s and electronic hooks. Are they fun on one listen with a few beers in your system? Sure. However, they lack the potency of his past bangers such as “Turban.”

‘AfterLyfe’ Is Different From Anything He’s Done Before

‘AfterLyfe’ is certainly not a copy and paste of previous projects. Yeat toys with even more ridiculous ab-libs and vocal patterns. Purposefully off-beat, he’s able to keep the audience guessing on what tone or pattern he’ll employ next. Take the electric “Woa,” where Yeat seamlessly flows from low to high pitching amidst a heavy beat. He attempts to make up for the distinct lack of features by ushering in his alter-personas “Kranky Kranky” and “Luh Geeky” on tracks such as “Rav3 p4rty” and “Now.” However, YNBA (NBA Youngboy) is the one exception to this. On “Shmunk,” a warped bop, he delivers a much-needed alternative voice.

Dancehall beats and melodic acoustic strings also ease their way into the production. Take “Nun id change,” a groovy blend of dance and hip-hop that almost sounds as if it would’ve fit on Drake‘s ‘Honestly, Nevermind.’ “Back home” is driven by acoustic strings and smooth 808s, shooting more of a traditional trap sound. Emotive closer “Myself” is yet another guitar-driven cut. Melodic and introspective, Yeat celebrates his come-up into the scene with lines such as “Got all these racks, I did it.”

Yeat Shares His Vulnerabilities

While “AfterLyfe” mirrors other records regarding its constant flexing, he’s vulnerable about his shortcomings that continue to put a stain on his life. Whether it be his reclusiveness or drug-related issues, he particularly addresses this to open and close the album. On “No More Talk,” he states “I’m working on dying, ridin’ with my demons, they my deadliest friends.” He continues to reference these “demons” (and Satan specifically) throughout the record, which one can assume is a metaphor for impotent drug-use. To end the record, he states “I been druggin’, these days I’m in my hell” and “You don’t know what I feel / I don’t know how to feel.” ‘AfterLyfe’ makes it clear that he continues to fight the same demons that he was when he first began his career.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 19: Yeat performs during the Summer Smash Festival at Douglass Park on June 19, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/WireImage)

Running at 22 tracks, ‘AfterLyfe’ is certainly a fatiguing record that loses steam over the latter half. However, this has been a running theme throughout his discography. Fans pick and choose from a handful of tracks that land with them. It’s a strategy that fits well into Internet culture; fleeting, fun, and with plenty of options. ‘AfterLyfe’ is no different. The record is a wild combination of bangers that range from redundant to flat-out fun. Additionally, Yeat mixes in new stylistic tropes, from more traditional trap structures to melodic, acoustic songs. While he’s not always able to stick the landing, the attempt is admirable in a record that continues to define Yeat as a musical force.

What did you think of ‘AfterLyfe’?

If you’ve already listened to ‘Afterlyfe,’ what are your takes on the project? Has he taken a step back by going for less of a banger-heavy record, or are the occasional switch-ups in sound refreshing? Let us know your feelings in the comments section below.

Keke Palmer Gives Birth

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Keke Palmer just gave birth to her first child, and welcomed her baby boy alongside his father, boyfriend Darius Jackson. Of course, since the reveal of her pregnancy, fans have been ecstatic to see Palmer experience the joy of motherhood. Moreover, she also made the announcement in quite a grandiose and public manner. Not many other celebrities would include a pregnancy reveal in their opening host monologue for Saturday Night Live. Then again, Keke’s not like other celebrities. In her announcement post, she reflected on the first 48 hours of being Leodis Andrellton Jackson.

“Hey Son!!!!” she began her post. Furthermore, each “section” of her caption corresponds to a picture in her Instagram slideshow. “Only 48hrs of being parents!” she wrote about a picture of the couple looking frazzled. “Darius always made me playlists when we first started dating. ‘Someone’ by El Debarge was a favorite. We became each other’s someone and made a someone, look at God!” she attributed to a video of them singing along. “The baby love Rolling Ray, cause purrr,” she captioned a video of the family watching the viral sensation.

Keke Palmer Announces Birth Of Baby Boy Leodis

“’I’m not hiding the world from my son, I’m hiding my son from the world.’ Hahaha,” she wrote on a picture of the two with Leodis’ face concealed. Of course, that’s a dig at Drake’s infamous lines on the track “Emotionless” about his then-exposed son. “I’m just playing, my baby face is on this slide. And this slide,” she wrote for the last two pictures, which are in fact of the beautiful baby boy. “Born during Black History Month, with a name to match!” she concluded. “LEODIS ANDRELLTON JACKSON, welcome to the world baby Leo.”

Back when she originally made the pregnancy announcement, Palmer spoke to her excitement, love, and gratitude. “This year has taken me for a ride!” she wrote on Instagram. “And how cool, my baby and I are already doing it all together. Thank you God! Thank you to my amazing parents and family who continuously support me… thank you to my other half [Darius] for giving me the things that only true unity can bring. Love is all we have isn’t it, you do nothing in this world alone and trust me, I am not alone! Very grateful… Happy Holidays!” Congrats to Keke and Darius on their joyous gift, and come back to HNHH for the latest on Keke Palmer.

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Michael B. Jordan Teases “Creed III,” Hints At Future “Creedverse” Projects

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March 3rd marks the release of Michael B. Jordan‘s directorial debut, Creed III. In light of the upcoming drop of his new film, Jordan reflected on his relationship with his co-star Jonathan Majors, themes that the movie plays with, and the future of the “Creedverse.” In an exclusive with Extra, the “Just Mercy” star noted his switch to working behind the camera. “I’ve been in a director mode for such a long time and it feels good to empower, support, you know, give flowers to my actors right now,” he told the outlet.

As the third installment of the Creed series, Jordan’s film continues to follow the life of boxer Adonis Creed. Alongside directing the film, the 36-year-old stars as Adonis whose character receives a fighting challenge from his childhood friend, Damian Anderson (played by Majors). Jordan reflected on portraying a rivalry with Majors on-screen, despite the duo sharing a strong bond in real life. “Jonathan is an incredible human,” he told the outlet. “We built everything together, you know?” Jordan explained further, “especially in the beginning we went through, you know, hell months, not even hell week, hell months… of training together, learning the choreo together, it’s very, very intimate, you know, and he’s a hard worker, I am as well. So when it comes to, you know, the physicality element, we pushed each other.”

Michael B. Jordan Makes His Directorial Debut With “Creed III”

As the man behind Creed III, Jordan also revealed the themes that he had played with within the film. Specifically, he battled with toxic masculinity stereotypes and wanted to emphasize the importance of vulnerability. While describing his goal of portraying the more emotional side of Adonis, Jordan explained how he and the movie’s writers found an “organic” way to do it. “I think that was something that started to reveal itself as we were trying to challenge Adonis and just talk about what will somebody like him be going through right now in today’s like climate,” he shared.

When questioned about the future of the Creed trilogy, Jordan explained how future opportunities are vast. “There are so many different platforms where these stories can be told, you know,” he told the outlet, “whether it’s a spin-off of the TV show, whether it’s you know the animation or graphic novel or a video game.” For more news on pop culture and hip-hop, don’t miss out on HNHH.

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Angela Bassett DMed Ariana DeBose “You’re Fierce & I Love You” After BAFTA Trolling

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If you’re questioning what “the thing” is that Angela Bassett apparently “did,” the acclaimed actress is not. The veteran actress’s name has always been in the spotlight as she is applauded from one blockbuster role to another. It’s award season, so Bassett and her Hollywood elite peers gather together to float from one ceremony to the next. The buzz about the Black Panther icon has intensified—but it isn’t just about her skills on the big screen.

At this year’s BAFTA Awards, Ariana DeBose stole the show. The Westside Story star performed a number she helped write and choreograph, but it seemed to fall flat at first glance. DeBose was teased and trolled about her “Angela Bassett did the thing” lyric, among others. She also went viral for days, and the mention wasn’t missed on Bassett. In an interview with Extra TV, the Oscar-winner said she DMed DeBose to ensure she held her head high.

Angela Bassett Reveals Advice To Ariana DeBose

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 26: Angela Bassett attends the 29th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at Fairmont Century Plaza on February 26, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

While on the red carpet for the 2023 SAG Awards, Extra caught up with Bassett and asked if she had reached out to DeBose. “I DMed her,” said the actress. “I saw her that night, and I gave her a big hug. She, my daughter, and I have pictures together. So, we were really thrilled. And then, when I saw [the performance] come out and really take flight, I DMed her. I said, ‘I hope you’re not at all bothered by the attention we’re generating, my dear, because you’re fierce, and I adore you.”

All anyone would need is a co-sign from Angela Bassett to get them out of viral funk. Now that many of the trolls have been silenced, Bassett is thrilled to see people being more playful, than cruel. “We love how everyone is having fun with it now!” she added. “Just having fun.” We’re sure we’ll be hearing about “the thing” for weeks to come.

Ariana DeBose Speaks About Viral Controversy

While on BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show, DeBose addressed going viral. “Honestly, it’s not like I’m like, ‘Hey BAFTA, let me in!’” the Oscar-winner said. “They actually called me, believe it or not. But that was the assignment. Like, ‘Come celebrate women,’ and I was like, ‘Absolutely!’ We did that, and it was fun. Not gonna lie, I had a blast.”

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600 Breezy Sides With Boosie Amid T.I. Beef: “If They’re Friends, He Did the Right Thing”

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600 Breezy just sided with Boosie in his beef with T.I. over the latter snitching on his fallen cousin, which made Boosie pull their collab album. Moreover, Breezy’s thoughts came from an interview with DJ Vlad on VladTV in which he explained his stance. Of course, it should be noted that the Chicago rapper has his own history with the Atlanta trap pioneer. As such, his comments come with a bit of personal bias. Regardless, he had some earnest thoughts on the situation and spoke to the two MCs’ friendship before all of this.

“As a friend, I feel like people need friends like that,” 600 expressed. “And he ain’t saying that they ain’t friends no more, but you need people to tell you when you’re wrong. Or tell you how they feel about certain situations. If they friends, Boosie did the right thing. ‘Cause he didn’t get up there and be like, ‘Oh, he ain’t do nothing wrong, we still doing the album,’ this and that. He got up there and told, ‘Man, f**k that s**t, I feel like he a rat. He told, this and that, and we ain’t doing the album no more.’ You know, ‘you cool,’ but I can’t- you know what I’m saying?”

600 Breezy Speaks On T.I. & Boosie Beef

Still, Breezy acknowledged that his past issues with T.I. might color his assessment of this situation. Regardless, he spoke further on how the rapper’s past actions and convictions resulted in surprisingly little federal jail time. Even though many in the rap game sided with T.I., 600’s comments point to a more amicable interpretation of the conflict. However, it hasn’t stopped the “Live Your Life” star from continually going at Boosie after this story first blew up.

“Let a motherf***er know that the paperwork was present,” he said while calling out Boosie for not showing up to one of his shows on request to show him evidence. “I’ve been waiting on one special invited guest to show up, but he ain’t showed up yet. But he ain’t here to see my paperwork. So come on if you got something to say. I wanna see who wanna see, you hear me?” No matter your take on the situation, log back into HNHH for the latest on T.I., Boosie Badazz, and 600 Breezy.

Katy Perry Cries During School Shooting Victim’s “American Idol” Audition: Watch

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Last week commenced the 21st season of American Idol, and Sunday (February 26th) harbored an emotional start to the series. While going through auditions in New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Nashville, the show’s judges found themselves with an especially heartbreaking performance. Trey Louis, a mattress salesman from Santa Fe, Texas, created a heavy interpretation of Whiskey Myer’s “Stone,” and opened his heart further to share a traumatic experience with the judging panel.

In 2018, the 21-year-old was a victim of the shooting at Sante Fe High School and barely had escaped the massacre. As a result of this tragic event, eight students and two teachers lost their lives, including those who were close to Louis. “A gunman walked into my school,” he revealed to the judges. “I was in art room one, and he shot up art room two before he made his way to art room one. Lost a lot of friends.”

Katy Perry Weeps That America Has Failed Citizens

Louis’s soulful and rugged cover of “Stone” earned him a standing ovation from Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie. But the applause quickly turned to tears after hearing about his experience in the shooting. When Louis revealed how his hometown has been looked down upon since the incident, Perry couldn’t hold in her emotions. “Our country has (expletive) failed us,” Perry reacted. “This is not OK! You should be singing here because you love music! Not because you had to go through that (expletive). You didn’t have to lose… friends. I hope that you remind people that we have to change, because, you know what? I’m scared too.” 

The “Swish Swish” singer’s outburst even brought tears to Richie’s eyes. He added, “we have tolerated this for so long, too long. It’s become a norm.” The three judges unanimously voted for Louis to go through to Hollywood. But before the decision was revealed, Perry had one final comment for the survivor. “We’ve got to change,” she told him, calling for Louis to “lead.” “For myself, for my school, and for you, you got it,” he responded. For the latest news on hip-hop, pop culture, and entertainment, be sure to check out HNHH.

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Yung Joc Blames Failed 2 Chainz Collab For Fallout With Pierre Thomas

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There is much wheeling and dealing in the industry, and Yung Joc recalls a falling out with Pierre “Pee” Thomas. To outsiders, it seems as if the Atlanta music scene is interconnected; everyone knows one another, so it was no surprise that Yung Joc and 2 Chainz were linking in the studio. However, things didn’t go as planned, and Joc detailed the tension that spawned. The Love & Hip Hop star shared his story while visiting the Big Facts Podcast.

As Yung Joc tells it, Quality Control boss Pierre Thomas was instrumental in funding a collaboration between Chainz and Joc. The record was finalized, so to speak, but there were a few hangups regarding clearances. 2 Chainz “gave me a love verse,” said Joc. “I will say that he gave me a love verse and that n*gga was going in. I was still signed and sh*t, so I came back. Me and P did a deal.”

Yung Joc Details The Fallout

ATLANTA, GEORGIA – FEBRUARY 15: Yung Joc and Kendra Johnson attend Hype Hair magazine cover release at Ventanas on February 15, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Joi Stokes/Getty Images)

“So, me and P put up $30,000 to push the record,” Joc continued. “I asked 2 Chainz to do it for me, and I’m a bring him the money and the label going to cut the rest of the check for them. So, I just give you a deposit on the label and cut the check.” Things progressed, but he still couldn’t move forward as expected. “It was time to get all the sh*t going. We got the radio playing it, and you know these markets, you start up a record in certain markets and sh*t. Then, when I’m coming to 2 Chainz, it was like we couldn’t never get the clearance on it.”

There was a holdup because the “label wouldn’t cut the check.” Joc continued, “I was like, ‘Damn, bro, I just need the clearance on this sh*t, like do something.’ So we kept going back and forth with the attorneys. It didn’t quite happen, and that sh*t kind of created a situation with me and P.”

Joc Shares Pierre Thomas’s Response

Ultimately, Thomas was frustrated because of the lack of movement. Joc explained that to Thomas, it felt as if it was a waste of finances. Check out Yung Joc detailing the story on Big Facts Pod above.

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Ari Lennox Looks Radiant In New “Liquor” Music Video With Babyface

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Prior to heading out on her highly anticipated age/sex/location tour, Ari Lennox gave her fans a treat in the form of her “Waste My Time” music video. The must-hear track previously made its debut on her sophomore album. We have to admit, it’s been stuck in our heads ever since. As she performs all across the country over the next few weeks, the R&B starlet’s surprises keep coming.

On Monday (February 27), yet another visual landed from Lennox. This one brings her recent collaboration with Babyface, “Liquor” to life in a big way. The producer plays the role of a bartender, and the vocalist channels a glamorous patron of his bar. The song first arrived on his Girls Night Out project last year and quickly became a favourite amongst listeners.

Ari’s Vocals Amaze Fans on Tour

Singer Ari Lennox performs onstage during her “age/sex/location” tour at Coca-Cola Roxy on February 26, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)

“I wanna feel like I’m wasted, from the lips that I tasted / I want our love to be agin’ with time,” the Dreamville artist’s sultry lyrics set the tone of the first verse. “More vintage than wine, so smooth / I like it rough around the edges, picture perfect with no edits,” she continues to croon. On the chorus, both Lennox and Babyface’s beautiful voices come together to create a stunning soundscape. They specifically sing about taking two shots of “Liquor” with no chaser over the groovy beat.

It’s been several months since Girls Night Out first landed on DSPs, but Babyface recently kept the hype around the record going with the arrival of the extended edition. All 13 original titles remain on the tracklist, which boasts guest features from the likes of Muni Long, Doechii, and Sevyn Streeter. Additionally, he’s added two new songs – “Sometimes” with Jenevieve and “If You Knew How” with BJRNCK.

Check out Ari Lennox’s appearance in the “Liquor” music video on YouTube above. Afterward, tell us your thoughts on the sultry song and visual in the comments. If you’re in need of more release recommendations, find them on our weekly R&B Season update here.

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Moneybagg Yo Denies Having Sex With Woman In Viral Picture

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Moneybagg Yo denied that he was the one having sex in a viral picture on social media. Moreover, a picture of a man and a woman in the act started to spread around the Internet in various contexts. In fact, many made a big deal out of the fact that the man looks eerily similar to the Memphis rapper. After all, even the least bit of resemblance, once pointed out, will get people talking- and make a tweet go viral. However, the “On Wat U On” MC was having none of it and shut down rumors that it was him on Twitter. Furthermore, he pointed out that real fans should’ve noticed that the pictured male doesn’t have any tattoos on his body like Bagg does.

“Mane stop mentioning me in this picture of somebody getting f***ed,” he wrote indignantly via Twitter. “Y’all ppl WEIRD bra my whole body tatted s**t not me!” In a subsequent series of tweets, he made light of the situation with some cheekier and more humorous comments. “People be Slow internet dry y’all need some attention,” the 31-year-old continued. “U lame a** n***as be ready for me to f**k up,” he concluded with some crying-laughing emojis.

Moneybagg Yo Isn’t Having Sex In Viral Picture

While not everyone’s convinced in the comments, is that really the hill you want to die on? Regardless, the Bread Gang Entertainment boss has bigger things to worry about and more important people to consider. For example, he recently took the time to honor rising (and practically established) star GloRilla on her incredible career trajectory thus far. The fellow Memphis MC blew up last year off of her raw energy, and he gifted her a Bread Gang chain at assumedly one of her tour shows.

Meanwhile, Moneybagg usually takes to social media to flex his extensive jewelry collection, which he showed off recently as well. “Ain’t even half,” he wrote on the Story post’s caption, which featured various chains, watches, and pendants. As such, it’s no wonder he has some ice laying around to gift to up-and-comers as a sign of respect. However you feel about that picture, check back in with HNHH for the latest updates on Moneybagg Yo.