Month: April 2023

[WATCH] DJ Drama Denies Taking Shots At Funk Flex And DJ Khaled

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DJ Drama has finally debunked reports regarding the rumored rivalry between himself, DJ Khaled and Funk Flex.
This week, Drama stopped by Sway in the Morning ahead of the release of his long-awaited project, I’m Really Like That — an album he revealed is all about confidence and being genuine.

Sway asked the Grammy award winning DJ to touch on his alleged feud with two of Hip Hop’s most successful DJs, DJ Khaled and Funk Flex.

“Shoutout to Khaled. Shoutout to Flex,” Drama told Sway. “One thing about all of us is, when we put these projects together and we come with these collaborative projects — like this shit ain’t easy for nobody. It’s not a walk in the park.

“It’s a lot of work. It’s a lot of dedication. It is not an easy thing to do. So, for people listening who questions any of us. It takes a lot. It’s an amazing skill to be in this position. To be able to put albums out— and consistently.”

He added: “The three of us that you mentioned we have multiple albums under our belts. Not even like this its one. This is my sixth album outside of the 250 mixtapes that I have done.”

“This is Hip Hop though,” Sway quickly interjected, leading into his next question. “This is a competitive sport. Now talk about the rivalry. Is there a rivalry between you and Khaled? You and Flex?”

“Nah, there’s no rivalry,” said DJ Drama squashing the hearsay for good. “I mean, first off Flex is someone I grew up inspired by — looking up to — somewhat of the blueprint in so many aspects. He was on radio. He was on television. You couldn’t open up a magazine without seeing an endorsement without him. He was putting out albums.

“Now, that Flex is a peer and a friend of mine, that’s one of those things that if I were to tell the young 13, 14-year-old kid who was aspiring to be a DJ that one day I’d be standing side-by-side with Flex — I wouldn’t believe it.”

Meanwhile, the Generation Now executive admitted when it comes to Khaled, he credits the pair for dominating a generation of their own — much like DJ Clue and Flex did in their time.

“I think that if there were a generation that was dominated by Clue and Flex, then me and Khaled came along and it was like we were the two big figures in Hip Hop when it came to DJs,” Drama said.

“I think there’s room for everybody to prosper — to do their thing. Absolutely, Hip Hop is a competitive but it’s like going to the league. we’re going to get on that court and in that moment I’m ready to bust anybody ass. But, in all aspects, we’re all incredible at what we do.”

He added: “As DJs, I pay homage to everybody. But, I’m one of the greatest to ever do it and that’s what it is.”

When Sway asked him to clarify some of his lyrics, such as: “I don’t care how many times I gotta prove myself they not built like us,” Drama laughed it off. “It’s not directed at anyone in particular. I’m just talking my shit. If someone feels some type of way or if the shoe fits, you know — those are two brothers who show love specifically but it’s not for anybody at all. It’s just me being in my competitive bag.”

Drama’s new album, I’m Really Like That, boasts appearances from Lil Wayne, Tyler, The Creator, Lil Baby, Jeezy, Lil Uzi Vert, Offset, T.I., Rick Ross, Jack Harlow, Gucci Mane, Westside Gunn and the late Nipsey Hussle, among others.

Watch the interview below.

The post [WATCH] DJ Drama Denies Taking Shots At Funk Flex And DJ Khaled appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] LL COOL J Delivers Powerful Tribute to Hip-Hop During at iHeartRadio Awards

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LL Cool J shows why he is one of the GOATs, taking the stage dressed in all black, spotlight on him, and going crazy.

LL dropped over two minutes of bars during his appearance at the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards. The event went down on Monday, and the legendary rapper delivered a show-stopping performance for Hip-Hop’s 50th birthday, highlighting where his journey as a rapper.

“Break beats played, he had a speaker for a crib
she screamed ‘Jack the Rip!’ and ignited his gifts
To the parents he’s a legend, to the children a myth
Here’s ya firsthand experience with Mr. Smith
alias Mr. ‘Killing-Every-Rapper-In-His-Radius’
cyphers like a stadium, bars is vibranium.”

If this is a preview of LL Cool J’s new album, we are excited. Coming off his 55th birthday, LL announced a new album. It would be his first album since 2013’s Authentic.

“I’m competing with myself on this new album. Wait til you hear this MF,” LL tweeted. “This year B. It’s coming.”

2023 is proving to be a massive year for LL Cool J. In addition to a new album, his inaugural Hip-Hop cruise is ready to take off.

The “Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience” has been announced in collaboration with Sixthman, the industry leader in immersive music and lifestyle festivals at sea. The cruise is the first of its type, sailing from Miami to the Bahamas on Nov. 13 – Nov. 17, 2023, and offers an all-inclusive four-day, four-night Hip-Hop adventure aboard the Norwegian Pearl.

The company is taking its annual Rock The Bells Festival to sea, a dynamic, day-long event created by Rock The Bells founder LL COOL J in his birthplace of Queens, NY, featuring live performances by renowned musicians. The cruise is one of several announcements planned by the corporation to commemorate and celebrate Hip-50th Hop’s anniversary and to recognize its icons.

The post [WATCH] LL COOL J Delivers Powerful Tribute to Hip-Hop During at iHeartRadio Awards appeared first on The Source.

NBA Removes Ban On Marijuana With New CBA: Report

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The NBA is reportedly removing marijuana from its list of banned substances. Shams Charania of The Athletic reports that the league will no longer test players for the drug as part of the new collective bargaining agreement with the National Basketball Players Association. The agreement will last for seven years with a mutual opt-out following the sixth year.

The news comes after the NBA temporarily stopped testing for marijuana during the 2019-20 season. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver explained at the time: “We decided that, given all the things that were happening in society, given all the pressures and stress that players were under, that we didn’t need to act as Big Brother right now. I think society’s views around marijuana has changed to a certain extent.”

Adam Silver At A Press Conference

OAKLAND, CA – JUNE 01: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver speaks to the media before Game 1 of the 2017 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 1, 2017 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

There are several other distinct updates with the new CBA as well. Firstly, awards will now require a minimum of 65 games played for qualification. This will hopefully help curb the rise of load management for star players. Additionally, both the league and NBPA have agreed to increase the upper limits on contract extensions from a 120% increase on a current deal to 140%.

The new CBA reportedly also paves the way for a long-rumored in-season tournament that could arrive as soon as the 2023-24 season. With this new format, pool-play games will be incorporated into the regular-season schedule starting in November. Eight teams will then advance to a single elimination tournament the following month. Las Vegas is being discussed as a neutral location to host the final four. The league will award $500,000 per player to the winning team of the in-season tournament.

Tamika Tremaglio, Executive Director of the NBPA, said on Twitter, Saturday: “Since day one, the goal of the NBPA in this negotiation was to protect our players, enrich their lives on and off the court, and establish a framework that recognizes our players as true partners with the governors in both the NBA and the business world at large!”

Tamika Tremaglio’s Statement

[Via]

Saviii 3rd Reveals Kendrick Lamar’s Criteria For Collaborating With Artists

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Saviii 3rd says that Kendrick Lamar asked him a series of five questions before committing to collaborating with him. The L.A. rapper explained Lamar’s vetting process during a recent interview on The Justin Credible Podcast. Despite being nervous, Saviii knew he had to answer to the best of his ability.

“I took those questions so serious,” Saviii 3rd explained. “One of the questions was: ‘Do you want to make music for your section, or do you want to make music for the world?’ Another one is: ‘What do you think your biggest flaw is when it comes to anything blocking your creativity?’ With this one, he put: ‘This is the one’ in parentheses, and he said: ‘What do you think is stopping you from being an ultimate superstar? Be truthful with yourself.’”

Kendrick Lamar At The Grammys

NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 28: Recording artist Kendrick Lamar attends the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards. At Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images for NARAS)

Despite Lamar having such a series vetting process, Thundercat recently revealed that his favorite studio session of all time was for “These Walls” off of To Pimp A Butterfly. Speaking with HipHopDX, the artist told the outlet, “My favorite studio session that I was in, gotta be honest: it was probably singing ‘These Walls.’ And a lot of my friends at the time didn’t realize that I sang. And so, my friends were just staring in my face like, ‘What is he doing right now?’ And I was like, ‘Can you guys leave the room so I can… I don’t wanna be looking in my friends’ eyes singing about these walls.’ It’s just looking at Terrace [Martin] in the eyes, singing in my highest Michael McDonald voice. Terrace is smiling like, ‘What about these walls, Steven?’ And I’m like, ‘Stop it!’ I couldn’t pause because the track is gonna keep going, so I gotta keep singing. There is no pause, it’s just continually me singing these walls and harmonies. And my friends looking down my throat. Don’t look at me like that. I’m a grown man, I pay taxes; I’ve been to jail. Don’t do that!”

On his latest project, Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Lamar worked with Blxst, Amanda Reifer, Sampha, Taylour Paige, Summer Walker, Ghostface Killah, Baby Keem, Kodak Black, and many more. The album won Best Rap Album at the 65th Annual Grammy Awards.

[Via]

SOURCE SPORTS: Dawn Staley Defends South Carolina Team After Final Four Loss

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Dawn Staley After Final 4 Loss: 'We Just Didn’t Perform'

The South Carolina Gamecocks came one game short of their ultimate goal of winning the national championship. In the postgame, South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley felt her team gave an abnormal performance.

“I don’t think we felt pressure to win the game, we just didn’t perform,” Staley said.

“I’m pretty numb right now. I just want to make sure my players are OK. Some of them just played their last game in a Gamecock uniform. I want to make sure I’m there for them. I want to make sure their hearts aren’t hurting too bad.”

Next season, Staley will come back with a team most likely not to have its star player in Aliyah Boston, who is expected to declare and be the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft.

In addition, Staley protected the reputation of her team after a forced narrative placed “bullies” and more unflattering adjectives on their character.

You can see the postgame conference and highlights below.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Dawn Staley Defends South Carolina Team After Final Four Loss appeared first on The Source.