Month: April 2024

Who Is Tommy Richman? Meet The ‘Million Dollar Baby’ Singer

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tommy richman
Publicist Photo

Last week, I had no clue who Tommy Richman is. Odds are, if you’re reading this, neither did you. Today, his name is practically inescapable for music fans on social media, who are being told his new song “Million Dollar Baby” is on-pace for a top-ten Hot 100 debut next week (this is likely premature, but not unimpressive in itself). So, who is Tommy Richman and why is “Million Dollar Baby” suddenly everywhere you look (including further down in this post)?

Tommy Richman is a Virginia-based artist whose first big credit was on Brent Faiyaz’s Larger Than Life track “Upset” alongside FELIX. Last August, Billboard reported he was signed to Faiyaz’s label, Iso Supremacy, a joint venture with PULSE Records, and he joined Faiyaz on his 2023 F*ck The World, It’s A Wasteland Tour. Since then, he’s release an EP, The Rush and a double single, Soulcrusher, but the snippet of “Million Dollar Baby” he teased online caught fire, likely contributing to its explosive debut.

In an August interview with Miami New Times, Richman humbly expressed his gratitude for his newfound success, saying, “When I would work in my mother’s basement for hours on tracks, and she’d be telling me to get a real job like most moms, I’d be like, ‘No, no, no, it’s gonna work out.’ And now, to be recognized by other hardworking people, I’m just very grateful, and it definitely inspires me to keep going.”

Stephen A Smith Says Devin Booker Wants To Play In New York

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The Phoenix Suns just got swept by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Despite being led by Devin Booker and Kevin Durant, the Suns never looked like they had a chance in the series. Anthony Edwards called his shot and talked his stuff in every game, ultimately sending the Suns to an early vacation. Nevertheless, The Suns have to figure out where to go from here. They have an aging Kevin Durant who is not going to be able to carry a team as he has been for much longer. Additionally, they have to figure out what to do with Bradley Beal, who will be making over $50 million next year. Now, there are question marks over Devin Booker’s future, thanks to Stephen A. Smith.

The biggest and simplest way to change things up and shift a narrative is trading. The Suns could look to trade one or a couple of their stars. The most obvious solution is trading Bradley Beals’s massive contract for some flexibility in cap room and some much-needed roster depth. Interestingly, this morning on First Take, Stephen A. Smith hinted at Devin Booker wanting to move on from Phoenix. Stephen A. Smith indicates he may want to move to the Big Apple.

Read More: Kevin Durant Reportedly Wasn’t Comfortable On The Suns From The Start

Stephen A. Smith Indicates Devin Booker Wants To Be A Knick

Stephen A. Smith claims Devin Booker has indicated he wants to play in New York. “From what I’m being told, I don’t know if it’ll ever happen, Devin Booker wants to be in New York,” Smith claimed. Additionally, he said, “That’s what I’m being told. That’s what I’m being told. Now, he might deny it. I haven’t spoken to him. I’m just telling you, the scuttlebutt in the NBA circles is that brother wanna be in New York. So, if you’re Phoenix, you got at least two people, probably three, who are all getting paid about $150 million combined, don’t wanna be there.”

An embarrassing playoff exit means fans and pundits are firing up their NBA trade machines and seeing what moves make sense. Booker may want to allegedly play for New York but at this point its just conjecture. Nevertheless, in his post-loss presser, Booker seemed like he was all about the Suns, wanting to take another shot next year. Ultimately, things can change very fast in an NBA off-season. Overall, Stephen A. Smith might be right. D-Book to New York might be something to look out for.

Read More: Anthony Edwards Excited To Play With Him On Team USA Kevin Durant After Sweeping Him

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Jim Jones Celebrates Chrissy Lampkin’s Birthday, Fans Want To Know Why They Aren’t Married

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Jim Jones and Chrissy Lampkin have been together for many years at this point. Although they are not married and have had times when they are on again and off again, they are still going strong. In fact, just last year, they decided to sign back on for a season of Love & Hip-Hop. When you are on a show like L&HH, your love life is going to come under some serious scrutiny. Overall, this is especially true if your long-time relationship has not turned into marriage.

This past weekend, Lampkin celebrated a very special birthday. She turned 53 years old, and as you can imagine, Jones was by her side for it. In the video down below, Lampkin can be seen seated in a lounge, while Jones comes in with a cake. It was a cute moment that displays just how much Jones still cares about his longtime partner. However, in the comments section over on The Neighborhood Talk, fans could not help but make comments about how the two still are not married to one another.

Read More: Dave East’s Valentine’s Day Allegedly Ruined By Jim Jones

Jim Jones x Chrissy Lampkin

“Honestly I want a relationship without marriage too,” one person wrote. “Y’all do realize Oprah isn’t married and she’s a black woman..I know she’s a billionaire. But they were together before that and still going strong. Legal marriage does not equate good relationship,” noted another. As you can see, the reactions were definitely a bit of a range. There is no one size fits all approach to relationships, although some people are deadset on judging others regardless.

Let us know what you think of Jim Jones and Chrissy Lampkin, in the comments section down below. Do you think that it is weird for a couple to not be married after so long? Do you think marriage is even important in this day and age? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.

Read More: Jim Jones & Chrissy Lampkin Relationship Timeline

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Are Druski & Rubi Rose Dating? A Look At Their Instagram Posts

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Should Rubi Rose and Druski be taken seriously, or are they just trolling? That has been the question on many fans’ lips since the pair sparked dating rumors via their flirty social media posts. One reason some fans find it hard to believe is Druski’s background. He is an actor and comedian who became famous thanks to his sketches on Coulda Been Records. Druski has also appeared on several rappers’ music videos, including Drake, Jack Harlow, and Lil Yachty. Meanwhile, Rubi Rose is a rapper and model, most famous for dating rapper DDG.

Rubi Rose and DDG’s relationship didn’t turn out well, as he is now dating singer Halle Bailey, with whom he shares a son, Halo. Although Rubi Rose has a painful past with a relationship, that doesn’t mean she and Druski won’t work out. Let’s take a look at the Instagram posts that sparked the Rubi Rose and Druski dating rumors.

April 21, 2024: Druski Sparks Relationship Rumors With Rubi Rose

The Rubi Rose and Druski dating rumors began on April 21, when the comedian shared a picture of himself and the rapper on his Instagram page. The photo was taken while the pair vacationed at a beach. In the snapshot, Druski and Rubi posed under palm trees and looked love-struck. Druski caressed Rubi’s head, peering into her soul as he looked at her. Meanwhile, Rubi wrapped her arm around Druski’s leg and looked at him with so much love, smiling as she did.

In the post’s caption, Druski hinted at him and Rubi being a couple by writing, “DRUBI ❤.” Rubi fueled the flames further with her comment on Druski’s post. She wrote, “You love me huh baby.” The post sparked wild reactions from fans who wondered what could be going on between the two.

April 21, 2024: Rubi Rose Shares More Pictures From Vacation

With fans still trying to figure out if Rubi Rose and Druski were an item, the rapper fanned the flames even more. Rubi shared more pictures, apparently from the Dominican Republic beach where she and Druski allegedly were. The photos Rubi shared showed her striking different sexy poses, showing off her curves and cleavage in a one-piece bikini. Although Druski didn’t appear in any of the pictures, Rubi’s caption to the pose hinted at her and the comedian having a wild time at the beach. She wrote, “Ever made love on an island?”

April 24, 2024: Druski Agrees With Rubi Rose On Instagram

Rubi shared pictures of herself having fun during different outings in Los Angeles, California. Again, Druski wasn’t featured in any of the snaps. However, Rubi’s caption to the post and Druski’s comment was enough to convince fans the pair were an item. Rubi captioned the post, “My n*gga think I’m perfect 😇,” to which Druski commented, “💯.”

April 26, 2024: Druski Shares Another Picture Of Himself & Rubi

On April 26, Druski shared several pictures of himself having fun with his friends. The third snap in the post showed an intimate moment with him and Rubi. In the picture, Druski wrapped his arms around Rubi while standing behind her. Rubi smiled as she held on to Druski’s hands lovingly. The “lovebirds” were indoors this time around and posed in front of a foosball table. Druski didn’t reference Rubi in his caption, which read, “[Two] things ima always do: KEEPA STUD AROUND & STAND ON BINESSSS.”

Present Day: Is “Drubi” A Thing?

Neither Rubi Rose nor Druski have confirmed that they are dating. However, many fans on social media believe they are an item or at least on their way to becoming one. While the pair received support for their relationship, there is still skepticism. Druski has a history of being flirty with female artists. For instance, he shot his shot at Ice Spice during an appearance on the Club Shay Shay podcast and Instagram Live. Also, he was allegedly previously linked to Halle Bailey’s sister, Chloe Bailey, and appeared in her music video for the song “For the Night.”

There are also suggestions that Rubi Rose and Druski’s continued presence on each other’s social media could be a PR stunt or a hint that she would appear in one of his skits. Whatever the case is, it may take confirmation from the rumored lovers to prove they are an item. Only time will tell if Drubi is a thing or not.

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Iranian Rapper Toomaj Salehi Sentenced To Death: What We Know

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Iranian rapper Toomaj Salehi was sentenced to death last weekend following his participation in national protests in 2022. He was first arrested that year during a series of uprisings after the death of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini. Iranian police arrested her for wearing a loose headscarf. She later passed away in their custody. Since then, Salehi has been in and out of prison, with his latest sentencing declared after his most recent arrest in November. Salehi often celebrates his Iranian heritage in his music and his lyrics often criticize the government. 

The 33-year-old rapper’s lawyer, Amir Raesian, revealed his punishment in a tweet. “The primary court sentenced Toomaj Salehi to the harshest punishment, death, on the charge of ‘corruption on Earth,’” he wrote. The court’s ruling has made international headlines, with many public figures and news outlets covering the story and expressing support for the Iranian rapper. Here is what we know so far about Toomaj Salehi’s death sentence. 

Read More: 11 Of Rap’s Best Political Anthems

Time In Prison & Court Proceedings

Toomaj Salehi was first arrested in October 2022 after releasing music and posting on social media in response to Mahsa Amini’s death. The court sentenced him to three years and six months in prison. Following his arrest, Salehi revealed that he was tortured and spent 252 days in solitary confinement. According to a 2022 press release from the United Nations, he broke both his nose and several fingers and “severely damaged” his leg. CNN also reported that “there were also concerns that his court hearings were taking place behind closed doors without his lawyer present.” 

In July 2023, a court in Isfahan, Iran sentenced Toomaj Salehi to six years in prison. They also banned him from making music for two years. The Iranian Supreme Court later uncovered flaws in Salehi’s sentencing, which prompted his release on bail in November. He was once again arrested just two weeks later. According to Iranian pro-reform outlets Shargh and Entekhab, the Isfahan court “issued the maximum punishment of death,” reversing the Supreme Court’s ruling. CNN reported that state media announced that Salehi’s “sentence is subject for reduction by a pardoning committee if he appeals again.” As of now, he has yet to appeal. 

An Unprecedented Ruling

Toomaj Salehi’s lawyer called his sentencing “unprecedented” as a Supreme Court ruling usually supersedes a lower court like Isfahan. The decision quickly made headlines in international news outlets and rapidly spread across social media. Many American organizations and public figures have condemned the court’s ruling to execute the Iranian rapper and activist. The Recording Academy wrote in a statement that they are “deeply troubled by the recent news regarding Toomaj Salehi.”

No artist anywhere should have to fear for their life or livelihood when expressing themselves through their art,” they continued. “Music is a powerful force for good in the world and is needed today more than ever. We stand with music creators around the globe who use their gifts to shed light on the human condition and will continue to work tirelessly to protect artistic freedom.”

Read More: The 10 Best Hip Hop Protest Songs Since The Trayvon Martin Shooting

Response To Sentencing

Meek Mill also shed light on the situation in a series of tweets. “Free Toomaj!” he wrote in one post and said “Got sentenced to death over a song free that man wtf” in the other. Also advocating for Salehi’s release on Twitter was the United States Office of the Special Envoy for Iran. “These are the latest examples of the regime’s brutal abuse of its own citizens, disregard for human rights, and fear of the democratic change the Iranian people seek,” they wrote. 

The United Nations also issued a statement denouncing Salehi’s sentencing and demanding his release, as did a member of the German Parliament. Additionally, Iranian actors Arian Moayed, Maz Jobrani, and Nazanin Boniadi have expressed support for Salehi. They have been urging for his release since last year. The three partnered with Amnesty International, encouraging others to call for his release. “Toomaj has been arrested for the peaceful exercise of his human rights including the right to freedom of expression,” Boniadi said. For now, this is all we know about the sentencing of Toomaj Salehi. Be sure to check back in with HotNewHipHop for the latest updates.

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Kendrick Lamar & Drake Beef: DJ Akademiks Continues Kendrick Criticisms

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Everybody in hip-hop has been discussing Kendrick Lamar’s newly sparked beef with Drake and J. Cole for over a month now. It all started when he called out both of the “First Person Shooter” collaborators on Future & Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” The first to respond was J. Cole, though it didn’t seem to go particularly well. He replied with a diss track on his album Might Delete Later and it lives up to its name when he eventually took the song down from streaming services.

But since then Drake has begun quite an assault on all of those that dissed him. While Kendrick remained the primary focus, Drizzy responded to numerous artists who took shots at him in recent weeks including Metro Boomin and Rick Ross, with rumors that it could even also include Future and The Weeknd. But as many expected, Kendrick hasn’t responded. The notoriously private rapper tends to disappear from the public light almost entirely between music releases and tours and has said nothing in response to the diss tracks. That silence has been repeatedly criticized by streamer and rap commentator DJ Akademiks. Check out the newest tweet he made about the situation below.

Read More: Which Rappers Have Apologized To Kendrick Lamar?

DJ Akademiks Keeps Going At Kendrick Lamar

In a new tweet, Akademiks theorizes why there’s been no response. “The new reason y K dot didn’t respond is that he don’t wanna diss Drake now that Kanye jumped in. NIGGA… well y tf did u diss him on an album with bare niggas who intended to diss him thru the whole album. It was cool when it was u metro weeknd future rocky but Kanye Ruined it?” his post reads. Despite his concerns, fans in the comments seem largely okay with Kendrick’s silence.

What do you think of DJ Akademiks doubling down on his criticisms of Kendrick Lamar for not responding to Drake sooner? Do you think Kendrick will release a response track any time soon? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Kendrick Lamar Scores This Milestone For Feature On “Like That”

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