Yesterday, we reported on DJ Cipha Sounds and a recent interaction he had with OVO 40, Drake’s long-time producer and confidant. Overall, 40 was angered with Cipha due to a misunderstanding that the DJ had played Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us” while in Toronto. Based on Cipha’s comments, it was very clear that 40 was upset about the whole thing. However, some got it confused, including us, and reported that Cipha had, in fact, played the song while in the Six. As it turns out, that was very much not the case.
In a video posted to social media, the DJ explained exactly what happened. Firstly, he noted that he hates rap beef and he is sad that two of the best MCs are at odds right now. Subsequently, he noted that he was in Toronto recently as the city is like a second home to him. From there, his new social media manager posted pictures from the trip and thought it would be funny to put “Not Like Us” as theme music. DJ Cipha Sounds was made aware of this, and immediately had the post taken down.
However, it seems like it was simply too late. OVO 40 became aware of the post, and that is when he called Cipha Sounds. Essentially, it was all one huge misunderstanding that could have been avoided. Although it does go to show that Drake’s camp is taking “Not Like Us” very seriously right now. After all, there are some pretty massive allegations in there.
Let us know what you think about this situation, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that the whole beef between Drake and Kendrick has been blown out of proportion? Has it officially gotten to corny territory? 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.
Vince Staples will make a return to Netflix. The streaming giant has confirmed a renewal of The Vince Staples Show for a second season.
“The Vince Staples Show is back!” Staples said. “The people have spoken and the most riveting, captivating, and polarizing show on Netflix is returning for season 2. Get ready for hijinks that only a mother can love. Thank you, Netflix!”
Starring alongside Staples in the show were Vanessa Bell Calloway and Andrea Ellsworth.
Last week, Vince Staples unveiled his eighth studio album, Dark Times, via Blacksmith Records / Def Jam Recordings. This album marks a new era in the prolific artist’s career, blending dense lyricism with lush, layered beats, and offering wry, melancholic observations about life, while finding pockets of light in an endless dark.
Dark Times features minimal guest voices, relying on samples, studio friends, and a narrative outro by iconic alt singer-songwriter Santigold, who shares an apocalyptic yet awe-inspiring dream with Staples. Notable moments include the track “Liars,” which incorporates an excerpt from a 1973 conversation between Nikki Giovanni and James Baldwin about Black love, and “Government Cheese,” where Staples raps about an imprisoned friend reaching out after seeing him on TV.
The album balances its introspective themes with celebratory tracks such as “Étouffée,” a bouncy ode to Staples’ Louisiana roots, and “Little Homies,” a message encouraging the younger generation. “Freeman,” the final song before Santigold’s outro, showcases Staples’ reflective coolness.
Ahead of the album’s release, Staples shared the first single and visual for “Shame On the Devil.”
“It’s a testament to where I am right now and how I view things—it’s just a timestamp,” Staples says of the album. “I might not feel like that again tomorrow. But in the process of making this project, these were the things that spoke to me.”
In support of Dark Times, Staples will embark on his headlining BLACK IN EUROPA TOUR, starting June 4th in Cologne, Germany. The tour will visit Berlin, Paris, London, and Manchester before concluding in Birmingham, UK, on June 13. Staples will also perform at various European festivals in August, including Oya in Oslo, Flow Festival in Helsinki, and HipHop Open in Stuttgart. For tickets and the full list of dates, visit www.vincestaples.com/tour.
Acclaimed rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer Belly has just released his highly anticipated album, 96 Miles From Bethlehem, through Universal Arabic Music (UAM).
The deeply personal project, executive produced by Belly, Daheala, and Dannyboystyles, serves as an ode to Palestine. It captures the essence of Belly’s roots and the ongoing struggles faced by his homeland. All profits from the album will support various Palestinian relief efforts.
The album’s title reflects Belly’s birthplace, Jenin, 96 miles from Bethlehem. This project, a culmination of Belly’s personal and musical experiences, honestly tells his people’s story. Known for his clever and powerful lyrics, Belly delivers emotionally charged performances throughout the album. Featuring Palestinian artists Elyanna, Saint Levant, Ibrahim Maalouf, and MC Abdul, the album interlaces production from DaHeala (The Weeknd) with traditional instrumentalists, creating a profound and heartfelt narrative.
BELLY DROPS ALBUM FOR PALESTINE
The album’s release follows a teaser on Belly’s Instagram, where he shared the powerful visual for the track “Patience vs. Patients.” In the video, Belly addresses themes of resilience and perseverance against a dystopian backdrop of war’s aftermath, including crumbling city ruins, barbed wire-adorned jails, and barren landscapes. Each frame vividly depicts the devastating effects of conflict and injustice.
96 Miles From Bethlehem is a sonically charged soundtrack detailing the gift, curse, and fate of being Palestinian. The final track, “The Gift, The Curse, and The Faith,” poetically captures the plight of Palestinians, emphasizing their struggles and resilience. Belly’s raw and visual storytelling calls listeners to action, making this a rare and impactful album with no curse words throughout.
Today, the professional women’s basketball league, Unrivaled, announced a revolutionary compensation and ownership model alongside the successful closure of an oversubscribed seed round featuring industry titans and star-studded investors. Co-founded by basketball stars Breanna Stewart and Napheesa Collier, Unrivaled aims to reshape the landscape of women’s professional sports by prioritizing athlete investment.
Unrivaled’s inaugural season is set to tip off in January 2025, promising a format centered on player ownership and historic contract opportunities. With 30 top women’s basketball players competing across six teams in a 3-on-3, compressed full-court style of play, Unrivaled aims to deliver the most entertaining and competitive form of the sport.
“For years, women have relied heavily on off-court sponsorships for a majority of their income. With Unrivaled, we’re revolutionizing the game by prioritizing investments in our stars and ensuring their on-court performance is reflected in their pay,” said Stewart.
Collier added, “With the growing popularity of women’s basketball and the WNBA, this is an opportunity for us to extend our visibility into the traditional basketball season. Breanna and I set out to create a league that would change the way women’s sports are viewed and ultimately how sports leagues operate. We may have had the vision, but this isn’t just our league – it belongs to the players, and the Unrivaled model reflects that.”
Key investors include U.S. Soccer co-captain Alex Morgan, NBA MVP Steve Nash, soccer star Megan Rapinoe, and sports media titans John Skipper and David Levy. The league’s seed round also attracted investment from renowned figures such as Carmelo Anthony, Ashton Kutcher, and Tyus & Tre Jones.
“The interest and enthusiasm for women’s basketball is reaching unprecedented levels, leading brands and media companies to prioritize their involvement in the sport as they recognize its significant upside, growth, and return on investment,” said Levy. “Unrivaled presents an exceptional opportunity for both brands and media companies to align with today’s top basketball players, and I am thrilled to work alongside John, and the Unrivaled team to introduce this exciting and competitive new league to the marketplace.”
“It is clear that sports fans are falling in love with women’s basketball,” added Skipper. “Showcasing the best players in the world in a 3-on-3 format will accelerate the understanding of just how good these players are and how exciting this game is. I am very excited to have an opportunity to see this up close.”
Unrivaled’s vision for a player-focused league backed by diverse and influential investors marks a significant milestone in women’s sports. Fans can anticipate further announcements and updates leading up to the debut season by following Unrivaled’s official channels (@unrivaledbasketball).
With his name constantly in the headlines, Diddy is rumored to have had trouble attending some of his family’s events.
According to TMZ, Diddy will miss his 17-year-old daughter Chance’s graduation at Sierra Canyon High School in the Los Angeles Area. Diddy reportedly communicated he would not be in attendance.
Chance’s half-siblings and Kim Porter’s family are expected to attend. Diddy fathered Chance with Sarah Chapman.
Diddy also missed the junior proms for his twin daughters, Jessie and D’Lila. The mogul reportedly lives in Miami, and all the celebrations took place in California.
Diddy is subject to a federal investigation, but his travel has not been hindered.
In a sealed filing today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York submitted materials to the federal court regarding an investigation they have initiated into the disgraced McMahon, World Wrestling Entertainment, and WWE’s former head of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis.
According to Deadline, the lawsuit brought by former WWE staff member Janel Grant will now be on hold as the United States government has stepped in.
“In addition to counsel already of record, please enter my appearance as counsel for the United States of America, Sarah Mortazavi, Assistant United States Attorney,” wrote U.S. Attorney Damien Williams.
However, five months after Jamel Grant filed her alarming allegations against McMahon, WWE, and others, her attorney confirms that the DOJ’s long-anticipated move is significant enough to halt the initial case for the time being.
“Ms. Grant has consented to a request by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. Laurinaitis, pursuant to a pending non-public investigation,” said Grant’s lawyer Ann Callis. “We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps.”
McMahon’s lawyer issued a statement: ” The horrific rape and sex trafficking allegations against former WWE boss Vince McMahon won’t have their day in court yet, thanks to the Department of Justice.”
Vince McMahon recently sold nearly $412 million of his stock in the TKO Group, which owns the WWE and UFC.
The sale sof 5.35 million shares follows a November deal where he sold 8.4 million for $670.3 million.
According to Variety, McMahon owned 20.35 million shares in December, and he still holds 15 million to date.
In January, former WWE employee Janel Grant sued Vince McMahon for sex trafficking and assault. Grant states she was the hush money employee in the 2022 investigation of McMahon.
Also named in the suit were WWE and former executive and wrestler John Laurinaitis. Laurinaitis, known as Johnny Ace in the wrestling world, was accused of sexual assault. The company is accused of covering the crimes in a false investigation.
Grant revealed she signed a nondisclosure agreement in 2022 that agreed to pay her $3 million not to provide details of her dealings with McMahon. After $1 million, McMahon stopped making payments and now the suit is to obtain financial damages.
According to The Wall Street Journal, McMahon pressured Grant into sexual acts to advance her role in the company. McMahon met Grant in their condo building after the latter parents had died. McMahon lived in the penthouse. McMahon created the “administrator-coordinator” position, which became the ire of other employees as she had a low level of work while others had “overflowing inboxes.”
McMahon is accused of using sex toys with Grant that he named after wrestlers that led to bruising and bleeding. He also passed nude pictures of Grant across the production team. In addition, Grant stated she was locked in a room by McMahon and another executive who took turns sexually assaulting her. Naming Laurinaitis, Grant stated he and McMahon restrained her and told her, “No means yes” and “Take it, bitch.” McMahon also locked her in his locker room and forced himself on her at a massage table.
McMahon also allegedly used nude images of Grant in contract negotiations with Brock Lesnar. Lesnar reportedly told Vince he liked the images, and Vince told Grant, “Part of the deal was f—ing U.” After an exchange of phone numbers, Lesnar allegedly asked Grant to send a video of herself urinating.
The arrangement was supposed to end once Vince’s wife, Linda McMahon, found out. Instead, after enacting the NDA, McMahon forced oral sex on Grant and then attempted to traffic her to a WWE Star in March 2022.
McMahon temporarily stepped down in the summer of 2022, returning to orchestrate a sale of the company to Endeavor, merging with UFC to become TKO Group Holdings. McMahon currently serves as an executive and member of the Board of Directors.
TKO Group Holdings released a statement to Variety:
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
A spokesperson for McMahon shared a statement to Deadline:
“This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself.”
Grant’s lawyer, Ann Callis, also served a response:
“Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug. She is an incredibly private and courageous person who has suffered deeply at the hands of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Laurinaitis. Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. The organization is well aware of Mr. McMahon’s history of depraved behavior, and it’s time that they take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership.”
In July 2023, Vince McMahon was served a federal grand jury subpoena as law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on his home.
According to ESPN, McMahon was on medical leave following a major spinal surgery. No charges have been brought against McMahon.
The wrestling giant states the company received legal demands for documents regarding the investigation.
“WWE has cooperated throughout and fully understands and respects the government’s need for a complete process,” the company said in a statement.
According to Cageside Seats, a special committee of members of the company’s Board of Directors conducted an internal investigation into a hush-money scandal with McMahon. In their second quarter 2023 financial earnings reveal, WWE announced expenses related to the investigation cost a combined $12.4 million.
McMahon released a statement to CNBC:
“In 2022, WWE formed a special committee to review allegations of misconduct against me. That review was concluded in November 2022 following an extensive investigation. Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing. I am focused on completing the recovery process from my recent spinal surgery and on closing our transaction with Endeavor, which will create one of the preeminent global sports and entertainment brands.”
BET announced that GRAMMY® award-winning global icon Usher will be honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement BET Award at the 2024 BET Awards. Usher, a four-time nominee this year, will be recognized for his significant impact on culture and the entertainment industry. The award celebrates industry pioneers’ exceptional achievements and public service, with past honorees including Whitney Houston, Prince, Queen Latifah, and Mary J. Blige.
“The relationship between BET and USHER spans decades, from his multiple appearances on 106 & Park, to most recently winning the Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 55th NAACP Image Awards,” said Connie Orlando, BET EVP, Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. From his chart-topping hits, electrifying performances, and unforgettable vocals to his signature moves and sound, USHER continues to stand on culture, setting new standards for the music industry and Black Excellence. We look forward to creating an amazing lineup to pay tribute to our global icon.”
Surprise guests are expected to take the stage to celebrate Usher’s illustrious career and musical legacy. The “BET Awards” 2024 will air live on Sunday, June 30, at 8 pm ET/PT from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles.
We got a confession.
U-S-H-E-R is this year’s LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE! @Usher
We’ve watched this icon give us LEGENDARY moments on our stage for over 20 years! The legacy continues June 30th at 8/7c! #BETAwardspic.twitter.com/2PiBg0fThS
#BETAwards pic.twitter.com/2PiBg0fThS
