JAY-Z’s Roc Nation has partnered with the NFL to curate a 2024 Songs of the Season playlist, featuring artists such as Benny The Butcher, Rapsody, and others.
Month: September 2024
AI Was Used In A Massive Streaming Fraud Case, Generating Billions Of Streams And $10 Million In Royalty Payments
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in music has been a hot topic for a while now, but so far, we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg of implications advanced algorithms can have for the recording industry. While artists speak out against the use of generative AI in the creation of songs and the Recording Academy grapples with its legitimacy for Grammy Awards, courts around the world are now being confronted with the use of AI in schemes aimed at defrauding streaming platforms with AI-generated songs and streams.
According to the Associated Press, one such case currently being litigated revolves around a North Carolina man who created hundreds of thousands of songs using AI, then streamed those songs billions of times to generate over $10 million in royalty payments for himself, cheating legitimate musicians and labels out of potential profits from streamers’ royalty pools. The man, 52-year-old Michael Smith, is charged with fraud and conspiracy, and could face around 60 years in prison if convicted.
By creating thousands of phony accounts on services such as Apple, Spotify, and Tidal, Smith streamed his AI-generated songs upwards of 600,000 times a day. In the federal indictment against him, Smith is quoted as boasting about his profits — over $1 million a year since 2018, when he allegedly launched the conspiracy alongside a music promoter and the chief executive of an AI music company — in an email. He even denied that what he was doing was fraud, when a music distributor questioned him about it.
Whether he genuinely did realize it was fraud or was just covering, it’s clear that the technology has upended the recording industry yet again, and that the potential posed by AI don’t only affect artists.
Trouble in City Hall After FBI Search Homes of High Ranking Aides to NYC Mayor Adams
When the feds come knocking, better believe it’s serious. That’s what it’s looking like after Federal authorities conducted raids on the homes of three, yes three senior aides and close associates of New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Okay so get this, the coordinated searches, nice way of saying raids, took place early Wednesday morning at the Manhattan residence of First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright, who shares the home with her partner, Schools Chancellor David Banks, as well as the Queens home of Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Philip Banks. WOW. First Deputy Mayor, Schools Chancellor and the Deputy Mayor for Public Safety?
What’s more, the raids, which began around 5 a.m., represent a significant development in the federal investigation into Adams’ inner circle.
Naturally, the FBI has declined to comment on the specifics, but law enforcement sources as reported by the New York Post and Politico, suggest the searches are part of a broader investigation.
Check this out … Some are speculating that authorities are attempting to gain cooperation from someone close to the mayor.
Let’s be clear, despite this wild development, Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing.
As you can imagine, Wright, as the city’s first deputy mayor, is the most senior official in Adams’ administration to be directly impacted by federal law enforcement actions. Philip Banks, a longtime ally of Adams, is also involved in the probe. Both are key figures in the mayor’s team, raising concerns about the extent of the investigation. The plot is thickening that’s for sure.
ICYMI, Brianna Suggs, a top fundraiser for the mayor, was also the subject of a search by federal agents. These actions are part of an investigation that has raised questions about alleged kickback schemes involving City Hall and foreign governments. Now before you try to out two and two together, a source told the New York Post that the recent raids may not be directly connected to a probe involving Turkey.
In case you really missed it, back in July, Adams and several City Hall officials, along with his campaign, were issued grand jury subpoenas as part of a federal inquiry into fundraising activities for his 2021 mayoral campaign. As part of that investigation, Adams’ electronic devices were seized by authorities. Sheesh.
Again, Mayor Adams, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing, reiterated his stance through City Hall Chief Counsel Lisa Zornberg. “Investigators have not indicated to us that the mayor or his staff are targets of any investigation,” Zornberg said in a statement. “As a former member of law enforcement, the mayor has repeatedly made clear that all members of the team need to follow the law.”
Lips are tight after the raids because neither Wright nor her partner David Banks, nor representatives from the Adams campaign, have provided public comments in response to the raids. David Banks, when approached by reporters outside the Harlem home he shares with Wright, declined to answer questions.
Oddly, Philip Banks, who is the brother of David Banks, has a controversial past, having been named an unindicted co-conspirator in a major federal police corruption case years ago. Despite this, he has remained a close advisor to Adams and serves in a key public safety role in the administration.
The feds are keeping this close to the vest and while the exact focus of the investigation remains unclear, the involvement of such high-level figures in Adams’ administration marks a serious turn in the probe, casting uncertainty over the mayor’s future and that of his closest allies.
What do y’all think? We’re not going to speculate but when it comes to New York City it looks like there’s a cloud over City Hall.
The post Trouble in City Hall After FBI Search Homes of High Ranking Aides to NYC Mayor Adams first appeared on The Source.
The post Trouble in City Hall After FBI Search Homes of High Ranking Aides to NYC Mayor Adams appeared first on The Source.
Akbar V Claims Rich Homie Quan And Erica Banks Had “Secret” Relationship
The death of Rich Homie Quan has rocked the music world. There’s a collective sense of shock, given the rapper was only 34 years old. Musical peers and social media personalities who knew Rich Homie Quan have taken to social media to express their heartbreak. Erica Mena was one of these people, but her tribute turned into a much messier situation. Akbar V, Mena’s former co-star on Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, hinted at some previously unknown info about Quan. She claimed that Quan and Mena had a “secret” relationship outside of the rapper’s family.
The whole thing started innocently enough. Erica Mena simply tweeted “Quan WTF” with four heartbreak emojis. Akbar V quote tweeted Mena and proceeded to blow up her spot. She told Mena to “delete those pics and videos out of respect for his family.” Akbar V then went into more detail about Rich Homie Quan and Mena’s relationship, alleging they had a long-standing connection. “You was a secret,” she added. “And not saying what y’all shared was fake but certain stuff should remain a secret.”
Read More: Rich Homie Quan Spoke On Young Thug Reconciliation Days Before Reported Death
Erica Mena Deleted Her Rich Homie Quan Tribute On Twitter
It’s a bit odd to tell someone to keep a secret and then proceed to share the secret with the world, but that’s precisely what Akbar V did. She told Erica Mena that she better be careful with what she reveals now that Rich Homie Quan is dead. “Here comes all the unwanted hate towards you that you didn’t even know existed,” she warned. “Think before you do stuff lil one.” Mena didn’t say or do anything that was incriminating before Akbar V’s post. She did, however, remove her initial post after Akbar V’s warning.
It remains to be seen whether the Quan claims are true. Mena deleting the post is a little suspicious, but the Love and Hip Hop star has a long, sordid history with Akbar V. It’s possible she just wanted to avoid conflict with the rapper. Akbar V had nothing to do with Mena getting fired from Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta, but the two celebs did get into several disagreements during their shared screen time. Rich Homie Quan is survived by his girlfriend, Amber Williams, and his four children. He shared his two youngest with Williams, who made the fateful 911 call after the rapper died.
Read More: Rich Homie Quan’s Girlfriend Tells 911 Operator He’s Not Breathing In Heartbreaking Audio
The post Akbar V Claims Rich Homie Quan And Erica Banks Had “Secret” Relationship appeared first on HotNewHipHop.
50 Cent x “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game”: Key Takeaways
50 Cent continues to reach new heights in his career with or without releasing new music. Beyond a catalog of timeless hits, he’s proven to be one of the most business savvy individuals in hip-hop. His foray into film and television has been fruitful, to say the least: several TV shows, movies, and most recently, the opening of his production studio in Shreveport, LA, where he hosted the Humor & Harmony festival.
The rapper recently joined Gillie and Wallo on Million Dollaz Worth Of Game during his festival and they surely lived up to the title. For nearly an hour, 50 Cent dropped gems that reflected his rise in hip-hop and his transition into the entertainment world as an executive. His journey into entering the rap game officially under Eminem and Dr. Dre’s tutelage to the inner workings of the television industry.
Fat Joe Beef Does 180
While the two have a shared history of animosity, things couldn’t be going any better between Fat Joe and 50 Cent. During his appearance on Million Dollaz Worth Of Game, Fif explained that he and Fat Joe are practically best friends these days. It’s a 180 to when Fif and Joe went at it on wax and the effects rippled through the streets of New York and beyond. Ultimately, it was Joe’s allegiance to Murder Inc that caused their issues. “I didn’t f*ck with people because they had already dealt with them,” 50 explained. “The entire beginning of my career I was up against the leverage of Murder Inc. So, my whole beef with Fat Joe was really his loyalty.” He added, “Later we become the best friends, like I really f*ck with him,” 50 Cent admitted. “He’s loyal to a default, because he worked with him.”
What’s $1M To Dame Dash?
50 Cent says Dame Dash has no money now and calls Dame Dash out for telling him that the $1 million he received from signing with Eminem’s Shady Records was no money.
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Million Dollaz Worth Of Game ) pic.twitter.com/f1iZPkJ1WU
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) September 1, 2024
By now, we’ve seen the headlines surrounding Dame Dash and the debt he’s accumulated, upwards of $10 million. His financial situation comes as a shock, especially considering his contributions to hip-hop through Roc-A-Fella and other ventures. Always the business-minded hustler, he apparently didn’t have great things to say after 50 Cent inked a deal with Shady Records for $1M. In fact, the Roc-A-Fella co-founder apparently didn’t think that $1M was any money to begin with.
“The only person that pointed out a million dollars was no money was Damon Dash, and he has no money now,” 50 said. “How you gonna say that’s no money?” He recalled Dame telling him, “’After you get you a watch, chain, look out for the homies and then do this, then it’s nothing.” Naturally, this conversation resonated with 50 in ways that Dame Dash probably didn’t realize. “I’m from 134th Street. A million dollars is a lot of money. I think I hit the lotto. How are you gonna say that it’s no money? I just never forgot that because of how it felt.”
Since then, Dame has responded to Fif, claiming that they should have a “CEO War” between their respective networks. “Let’s do CEO war. You drop your television network today — you should be able to do that because you have power, you have the resources and you know, you’re getting money. And because I’m ‘broke,’ this should be easy work,” he said.
Nearly Signing Desiigner
An insightful moment in the interview that apparently warranted a response came as 50 Cent divulged how he nearly inked a deal with Desiigner prior to Kanye. At the time, Desiigner barely had a hit record to his name with “Panda” only beginning the bubble. However, 50 Cent comes from a time where record deals didn’t happen with the success of a single song, and apparently, Desiigner failed to have anything else to show for his talents. “I had him at the office. I was like, ‘Yo, let me hear the other records you got.’ And he’s like… ‘That’s it,’” he continued. “And the shit was so hot that he had, I was struggling. But I was like, ‘Nah, I can’t give that n***a that money. Let them give him whatever the f**k they gonna give him.’”
Desiigner later responded in the form of a diss track. In the snippet he previewed, he raps, “N***as talkin’ that 50 Cent, I be talking 50 mill/ N***as talkin’ that Timmy Turner, glad the n***a got killed / I got signed to Kanye, lil n***a, you was never worth a deal.” If we’re being honest, it’s hardly a diss nor is it something that someone like 50 Cent should even acknowledge.
Meeting Eminem
After years of grinding and getting blackballed from the industry, his deal with Eminem undoubtedly became what took him to astronomical heights. He explained that he felt like he was getting Punk’d by Ashton Kutcher because how unbelievable that experience was.
“He flew me to LA, right? I came out. I was so bugged out from the experience that I came through the airport with the vest and s**t on. I’m lucky I took the shock plate out the front of the joint. Because when I came through it didn’t. But the lawyer that I had with me that took me to him, I get there he’s like ‘Yo’ he felt the vest and s**t and was like,’” Fif said before mimicking Em’s reaction. “‘Yo this is going to be the biggest s**t right?’ He was so excited that it made me question whether what was happening was right ’cause I just wasn’t so used to it. It felt so good that it couldn’t be like right. I’m like ‘Yo, nah.’”
Ghost Was Supposed To Die In Power Season 4
Apparently, the way Power panned out wasn’t as initially planned. According to 50, Ghost was actually supposed to die at the same time as his character in season 4. “At the end of the day, Ghost was supposed to die when I died. I extended it… The problem with working with 50 Cent is, it’s 50 Cent’s show,” he said. This came after Omari Hardwick’s complaints of being underpaid, which many believed to be a dig at 50 Cent. However, Fif clarified that Hardwick messaged him later on and stated that it wasn’t the case. Ultimately, it was an issue with Starz.
The post 50 Cent x “Million Dollaz Worth Of Game”: Key Takeaways appeared first on HotNewHipHop.
Rich Homie Quan’s Girlfriend Tells 911 Operator He’s Not Breathing In Heartbreaking Audio
Earlier today, it was revealed that Rich Homie Quan passed away at the age of 34 at his Atlanta home. His family members, and a rep for the Fulton County morgue, confirmed the news with TMZ. At the time of writing, the rapper’s cause of death has yet to be revealed. Now, the outlet has obtained audio of a 911 call placed by his girlfriend, Amber Williams.
In the audio, Williams is heard telling the operator that he hadn’t come to bed the night before. She says she saw him on the couch when she took her son to school that morning, and even put a blanket over him before she left. When she got home, he hadn’t moved, which raised concern.
Read More: Rich Homie Quan Spoke On Young Thug Reconciliation Days Before Reported Death
Rich Homie Quan’s Girlfriend Amber Williams’ Speaks With 911 Operator
Williams told the operator that she didn’t feel a heartbeat or see him breathing. When she turned him over, she claimed he appeared to be foaming at the mouth. When confirming the tragic news with TMZ, Rich Homie Quan’s family was devastated and desperately searching for answers. While this newly obtained audio does not confirm what caused his death, it does provide some additional insight into the circumstances surrounding his passing. After the news broke today, countless fans and peers took to social media to share heartfelt statements about the untimely loss.
“Rest in Peace my brother Rich Homie Quan. I love you for Life. #Richgang,” Jacquees wrote on X. “Never go forget yo smile n the way talked n of course yo music… WE GOT SOME GOOD A** MEMORIES TOGETHER N THAT GO ALWAYS BRING A SMILE TO MY FACE,” Boosie Badazz shared. What do you think of Rich Homie Quan passing away unexpectedly at the age of 34 recently? What about TMZ obtaining audio of his girlfriend Amber Williams’ call to police? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Read More: Rich Homie Quan’s Peers Pay Tribute After His Unexpected Death
The post Rich Homie Quan’s Girlfriend Tells 911 Operator He’s Not Breathing In Heartbreaking Audio appeared first on HotNewHipHop.
Cardi B Celebrates Son’s Birthday in Style, Rolls Through Mall in Wheelchair
Cardi B has been known to be a high roller, but recent pictures have shown her doing a different type of rolling as recent images surfaced of her in a wheelchair as she celebrated her son Wave’s third birthday at the American Dream Mall in New Jersey over the weekend.
While many fans were initially concerned, worried that the pregnant artist may have been injured or ill, Cardi was quick to note that she only used the wheelchair because her feet were too swollen to walk as she is in her final trimester of her pregnancy with her third child. (The American Dream Mall is also one of the largest malls in the country, covering approximately 3 million square feet.)
Cardi’s choice of transportation wasn’t the only thing that got noticed. She also made a striking impression with her bold fashion choices, donning a quirky white furry bunny hat paired with a white cropped T-shirt, baggy distressed jeans, and pink boots that matched her pink Louis Vuitton bag and long pink hair. The rapper proudly showcased her baby bump as she prepares to welcome her third child with estranged husband Offset, who also attended the party.
An observer noted that Cardi was accompanied by an entourage of 20 to 30 people during the celebration. On Instagram, she shared heartfelt photos with Wave, expressing her joy and initial apprehension about having a boy, given she’s “such a girly girl.” She praised her son for making it easy to embrace the role of a sporty mom and promised to always support him with an Instagram photo that showed her holding her son and a caption that read:
“Happy birthday to my son Wavey man. I was soo happy when I found out I was having a boy I’m such a girly girl. You make it easy tho getting into that sporty mom bag. My baby love his mama so much. I’ll always have your back, front and sides. BIG WAVE.”
Despite their united front at the party, reports indicate that Cardi and Offset are proceeding with their divorce but remain committed to amicable co-parenting. The couple, who also share a six-year-old daughter named Kulture, reunited to celebrate their son’s special day, but have made no indication of reconciliation.
The post Cardi B Celebrates Son’s Birthday in Style, Rolls Through Mall in Wheelchair first appeared on The Source.
The post Cardi B Celebrates Son’s Birthday in Style, Rolls Through Mall in Wheelchair appeared first on The Source.
LL Cool J Admits He ‘Completely Screwed Up’ Controversial ‘Accidental Racist’ Song
LL Cool J is embarrassed by his contribution to Brad Paisley’s 2013 track “Accidental Racist,” admitting that he completely missed the mark.
Megan Thee Stallion Unleashes “We Will Rock You” Remake For New Pepsi Ad
Megan Thee Stallion has been on a serious roll lately, and now, she’s added yet another impressive entry to her long list. Today, Pepsi’s official YouTube channel unleashed a new commercial starring her and NFL players Travis Kelce, Josh Allen, Justin Jefferson, and Derrick Henry. They battle it out for a can of Pepsi, and of course, Meg provides the soundtrack.
“Silence! Open the gates,” she shouts as the athletes enter the Colosseum, and before cracking open a Pepsi. “Let game day begin.” The ad also features her remake of Queen’s 1977 hit “We Will Rock You,” complete with plenty of fierce bars about clashing with competitors and coming out on top. Meg’s version maintains the original’s intensity with a playful twist, making it the perfect addition to the Gladiator II-inspired commercial. Reportedly, the commercial will air on national television tonight before and during NFL kickoff. Aside from the ad, Meg’s “We Will Rock You” remake is also currently available on all major DSPs.
Meg’s new remake arrives shortly after she announced her collaboration with BTS’ RM, “Neva Play,” which is scheduled to drop tomorrow (September 6). What do you think of Megan Thee Stallion remaking Queen’s 1977 hit “We Will Rock You”? Did she do the classic song justice or not? What about her starring in a new Pepsi ad alongside various NFL players? Share your thoughts in the comments section and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates. Check out the fun new Pepsi ad down below.
Megan Thee Stallion & NFL Icons Star In New Pepsi Ad
Quotable Lyrics:
I don’t see competition (No)
I don’t let haters stop me
I do my big one every time because I know they watchin’
Read More: Destroy Lonely & Ken Carson Flex Their Chemistry On “THRILL”
The post Megan Thee Stallion Unleashes “We Will Rock You” Remake For New Pepsi Ad appeared first on HotNewHipHop.
Cardi B Rolls Around In A Wheelchair During Son Wave’s Birthday At Amusement Park
Cardi B and Offset may be going through a divorce right now, but they’ve celebrated their son Wave’s birthday together on a couple of occasions regardless. Moreover, we don’t know if the former Migo was there for the little one’s recent trip to DreamWorks Water Park in New Jersey. However, you definitely couldn’t miss the Bronx femcee, as she rode around in a wheelchair for the shindig. Don’t fret, though: according to allegedly close sources who reportedly spoke to TMZ, she’s just in her final trimester and her feet were too swollen to walk around a massive water park and mall.
As such, there’s no reported health issue or anything like that: just an understandable minimization of risk for a pregnant Cardi B. You can check out pictures from this outing by clicking the “Via” link down below. Elsewhere, though, she’s dealing with some other narratives around her upcoming third child that are a little less easy to deal with. For example, a lot of folks blasted the “Get Up 10” artist online for her recent maternity shoot, which featured the word “pedophile” in graffiti behind her. She obviously explained why this was the case and clarified that this was not intentional or suggestive at all, but some fans still felt that the team should’ve caught that more easily.
Read More: Cardi B Claps Back At Fans’ Criticisms Of Her Calling Herself “Light-Skinned”
Cardi B Performing At BET Experience 2024
Regarding other updates in Cardi B’s world, a third baby isn’t the only thing that she’s looking forward to in the (hopefully) very near future. Of course, we also have to talk about her upcoming sophomore album, one that she’s relentlessly teased on social media despite conflicting details. Even some label disagreements emerged that suggested that the two parties did not agree on when this LP will come out. Hopefully the 31-year-old clarifies this sooner rather than later, although most signs point to a late 2024 or early 2025 release.
Still, if you’ve been reading about Cardi B for the past six years, you know how familiar that “promise” sounds. Nevertheless, all we can do is wait to see what happens. In the meantime, she’s sadly busy with people comparing her and Star Brim to the Ice Spice and Cleotrapa drama. We’ll see if any other Internet narratives threaten Bardi’s patience.
Read More: Cleotrapa Claims That Ice Spice Was “Shaking” Thinking That Cardi B Sent People To Jump Her
The post Cardi B Rolls Around In A Wheelchair During Son Wave’s Birthday At Amusement Park appeared first on HotNewHipHop.