Month: October 2024
WATCH: The Weeknd and Anitta Drop Haunting “São Paulo” Video
The Weeknd has just released the much-anticipated track and music video for “São Paulo,” featuring Brazilian superstar Anitta. Directed by visionary FREEKA, the video unfolds in dark, surreal scenes, with a storyline that sees Anitta pregnant, her stomach revealing an eerie face within. This chilling imagery adds a new, intense visual layer to The Weeknd’s evolving artistic journey. Alongside the video premiere, fans worldwide can now stream “São Paulo” on all platforms.
The track’s release comes amid a string of achievements for The Weeknd, who recently broke his own record as the artist with the most monthly listeners on Spotify, topping 120 million. This follows chart-toppers like “Timeless” with Playboi Carti, produced by Pharrell Williams, and “Dancing in the Flames,” both of which will feature on his upcoming album, Hurry Up Tomorrow.
Just last month, The Weeknd’s sold-out concert in São Paulo, streamed to millions globally, brought the artist’s electrifying energy to the world, trending in 24 countries. The concert included surprise appearances from Anitta and Playboi Carti, with proceeds from merchandise going to BrazilFoundation’s Brazilian Soul Fund, aiding local communities in need.
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Westside Gunn Celebrates Halloween with New Project ’11’
As Halloween approaches, fans of Westside Gunn are in for a major treat. Gunn has just dropped his new album, 11, produced entirely by Denny Laflare. This project, free of guest features, highlights Gunn’s solo artistry and raw lyrical style, setting the stage for an even bigger release at midnight on November 1.
“11 is the most personal project I ever made, it’s dedicated to my brother who was killed in April, but narrated by my brother who has life in prison fighting to come home,” Gunn explains. “This is the reality for Westside Gunn”
The week’s excitement doesn’t stop with the music, as Gunn will shift to his other passion—professional wrestling. On November 2, Gunn’s 4th Rope wrestling promotion will take over Chicago with Heels Have Eyes 3, the third installment of his celebrated wrestling event series. Known for blending art, fashion, and music with wrestling, this event promises to raise the bar again. Fans can expect intense matches, including a Steel Praying steel cage match and championship bouts like Joe Hendry vs. AJ Francis and Moose vs. Zilla Fatu. Gunn and 4th Rope’s new commissioner, MVP, will crown the heavyweight champion.
Adding to the spectacle, music legends DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Statik Selektah, Rome Streetz, and Daringer will perform, with more surprise guests expected. Heels Have Eyes 3 is shaping up to be an unforgettable experience that unites Gunn’s love of music and wrestling under one electrifying roof.
Tickets for Heels Have Eyes 3 are now available, promising fans an all-access pass to a night of top-tier hip-hop, wrestling, and entertainment.
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Lil Durk Expected to Enter Not Guilty Plea in Murder-for-Hire Case
Lil Durk is planning to enter a not-guilty plea and will battle his murder-for-hire federal charge. According to TMZ, Durk’s plans come as he is held at a Federal Detention Center in Miami.
Durk is reportedly getting along with staff and inmates at the center in Miami. The rapper is described as “super charming” and “agreeable.”
Lil Durk’s father supports his son, appearing at the rapper’s first hearing in Miami. CBS News captured Durk’s dad walking with Durk’s attorney, Alex Ubieta. Durk’s next hearing will be in the Central District of California.
Additionally, Durk’s son, Zayden Banks, released a statement on Instagram.
“I want to take a moment to stand up for my dad, Durk Banks,” the statement reads. “He has always dedicated his life to uplifting others and giving back to our community through his nonprofit organization, Neighborhood Heroes. Beyond that, he is a great father who has always supported and loved our family unconditionally.”
You can see the statement below.
Federal authorities arrested Lil Durk in Broward County, Florida. According to ABC Chicago, the rapper born Durk Banks was arrested by U.S. Marshals. He has no bond.
According to reports, Durk’s murder-for-hire was targeting Georgia rapper Quando Rondo, who was involved in an altercation with King Von in 2020 outside a lounge in Atlanta. Rondo and Von engaged in a fistfight, leading to Rondo’s affiliate, Lul Tim, shooting and killing Von. Rondo would make light of the situation and highlight the death in his music.
The arrest of the award-winning rapper comes hours after five people were arrested in Chicago and federal charged in California for being contracted to kill Rondo. In the indictment, unsealed in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, was the arrest of Kavon London Grant, Deandre Dontrell Wilson, Keith Jones, David Brian Lindsey, and Asa Houston. They are charged with conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, committing murder-for-hire involving a death, and use of a machine gun in a violent crime resulting in death. Penalties can reach as high as death if convicted.
The five arrested are associated with “Only the Family,” known in Hip-Hop as OTF. Durk leads the group, which holds Von as a member. Documents show the five were paid for their flights and rental cars with the OTF company’s credit cards. The five were apprehended in Chicago and taken to Dirksen U.S. Courthouse, where they were remanded to custody before the case moved to Los Angeles.
According to The Chicago Tribune, someone part of OTF offered money and “lucrative music opportunities” in exchange for the murder of Quando Rondo. Rondo, his sister and cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, were in an Escalade in West Hollywood in August 2022 when they were shot at, resulting in the death of Robinson.
Authorities released security footage showing the OTF affiliates attempting to do the fit. The ATF team, led by Grant, ordered a hotel room, bringing several firearms, including one that was altered to be a fully automatic machine gun. Grant also rented two cars, a white BMW and a white Infiniti, to track and murder Rondo. Footage showed the cars trailing Rondo’s Escalade and three men shooting at Rondo and his family.
After the shooting, the defendants and the OTF co-conspirator ate a hamburger restaurant and discussed patment for the shooting. Four of the shooters returned to Chicago the next day.
This arrest comes after The Dinizulu Law Group filed a civil lawsuit in Cook County Circuit Court seeking to hold rapper Lil Durk, OTF, and several other music companies accountable for the fatal shooting of Chicago rapper Carlton Weekly, known as FBG Duck, on August 4, 2020. Weekly was shot outside a Gold Coast retail store, and the lawsuit also represents two bystanders who were wounded but survived the attack.
The lawsuit, announced during a news conference by Attorney Yao Dinizulu, brings multiple charges, including wrongful death, civil conspiracy, negligence, and failure to render aid. The plaintiffs seek damages not only for Weekly’s death but also for the injuries suffered by bystanders Davon Brinson and Cashae Williams. The suit names additional defendants, including Alamo Records, Sony Music Entertainment Inc., Universal Music Group Recordings Inc. (Interscope Records), and Empire Distribution Inc.
The lawsuit claims that these companies profited from the violent rivalry between OTF and FBG Duck by promoting “diss tracks” that escalated tensions. It accuses Lil Durk, the head of OTF, and other members of the group, including the late King Von, of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation and violence against FBG Duck, placing a $100,000 bounty on his life. OTF is described as a criminal enterprise that used music and social media to promote gang-related activity.
The suit also alleges misconduct by the City of Chicago, claiming police and emergency services failed to promptly aid FBG Duck, who lay alive for over 17 minutes without receiving medical attention. Dolce & Gabbana and its security firms are also named for negligence, accused of failing to take adequate safety measures.
This lawsuit follows the January conviction of six gang members in connection with FBG Duck’s death. Federal prosecutors linked the murder to a gang war fueled by social media and rap music.
A summary of the complaint can be accessed at dinizululawgroup.com.
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Anitta Is Freakily Pregnant In The Video For Her And The Weeknd’s New Collab, ‘São Paulo’
In September, The Weeknd played a special one-off concert in São Paulo, Brazil. The city is apparently still on his mind, as today (October 31), he teamed up with Brazil’s own Anitta on a new single, “São Paulo.”
In addition to a five-minute version of the song, there’s also a shorter three-minute version that’s heard in the song’s video. The video is a trip, by the way, as it features Anitta, who is pregnant but in a sort of grotesque way.
In an eerie teaser video shared in September, The Weeknd wrote, “Yesterday was fourteen years ago… We held our breath, falling into a shimmering sea in the after hours of the night… Attempted to cleanse the wounds with melodies and lights, a bulletproof bandage to shield what lies beneath. In a place where the seasons never changed, where time ceased to exist. But therein lays the problem. Today has felt like an endless spin. I keep distorting the truth, immune to the dizziness, numb to the nausea. What lies beneath — screams in silence. I look in the mirror and feel both old and new, stuck in limbo and unable to move. I still haven’t faced myself. More songs could help, but what do I have left to say? Woe is me in my gilded cage, right? The very thing that once made me invincible failed me on the world stage. A new trauma surfaced, opening floodgates. A new path awaits. When today ends, I’ll discover who I am. Hurry Up Tomorrow.”
Listen to “Sáo Paulo” and watch the video above.
Today In Hip Hop History: The Legendary MF DOOM Passed Away Four Years Ago
On this date in 2020, MF Doom’s family released a statement announcing that the influential rapper passed away at 49.
“The greatest husband, father, teacher, student, business partner, lover and friend I could ever ask for,” DOOM’s wife Jasmine wrote in te caption of an Instagram post depicting her late husband. “Thank you for all the things you have shown, taught and given to me, our children and our family. Thank you for teaching me how to forgive beings and give another chance, not to be so quick to judge and write off. Thank you for showing how not to be afraid to love and be the best person I could ever be.”
The statement continued, “My world will never be the same without you. Words will never express what you and Malachi mean to me, I love both and adore you always. May THE ALL continue to bless you, our family and the planet.”
MF Doom passed away on Halloween, according to his wife, and his cause of death is currently unknown. Interestingly enough, DOOM’s death announcement didn’t come until two months after his passing, on December 31, 2020.
DOOM is undoubtedly one of the game’s most prolific artists, making a name for himself under the moniker Zev Love X with the group KMD in the early 90s before he donned the Metalface mask and took on the MF DOOM persona. DOOM, released six studio albums, two live albums, three compilation albums, ten instrumental albums, seven collaborative albums, 14 singles, and 32 music videos in his career. In 2022, DOOM was Number 2 in the Greatest Rapper of All Time poll on Twitter, losing only to Hip Hop mogul 50 Cent.
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Tyler, The Creator’s “Noid” Video Debuts in Top 10 on YouTube
Tyler, The Creator celebrates the release of his latest single, “Noid,” from the newly dropped CHROMAKOPIA album, landing at #10 on US Top Songs. His album also boasts “ST. CHROMA” at #14, while his 2017 hit “See You Again” featuring Kali Uchis resurges at #73, spurred by a viral dance trend that has placed it at #4 on US Top Songs on Shorts. Tyler currently ranks #23 among US Top Artists, further solidifying his chart presence.
“Noid” is the first official single from the album. It brings the harsh realities of fame and celebrity to both the single and video, where passersby continue to infiltrate Tyler’s creative space. Joining Tyler, the Creator, in the video is The Bear star Ayo Edebiri, who presents a transitioning iPhone to a gun. Additionally, Frank Ocean can be heard in the single’s opening.
Tyler, the Creator, is ready to fully immerse fans into the Chromakopia experience. With a new single out and the album on the way, Tyler has announced the Chromakopia World Tour. The tour will begin on Feb. 4, 2025, and will be supported by Lil Yachty and Paris, Texas.
2/04 – St. Paul, MN @ Xcel Energy Center *^
2/06 – Milwaukee, WI @ Fiserv Forum *^
2/08 – Kansas City, MO @ T-Mobile Center *^
2/11 – Denver, CO @ Ball Arena *^
2/14 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena *^
2/17 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena *^
2/20 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena *^
2/23 – Sacramento, CA @ Golden 1 Center *^
2/24 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena *^
2/26 – Portland, OR @ Moda Center *^
2/28 – Vancouver, BC @ Rogers Arena *^
3/02 – Seattle, WA @ Climate Pledge Arena *^
3/05 – San Francisco, CA @ Chase Center *^
3/07 – Las Vegas, NV @ MGM Grand Garden Arena *^
3/09 – San Diego, CA @ Pechanga Arena San Diego *^
3/12 – Phoenix, AZ @ Footprint Center *^
3/15 – Austin, TX @ Moody Center *^
3/17 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center *^
3/19 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center *^
3/21 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena *^
3/22 – Orlando, FL @ Kia Center ^
3/24 – Miami, FL @ Kaseya Center ^
3/26 – Charlotte, NC @ Spectrum Center *^
3/28 – Pittsburgh, PA @ PPG Paints Arena *^
3/29 – Columbus, OH @ Schottenstein Center *^
4/01 – Washington, DC @ Capital One Arena *^
4/25 – Antwerp, BE @ Sportpaleis *^
4/27 – Paris, France @ Accor Arena *^
4/30 – Milan, Italy @ Unipol Forum *^
5/01 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Hallenstadion *^
5/02 – Frankfurt, Germany @ Festhalle *^
5/04 – Cologne, Germany @ LANXESS Arena *^
5/06 – Oslo, Norway @ Oslo Spektrum *^
5/07 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Royal Arena *^
5/09 – Prague, Czech Republic @ O2 arena *^
5/10 – Krakow, Poldand @ TAURON Arena Krakow *^
5/12 – Berlin, Germany @ Uber Arena *^
5/14 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Ziggo Dome *^
5/17 – Birmingham, UK @ Utilita Arena Birmingham *^
5/19 – London, UK @ The O2 *^
5/21 – London, UK @ The O2 *^
5/24 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Arena *^
5/27 – Manchester, UK @ Co-op Live *^
5/30 – Glasgow, UK @ OVO Hydro *^
6/27 – Cincinnati, OH @ Heritage Bank Center *^
6/28 – Cleveland, OH @ Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse *^
6/30 – Chicago, IL @ United Center *^
7/03 – Detroit, MI @ Little Caesars Arena *^
7/05 – Philadelphia, PA @ Wells Fargo Center *^
7/08 – Boston, MA @ TD Garden *^
7/11 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena *^
7/12 – Raleigh, NC @ Lenovo Center *^
7/14 – New York, NY @ Madison Square Garden *^
7/17 – Brooklyn, NY @ Barclays Center *^
7/22 – Montreal, QC @ Bell Centre *^
7/24 – Toronto, ON @ Scotiabank Arena *^
7/27 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center *^
8/18 – Auckland, New Zealand @ Spark Arena *^
8/22-23 – Melbourne, Australia @ Rod Laver Arena *^
8/26-27 – Sydney, Australia @ Qudos Bank Arena *^
8/30 – Brisbane, Australia @ Brisbane Entertainment Centre *^
9/04 – Perth, Australia @ RAC Arena *^
- with Lil Yachty
^ with Paris Texas
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WATCH: Paramount+ Releases Trailer for ‘The French Montana Story’
Paramount+ has announced that The French Montana Story, an exclusive documentary following the rise of Moroccan-born hip-hop star French Montana, will premiere on November 19 in the U.S. and Canada and on November 20 in the U.K. and Australia. The film, produced by Live Nation Productions for MTV Entertainment Studios and directed by Mandon Lovett, provides an intimate look at Montana’s journey from hardship to stardom.
The documentary delves into Montana’s life as he navigates the challenges of growing up in the Bronx. After being abandoned by his father, Montana’s single mother was left to support him and his two younger brothers. The film captures the family’s immigrant story, highlighting a mother’s strength and a son’s determination to overcome life’s obstacles to pursue his American dream. In the words of Montana, “It’s the first blueprint of an immigrant’s music dream, proving that anything is possible and it’s not about the awards, it’s about what we learn from the losses and sacrifices.”
In addition to directing by Lovett, The French Montana Story is executive produced by Michael Rapino and Ryan Kroft for Live Nation Productions, alongside French Montana himself under his Montana Entertainment banner.
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Philly Photographer Sam “Cones” Conant Releases Debut Book “Happy To Be Here”
Philadelphia-born music photographer Sam Conant, known as Cones, is set to release his debut hardcover photography book, Happy To Be Here, available for purchase on November 8. This 328-page anthology showcases a decade of Cones’ most compelling work (2014-2023), documenting the meteoric rise of a new generation of hip-hop artists who now fill arenas and top the charts.
In Happy To Be Here, Cones captures hip-hop heavyweights like Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Lil Tecca, A$AP Rocky, Metro Boomin, Post Malone, and Offset. Through these iconic images, he tells the story of contemporary hip-hop culture, blending intimate storytelling with striking visuals. Cones offers readers a look into his creative process, from impromptu portraits to meticulously crafted shoots, providing a rare behind-the-scenes perspective on some of the industry’s biggest names.
More than just a photo collection, Happy To Be Here tells Cones’ personal story, from sneaking into Philly’s Theatre of Living Arts as a young teen to capturing today’s top artists at global concerts and festivals. Cones aims to inspire upcoming creatives, encouraging young dreamers to follow their passion. “This book is really meant to inspire the next generation of creatives,” Cones shares. “I want to provide hope and maybe even a path to follow for the kids at home reading this, wondering how they can make their dreams a reality.”
The book’s release will be celebrated with Cones’ first-ever gallery event from November 8-10 at KidSuper Studios in Brooklyn, NY. Free to the public, the event will include a Friday night launch party featuring guest DJs, performances, and exclusive signed copies of the book. Fans will also get the chance to view original and unseen prints from the collection.
Fans eager to own Happy To Be Here can pre-order at happytobeherebook.com and follow @shotbycones on Instagram for updates on the book and gallery event.
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Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” Hits 1 Billion Views on YouTube
Michael Jackson’s iconic 1988 “Smooth Criminal” video has joined the Billion Views Club on YouTube, celebrated for its legendary “anti-gravity lean” and 1930s gangster theme.
This milestone marks Jackson’s fifth video to reach 1 billion views, alongside “Beat It,” “Billie Jean,” “They Don’t Care About Us,” and “Thriller.” With Halloween approaching, “Thriller” surges to #46 on the US Top Songs chart, boosting Jackson to #46 on the US Top Artists chart.
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