newhiphopnews

In recent years, Killer Mike has been steadily putting out quality music alongside his trusted creative collaborator El-P. Together, the rappers make up Run The Jewels — easily one of hip-hop’s most consistent duos, arguably ever. Yet prior to releasing their debut album in 2013, Killer Mike had amassed a respectable discography on the solo tip, boasting five studio albums to his name between the years of 2003 and 2012.

While Monster gets credit for starting Mike’s journey and R.A.P Music is celebrated for uniting him with El-P for the first time, his fourth studio album Pl3dge tends to fly under the radar. Originally released ten years ago to this day, the album features guest appearances from T.I, Jeezy, Twista, Gucci Mane, Big Boi, and more. With El Producto yet to cross his path, production was largely handled by Smiff N Cash and Sweatbox Productions, as well as No I.D, The Beat Bullies, Tha Bizness, Raz, DJ Speedy, and Flying Lotus. 

 David A. Smith/Getty Images

After it was brought to his attention that Pl3dge was celebrating its ten-year anniversary, Killer Mike hit Instagram to share a few words about the milestone. “It’s been 10 yrs,” he marvels. “Wow. #Happy420 more to come! Better every time too! Still growing! Still improving!” 

In truth, Killer Mike’s discography is one that probably deserves revisitation, and perhaps it’s the perfect time to dive back into Pl3dge and spend a bit of time unpacking some of the ATL emcee’s thoughts and preferred themes. Should you be among those who kept this project on steady rotation, be sure to hit the comments and share your own favorite tracks. Where do you think Pledge stands in Killer Mike’s solo catalog? 

Such things in life are inevitable, and DJ Khaled collecting gold and platinum for his already sizeable collection is one such thing. Despite the fact that his brand new album Khaled Khaled has only been out for a few weeks, the project has already been certified gold by the RIAA. Of course, it should be noted that previously-released singles “Popstar” and “Greece,” both of which featured Drake, likely played a role in the expeditious certification.

Either way, Khaled Khaled remains proof that DJ Khaled’s Midas touch has yet to fade in the slightest. Naturally, he took to his Instagram page to share a few celebratory words, confirming that his onslaught of music videos was set to continue. “KHALED KHALED officially certified gold,” he writes. #FANLUV THANK YOU!! MORE TO COME! WE JUST GETTING STARTED! #BodyInMotion VIDEO tomorrow!! #IDIDIT VIDEO May 27!!! @wethebestmusic @rocnation @epicrecords. LOOK AT GOD! Today is also the anniversary of the platinum album FATHER OF ASAHD.” 

Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

It should be interesting to see how long Khaled Khaled’s momentum can continue, as its platinum ascension is not a matter of if, but when. Given how quickly the project went gold, an additional five-hundred thousand album-equivalent units shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the K-Man. Not only has he been steadily dropping off music videos from the project, including clips for the Migos and H.E.R-assisted “We Goin’ Crazy” and the Justin Bieber and 21 Savage-assisted “Let It Go,” but he seems determined to keep the balling rolling, seemingly deriving sustenance from commercial success. 

How long before Khaled Khaled hits platinum? Sound off with your predictions below. 

Typically, celebrity weddings go down with a slew of paparazzi waiting to catch a glimpse of the married couple, whoever it may be. However, TMZ nor any tabloid publication was able to catch a glimpse of Ariana Grande who reportedly got married to her fiancé Dalton Gomez over the weekend.

According to TMZ, the couple was married at her home in Montecito, California. The private affair included twenty guests, mainly from their families. However, there wasn’t any actual “ceremony” involved. Grande and Gomez reportedly exchanged their “I dos” but without the formality of a wedding. It’s unclear whether the couple actually planned to get hitched or if it was entirely impromptu.

The couple got engaged in December 2020, right before the holidays. They’ve been rather public about their romance on social media and otherwise. Ariana Grande’s mother also co-signed their relationship after news of their engagement.

The home where the couple reportedly got hitched was previously owned by Ellen Degeneres who sold it to Ariana Grande for a cool $6.75M last June. 

No word from Ariana Grande herself confirming news of her marriage but this is certainly the type of material that would make for a great follow-up to her chart-topping album, positions.

We’ll keep you updated on any more news regarding Ariana Grande’s reported secret wedding. 

[Via]

DJ Olivia Dope, former co-host of See, The Thing Is –– a podcast on The Joe Budden Network — has come forward to share a twenty-six-minute video on her Instagram page, during which she accuses Joe Budden of sexual harassment.

“I am doing this video today to finally explain my departure from the See, The Thing Is podcast as well as the Joe Budden Network,” she begins, before explaining her hope that her message will be heard by those who have faced similar experiences.  

“On Jan. 18, 2021, Joe Budden sat in on a recording of the female-led podcast I was a part of and continuously made sexual, suggestive remarks to me that made me extremely uncomfortable as well as fearful of dampening the mood if I didn’t laugh along while he made those sexual remarks to me,” she states. “Those moments not only live on the internet forever, but it also forced me into the decision of quitting the podcast.”

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

“It was traumatizing, embarrassing, and I’ve decided that I have to speak up,” she continues. “Not only was it important for me to walk away from it, but it’s important to heal myself and probably help others in the future. This probably wouldn’t be the best situation to enter into, working with this person.” 

She cites a specific episode (16), proceeding to share timestamps of the incidents in question. “I’m going to start from 13:48, Joe calls me out saying I never reached out to him privately or personally,” she continues. “This information is important because it proves my lack of familiarity with this person. That’s what makes everything that transpired afterward so uncomfortable…At 13:34, there’s an edit, because Joe says him and I should speak more, because ‘he’s been wanting to fuck me since we met.’ 

“Everyone in the studio laughed uncomfortably while one of my co-hosts confirmed that to be true,” says Dope. “I am mortified by this revelation not only because it was done in front of the entire production staff but it was done while we were recording audio as well as visual…That scene was cut out…At 19:26 seconds, another edit happens because Joe makes another suggestion to having sex with me.” Her list goes on, and Dope accuses Budden of creating a “hostile work environment” by suggesting her co-hosts didn’t dress as “sexy” as her.

Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images 

After quoting several additional inappropriate comments, Dope notes that Budden asked for an on-air hug, a clip that has since begun to circulate on Twitter. “It’s unbeknownst to me until I actually watch back the episode that he was moving his hips while he was hugging me,” she states. “I laugh uncomfortably because I don’t know what else to do at that point. Everyone else is kind of chuckling, and I sit back down.” She notes that she made it clear she was uncomfortable, stating as much later on in the episode. 

“I am mortified that when you search Olivia Dope, the brand I have spent ten years building, that comes up,” she continues. “I am mortified that after I quit, I had to have a heart-to-heart conversation with the child I gave birth to, because she can find it on the internet, her friends can find it on the internet, her teachers, and say that’s your mother being belittled and sexually harassed and called a bitch.” 

As of now, Joe Budden has yet to respond to Olivia Dope’s allegations. He is currently in the midst of a tumultuous falling out with his former Joe Budden Podcast co-hosts Rory and Mal. Check out Dope’s full statement below. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @oliviadope

TDE has the world waiting for new music to drop out of their camp and it seems that they’ve already begun rolling out what will be a massive year for them. SZA dropped some new music in late 2020 and Isaiah Rashad came through with a brand new single at the top of the month. Rashad’s single, “Lay Wit Ya” ft. Duke Deuce serves as the first single from his forthcoming album, The House Is Burning. 

 
Karl Walter/Getty Images 

It’s the fellas from Black Hippy that many day-one TDE fans are really hoping will drop something this year. It seems like a new album from Kendrick Lamar will be arriving this year but many have been wondering about Ab-Soul’s whereabouts. The Carson, CA rapper has been heavily hinting at his follow-up to Do What Thou Wilt.

Earlier today, Soulo shared a few thoughts on his timeline including his opinion on Coi Leray who he deems “the flyest right now.” He went on to praise A Black Lady Sketch Show as well as Tevin Campbell’s performance as Powerline in A Goofy Movie (classic). Before signing off, he left fans with a tidbit of information regarding his next release. “That’s all I got right now… Album comin soon…” he tweeted.

This wouldn’t be the first time he hinted at new music dropping this year. He shared a similar update at the top of the year before offering an update on Kendrick Lamar’s project. Check his tweets below. 

Travis Scott’s ascent to stardom hasn’t solely been off of the strength of his music. The rapper’s aesthetic has influenced a whole generation of fashionistas and sneakerheads. His collaborations with Air Jordan have produced some of the most sought-after sneakers in recent years which was apparently leveraged for his appearance at the Super Bowl. 

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Maroon 5’s Adam Levine recently appeared on Sneaker Shopping on Complex where he discussed his array of sneakers including the pair of family-and-friends exclusive Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 in purple. “[Travis] literally DM’ed me one day … and he was like ‘Yo, you wanna do the Super Bowl?’,” Levine said. “I was like, sure you’re going to have to get me those purple friends and family [4s] and the new 1s.”

Levine joked that it was a quick exchange between the two artists which ultimately got him the Air Jordan 4s. “I literally said, ‘Yo, if you can get me those shoes, man.’ Not only would I like to do it, anyways, but if you get me those shoes, it’s done,” Levine added. 

The Maroon 5 frontman’s sneaker collection includes some other rare artifacts that were personally gifted to him. During the interview, he was rocking the Red Octobers which he said Kanye directly gifted him. However, Levine explained that he wasn’t even a sneakerhead at that point and had no idea of the value. He’s educated himself since and wore them for the first time on the show.

Peep the episode below.