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The Source Awards Will Be Returning In 2022

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Source Magazine remains one of the most iconic hip-hop publications of all-time and one of the most important during its growth in the 90s. The launch of its annual award show was equally important for the culture, especially since hip-hop wasn’t getting the recognition it truly deserves from these prestigious institutions. The award show ran from 1994 to 2004, providing a few of hip-hop’s most iconic and controversial moments. 


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According to PageSix, the Source Awards plans on making its triumphant return in 2022 after 17 years. Prince’s longtime manager L. Londell McMillian revealed that he’ll be helping bring it back “by popular demand.” “Hip-hop needs its premiere awards show back,” McMillian said. “After every awards show, our social media at The Source explodes … so back by popular demand.”

Additionally, McMillian also plans on launching a streaming channel which they’re describing as “the Netflix of hip-hop.”

The Source has continuously remained a controversial publication over the years. A rep for the Source explained that the Source has been quietly gearing up to have a proper launch in the digital era.

“It’s finally black-owned for the first time. He has quietly been bringing it back from financial disrepair and catapulting it into the digital age, tripling its reach and cleaning up its act,” a rep for the publication said. 

Stay tuned for more news on the return of the Source Awards. 

[Via]

Burna Boy And Becky G Team Up For An International Crossover With ‘Rotate’

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As streaming breaks down the barriers of music globally, more and more artists have teamed up across genres and borders to create some truly fascinating combinations. Today we get a great example as Los Angeles-born reggaeton artist Becky G and Nigerian Afrofusion artist Burna Boy link up on “Rotate.” Built on a signature reggaeton beat, the song blends the two artists’ unique sounds, resulting in a scintillating track that could be a hit in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Africa, as well as the US, the melting pot where people from all cultures collide and collaborate.

Becky G, who began her musical career as a pop-oriented rapper before shifting to Spanish lyrics and South-of-the-border sounds, truly exploded in popularity after embracing Latin music. She’s also found success as an actress, appearing in the 2017 Power Rangers film as the yellow Ranger, and being featured in Riot Games’ League Of Legends in 2019 as part of the first virtual rap band. Meanwhile, Burna Boy accidentally blew up in the US after the coincidentally-titled “Ye” exposed him to fans searching for Kanye’s album with the same name. Since then, he’s become one of the primary representative’s of his home country’s music scene, receiving Grammy acknowledgement and seeing his second album Twice As Tall become a hit.

Listen to Becky G and Burna Boy’s “Rotate” above.

Burna Boy is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Freddie Gibbs Reveals His Wild, Secret Instagram On The ‘Joe Rogan Experience’ Podcast

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Freddie Gibbs has built a reputation as one of the funniest rappers on Twitter and today, he brought that off-color sense of humor to the Joe Rogan Experience podcast. In the four-hour conversation, Gibbs, Rogan, and comedian Brian Moss talked boxing, Freddie Gibbs’ wild, secret Instagram profile, and more. You can check it out at the link below.

Meanwhile, Gibbs has been promoting his upcoming major-label debut album, dropping the animated video for his first single “Gang Signs” earlier this month. The video transforms Gibbs into a hedonistic white rabbit (a euphemism for his favorite subjects) as he goes about the same activities he generally likes to rap about, mining the juxtaposition for some head-scratching, borderline inappropriate comedy.

In addition to “Gang Signs,” Gibbs recently collaborated with Big Sean and Hit-Boy on “4 Thangs” celebrating LeBron James. Meanwhile, he’s kept fans entertained with his social media antics, which have included freestyling over his Piñata partner Madlib’s new instrumental album Sound Ancestors in an Uber. The one thing fans won’t be able to expect from him is a Verzuz appearance; aside from disapproving of Jeezy’s recent match with Gucci Mane, Gibbs shot down speculation over a potential battle between himself and hip-hop’s other resident coke rap connoisseur, Pusha T.

Freddie Gibbs is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Janelle Monáe And HER Will Join The First-Ever Black Music Collective Pre-Grammy Event

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For years, people have criticized the Grammys for historically recognizing white artists over talented Black and brown musicians, and this year the Recording Academy received similar backlash. Three musicians nominated for Best Children’s Album even asked for their nominations to be removed this year in protest of the all-white category. But the Recording Academy is trying to appease their critics by breaking ground on the first-ever Black Music Collective pre-Grammy event, which will highlight iconic Black musicians making waves in the industry today.

The event will feature performances by Grammy-winning artists HER, PJ Morton, and Yolanda Adams. Freddie Gibbs, who is now a first-time Grammy nominee, is also set to perform with The Alchemist. Along with live music, honorary chairs John Legend, Janelle Monáe, Issa Rae, Jimmy Jam, Quincy Jones, and activist Tamika Mallory will join in for fireside chats about racial justice and the Black experience.

In a statement about the inaugural event, chair and interim president/CEO of the Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr. said they intend to “amplify Black voices” with the event:

“As the first of its kind, we created this event with every intention to amplify Black voices and each of our experiences within the industry. The BMC will continue to foster a space for members and industry professionals to educate and elevate Black creators during Grammy Week and beyond.”

Echoing Mason Jr.’s statement, BMC chair and Atlantic Records executive Riggs Morales expressed his excitement about the event: “We are thrilled to announce this virtual program as the BMC continues to celebrate Black music and those who share our mission to foster and accelerate Black representation, equity and inclusion throughout the music industry. The Black Music Collective will continue to tailor events for Black creators to feel uplifted and supported and we are excited for this Grammy Week kickoff.”

The Black Music Collective pre-Grammy event kicks off 3/10 at 5 p.m. PST. Watch it here.

Some of the artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Bobby Shmurda Gains Nearly 3 Million New Followers In 24 Hours

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Bobby Shmurda is finally a free man, spending six years in prison and being released on Tuesday morning. His first day out was packed with a lot, getting picked up by Quavo in a private jet and seemingly spending a few hours together before reuniting with his family. Quavo and Bobby were seemingly followed by a camera crew, so we’ll surely be seeing all of the fun experiences they shared together.

As the world found out about Bobby’s freedom, people were quick to show their support for the rapper on social media, prompting a massive boost in his follower count on all platforms. Perhaps that growth was most apparent on Instagram, where he gained nearly 3 million followers in less than a day.

As reported by DJ Akademiks, Bobby Shmurda’s @realbobbyshmurdags9 account on IG started Tuesday with 900,000 followers. Right now, the page stands at 3.6 million followers and it continues to grow. 

The first post that Bobby made upon his return was a picture of him and his godchildren at a gathering that was planned to celebrate his homecoming. “My God Babiesssssss,” he wrote, rocking a Dior sweatshirt with a 3M design.

As Bobby Shmurda continues posting updates from his return home, he’s sure to gain even more followers in the coming days. Welcome back!

Knicks Welcome Bobby Shmurda Home With Massive Billboard

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After six long years, Bobby Shmurda finally came home yesterday. It’s a moment that hip-hop has been anticipating, even after a few moments of false hope. Shmurda left just as he was about to blow up but clearly, the energy was never lost. He was picked up by Quavo who arrived in a private jet with a couple of racks before enjoying a homecooked meal cheffed up by Mama Shmurda.

Many began paying tribute to Bobby. “Big Blood” Chris Brown shared a massive salute on his IG story to Shmurda. 21 Savage celebrated the Brooklyn rapper’s release, as well. But it’s the New York Knicks that made a grand statement after Shmurda came home. Plastering the iconic photo of the rapper wearing a Knicks hat in the “Hot N***a” music video in front of Penn Station, they shared a welcome home message to the rapper.

It seems like Bobby wasn’t wasting any time after his release. He apparently paid a visit to Ice Box to get himself some new jewelry before linking up with Rowdy Rebel and the crew for his welcome home celebration.

In a matter of hours, Bobby’s Instagram following skyrocketed by a few million. Before he came out, his account was sitting at 900K before shooting upwards of 3.2M and counting.

Welcome home, Bobby! We’re excited to hear what he has coming. 

Tokyo Vanity Threatens To Expose Men’s Sexual Habits

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Tokyo Vanity Threatens To Expose Men's Sexual Habits

Rap artist Tokyo Vanity isn’t here for men hating on her sexiness. The hip-hop artist steps forward to warn grown men she’s on the verge of pulling out big receipts. Vanity explains on Instagram why guys are hating on her getting flirted on by rap star Game has a lot to do with their closeted […]

The post Tokyo Vanity Threatens To Expose Men’s Sexual Habits appeared first on SOHH.com.

“The Simpsons” Star Harry Shearer Steps Down From Voicing Black Character

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Hollywood appears to finally be taking diversity and representation seriously, as news surfaces that yet another white actor has stepped down from voicing a Black animated character. Harry Shearer, a famed comedian and voice actor who has appeared in projects like The Simpsons and The Truman Show, will no longer be voicing one of The Simpsons‘ most well-known Black characters.

Harry Shearer attends the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th Anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

According to the New York Post, Shearer has voiced the Black character Dr. Hibbert, Springfield’s most skilled doctor, since 1990 in addition to other Simpsons characters like Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner. Ahead of its February 28 episode, The Simpsons has announced that the role of Dr. Hibbert has been recast, removing Shearer from the role in favor of The Cleveland Show alumnus Kevin Michael Richardson. The upcoming episode this Sunday will officially mark the show’s recasting

Kevin Michael Richardson attends Entertainment Weekly's Comic-Con Bash
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The Simpsons‘ decision to recast Shearer follows several other moves by white voice actors following the Black Lives Matter protests of last summer. Most notably, Jenny Slate resigned from playing Missy for Netflix’s Big Mouth, and Mike Henry stepped down from the iconic role of Cleveland Brown on Family Guy.

What do you think about the Dr. Hibbert recast and Hollywood’s shift towards proper representation in animation? 

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Yaya Mayweather Clowned For Whining About Pooh Shiesty & Lil Durk Song

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Yaya Mayweather has been living her best life after giving birth to her first child. The socialite has been partying during Floyd Mayweather’s birthday week, posting videos of herself on a yacht, which were picked apart by fans who called her “irresponsible” for bringing her newborn son on the party boat. She’s also been getting some flack for a viral video that’s been circulating, showing her reaction to Pooh Shiesty and Lil Durk’s hit record “Back In Blood” coming on at a party.

Yaya was seemingly gathered with her friends as they enjoyed some music but, when Pooh Shiesty’s song with Lil Durk started blaring over the speakers, she ordered the DJ to turn it off. The entire thing was captured on Instagram Live, with Yaya yelling at the DJ to turn off the “weak ass song”. Yaya has been linked to Youngboy Never Broke Again, who has ties to Quando Rondo. Thus, she may have an aversion to Durk over what happened between his affiliate King Von and Quando last year. 

The new mother has been getting roasted across social media for whining about the song, getting the meme treatment after the video went viral. 


Johnny Louis/Getty Images — YaYa Mayweather (C) and friends attend her father’s Futuristic-themed Birthday Party Experience

Despite all the drama that seeps onto the internet, Yaya Mayweather has been raving about motherhood, saying that she’s the “happiest [she’s] ever been.”

Safe to say that Pooh Shiesty isn’t Yaya Mayweather’s dawg…