In case you have missed it, Bitcoin is going crazy. Last month, Bitcoin passed up the $45,000 mark. Now, it is headed past $60K, following a 20% jump in just five days.
According to CNN Business, the bitcoin surge is a product of billions pouring into the cryptocurrency after the US Securities and Exchange Commission approved bitcoin exchange-traded funds in January.
Adding to the rise is “halving,” which is a feature of bitcoin that reduces the rate of new coins in circulation every year, making the price go higher.
Conversely, investors are optimistic that halving won’t lead to a positive period and are looking to cash out on the surge. The surge has led to an impact on Coinbase.
“Some users may see a zero balance across their Coinbase accounts & may experience errors in buying or selling,” Coinbase Support wrote on Wednesday. “Our team is investigating this & will provide an update shortly. Your assets are safe.”
“Yo my bitcoin or whatever it’s called ain’t worth s**t!!!” N.O.R.E. ranted in a tweet on Monday (October 9). With that, he seemed to admit that he got caught up in the crypto craze in the 2020s decade, and like so many other, took some losses when the market plummeted. Of course, it’s not dead and buried by any means, but it’s fair to say that these “Web3” practices, currencies, and online investments like NFTs don’t have the same hype around them that they used to. In fact, the Drink Champs host is far from the only hip-hop figure to feel the sting of this, as the rap world went wild with them a while back.
Still, it’s at least good to know that Noreaga has some other endeavors to make his money through, and to nurture and grow with his own vision. Drink Champs became a very successful series, and one that resulted in a lot of important news and entertaining commentary. While this choice is eventually up to him, it would be great to see him tap back into this space as an MC once again. That’s up in the air, but hopefully N.O.R.E. didn’t tie that possibility to his cryptocurrency prospects.
However, this career is something that he clearly looks back on fondly. Recently, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of his self-titled debut album, the 46-year-old held a dinner party with his loved ones. “I got to celebrate 25 years of my first album !!!” N.O.R.E. captioned his commemorative post. “I cried in the bathroom didn’t want anyone to see !!! I’m so thankful and greatful and humble !!! If u a cnn fan, a Nore fan or drinkchamps fan I LOVE U AND THANK U!!!”
Meanwhile, it’s clear that even if he would have to pay to keep his worthless cryptocurrency, that’s not stopping the Queens native. There will likely be much more greatness to come, whether in tangible terms or with Internet content. On that note, let’s just hope that his next financial investment won’t bite him in the buttocks. For more news and updates on N.O.R.E., check back in with HNHH.
A newspaper in Sweden titled Svenska Dagbladet has recently claimed that gang members are using Spotify as a tool to launder money. The paper had sources of four Swedish gang members and an anonymous police offer.
The laundering is apparently done by converting money into Bitcoin through Facebook, using the cryptocurrency to purchase fake streams for artists tied to the gangs, and then cash out the money made from said streams.
“Spotify has become an ATM for them,” the cop said (via Music Business Worldwide.) “There is a direct connection to the gangs and therefore also to the deadly violence.”
“If you’re a network and you want to attract kids and you have a rapper who’s going big, that’s half the job for you,” he added. “It is very good for recruiting purposes.”
In a recent study from France’s Centre National de Musique, they noted that only 3% of streams across platforms are fake — with MBW noting that this accounts for the ones they actually find. And, considering how little the streaming services pay artists for single streams, it seems difficult to be able to get a large return.
The paper also reached out to Spotify for the chance to comment on the matter. While they declined an interview, a spokesperson did offer a statement.
“We have no evidence that money laundering occurred via Spotify,” they said. “Less than one percent of all streams on Spotify have been determined to be tampered with.”
Kodak Black is having one wild weekend, as he just performed as one of the biggest artists at Rolling Loud Miami on Friday (July 21). While his set was quite bizarre, what with him rambling on and refusing to leave the stage until the last second, it was nonetheless very entertaining and held many of his big hits. In fact, he even took the time to debut his verse on his new collaboration with 6ix9ine and his girlfriend Yailin la Mas Viral, “Shaka Laka.” Of course, a lot of people aren’t happy with this collab since the rainbow-haired rapper is shunned as a snitch in the hip-hop community, but Kodak doesn’t care. Interestingly enough, Yak also took the time to salute another figure in the rap world that faces similar accusations- and exposes people for it, too.
“That’s why I salute 1090 Jake, for putting all these f**k n***as out there,” Kodak Black said onstage. “I got s**t to do, I got people to take care of, you heard me?” For those unaware, 1090 Jake often makes headlines by posting alleged paperwork of rappers online, which always causes a lot of debate. One recent hip-hop affiliate who faced this was Quality Control CEO Pierre “P” Thomas.
However, that wasn’t all the Rolling Loud-related Kodak Black content that graced this week. Another was an interview that MONTREALITY did with him at Rolling Loud Portugal, an animated conversation that held a behind-the-scenes look at his industry relationships. At one point, the Florida MC shouted out a certain Canadian superstar for his generosity and support. “That boy Aubrey!” he exclaimed. “That’s my dog. Drake sent me like 600 bands in Bitcoin. Drake dropped that s**t on me. He said I’m his favorite rapper. I love that n**a.”
Yak Shouts Out Drake
Meanwhile, Kodak may have just done a 6ix9ine collab, but he has bigger dreams to pursue. Recently, he expressed his belief that he and Katy Perry, who are on the same label, could cook up some real heat together. Hopefully that wild crossover arrives one day, and if not, a Drake feature will certainly do the trick. Regardless, check back in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Kodak Black, Drake, and 1090 Jake.
Money Man stands as one of the most underrated rappers in the game and it’s evident on Red Eye. Not just because of his output and consistency but his business acumen that’s turned him into one of the most successful independent rap artists. From signing with Cash Money to later buying himself out of his own contract, he developed a cult-like following of fans who look to him for inspiration, motivation, and gems on getting rich (i.e. $1M Bitcoin advance).
Over the past few years, fans have grown accustomed to receiving numerous projects from Money Man. During the pandemic, he came through with back-to-back releases. He dropped Epidemic, followed it up with an extended version then blessed fans withState Of Emergency. Even though each of the titles reflected the COVID state everyone was stuck in, Money Man brought motivational music to help people get through it. Last year, he blessed fans with two of his best project to date: Big Money and Blackout, as well as its extended version.
Money Man Taps Babyface Ray, Peezy For “Red Eye”
Though he kept lowkey since the top of 2023, Money Man came through with a statement with his latest project, Red Eye. The rapper’s new project consists of fourteen songs in total with a select few features, largely from Detroit counterparts. Babyface Ray helps kick the project off on Money Man’s “Drums,” which led to the album’s release. Then, Peezy comes through with an impressive verse for “Latest Gen.” Additionally, Juney Knotzz appears on “Atmosphere.”
The production of the project also helps showcase Money Man’s versatility. Though his muddy trap efforts helped build his empire, his latest project finds him exploring different genres. Perhaps, that’s as evident as the collaborations on the project. Blameswagg holds down the majority of the production on Red Eye. However, Money Man also connects with CorMill, Alawais, ProdTao, Flexotb, Oj beatz, Cubeatz, and more to flesh out his latest project. Check out Money Man’s new album, Red Eye above. Is Money Man the most consistent rapper in the South right now? Let us know in the comment section below.
(@nojumper)
