california

10 Dead, 10 Injured In Monterey Park Mass Shooting During Lunar New Year Event, Gunman Dead

by
10 Dead, 10 Injured In Monterey Park Mass Shooting

Ten dead and ten were injured on Saturday night (January 22) in Monterey Park, California, following a mass shooting during a Lunar New Year’s Eve event, according to local authorities.

MORE: California Gov. Gavin Newsom Signs Bill Restricting the Use of Rap Lyrics in Court

The shooting occurred at 10:22PM at the Star Ballroom Dance Studio. The gunman erupted into gunfire inside the ballroom filled with festivalgoers. The celebration in Monterey Park is one of the largest Lunar New Year events in Southern California. This mass shooting, the deadliest in the nation since Uvalde

The wounded were taken to hospitals with conditions ranging from stable to critical. Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna commended civilians who disarmed the shooter during a press conference on Sunday (January 22). According to Luna, five women and five men died at the scene and the wounded victims were transported to local hospitals, their conditions ranging from stable to critical.

Following the shooting, the two days of festivities were planned but officials canceled Sunday’s events following the shooting. Other Lunar New Year events, including one at the USC Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena and another at the Citadel Outlets, were also canceled.

MORE: California Lawmakers Pass Rap Lyrics On Trial Bill, Awaiting Signature From Governor Newsom

A suspect was identified as Huu Can Tran, a 72-year-old man whose body was found inside a cargo van with self-inflected gunshot wounds following a standoff with police in Torrance, California, Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna said at a Sunday evening news conference.

Authorities say Tran also tried, but failed, to target a second dance hall later in the evening. Asian American public figures would send their prayers and condolences on social media to those affected by the mass shooting upon the breaking news.

On Sunday evening, President Biden ordered the U.S. flag to be flown at half-staff at the White House and other federal buildings until sunset Thursday as “a mark of respect for the victims of the senseless acts of violence,” per a White House statement.

The post 10 Dead, 10 Injured In Monterey Park Mass Shooting During Lunar New Year Event, Gunman Dead appeared first on The Source.

4L JAVI Kicks Off 2023 With New Song, “Models”

by

4L JAVI is fresh off of the most successful year of his career thus far in 2022. The California native effortlessly blends rapping and singing styles to create his own unique sound.

He is evidently looking to carry this momentum into 2023 with the release of his brand new single, “Models.” The track’s runtime is less than two minutes. However, JAVI really doesn’t need much time to demand your attention.

Throughout the song, the California native flexes the perks of his lifestyle, while simultaneously acknowledging his player ways. “This a close friends party, b*tches look like Barbies / I’m comin’ tardy off the ropes, Jeff Hardy / I’ve never been the same since the first time I heard you scream my name / Since the first time, I had to take the blame,” he sings in his first verse.

Just two weeks ago, he also made an appearance on UPROXX Sessions to perform his hit song, “Playboy.” Over the twinkling piano melody, he effortlessly flows with melodies and drops some fun references. “Making plays in this b*tch like Ricky Rubio / I was boxin’ the garage, just like Julio / Retail therapy, I don’t need a therapist / I guess it’s probably time, I’m actin’ arrogant,” he exclaims.

Last year, he dropped the 13-track Letters 2 U. With its arrival in June, it served as the perfect soundtrack for 2022’s summer vibes. The up-and-comer‘s debut mixtape, 4 L, is only three years old, officially arriving in July of 2019.

Make sure to stream 4L JAVI’s “Models” on either Spotify or SoundCloud down below. Comment your thoughts afterwards. Finally, stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest releases and updates.

Quotable Lyrics:

Bring your ID and lip gloss, get your ass on some TikTok
Cruisin’ down the back street, on the phone with Ashley
Models walkin’ past me, models in the backseat
Tilt my head while we leavin’, TLC vibes how we creepin’

EBK Young Joc & Big Sad 1900 Link Up For New Single, “Prada Steppin”

by

EBK Young Joc is quickly becoming one of the hottest rappers out of California. Hailing from Stockton, he’s undeniably the face of his hometown’s newly-emerging rap scene.

In August 2022, however, one of his closest collaborators, Young Slo-Be was tragically shot and killed at just 29. The pair were actively working together to put Stockton on the map. Slo-Be’s viral single, “I Love You” and the duo’s countless music videos with each other were allowing them to do just that.

Now, Young Joc is proudly carrying the torch. Last year, he dropped several singles, including “Need Love,” as well as his fifth mixtape, City Of God. He’s kicking off 2023 with “Prada Steppin,” a new collaboration with Big Sad 1900.

On the fiery new track, the pair of California natives exchange verses addressing their realities, vices and designer clothes. Young Joc kicks off the track, rapping “You know I’m in my bag, that is not a question / Bro be Louis kickin’, b*tch, I’m Prada steppin’ / Boss spent twenty on that chain, now he ain’t got a necklace.”

Big Sad follows suit accordingly. “Told the b*tch, give me money, I don’t need love / Told my family, y’all can let it be, I’m dyin’ with the thugs / Need to spend more time with my son, I’m out here doin’ drugs,” he spits explicitly.

Stream EBK Young Joc and Big Sad 1900’s “Prada Steppin” on either Spotify or SoundCloud below. Comment your thoughts on the track afterwards. Finally, make sure to stay tuned to HNHH for all of the latest releases.

Quotable Lyrics:

Think I’m addicted, can’t stop sippin’, fell in love with mud
Wockhardt, not no Tris, ’cause I’m a boss, n*gga
Bro gon’ up it, everytime he gettin’ off with it
Broke b*tch with no dough, but her thoughts bigger, now ain’t that some sh*t

[via]

California Becomes First U.S. State To Ban Using Rap Lyrics In Court

by

California has become the first state in the U.S. to ban lyrics from being used against rappers as evidence in court proceedings. The landmark law came into effect on Friday, when Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill to limit “creative content” from being held against artist or musicians in the state. It’s been a long and arduous fight for advocates against this practice, but recent legislation in New York points towards a brighter future along with this bill. Amid the YSL indictment that put Young Thug and Gunna behind bars in large part due to their lyrics, fans are probably grateful to see their outrage result in action from authorities.

Gavin Newsom, Governor of California – Monica Schipper/Getty Images

That New York bill did not completely ban the use of lyrics, though, and there’s a similar loophole in California’s bill: lyrics can be used but only if reviewed and deemed necessary for the verdict by the judge. Even with this caveat, AB 2799 (the Decriminalizing Artistic Expression Act) is a one-of-a-kind piece of legislation that takes unprecedented steps to protect rappers’ creative works. Governor Newsom signed the bill on a Zoom call with rappers E-40, Meek Mill, Killer Mike, YG, and more in attendance.

Reginald Byron Jones-Sawyer, who introduced the bill, expressed his belief that the DAE Act “will give judges needed guidance for evaluating whether a creative expression is admissible during a criminal trial and provides a framework which will ensure creative expression will not be used to trigger or reinforce stereotypes or activate racial bias.” Entertainment attorney Dina Polt was one of many to celebrate the achievement.

“This legislation sets up important guardrails that will help courts hold prosecutors accountable and prevent them from criminalizing Black and Brown artistic expression,” she stated. “Thank you, Gov. Newsom, for setting the standard. We hope Congress will pass similar legislation, as this is a nationwide problem.”

A similar bill was introduced in Congress last July, so rap lyrics might still have a chance for salvation at the federal level. For now, state laws are what stands between a rapper’s artistic expression and jail time, and California is setting an important precedent for the rest of the union.

[via]

California Governor Gavin Newsom To Sign Bill Protecting Creative Expression Of Rappers

by

Governor Gavin Newsom

California Governor Gavin Newsom will be signing a bill into law restricting the usage of rap lyrics as evidence by prosecutors. The law will also protect the creative expression of rappers. Protecting Creative Expression In Court California Governor Gavin Newsom will be signing a law bill that plans to restrict the usage of rap lyrics […]

The post California Governor Gavin Newsom To Sign Bill Protecting Creative Expression Of Rappers appeared first on SOHH.com.