chicago

R. Kelly Cases: Chicago Prosecutor Drops Sex Abuse Charges In State Case

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A Chicago prosecutor dropped charges of sexual abuse against R. Kelly. According to multiple reports, Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx said cost was a factor in dropping the ten charges. Moreover, she told reporters that these charges are unnecessary to pursue in the face of his current predicament.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 26: R&B singer R. Kelly leaves the Leighton Criminal Courts Building following a hearing on June 26, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. Prosecutors turned over to Kelly’s defense team a DVD that alleges to show Kelly having sex with an underage girl in the 1990s. Kelly has been charged with multiple sex crimes involving four women, three of whom were underage at the time of the alleged encounters.
(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Furthermore, she stated that her office believes “justice has been served against Kelly with those two convictions. Mr. Kelly is looking at the possibility of never walking out of prison again.” To continue, authorities scheduled the R&B singer to appear in court on Tuesday to drop the charges. Moreover, he faced charges of sexually abusing four people, of which three were minors.

However, this state case dates back to 2019, when Foxx said the incidents occurred between May of 1998 and January of 2010. Also, the 56-year-old faced three to seven years in prison for each charge.

Meanwhile, Foxx revealed that she consulted her decision to drop the charges with the women involved in the indictment. While she believes it might come off as a disappointment to some, she hoped they can understand many factors were at play.

“I know firsthand how difficult it is for you to tell your stories,” she expressed. “Four years ago, I stood at this podium and shared my story of having been a survivor and my full understanding of what it means to have to go before strangers to discuss what is arguably one of the most horrific experiences one could have. And these women, all of them Black, came forward, believing that they would be heard.”

Overall, Kelly’s currently serving a 30-year sentence after a New York conviction for racketeering and sex trafficking. In addition, authorities will sentence him in another federal case in Chicago later this month. What’s more is that this news follows the recent release of Surviving R. Kelly’s final installment.

Still, what do you think of the news that a Chicago prosecutor dropped her office’s charges against R. Kelly? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, come back to HNHH for the latest on this case.

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Kanye West, Common, & More Left Off Polarizing “Mt. Rushmore” Of Chicago

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A “Mt. Rushmore” of rappers from Chicago is going viral on Twitter for leaving off several legendary artists. Raphousetv2 shared the selections, including G Herbo, King Von, Chief Keef, and Lil Durk.

Among the most noteworthy names to be left off the list were Kanye West, Common, Lupe Fiasco, and many more.

LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 30: Vanguard Award winner Kanye West speaks onstage during the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on August 30, 2015 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

“You would need to do an older / newer generation Mt. Rushmore. Because no Ye, Common, Twista & Lupe is nuts,” Fakeshoredrive‘s Andrew Barber wrote in response. “Also people gotta stop acting like Chance doesn’t belong on this.”

Many echoed Barber’s sentiments, further arguing that the list is biased toward newer artists. Others suggested differing young artists such as the late Juice WRLD.

As for Kanye West’s lack of placement, some attributed it to his recent erratic behavior. He’s been coming under fire for constant antisemitic remarks and much more.

“I don’t care if Kanye says he wants to own slaves, we’re not gonna just dismiss his entire body of work,” one fan argued. “Side note: does G-Herbo even have a hit song???”

Despite controversies, Kanye is one of the most commercially successful artists in history. He’s won 22 Grammy Awards and had 75 nominations, tying Jay-Z for the most for any rapper ever.

Another user wrote: “Kanye, Juice WRLD, Lupe, Chance? Not saying that’s my 4 but I’m say these 4 did more for music itself being from Chicago than 3 people on this list has even done for Chicago music in general.”

Check out Raphousetv2’s “Mt. Rushmore” below as well as some of the responses.

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Trench Baby Taps Polo G For “Done It All Freestyle”

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Trench Baby is making his first single of the year a family affair as he prepares for a massive year ahead. The rapper came through with his latest offering featuring Polo G this week, “Done It All Freestyle.” The brotherly duo gets straight to the point on this one without offering a hook to tie it together.

Polo G kicks off the record with a blistering verse where he lays down the business. While he rips through his adversaries with vengeance, Polo G reminds everyone that he’s keeping his foot on the neck of the rap game. However, his verse sets up Trench Baby, who is undoubtedly on pace to have a big year ahead of him. The “Richest Gangbanger” rapper finally comes in on verse two, dishing out ominous threats to his enemies with a ferocious delivery. “He thought the switch would’ve turned him to God/ His soul was lost and now shit found,” he raps during his verse.

It feels like the latest offering from Trench Baby and Polo G is just the start of what they have in store this year. Trench Baby’s yet to release his debut project but he’s locked in collabs with artists like G Herbo. We certainly hope we’ll be hearing much more from him this year.

Polo G, on the other hand, came through with a string of singles throughout 2022. However, there hasn’t been an update on his follow-up to Hall Of Fame. He closed out 2022 with the release of “My All,” following October’s “Bag Talk.”

Make sure you check out Trench Baby’s latest collaboration with Polo G, “Done It All Freestyle.” Will Trench Baby have his breakout year in 2023? Let us know in the comments below.

Quotable Lyrics
Wooski will make shit scary, just one deep
We put the belt on the shelf like yo aunty
You think I’m cappin’? Well, lil n***a, come see
They undercover like 21 Jump Street

Chief Keef Celebrates 10 Years Of “Finally Rich” With Complete Edition

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Chief Keef stands as a legend in his own right following a decade-plus of relentless releases. Despite not necessarily reaching mainstream peaks as some of his contemporaries, he undeniably impacted hip-hop through the release of Finally Rich, his major label debut.

Sunday marks 10 years since the album was released. Days before reaching the milestone, Chief Keef unloaded the official complete edition of Finally Rich, equipped with seven unreleased songs including “Rider” featuring Wiz Khalifa. On the production side, Chief Keef’s Finally Rich (Complete Edition) includes contributions from Leeke Leek, Young Chop, and YG On Da Beat.

The groundbreaking debut from Chief Keef undoubtedly made a mark on the soundscape of hip-hop. The album soared to the top 5 on Billboard’s Top Hip-Hop & R&B album chart and the Top Rap Albums chart and later, earning platinum status. Largely crafted by Young Chop’s innovative production style, Chief Keef debut album further cemented his status as a juggernaut in hip-hop, paving the way for a new generation of rappers. Evidently, the past few years have showcased just how impactful Chief Keef’s debut album has been as cities across the world began launching their own variations of drill music.

In celebration of the landmark release, Chief Keef and Spotify teamed up to provide an exclusive performance in Brooklyn, NY, following the re-release of Finally Rich.

While fans could revisit the influential album, Chief Keef will also release Almighty So 2 in 2023. Keep your eyes peeled for that and check out the tracklist for Finally Rich (Complete Edition) below.

  1. Love Sosa
  2. Hallelujah
  3. I Don’t Like [feat. Lil Reese]
  4. No Tomorrow
  5. Hate Bein’ Sober [feat. 50 Cent & Wiz Khalifa]
  6. Kay Kay
  7. Laughin’ To The Bank
  8. Diamonds [feat. French Montana]
  9. Ballin’
  10. Understand Me [feat. JEEZY]
  11. 3Hunna (Remix) [feat. Rick Ross]
  12. Finally Rich
  13. Citgo
  14. Kobe
  15. Got Them Bands
  16. Bang Bang (Intro)*
  17. OB4L*
  18. Rider [feat. Wiz Khalifa]*
  19. Spread Da Word*
  20. Kush With Them Beans*
  21. It Ain’t My Fault*
  22. Squad*

Lil Zay Osama Brings The Melodic ‘Mmmhmmmm’ To ‘UPROXX Sessions’

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Lil Zay Osama started rapping when he was just eight years old, and over 15 years later, he’s a Southside Chicago favorite with a feature from Lil Durk on his most recent project. His debut album, 2019’s Hood Bible, put him on the map for departing from his city’s infamous drill sound, featuring more pop-leaning records like “Percocet Crazy.” Combined with a dedicated fanbase and viral YouTube videos under his belt, Lil Zay Osama isn’t a Chicago newcomer anymore. He’s here to stay.

Today, the Chi’s Lil Zay Osama brings his “pain music” to the bathroom stage with his single “Mmmhmmmm.” The track comes from his most recent mixtape, Trench Baby 3, which also featured the hit “F*ck My Cousin.” His performance is melodic but doesn’t compromise the grittiness of his hometown’s sound. The track’s chorus is inspirational and candid as Lil Zay raps about his successes and gives insight into his rules of the streets.

Watch Lil Zay Osama perform “Mmmhmmmm” for UPROXX Sessions above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

Lil Zay Osama is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.