After stops in New York, London, and Milan, it’s finally time for Paris Fashion Week, which arguably brings out some of the best celebrity street style of the season. As per usual there was an exciting roster of famous guests at each presentation. In particular, YSL and one of their front-row attendees, Coi Leray, have already caught our attention. On Tuesday (September 26), the Boston-born baddie’s Instagram feed began filling up with commemorative photos and videos from her time in the City of Love.
She was definitely still showing some skin, but Leray’s look of choice was notably less revealing than other styles she’s donned recently. The 26-year-old paired her little black halter-neck dress with a pair of leather thigh-high boots in the same colour. Seeing as the seasons have transitioned from summer to fall, she kept her petite frame warm under a large puffer jacket before completing the look with sunglasses.
Not long after the above video arrived on her IG page, Leray returned with a selection of photos taken on her big day out. She posed with fellow nepo baby Tracee Ellis Ross and snapped candid photos in front of a massive YSL sign.
Seeing as events in Paris are still ongoing, it’s likely we’ll see the COI artist stepping out in more designer duds. Prior to her appearance in Europe, she was on stage in Australia, where the crowd couldn’t get enough of her vivacious personality.
Coi Leray is a more recent celebrity favourite at Fashion Week shows, but Tracee Ellis Ross is a seasoned pro by this point. She and the “Players” hitmaker looked perfectly on-brand for the YSL presentation in their suave black outfits. Which of the two do you think was better dressed? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.
Coi Leray simply has fun on social media, and if her twerking videos didn’t make that clear, then how about risking a fracture and laughing it off? Moreover, she recently uploaded a clip dancing and jumping around, and of course she had to throw it back throughout. The Massachusetts rapper ran around a living room to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s new track “Bongos,” often diving into the sofa, standing on top of a table, or laying across either. At one point in the video, she throws her head back while resting on the table, and then looks up with a surprised and amused expression on her face with a yelp. “Lmaooooo almost broke my damn neck,” the COI MC wrote as the clip’s caption.
Despite the trolls that go at her online over videos like these, it’s clear that she’s made a strong mark in the industry among her peers. For some, it’s because of her free-spirited and raunchy presence. However, others look past that, only seeing her as the artist she is. For example, none other than Beyoncé sent her a bouquet of white flowers with a special message.
“I’m a fan of yours and I love watching you grow,” Queen Bey wrote in a note attached to the arrangement. “You’re a very talented young lady. Love, Beyonce.” Naturally, the 26-year-old commemorated this on social media, as many fans of the Texas legend would. “The queen has spoken,” Coi Leray captioned pictures of the flowers and letter. “Thank you for inspiring all of us not only with your music but just how you carry yourself with such grace.”
Meanwhile, her lewd fashion looks, high-energy tracks, and a tendency to always be dancing cement Coi as a vibrant femcee. We can only hope that the best is yet to come from her, as she hasn’t gotten the respect she deserves from fans or industry figures alike. Despite all that, the fun prevails, and hopefully she keeps a neck brace in handy for when she wants to really wild out. With that in mind, keep checking in with HNHH for the latest news and updates on Coi Leray.
As hip hop celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, the next generation is shaping the genre’s future. Many hip hop artists have seen their children grow up and follow in their footsteps by sliding into the music industry. Today, we will look at seven rappers with famous parents. Many have taken direct inspiration from their parents, while others have carved out their own lane and are building names for themselves. While trying to make it as a musician with a famous parent can be challenging, some have found their own identity or have embraced their family lineage. We have even seen celebrities work with their children on songs, resulting in full-circle bonding moments. Take a look at the list of these familial relationships below.
Jaden
The Smiths are one of pop culture’s most famous families. Son of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, Jaden has followed in his father’s footsteps of not only becoming a hip hop artist but also being a jack of all trades in entertainment. Jaden Smith started acting at a young age but soon set his goals towards becoming a rapper. He notably featured on Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never” from the soundtrack of The Karate Kid, which Smith starred in. He then began releasing independent mixtapes, eventually signing with Roc Nation while building his MSFTSrep label and clothing line.
Jaden has released three studio albums, including SYRE and ERYS, which mirror each other conceptually. He has worked with notable artists, including Childish Gambino, Logic, A$AP Rocky, and Kid Cudi. Jaden has also toured with the likes of Tyler, The Creator, J. Cole, Post Malone, and Justin Bieber. Additionally, he has toured and collaborated with his sister, Willow Smith, who has also been a multifaceted singer, songwriter, and actress from a young age. Further, Jaden once brought his father on stage during a 2018 performance.
Coi Leray
As one of the biggest hip hop stars to emerge in recent memory, Coi Leray has carved out a lane for herself in the scene. Her father is Benzino, the media executive, rapper, and producer known for co-owning The Source magazine and beefing with Eminem. Leray started to make waves in hip hop in 2021, the same year she landed a spot on the annual XXL Freshman Class. Since then, she released her debut album, Trendsetter, in 2022, and more recently, 2023’s Coi. The Hackensack, New Jersey rapper has released many viral hit songs, including this year’s No. 1 rap hit, “Players,” which is nominated for multiple BET Hip Hop Awards. She has certainly built herself a successful career like Benzino, who recently expressed feelings of being a proud dad after watching her perform.
King Combs
King Combs has taken after his father, Diddy, in his rap career. He notably emulates the “Shiny Suit Era” of the late 1990s and early 2000s of which his father was a trailblazer. Additionally, King Combs is continuing to carry on Diddy’s legacy as he has sampled and reworked beats from the Bad Boy Records catalog. Most notably, his song “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” utilizes the same sample as Lil Kim’s “Crush on You.” Combs recently performed a medley of greatest hits at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards alongside his father, who received the annual Global Icon Award. So far in his career, Combs has worked with Chris Brown, Kodak Black on the aforementioned “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop,” and Teyana Taylor on the Mase-sampling “How You Want It?”
Chris Rivers
While Big Pun unfortunately passed away at the young age of 28, his son has taken after him, honoring his legacy. Named after his father, Chris Rivers has remained consistent in the underground scene. His music consists of sharp lyricism and complex rhyme schemes, much like that of Big Pun. He mirrors his father’s style to the point where he was originally known as Baby Pun. A respected lyricist, Chris Rivers has worked with the likes of Termanology, R.A. The Rugged Man, Vinnie Paz, Ghostface Killah, and Joell Ortiz. Additionally, he started his career in a rap group with one of Benzino’s other children, Ray Ray.
Son of Rev-Run, Diggy Simmons began his entertainment career as a rapper. He started releasing mixtapes at an early age, landing him a spot on the 2011 XXL Freshman Class alongside Kendrick Lamar, Mac Miller, Meek Mill, Big K.R.I.T., and more. Diggy also appeared on the reality show Run’s House with his famous family. Simmons’s major label debut album, 2012’s Unexpected Arrival, included the hit single “Do It Like You” featuring Jeremih. He was also a member of the briefly active All City Chess Club, a hip hop supergroup consisting of J. Cole, Pharrell, Lupe Fiasco, Wale, Blu, B.o.B, and many others. Diggy has since focused on acting, as he currently stars in the TV series, Grown-ish. His last album, Lighten Up, was released in 2018.
Lil Tracy
Both of Lil Tracy’s famous parents have been members of well-known music groups. His father is Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets and Shabazz Palaces, and his mother is Cheryl “Coko” Gamble from SWV. It appears that music runs in the family, as Lil Tracy has been establishing his own rap career for a while. Known for his emo rap sound, he gained traction in the “Soundcloud rap” era. The New Jersey native got his start when he collaborated with Lil Peep before his unfortunate passing in 2017.
Trey Budden
Joe Budden’s eldest son has taken after his former love of rapping. Releasing music under his government name like his father, Trey Budden’s knack for lyricism follows the footsteps of the rapper-turned-podcaster. In 2018, he released a song expressing frustrations toward his father while rapping over the instrumental for his track, “Love For You.” Joe knew about the diss prior to its release and reacted to the song live on his podcast, making for an entertaining lyrical breakdown. Trey and his father appear to have maintained a close relationship, based on when he called into the Joe Budden Podcast and reacted to posts on social media. He continues to release music independently.
Coi Leray has been doing her thing, and Beyoncé has noticed. Sending flowers and a message to Leray, Beyoncé celebrated the work she had been putting in.
“I’m a fan of yours and I love watching you grow,” Beyoncé wrote. “You’re a very talented young lady. Love, Beyoncé.”
Sharing the message on Instagram, Leray wrote: “The queen has spoken .. Thank you for inspiring all of us not only with music but just how you carry yourself with such grace.”
The 2023 VMAs took place on Tuesday night September 12, and featured a mix of memorable moments and missed opportunities. The legendary Nicki Minaj hosted the event, bringing her trademark wit and sass to the stage. However, some moments left viewers questioning the show’s choices: Nicki’s Shady Moments One of the standout moments was when […]
Celebrities have nearly always fallen victim to criticism and teasing, but thanks to social media, it’s easier for strangers to hate on them than ever before. Some entertainers face far more backlash than others, often for reasons unbeknownst to them. One female rap star who’s had a particularly hard time in recent years is Coi Leray. From people constantly commenting on her petite body, often comparing it to her curvy contemporaries, to hip-hop heads shading her over her first week sales numbers, the drama has been endless for the Boston native.
Regardless, she continues to hold her head high and has even expertly clapped back at those trying to bring her down in the past. However, just because Leray knows how to defend herself doesn’t mean she always wants to. Instead, it’s sometimes easier for her to delete posts that are causing a stir. The multi-talent did just this earlier this week after social media sleuths accused her of using photos taken with Ice Spice at New York Fashion Week to boost her own interaction.
The snapshot that caused so much trouble isn’t NSFW in nature at all, it simply shows the “Deli” artist looking off to the side, with Diplo sitting between her and Leray. Because of Spice’s body language, some were quick to assume that the New Yorker was acting shady toward her fellow artist. “Lmaooooo it’s the way Ice Spice been ignoring Coi Leray for me ,” one person tweeted. “She posted Doja, liked many posts about her, but stays silent when it comes to Coi Cry Baby Leray .”
Another superstar who was spotted in the mix at this season’s New York Fashion Week is Central Cee. The UK-born rhymer posed for photos with some of our favourite recording artists, including Doja Cat and Ice Spice. Take a look at those by clicking the link below, and check back in later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
There’s been a recent demand among music lovers for women in the industry to stop sexualizing themselves in hopes of increasing sales. Of course, using sex to sell has long been a top marketing tactic, so we likely won’t see a decrease in twerking videos or thirst traps anytime soon. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s new “Bongos” single has plenty of other artists throwing it back for Instagram, and the ongoing New York Fashion Week events have seen some serious skin showing from more than one rap diva. Coi Leray has become a staple at runway events in recent years, and this season is no exception.
We’ve seen the Boston-born baddie sitting front row at presentations put together by renowned designers, for all of which she wore creative (albeit revealing) outfits. One of the “Anxiety” artist’s most noteworthy looks of the week so far was for the Jean Paul Gaultier x KNWLS collaboration party, put together by SSENSE. It was a star-studded event, with Ice Spice, Doja Cat, Doechii, NLE Choppa, and many others also stepping out.
Leray has been loving all-black ensembles lately. While most of her legs and upper half were covered, the fabric was sheer. The only parts of the fashionista shielded from our eyes were her thong-cut underwear and the skin beneath her chunky black knee-high boots. As always, the rising star looked completely comfortable at the event, turning up and twerking with other artists while celebrating the new joint effort.
It’s not unusual to see nearly all of our favourite celebrities stepping out for fashion week, but there have definitely been some unusual pairings making headlines this season. Kylie Jenner is completely refreshing the circle of company she keeps around her, attending various events with her new man, Timothee Chalamet, and her former best friend, Jordyn Woods. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s personal motto is: When they go low, we go high. That might work for her, but in the world of hip-hop, where feuding proves to be lucrative, turning the other cheek will never fly. Rappers Latto and Coi Leray’s bubbling beef is just one example of this.
What was thought to be a squashed feud has gotten even messier thanks to a new development: They got their parents involved. They each mentioned the other’s bodies in their respective songs, “Put It On Da Floor” (Latto) and “Isabel Marant” (Coi Leroy), which led fans to believe their beef was at an end. However, Latto’s recent verse on Young Nudy’s “Peaches & Eggplant (Remix)” has kicked things into overdrive.
“He wanna know if it’s real or it’s fake / I got a peach on the back like a plate / I got him eatin’ my booty on tape / I might expose him like 1090 Jake / He don’t eat pussy, he gots to go / Give me that neck like Benzino / Give me that neck like, ‘Where it go?’/One thumb in my bootyhole,” rapped Latto.
Well, Coi didn’t take kindly to Latto’s joke about her father Benzino’s neck. Shortly after, she took to her X (formerly Twitter) page to request the help of her followers. “Someone find me a pic of Karen,” wrote Coi, seemingly referring to Latto’s Caucasian mother.
On Saturday, September 8, Coi shared her father’s response to the lyrical jab. In a text message exchange with Coi, Benizo wrote, “She admires you. They all do. Just stay focused,” adding, “I got the most famous neck on Earth.”
Busta Rhymes and Coi Leray already demonstrated impressive lyrical chemistry when he remixed her hit single “Players.” But that chemistry is even more advanced on “Luxury Life,” where the two rappers trade dynamic back-and-forth rhymes over a sample of The Whole Darn Family’s “Seven Minutes Of Funk.” In fact, it’s the very sample from Jay-Z’s second Reasonable Doubt single “Ain’t No N****” with Foxy Brown, which used a similar rhyme scheme. Busta and Coi even sing the hook in the same style, which was originally lifted from the Four Tops’ “Ain’t No Woman (Like The One I’ve Got).”
The video is similarly an ode to the ’90s, with Busta and Coi sticking up a diner in a visual homage to Pulp Fiction (a scene that gets referenced quite a lot in hip-hop, such as in Sleepy Brown and Outkast’s “I Can’t Wait” video), then battling it out in a dojo with references to The Matrix. There’s also a pull of Bruce Lee and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s fight scene from Game Of Death. Busta loves his movies, it’s nice to see him keep that trend going while passing the torch to the next generation.
So far, Busta’s last two videos have featured BIA (“Beach Ball“) and Coi Leray… can we get a Rah Digga reunion, too??
Watch Busta Rhymes’ “Luxury Life” video featuring Coi Leray above.
