Cassidy claims that he knows of people in the music industry who have “done worse things” than R. Kelly. “There’s a lot more n-ggas who ain’t in jail or on trial. And they done the same thing or way worse than R. Kelly,” the rapper claimed. “So we can’t just pick and choose who we want to be angry at. And if we want to be mad at everybody who done a crime? We may as well just turn off the music, take down the videos, shut down the streaming platforms,” he added.
There has been a rise in discussion about R. Kelly ever since Diddy and others were hit with a spate of lawsuits over the Thanksgiving week. Diddy led the way with three lawsuits. The third suit was filed on Thanksgiving, just hours before New York’s Adult Survivors Act expired. In the suit, the anonymous woman claims she went on a date with him in 1991 while attending Syracuse. However, she alleges that Diddy drugged her during dinner, before filming them while he raped her. Furthermore, she claims that she was later made aware that the video of the assault had been shown to and viewed by multiple people.
Meanwhile, Resurfaced photos of Diddy‘s full-back tattoo of the Haitian spirit Ezili Dantor have led to wild speculation online. Many have theorized that Diddy’s recent legal troubles are a result of angering the Vodou spirit, which represents the divinity of love but has also been likened to an “angry mother” by some anthropologists. Due to Diddy’s alleged victims being women and children, some believe that Ezili Dantor is working against the Bad Boy Records founder as a form of retribution.
Elsewhere, Columbus Short has claimed that he once received a late-night booty call from Diddy. According to the actor and choreographer, Diddy called him at “2, 2:30 in the morning”. Intially, the call was to express sadness at Short not being at the BET Awards. However, he allegedly continued to take things further, telling Short that he was staying at a nearby Hilton Hotel. However, when Short who else was over there, Diddy informed him he was alone.
Ice Cube says that music labels use “social engineering” to further encourage criminal behavior. The legendary N.W.A. rapper discussed the idea while speaking with Bill Maher for his Club Random podcast. Cube advised listeners to “follow the money” and pointed out that some owners of record labels also own prisons.
“Who benefits and profits off our bickering and division?” Ice Cube asked while discussing petty societal debates and division. “Follow the money.” From there, he admitted: “I don’t know their names Bill, but if you follow the money, you go high enough, you start to see.”
ONTARIO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 19: Rapper Ice Cube, founding member of Westside Connection and N.W.A, performs onstage during the High Hopes Concert Series produced by Bobby Dee Presents at Toyota Arena on November 19, 2022 in Ontario, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Cube then used the record industry as a “broad example of how people at the top can manipulate what’s going on with the people who are bickering and fighting.” He claimed that the “same people who own the [record labels] own the prisons,” while noting that “it seems really kind of suspicious, if you want to say that word, that the records that come out are really geared to push people towards that prison industry.”
Speaking with Bill Maher is just the latest of several public appearances Ice Cube has made in recent days to promote his BIG 3 basketball league. In another interview with The Breakfast Club, Cube claimed that he believes in the existence of the Illuminati. “I don’t know one, none of them, none of them tell me ‘Hey, I’m Illuminati,” Ice Cube said. “I don’t participate in none of that, so, I don’t know about it. Seem like its there, but who knows?”
Ice Cube Discusses Labels With Bill Maher
Elsewhere in the interview, Cube spoke about his lyricism, raising children, nepo babies, and whether the state of policing in America has improved in his lifetime. Check out the full discussion above.
YFN Lucci has been offered a plea deal by the DA, according to reports. The rumored deal would leave him spending 17 years behind bars if accepted. He’s charged with various crimes at the moment, including manslaughter, racketeering, six counts of aggravated assault, and more. He’s serving time now for RICO charges that follow a 2021 drive-by shooting. The incident led to the death of James Adams. Though Lucci is not believed to have killed Adams, per Georgia law he is being held responsible as an accomplice. The rapper was one of several other people charged in Atlanta as part of a major indictment.
In April, a clip of YFN Lucci appearing to pour lean in a jail cell hit the internet. Though it’s unconfirmed what he was pouring into the various bottles, social media users noted that if it was in fact lean, he’d be breaking some major rules.
In March, legal documents surfaced that appeared to reveal that YFN Lucci refused to testify against Young Thug and YSL in court despite their reported beef. Lucci was stabbed in jail in 2021, and authorities suggested that the people behind the attack were members of YSL. Young Thug and YSL are also facing their own RICO charges at the moment, and it was speculated that Lucci might choose to testify against them. “Lucci’s name ain’t this case. Lucci on the victim’s side. So Lucci telling,” Wack 100 said last year.
Reporter Goerge Chidi tweeted in February, “YFN Lucci’s trial was due to begin January 9, same as Young Thug’s.” “The YFN gang and RICO case is just as wide-ranging as the YSL case,” he claimed, “The two are connected; Lucci is a witness. But Lucci’s trial date has been postponed, his attorney said Tuesday. No new court date has been set.” He went on to write, “For clarification: Lucci is on the state’s witness list. That doesn’t mean he’s going to testify, but he could still be called.” Lucci’s attorney has denied rumors that he will appear as a witness in the YSL case.
Bobby Shmurda says that rap music has gotten too “dangerous” and that he doesn’t listen to it anymore. He explained that he feels music should be uplifting and not negative during a recent appearance on The Danza Project podcast.
“These kids are following you guys, and you’re rapping about these fucking lifestyles…and it’s very dangerous to the communities [because] these little kids [really] think that [it’s] going on, and you did not even live [any] [of] [it],” the rapper said. He also cited reggae as one of his favorite genres.
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 23: Bobby Shmurda performs onstage during Day 1 at Rolling Loud Miami. 2021 at Hard Rock Stadium on July 23. 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Jason Koerner/Getty Images)
He continued: “Rap is supposed to be telling motherfuckers to go from negative to positive, coming from poverty to go to riches…and how to stay in that and how to change. That’s the shit that I want to hear. I wanna hear about living life…” Shmurda famously served 6 years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess weapons and possession of a weapon for his involvement in the GS9 gang back in September 2016. In the time since his release, Shmurda’s dropped two projects: the mixtape, SHMURDAGOTCASH, and the EP, Bodboy. He’s also been teasing a debut studio album titled Ready To Live.
Shmurda’s The Danza Project appearance isn’t the first time that he has been vocal about violent lyrics in hip-hop. When he spoke with HNHH in 2022, Shmurda explained that rappers need to be more cautious with lyrics now being used against them in court. “When I came into the game I didn’t take the music industry serious,” Shmurda said at the time. “I didn’t even really know about the music industry. I didn’t even give a fuck about the music industry when I first came in the game, and then I see how powerful music was, and like how kids really react to it.”
Tsu Surf was one of the most respected battle rappers. The Newark-born performer was considered one of the kings of the scene. Furthermore, he had built up a loyal following, who loved him for his wordplay and unique stage presence. In recent years, he had also begun to add his voice to various mixtapes and collaborations. He was seen as an up-and-comer in mainstream spaces.
However, Surf gained a wider spotlight in 2022 when he engaged in a standoff with US Marshalls in New Jersey. Surf had been hit with RICO and firearms charges relating to his alleged involvement with the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips. The initially tense incident ended peacefully with Surf surrendering to law enforcement. At the time, Surf maintained his innocence on all charges.
According to the Department of Justice, Surf plead guilty to all charges in federal court on April 28. The charges against Surf included conspiracy of racketeering and unlawful possession of a firearm. Surf is scheduled to be sentenced on September 12. According to a statement released by the DoJ, Surf’s plea was related to charges dating back to 2015. “From 2015 through Sept. 22, 2022, Cox was a member of the Rollin’ 60s Neighborhood Crips, a criminal enterprise responsible for acts of violence and the distribution of controlled substances in New Jersey and elsewhere. Cox held a leadership role within the enterprise. On March 18, 2017, Cox shot a firearm at a gang rival. On July 24, 2019, in Essex County, New Jersey, Cox, a convicted felon, knowingly possessed two loaded firearms.”
Furthermore, the rapper could be looking at up to 30 years in federal prison for the charges. Conspiracy of racketeering carries a 20-year maximum sentence, while unlawful possession of a firearm carries a 10-year sentence. Additionally, both charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000. However, it is unknown as to whether Surf will see reduced jail time in exchange for pleading guilty. Surf had previously pled not guilty to the RICO charges. Elsewhere, podcast Joe Budden, who had previously defended Surf, has not yet made a statement about the newest update in the case. Make sure you check HotNewHipHop for all things crime and hip-hop.
On February 19th, 2020, Bashar Barakah Jackson, a.k.a Pop Smoke, a rising star in Brooklyn’s drill music scene, died via a gunshot wound. The murder occurred during a home invasion at a Los Angeles rental house. He was only 20 years old.
Prior to his death, Pop Smoke had released his second compilation album, Meet the Woo 2. This album debuted at number seven on the US Billboard 200, marking his first top-10 hit in the US.
What We Know About Pop Smoke’s Murder
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 30: Pop Smoke performs at the Soulfrito Music Festival at Barclays Center on August 30, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Arik Mazur/Getty Images)
According to prosecutors, on the day of Pop Smoke’s murder, Corey Walker and four others arrived at the house just after 4 a.m. When they got there, their goal was to locate luxury goods including a diamond-encrusted watch that Pop Smoke had flaunted on his social media pages. Allegedly, four of the five individuals entered the residence.
On July 9, 2020, the Los Angeles Police Department announced that they had apprehended five people in connection to the killing of Pop Smoke. Shortly after, prosecutors revealed that four of those suspects faced charges with the slaying. Corey Walker, who was 19 years old at the time, Keandre Rodgers, who was 18, and two minors, whose identities remain undisclosed due to their age, were among those charged. The police did not charge the fifth person taken into custody.
The Alleged Shooter Was Only 15 Years Old
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 16: Pop Smoke is wearing a Louis Vuitton look before the Louis Vuitton AW20 Men Show on January 16, 2020 in Paris, France. (Photo by Jeremy Moeller/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Police Department detective Carlos Camacho stated, as reported by the New York Daily News that the 15-year-old suspect delivered the fatal shot. Camacho further alleged that Walker confessed to having requested the rapper’s gold chain and watch before engaging in a confrontation with him.
According to prosecutors, the masked assailants confronted Pop Smoke in his upstairs bedroom while he took a shower. The 15-year-old suspect shot him after a struggle and allegedly kicked him as the rapper was on the floor. The robbers allegedly expressed gratitude when they believed Pop Smoke would comply, but he ultimately fought back. As a result, the robbers pistol-whipped him, and the 15-year-old fired, striking Pop Smoke in the chest. The source of these details was reportedly a recorded conversation with an alleged informant in May 2020.
Walker’s Alleged Confession
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: Pop Smoke performs at Olympia London on November 29, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Joseph Okpako/WireImage)
According to a report by The New York Daily News, Walker admitted his involvement in Pop Smoke’s death in a secret conversation with an informant in his jail cell. Despite pleading not guilty, Walker supposedly revealed that he and his accomplices wore ski masks and gloves.
They also utilized a police scanner to avoid detection during their robbery attempt. Law enforcement officials testified that all four suspects became aware of Pop Smoke’s location through his Instagram posts. Detective Frank Flores of the Los Angeles Police Department testified that surveillance footage shows Walker’s connection to Pop Smoke’s murder.
According to The New York Daily News, the video showed an Infinity vehicle transporting the suspects to the location of the crime. The license plate number belongs to Walker. The newspaper also reported that Walker was in the same vehicle at another time when police stopped it for an unrelated matter before the murder.
Walker’s Lawyer Files For Dismissal
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 06: Pop Smoke performs at the Pop Smoke Listening Party at Villain on February 06, 2020 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
In October 2021, Walker, who was 20 years old, appeared in a Los Angeles court while his defense lawyer, Christopher Darden. They submitted a motion to dismiss his charges of murder and robbery. Darden argued that Walker had explicitly expressed his disapproval of violence before the murder.
A filing submitted by Darden argued that Walker did not enter the house. It states that he was not armed and did not share the intent to murder. Darden stated that his client was only the driver of the vehicle and remained outside. Walker claimed that he knew that they brought a weapon but made it clear that it should not be used. Instead, he suggested using a flower vase if necessary. After the robbers exited the house, Walker learned of the shooting and subsequently assaulted the shooter.
Corey Walker, who is now 21 years old, was scheduled to begin trial on October 13, 2022, in a Los Angeles court. However, his defense attorney requested a postponement. The Superior Court Judge, Curtis B. Rappe, granted the request.. Walker will face life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted as charged. District Attorney’s office announced they would not seek the death penalty.
Suspect Pleads Guilty To Voluntary Manslaughter In Pop Smoke Murder
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Rapper Pop Smoke performs onstage during day 2 of the Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
One of four men charged with murder pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in April 2023. The individual was 17 years old at the time of the crime and also entered a guilty plea for home invasion robbery. As a result, the judge sentenced K to spend four years and two months in a juvenile facility. According to The Los Angeles Times, he did not receive any credit for time served at a juvenile detention center. A pretrial hearing begins on May 5 for the remaining defendants in the Pop Smoke murder.
Shanquella Robinson and her justice are now solely in the hands of the Mexican government. On Wednesday, the United States chose not pursue charges. This latest update is a devastating blow to the family. The young woman’s death was ruled a femicide by Mexican investigators. Sadly, no one has been held accountable.
After a months-long probe, the Department of Justice and the FBI have decided there is not enough evidence. The thriving hair and clothing entrepreneur was found dead in a luxury Cabo San Lucas villa. Her travel mates said she died of alcohol poisoning. However, an autopsy concluded her death was caused by a severe neck and spine injury.
Shanquella Robinson Was A Successful Businesswoman
Cell phone video shows Robinson being violently beaten by Daejhanae Jackson. In the disturbing clip that surfaced after her death, Robinson was nude and doesn’t fight back. In March, Robinson’s family and civil rights attorney Ben Crump went to Washington, D.C. While there, they pleaded with the government to intervene. Subsequently, an investigation was launched but the DOJ has now ruled they cannot do anything. “It is important to reassure the public that experienced federal agents and seasoned prosecutors extensively reviewed the available evidence and have concluded that federal charges cannot be pursued,” the agency said in a statement.
Moreover, aside from their initial lie, the group Robinson traveled with remains tightlipped. When Robinson became gravely ill, they did seek out a doctor. When the medical professional advised them to take Robinson to a hospital, they refused. She died shortly after. Afterward, the group was seen laughing. Additionally, they allegedly attended dinner knowing the young hair braider and boutique owner was deceased. The family says they have stopped speaking to them and refuse to reveal any key details. Family attorney Sue-Ann Robinson has been careful to avoid calling the group “friends” of the victim. She says only one of them was a friend. Let us know what you think of this latest update in the case, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates regarding this developing story.
Bob Lee founded CashApp while affiliated with Square (Block) as Chief Technology Officer. Lee had previously worked as a Google Engineer before joining Square to develop the Android app, originally “Square Cash.” Further irradiating his dossier is the fact that he helped WHO develop its app during the Covid-19 pandemic. He did awesome things in his lifetime, so his death aroused agonizing curiosity. What killed Lee was the very fear he had just escaped. He had relocated to Miami based on the increased crime and was only visiting San Francisco when someone stabbed him.
A surveillance video displayed bits of his pre-death struggle. The incident occurred early morning in the San Francisco’s Rincon Hill neighborhood. Following the stabbing, Lee was walking, injured, and bleeding along the street. The footage also showed him seeking help from a Toyota Camry owner by showing him his stab wounds. The person behind the wheel wasn’t helpful, leaving Lee to bleed out in the street.
Reports also revealed that Lee called 911 at 2:34 a.m. screaming, “Help, someone stabbed me!” In a police scanner audio, a dispatcher alerted responding officers, quoting Lee’s SOS. “He’s bleeding out,” she added. Upon arrival, the police found him in excruciating pain, suffering from two fatal wounds to the chest. They rushed him to San Francisco General Hospital, where he sadly passed away.
There are many questions flooding people’s minds about this unfortunate occurrence. People have expressed their condolences despite being paper-blank about the stabbing itself. Josh Goldbard, CEO of MobileCoin, highlighted his memory of Lee while confirming his death. He described him as a “dynamo,” “a force of nature,” and “the genuine article.” Rick Lee, the bereaved father, equally put out his brief eulogy, referring to his son as his “best friend.”
He wrote on Facebook: “Bob would give you the shirt off his back.” He recounted his late son’s touching worldview as adhering to a “strict no-judgment philosophy.” There’s no denying it: Bob Lee was a kind genius. Everyone who knew him personally acknowledged that, emphatically.
Bob Lee Gone: More Reactions
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – APRIL 7: Flowers and cards left as people paying tribute to Bob Lee near the Portside apartment building in San Francisco, California, United States on April 7, 2023. Bob Lee, the American technology entrepreneur who cofounded Cash App, the mobile payment service provider, was stabbed to death in the US city of San Francisco on Wednesday. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
San Francisco Mayor, London Breed, has referred to the painful death as a “horrible tragedy.” She also promised more details from the police following a thorough investigation. Not all could have been as close to the deceased as his father, but he certainly crossed note-worthy paths. “It’s so hard to believe he is gone,” Figma CEO Dylan Field tweeted. He recollected his sweet experience meeting Lee in 2006.
MMA fighter Jake Shields also called Bob Lee a “loyal friend” in a tweet that captured Elon Musk’s attention. “Many people I know have been severely assaulted,” Musk lamented. He went on to qualify crime in San Francisco as “horrific,” further tagging Brooke Jenkins, San Francisco District Attorney. Musk’s comment is congruous with sparked concerns about safety in the Bay Area.
Block phenom, Jack Dorsey, posted on Nostr: “Bob was instrumental to Square and Cash App,” bemoaning the “heartbreaking” death. On the more formal side of the ongoing sympathy, the SFPD chief has remarked on current investigations. He told CBS News that it was too early to determine whether it was a targeted or random attack accurately. He also indicated he was withholding some information due to ethical caution. He was confident his officers would come through on their assurance to solve the homicide.
What Does This Mean For FinTech?
If you become mayor, my companies will double their investment in San Francisco.
Such an incredible city has been used & abused by management for too long!
The tragic death of Bob Lee has gone beyond further exposing San Francisco’s crime surge. It has put MobileCoin Inc. in the spotlight. Before the news, the Frisco-based startup was relatively unknown. The last thing MobileCoin needed was sudden attention in addition to mourning one of its best brains. Undoubtedly, the tech world as a universal set is united in grief. We should, however, be concerned about the subsequent stand of the private-crypto trend. Will Bob Lee’s successor be able to follow in his mature and anodyne footsteps? We might not know it yet, but the deceased tech giant could have been FinTech’s shield card.
Leon “RoccStar” Youngblood Jr. has made a name for himself by producing some of Chris Brown‘s biggest hits. The producer has worked with the rapper since 2014. He has also gained a following due to his appearance on the reality show Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood. Moreover, he guest-starred on Basketball Wives. He is a platinum-selling producer who has a lot of clout and respect from the music community.
However, he is in the news for a completely different reason. A recent incident at his California home saw the 33-year-old take his safety, and justice, into his own hands. TMZ broke the story on April 11 about the reportedly April 10 incident in Chatsworth. Chatsworth is located northwest of Los Angeles. It is also the home of the famed Iverson Movie Ranch.
RoccStar Did What He Had To Do
Producer Leon “Roccstar” Youngblood Jr. of “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood” fame recently stopped a man creeping on his roof, and made HIM freeze until the cops came … this according to law enforcement. https://t.co/GGsrpf4JsT
First reported by TMZ, RoccStar was awoken early on Monday morning by his home alarm. According to RoccStar, the system warned him that someone was on the roof of his garage. According to TMZ‘s source, RoccStar was armed with a firearm when he confronted the individual. After ordering the man to come down, an altercation broke out between the two men. After overpowering the trespasser, RoccStar and a member of his gated community’s security held the man until the police arrived. According to available data, Chatsworth, where RoccStar’s home is located, has a crime rate of 24.15 per 1000 residents. However, that relative safety will mean nothing to RoccStar after Monday’s incident.
The suspect was taken to the hospital and treated for minor injuries before being detained on attempted burglary, vandalism, and possession of burglary tools. However, RoccStar is yet to release a public statement about the incident. Despite this, it is safe to say that RoccStar is not the person to mess with. Or in this case, not the person whose garage roof you should be climbing on. The suspect, now in custody, should count himself lucky that RoccStar showed composure and restraint during the incident. If he releases a statement, RoccStar’s account of what happened may shed more light on the situation.
It’s been well over three years since Vallejo, Calif. rap artist Lul G was arrested for murder. The former SOB x RBE member was charged in the death of 26-year-old Rashied Flowers, killed on July 24, 2019. The Bay Area rapper pleaded no contest in a court appearance yesterday (March 2), and is expected to receive a 21-year sentence at his next hearing. XXL spoke to his attorney, Deputy Public Defender Max Fuentes, who expounded further on the impending sentence today (March 3).
“It is accurate that Mr. Harris plead [no contest] to voluntary manslaughter and will be serving 21 years in prison in relation to the 2019 shooting death of Mr. Flowers,” Fuentes relays. “All I can say at this point is that [Deputy Public Defender] Ms. Tanasa and myself feel honored to be representing Mr. Harris, as well as fortunate to have secured this plea deal on his behalf.” Lul G—real name George Harris—admitted he used his own gun during the murder in California’s Solano County Superior Court, which helped to lessen the rapper’s time in prison. He will be formally sentenced on May 22, 2023.
LONG BEACH, CA – APRIL 28: Rapper Lul G of the hip hop group SOB x RBE performs onstage during the Smokers Club Festival at The Queen Mary on April 28, 2018 in Long Beach, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
Lul G, found commercial success in 2018 after the release of SOB x RBE’s debut project, Gangin’. A couple of weeks prior, the previously convicted felon appeared on Black Panther’s feature-heavy soundtrack alongside Kendrick Lamar. Lul G has one of the more memorable verses on “Paramedic” as K. Dot weaves in and out on assist. Fans immediately ran to social media in light of Fuentes’ statement. One saddened user tweeted how SOB x RBE “had the opportunity to be great.” Many others shared the sentiment today on his last Instagram post, dated September 9, 2019.
The boisterous “Popped Up” rhymer was arrested in Nevada and subsequently charged with the murder in September 2019. Lul G, who shot and killed Flowers inside a Fairfield, Calif. residence, went on to plead not guilty. At this time, SOB x RBE released Strictly Only Brothers, with no mention of their former member. The remaining SOB artists in the crew include DaBoii, Yhung T.O, and Slimmy B.
