Exclusives

Rapper Big Yavo and Mayor Woodfin Declare Ceasefire to Combat Birmingham Gun Violence

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Rapper Big Yavo and Mayor Woodfin Declare Ceasefire to Combat Birmingham Gun Violence

Following a deadly night in Birmingham with five homicides in less than 24 hours, hip hop standout Big Yavo and Mayor Randall Woodfin have declared a ceasefire to combat gun violence. The grassroots campaign involves local events, rallies, and collaboration with activists and organizations to promote peace.

Both Mayor Woodfin and Big Yavo have personal ties to the issue, with Woodfin having lost two cousins and his brother to gun violence, and Big Yavo experiencing similar losses. They aim to break the cycle of violence and create a safer environment for Birmingham’s youth. The campaign seeks to unite the community and raise awareness to make a lasting impact.

The post Rapper Big Yavo and Mayor Woodfin Declare Ceasefire to Combat Birmingham Gun Violence first appeared on The Source.

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Charles Barkley Shames NBA Owners and Commissioner for Choosing ‘Money Over the Fans’ in New Media Rights Deal

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The NBA has declined Warner Bros. Discovery’s last-minute attempt to retain some of the league’s broadcast rights, but Charles Barkley isn’t feeling it. Barkley is a member of Inside the NBA, the most popular show in sports, which would be nixed as the league moves on.

According to an official statement, the NBA found that WBD’s proposal “did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer.” Consequently, the league has finalized a long-term agreement with Amazon, Disney, and NBCUniversal for its broadcast rights.

Following the announcement, Charles Barkley released a statement:

“Clearly the NBA has wanted to break up with us from the beginning. I’m not sure TNT ever had a chance. TNT matched the money, but the league knows Amazon and these tech companies are the only ones willing to pay for the rights when they double in the future. The NBA didn’t want to piss them off.

“It’s a sad day when owners and commissioners choose money over the fans. It just sucks.

“I just want to thank everyone who has been at Turner for the last 24 years. They are the best people and the most talent and they deserve better. I also want to thank the NBA and its fans — the best fans in sports. We’re going to give you everything we have next season.”

– Charles Barkley

Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT will continue to hold the rights through the 2024-25 season under the current contract. In response to the NBA’s decision, Warner Bros. released a statement on Wednesday, expressing its intent to take “appropriate action” after accusing the NBA of “grossly misinterpreting” its contract rights.

This move marks a significant shift in the NBA’s broadcast landscape, positioning Amazon as a key player alongside established networks Disney and NBCUniversal. Warner Bros. Discovery faces the challenge of addressing the league’s interpretation of its contract.

The post Charles Barkley Shames NBA Owners and Commissioner for Choosing ‘Money Over the Fans’ in New Media Rights Deal first appeared on The Source.

The post Charles Barkley Shames NBA Owners and Commissioner for Choosing ‘Money Over the Fans’ in New Media Rights Deal appeared first on The Source.

WATCH: Snoop Dogg Carries Olympic Torch into Olympic Village Ahead of Opening Ceremony

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Snoop Dogg Carries Olympic Torch into Olympic Village Ahead of Opening Ceremon

Snoop Dogg does it all. Ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Snoop Dogg had the privilege of carrying the Olympic torch into the Olympic Village.

Snoop celebrated the moment on social media: “Did somethin today. 💯👊🏿🔥 #FollowTheDogg”

The post WATCH: Snoop Dogg Carries Olympic Torch into Olympic Village Ahead of Opening Ceremony first appeared on The Source.

The post WATCH: Snoop Dogg Carries Olympic Torch into Olympic Village Ahead of Opening Ceremony appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: 2 Live Crew Dropped Their Debut Album ‘2 Live Crew Is What We Are’ 38 Years Ago

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On this date in 1986, 305-based Hip Hop trio 2 Live Crew released their debut album 2 Live Crew Is What We Are on their independent imprint Luke Skyywalker Records.

This album serves as the main precursor to the legendary Miami bass sound as well as predicates almost all other modern, R-rated and X-rated Hip Hop music. Featuring lead MC Luther Campbell aka Luke Skyywalker, Brother Marquis and the late Fresh Kid Ice, the debut album from the nastiest group in the game had titles that made radio DJs cringe such as “Throw That D**k”, We Want Some P***y”, which both became popular anthems of Miami Hip Hop.

Salute to the iconic 2 Live Crew for their unprecedented contribution to Hip Hop music on this album and all those that followed. RIP to Chris Wong Won aka Fresh Kid Ice, who passed away earlier this month at age 53. The Crew is forever etched in their place in Hip-Hop history!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: 2 Live Crew Dropped Their Debut Album ‘2 Live Crew Is What We Are’ 38 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: 2 Live Crew Dropped Their Debut Album ‘2 Live Crew Is What We Are’ 38 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Dominates YouTube Charts

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Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Retakes No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100

Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us,” a diss track aimed at Drake, remains #1 on YouTube’s US Top Songs and ranks #3 on Global Top Songs. Boosted by a recently released video, the track garnered over 34.2 million global views during the charting period. Lamar’s song “Euphoria” is also at #45, and he ranks #2 on US Top Artists.

Just last week, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” surged back to the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Songs chart following the July 4 premiere of its official video. The track marks its second week at the top, after debuting at No. 1 nine weeks earlier.

The song, released under pgLang/Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope/ICLG, has solidified its place in pop culture, maintaining positions between Nos. 2 and 6 for eight weeks, including the last two at No. 3. Lamar achieves his first multi-week Hot 100 No. 1 as a solo artist, having previously led for a week in 2017 with “Humble.”

“Not Like Us” boasts 53.8 million official streams (up 20%), 40 million radio airplay audience impressions (up 9%), and 8,000 units sold (up 16%) in the U.S. from July 5-11. This marks the song’s fifth week with over 50 million weekly streams, a 2024 record.

In addition, the track ascends 2-1 on the Streaming Songs chart, 6-4 on Digital Song Sales, and reaches a new peak at 10-9 on Radio Songs.

The post Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Dominates YouTube Charts first appeared on The Source.

The post Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Dominates YouTube Charts appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Released ‘East 1999 Eternal’ 29 Years Ago

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Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, released their 2nd LP “East 1999 Eternal July 25, 1995, on Ruthless Records

Four months after the death of rapper/executive producer Eazy-E, Oleveland rap quartet Bone Thugs-N-Harmony released their 2nd studio album East 1999 Eternal. Today marks 20 years since the release of the HipHop classic. With songs like “Tha Crossroads” and “First of The Month”, the album became the group’s best-selling album, with over five million copies sold in the United States and ten million worldwide.

The melodic LP samples songs like “Make Me Say It Again Girl” by The Isley Brothers on “Tha Crossroads”; “Reasons” by Earth, Wind & Fire on “Budsmokers Only”; “I’d Rather Be With You” by Bootsy’s Rubber Band on “Mo Murda” and “I Will Follow Him” by Little Peggy March on “Me Killa”, making it an instant cult classic.

“Tha Crossroads”, dedicated to Easy E, is Bone’s Grammy Award–winning song, as well as one of the group’s most popular and biggest selling single to date; check it out above.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Released ‘East 1999 Eternal’ 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Bone Thugs-N-Harmony Released ‘East 1999 Eternal’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

NBA Leaves TNT Out of Finalized Broadcast Deal Starting in 2025-26 Season

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The NBA has declined Warner Bros. Discovery’s last-minute attempt to retain some of the league’s broadcast rights. According to an official statement, the NBA found that WBD’s proposal “did not match the terms of Amazon Prime Video’s offer.” Consequently, the league has finalized a long-term agreement with Amazon, Disney, and NBCUniversal for its broadcast rights.

Warner Bros. Discovery’s TNT will continue to hold the rights through the 2024-25 season under the current contract. In response to the NBA’s decision, Warner Bros. released a statement on Wednesday, expressing its intent to take “appropriate action” after accusing the NBA of “grossly misinterpreting” its contract rights.

This move marks a significant shift in the NBA’s broadcast landscape, positioning Amazon as a key player alongside established networks Disney and NBCUniversal. Warner Bros. Discovery faces the challenge of addressing the league’s interpretation of its contract.

The post NBA Leaves TNT Out of Finalized Broadcast Deal Starting in 2025-26 Season first appeared on The Source.

The post NBA Leaves TNT Out of Finalized Broadcast Deal Starting in 2025-26 Season appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Cormega Dropped His Classic Debut Album ‘The Realness’ 23 Years Ago

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One of the most intriguing and insightful full length album to drop during a time when mixtapes were at their apex was when Queensbridge legend Cormega released his first studio LP aptly titled The Realness in 2001 on the indie LandSpeed imprint.

With an array of multi-faceted producers such as Queensbridge cohort Havoc of Mobb Deep, DJ J-Love, Sha Money XL, The Alchemist and even Mega himself, this was the introduction into the life of the street legend that the Hip Hop world first heard about on Nas’ “One Love”. This album was also following Mega’s release from The Firm after getting only one chance to shine, which was on the epic “Affirmative Action” single alongside Foxy Brown, Nas and AZ. So The Realness served as a redemption of sorts after being dropped from Def Jam, showing not only did the label make a mistake dropping a stellar artist, but missing out on the unveiling of one of the best albums of 2001.

The 15-track hidden gem, which ironically is also one of the most slept on albums of 2001, contains a slew of classic, yet under the radar tracks that resonated with core fans of Queensbridge crime rhyme and beyond. Songs like “They Forced My Hand” featuring original Juice Crew member Tragedy Khadafi aka Intelligent Hoodlum, “Thun & Kicko” with the late Prodigy of Mobb Deep, his “5 For 40” a cappella, the classic “R U My Nigga”, his ode to Hip Hop “American Beauty”, “Killaz Theme”, a hidden track featuring Prodigy and Havoc and an entire vibe of “Realness” that could only be given to the people through Cormega’s unique perspective.

Salute to Mega for dropping this important piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Cormega Dropped His Classic Debut Album ‘The Realness’ 23 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Cormega Dropped His Classic Debut Album ‘The Realness’ 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Lupe Fiasco Announces ‘Samurai’ Tour Dates in Support of Latest Album

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Lupe Fiasco Announces 'Samurai' Tour Dates in Support of Latest Album

Lupe Fiasco is hitting the road this Fall with his Samurai Tour, promoting his highly praised album, which was released in June on the 1st and 15th.

The tour will commence on Oct.3rd at Terminal 5 in New York City and span 19 cities, culminating in Los Angeles at Novo on Nov. 24th.

Notable stops include Atlanta’s Variety Playhouse on Nov. 14th and a special homecoming show in Chicago at Salt Shed on Nov. 10th. Following the album’s critical success, the tour promises fans an opportunity to experience Fiasco’s new material live.

Tickets for the Samurai Tour will go on sale Friday, July 26th, at 10 a.m. local time, allowing fans to secure their spots early. The tour will showcase Fiasco’s dynamic live performance style, blending his latest work with fan favorites.

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“Samurai Tour” Dates:
10/3 – New York, NY (Terminal 5)
10/4 – Hartford, CT (The Webster)
10/5 – Philadelphia, PA (Union Transfer)
10/6 – Boston, MA (Royale)
10/10 – Columbus, OH (Columbus Athenaeum)
10/11 – Cleveland, OH (TempleLive Cleveland Masonic)
10/18 – Fort Collins, CO (Washington’s FoCo)
10/19 – Denver, CO (Summit)
10/24 – Solana Beach, CA (Belly Up)
10/25 – Ventura, CA (Ventura Music Hall)
10/26 – Pomona, CA (Fox Theater Pomona)
11/9 – St. Louis, MO (The Factory at The District)
11/10 – Chicago, IL (Salt Shed)
11/14 – Atlanta, GA (Variety Playhouse)
11/15 – Norfolk, VA (The NorVa)
11/16 – Washington, D.C. (The Howard Theatre)
11/21 – San Francisco, CA (The Warfield)
11/22 – Santa Cruz, CA (The Catalyst)
11/24 – Los Angeles, CA (The Novo)

The post Lupe Fiasco Announces ‘Samurai’ Tour Dates in Support of Latest Album first appeared on The Source.

The post Lupe Fiasco Announces ‘Samurai’ Tour Dates in Support of Latest Album appeared first on The Source.

Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Lamborghini and Bentley Sold for Over $260K at Auction

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Tekashi 6ix9ine’s paint-splattered cars have been officially sold. XXL notes the General Services Administration has sold the 2019 Lamborghini Urus and his 2017 Bentley Continental GT Speed after starting bids of $20,000.

The Urus sold for $175,043 after 30 bids, and the Continental GT sold for $85,500 after 16 bids.

The IRS visited Tekashi 6ix9ine just two days after Tax Day. While his home likely received a visit due to past issues, the timing is impeccable.

TMZ said the Palm Beach Sherrif’s Office pulled up on 6ix9ine in Lake Worth, Florida, to help the IRS agents who visited. The agents seized two of his paint-splattered cars, while reports state others were also taken.

This all went down while 6ix9ine was still reportedly in the Dominican Republic. According to his attorney, Lance Lazzaro, 6ix9ine and his team are “assessing the situation and will issue a statement at the appropriate time.”

In January, 6ix9ine’s latest mugshot hit the Internet after he was arrested abroad.

According to TMZ, the rainbow-haired rapper was arrested for domestic violence in the Dominican Republic.

6ix9ine was arrested on Wednesday by Santo Domingo officers involving his girlfriend, Yailin la Mas Viral. 6ix9ine is accused of “physical and psychological violence.” Now, the case is being investigated by the Department of General Violence.

Vailin is the same woman who was recently accused of assaulting the rapper. 6ix9ine is putting the assault from his girlfriend to the side, revealing in a new video that he loves her “with my whole life.”

“I swear that I would give my life for this woman,” 6ix9ine. “It doesn’t matter what she says, but I love her with my whole life. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Yailin was arrested after she assaulted and threatened the controversial rapper in videos. TMZ notes the incident happened on Dec. 14, and authorities responded after the woman hit the rapper and his Bently with a 2×4.

6ix9ine accused the woman of kicking her side view mirror on the Bentley and also breaking the windshield. The woman also pulled out his hair before he was taken away in handcuffs. The woman was arrested for aggravated battery, witness tampering, and felony criminal mischief.

The post Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Lamborghini and Bentley Sold for Over $260K at Auction first appeared on The Source.

The post Tekashi 6ix9ine’s Lamborghini and Bentley Sold for Over $260K at Auction appeared first on The Source.