Exclusives

Happy 44th Birthday To The “King Of The South” T.I.!

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T.I. Sued for Reportedly Fooling Investors Through Cryptocurrency

Happy born day to Mr.Clifford Harris Jr. aka T.I.!

Throughout the years, T.I. has become one of the most relevant forces in hip-hop. Besides his music career, T.I. is an actor, spokesperson for the AKOO clothing, and the leader of Hustle Gang, which includes Iggy Azealia, B.O.B, Young Dro, and more.

Today, we celebrate Tip’s 44th birthday by showcasing jams that highlights his growth as an artist.

Fuck Da City Up Feat. Young Jeezy
If T.I. wanted to, his mixtape game would be a lot more extensive. The title track of his first mixtape Fuck Da City Up was finally able to breathe, even if it was an online release. But since the tapes are beneath him, you got to appreciate when he makes a collabo with Young Jeezy pop off.

Rubberband Man
Before he was the kang, Tip was known as the “Rubber Band Man.” The hit put T.I. on the map around the country. It was one of the few tracks that initiated Grand Hustle into the game.

U Don’t Know Me
Mr. Harris kept his head in the game. Though there were a few signature hits to come off Urban Legendz, “You Don’t Know Me” went hard and made room for tracks like “ASAP” and “Motivation” to gain heavy momentum amongst the masses.

What You Know
The Kang of the South put himself on hip-hop’s pedestal with his smash single “What You Know.” The Southern anthem highlighted his King album and was on repeat in every major hip-hip radio station in the country.

Big Shit Poppin (Do It)
T.I. wanted to showcase his battle against himself for his fifth album T.I. vs. TIP. “Big Shit Poppin (Do It)” hit the Billboard Top 100 chart at #9, eventually obtaining certified gold.

Live Your Life Feat. Rihanna
Paper Trails put T.I. at a plateau with the success of the hit single “Live Your Life” with Roc Nation’s Rihanna. The memorable O-Zone sample created an international buzz that had new fans copping the album just the hear the Tip and RiRi collaboration.

Welcome To The World Feat. Kanye West & Kid Cudi
His film ‘Takers’ with Michael Ealy and Paul Walker hit theatres yet he still made the effort to release his sixth studio album, No Mercy. Though his single “I’m Back” sparked some hype, his collaboration with G.O.O.D Music soldiers Kanye West and Kid Cudi remains one of the highlights of the album.

Pimp Feat. Pimp C & Too $hort
For a mixtape, Fuck Da City Up featured work from huge names in the game like Dr. Dre, Hit-Boy and Young Jeezy. Too $hort spit along with an appearance by Pimp C in their collaboration “Pimp.”

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Reasonable Doubt: City of New York Calls Out Jay-Z’s Attempts to Devalue Damon Dash’s Share of Roc-A-Fella Prior to Auction

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The New York City Department of Social Services (NYCDSS) has called out Jay-Z in a federal court filing, accusing him of making “false” claims that have “poisoned” the upcoming auction of Damon Dash’s one-third share of Roc-A-Fella Records, which Dash planned to pay his substantial debts, including unpaid child support to two women.

In 1994, Roc-A-Fella Records was founded by Jay-Z, Damon Dash, and Kareem “Biggs” Burke.  With an $823,000 judgment against him in federal court and $ 145,096 in unpaid child support, and an unpaid New York state tax bill of $8.7 million, Dash recently announced that he would auction off his one-third share in Roc-A-Fella.  Although the auction is being held as part of the federal court proceeding, NYCDSS has priority to recover the unpaid child support amounts.  Roc-A-Fella’s primary asset is Jay-Z’s album “Reasonable Doubt,” other entities now own the rest of the music initially released by Roc-A-Fella and not part of this dispute.  

Jay-Z and Burke previously sought to derail the auction by intervening in the federal lawsuit and attempting to block the auction by arguing that changes to Roc-A-Fella Inc.’s bylaws required their approval of any sale.  The court rejected their arguments, ruling that the changes to the bylaws were unenforceable because they had been made without Dash’s input and suggesting that Jay-Z and Burke participate in the auction and place their own bid.  

Thereafter, Jay-Z made public statements claiming that he personally has a “termination right” under copyright law to take back ownership of the copyright in the album in seven years, so any purchaser’s rights would be strictly limited to that period.

On September 20, counsel for NYCDSS filed a motion in the federal court proceeding, writing that:  

Jay-Z’s statements to the press have poisoned the environment for the auction.  He has claimed that he has a termination right under the Copyright Act and that the rights to Reasonable Doubt will revert to him in six years. In fact, he has no such termination right and [Roc-A-Fella] is entitled to the renewal term, which is now 67 years, meaning it will own the copyright rights until the year 2098. In other words, the highest possible auction price could be more than ten times higher than is likely now, given Jay-Z’s and [Roc-A-Fella’s] actions. 

The motion further characterized Jay-Z’s statements as “false and extremely damaging to the City’s interests in ensuring that the auction will generate sufficient funds to satisfy all existing child support arrearages and secure future child support payments.”  NYCDSS attached to its motion a copy of Jay-Z’s 1995 recording agreement, pointing to language that it claims to expressly contradict his claim of a “termination right” under copyright law. 

NYCDSS’s motion seeks a court order staying the auction until the Court issues a ruling on whether Jay-Z possesses any termination right and ordering Roc-A-Fella to provide royalty records for the “Reasonable Doubt” album and to produce a witness for a deposition. The City of New York appears to have had enough of Jay-Z’s campaign to devalue Dash’s share of Roc-A-Fella before the auction, at the expense of all those to whom Dash owes money, including the mothers of his children, the plaintiff in the federal lawsuit, and the beneficiaries of Dash’s many millions owed in tax revenues.

The full court filing can be read here.

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Today in Hip Hop History: Redman Dropped Debut ‘Whut? Thee Album’ 32 Years Ago

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On this date in 1992, Brick City, NJ’s own Reggie “Redman” Noble, dropped his debut solo release Whut? Thee Album on the Def Jam imprint.

Produced primarily by the legendary EPMD’s Erick Sermon, Whut? introduced the world to Redman, the newest recruit to the supergroup The Hit Squad. The fans wanted more from what they got from the Newark native on “Hardcore” from EPMD’s ‘Business Never Personal’ album, where Redman was first heard by Erick and Parrish fans, making them Redman fans by default.

Tracks that propelled the album’s success include singles such as the visual accompanying “Time 4 Sum Aksion”, “Tonight’s TDa Night,” the weed-rolling anthem “How To Roll A Blunt,” and the beginning of the ever-evolving saga of “The Sooper man Lover.” This four-and-a-half mic album was certified gold by the RIAA in less than a year and certified official by the streets upon its release.

Big shouts to Redman and Erick Sermon for making the Funk Doctor Spock’s first project a certified Hip Hop classic!

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Craig Mack’s Debut Album ‘Project: Funk Da World’ Turns 30 Years Old!

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On this day in Hip-Hop history, Craig Mack released Bad Boy’s second LP as a label Project: Funk Da World. This successful debut introduced Craig Mack as one of Bad Boy’s original artists alongside The Notorious B.I.G., 112, Faith Evans and Total.

Unlike like Bad Boy’s debut, Biggie’s Ready to Die, Project: Funk Da World concentrated less on the hardcore street aspect of Hip Hop and focused more on getting its listeners moving on the dance floor. Similar to the West Coast’s G-Funk movement, this LP was smooth and effortlessly funky. It created a vibe that every time it was spun, did exactly what it’s title intended. The album featured Craig Mack’s smash hit single “Flava in Ya Ear”. The version of the is single featuring Biggie Smalls was actually Bad Boy’s first release and the duo’s only collaboration.

The album was certified gold within the year of its release although partially overshadowed by the quadruple platinum Ready to Die.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Craig Mack’s Debut Album ‘Project: Funk Da World’ Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

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Today In Hip Hop History: Marley Marl Dropped The Juice Crew Debut Album ‘In Control Vol. 1’ 36 Years Ago

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The title of “super producer” should not be taken lightly. For every era of Hip-Hop, there is a man behind the keys set the tone. Dr. Dre, Pete Rock, RZA, Swizz Beatz, Jermaine Dupri, Timbaland, The Neptunes, Mike Will Made-It, and Metro Boomin are among the few who have dictated what Hip Hop has sounded like over the years. Super producers have even spanned genres to influenced music as a whole, bringing the Hip Hop style to the masses.

On this day in Hip Hop history, the culture’s first super producer, Marley Marl, released his debut compilation, In Control, Vol. 1, and forever changed the sound of Hip Hop. Before this album, Marley Marl’s true importance to Hip Hop had yet to be openly stated. It was known that he had a hand in some of the biggest records to have out at the time but this album put them all in the same place, proving what Marley Marl was doing to help Hip Hop evolve.

Before Marley Marl, hip-hop production was quite primitive: the drums sounded synthetic, the loops were monotonous, and as a whole, production was more of a skeleton waiting to be filled by an MC. Marley Marl gave the instrumental life. His signature drum loops and soulful samples brought a new tone to Hip Hop. A Marley Mal beat served less as a compliment to the artist’s ability and more as fuel to jumpstart the intensity of the rapper, bringing out the best in him or her.

Commercially, this album was the success it was bound to be. Featuring Juice Crew members Biz Markie(RIP), Craig G., Roxanne Shante, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Heavy D, and more from Marley Marl’s private army. Pushed by the infamous Cold Chillin’ Records, the album peaked at #163 on the Billboard 200 and brought great publicity to Cold Chillin’ as a top label in Hip Hop. Following this album, the label rose to become a household name in Hip-Hop, and Marl Marley grew to become an immortal icon of Hip Hop culture.

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Aubrey O’Day on Diddy’s Arrest: ‘I Never Thought I Would See This Day’

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Aubrey O’Day Claims Diddy Wanted to Buy Silence in Exchange for Publishing Rights 

Aubrey O’Day has released a statement on the arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs. O’Day spoke with TMZ: “I never thought I would see this day. We all buried this inside of us in order to be able to keep going. And not just me, but victims you don’t even know yet. We are all processing what that type of vindication can actually feel like now. Every conversation I’ve had with victims last night has been beyond moving on all levels.”

In April, Diddy fired back at Aubrey O’Day’s claims against him. O’Day stated Diddy attempted to buy her silence using her publishing.

In response, Diddy’s team told TMZ: “Aubrey O’Day got her big break because Diddy and Bad Boy cast her in their show with her group, Danity Kane. Last year, when he reassigned his portion of the publishing to Bad Boy artists, an unprecedented move within the industry and which he did not have to do, not all artists signed an NDA, contrary to what she claims.”

TMZ reported that last year when the mogul formerly known as Puff Daddy reassigned publishing rights back to Bad Boy artists, it was considered an unprecedented move within an industry known for unfairly withholding pub rights and revenue, and quite frankly, he didn’t need to do, artists were asked to sign NDAs. But O’Day says not all signed the silencing document and did not want parts of Diddy’s NDA to get back her publishing rights, which she contends wasn’t worth much. 

O’Day was signed to Bad Boy Records in the 2000s, so she had a front-row seat to who Diddy was during that time. TMZ spoke to her for their new documentary The Downfall of Diddy, premiering on Tubi, which unpacks the Bad Boy CEO’s allegations and ensuing investigation after those major raids that hit his homes in Los Angeles and Miami. 

Get this: O’Day claims she had wind of what may have been coming for Diddy as far back as September 2023. See, that’s around the time Diddy made that big announcement that he was giving his former artists (the one’s who are still alive) the rights to their music catalogs.

On the surface, however, left field felt like a generous move. However, according to Aubrey, there were strings attached behind the scenes. Aubrey O’Day claimed Diddy included as part of the deal that artists needed to sign NDAs. This maneuver was designed to silence them from speaking out on their experiences while at Bad Boy, and most certainly in the presence of Sean “Diddy” Combs. Aubrey shut that right on down. She feels her ability to talk about her time during her Bad Boy days is more valuable than what was being offered.

Not to mention, her talking now has been consistent with her energy for years. O’Day has been talking about Diddy’s behavior for a long time, and she has been sounding the alarm. No one was listening until the relatively recent accusations and civil suit brought on by singer Cassy and several others, which Diddy categorically denies even though he settled with Cassy less than 24 hours after the suit became public. And if you think that big to do about the publishing was about real money, think again. At least for O’Day, she contends the amount of cash connected to her publishing rights was disrespectfully low.

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Happy 58th Birthday To “The Original Human Beat Box” Doug E Fresh!

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Born today in 1966 as Douglas Davis, Doug E Fresh is known as “the greatest entertainer” in Hip Hop, with his ability, to rap, dance, and perform his original human beatbox, which is what has made him one of the most important figures to the culture.

In the early 80s, Fresh performed among some of the greatest pioneering acts of the game including The Treacherous Three but started his own Get Fresh Crew and recruited a young Englishman who resided in the Bronx named MC Ricky D aka “Slick Rick” Walters. These two created a song called “The Show” in 1985, a monumental track that is a landmark in the musical aspect of Hip Hop. On the flip side of The Show was “La-Di-Da-DI”, a human beatbox powered, an xxx-rated song that catapulted both Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick’s popularity to how they are respected as the pioneers they are today.

Salute to Doug on his born day and may he enjoy today and many more hereafter!

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Cardi B Reveals Newborn Daughter in Heartwarming TikTok Video

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Cardi B Reveals Why She Has Yet To Collaborate With Rihanna

Following the announcement of her third baby with Offset on September 7, Cardi B shared a touching glimpse of her newborn daughter in a one-minute TikTok video on Sunday, September 15. The video, titled “Babygirl” with three pink flower emojis, offers a heartfelt look into Cardi’s hospital experience.

The montage showcases intimate moments, including Cardi breastfeeding her baby and spending quiet time with her while nurses measure and take her footprint for the birth certificate. Cardi’s older children, Wave and Kulture, appear toward the end of the video, from Facetime to Kulture, cradling her new sister in her lap as Wave is engaged by their dad.

@iamcardib

Babygirl 🌸 🌸 🌸

♬ original sound – Cardi B

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Cardi B Shares Post-Pregnancy Workout Video: ‘No Heavy Lifting, Just Stair Master’

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Cardi B Delivers New Video for "Enough (Miami)"

Cardi B’s bounce-back body is on the way. Just eight days after giving birth, Cardi was back in the gym, giving fans a peek into her 30-minute stairmaster workout.

“Since I’m off tonight I’m doing a late night gym session,” Cardi wrote online. “No heavy lifting, now just straight stair master until next week.”

Cardi B and Offset have welcomed their third baby together. The recently divorced duo shared images honoring “the prettiest lil thing” on Sept. 7.

In the images, the duo’s oldest daughter, six-year-old Kulture, is seen holding the new baby. Cardi B and Offset also have a three-year-old named Wave.

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Diddy Taken into Federal Custody in New York

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Diddy Says 'ENOUGH IS ENOUGH' After New Lawsuit

Diddy is in federal custody in New York City. According to TMZ, the Bad Boy mogul was taken into the FBI field office in Manhattan.

The feds reportedly nabbed Diddy in association with the criminal investigation of alleged sex trafficking and possible additional crimes that led to searches of his Miami and Beverly Hills homes.

“We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office,” Diddy’s attorney, March Agnifio, said to TMZ. “Sean “Diddy” Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community.

“He is an imperfect person but Is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

READ MORE: Eminem Blames Diddy For The Deaths Of Tupac And Biggie On Latest Track “Fuel” From ‘The Death Of Slim Shady’ LP

Just last week, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal team responded to a recent lawsuit filed against him by singer-songwriter Dawn Richard, alleging physical abuse and sexual assault. In a statement to Complex, Diddy is “shocked and disappointed” by the lawsuit, describing it as a “manufactured series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a payday.”

The lawsuit, reported by TMZ, accuses Diddy of harassment and sexual abuse. Richard, a former member of Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money, alleges a pattern of abusive behavior between 2009 and 2011. She claims he once forced her to rehearse for 48 hours straight, resulting in severe weight loss, fatigue, and dehydration. Richard also recalled an instance when, during a visit to Diddy’s Miami home, he greeted her wearing only his underwear and refused to dress.

The accusations extend further. Richard alleged Diddy forcibly entered her dressing room and groped her. In another incident, she claims he locked her in a car and was only released her after her father traveled from Baltimore to New York to confront Diddy. During the confrontation, Richard says Diddy warned her father, “Think about your daughter and think about your daughter’s career.”

The lawsuit also references an incident involving Cassie, in which Richard claims she witnessed Diddy violently throwing Cassie against a wall, choking her, and dragging her upstairs at his Los Angeles home while under the influence of drugs. She also alleges an incident when Diddy threw a hot pan of eggs at Cassie.

Richard claims that when she and her Diddy – Dirty Money bandmate Kalenna Harper advised Cassie to leave Diddy, he retaliated. Allegedly, he told them, “Y’all bitches don’t get in my relationship … Just make money and shut the fuck up,” and threatened their lives, stating, “I shelve careers … You could be missing … You bitches want to die today.”

READ MORE: Sean “Diddy” Combs Lists Lavish Holmby Hills Mansion for $61.5 Million

Diddy’s legal team released a full statement to Complex:

“Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour. If Ms. Richard had such a negative experience with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she would not have chosen to continue working directly with Mr. Combs for Dirty Money, nor would she have returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020 or agreed to be featured on The Love Album last year. It’s unfortunate that Ms. Richard has cast their 20-year friendship aside to try and get money from him, but Mr. Combs is confidently standing on truth and looks forward to proving that in court.”

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