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Rihanna Speaks on Career Journey and Home Town Love Stirring Retirement Speculation

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Wait, what, huh? Rihanna’s recent remarks about her career journey have stirred up speculation that the long-awaited new music may not be coming after all.

Listen, while fans and everyone have been eagerly anticipating her next album, often referred to as R9, Rihanna has been focused on expanding her Fenty Beauty empire, embracing motherhood with her two sons, and pursuing other creative ventures. During an event for Fenty Beauty in Barbados on November 7, the 36-year-old star shared some reflective thoughts that hinted at where her priorities currently lie.

“Obviously, music was the thing that got the attention, but God had other plans for me,” Rihanna said during her speech. Her words sparked conversations among fans, as it seemed she might be hinting at a shift away from music.

The pop diva turned mogul went on to explain how her business pursuits have been deeply personal, saying, “I was able to create in ways that were sincere and genuine and organic and authentic to the things that I loved. So it doesn’t even feel like a job. But when you bring it home…” Her dedication to her brand has clearly given her a sense of fulfillment, suggesting that her creative focus has largely shifted from music to her other passions.

Get this, Rihanna also expressed gratitude to her home country, crediting Barbados as the source of inspiration behind her beauty line. “Coming back home, where the first place I ever met beauty, acknowledged beauty, was at my home here in Barbados,” she shared. “You guys have always inspired me. Everything about my brand, Fenty Beauty and Fenty Skin, has been inspired by you and this country, my people, my family, my friends, my opps. I love all of you guys.”

Gotta love her respect for your roots.

Although her endearing fans, known as the Navy, continue to hope for new music, it’s clear that Rihanna is channeling her creativity into the endeavors she’s most passionate about right now. Her last album, ANTI (2016), featured hits like “Work” with Drake, “Kiss It Better,” “Sex With Me,” and “Love On The Brain,” and she reminded everyone of her vast discography during her Super Bowl Halftime Show performance in 2023. While her music may be on pause, Rihanna’s legacy remains influential, both through her past hits and her thriving businesses.

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Lil Durk Faces New Charges in Federal Murder-For-Hire Case

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Things just got worse for Lil Durk. The Chicago rapper is facing new federal charges related to a fatal shooting at a Los Angeles gas station in August 2022, deepening his legal troubles.

The new charges are serious. According to the Department of Justice, Durk, whose real name is Durk Banks, was hit with three additional charges on Nov. 8: “one count of conspiracy, one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death.”

Get this, federal authorities allege that Durk and his label, Only The Family (OTF), coordinated an attack on a man identified as “T.B.” in revenge for the 2020 killing of rapper King Von. The DOJ claims Durk used funds from his label to place a bounty on T.B.’s head and personally took steps to initiate the violent encounter.

The wild indictment also charges five alleged associates of Durk’s OTF crew: Kavon “Cuz” Grant, Deandre “DeDe” Wilson, Keith “Flacka” Jones, David “Browneyez” Lindsey, and Asa “Boogie” Houston. All five face charges related to conspiracy and firearms offenses, with Jones facing an additional count for machine gun possession.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California alleges that the rapper ordered his team to track down T.B., resulting in a deadly shootout at a gas station near the Beverly Center. The shooting also reportedly claimed the life of a relative of T.B.

What’s more, federal documents claim that, the day before the incident, an OTF member coordinated and financed the travel of the five alleged co-conspirators from Chicago to Los Angeles. Durk and Grant, known as “Cuz,” allegedly flew to L.A. together and used Durk’s credit card to buy ski masks and book hotel rooms.

After reportedly following T.B. for hours, the group allegedly confronted him at the gas station and fired at least 18 rounds.

Following Durk’s arrest, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada issued a statement, saying, “Mr. Banks is charged with orchestrating a cold-blooded murder that endangered countless lives. Not only that, the shooting occurred in the open, at a gas station at a busy intersection, endangering many others in the area. Violent gun crime of this sort is devastating to our community, and we will have zero-tolerance for those who perpetrate such callous acts of violence.”

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Consequence And Chuck D Weigh In On The Presidential Election With “What Has America Done”

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

After joining A Tribe Called Quest at their induction into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame (only the 12th hip hop group to be inducted), Consequence releases a new single, “What Has America Done,” which is now available. “What Has America Done” features Public Enemy’s Chuck D (and he also illustrated the singles cover art) and Tony Williams. “What Has America Done” will be included on the deluxe edition of Nice Doing Business With You (which will include seven new tracks) which will be released on 11.22.24.

With the video that was premiered by TMZ earlier today, Consequence and Chuck D give a State of the Union address on the heels of the Presidential election.

“The results of the 2024 Presidential Election are a reflection of who and where we are as a nation. Like it or not, especially if you’re African American, we must continue to pursue our equalities and make sure we do everything in our power to level the playing field as best we can” Consequence commented. “In doing so, we can forget where we’ve been and what it took to get where we are.”

“Avatars like they’re the new Klan hoodies” Chuck D asserted. “The more things change, the more they stay the SAME”!

Nice Doing Business With You features appearances from Con’s frequent collaborator Kanye West (who guests on “No Apologies,” and produces “Bloodstain”), Chris Rock, YNW Melly, Tony Williams and Con’s son Caiden The Crownholder. Consequence also produced the bulk of Nice Doing Business With You.

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The Source Magazine Remembers Heavy D 13 Years Later

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history, “The Overweight Lover” Heavy D passed away in Los Angeles, California. If he were alive today, he’d be 57 years old.

Heavy D, born Dwight Errington Myers in Jamaica, moved to Mount Vernon, New York in the late 1970s. In the mid-1980s Heavy D along with DJ Eddie F and dancers T-Roy and G-Wiz signed to Uptown Records and began their journey to fame and adoration as Heavy D & The Boyz. The group’s debut Living Large released in 1987 and was a marginal success selling 300,000 copies.

The group began to rise in popularity, helping Heavy D to become pop sensation. The success of the group’s second and third albums, Big Tyme and Peaceful Journey, brought Heavy D the opportunity to collaborate with artists like Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, B.B. King and more. Through the start of the 1990s, Heavy D began making more and more appearances in music videos and on TV and in films.

In the mid-1990s Heavy D became the first rapper to run a record label when he became president of Uptown Records. Prior to becoming president, Heavy D was instrumental in the hiring of Sean Combs as an intern. He also convinced Andre Harrel to sign Jodeci. As president, Heavy D worked with and developed boy band Soul for Real and was the executive producer and principal writer for majority of their debut album. His success as an executive led to him becoming senior vice president of Universal Music.

Heavy D passed away on November 8, 2011 from complications caused by a blood clot in his leg. His final performance at the 2011 BET Hip Hop Awards was his first televised performance in 15 years. Heavy D’s legacy will live on forever in the work that he created and the mark that he left on the Hip Hop industry as a whole.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s ‘The Main Ingredient’ LP Turns 30 Years Old!

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in 1994, Pete Rock and CL Smooth via Elektra Records dropped their second album, The Main Ingredient, thirty years ago today.

Produced exclusively by the legend Pete Rock himself, The Main Ingredient defined the sound of the Money Earnin’ Mount Vernon duo, with Pete’s signature horns and jazz-laced drums patterns, tracks like “I Got A Love”, which derived from The Ambassadors’ “Ain’t Got The Love” and was sampled in Jay-Z’s and Jay Elec’s “Shiny Suit Theory,” and “Sun Won’t Come Out” became the “production prediction” of Pete Rock even outside of his projects with CL.

Ironically, this was the duo’s last album together, never citing reasons for their separation. Nevertheless, we thank Pete Rock & CL Smooth for this time capsule of Hip Hop purity. Salute!

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Today in Hip Hop History: Jungle Brothers Released Their Debut LP ‘Straight Out The Jungle’ 36 Years Ago

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in Hip Hop history, the Jungle Brothers released their debut LP Straight Out the Jungle. As the first project of the illustrious Native Tongues collective, other members include De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Black Sheep, this album opened the door for a new type of conscious rap. With their Afrocentric influence and sample-heavy production, the Jungle Brothers were able to create a unique sound in a saturated New York Hip Hop scene.

Coming at the end of the gold roped, tracksuited and Kangol Golden Age of Hip Hop this album ushered in a new era. Through a new style of sampling and almost no regard to the flamboyancy of mid-80’s rap, this album became a true trailblazer. The trio’s adventurous take on Hip Hop led to them exploring otherwise uncharted waters. Their jazz and house influence created a new lane for Hip Hop crossovers left behind by Def Jam’s obsession with rap-rock. The group’s lyrics were also a healthy and needed change to the genre. Prior to its release, rap was mostly dominated by MC’s rapping about how much better they could rap than everyone else. The Jungle Brothers came with bars to enrich the mind and soul of their listeners rather than stroke their own ego. Songs like “Straight Out of The Jungle” and “Black is Back” were some of the first rap songs with an overtly pro-Black message.

Commercially, the album was a quiet success, peaking at only #39 on the Billboard 200. Critically, however, this album was highly regarded as a new beginning for Hip Hop. Publications across the board hailed this album as a fresh take on rap as a whole. This album kicked off a new counter-culture in Hip Hop. Fans began to leave behind their flashy get-ups for dashikis and leather African pendents fueled by a new sense of blackness and cultural pride. Thanks to the Jungle Brothers and their debut, the early ’90s became the Hip Hop equivalent to the late ’60s of rock ‘n’ roll.

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[WATCH] Disgraced Breaker Raygun Retires From Competition After Olympics Criticism

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

A recent confirmed report states that Australian breakdancer Raygun has retired from the sport, professionally speaking, after the extreme backlash she received for her performance at this year’s Olympics.

Raygun aka Rachael Gunn announced her decision while appearing on the Jimmy & Nath Show in her native brazil, where she said she’ll no longer be competing in future competitions.

When asked if she’ll return for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, Raygun replied with a laughin “No!” She added, “I still break, but I don’t compete. I’m not going to compete anymore, no.”

Gunn admitted that she was planning to continue competing, but after the Olympics “that seems a really difficult thing for me to do now, to approach a battle […] the level of scrutiny that will be there. I still dance and I still break, but that’s in my living room with my partner,” she joked.

Raygun’s Olympic routine didn’t score a single point, which was highlighted by bouncing on her feet like a kangaroo, leading to a flood of jokes and memes online.

“I did not like that. It’s so many great breakdancers that I don’t know why they had this particular person doing that,” said superproducer Dr. Dre during an Entertainment Tonight interview. “It was funny, I got some laughs out of it, but what the fuck? […] There are incredible breakdancers out right now; I don’t know how that happened.”

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YSL Member Allegedly Stabs YFN Lucci In Prison In New Clip From YSL Trial

November 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Hip Hop world has openly expressed its relief after Young Thug was released from prison this week, but the YSL RICO trial continues with two other codefendants and a new piece of evidence. The stabbing of YFN Lucci in 2022 while behind bars reportedly contributed heavily to how prosecutors presented the YSL RICO case and the purported danger a the feud between the two factions.

Reported YSL member, Jayden Myrick aka YSL Tripp, allegedly stabbed Lucci in March 2022, which was before the YSL RICO indictment was handed down or any arrests were made in the case. Shannon Stillwell and Deamonte Kendrick aka Yak Gotti are the only two co-defendants left in the case, so any evidence left to be presented in the RICO case will be brought forth in their trial.

On Tuesday (November 7), prosecutors shared the footage from the YFN Lucci stabbing during the YSL RICO trial during the retired Fulton County Jail security head’s testimony. Prosecutors claim that this supports the notion that YSL members carried out criminal acts on behalf of the collective. Also, they allege that this stabbing resulted in the retaliatory murder of Shymel Drinks, according to local court journalist Meghann Cuniff.

Additionally, the court ordered Myrick, Lucci’s alleged assailant, to undergo a mental evaluation after he claimed that Donald Trump offered him legal advice. There is no timeline for the trial of Stillwell and Kendrick, but the YSL RICO trial has been the longest trial ever in the state of Georgia.

It has also been reported that Lucci, whose real name is Rashawn Bennett, could be getting out of prison on parole as soon as January 2025.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jake Paul, MVP and Fanatics Collectibles Partner Ahead of Paul vs. Tyson

November 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Mike Tyson is 'Feeling 100%' After Medical Scare And Trash Talks Jake Paul

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) and Fanatics Collectibles have announced a partnership to produce limited-edition trading cards for MVP’s star-studded roster of fighters. This includes Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano, H20 Sylve, Shadasia Green, Javon ‘Wanna’ Walton, and Neeraj Goyat.

This collaboration marks a major moment in collectible sports history, especially as Jake continues to bridge the gap between entertainment, sports, and fandom. This is the first-ever opportunity for fans to collect MVP fighter trading cards and an exclusive way to own a piece of the Paul vs. Tyson bout with Paul signing exclusive Topps “relic cards” featuring pieces of his shoes, socks, and handwraps from the historic Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. Also, each fighter will be signing a limited number of their trading cards. Jake Paul will be featured in multiple Topps products in 2025, joining an elite group of athletes signed by Fanatics Collectibles.

“This partnership with Fanatics Collectibles is a huge moment for MVP and our fighters,” says MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian. “It allows us to celebrate their achievements while giving fans an exclusive chance to own a piece of history. We’re always looking for new ways to elevate our athletes and engage with fans, and these limited-edition cards will be the first of many exciting collectibles to come.”

“I’m pumped to team up with Fanatics to bring these cards to life”, says Paul about the historic collaboration. “Not only is this the first time fans can get their hands on MVP fighter collectibles, but these relic cards from my fight with Tyson are gonna be crazy. It’s a chance for fans to literally own a part of one of the biggest fights in history. Thank you Fanatics for making this all possible and helping us take MVP to the next level.”

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Lil Durk Murder For Hire Case Alleged Co-Conspirator Breakdown

November 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Lil Durk case is yet another troubling example of the criminal justice system intersecting Hip Hop in the most violent of ways. But Durk isn’t alone on an island with these serious charges. Let’s breakdown the five other men allegedly involved in rapper Lil Durk’s suspected murder-for-hire plot targeting rapper Quando Rondo who are now facing federal charges alongside the famed Chicago rapper.

Durk Banks, better known as Lil Durk, was arrested on October 24 in Miami. Prosecutors allege that the 28-year-old Chicago rapper placed a hit on Rondo in response to the 2020 death of fellow musician and close friend, King Von. Serious charges.

Now, according to authorities, five of Lil Durk’s associates allegedly assisted in an August 19, 2022, shooting intended for Rondo that instead resulted in the death of Rondo’s 24-year-old cousin, Saviay’a Robinson.

The five men, all linked to Lil Durk’s Only The Family (OTF) collective, were arrested in Chicago on October 24 under a federal grand jury indictment containing four counts related to the murder-for-hire plot.

The indicted individuals are:

Kavon London Grant, 28, a.k.a. “Cuz” and “Vonnie,” of Chicago
Deandre Dontrell Wilson, 33, a.k.a. “DeDe,” of Chicago
Keith Jones, 33, a.k.a. “Flacka,” of Gary, Indiana
David Brian Lindsey, 33, a.k.a. “Browneyez,” of Addison, Illinois
Asa Houston, 36, a.k.a. “Boogie,” of Chicago

Get this, Jones is additionally charged with possession of a machine gun.

All defendants had their initial court appearances in the Northern District of Illinois on October 24. They are expected to be arraigned in the United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles in the coming weeks, according to an October 25 news release from the Central District of California.

What’s more, if convicted, Lil Durk and the other five men each face potential life sentences.

Like we said, serious charges.

As of November 4, Grant, Wilson, and Lindsey were being held at Winnebago County Jail in Illinois, awaiting extradition to Los Angeles. Houston and Jones remain in federal custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago. Lil Durk continues to be held in federal custody in Miami.

Maybe he needs Brian Steel to represent him. You know, Young Thug’s lawyer and we know how that turned out.

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