While Da Beatminerz have come to define a very specific sound in Hip-Hop over the course of their illustrious career spanning more than three decades, the bulk of their production work is credited on albums by other artists. Their recent output, however, has been focused on their own proper full-length album, Stifled Creativity. On Friday (5/10/2024), the seminal Hip-Hop production duo, also known as the “Boom Bap Ambassadors”, shared the album’s second single “My Year“, with verses from De La Soul, Pharoahe Monch, Rasheed Chappell, and Corey Glover (of Living Colour). Today (5/14/2024), the song’s vibrant Anthony Edwards-animated music video debuted on YouTube.
“Been friends with De La since 88 and Monch since 87 so the relationship was already there. I met them all at the record store I worked at (Music Factory in Jamaica, Queens) and this is the second song I did with both (De La “The Hustle” & Monch “Tight [REMIX]”, explains Mr. Walt of Da Beatminerz). “My Year” was one of the first songs we worked on when we started the album and the order you hear them in is the order we made. It took a minute to get Dave’s vocals because of his health. When we got them, We were so grateful and appreciative. He didn’t have to do the song but he came through & that the world to me.I met Rasheed through Kenny Dope. When I heard him, I automatically wanted to work with him, so when we put the blueprint together for the song, I knew he would fit perfectly. The icing on the cake was Corey Glover (Thanks to Guy Routte). Everything came together just how we wanted.”
DJ Akademiks is the subject of a lawsuit alleging he committed rape and defamation against a woman named Fauziya Abashe.
In the sprawling story from Rolling Stone, Akademiks, born Livingston Allen, is accused of allowing Abashe to be raped by two men that were at his New Jersey home on July 16, 2022.
According to the report, Abashe did not know two women would be present. Those men are said to have drugged her and forced her with alcohol before assaulting and raping her on the pool deck.
Abashe states she lost consciousness during the incident, only to wake up at 4 a.m. on July 16, as Akademiks was raping her. Abashe states Akademiks was “pulling her hair, prying open her legs, and brutally raping her.” She also states she was penetrated anally and vaginally, while pleading for the entire ordeal to stop. She also states she was unable to “move physically.”
The lawsuit details Abashe asked Akademiks about details, in which he showed her a trash can with two condom wrappers, alluding to the woman being taken to another room of the home where the rape continued. Akademiks also allegedly showed video camera footage of the pool deck, where Abashe states she was “lying there lifeless, which did not sit right with her.”
On July 17, Akademiks told Abashe to “get tested,” which led her to believe their encounter was unprotected. Abashe contacted the police and received a rape kit, revealing traces of Akademiks’ sperm. Also collected were images of bruises on her arm, back, legs, and buttocks.
Aiding in the investigation, Abashe participated in a recorded call with Akademiks where he recalled the two having sex and describing the vagina. Law enforcement received a warrant to investigate Akademiks’ home. Abase believes Ak disposed of any evidence.
Abashe did not press charges but decided to sue after allegations were brought forth at the end of 2023. In a social media stream, Akademiks stated, “She was getting trained by my two mens on my pool deck.” Akademiks also stated she voluntarily engaged in an orgy but he never participated.
Akademiks did not reply to Rolling Stone with a comment.
Akademiks had his first stream of 2024 on Jan. 2. During the stream, Ak spoke about allegations levied against him by Abashae and revealed he was in full cooperation with the police.
“This situation went to the cops over a year and a half ago,” Ak said. “Me and my lawyer were openly cooperative because, serious allegations. I don’t care who’s involved, I don’t want weird shit happening around me.
“We helped the police. ‘Whatever you need! You want a phone? You want passcodes? Let’s decrypt our DVR.’ There is nothing they did not see.”
He added, “It was officially ruled by the D.A. and the police that there was nothing there. There ain’t no charges, there won’t be no charges and there’s documentation.”
You can hear it all from Akademiks below.
DJ Akademiks trended on social media to close in 2023 after Abashae stated in an Instagram Live Ak and two of his friends allegedly committed the crime.
“For you to pretend you didn’t do anything? That I just went to your house, and I’m some thot, like we didn’t know each other for two years,” Abashae said. “You tried to save yourself after your friends assaulted me. Whether or not you got drunk or not, I know that when you woke up, you were on top of me too. You raped me too.”
Additional claims online feature a woman stating that Akademiks engaged in communication with her until she was 18 before he attempted to have sex with her and a video surfacing with a woman screaming in the background.
Allegedly akademiks is linking & flying out underage girls & keeping in contact with girls to turn 18 to have sex with. This is a new story & their are multiple girls coming out about him making them drink to the point their unconscious & unresponsive so he can assault them pic.twitter.com/anE2QiChln
Today, four-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated, multi-platinum Atlanta rap superstar Gunna dropped the official music video for his new track “Whatsapp (Wassam),” directed by Leff, off his new album OneofWun.
The “Whatsapp (Wassam)” video arrives off the heels of the release of Gunna’s fifth studio album One of Wun, and notably marks his first full length release since his 2023 chart topping album a Gift & a Curse. The 20-track album boasts superstar collaborations with Offset, Normani, LeonBridges and Roddy Ricch – get it HERE.
The One of Wun artwork was created by Calvin Clausell Jr., featuring creative direction by Spike Jordan of The Genius Club, as well as art direction and design by TalMidyan.
‘TheBittersweetTour’ continues on May 16, with a performance in Seattle at WAMUTheater, making additional stops in Phoenix, Houston, Miami and more before wrapping up on June 11th in Atlanta, GA at StateFarmArena.
Whelp, scratch another story about the culture from your queue because The Other Black Girl just hit a roadblock on Hulu.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the adaptation of Zakiya Dalila Harris’ novel was axed after just one season. Set in an upscale New York City publishing firm, Hulu’s Onyx Collective series followed Nella (portrayed by Sinclair Daniel), who initially welcomes the arrival of another Black woman, Hazel (played by Ashleigh Murray), only to find herself entangled in a web of competition.
Now, the show is good. If you trust critics because despite receiving praise on Rotten Tomatoes with a commendable 86 percent fresh rating, The Hollywood Reporter points out that audience reception was lukewarm. That happens. The audience score was around 50 percent approval. So half of the audience liked or loved it, while the other half probably hated it. Social media buzz mirrored this sentiment anecdotally, with some viewers lauding the show’s narrative while others felt it lacked innovation.
However, JaJuan Malachi’s review for Shadow and Act in 2023 highlighted The Other Black Girl‘s exploration of Black professionals’ challenges in corporate environments. Describing it as an examination of conforming to workplace norms to survive, Malachi emphasized the pressure to sacrifice integrity for advancement.
Although the series won’t return for a second season, its first season covered the entirety of the novel, prompting speculation about its status as a limited series. With no source material left for a potential Season 2, questions arise regarding its classification.
Despite the cancellation, showrunners Jordan Reddout and Gus Hickey expressed interest in continuing the story. Reddout mentioned to The Hollywood Reporter, “It’s something we constantly talk about and would be very exciting to do,” while Hickey added, “Since we changed the ending, we want the chance to show everyone what’s going to happen now. There’s a lot to explore.”
The prosecution’s star witness in the first criminal trial against a former US President took the stand yesterday. In a courtroom drama gripping the nation, Michael Cohen, once Donald Trump’s trusted lawyer and fixer, took the stand as the prosecution’s star witness in the former president’s hush-money trial, marking a pivotal moment in the proceedings.
Addressing the court on Monday, Cohen candidly admitted to his past misdeeds, acknowledging, “I lied and bullied on behalf of my former boss.” His gaze occasionally flickered towards Trump, who sat slumped at the defendant’s table, a palpable tension lingering in the air.
The prosecution’s allegations center on Trump’s alleged falsification of business records related to pre-election hush-money payments, notably a $130,000 transaction Cohen facilitated with adult film star Stormy Daniels to prevent her from publicly discussing her alleged 2006 liaison with Trump.
Dismissing Trump’s denials and claims of political vendettas, prosecutors maintain that Cohen’s testimony is instrumental in revealing the truth behind these transactions, even as Trump seeks reelection.
Key revelations emerged from Cohen’s testimony on this critical day of the trial:
1. Cohen’s Unwavering Loyalty: Cohen, 57, portrayed his role as Trump’s fixer, stating, “I took care of whatever he wanted,” underscoring his willingness to execute Trump’s directives without hesitation.
2. Efforts to Manipulate Media: Cohen disclosed a 2015 meeting with Trump and David Pecker, then-publisher of the National Enquirer, where they strategized using the tabloid to bolster Trump’s image while undermining his opponents. Trump instructed Pecker to alert Cohen of any negative press, with a tacit agreement to suppress unfavorable stories.
3. Publisher’s Demands for Reimbursement: Following a $150,000 payment by the National Enquirer to silence Karen McDougal’s allegations, Cohen revealed Pecker’s relentless pursuit of reimbursement from Trump, recounting a tense encounter at an Italian restaurant where Pecker expressed frustration over unpaid expenses.
4. Trump’s Anger Towards Daniels: Cohen divulged Trump’s fury over Stormy Daniels’ attempts to publicize their alleged encounter, indicating Trump’s strong desire to silence her.
5. Direct Orders from Trump: Cohen provided intricate details of the hush-money payment to Daniels, asserting that Trump instructed him, “Just do it,” underscoring Trump’s direct involvement in the transaction.
As Cohen’s testimony unfolds, it casts a stark light on the inner workings of Trump’s inner circle and the extent of his involvement in the alleged financial improprieties.
Remember when Rodney “Lil Rod” Smith accused Cuba Gooding Jr. of sexual misconduct in his far-reaching lawsuit against Diddy? Whelp, Gooding is now breaking his silence. The actor has vehemently denied the allegations against him by music producer, who accused Gooding and Sean “Diddy” Combs of some dark, wild behavior.
ICYMI, Smith, known for his work on the rapper’s latest album, filed a lawsuit against Diddy in February, alleging inappropriate behavior, drugging, and assault at one of Diddy’s gatherings, as well as claiming that Diddy facilitated inappropriate advances by his friends. Diddy has denied these allegations.
Get this, adding to the craziness of the situation, Smith implicated Gooding in the purported incident, alleging that Gooding groped him during the same event.
In fairness to Gooding, he has refuted these claims, asserting that Smith’s motives are purely financial and exploiting Gooding’s previous legal troubles. In an interview with Patrick Bet-David’s “The PBD Podcast,” Gooding expressed disbelief upon discovering his involvement in Smith’s lawsuit against Combs. He exclaimed, “That’s the craziest thing… You pull me into this?”
If you believe Gooding, he didn’t roll with Diddy too tough. He clarified that his interactions with the mogul were minimal, limited to “two or three times,” primarily socializing on New Year’s Eve aboard Diddy’s yacht while listening to music with Smith. He emphasized, “We were acquaintances,” distancing himself from deeper involvement.
Gooding said his acquaintance with Diddy began in 2019 or 2020, and was facilitated by his girlfriend, Claudine De Niro, again, if you believe his claim.
Gooding insinuated that Smith opportunistically linked him to the lawsuit due to his prior legal troubles, referencing his guilty plea in 2022 for a misdemeanor charge related to non-consensual kissing at a nightclub in 2018.
Amidst the legal turmoil, Gooding maintains his innocence and questions Smith’s motives, emphasizing the tenuous nature of their acquaintance and his lack of knowledge regarding Diddy’s personal affairs.
San Francisco’s eagerly anticipated WNBA expansion team unveiled its identity on Tuesday, officially christened the Golden State Valkyries. Dope name!
The team’s name and logo were unveiled in a captivating video narrated by acclaimed Bay Area singer-songwriter Kehlani, an Oakland native. This added a local touch to the franchise’s announcement. See, marketing done right!
— Golden State Valkyries (@wnbagoldenstate) May 14, 2024
Queue NBA support … Backed by Golden State Warriors owner Joe Lacob, the Valkyries are poised to make their WNBA debut in 2025, marking a significant milestone for the league’s expansion efforts. The announcement in September 2023 marked Golden State’s entry into the WNBA, marking the league’s first expansion since the Atlanta Dream in 2008.
Set to call the Warriors’ Chase Center home, the Valkyries will fill a void in Northern California left by the departure of the Sacramento Monarchs in 2009, providing fans with a new basketball experience.
The choice of “Valkyries” pays homage to Norse mythology, where these female figures guided fallen warriors to Valhalla, reflecting strength, valor, and guidance. This aligns seamlessly with the NBA counterpart, the Golden State Warriors, creating a cohesive brand identity.
As the WNBA’s 13th franchise, the Valkyries will participate in the 2025 WNBA draft and subsequent season, contributing to the league’s growth and diversity. Looking ahead, the WNBA’s expansion is set to continue with the addition of a Toronto-based franchise in 2026, marking a historic milestone as the league’s first team located outside the United States, as reported by CBC’s Shireen Ahmed.
Today at New York’s iconic Apollo Theater, Jake “El Gallo de Dorado” Paul (9-1, 6 KOs) and boxing legend Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 KOs) came face to face for the first time since the announcement of their upcoming fight. The bout, an eight-round professional match with two-minute rounds, will stream live globally on Netflix on Saturday, July 20, 2024, from the 80,000-seat AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
“I think he’s always wanted to do this,” Paul said of Tyson. “This has been a long time coming. We’ve been calling each other out for years and we finally got to make it happen on Netflix, the biggest platform in the world, and things just keep on getting bigger and better.
“Mike wanted this. Mike wanted it to be a pro fight. He wants the war, and so I respect that. I respect him for taking this fight, for stepping up to try to put an end to me because that’s what all these fighters have been trying to do is end the YouTuber and if Mike can do that, then he’s a hero.”
Tyson stated, “It was a no-brainer. He was a new up and coming guy on the scene, and I like shaking the sports world to its core and I’m doing it now. It’s just something I want to do.”
Over 120,000 people have already signed up for early access tickets. Remaining tickets will go on sale on Thursday, May 16 at 12pm ET. Netflix and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) will host a second press conference for Paul vs. Tyson and Taylor vs. Serrano later that day at 7:30pm CT at Texas Live! in Arlington, Texas.
This event promises to be a historic night of boxing, bringing together icons of the sport and delivering unforgettable action to fans worldwide.
Behind a combined 60 points from Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, the Boston Celtics defeated the shorthanded Cleveland Cavaliers 109-102 to secure a 3-1 series lead. Tatum posted 33 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists, while Brown contributed 27 points, eight rebounds, and shot 60% from the field. This marks the second straight game where both stars scored 25+ points and the 15th time they have done so as playoff teammates.
The Celtics showcased their resilience by bouncing back from a Game 2 loss at home, sweeping the next two road games for the second consecutive series.
Jrue Holiday filled the stat sheet with 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists, four three-pointers, three steals, and one block in 43 minutes, further bolstering Boston’s performance.
The Cavaliers, missing their leading playoff scorer Donovan Mitchell due to a calf strain, and with LeBron James watching from courtside, struggled to match Boston’s firepower. Darius Garland shook off a scoreless first quarter to finish with 30 points, while Caris LeVert and Evan Mobley added 19 points each.
Despite their efforts, Cleveland couldn’t overcome Mitchell’s absence, allowing the Celtics to take control of the series.
The teams will face off again in Game 5, with Boston looking to close out the series and Cleveland aiming to extend it.
The Oklahoma City Thunder pulled off a remarkable comeback to even their series with the Dallas Mavericks at 2-2, securing a 100-96 victory.
Trailing eight points with just over eight minutes left, the Thunder went on a decisive 17-6 run to take a three-point lead with 3:24 remaining.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was instrumental in the Thunder’s rally, scoring 22 of his game-high 34 points in the second half. SGA also contributed eight rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks in 42 minutes. His back-to-back tough baseline jumpers during the run were pivotal, while Jalen Williams added crucial plays, including a driving dunk and a fastbreak layup off a steal to extend OKC’s lead.
The Thunder’s victory marks their 18th win this season after trailing by double digits, the most of any team. This resilience pushed the series back to Oklahoma City, tied at 2-2.
Despite Luka Doncic’s second triple-double of the postseason (18 points, 12 rebounds, ten assists), the Mavericks were unable to hold their lead. P.J. Washington delivered a strong performance with 21 points, 12 rebounds, and five three-pointers, marking his third consecutive game with 20+ points. However, Kyrie Irving struggled, scoring only nine points with nine assists, falling below 10 points for just the second time as a Maverick, both occurrences within the last three games.
The series now shifts back to OKC for Game 5, where both teams will battle to gain an advantage in this tightly contested matchup.
