[WATCH] Nicki Minaj Tells Apple Music About ‘Pink Friday 2’, Working With J. Cole For The 1st Time

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The Queen of Gag City, Nicki Minaj, joins Ebro Darden live in-studio in New York City for an in-depth conversation discussing all things ‘Pink Friday 2.’ The no-holds-barred conversation is wide ranging with Minaj revealing when she heard the news of her father’s passing and how that influenced PF2’s first track, “Are You Gone Already.” The interview explores how Minaj ended up working with J. Cole for the first time, why her feature with Drake, “Needle,” ended up on her album instead of ‘For All The Dogs,’ whether she feels loved and appreciated by the Hip-Hop community, and much more.

Additionally, Minaj touches on how scary it was for her to get so personal on this project, her upcoming tour including international destinations, and how producer ATL Jacob was the key to unlocking the album.

The post [WATCH] Nicki Minaj Tells Apple Music About ‘Pink Friday 2’, Working With J. Cole For The 1st Time first appeared on The Source.

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Today In Hip Hop History: 44 Years Ago Sugar Hill Gang’s ‘Rapper’s Delight’ Becomes Hip-Hop’s First Top 40 Hit

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On today’s date, 44 years ago, “Rapper’s Delight” became Hip-Hop’s first Top 40 single. “Rapper’s Delight” was released by Englewood, New Jersey’s Sugarhill Gang in August of 1979As one of  Hip Hop’s earliest relics, this single, written by The Cold Crush Brothers’ own Grandmaster Caz, is credited with bringing the art of rap to a multicultural mainstream audience.

In the ’70s, disco and soul still reigned supreme in the clubs and lounges of the country’s urban centers. In its most primitive form, Hip Hop was still misunderstood (and exclusive to New York City and California). Breaking, tagging, rapping, and spinning records were widely recognized as the borderline criminal activities of whatever city’s urban youth. The culture’s cult following was majority made up of housing project residence, the type to not frequent the discos and bars of their respective downtown centers. Every once in and while someone would drop a single that would break through and get some shine on the club scene but never make much of a splash nationally. “Rapper’s Delight” was a different story.

On September 20, 1979, new wave bands Blondie and Chic were playing a concert at New York’s renown Palladium with British punk rock band The Clash; Hip Hop’s earliest socialite (and soon to be television host) Fab Five Freddy was on the scene with Sugarhill Gang members Big Bank Hank, Mike Wright, and Master Gee. Having just released a single featuring Chic’s hit single “Good Times” from their recent international album Risqué, it was natural for the gang to hop on stage and start freestyling as soon as Chic dropped the bass line.

Sometime later, Chic’s Nile Rodgers was out at New York’s Club Leviticus and heard a recorded cut of the very song The Sugarhill Gang ever-so-delightfully interrupted his concert weeks earlier. Enraged, Rodgers immediately sought legal action and attempted to sue the Sugarhill Gang for using his band’s instrumental in their single. The lawsuit was settled out of court, and appropriate credit was given to Chic in their part of the song.

With the lawsuit and legal attention came a swarm of popularity. Disc Jockeys in clubs across the country began to spin this record every night of the week. The single gained so much play in the United States that clubs across the globe began to push this song like no tomorrow. Although the single may have peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200, it was #1 in Canada and the Netherlands, #2 in Belgium, France, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and #3 in Germany and the UK. This single song sold platinum in both the United States and Canada, with over 5 million copies sold worldwide.

“Rapper’s Delight” may be the most important single of Hip Hop culture. It didn’t event style, it wasn’t the first to gain mainstream success, it wasn’t even from New York, but it was the biggest of its time. What “Rapper’s Delight” did was make it “ok” to listen to and support rap music out in the open. Before this single, Hip Hop was an urban taboo. Upon its release, the connotation transformed from one synonymous with the ghetto to a new and hip musical genre. In a way, “Rapper’s Delight” gentrified Hip Hop in a way that made it profitable. Without it, the culture would not be a powerful as it is today.

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WATCH: Gary Owen Co-Signs Katt Williams, Says Executive Attempted to Have Him Engage in Homosexual Act

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Gary Owen is cosigning Katt Williams’s story of being asked to perform a homosexual act in exchange for greater opportunities.

Appearing on his podcast, Owen detailed that he was initially confused by Williams mentioning his name but soon understood that the comedian was stating Owen didn’t bend to the pressures of Hollywood. Owen then shared his own story.

“I’ve been in an awkward situation one time. I can’t say 100% that this person was trying to get me to do something, a casting couch-type deal, but it felt like it. I was like ‘is this that point where I’ve always heard would you suck a dick for a million dollars.’ I was in this room saying I’m about to answer this question and the answer was no.

“I can’t say this is 100% that’s where this was going but it felt like it. You gotta be in the room to feel it and I was like this dude is really coming on to me. He will remain nameless but he was feeling me out. I made it very clear I like women.”

Katt Williams had a lot to talk about during his visit to Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay. While speaking against Rickey Smiley, Cedric the Entertainer, Steve Harvey and more, Katt Williams revealed why he isn’t fearful of being blackballed.

“These people are not powerful,” Williams said. “Satan cannot create anything, including blessings for his people. You know the No. 1 job of someone who sold their soul in Hollywood is? Act like it didn’t happen.

“It’s a consortium. They rock with who they rock with and they don’t with who they don’t. But I’m not scared of being the competition. On paper they are a better team. They have all the assets and resources they don’t. But let’s get on the line and see if that factors in. I guarantee that it don’t.”

He would go on to add, “They canceled me for talking about Harvey Weinstein before the thing came out. But he offered to suck my penis in front of all my people at my agency.”

You can hear it all from Williams below.

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WATCH: A$AP Rocky Stars in Fenty Skin ‘Lux Balm’ Ad

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A$AP Rocky is starring in the latest Fenty Skin ad. Rocky is representing for Rihanna’s Lux Balm, detailed as a “Barbados Cherry-powered lip balm.”

The product’s description states it was created to bring “dry lips back to life with instant hydration.”

Rihanna is gushing over A$AP Rocky’s fatherhood abilities. Speaking with Access Hollywood at the Fenty x Puma launch party, Rih Rih revealed that Rocky’s fatherly duties turn her on.

“I loved him differently as a dad,” Rocky said. “This is major, it’s a turn on. It’s just like, ‘Wow. What a leader, what a great, patient, loving.”

She added, “And my kids are obsessed with him. I’m just a background, I’m an extra. It happens. It doesn’t matter if it’s girls or boys, they love their dad differently and I love to see it.”

Last year, a kid was introduced to Rihanna, and he did what any of us would do: pause, gasp, and become speechless.

The memorable moment happened at the Vegas F1 Race. The kid met A$AP Rocky, who handed him a t-shirt from his collection. Afterwards, the kid was led to another section and the magic moment happened. You can see it go down below.

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Lil Nas X Announces ‘Long Live Montero’ Concert Film for HBO MAX

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Lil Nas X is headed to HBO. The Hollywood Reporter notes Lil Nas X’s concert film, Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, will debut on HBO and the streaming service Max on Jan. 27.

The film originally made its premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, detailing the journey of Lil Nas X as he performed on his Long Live Montero tour, which supported his debut album, Montero.

In the film, Lil Nas X highlights his journey as a Black and LGBTQ performer. The film is directed by Zac Manuel and Carlos López Estrada.

Speaking of Montero, Lil Nas X has addressed his relationship with the devil after an X user floated Dave Chappelle’s “Montero” joke across the timeline.

“yall gotta let call me by your name go,” Lil Nas X wrote. “me and the devil broke up 3 years ago. yall acting like chidren of divorce.”

Lil Nas X grabbed the ears of the Christian community when he revealed that he was heading into his Christian era. Hitting Twitter, Lil Nas posed the question “y’all mind if i enter my christian era?”

Ever the troll, Lil Nas X then wrote: “making christian music does not mean i can’t suck dick no more. the two are not mutually exclusive. i am allowed to get on my knees for multiple reasons.”

Hearing the news, the artist formally known as Boonk Gang, now known as “Holy Gabbana” shunned the idea. “Don’t title a Christian and make others believe it’s ok for us to live in habitual/intentional sin.”

And Lil Nas X had time, writing, “it’s really insane how yall pretend some of our pastors aren’t getting piped down before the sunday service. yall do not know jesus personally stop trying to gatekeep him”

You can see it all below.

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WATCH: Nicki Minaj Recalls the Moment She Heard About Her Father’s Passing

Nicki Minaj Recalls How She Heard About Her Father's Passing

Nicki Minaj, the reigning monarch of Gag City, recently sat down with Apple Music’s Ebro Darden in a live, in-studio interview in New York City. The candid conversation delves into the intricacies of Pink Friday 2.

During the discussion, Minaj fearlessly opens up about the moment she received the news of her father’s passing, offering insights into how this deeply personal experience shaped the first track of PF2, titled “Are You Gone Already.” The interview captures the essence of Minaj’s no-holds-barred approach, providing fans with an intimate glimpse into the artist’s emotional journey and the profound impact it had on her latest musical endeavor.

READ MORE: Nicki Minaj’s “Blessings” Tops Billboard Gospel Charts

During the conversation, Minaj revealed how she heard about the death of her father and how it influenced her album:

The first verse. The thing why it’s confusing a little bit is because my documentary was originally going to be out with the music, but because the music wasn’t out, I didn’t want to put the documentary out. It’s a great documentary. But anyway, because [it wasn’t out], people are a little bit lost, because they don’t have any context. So I’m going to make it quick. The first verse was me talking to… “You never got to meet Papa.” Okay, it’s me speaking to my father.

My father had just passed. So right after I had the baby, and it was during Corona, and nobody knew what was going on, so, one day, I was rocking the baby and I don’t normally have the phone on me when I’m rocking him. Because at that time, I was mad strict like, “Oh, that [radiation] is going to get in my child, don’t put the phone by my child.” So normally, I wouldn’t have it.

But that day, as I’m rocking him, the phone rings, and I see it’s my father. I normally would not have picked up, because I don’t like to be on the phone with the baby there. I would’ve called him back. Something said, “Pick up the phone.” I picked up, he was very happy, and he was like, “Baby, I could come on Monday” Because he had been waiting to be able to come to Cali to help me. I kept on saying, “Come on out.” He wasn’t really happy, but I knew that, when he came be with us, we were going to be happy.

He is this amazing, great person, who livens up the whole house. I was like, “Yes, we were going to get help.” And then, we went to bed, and sometime late, while we were all asleep, the phone rang. And it was my mother, telling me that my father was in an accident and that she didn’t know what was going to happen, and she would call me back. And then, everything started spinning, literally, because now, also, I just had my baby. After I had my baby was the first time in my life that I ever fainted. I never knew what it felt like to faint, but I’m already hypersensitive with everything. So to get that call, and it’s the exact replica of a call, I had in about four or five dreams, but it was the exact replica of one particular dream I had about this.

[In the dream] the person was saying, “Such and such, your mom, we’re going to call you back and let you know how it went.” But this call now is with my father. And I’m like, “Wait a minute. I dreamt this.” But I remembered, in the dream, I didn’t get the call back. I didn’t remember how it ended. So I called my pastor and we started praying. But two nights before that, I had already texted three, four people, because it was including my mother. And I said, “Something bad is happening, and everybody needs to pray.”

But anyway, because I knew the two days before, I saw all this blood coming out of someone’s head laying on the floor, but the person was conscious, they were scared, but it was just pouring out in the hair. And I’m like thinking, “Whatever, whatever.” I sent that text to everybody like, “This is crazy.”

And then, two nights later, this happened. So I opened the album with saying, “You never got to meet papa. He sweet proper, he keep Mama on my toes.” What else I said? “You never got to meet Papa.” So I call my son Papa Bear. So I’m telling my father, “You never got to meet Papa.” And then, I begin to explain the time from my mother first calling me, telling me he was in an accident, to her calling me, telling me that he didn’t make it. So I’m like, “The waiting, the pacing, the raving.” And at the end, “I just believed you’d awaken, a memory in the making. Call me. Won’t you call me? Are you gone already?” Because I couldn’t believe so fast from accident on.

A few hours earlier. He was the happiest that I had heard him in a long time. But anyway, but what was interesting, why I said, ” Are you gone already?” is because I knew he was gone already. Because while we were praying, the prayer changed to not like being “Help him or duh, duh, duh.” The way the pastor just started speaking him was like calling him back.

– Nicki Minaj

READ MORE: Nicki Minaj Ranks Her Best Albums, ‘Pink Friday 2’ Lands at No. 1

You can watch the full conversation below.

The post WATCH: Nicki Minaj Recalls the Moment She Heard About Her Father’s Passing first appeared on The Source.

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Jonathan Majors to Give First Interview Since Guilty Verdict to ABC News

Jonathan Majors to Give First Interview Since Guilty Verdict to ABC News

Jonathan Majors will have his first TV interview with ABC News following his guilty verdict and firing from Marvel Studios.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Majors will return to a Disney owned project for an interview with ABC News anchor Linsey Davis, which will make its debut on Good Morning America this coming Monday (Jan. 8). The extended interview will air on ABC News Live show, Prime, later in the day.

Marvel Studios dropped Jonathan Majors following being found guilty of assault and harassment. Marvel’s Cinematic Universe’s most recent phase was built around the star Kang the Conqueror character, which was a star in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, both seasons of Loki, and was set to be the main character of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, which was set to drop on May 1, 2026.

The Hollywood Reporter confirms Majors’ ousting. A new draft for the new Marvel film will be created with the decision. Previously, The Lede Company and his managers at Entertainment 360 dropped the actor.

Jonathan Majors has been found guilty of reckless assault in the third degree and harassment by a New York jury.

The six-person jury concluded of four hours of deliberation across three days. The verdict was read to the court as Majors sat with his girlfriend Meagan Good, his attorneys, and family members.

Majors was found not guilty of intentional assault in the third degree and aggravated harassment in the second degree.

Majors will now face sentencing on Feb. 6.

Previously, Jonathan Majors admitted in text messages to having once been abusive to his accuser and ex-girlfriend, Grace Jabbari. The reveal of an incident six months before his arrest in March 2023 was made in court on Friday.

“I fear you have no perspective of what could happen if you go to the hospital,” Majors said in a text in September 2022. “They will ask you questions, and as I don’t think you actually protect us, it could lead to an investigation even if you do lie, and they suspect something.”

The message also read, “It’s just fake.” She also wrote, “I will tell the doctor i bumped my head.” Jabbari cried as she read the message in court.

The full message was read by Assistant District Attorney Kelli Galaway: “I will tell the doctor I bumped my head if I go. I’m going to give it one more day, but I can’t sleep and I need some stronger pain killers. That’s all: why would I tell them what really happened when it’s clear I want to be with you?”

The messages have been categorized as “Molineux evidence,” accoridng to PEOPLE, meaning that it could “provide necessary background information or explanation” to the charged acts.

In other messages, Major wrote, “Last night I considered killing myself versus coming home. I need love too. Or maybe I’m such a monster and horrible man, I don’t deserve it. And I should just kill myself. In this way, my existence is miserable, I want to die.”

The opening statements of Jonathan Majors‘ assault case were delivered on Monday (Dec. 4). The prosecutor would reveal details of the alleged incidents that led to law enforcement being called.

The prosecutor, Michael Perez, revealed the March 25 incident was not between two strangers. Instead, he detailed that Majors and his girlfriend Grace Jabbari were in a “serious relationship” of two years and once discussed marriage and kids.

The night was stated to have gone left inside a private car when a woman named Cleopatra texted Majors, “Wish I was kissing you right now.” Jabbari grabbed the phone, leading to a struggle between the two. Majors is stated to have tried to pry her finger off the phone, causing bruising, swelling, and pain. Opposing the story is Majors’s defense lawyer, Priya Chaudhry, who stated Jabbari did the assault, resulting in rips to the actor’s coat.

According to Variety, Chaudhry stated Jabbari would go to a club with strangers after the event, while Majors checked into a hotel and sent a text ending the relationship. Jabbari returned to the apartment and called Majors 32 times, then took two sleeping pills. Majors went to the apartment the following morning, found Jabbari on the closet floor, and then called the police out of concern. Jabbari reportedly threatened suicide in the texts.

The trial is expected to last two weeks and have testimony from Jabbari and potentially the private car driver.

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Cardi B Seeks Dismissal of Claims in Ongoing Lawsuit Over Alleged Medical Office Altercation

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Four years after rapper Cardi B faced a lawsuit from a security guard at her OBGYN’s office, the legal battle continues as Cardi pushes for the dismissal of multiple claims before the upcoming trial.

Cardi B is actively seeking the dismissal of the claims of false imprisonment and violating the Bane Act in the lawsuit filed by security guard Emani Ellis. The Bane Act, a California law, prohibits the use of force or threats of violence to interfere with a person’s constitutional rights.

As reported by Radar Online, Ellis initially sued Cardi B, alleging that she was physically assaulted after requesting a photo with the rapper. Ellis claimed that Cardi used racial slurs and profanities during the incident, leading to her termination from her job. Cardi vehemently denied all allegations.

In the recent motion, Cardi’s legal team argued for the dismissal of the false imprisonment claim, citing that it was filed past the statute of limitations. According to Cardi, the claim should have been brought within one year of the alleged incident in February 2018, but Ellis filed the lawsuit in February 2020.

The second claim Cardi seeks to dismiss revolves around Ellis alleging that Cardi interfered with her constitutional right to engage in legitimate employment. Cardi’s lawyer countered that Ellis failed to demonstrate how Cardi, as an entertainment celebrity and not a state actor, could legally violate any constitutional rights.

As the trial is set to commence on February 1, Cardi B has also previously requested the court to exclude testimony about her net worth as evidence and to prevent any mention of past altercations with third parties during the proceedings.

Thoughts?

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The post Cardi B Seeks Dismissal of Claims in Ongoing Lawsuit Over Alleged Medical Office Altercation appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Uncle Murda Still Going In: Drops ‘Rap Up 2023’ Part 3

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Rapper Uncle Murda dropped part three of his scathing ‘Rap Up 2023’ and it continues right where he left off in part 2.
Murda changed his style this year by breaking the rap up into 3 parts and revealed why he pulled a switch up for 2023. 

Murda wrote in his Instagram post on Monday:

“Good Morning Sorry for the Delay I been on Tour for the last 6months #FinalLapTour🚦🚦🚦 I’m tired tired 😴 “Part 1 Out Now this year we dropping 3 Parts tomorrow you get the video for Part 1 and Part 2 also dropping cause all y’all waiting for me to do is talk about Diddy 😂🤦🏿‍♂️ I wonder if Diddy on Part 2 or Part 3 or Both @greatjohnmusic on the beat by the way.”

In previous years, Uncle Murda dropped off his wild “Rap Up” tracks all at once. However, his much wanted recaps have gotten longer. His “Rap Up 2022” went for 15 minutes. This year, the BK lyricist aims to release his rap up in three parts. He shared with the ‘The Danza Project’ that 50 Cent encouraged him to split the record up.

“I actually had a conversation 50 about it last year,” Murda said. “He was telling me that I should start breaking it up into parts just because how sometimes the people be looking forward to it and then sometimes also for the radio the DJ’s they be like ‘I wanted to play the whole record man but it was too long.’ So now they got three parts.”

Check out part 3 below.

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[WATCH] YSL Co-Founder Takes Stand In YSL RICO Trial To Demonstrate Gang Signs

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One of the co-founders of Young Slime Life (YSL) appeared in court yesterday (Jan. 3) during the YSL RICO trial, taking the stand as a part of his plea agreement in which he would receive a 10-year sentence with two years and time served.

While taking the stand, Fulton County prosecutor Adriane Love asked Stephens about his involvement in gangs, including ROC (Raised on Cleveland) Crew as well as YSL, with Love seemingly getting frustrated with Stephens’ indirect answers about gang activities.

Love then asked Stephens to show the court gang hand signs used by members of Sex Money Murder, which he showed to the courtroom. When Love asked Stephens, “Have you ever falsely claimed ‘Sex Money Murder?’,” he admitted that he claimed false allegiance to the set. 

The post [WATCH] YSL Co-Founder Takes Stand In YSL RICO Trial To Demonstrate Gang Signs first appeared on The Source.

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