Aptly titled Drive with Swizz Beatz, this new series sees the legendary producer alongside his son, Nasir Dean (aka Note Marcato), as they travel worldwide and explore the difference in car cultures. And while music may be a #1 passion for both, it appears cars come in as a closed second.
The Source had the opportunity to chat with Swizz Beatz and Note Marcato at the red carpet premiere and screening of DRIVE WITH SWIZZ BEATZ in Los Angeles. The special evening took place at the Petersen Automotive Museum.
What is your favorite car of all time?
Swizz Beatz: Damn, all time? I don’t think about all time, but I’ll say the LaFerrari is up there.
Note Marcato: I’m not gonna lie, I really liked the new SP3. It’s crazy.
How was it drifting through the mountains of Tokyo?
Swizz Beatz: I still feel like I got a helmet on. It was out of body experience.
Note Marcato: For sure, and it was on a spiritual level. These people were masters of their craft. You don’t have that type of feeling from anything else.
Did you see Meek Mill called you the GOAT producer on Complex?
Swizz Beatz: Oh man, I didn’t see that.
Who is the GOAT producer for you?
Swizz Beatz: For me, it’s Marley Mall.
Note Marcato: For me, it’s 1000% My father. Because when he was explaining to me how he actually made them, I believe was last New Year’s or Christmas. It blew me away because it’s unorthodox. I’m not even saying that because he’s my father, I’m saying that because he’s amazing.
Romeo Miller has been in the limelight since he was a child, exploding onto the scene with his debut single “My Baby” when he was just 12 years old. Fast forward to 2023, he uses his platform to inspire, motivate, and give back to the masses.
Last week during the Future Stars Charity Gala, the 34-year-old was honored with the Community Impact Award alongside Blac Chyna and Don Benjamin. The formal attire/black tie event served as a fundraiser raise money for underprivileged kids in the community who can’t afford basketball clinics or camps.
Eszylfie Taylor, owner and founder of the Future Stars Basketball Camp, introduces Romeo by stating he’s “a multi-faceted star within film, television, music, sports, and philanthropy. As a highly-paid actor, artist and entrepreneur, he’s a devoted father of two beautiful little girls, girl dad! Early in his career, this individual broke Michael Jackson’s record for being the youngest artist to win a Billboard Artist and Single of the Year awards. Despite the successes, he’s a devout Christian, philanthropist, and recognized as a National Ambassador for MLK Commission. His community work has helped raise millions in funding towards elevating youth in their communities. It was an honor to present this Community Impact Award to Romeo Miller.”
Romeo Miller then took the time to deliver a heartfelt speech, upon receiving his award.
“Simply in the Bible, in Mark 9:23, it says that if you believe that anything truly is possible. I feel that’s what my career has been, starting at the age of 10 years old and having so much success. They say to master a craft or be a pro at something, you need to have at least 10,000 hours. Already right now, I already have 150,000 hours of mastering my craft. I want to thank you for honoring me because a lot of people usually don’t see that hard work, what it takes to have a career over 20 plus years of success and positivity before the age of 30.”
Romeo then delivers a message for the youth: “basketball and any sport is the game of life. It’s the blueprint of life. We got anybody who went to USC? Are there any Trojans? There we go. I won a college championship, a PAC-10 championship with DeMar DeRozan. I always tell the kids: that sport — that basketball, that football, that golf ball, that tennis ball, that represents your dream. However much work you put into it, that’s what you’re gonna get out of it. Your coach represents your parents. Whether you have a good one or a bad one, you’re gonna have to learn how to navigate the cards you were dealt.”
“Those fans: you might have fans that cheer for you, fans that cheer against you,” Romeo continues. “They have no effect on your goal unless you let them. That’s why it’s so important, camps like this, Future Stars because basketball is the game of life. And I give so much of my success, so much of my mental strength of playing the great game of basketball.”
Romeo prides himself in being a prime example.
“I have a new car company called Trion,” he states. “We want to make kids know they could do anything. You can be in the automotive system, you could be an astronaut. We’re using this to help kids be inspired. I want to thank all y’all beautiful people for coming out here, because this is how we make the change. This is how we make a difference. I want to dedicate this award to my late great, beautiful little sister in heaven, Tatiana Miller. Everything I do is for you now.”
It’s officially French Montana’s birthday, which means he’s celebrating in a MAJOR way.
On Thursday, November 9th, the Coke Boys founder threw an official birthday celebration called Moroccan Nights, in partnership with Zeus Network. The invite itself read “next level experience,” and that’s exactly what guests got when they arrived. Anyone who knows French knows how much he values and cherishes his roots, which is every reason why he had to pay it forward.
The star-studded affair took place inside French’s home in Calabasas, transforming his home into a straight movie. There was weed from Big Chief and Hidden Hills, edibles from Polka Dot, and fire tunes from DJ Sky High Baby. The kitchen also housed the bomb ass food, while the bar offered endless drinks.
And while French was celebrating his own born day, we couldn’t forget the main attraction: a fashion show featuring the latest in the Coke Boys streetwear line. The clothing is designed by fashion designer and mogul Desto Dubb, who’s best known for turning his clothing brand, That’s A Whole Awful Lot Of Cough Syrup, into a million-dollar business.
7 top models participated in the show, as guests were able to view the exciting new collection. Desto has been the visionary behind the Coke Boys brand, working very closely with French and planning the entire fashion show for him. The trajectory of Coke Boys stems from French’s iconic mixtape series titled Coke Boys, releasing six installments to date.
Celebrity sightings for the evening include Chris Brown, Tiffany Haddsih, Amber Rose, Jason Lee, Adam22, and more!
Nick Grant gives us hope that real Hip-Hop is here to stay.
Born and raised in Walterboro, South Carolina, a small town that hosted around 5,000 people, Nick knew he was destined for something greater early on. Being raised by his grandparents and growing up on Hip-Hop music, he’d soon find his own footing in the rap game. Soon, he’d explode onto the scene with his undeniable bars, soulful sound, and meaningful lyrics that do not go unnoticed.
Now, the “FEDS” rapper returns with his first project in over three years, showcasing the most vulnerable side of himself fans have yet to see. Clocking in at 16 tracks, Sunday Dinner touches on a multitude of topics including Nick’s personal experiences growing up, such as turmoil in the household, his mom’s addiction issues, and much more.
The Source spoke with Nick Grant in downtown Los Angeles to discuss his love for Hip-Hop, the new project, goals, and more!
What was the moment you fell in love with Hip-Hop?
When I heard Ready To Die by Biggie. It was “Juicy” and “Big Poppa” the single. That era, that time. Doggystyle was influential in me falling in love with Hip-Hop as well. But those two artists, Pac was always around. That era of music, the 90’s era of music. I had to be 5 or 6 when I was hearing this music.
You knew then that you wanted to spit?
I didn’t know I wanted to rap, they made it look fun to me. I just enjoyed it. By the time I got into Nas heavy, because he’s around the same class of artists. Jay Z. Those were the guys where you know what, I’ma try my hand at this and see how it pans out.
Where do you see the current state of Hip-Hop?
Man. [laughs] That’s a good question. We need more balance. We need more people waving the integrity flag, the skillset flag. Shining more light and giving more opportunity to the people that — and I’m not a person where it’s gotta be me. I’ve gotta be the guy you give the opportunity to. Nah, there’s kids younger than me that push the same thing I’ve pushed. That help the art form, help push the envelope and help it get to a more balanced place.
We gotta shine more light on the people that are baring their soul, putting a lot of time and effort into making a statement. As opposed to “oh, this is my friend. This guy’s…” I think we gotta give it to the people that actually deserve it. I can’t say what somebody doesn’t deserve, but we should give it to people that wave a certain flag and have a certain skillset.
What are your thoughts on the female rap scene right now?
Oh they’re killing it. Killing it. A lot of them making us look bad. [laughs] They have more fun. The person that has the most fun is always gonna have more victories.
Sunday Dinner out now, what was the concept that inspired the project?
Sunday Dinner is an album about my experiences in the South, South Carolina to be exact. Living with my grandma, and my mom and dad having their own personal issues that they had to figure out. That led me to living with her. Her rules were school, church, Sunday dinner. That wasn’t a thing that was specifically said, but it was how she moved. She showed that was her purpose for me at that time.
I’d go to school, I slipped up a few times. I’ll be outside hanging with the “wrong people.” Getting in trouble, doing a lot of things at school that she wouldn’t approve of. Going to church, she kept me grounded in a sense with these three things. But Sunday dinner, I’d see everybody. Everybody came over to the house and she’d cook.
My aunt’s would also have Sunday dinner, we’d go over there. My family’s really big, so I’d see different characters come into the household. Whether it was my mom who had addiction issues or my cousin who went to college, or my cousin who’s a basketball player. Taking all these different personalities and applying them to who I am, enhancing my character in a sense.
How do they feel about the project, especially since it’s inspired by them?
I only spoke to immediate family, like siblings. They love it. They feel like it’s honest and truthful. My mom opens up the album, that was a conversation I had to have with her. Because it was her being represented in a light that maybe I didn’t want people to see her in. I wasn’t strong enough to put her in that position to be seen in that, but for me, nah you gotta be vulnerable. If you want to have a voice, not if you want to be the biggest artist in the world — but if you want to feel like your voice is important, you gotta say things that resonate with people. Attract people and bring them in, so that’s what that album is all about.
I love the song “KNOW YOUR WORTH.” What is your favorite song and why?
My favorite song is “GRANDMA SAID.” It’s still “KNOW YOUR WORTH,” but that’s my favorite song at the moment. It’s the soulful element of it, and how specific it is. Even my cousin saying, “yo Nick, you need to come in the house,” all of this stuff. I could smell outside. I could feel what that moment was like as a kid when I was recreating that song. That’s my favorite song at the moment. It changes every day, but right now that’s my favorite song.
Anything you were trying to capture in the cover art?
Man, I had a whole nother idea. It was based on the things that culture, TV, everything in the world that feeds our communities. It was gonna be a plate with a gun on it, I was gonna be super deep. Cocaine on it, a whole bunch of stuff. But it didn’t photograph well. It has to photograph well for this to come across. But I said yo, instead of being so deep and dark, just show something a little more warmer. Everybody likes women, everybody loves a beautiful girl. Everybody in the hood has had their hair cut outside or inside at some point. Something like you know, just more relatable for sure. And not so deep to where certain people say “what point is he trying to get across?” This album was basically just show us in a good light.
How’d you end up working with Tweet on “HEAVEN”?
Tweet is someone I always respect and looked up to. Since I was a kid, she’s been making music. Since I was really young, she’s always been somebody that I loved. I loved her tone, how her voice was. How she put her music together, everything. Her album, Southern Hummingbird, was a classic to me. Influenced me in a major way.
I always said once I’m in the position and able to make an album the right way, the proper way, I want to reach out to her. See if she’ll do a song. I DMed her, she hit me back. She said “yo you’re incredible, I’d love to do a record.” She pulled up. Soon as I hit her, she pulled up. I was in Atlanta at the time, she pulled up to the studio. Chilled, had a few sips of wine. Made some records. We made a whole lot of songs.
How important is Instagram in today’s day and age to reach artists?
Very important. Very important for me, because I got rid of the ego. I was always the “aw, i’m not reaching out to nobody like that. I want to meet them a little more organically,” but this is the times we live in. You gotta apply that to if you’re trying to get something done. A close friend of mine said “man, just reach out to people bro. Stop overthinking it and do it.” By the grace of God, that way it worked that time.
What’s the most exciting DM you’ve gotten?
[laughs] Man, I got a few. I’ll keep it PG, but another one was from one of my favorite rappers: Royce Da 5’9”. When I first came in the game, he’s like “yo keep it up. You’re dope.” After that, he sent me a record. He’s somebody I always watched and respected. Another one was Erick Sermon. Classic EPMD, legendary Hip-Hop producer. I’m young, but I’m really old at heart. These guys were, still are, superheroes to me.
How does this project showcase your growth as an artist?
For me, this project shows vulnerability. lt shows growth, it shows not hugging the tree of “man, I don’t want a motherfucker to see me like this. I don’t want people to have this opinion about me.” It’s all about not caring about opinions anymore. That’s the space I’m in. Excuse my language, but I don’t give a fuck about everybody’s opinion musically, about me in life.
When I first came in the game, I wanted everybody to love me.
It was really organic though, people naturally liked you.
Yeah somewhat, but I still cared. I still moved in a way where I want you to feel like this about me, I’m the best and I’m this cool person. I still want you to feel like that, but I’m not forcing that. I don’t care about your opinion about who I am. If something connects and resonates, I’m always moving on respect always. But I’m not concerned about people’s opinions about me anymore. That’s the place I’m in.
That’s a very freeing place!
Yeah for sure, life is so much easier. Because I feel like that, I’m closer to my goals. Because I’m not letting the distractions of “man if I do this, this person’s gonna feel like this. If i say this, I’ma offend this person?” So definitely a freeing space.
What are your goals?
My whole mentality has always been to get in a space, and help like-minded people. Of course I love money, I want to have money and I want to be successful. But always for me, the thing that’s most important is you’re not gonna live forever, so you gotta create a cycle of helping people and lifting people up. That’s what I want my contributions to life to be. When it’s all said and done, it’s “man, he helped so many people.” It’s my whole mentality of lift as you climb, get to a better place. Help this person, hopefully they keep the cycle going. But I get a lot of flack for it. “What they doing for you? They wouldn’t do that for you if they were in position.” That’s basically what it’s all about.
Anything else you want to let us know?
Sunday Dinner out right now, go get it. It’s my most personal album, my best album. A lot of people agree with me. I had a hump as far as 88 being my first project. Everybody was saying “yo, this is your best project.” But this project got me over the hump. Showing people nah, he made a project better than that. And I actually know who he is. Because it was at a point where “Yo, he’s one of the best rappers. What else? What’s the story? How can I relate to this person? Of course, I love the punchlines. I love the verses, all this shit. What can I take and connect it with?” That’s what this album is about.
Ten years ago, rapper Nicki Minaj predicted she would be married with a kid in ten years. Just like she predicted, the married Queen’s icon welcomed her first child with her husband, Kenneth ‘Zoo’ Petty three years ago. Now the grammy-nominated Barb is admitting that the baby put a temporary strain on her marriage in 2020 when the couple decided to raise their baby without the help from nanny’s. Nicki also reveals that she doesn’t allow her son to eat sweets or drink juice.
OK Magazine reports:
Nicki Minaj admitted her and Kenneth Petty’s relationship has not always been at its best.
In a recent interview, the “Super Bass” singer revealed that she and her hubby went through a rough patch in 2020 after the birth of their son, whom Minaj calls “Papa Bear.”
During the sit down, the star revealed she and Petty raised their infant son without any help other than a few visits from a grandparent.
“I’m not going to lie, things got testy between us,” she said in the interview, published Thursday, November 9. “Because of our history, I think we knew we’d get past it. But there’s no such thing as confidence in parenthood.”
She continued: “I kind of wish that someone had told me — although I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to understand it — that there’s a level of anxiety, and you think it’s going to go away, but in fact it gets scarier.”
“So often you think: I don’t know how to do this!” she confessed.
Minaj also talked about her parenting choices for Papa Bear, including her decision to not allow him to eat sweets or drink juice.
“Illnesses like diabetes run in our community,” she explained. “I’m not in favor of body positivity if it means unhealthy bodies. That’s bull. It’s not believable, so let’s stop pretending.”
A few months ago, three of pop star Lizzo’s former back-up dancers filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the singer, accusing her of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Now one of the dancers has added shocking new details to the suit claiming she soiled her clothing but kept dancing in fear of losing her job.
Radar Online reports:
One of Lizzo’s dancers is giving more details about the alleged hostile work environment she experienced while being in the presence of the pop star — including the “disgusting” moment she soiled herself during re-auditions.
In new court documents obtained by RadarOnline.com, Arianna Davis, who was cast in the first season of Watch Out For The Big Grrrls and went on to tour with Lizzo, said the dance cast was forced to “re-audition to save our jobs” in or around April 2023.
“I was incredibly nervous. We were required to dance the 90-minute show from top to bottom. Lizzo was sitting, facing the stage, watching the dancers re-audition,” Davis said in her declaration filed on Wednesday.
She claimed she was “under the impression” the dancers “could not take a break and leave the stage area.” Davis also said she was fearful of “missing a cue and being fired.”
That’s when she detailed the embarrassing moment she soiled herself in front of Lizzo.
“However, I began to feel that I needed to use the restroom, but I was afraid that if I left the stage I would be fired. I continued on as long as I could, but I eventually lost control of my bladder,” Davis recalled. “I continued to dance in my soiled clothes. I felt disgusting, but I couldn’t show it on my face or in my movement, for I continued to fear losing my job.”
“During this time, I hurried backstage with the intention of changing into clean clothes. However, I realized that I had no additional clothes to change into,” the docs read.
Saying she was “distressed,” Davis claimed she told the other dancers about her embarrassing situation. While some of them allegedly “offered their jackets to help cover me up,” another dancer ran to the wardrobe department.
“She came back with a pair of see-through shorts,” Davis, who described herself as religious and a virgin, stated in the docs. “I was mortified, but I had to put them on because my cue to go back on stage was coming up.”
It only got worse from there, she claimed.
“I swiftly ran to the nearest bathroom, wiped myself off, and put on the pair of see-through shorts. I continued the rest of the show exposed from the waist down. I had no underwear on, and anyone could see my behind and my torso,” Davis alleged.
Davis claimed that after the re-audition, Lizzo “simply got up and left the stage,” but her choreographer, Tanisha Scott, suggested she change into something else.
That’s when she was allegedly forced to relive the humiliating moment.
“I then had to explain to her that I could not, as I had urinated in my other clothes,” the docs read. Davis said she was eventually fired in May after Lizzo and her team discovered she had secretly recorded one of their meetings.
According to Davis, Lizzo “cursed at me and said that I f—— up big time.” The dancer claimed that the singer and her dance captain “took turns berating me in front of everybody. Lizzo ultimately fired me in front of everyone.”
Davis joined several of her fellow dancers in a lawsuit against Lizzo, alleging they were forced to endure a sexually charged and hostile work environment and were weight-shamed during their employment. Lizzo has denied the allegations.
On this day Hip-Hop history we celebrate the birth of one of the culture’s brightest stars, the late, great Russell Jones, affectionately known to the Hip-Hop world as Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
To Hip Hop, Dirt Dog was more than a rapper. His personality and ostentatious demeanor were representatives of the soul of Hip-Hop. He did not let the fame and status take away from his character. Those who knew him said that he remained true to himself throughout his career making him quite the public figure. According to some, Ol’ Dirty was the type to help an old woman cross the street then, once he got to the other side, run a bystander for his jewels. He was a noble man with a righteous cause for sinning. His legacy is one that will not fade anytime soon.
In honor of his 50th-degree day, we have put together a top-five list of some of Big Baby Jesus’ most outrageous and memorable moments and these aren’t the only ones to chose from.
Performing as a Fugitive of Justice
In the fall of 2000, ODB was facing two charges for drug possession and had two separate warrants out for his arrest. This didn’t case The Specialist to lose any sleep. He, in fact, took the stage at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York performing exactly one verse before having to flee the scene. He even gave his fans a warning before gracing the mic saying, “I can’t stay on the stage too long tonight—the cops is after me.”
Taking a Limo to Pick Up Food Stamps
Who wouldn’t take advantage of the opportunity to pick up a government assistance check-in style, not ODB. In an MTV News interview, OL’ Dirty takes MTV and the viewers at home on a unique ride down to the welfare office in a fully-loaded stretch limo. If that wasn’t good enough, ODB’s response when asked why he is so blatantly making a mockery of the welfare system he responds, “[They] owe me 40 acres and a mule anyway.” Touche, Dirt Dog, touche.
Interrupting a Grammy Acceptance Speech
In 1998, way before Kanye embarrassed Taylor Swift on the VMA stage, ODB took to the stage to voice his opinion on Wu-Tang losing Best Rap Album to Puff Daddy & The Family’s No Way Out. Unfortunately for some, OBD didn’t make it on stage until Shawn Colvin was on stage making his acceptance speech for winning Song of the Year, much after the after Diddy was awarded his Grammy. In a few short moments, ODB expressed his frustration by saying,
“I went and bought me an outfit today that costed me a lot of money today because I figured Wu-Tang was going to win. I don’t know how y’all see it, but when to comes it to the children, Wu-Tang is for the children. We teach the children. Puffy is good, but Wu-Tang is the best. I want you to know that this is ODB, and I love you all.”
Giving an Interview for the Children with No Shoes on Outside
In one of his best interviews, ODB goes on a rant about being only for the children on the streets of Brooklyn, while barefoot. At first glance, it may seem strange, but if you think about it, the prophets of old were more than likely shoe-less. Trying to picture Jesus speaking to his disciples in a pair of crisp white Air Force Ones just isn’t right, maybe Big Baby was on to something.
Made video with Mariah Carey “Fantasy”
Just when you thought that there was only a “dirty version” to ODB, he opened up his soft side and collaborated with legendary songbird Mariah Carey for her “Fantasy” remix. Carey ended up being one of Dirty’s closest confidants, writing him letters of support during his two-year incarceration in upstate New York.
Four-time Grammy-winning artist Drake is set to embark on his 2024 U.S. It’s All A Blur Tour – Big As The What? presented by Cash App and Visa, featuring Grammy-winning producer J. Cole on various dates. Produced by Live Nation, the tour starts with two shows in Denver on January 18 and 19, followed by stops in cities like Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Nashville, and more, concluding in Birmingham on March 27.
Following the success of his 2023 It’s All A Blur Tour with 50 sold-out shows, Drake’s latest tour accompanies the release of his eighth studio album, “For All The Dogs.” Cash App Cardholders can access an exclusive presale starting Nov. 15, with general sales beginning Nov. 17 at 11 am local time on drakerelated.com. This tour promises an unforgettable experience for fans, building on Drake’s legacy of chart-topping success and dynamic live performances.
DRAKE ‘IT’S ALL A BLUR TOUR – BIG AS THE WHAT?’ 2024 TOUR DATES:
Thu Jan 18 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena +
Fri Jan 19 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Mon Jan 22 – San Antonio, TX – Frost Bank Center
Thu Jan 25 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
Mon Jan 29 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center +
Tue Jan 30 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Fri Feb 02 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Wed Feb 07 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena +
Thu Feb 08 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena +
Mon Feb 12 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Fri Feb 16 – Pittsburgh, PA – PPG Paints Arena
Tue Feb 20 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center +
Wed Feb 21 – Columbus, OH – Schottenstein Center
Sat Feb 24 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
Tue Feb 27 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
Sat Mar 02 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center
Tue Mar 05 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum
Sun Mar 10 – Lexington, KY – Rupp Arena
Thu Mar 14 – Belmont Park, NY – UBS Arena ~
Mon Mar 18 – State College, PA – Bryce Jordan Center ~
Sat Mar 23 – Sunrise, FL – Amerant Bank Arena ~
Wed Mar 27 – Birmingham, AL – The Legacy Arena at BJCC ~
Killer Mike has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards, but the big one is Best Rap Album for his critically acclaimed release, Michael. Speaking with AllHipHop, Killer Mike is grateful but is now looking to get the win.
“I wanna win and I ain’t gonna lie or be shy about it. I wanna bring trophies home for Atlanta, for Hip-Hop, for my Granny, Miss Bettie and her daughter and my beloved and beautiful mother, Denise,” Killer Mike said.
In September, Killer Mike released the definitive version of his acclaimed 2023 album MICHAEL DELUXE on 2xLP vinyl, CD, and digital. The album – now expanded to 17 tracks on the physical editions and 18 tracks digitally – arrives alongside a video for the new song “YES”. The album details were announced last week with the release of “Maynard Vignette,” a huge multi-generational Atlanta anthem with features from T.I., JID, and Jacquees, with Mike explaining that “MICHAEL was originally longer and now we’re starting to release the rest of it. These songs are some of my favorites from the album sessions, but we needed more time to get them the way we imagined them. We finished three of them in time to make the vinyl and one more for the digital.”
Killer Mike hosted a global album celebration party for his fans on his YouTube channel on the eve of the album last night where he premiered WHAT MADE MICHAEL (A Conversation with Elliott Wilson), a mini-doc where he breaks down his album and gives fans a guided tour of his upbringing in Atlanta, followed by the premiere of the music video for his new single “YES.” Mike also joined Anthony Valadez and KCRW for a special evening at Apogee Studio in Los Angeles that aired as a Morning Becomes Eclectic session yesterday to celebrate the release (watch it here). This Sunday Mike will host a Record Store Revival at Rough Trade NYC at 4pm, an in-conversation event moderated by Carrie Colliton (Co-President of Record Store Day) followed by an album signing event for fans in attendance. The conversation from the event will also livestream via his and Rough Trade’s YouTube + META platforms, so that his fans around the world can join – tune in here.
The news of lyrics used in the upcoming Young Thug and YSL Rico trial has shaken Hip-Hop. One of the artists speaking out is Meek Mill, acknowledging his fear for the future.
“Locking us for rapping got me scared to do a interview free Jeff free Lucci,” Meek wrote on X.
Locking us for rapping got me scared to do a interview free Jeff free lucci
With a trial date set for the YSL Rico case, a Fulton County judge ruled to allow song lyrics to be used as evidence under certain conditions.
According to WSB-TV, Judge Ural Glanville conditionally admitted 17 sets of lyrics that prosecutors can use as evidence against Young Thug and his five remaining co-defendants. There must be grounds to use the lyrics in court.
In opposition to the ruling, Young Thug’s attorney, Brian Steel, stated the decision was against free speech. Meanwhile, the prosecutor saw it as deeper.
“Your honor, someone can look at that indictment and say one thing’s for sure, that’s not fantasy, people are dead and murdered and a gang exist,” said Mike Carlson, prosecutor.
Earlier this week, another co-defendant in the YSL RICO case reached a plea deal. Derontae Bebee has accepted a 15-year sentence, split into five years in prison with ten years in probation.
According to Fox 5-Atlanta, Bebee, also known as “Bee” and “B,” agreed to the plea deal with Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville. Bebee’s attorney, Durante Partridge, stated a high level of work went into the deal. “We’ve worked very hard on this,” Partridge said.
He added, “Fifteen serve 5 versus the opportunity to serve life plus in prison, you know, we definitely moved in the right direction.”
Judge Glanville urged Bebee to set a new life for himself. “You’re 23 years old, you’ve had enough trials in your life at this point in time,” he said. “Time to be able to reclaim your own life.”
After the deal, there are six defendants, including Young Thug, set to go to trial on Nov. 27.
The jury selection in the YSL Rico cause is coming to a close. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 50 jurors have qualified for the case, and there was a selection of 12 jurors and six alternates. The trial date is expected to start on Nov. 27.
According to 11Alive, Judge Ural Glanville would begin seating the jury on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The seating comes from the Georgia speedy trial law.
Young Thug put in a request for a speedy trial after his arrest last year but the jury selection process began in January and has lasted until the decision from Glanville. The selection is considered to be “the longest in Georgia” history.
Recent attempts to secure a bond for Young Thug have been denied, as Young THug’s legal team states he is struggling with jail conditions and has gained weight.
