According to confirmed news reports, several fans suffered injuries at Travis Scott’s show in Rome, Italy at the Circus Maximus on Monday(August 7).
After the show was over, about 60 fans reported injuries and needed medical attention. Even though the possibility for this to happen exists at any concert, however, with the 2021 Astroworld tragedy attached to his name, Scott and his team will be highly scrutinized when anyone os injured at any of his shows.
No one was reported seriously injured, however, a 14-year-old that tried to sneak in the show by climbing over a structure was injured while another fan was pepper sprayed for creating riotous conditions in the same general area.
On this day in Hip Hop history, the management company and label imprint Violator released their first compilation album entitled Violator: The Album. Showcasing the management team’s star-studded talent roster, this album is full of rarities making it a must-have for any self-proclaimed “Hip Hop head.”
For those out of the loop, Violator was a multi-dimensional entertainment conglomerate ran by Chris Lighty until his untimely passing on August 30, 2012. Thriving mainly from 1999 to the early 2000s, Violator represented some of Hip Hop’s most known titans including Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Q-Tip, Missy Elliot, Nas, Mya, 50 Cent, Mobb Deep and LL Cool J just to name a few.
Violator: The Album was the first release from Violator Records, in collaboration with Def Jam. Due to Chris Lighty and Violator’s expansive resources, this album was able to be jam-packed with talent ranging from all sides of Hip Hop. With production handled by The Beatnuts, DJ Scratch, Diamond D, Havoc, Q-Tip, and Swizz Beatz it is hard to dispute that this album is not one of the best-produced projects of 1999; and, as prolific as the production team for this album may be, it still in no way outshines the artist performances. With features from Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Mobb Deep, Ja Rule, Hot Boys, Noreaga, Fat Joe, Big Pun, 8Ball, and Cam’ron, this album can be considered one of the best-orchestrated compilation tapes to date.
Commercially, the album was quite successful peaking at #8 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. The project sold very well and was certified gold within one month of its release.
Regardless of its sales or star roster, what makes this album a piece of Hip Hop history is the first single released from the project,A Tribe Called Quest’s Q-Tip’s solo debut. “Vivrant Thing” which peaked at #26 on the Billboard Hot 100 was released in promotion for Q-Tip’s debut solo LP Amplified. This track marked the evolution of Q-Tip’s career, marking his transition to independence.
Following the success of this album, Violator went on to release a sequel two years prior. Violator: The Album 2.0 had a similar response, but failed to be as popular as its predecessor.
According to several confirmed reports, sneaker giant Foot Locker has reported refused to restock their retails stores with the leftover inventory of Yeezys from Adidas for fear of a backlash of supporting West’s endeavors after his anti-Semitic rants last year.
A statement from Foot Locker reads, “While we remain a partner with Adidas and carry a wide assortment of their collections, we will not be supporting any future Yeezy product drops, and we have instructed our retail operators to pull any existing product from our shelves and digital sites.”
When Kanye West made the statements in question in 2022, Foot Locker immediately pulled his inventory of shoes from the shelves and condemned the rapper.fashion mogul in a statement, saying, “Foot Locker, Inc. does not tolerate any form of antisemitism, or hateful and discriminatory behavior.”
In honor of Hip Hop’s 50th born day, the Estate of the late Christopher Wallace and beer giant Budweiser have joined forces to revamp the monumental Black music magazine Word Up!
The classic print publication which donned newsstands for almost 25 years got a namedrop in Biggie’s hit “Juicy” in the opening line, where he said, “It was all a dream; I used to read ‘Word Up!’ magazine.” The partnership was initially formed back in 2021, but today (August 9), the plans for a limited run of Word Up! mags will be available for die hard Biggie fans and fans of the Hip Hop/R&B publication too.
Word Up!‘s founding Editor-in-Chief Gerrie Summers will definitely contribute her pen to this project, however with the focus being on B.I.G., Ms. Voletta Wallace will open the series, along with handwritten lyrics, rare photos, personal memorabilia and untold stories about The Notorious B.I.G.
Be sure to get your copy as only 5,000 copies will be distributed throughout Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago. The issue is slated to drop on September 13.
On this date in 1994, WTC affiliates Gravediggaz dropped the crew’s groundbreaking debut album 6 Feet Deep. The group, composed of Prince Paul, Frukwan of Stetsasonic, RNS, Grym Reaper, Mr. Sime, and The Abbott himself aka the Rzarector, released this classic piece on Gee Street Records. The original title, Niggamortis, was changed in order to appeal to mainstream audiences.
The album ended up being a trailblazing prototype for what is now recognized as the “horrorcore Hip Hop” genre. It’s grizzly references to death, graves, and other snuff scenarios carved a lane for Gravediggaz all of their own.
Tracks like “Diary Of A Madman” and “Nowhere To Run, Nowhere To Hide” led the album’s momentum as strong singles, but hidden gems like “Bang Your Head” and “Here Comes The Gravediggaz” were favorites of backpacking rap enthusiasts everywhere.
Salute to the Gravediggaz for this solid album! Peace!
Rihanna and her son RZA star in the new maternity capsule campaign for Savage X Fenty. The collection includes the Savage Not Sorry Lace Maternity Bralette, the Savage X Cotton Maternity Bralette, and the Floral Lace Maternity Bralette. Additionally, there is a “MAKE MORE BABIES” t-shirt.
The pieces range from sizes XXS to 4X and cost between $35 and $60. “The new maternity capsule is about bringing that confidence and comfort to moms at every stage of their journeys,” Rihanna revealed to Vogue. “I want to remind people that you can still channel sexiness and feel good while being a parent.”
Last month, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky continued to give parenting goals. The two are in Barbados, and Rihanna shared an image of Rocky holding their son, RZA.
In the picture, Rocky lifts RZA in the sky. She captioned the post “my Bajan boyz.”
Travis Scott is getting ready to tour his new album, UTOPIA. Hitting Instagram, Scott announced that tour dates are on the way. “UTOPIA TOUR SOON, US AND EURO DATES SOON TO BE ANNOUNCE, I MISS THE ROAD I MISSS YALLL,” he wrote.
The tour is reported to start in September in Chicago and wrapping in November after Thanksgiving in Miami.
During Travis Scott’s CIRCUS MAXIMUS show broadcast live from Rome, Italy, Ye appeared on stage in all black.
As Ye took the stage, Travis Scott put the fans on notice: “Only one human being on this mother f***ing planet that has ever walked side by side with me through anything and every mother f***ing thing.”
Later on in his set, Scott also said, “There is no UTOPIA without Kanye West, there is no Travis Scott without Kanye West, there is no Rome without Kanye West”
During Ye’s time on stage, he performed “Praise God” and returned to his Graduation days for “Can’t Tell Me Nothing.” You can see the social media footage below.
Offset’s time as a member of the Quality Control roster appears to be over and there may be a settlement involved. TMZ obtained legal docs showing Offset dismissed his lawsuit against the label, calling off a battle over his music and solo career.
Offset will move on from QC and any issues between the involved parties have been “smoothed over.”
Offset’s career is set to continue with Motown Records, where he dropped off the single for “Jealousy” featuring Cardi B. The video opens with Jamie Lee Curtis narrating the drama. The two directly address the issues between the two in the bars. In the visual, Offset evokes Jodi from Baby Boy, leaving the crib and hopping on his bike to ride through the streets of LA.
Keeping it to the Baby Boy theme, Cardi B calls her homegirl to complain, who happened to be the original Yvette, Taraji P. Henson.
After an impressive opening run from Offset, including a beat transition that forces a head nod, Cardi B tags in for a float of her own, adding on to her impressive run of features through 2023.
“Jealousy” is the first single from Offset’s forthcoming album. You can see the Offset directed video below.
Yo Gotti is standing strong with Angela Simmons as his lady. During a run-in with TMZ, Gotti was open about his love, simply stating, “She’s the One,” and he is ready to “give her the world.”
Angela Simmons gushed over her lover Yo Gotti in a new interview with Audacy’s V-103. During the conversation, Simmons reveals, “I’m in a great space.”
Simmons was asked about marrying the CMG head honcho, but she isn’t rushing the moment. “I’m in a really good moment, and I’m happy. So when it happens, it’ll happen.”
Simmons also revealed that Gotti is one of her biggest inspirations. “We just get each other,” Simmons said. “He’s a hustler. I love watching him. He inspires me to do better, be better – I’m really happy with him. I think he’s a great person. Not think, I know.”
Angela Simmons recently appeared in Gotti’s new video for “No Fake Love.”
In the visually stunning music video, Gotti delivers dynamic lyrics about his significant other, showcasing his smooth flow and heartfelt verses. The video captures the essence of true love as Gotti raps, “I ain’t lost a crush since high school, I’m Mr. Follow Up,” with his partner seated next to him in his luxurious Rolls Royce.
Iggy Azalea is responding to backlash caused by her penning a letter of support for Tory Lanez ahead of his sentencing.
In case you missed it, Iggy Azalea wrote a letter of support for Tory Lanez to aid his sentencing. According to reporter Meghann Cuniff, Azalea’s letter was one of 70 written supporting the Chixtape rapper. The letter sent a sharp response Iggy’s way on social media.
According to Cuniff, Judge Herriford said Iggy Azalea’s letter asks the judge to impose a sentence “that is transformational, not life destroying.”
Alright we are on the 90-minute break. Judge Herriford got 70+ letters of support for Tory Lanez, including one from @IggyAzalea. He briefly summarized each one. Two jailers wrote letters, one spoke in court. Lanez’ father, Sonstar Peterson, was the last speaker before the break.
Iggy would offer a lengthy response, stating she has not been in touch with Tory in months, but “I do wish him well.” Azalea also noted the letter was supposed to be solely for the judge and was to highlight her “genuine experience and the type of punishment I think he deserves.”
You can see all of Iggy’s responses below.
Iggy Azalea says Tory Lanez doesn’t deserve 5+ years in jail for shooting Megan Thee Stallion pic.twitter.com/kVUEn6yK5z
As his sentencing began, the court was back in session for Tory Lanez on Monday. In a letter from Megan Thee Stallion, the rap superstar says she cannot be in a room with Lanez and has yet to find peace.
Thee Stallion’s statement revealed that not only is she still reeling from the trauma, Lanez has yet to take responsibility for his actions. According to TMZ, Hot Girl Meg stated first, Lanez attempted to blame the system and is not attempting to use childhood trauma as an excuse.
Lanez was supposed to receive his sentence on Monday, but the hearing will continue on Tuesday as time ran over. Prosecutors want Lanez to serve 13 years.
Tory Lanez‘s legal team continues to push for reduced sentencing. Instead of time in jail, Lanez is seeking probation and a drug treatment program.
Providing updates on the court case is Law&Crime reporter Meghann Cuniff who states Lanez’s attorneys, Jose Baez and Ed Welbourn, filed a 41-page memo detailing reasons for the shooting. The two-state Lanez was battling alcoholism and included a report from a psychologist in jail citing a traumatic childhood as aiding the condition. During that childhood, his mother passed away at age 11, and living in a “crack-infested” neighborhood.
The report also states that after Lanez became successful, he leaned on alcohol and weed to deal with his past. The team also pointed to Lanez’s community service as a reason.
Here’s my article on Tory Lanez’s sentencing memo. It’s an interesting mix of “I’m innocent, but assuming I’m guilty, it’s because my alcoholism is a mental disorder.” https://t.co/SueeXpYhIL
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