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Wack 100 Alleges Drake Trying to Legally Interfere With Kendrick’s Half Time Performance

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

There’s rap beef and then there’s rap vendettas. We’re not sure where this one falls. But there are reports that Drake is allegedly trying to block Kendrick Lamar’s upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance through legal action, according to music manager Wack 100. This is coming from Wack, so let’s take it with a heavy grain of salt.

During a recent livestream, Wack claimed that Drake is attempting to get the NFL to “restrict” Kendrick’s performance, possibly due to a rivalry between the two rappers.

“He’s trying to get the NFL to restrict Kendrick,” Wack stated. He further claimed that Drake has served Kendrick with a cease-and-desist order to prevent him from performing his diss track “Not Like Us” during the halftime show.

Interestingly, it’s unclear how Drake could legally stop Kendrick from performing the track, especially since it has already been performed live and is available on streaming platforms. Wack did not disclose the source of his information but suggested that JAY-Z, who is involved in organizing the halftime show, would not allow Drake or the NFL to censor Kendrick.

ICYMI, Kendrick was recently announced as the halftime show performer for the 2024 Super Bowl in New Orleans. During the announcement, Kendrick was seen standing on a football field, throwing passes while making statements that some interpreted as subtle jabs at Drake. “Rap music is still the most impactful genre to date,” Kendrick said, adding, “I’ll be there to remind the world why. They got the right one.”

Still ICYMI, like were under a proverbial rock, during the promo video, Kendrick also said, “You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship; no round twos,” which some thought was a reference to a clip Drake had previously shared, featuring NBA player Rasheed Wallace.

As we are sure most would imagine, Drake reportedly sides with those who believe Lil Wayne should have been chosen to perform at the Super Bowl, as the game will take place in Wayne’s hometown of New Orleans. Many fans had expected the New Orleans rap legend to take the halftime stage.

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Sex Worker In Diddy Federal Racketeering Case Testifies Before Grand Jury

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Diddy Partners with DJ Khaled to Announce New 'Diddy Direct' Platform

As if the snowball effect in Diddy’s federal sex trafficking and racketeering case couldn’t get any worse, the Bad Boy mogul could be facing more charges as a grand jury has heard sworn testimony from a sex worker.

According to a report from TMZ, jurors heard statements from another male escort who was allegedly hired by Diddy to be a part of one of his now infamous “freak offs”. The grand jury interrogated the sex worker about his travel and whether or not he crossed state lines. Questions were also asked about payments for sex, specifically whether the man was paid in cash or via wire transfer.

Prosecutors are speaking to more witnesses as they are considering filing more charges in a superseding indictment.

This is the second male sex worker to come forward in this case since Diddy’s arrest earlier this month.

Prosecutors met with a male sex worker last week who gave them video footage from one of the freak offs and signed a proffer agreement, meaning they can offer evidence without being at risk of incriminating themselves. According to the report, the man flew from Atlanta to Miami in May 2023 and had sex with an unnamed woman while Diddy watched and recorded the encounter.

The prosecution claim that these freak offs were not consensual and that Diddy used drugs, violence, threats and blackmail to force women into having sex, while also sending for the male sex workers across state and international lines.

Diddy’s lawyer Marc Agnifilo has concedes that all of the sexual encounters were consensual.

“These are consensual adults doing what consensual adults do. We can’t get so puritanical in this country to think that somehow sex is a bad thing because if it was there would be no more people,” he said to reporters.

When asked if Diddy would be taking the stand in his trial, Agnifilo said, “I don’t know that I can keep him off the stand. I think he is very eager to tell his story and I think he will tell every part of his story, including what you see on the video,” the attorney said. “I expect it’s going to be explained by the both of us.”

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SOURCE SPORTS: Osvaldo “Ozzie” Virgil Sr., MLB’s First Dominican-Born Player Dies At 92

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The baseball world lost an integral piece of history yesterday as it was announced that Osvaldo “Ozzie” Virgil Sr., passed away on Sunday. He was 92 years old.

The Dominican Republic native migrated to the Bronx in the late 40s, where Virgil graduated from high school then enlisted in the US marines from 1950-1952. I n1953, the 21-year-old Virgil embarked on his baseball career that included nine seasons in the major leagues with the Giants (two stints), Tigers, Athletics, Orioles, and Pirates. He was the first non-white player for the Detroit organization in 1958, 11 years after jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. At the time, Virgil was considered the first Black Tigers player, but he was the first Dominican-born baseball player to play in the majors and the first Latino Tigers player.

Following his playing career, Virgil spent 19 seasons as an MLB coach with the Giants, Expos, Padres, and Mariners from 1968-88. He served as third base coach under Hall of Fame manager Dick Williams with the Expos (1977-81), Padres (1982-85) and Mariners (1986-88).

Virgil’s son, Ozzie Jr., played 11 MLB seasons with the Phillies, Braves, and Blue Jays from 1980-90. He went to the 1985 All-Star Game with the Phillies and the 1987 All-Star Game with the Braves.

“He means a lot,” the Yankees’ Juan Soto said last year. “He was the first Dominican coming to the big leagues and opened the doors for a lot of Dominicans — and not only Dominicans, for all Latin players.”

In 2008 with the Detroit Free Press, the late Federal Judge Damon Keith said, “Ozzie was not white, but he wasn’t Black, and he was caught in between through no fault of his own.”

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Jermaine Dupri Presents SoSo R&B Experience in ATL

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Legendary Music Mogul Jermaine Dupri Presents A SoSo R&B Experience, an unforgettable night of R&B music on Saturday, October 12, 2024, at Wolf Creek Amphitheater in Atlanta, Georgia. The star-studded lineup features live performances from today’s hottest R&B artists including Muni Long, DVSN, Eric Bellinger, Vedo, and Jermaine Dupri himself with special surprise guests and a “Ladies Love R&B” presentation from songwriters and producers Bryan-Michael Cox and Keith Thomas rounding out the evening.

“R&B music is making a huge comeback, and I wanted to put together a show to celebrate that,” said Jermaine Dupri, music legend and CEO of SoSo Def Recordings. “A SoSo R&B Experience is going to be an amazing night of intimate performances and collaborations from some of the genre’s brightest stars.”

As founder of SoSo Def Recordings, Jermaine Dupri, a Grammy Award winner, has worked with and developed many of music’s biggest stars including Mariah Carey, Usher, TLC, Xscape, and more. His imprint, SoSo Def, has been instrumental in launching the careers of artists like Jagged Edge, Bow Wow, Kris Kross, and Anthony Hamilton. His ability to stay connected to the cultural zeigiest is why he continues to remain relevant and develop new talent which is evident with the recent success of Ari Lennox’s “Pressure” becoming her highest charting solo single and Muni Long’s global and viral smash “Made for Me.”

Tickets for the SoSo R&B Experience are on sale now at VarietyEnt.net. starting at $55 and gates open at 3 p.m. with the show starting at 5 p.m. Don’t miss your chance to experience an unforgettable night of R&B music from some of the genre’s hottest stars and today’s reigning hitmakers. For more information, visit VarietyEnt.net.

A SoSo Def R&B Experience arrives on the heels of Jermaine Dupri announcing an exciting, new SoSo Def Internship in partnership with Emory University. Dupri made the announcement during the keynote session of the inaugural Ideas Festival on Sept. 20.

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Elite Break Dancing & Redman Performance: World’s Largest Breaking Competition Takes Over Venice Beach

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On Saturday, September 28, the prestigious global breaking competition (known as breakdancing), Red Bull BC One, concluded its 2024 U.S. season with its Cypher USA held in Los Angeles.

For the first time in Red Bull BC One history, Venice Beach set the stage as breakers from across the country—both legends and rising stars—gathered to leave their mark on the nation’s most distinguished breaking competition. B-boys and b-girls were judged by a panel of elite breakers: Olympic Gold Medalist Ami Yuasa (B-Girl Ami), Olympian Lee-Lou Demierre (B-Boy Lee) from the renowned crew The Ruggeds, legendary B-Girl and former Team USA coach Bonita Saldana (B-Girl Bonita), and East LA native Ronnie Ruen (B-Boy Ruen), who determined who would go on to claim the coveted Red Bull BC One Championship titles. The competition followed two regional cyphers in Denver and Philadelphia.

Following breaking’s debut on the world’s biggest sporting stage, the event delivered an authentic, real, and raw representation of breaking culture. Against the stunning Pacific Ocean backdrop, 2700 attendees crowded the boardwalk as regional champions and wildcard invitees faced off in a high-energy, 16-bracket knockout tournament, showcasing the creativity, explosiveness, and joy that define world-class breaking.

After a fierce final battle, B-Girl La Vix claimed victory over A+. In the b-boy bracket, Icey-Ives triumphed, beating out Hijack in the final round.

Both La Vix and Icey Ives will represent the United States at the 21st edition of the Red Bull BC One World Final in the vibrant heart of Rio de Janeiro, where they will have a chance to etch their names in breaking history.

At the event, two-time Red Bull BC One World Champion and Olympic medalist B-Boy Victor (Victor Montalvo) was surprised with a Certificate of Recognition by the City of Los Angeles and the 11th Council District. The honor was presented on stage by Juan Fregoso on behalf of Los Angeles City Councilmember, Traci Park, for his career accomplishments.

Leading up to the National Final, the Los Angeles community came together for the Red Bull BC One Camp USA, featuring three days of workshops, exhibition battles, panels, and activities. The lineup included an immersive hip-hop dance workshop, a Footwoorkerz battle, and an epic 2v2 mixed-style showdown featuring both breaking and popping.

With a legacy that spans over two decades, Red Bull has been involved in the breaking community since the start. It all began with the trailblazing Lords of the Floor, a competition resurrected this year ahead of breaking’s debut on the global sporting stage. Today, Red Bull BC One stands as the premier platform for competition, mentorship, cyphers, community jams, and programming—continuing to nurture the art form and support its community as they evolve and push new boundaries.

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Mary J. Blige Unveils “The For My Fans Tour” Dates

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Grammy and Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige announced her 2025 “The For My Fans Tour” with special guests NE-YO and Mario. The tour comes on the heels of her new album “Gratitude,” releasing on November 15. The tour and album are a celebration of the love and gratitude that Mary has towards her life, family, friends, and her beloved fans.

Produced by Live Nation, the 27-city tour kicks off on January 30 at Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, NC making stops across North America in Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, and more before wrapping up in Boston, MA at TD Garden on April 14.

“I am so excited to kick off this tour. I have amazing fans and am so grateful for all of the love and support they have given me throughout the years,” said Mary J. Blige. “This tour is for them, and I cannot wait to be able to travel to all these cities and see everyone. I am in such a place of immense gratitude and peace at this moment, so also having the chance to release my new album “Gratitude” on November 15^th ahead of this tour is really special to me.”

Blige will release her new studio album, “Gratitude,” on Friday, November 15^th, through her own Beautiful Life Productions and in partnership with 300 Entertainment. In August, she dropped the first single off the album, “Breathing” featuring Fabolous.

Ahead of both the album release and tour, Blige will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the class of 2024 on October 19^th in Cleveland.

MARY J. BLIGE – THE FOR MY FANS TOUR 2025 DATES:
Thu Jan 30 – Greensboro, NC – Greensboro Coliseum
Fri Jan 31 – Raleigh, NC – Lenovo Center
Mon Feb 03 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Thu Feb 06 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
Sat Feb 08 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Tue Feb 11 – Hollywood, FL – Hard Rock Live
Fri Feb 14 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
Tue Feb 18 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Fri Feb 21 – Ft. Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Tue Feb 25 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Sat Mar 01 – Los Angeles, CA – Intuit Dome
Fri Mar 07 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
Sat Mar 08 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
Wed Mar 12 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
Fri Mar 14 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Sun Mar 16 – St. Paul, MN – Xcel Energy Center
Wed Mar 19 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
Sat Mar 22 – Buffalo, NY – KeyBank Center
Mon Mar 24 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Wed Mar 26 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
Fri Mar 28 – Atlantic City, NJ – Boardwalk Hall
Wed Apr 02 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
Fri Apr 04 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Sun Apr 06 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
Thu Apr 10 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
Fri Apr 11 – Elmont, NY – UBS Arena
Mon Apr 14 – Boston, MA – TD Garden

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SOURCE SPORTS: Boxer Mylik Birdsong Shot And Killed In Drive-By Shooting In South Central L.A.

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The boxing world is saddened and shocked after the news was confirmed that top welterweight division fighter “King Mylik” Birdsong was shot and killed in L.A. in what appears to be classified as a drive-by shooting over the weekend.

Officers responded to the shooting around 4:50 pm on Sunday at West 87th Street and Denker Avenue, south of West Manchester Avenue in South Central, according to reports from the LAPD. According to the report, Birdsong was standing outside a vehicle with his girlfriend inside when another vehicle approached. Police describe the suspects as five men in a black SUV.

“The victim then ran towards his residence [when] two suspects from the vehicle started chasing him while shooting at him,” said an LAPD spokesperson to local reporters. Birdsong fell to the ground in the driveway, the spokesperson said. First responders arrived and rushed him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Birdsong, 31, was a professional boxing contender known as “King Malik”, who at one time was known for his undefeated record. He had a record of 15-1-1 with 10 knock-outs and was the reigning World Boxing Foundation International Welterweight champion.

The L.A. native’s next scheduled fight was set for Oct. 26 against Gor Yeritsyan at the Commerce Casino.

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Bilal Drops ‘Adjust Brightness’, His First Album In Eight Years

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Today, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Bilal makes a triumphant return with his first album of new music in eight years, Adjust Brightness, out now on all major streaming platforms. His long-awaited release features 11 brand-new tracks that showcase Bilal’s visionary approach to blending soul, funk, jazz, and futuristic electronic elements, offering listeners an immersive and boundary-pushing sonic experience. Following the success of his June Black Music Month project, Live at Glasshaus, which featured musical heavyweights like Questlove, Common, Robert Glasper, and more, Bilal’s Adjust Brightness takes his artistry to new heights. The album is a bold step forward in his evolving sound, continuing to defy genre conventions and highlight his unmatched vocal and musical prowess.

Reflecting on his new album, Bilal shares, “I wanted to create music that challenges the digital age — music that confuses the algorithms and speaks to our humanity. Adjust Brightness is about love, warmth, and intimacy. It’s an intimate, human record that speaks to the heart in an era of cold, digital sounds.”

Eight years following 2015’s In Another Life, a collaboration with Adrian Younge that drew from the psychedelic verve of vintage funk, Adjust Brightness marks a bold new chapter for Bilal. This album is a giant step forward, as Bilal merges his organic, soulful roots with experimental electronic influences inspired by artists like Aphex Twin, Stereolab, and Jai Paul.

The creation of Adjust Brightness was deeply inspired by a period of musical and visual experimentation. Bilal began to approach his music much like a painter approaches a canvas, focusing on moods, textures, and atmospheres rather than traditional song forms. His experiences with experimental jazz and live performances fed into this avant-garde direction and tracks like “Sunshine” and “Humility” highlight his innovative use of atmospheric grooves, intricate beats, and sonic manipulation.

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Keegan-Michael Key Reflects on Drift from Jordan Peele: “It’s a Tragedy”

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Comedian Keegan-Michael Key has opened up about the changing dynamic between him and his former comedy partner, Jordan Peele, admitting that they don’t see each other as much anymore—a situation Key calls “a tragedy.”

Speaking with People, Key, 53, fondly recalled the early days of his partnership with Peele, 45, which began when they both starred on MADtv in 2004. “It was a thrilling time in my life,” Key said. “We were sharing a mind.” The two bonded over their mutual comedic influences and their time at Chicago’s Second City, which created a unique synergy that would later fuel their Emmy-winning sketch comedy series Key & Peele.

“When we were on camera, it was alchemy,” Key explained. “It was just like, ‘Why is this working?’”

However, in the nearly ten years since Key & Peele ended its run in 2015, their paths have diverged. “We don’t see each other that often anymore, which is, to me, a tragedy,” Key revealed. While they’ve reunited for projects like the 2016 action-comedy Keanu and voiced characters together in Toy Story 4 and Wendell & Wild, life has taken them in different directions. Peele has found success in horror, while Key has pursued more dramatic roles.

“His desire was to start exploring the horror genre, and my desire was to do more dramatic work,” Key said. With Peele based in Los Angeles and Key living in New York City, the physical distance also plays a part in their separation.

Despite this evolution, Key acknowledged that the foundation they built with Key & Peele was crucial for both of them: “We needed that first platform.” Although their personal and professional journeys have led them down different paths, their collaborative magic remains a huge part of both their legacies.

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Happy 62nd Birthday To Legendary Producer DJ Marley Marl!

September 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Born Marlon Williamson this date in 1962 in NYC, the DJ, producer, and record label owner known as Marley Marl is a trailblazer of Hip Hop’s ever-evolving sound, being one of the first to use sampling as a means to gather elements for a song.

Starting with his days as the DJ for WBLS’ Mr. Magic in the early 80s, Marley used that leverage to break new artists and eventually form his own group known as the legendary Juice Crew. Based in his Queensbridge Housing apartment, “Marley’s House” became an epicenter for many Hip Hop legends in the early stages of their career including Big Daddy Kane, Biz Markie, MC Shan, Kool G Rap, and the Queensbridge Queen herself, Roxanne Shante. Marley’s production credits go on for eons, however, some of his most memorable work includes Craig G’s The Kingpin, Big Daddy Kane’s Long Live The Kane, Biz Markie’s Goin’ Off, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo’s Road to the Riches, MC Shan’s Down By Law and Born to Be Wild and Roxanne Shante’s only album Bad Sister.

Salute to Marley on his 62nd born day and wish him many more to come!

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