Journalist-turned-filmmaker dream Hampton joined the Source as a 19-year-old photo editor, and he first opinion piece she wrote for the publication in 1991 covered N.W.A.’s Dr. Dre alleged assault against journalist Dee Barnes. Now she serves as the executive producer to Netflix’s ‘Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip Hop’.
Fast forward to in 2019, Hampton served as executive producer of the record-breaking Lifetime docuseries “Surviving R. Kelly.” Hampton’s work sparked national interest in Kelly’s crimes against young women. Kelly is now serving nearly 30 years in prison for child sex abuse, sex trafficking and racketeering.
In an interview with The Washington Post, Hampton who has always been a voice for women spoke on the change for women in hip hop.
“I will say that there’s never been a more exciting time for women in hip-hop than right now. That whole one at a time thing, the idea that you had to be embedded in a crew or had to be co-signed by a man? All of that is gone. I have no idea who co-signed Cardi B. If Lil Wayne and them co-signed Nicki, it is so far in the rearview of her story, I can barely remember it. Let alone all these other rappers, like Latto, Ice Spice, Chika. I don’t know who they belong to.“
“It’s a classic feminist question. You have to be claimed in the public space in order to be safe. And particularly when you’re talking about some hypermasculine arena like hip-hop. These women belong to themselves in this moment, which is so beautiful to me. Back then, when that kind of stuff mattered, Ms. Melodie belonged to KRS-One. Sister Souljah belonged to Public Enemy. Yo-Yo belonged to Ice Cube. And I know they would not like to be described that way, but in the public imagination, that’s absolutely what it was.“
Last week social media had a field day with the Montgomery brawl in Alabama which resulted in several arrests and even more memes. The crew from the Harriott II Riverboat in Montgomery, Alabama famously came to the defense of dock captain Damien Pickett after he was jumped by a group of thugs who refused to abide by the rules.
Now singer Stephanie Mills has vowed to help with their legal fees.
She went on Twitter to share:
Wow!!! @ampharris this is super cool. You surprised me with this post. “Let’s do the right thing” is a song I recorded back in 2021. Something about our people and motivating us to support each other. Love for #MontgomeryAlabama
Wow!!! @ampharris this is super cool. You surprised me with this post. “Let’s do the right thing” is a song I recorded back in 2021. Something about our people and motivating us to support each other. Love for #MontgomeryAlabamapic.twitter.com/ib0NrJvNGZ
A brawl took place at Riverfront Park in Montgomery, Alabama.
Reportedly, a group of white men attacked a black dock worker after he asked them to move their boat. In response, a group of black men intervened to defend the worker.
Queen Beyoncé is having the best year ever. So far, we’ve witnessed everyone from Oprah to Madonna sing praise to what is arguably one of the greatest shows ever. After 33 shows, box office data shows, Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour has become the high-grossing tour of her career, with $295,676,504 in sales.
This becomes the highest-grossing tour of all time by a black artist, breaking the record set by her own Formation World Tour. Set to make $500,000,000 in ticket sales, I can’t help but to think about the adversity she overcame back when she silently fought through senseless rumors. If we learn anything from this ray of light we learned that naysayers and opinions don’t mean a thing when you stay disciplined and focused.
This tour tells a story with so many hidden gems that calling it a show doesn’t even do it justice—it’s an experience. One that you don’t want to miss. Creative thinkers, movers and shakers have been showing up by the boatloads to get a glimpse of this epic performance. Lenny Kravitz, Naomi Campbell, Pharrell Williams, Kelly Rowland, Salma Hayek, Kris and Kylie Jenner, Kandi, Megan Thee Stallion, Chloe and Halle Bailey, Amy Schumer, Ashley Graham and more have made this a priority in their schedule much like the rest of us.
I remember a time when they couldn’t pronounce her name correctly.
Now my 7-year-old daughter Felicity is envisioning her own future after we went to see Beyonce perform at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. We both sang and danced through tears amazed at the legend my daughter (and myself) look up to. For three hours straight we watched her consistency, perfection, stamina and creativity in a way the world has never seen before. After growing up with every image but my own in the spotlight, it’s breathtaking to witness this greatness from Beyonce (and Blue Ivy) with my own black princess.
It’s safe to say this generation has a new Michael Jackson in town…and her name is Beyoncé.
The birth of Hip-Hop infused a flavor element into the world that not everyone was prepared for. As hip hop turns 50 years old today, huge corporations, giant companies, and everyone in between is celebrating a genre of music that once was deemed a fad. No one could anticipate the soul-filled, compassionate talent that would soon become a force to be reckoned.
As a self-certified hip-hop head myself, I personally feel a sense of gratitude for the music that raised me. As a troubled child abandoned by my parents and raised by my granny, I always searched for something to love. My grandma, her mother, and my aunt raised me in the church, hoping to keep me from falling to the streets and setting a solid foundation that would one day come in handy. Hip-Hop wasn’t played in my home, and the first glimpse I received was from my older brother, who was seven years my senior and brought my first Janet Jackson Control tape from the mall. One day in 1986, when I was just seven years old, I went to my father’s side of the family, which was a lot more colorful, to say the least. My cousin Sharon ushered me to her grandma’s old wooden record player and played ‘La Di Da Di’ by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. We played the record the entire day. I was sad to go home because none of that was cooking in my house, and I wanted more. I found my aunt Mildred’s electric can opener, which had a radio attached to it, and discovered DJ Red Alert, and it was over. I was addicted to hip-hop. My big brother, who was way cooler than me, would tell me what was ‘real’ and who was biting, and I listened. For the next few years, I soaked up every snare, R&B remix, and lyric hip hop had to offer. I’d race home to adjust the hanger on the TV to watch Video Music Box on that in-between channel, and that was the highlight of my day. But when I fixed my brother’s broken cassette tape and popped his NWA Niggaz4Life in my headphones—I couldn’t believe the nasty filth that came out of their mouths. And I loved it. I would rap all the lyrics in school and church to my friends and indefinitely get into trouble after.
Hip-Hop kept me busy and somewhat out of trouble. I waited for the hottest releases and saved up money for what are now considered classics. For me, it was Queen Latifah who inserted a pride into me I never had before. MC Lyte’s style and flow let me know it was OK to be different. I even listened to everyone from Snow Informer to Lil Vicious Freaks against my older brother’s advice because I listened to it all.
When my mother resurfaced back into my life seven years later, and I moved to New York City, and could never fathom how far hip-hop would carry me. From working at the Mart 125 on 125th Street at 14 years old doing nails for Dr. Khalid Muhammad and Bobby Brown to meeting Monifah and Marquee there, who introduced Kelis and I to a new producer named Pharrell. From working at Rawkus Records and traveling the world with Talib Kweli, Slaughterhouse, Kelis, and MF DOOM to hosting a hit show on XM radio with one of my favorite journalists, Bonz Malone, called Spitkickers where we had classic rappers freestyle live on air to now writing at the magazine I once hoarded.
As hip-hop turns 50 years old, I want to thank ALL the hip-hop artists who spent countless hours in the studio and away from their families creating music that we connected to….music that made us feel, love, and gave many of us a reason to live.
From The Notorious B.I.G., Salt N Pepa, J.J. Fad, Public Enemy, Nas, Black Sheep, Wu-Tang, Lil Kim, DMX to Royce Da 5’9”, The Roots, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, 2pac, M.O.P., The Lox,—-too many to name.
We Salute and love you, and we give a huge Happy Bornday to HIP HOP!
Check out some of the hip-hop songs below that changed my life.
After the shocking news of YouTuber-rapper Lil Tay’s death and her brother Jason Tian, an Instagram account – termanii, claiming to be Jason- has now added that the siblings are still alive.
Yesterday the page of the viral Instagram star posted that the teen passed away. The 14-year-old allegedly updated her Instagram page on Wednesday evening revealing she and her brother are not dead and that her parents are ‘sick people’.
The page posted:
“We are not dead me and my brother had everything taken from us please repost and get this out there my parents are sick people.”
Her brother also updated an Instagram page with a similar message. Neither Los Angeles nor Vancouver, Canada police have any record of her passing.
News of the viral star’s “sudden and tragic” death was posted on her Instagram page on Wednesday. But social media users questioned whether it was a hoax.
The statement read: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock. Her brother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.”
The post also revealed that her 21-year-old brother Jason Tian had passed away. No cause of death was given.
The statement said both deaths are “still under investigation.” But police in California, where Tay lives, and Canada, where her father lives, have no record of either deaths.
A social media user claims he witnessed them die in a car crash, according to The Mail.
Tay’s former manager Harry Tsang has since said he “cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement,” according to The Mail.
The aspiring rapper, whose real name is Claire Hope, was best known for her fake Internet persona as a trust fund kid with access to lavish penthouses, luxury cars, and private jets. A Canadian blog busted her as a fraud in 2018 before her mother, a real estate agent named Angela, was fired for giving Lil Tay access to vacant penthouses to shoot videos.
Viral YouTube star and aspiring rapper Claire Hope, aka Lil Tay, died suddenly at age 14, according to a message posted on her Instagram account.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock.
The statement mentioned Claire’s brother also passed away and his death “adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.” Both of their deaths are under investigation.
Lil Tay went viral in 2018 at age 11 by pretending to be a millionaire trust fund kid living in million-dollar penthouses.
She was dubbed “InstaBrat” on Instagram where she flaunted cash and luxury cars. She gained over 3 million Instagram followers.
But Lil Tay was busted when a Vancouver, Canada blog broke the story that Lil Tay was a fraud.
Her mom, a real estate agent named Angela, was fired after her employer saw Lil Tay yelling profanities in a penthouse that was supposed to be vacant and listed for sale on Realtor.com.
As a real estate agent, Lil Tay’s mom had access to high end vacant properties that she didn’t own.
“There is no place for this sort of activity in our industry. Angela has only been a realtor with our brokerage firm for only six months,” the agency told Dailyhive.com.
Tay’s first Instagram account was deleted in 2018. She returned to Instagram to pay tribute to slain rapper Xxxtentacion, making his picture her profile icon.
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.”
Two of our all time favorites, Queen Latifah and Whoopi Goldberg, have joined forces to curate the “Hip Hop at 50” exhibition, commemorating the 50th anniversary of this influential genre. The showcase boasts a collection of 50 photographs that vividly trace the evolution of hip-hop from its origins in the Bronx to its current global prominence. The images, handpicked by Queen Latifah and Whoopi Goldberg, not only pay tribute to the genre’s resilient spirit but also reflect the strength of the hip-hop community.
Adorning the gallery walls are the works of renowned photographers, including Danny Clinch, Timothy White, Lynn Goldsmith, Josh Cheuse, Mike Miller and Jonathan Mannion. The curated assemblage also features iconic personalities in hip-hop history, such as Run-DMC, Snoop Dogg, Tupac Shakur, Dr. Dre, The Notorious B.I.G., Beastie Boys, Jay-Z, Eminem and the Wu-Tang Clan, among others. Through their camera lenses, these photographers have captured instances of vulnerability, resilience and creativity that have become emblematic of hip-hop’s cultural significance.
“Hip Hop at 50” will run from August 10 to 24, delivering an immersive experience at two locations: the Morrison Hotel Gallery Sunset Marquis in Los Angeles and the Morrison Hotel Gallery in New York City.
And in case you missed it, Moral Turgeman delivers an ode to the not-so-magical nature of mushrooms in “Rooted Signals.”
Morrison Hotel Gallery 116 Prince Street New York, NY 10012
Morrison Hotel Gallery Sunset Marquis 1200 Alta Loma Road West Hollywood, CA 90069
Tamar Braxton recently called out super producer Rodney ‘Dark Child’ Jerkins over royalty splits claiming he is greedy and takes a large portion of royalties.
It began when a music page on Instagram revealed Toni Braxton was receiving 60% of the royalties from Burna Boy’s smash hit single ‘Last Last’. The song which samples Toni Braxton’s ‘He Wasn’t Man Enough’ is a huge hit for Burna and fans were shocked Toni asked for such a huge portion of the song. Her baby sister Tamar Braaxton says not so fast…the producer of the song Rodney Jerkins took most of it.
On the same Instagram post, Tamar entered the comments to clarify the rumor. She wrote:
She did not!!!! Actually that overly greedy RODNEY did!!! He won’t even come out and be honest about it!! That’s who he is and how he do!! He took almost ALL the percentage!!! She won’t say it but now that I’m a better sister, I’ll slap a Bch for any one of em!! He’s the WORST!!! Greedy MF
For years now we’ve watched the youngest daughter of T.I. and Tiny’s, Heiress Harris sing and practice big vocals with her trainer on Instagram. Now the talent continues in this musical family as Heiress takes the stage for her first public performance.
Tiny wrote on her Instagram page:
Always a proud moment seeing my lil mama @heiressdharris do her thang! She did a song & a skit!! Of course mama loved every min of it!! Thank you at everyone at @agientertainmentofficial for taking out their time to build & make future stars!! #HeiressHarris #Agi #StarInTheMaking
Watch her first performance below, how do you think she did?
Last week Love & Hip Hop Atlanta star Raymond ‘Benzino’ Scott saw his daughter, rapper Coi Leray, perform for the first time since their estranged relationship went public.
Now Benzino reveals through tears he was hurt when Coi called him a dead beat dad. Coi Leray and Benzino have publicly called each other out online and went back & forth over the years. Benzino famously leaked news of a Nicki Minaj and Coi Leray collaboration before she was able to release it allegedly causing Nicki to almost pull the record, She’s said the rapper was absent in her life, but Benzino disagreed.
