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Chance the Rapper Graces the Cover of Ocean Drive Magazine’s Annual Art Issue Ahead of Miami Art Week

November 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Grammy-winning artist and cultural innovator Chance the Rapper is the cover star of Ocean Drive magazine’s highly anticipated Annual Art Issue. The feature dives into Chance’s trailblazing career, his interdisciplinary approach to art and music, and his plans for this year’s Miami Art Week, including his immersive Writings On The Wall: A Star Line Listening Experience.

The Annual Art Issue is available now, ahead of Chance’s Writings On The Wall activations at Wynwood Studios during Miami Art Week, running December 3-6.

As part of his Miami Art Week lineup, Chance the Rapper will host Writings On The Wall: A Star Line Listening Experience, an immersive multi-sensory activation previewing his forthcoming project, Star Line. The event combines music, art, and technology, creating a transformative experience for fans. Sessions include surround sound listening, projected visuals, and exclusive cinematography, with attendees encouraged to fully engage with the art and music through note-taking and reflection.

Sessions

Tuesday, December 3: 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM ET

Wednesday, December 4: 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM ET

Thursday, December 5: 1 PM ET

Friday, December 6: 3 PM, 6 PM, 9 PM ET

Chance’s Ocean Drive cover marks a celebration of his ongoing efforts to push boundaries in art and music. His Writings On The Wall sessions expand on his history of innovation, from becoming the first artist to rise through SoundCloud to his game-changing, forthcoming project Star Line. At Miami Art Week, he continues his mission to blend music, art, and storytelling with technology to reimagine fan engagement.

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Slick Rick Joins Phila. Mayor Cherelle Parker For Inaugural Level Up Philly Honors

November 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The First Annual Level Up Philly Honors brought together the heart of Philadelphia on Thursday, November 14, at P4 Hub for an unforgettable evening of inspiration, celebration, and connection. With over 200 attendees, including Pepsi executives, City Council members, and representatives from the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the event honored leaders, media trailblazers, and cultural icons for their contributions to uplifting the city and its youth.

Mayor Cherelle Parker delivered a keynote that stirred the audience with her powerful words about the critical role of investing time and resources into Philadelphia’s at-risk youth. Her impactful speech set the tone for an evening filled with joy, reflection, and unity as she received the Visionary Award for her relentless dedication to the city’s future.

Paul Anthony, legendary singer, songwriter, producer, and philanthropist from the iconic music group Full Force, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Anthony captivated the audience with his live performance of the Lisa Lisa classic “All Cried Out,” reminding everyone of the timeless power of music.

Philadelphia’s beloved Patty Jackson, legendary radio personality, was celebrated with the Voice of Truth Award for her decades-long commitment to storytelling and representing the voice of the community.

Additional honorees included Philly media standouts Frances Wang, Cherri Gregg, and Nate File, each recognized for their exceptional contributions to amplifying the stories that matter most to Philadelphia.

The event showcased the innovation and talent of Level Up Philly kids, with e-sports stations, agricultural displays, and robot dogs programmed by the students using C++. The Level Up kids also shone in the entertainment spotlight, joining legendary hip-hop icon Slick Rick on stage for a special performance of his classics. DJ BreakBeat Lou, a hip-hop pioneer, curated the evening’s music, adding to the electrifying atmosphere.

Pastor Aaron Campbell, Founder and Executive Director of Level Up Philly, served as the evening’s charismatic MC, guiding the audience through moments of honor, reflection, and celebration.

The event exemplified the spirit of Level Up Philly, uniting community leaders, local media, and families for one night dedicated to championing the transformative power of education, technology, and mentorship for Philadelphia’s youth.

Level Up Philly Honors is the start of an annual tradition that celebrates the city’s leaders and the next generation of changemakers, showcasing the impact of collaboration, innovation, and unwavering support for at-risk youth.

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Trick Daddy Jokes That He Would have Robbed Guests at Diddy Parties

November 21, 2024 by newhiphopnews

As more celebs continue to get tied to Diddy’s infamous parties, one celebrity is stating that not only did he never attend said parties, but he was never even invited to them.

On a recent episode of his YouTube cooking show, Bitch I Got My Pots, Trick Daddy spent over an hour demonstrating his cooking skills, making homemade burgers and fries from scratch alongside his guest star, Ms. Pat, while also providing a colorful commentary that had nothing to do with food.

At one point Ms. Pat asked him if he’d been to any Diddy parties to which he responded: “they don’t invite no n***as like me to Diddy parties. My homeboys would rob them bitches” before giving a joking demonstration of robbing people before summarizing “I’m not that kind of dude.”

He followed up with the caveat that he feels sorry for Diddy and others who may be associated with him because the public judges before knowing all the facts. The two also debated the reality of a thousand bottles of baby oil.

Throughout the show he also provided relationship adrice, talked about politics, reminisced on turning 50 recently, and providing valuable culinary tips on how to make burgers as well as explaining why he didn’t like using sea salt on his fries (saying no one likes salt water), so he prefers to use regular salt.

He also took the opportunity to speak about the current state of hip-hop culture, speaking about how proud he is that the South continues to play a vital role in hip-hop music and culture. He did, however, call out fans, claiming that many of today’s hip-hop fans have no loyalty, citing Rich Homie Quan as an example of what happens when fans turn on an artist.

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Jay-Z’s Team Roc Files Lawsuit Against Kansas City PD Over Alleged Misconduct, Lack of Transparency

November 21, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Jay-Z’s social justice arm, Team Roc, has taken legal action against the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) and the city’s government, accusing them of obstructing efforts to investigate claims of wrongful convictions and police misconduct.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday (November 19), alleges that the KCKPD has failed to comply with a public records request made under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) in November 2023. According to Team Roc, despite paying $2,200 in fees, the department has withheld crucial documents related to allegations of officer abuse and misconduct. The 225 documents provided, the group claims, were mostly irrelevant, consisting of personnel and training records instead of the requested information.

“Kansas City residents have suffered enormously as a result of KCKPD abuses,” the lawsuit states. “Some have been framed for crimes they did not commit; some have been coerced into providing false testimony; some have been sexually assaulted; some have endured brutal beatings; and some have even been killed. Rather than promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, the KCKPD has a long history of turning a blind eye to, at best, and even covering up, if not worse, abusive and/or corrupt conduct by its officers.”

Team Roc has been actively seeking transparency from KCKPD since 2021, previously filing lawsuits to obtain records detailing complaints against officers, as well as documents on the training and oversight of the department’s investigative division. The current lawsuit highlights a systemic pattern of alleged misconduct within the department, including framing individuals, coercing false testimony, sexual violence, excessive force, and even fatal incidents.

“When good faith efforts are met with bad faith tactics, the fight for transparency continues in court. Truth deserves no less. The people of Kansas City, Kansas, deserve no less,” Team Roc wrote in an Instagram post announcing the lawsuit.

Attorney Alex Spiro, representing Team Roc, emphasized that the organization has a right under KORA to access the requested records, which could shed light on the alleged abuses. However, the government’s resistance has made legal action necessary.

“The government has attempted to block our access to those files, and so we’re suing to see what they don’t want us to see,” Spiro explained.

Team Roc’s lawsuit seeks to compel the release of the withheld documents and to hold the department accountable for its alleged failures in transparency and accountability. This latest legal move underscores their commitment to uncovering the truth and advocating for justice in Kansas City.

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Museum of Graffiti Art Week Presented By Rolling Loud Announces The Opening Of Its Interactive Campus In Wynwood

November 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Museum of Graffiti, the leading contemporary art museum in Miami’s Art District of Wynwood, is celebrating a milestone anniversary of 5 years on December 4 – 6, 2024 with a hand-selected group of partners guaranteed to serve up an experience in culture that Miami has never seen.

Highlights include panel discussions, live performances, limited edition releases, and culinary experiences curated by CookUnity. Don’t miss the private collectors’ preview, a public opening featuring Rahzel, and a thought-provoking panel on “Global Hip Hop Culture Born in Miami.” Additional activities include live tattooing, single-line portraits, rap battles, and exclusive listening parties.

In line with its mission to share the power of expression, spark wonder, and inspire creativity for and about the graffiti art movement, Museum of Graffiti has tapped Rolling Loud for an official partnership guaranteed to pair audio with the visual art that spans 3 different exhibitions in separate buildings that are all connected via an interactive patio that will be home to the Spotify Artists’ Lounge. The three solo exhibitions are CEY ADAMS’ Departure: 40 Years of Art & Design, TRISTAN EATON: Women of Marvel, and SLICK: MIA.

This milestone event showcases the evolution of graffiti art while celebrating the Museum’s mission to inspire creativity and highlight graffiti’s cultural significance.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Larry Davis Shot 6 Corrupt NYPD Officers And Escaped 38 Years Ago

November 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Some say he was 50 Cent before 50 Cent. Some called him “the Robin Hood of The Ghetto”, while the establishment dubbed him “the crack city terminator.” In the hood, his solution is considered the only possible answer to a continuous epidemic of police brutality. Some of your favorite rappers from French Montana to Lloyd Banks to Jay-Z have name-dropped him on their tracks and BET felt he was so important to American culture that their American Gangster series had to open with him, but only an educated few know why the name Larry Davis continues to ring bells almost four decades after that fateful night in November of ’86.

On this date in 1986, a 19-year-old Bronx man by the name of Larry Davis was engaged in a shootout with over 25 NYPD officers who came after him in what appeared to be a murderous hit. For those that don’t know what makes this such a unique story is that Davis not only survived but escaped unharmed long enough to tell his story to the FBI. Larry Davis was acquitted of the police shootings(six officers were critically injured), which was the only time anyone was acquitted for shooting an officer of the law in U.S. history.

Check out the first-hand account from someone who was with Davis on that cold night in the Bronx at Larry’s sister’s apartment on Webster Avenue.

Words: Shams DaBaron

November 19, 1986 is a night that forever changed the course of my life. It was the height of the crack epidemic on this cold winter night when I was meeting with my partner and best friend Larry Davis. We were discussing the trip we were taking the next day to California to avoid the heat he was experiencing from some corrupt cops he sold drugs for. For weeks he had been laying low knowing they had a bounty on his head. At the time no one could be trusted. The police were rolling up on anyone associated with Larry to find out where he was.

On this night, I sat with him in his sister’s apartment discussing our plans for the trip we were taking and making final arrangements with one of my associates to restructure some of the business dealings in the street. Larry was in the process of extricating himself from out of that lifestyle of dealing drugs and we were going to refocus our energies totally toward dealing in music. The decision was made months ago, but became complicated once Larry made his plans known to others and the corrupt cops caught wind of his decision to step off with their money. They then put a bounty on his head.

As he was explaining what was going on in the streets to my associate, the associate became very scared and verbalized his fears to us, while asking Larry if he himself was in fear for his life. Larry’s reply, “Well, no I’m not scared. The only person I fear is God… Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wanna die, but if it’s my time to die, then so be it…” At this point I’m ready to tune him out and dismiss his words as Larry just talking mess… But then he continued, “One thing, though, I will say is… if they come and kill me, I guarantee you that before I go, I’m a take one of those pigs down with me.”

Hearing him use the term “pigs” is what really caught my attention. It showed that even in the most negative of situations – having been a drug dealer for a group of corrupt NYC cops – Larry was still in some way affected by the pro-Black organizations that gave birth to our generation. The seeds of their struggles were planted in us whether we knew it or not. And to me, it seems, that on that fateful night of November 19, 1986, the spirit of those freedom fighters, and the spirit of that movement, guided his thoughts and actions and helped him overcome the overwhelming force that came to assassinate him.

What is even more significant and what we must keep in mind while Remembering Larry Davis is that on that night of November 19, 1986, Larry became what famed lawyer William Kunstler called “A symbol of resistance to police violence.”

Shams DaBaron
Larry’s Childhood Friend

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Politics and Pop Culture Collide at UFC 309 as Trump and speculated members of his cabinet join celebs at Madison Square Garden

November 17, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Madison Square Garden was packed on Saturday night for UFC 309 with as much attention on audience members as the fight itself. Most notably, President-elect Donald Trump showed up with Elon Musk by his side to watch Jon “Bones” Jones defend his undisputed UFC world heavyweight champion title by defeating Stipe Miocic as chants of “USA, USA” filled the arena as Trump made his highly-anticipated entrance after being walked into the arena by Dana White.

Trump and Musk were not alone. They were joined by Vivek Ramaswamy (who alongside Musk will head up a Department of Government Efficiency also known as DOGE), Tulsi Gabbard (who has been tapped by Trump as the director of national intelligence), House Speaker Mike Johnson, and Robert Kennedy Jr. (who Trump has nominated to lead the Department of Health and Human Services). Don Jr. and Eric Trump also sat with their father’s entourage along with Kid Rock. The group was seated next to Jelly Roll and his entourage. Other celebs in attendance included Deontay Wilder, Tom Aspinall, Anthony Kiedis, Karl Anthony Towns, and Triple H.

Most notably, Jon Jones did the signature “Trump dance” after defeating Miocic in the third round and pointing to Trump who gave him a thumbs up. Jones then presented Trump the championship belt.

Joe Rogan, who met up with Trump after the event for which he provided commentary, stated during the broadcast: “If people at home could hear the sound in this room right now. It is so loud! It’s always loud when he comes in, but now that he’s won [the election], now that he’s the president again, oh my God!”

UFC fighter Jim Miller went a little bit political when he called for justice for Peanut the squirrel during his victory speech. He also said that he hopes DOGE can clean up the misuse of government resources.

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Nelly Won’t Face Charges for August Drug Arrest in St. Louis

November 14, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Nelly won’t have to face drug charges for his summer arrest at a casino in St. Louis. According to ABC News, the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell shut down the case.

“We don’t belive the facts in this case warrant the issuing of charges,” Bell said.

The attorney’s office did not provide additional details into the decision to not file charges, but Nelly’s attorney Scott Rosenblum confirmed “a fair and imaprtial review of the evidence.”

Nellly was arrested on Aug. 7, 2024 in Maryland Heights, near St. Louis, according to a spokesperson for the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

The arrest reportedly went down around 4:45 a.m. so demon time as the kids say, just as Nelly was leaving the Hollywood Casino near St. Louis. Interesting. What do ya’ll think he plays if anything? Roulette? Blackjack or maybe Texas Hold’em … We gotta get the drop on that. Maybe he was just grabbing a bite to eat.

Get this, he was initially stopped by the Missouri Gaming Commission for an ID verification. A ha. So one of the most recognizable people in the entire state of Missouri was stopped to verify his ID? Huh?

During the stop, authorities miraculously discovered that Nelly had an outstanding warrant for failure to obtain car insurance, leading to his arrest. Wow. Seriously?

Here’s where it took a turn. Missouri State Highway officers conducted a search of Nelly’s vehicle and found ecstasy pills. If accurate, yikes.

So what’s the result? Nelly was also charged with drug possession. Then the “Country Grammar” rapper was taken to the Maryland Heights Police Department but was later released.

Talk about bad timing, ICYMI, Nelly is expecting a child with Ashanti. The fan favorite couple, been in an on-and-off relationship for years, but recently rekindled their romance and are preparing to welcome their first child together. Well hopefully they all figure this latest situation out.

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Has The King Von Mural Been Removed From O’ Block?

November 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Images have surfaced on social media that show that the mural. of the late Dayvon “King Von” Bennett has been removed from the walls of O’ Block in his hometown of Southside Chicago.

The picture below shows the detailed image of the “Crazy Story” rapper sitting backwards in a chair wearing an MLB fitted cap and his iced out O’ Block chain being painted over, leaving a blank, grey wall. With the wall being buffed in broad daylight, there obviously was no objection to its removal.

The question is, why was the mural removed and who called for its removal? Also, was the removal of the image of one of Chicago’s most celebrated as well as criticized rappers related to any current legal proceedings, including the arrest of Lil Durk?

There is much speculation around the reason for the removal of the mural, but the fact is that King Von’s legacy will live on regardless of the existence of any drawing or recording ever created.

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Pharrell Not Phased by Drake’s Reported Melting Down of Williams’ Old Jewelry

November 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Pharrell Williams has entered the beef chat, kinda. The Piece by Piece lego producer apparently shown no signs of being rattled by Drake’s recent reference to him and his jewelry in the track “MELTDOWN” from Travis Scott’s UTOPIA. Gotta play that one.

The bar in question appears to be a pointed jab, possibly connected to the ongoing tensions with Pharrell’s longtime collaborator Pusha T. Drake’s verse includes the provocative lines: “Man, f* all that spinnin’ the narrative s* / I melt down the chains that I bought from yo’ boss / Give a f* about all of that heritage s*.” A ha. Makes sense now.

However, when asked about the diss during a recent interview, Pharrell’s response was notably calm. “It didn’t [strike me],” he said with a shrug. When the interviewer pressed further, he simply reiterated, “No.” His unbothered reaction highlighted his lack of concern regarding the lyric and any implied tension.

A non response is usually a response. FTR.

Pharrell was also asked about Drake’s purchase of over a million dollars’ worth of his jewelry, including chains and pendants with N.E.R.D. and BBC logos, which had been part of his 2022 sale through JOOPITER. These pieces later appeared in Drake’s “Jumbotron S**t Poppin” music video in January 2023. Despite Drake’s lyrics seemingly referencing melting down these pieces, Pharrell remained unfazed, offering a broader perspective on the situation. “I think beyond all of the on-goings,” Pharrell explained, “At the heart of it, he’s a fan of music. He’s a fan of the history of what it is, and I happen to be a part of that, and those artifacts are a part of it.”

That’s a respectful neutral tone. Gotta love it.

In Pharrell’s view, the situation was less about the personal drama and more about the legacy of the music and the cultural history represented by the jewelry. His response underscored his focus on the bigger picture, choosing not to engage in the back-and-forth or let the drama distract him.

Yes, legacy matters. More people in the industry should understand that and FTR we believe Drizzy does.

That said, despite the tension implied by Drake’s lyrics, Pharrell’s composed reaction makes it clear that he’s not losing sleep over the situation. Instead, he remains centered on his work and the influence he’s had on music history.

Well, there you have it. Music referenced melting down some gold and Pharrell didn’t have a meltdown over the music. Boom

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