Hip Hop Culture | Hip Hop Arts and Lifestyle Archives - Page 3 of 62

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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John Legend Joins Forces With Haitian Artists Michael Brūn And Rutshelle Guillaume To Relay Powerful Message On “Safe”

November 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

GRAMMY-winning Haitian DJ/producer Michaël Brun joins forces with EGOT-winning, critically acclaimed, multiplatinum musician John Legend and leading Haitian artist Rutshelle Guillaume for their spirited new single “Safe.”

The release of “Safe” is a representation of unity in the face of ignorance and hate. With Brun and Guillaume’s Haitian backgrounds, and Legend previously vocalising his support for the Haitian immigrant population in his hometown of Springfield, Ohio, the release of “Safe” is to encourage the building of communities and coming together.

On “Safe,” Michaël Brun combines John Legend’s soulful tone with the konpa music style from his native Haiti, making for a heartwarming, culture merging experience. Rutshelle Guillaume’s guest appearance on the track elevates this heritage-fusing link-up as she delivers a stunning vocal performance, singing in Haitian Creole.

Speaking on the track and its importance Michaël says, “John has been one of my all-time favourite singers and voices since I started making music. It is truly an honour for me to be able to introduce him to the world of konpa through our song “Safe”. The collaboration process felt natural from the start, and the moment he spoke out against misinformation surrounding Haitian immigrants in Springfield, it cemented that this song had a larger purpose. Pairing him with Rutshelle, one of Haiti’s biggest global stars, also felt like the perfect fit. “Safe” and our conversation in Springfield represents cross-cultural connection in its most authentic form, and I’m proud to be able to create bridges with our voices.”

To coincide with the song’s release, both John and Michaël travelled to Springfield to connect with the local community and filmed an hour-long conversation at a local Haitian restaurant, discussing Haitian history, bridging cultural gaps and the dangers of misinformation in the modern age.

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1 Dead, 16 People Injured At Tuskegee University’s 100th Homecoming Celebration Over The Weekend

November 11, 2024 by newhiphopnews

ABC News along with other news outlets have reported that a deadly shooting took place at Tuskegee University this past weekend during its 100th homecoming celebration, leaving one person dead and several others injured.

The university released an official statement to the press after the shooting stating, “The university is in the process of completing student accountability and notifying parents. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”

As of today (November 11), an arrest in the shooting has been made. Jaquez Myrick, 25, of Montgomery, has been arrested and charged federally with possession of a machine gun. Authorities say Myrick was found in possession of a handgun with a machine gun conversion device.

He is not charged for firing or using the gun in the shooting.

Law enforcement found Myrick leaving the scene of the shooting, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. confirmed Sunday afternoon. Myrick is being held at the Montgomery County Detention Facility until he is picked up by a federal agency, a sheriff’s office spokesperson said.

Macon County Sheriff André Brunson said he believes there are multiple suspects in the shooting.

“If you‘ve seen some of the videos, there was shooting all over the place. So, I think there will be multiple suspects,” he said. “We’re going to deal with it and try to get every last one of them.”

Officials say an 18-year-old was confirmed dead at the scene. Macon County authorities have identified him as Latavion Johnson. He was a graduate of Charles Henderson High School in Troy, but he was not a student of Tuskegee.

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Consequence And Chuck D Weigh In On The Presidential Election With “What Has America Done”

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

After joining A Tribe Called Quest at their induction into the Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame (only the 12th hip hop group to be inducted), Consequence releases a new single, “What Has America Done,” which is now available. “What Has America Done” features Public Enemy’s Chuck D (and he also illustrated the singles cover art) and Tony Williams. “What Has America Done” will be included on the deluxe edition of Nice Doing Business With You (which will include seven new tracks) which will be released on 11.22.24.

With the video that was premiered by TMZ earlier today, Consequence and Chuck D give a State of the Union address on the heels of the Presidential election.

“The results of the 2024 Presidential Election are a reflection of who and where we are as a nation. Like it or not, especially if you’re African American, we must continue to pursue our equalities and make sure we do everything in our power to level the playing field as best we can” Consequence commented. “In doing so, we can forget where we’ve been and what it took to get where we are.”

“Avatars like they’re the new Klan hoodies” Chuck D asserted. “The more things change, the more they stay the SAME”!

Nice Doing Business With You features appearances from Con’s frequent collaborator Kanye West (who guests on “No Apologies,” and produces “Bloodstain”), Chris Rock, YNW Melly, Tony Williams and Con’s son Caiden The Crownholder. Consequence also produced the bulk of Nice Doing Business With You.

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Eight Dancers Advance To Red Bull Dance Your Style 2024 World Final

November 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Dancers from Brazil, Norway, Netherlands, Taiwan, Slovakia, France, Switzerland and India have advanced to the World Final of the global dance competition Red Bull Dance Your Style 2024 on Saturday, which will take place at Mumbai’s NSCI Dome.

The first Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final took place in Paris, France in 2019, where Dutch dancer Shinshan was crowned the inaugural winner. Japan’s The D SoraKi ruled the dance floor at 2022’s World Final in Johannesburg, South Africa, and the reigning champion is South Korea’s Waackxxxy, who made history at the 2023 World Final in Frankfurt, Germany as the first woman ever to capture the title.

The culmination of 145 public events across 48 participating countries, the Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final 2024 week in Mumbai is a celebration of dance with workshops, panel talks, performance showcases and other events to connect and amplify the global dance community. The Red Bull Dance Your Style 2024 pre-final gathered dancers from 48 nations to battle it out on Wednesday, November 6 and Thursday, November 7 at the Famous Studios in Mumbai, India.

After an intense contest the following dancers secured their progress:

· Jazzy, Norway, Hip Hop

· Ryan, Brazil, Hip Hop

· Bogie, Taiwan, Locking

· Daley, Netherlands, Hip Hop

· Mishena, Slovakia, Hip Hop

· JR Sniper, France, Krump

· Pakissi, Switzerland, Hip Hop

Saturday’s World Final at Mumbai’s NSCI Dome will feature 16 dancers – the pre-final winners and eight invited wildcards – who will compete for the prestigious title of Red Bull Dance Your Style 2024 World Champion. This year’s wildcards are revolutionary popper MT Pop of Vietnam, versatile Afro freestyler Kanessa of Belgium, boundary-breaking voguer Ivy Mugler of the USA, waacking sensation Prince Wizzard of South Korea, renowned animation popping and Bollywood talent Saumya of India, famed hip hop artists Rubix of France and Luwam of Germany, and another hip hop pro, THE D SoraKi of Japan, who is looking to become the first dancer in history to claim two Red Bull Dance Your Style world titles.

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Pharrell Williams’ Black Ambition to Award $2.7 Million to Empower Next-Gen Entrepreneurs at 4th Annual Demo Day

November 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Pharrell Williams’ non-profit, Black Ambition, is gearing up to host its highly anticipated 4th Annual Demo Day on Friday, November 15, where the winners of the 2024 Black Ambition Prize Competition will be announced. The event will showcase the top Black and Hispanic-founded startups, awarding over $2.7 million in funding to companies that exemplify innovation and potential in Consumer Products, Healthcare, Media, Technology, and AI. Key sponsors, including Visa, Comcast, Louis Vuitton, and Adidas, support this exciting initiative, which aims to break down barriers and advance diversity in entrepreneurship.

This Demo Day marks the culmination of a rigorous nine-month journey for these emerging businesses, with eight finalists vying for a grand prize of $1 million. These promising founders have undergone a 3-month mentorship program, public voting, and pitch training to prepare them for the big stage. Beyond the national competition, Black Ambition’s HBCU Pre-Accelerator also prepared top innovators from Historically Black Colleges and Universities for a chance to join the final cohort and secure awards of up to $250,000.

“With mentorship to over 1,000 founders and generating over $265 million in revenue, we’re excited to continue showcasing the next generation of innovative companies,” said Felecia Hatcher, CEO of Black Ambition. “As other corporations scale back support for businesses of color, Black Ambition is doubling down on its commitment to accelerated growth for Black and Hispanic business owners.”

The day’s program will feature a live pitch competition judged by prominent CEOs and industry leaders, with the grand prize awarded to one outstanding venture. Following the pitch, Pharrell Williams and Hatcher will lead a discussion on the future of Black Ambition and the ongoing mission to support underrepresented entrepreneurs. The celebration will continue with a cocktail hour and VIP networking reception, inviting attendees to connect with the Black Ambition founders and network partners.

“Each year, the pool of talented innovators, thought leaders, and business owners grows,” Williams said, “further affirming Black Ambition’s mission to unlock the potential of underrepresented entrepreneurs.”

Since its inception in 2020, Black Ambition has awarded $10 million in capital to 101 entrepreneurs, extending beyond financial support to include holistic business development resources. From executive coaching and mental health workshops to bi-weekly office hours with industry experts from brands like Heineken, Adidas, and Microsoft, Black Ambition ensures that founders are well-equipped to tackle entrepreneurial challenges.

The impact of the Black Ambition Prize is profound. “Winning the 2023 Black Ambition Prize has been transformative,” said Antoinette Banks, CEO of Expert IEP. “The prize provided essential funding and an empowering community that drives our positive impact forward.”

As Black Ambition prepares to crown this year’s top innovators, it continues to make strides in bridging the gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs, laying the foundation for a more inclusive future in business.

To connect and learn more about Black Ambition, please visit www.blackambitionprize.com.
Follow us on Facebook (@blackambitionprize)Twitter/X (@blackambitionpz) and Instagram
(@blackambitionprize) to stay up to date with the Black Ambition community.

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Slim Thug Sides with Megan Thee Stallion, Calls Tory Lanez and Others “Lame”

November 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Slim Thug has let his allegiance be known in the divisive drama between Megan Thee Stallion and Tory Lanez, clearly siding with Megan and calling Lanez and other men who hurt women “lame” amongst other insults.

Slim took to Instagram Live on Friday and shared his thoughts on the matter in a minute and a half long video in which he clearly expressed support for his fellow Houston artist.

In the video, which can be seen on @livebitez on X, Slim sits in his car and speaks to the camera while rolling an unknown substance.

He says:

“You n***as oughta be ashamed of ya’ll self for hating on Thee Stallion. I wanted to give her a big a** hug after I watched that,” Slim said in the clip below. Man, she been through a lot. Lost her daddy, lost her mama, best friend…a n***a she slept with shot at her. And the court….ah man….boy a n***a she slept with shot at her. What n***a….I don’t give a damn, all you Tory Lanez fans…it don’t ever make sense to pull a gun on a b***h period. I don’t give a f*** what you need***as say- you pull a gun out on a girl, you are lame and that’s just life, so if you believe he should be free over that weak a** sh**, you’s a lame. Let me be clear with you, I ride with the hottie, I got her back. Big Slim ready to give her a big hug and support her for the rest of whenever. But yeah, all you men out there hating on a woman, you n***as is weird and deserved to be slapped. Real life you n***as is hella weird, but you n***as act like women so I ain’t surprised y’all…talking about a woman.”

He pauses to continue rolling before reiterating “weird a** n***as” and calling them “gossip queens,” stating “there’s a lot of gossip queens out there.”

Slim appeared in Megan’s “Bigger in Texas” video alongside other Houston artists Paul Wall, Scarface, and other Houston artists as well as legendary jeweler Johnny Dang, who reportedly made Megan the custom gri

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Sheesh … Former Donda Academy Teacher Alleges Kanye Wanted School to Have “Hitler Vibes”

October 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Talk about bad timing with all the Hitler rhetoric floating around election season. Cecilia Hailey, a former teacher at the academy, recently alleged that Ye—formerly known as Kanye West—intended for the school to have “Hitler vibes.”

Oh, boy. Again with the Hitler and Kanye talk?

Now what’s interesting is Hailey, is suing the artist for wrongful termination, shared details with The U.S. Sun about her experiences at the unaccredited institution. “He wanted all the children to be educated in how to carry a gun, how to shoot a gun,” Hailey claimed, adding, “I’m like, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I’m not having my third graders out learning how to shoot rifles, absolutely not. Teaching these kids to march, to be honest with you, I kind of got Hitler vibes around that or real bizarre things.”

But wait it gets better in the worst way. Another former teacher added perspective on the curriculum, describing survival-oriented lessons Ye intended to include. “He was going to teach the kids how to survive in the wilderness, hunting, camping, and how to load and shoot firearms,” the teacher recalled.

What’s more, Hailey also expressed concerns about the behavior and discipline issues she observed among students, describing an environment rife with aggression. “There was a lot of bullying,” she said. “Kids were getting physical; they would fight, the bigger kids would fight the little kids. So you might have a fourth grader hitting on a kindergartener or a first grader. We had kids hiding under tables because they were afraid. It was mayhem, really.”

In terms of the timing of Hailey’s lawsuit, it is set to go to trial in spring 2025. She furthered claims that students at Donda Academy were prohibited from using forks and knives, were served only sushi, and attended all classes on the building’s ground floor due to Ye’s alleged fear of stairs. Students were reportedly required to wear all-black Balenciaga uniforms and were banned from wearing Nike or Adidas attire.

Sounds a little cultish, if the cult was a fashion institute on well, Mars.

In case you’re wondering about the status of the formative school, according to the California Department of Education, Donda Academy is currently listed as closed. The school briefly shut down in October 2022 following antisemitic comments made by Ye, only to reopen hours later. During that controversy, Keyshia Cole withdrew her son from the school in response to Ye’s remarks.

On another note, what ever happened to that school by Dr. Umar? We should check on the progress of that illustrious educational institution. Wait, did it ever open?

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