Juicy J is known for his trippy videos, and today he’s back with a new one in which he dresses up as NBA player James Harden, complete with a beard. “Step Back,” which features fellow Memphis rapper Duke Deuce dressed in Grizzlies garb, drops just before the Grizzlies advance to the next round of the playoffs.
Hopefully, the video can bring luck to both the Grizzlies and the Philadelphia 76ers as they both dropped game 1 of their second-round series. You can see the new video below.
Yo Gotti has signed R&B artist Lehla Samia to his legendary CMG record company in collaboration with Interscope Records, making her the first woman to join the imprint’s ranks and heralding CMG’s growth into the R&B genre.
“I’m proud to welcome Lehla to the CMG family,” Gotti said. “She has an incredible voice, she’s creatively gifted and she’s been putting in the work to develop into the next R&B superstar. I’ve always said that CMG is more than just hip-hop label – we have our focus on building the biggest and most versatile force in the music industry. Signing Lehla is the latest example of that goal.”
The 22-year-old singer gained a large online following after making covers and remixes of popular R&B songs and posting them to social media under the moniker “LehMixes.” While juggling nursing school, Lehla gained a following after her TikTok flips of Queen Naija’s “Butterflies” and Coi Leray’s “No More Parties” went viral.
The covers and remixes helped the Delaware native get over 1.2 million followers on TikTok and 14 million likes to date. Most notably, Gotti was taken with Lehla’s dramatic vocals, prompting the CMG CEO to fly the emerging star to Miami for a studio session that would forever transform her life and career path.
“Signing with Gotti and joining the CMG team is a dream come true,” Lehla said. “I’ve been grinding for this opportunity for a minute and I’m really excited about this new chapter in my career. I can’t wait to share my story with the world and deliver that pure R&B sound for my old and new fans.”
Moneybagg Yo, 42 Dugg, EST Gee, Mozzy, Blac Youngsta, Blocboy JB, Lil Poppa, Big Boogie, and 10Percent are just a few of the hip-hop artists who have signed to CMG.
The pandemic hit at an unfortunate time for the Compton leg of the Black Ink Crew franchise. As viewers were able to get introduced to the cast of Compcon artists, a halt in production, and the entire world, delayed more of the stories the shop led by iamCompton.
Now, Black Ink Crew: Compton is back in season two, allowing us to learn more about the hottest Black artists on the nation’s west coast. iamCompton led that group to Atlanta to take on their counterparts from the Chicago and New York Shops.
While on hand in Atlanta, iamCompton spoke with The SOURCE about owning the first tattoo shop in Compton, gearing up for the “Battle of the Tattoo Titans,” and more.
As a fan of Black Ink, I feel like the pandemic screwed me over. Just as we got introduced to you all, the story got cut short. How was it being a shop owner and continuing business right after the initial stages of opening the shop and then the pandemic?
Honestly, it was a struggle as a first-time shop owner. Trying to do something in Compton, being the first tattoo shop ever in Compton. It was a lot of pressure on me. And then when the pandemic hit, it was like, oh man, I got this far and now I got to somehow keep it above water. I just took it one day at a time and thank God that I’m here now.
Do you feel there is a never-ending set of roadblocks and challenges?
Oh for sure. Obstacles come left and right through life it’s it is a rollercoaster, but I’ll never stop. Might ease out for a while but that’s, that’s part of life going through those hurdles.
What have you learned about yourself as a person, but also a business owner, and then a tattoo artist?
Don’t take nothing personal. It’s just business. Don’t mix emotions with business.
When you got here to Atlanta and saw the setup for the competition. How did you feel?
That was exciting. I was like, oh, hold up. We important [laughs]. Y’all took the time out to do something for us. You get kind of numb when you been working for a long time and tattooing a lot of people or to see somebody spend $1,500 on a pair of shoes or $5,000 on a bag, but they didn’t want to pay for $500 tattoo at the most. It throws you off and you feel like you are not doing enough and it’s a difficult job. Now, everything changed and now people appreciate it a little more for art. And even the things like the NFTs and stuff, the artists being more appreciated, more valuable. And that’s what I felt walking out like, oh, y’all value us. So it was excitement, a good feeling.
When you first heard about this battle and everything coming together for it, placing you in the same arena with the other two shops and on this grand stage, what was your initial thoughts?
I thought it was dope. I thought it was a great idea. I’ve been waiting to be a part of something cool like that. I didn’t know what it was, but that was it. You can take this all over the world and have fun with it. It’s the culture and it’s a part of my brand. I done dreamed about this environment, not knowing it, you know what I’m saying? I can do what I love.
This is a family environment, but at the same time, there’s a level of competitiveness that comes into it. How did you prepare yourself and your team for this?
I think they got a lot of competitive nature. I wasn’t concerned about them competing, but as far as coming and being prepared and having everything you need on a spot and then like do this right now and figure it out. You got this amount of time with the pressure for cameras and, and stuff like that. It’s difficult. But we deal with that anyway. So I think it’s dope. It’s all fun. It’s all up. At the same time, you can display your talent. They get to show their skills under pressure and see what obstacles they overcome at the end of the day. We all get a chance to use the platform to show people what we do.
Reflecting back on season one, was there a big lesson you would take a way from it?
I think I would have did the tattoo shop thing a couple of years before the show. It’s still cool that I did it the way I did it. Cause I showed the process of starting and building it from scratch. You got to see the struggles and then there you gonna be at two years from now.
You’re competing against Ryan and Ceasar. You are a boss in your own right. How do you feel coming into it? Do you look at yourself as the underdog or the upstart that is taking on the guys who have had more TV time?
Honestly, when I played football I learned to focus on your assignment and what you are supposed to do. Now me, one on one, I play receiver I’m on that island. It’s a DB trying to stop me. I’m not even worried about you. I’m calm. I know my assignment. I know what I need to do. As long as I can get to the zone, I’m good. Take your time. Be patient, keep calm. Do the assignment, get in the zone. Once you in that zone, your talent going to speak. Your art is going to speak. And this is what we do.
You art ranges from tattooing to music. Where do you draw the inspiration for your music?
I’m speaking on situations that I’m been through. I seen my life flash before my eyes and I’ve been robbed and woke up to some gun in my face. I done seen life from a different perspective. So all of this is fun. I just take it one day at a time.
On this day in 1993, the legendary Wu-Tang Clan began their reign as one of the most powerful and influential rap groups in history by releasing their debut single, “Protect Ya Neck.” With this track, Wu-Tang took the rap game by storm with a style unheard and an attitude unseen. “Protect Ya Neck” set a tone in Hip Hop that shifted the genre toward a more hardcore, rugged sound.
Originally recorded in a different order with a completely different beat, group member RZA took the liberty to reconstruct the song in post-production to the goliath that we all know and love. According to him, all he needed was the vocals of the group. The original beat used was just a placeholder used to get the verses. RZA’s unique style also incorporated the kung-fu film dialogue and fought scenes throughout the track. This unique style of production became a trend for Wu-Tang Clan.
To clarify any confusion about who is who on the song, the order of verses is as follows: Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Method Man, U-God, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Ghostface Killah, RZA, & GZA. The single was first released independently through Wu-Tang Records and had “After the Laughter Comes Tears” as the B-side. Loud Records later re-released it with “Method Man” as the B-side. It sold 10,000 copies.
Future, multi-platinum artist, philanthropist, executive, fashion connoisseur, who is fresh off being the credited Executive Producer on Ye’s (f.k.a. Kanye West) DONDA 2 that dropped in , has come together again with Ye to release a collaborative merchandise collection celebrating his new album I NEVER LIKED YOU, available now until Thursday 5/5 at midnight exclusively on ineverlikedyou.shop
The collaboration, which is designed by Ye’s legendary creative collective DONDA, features imagery of Future and type treatments inspired by the album title as well as the single “Keep It Burnin”. The range features a long sleeve tee, hoodies, hats, socks, a face mask similar to what Ye is seen wearing in the video, and a take on the instantly iconic eye mask look from the I NEVER LIKED YOU cover.
Prices range from: $22-$142.
The collection further cements the creative pairing, directly supporting the collaboration on the song and video for “KEEP IT BURNIN” featured on Future’s new album I NEVER LIKED YOU.
The video, directed by Rick Nyce, is the first video released from the album, and showcases Future and Ye trading bars in the YEEZY offices on the high energy song from their recent sessions together.
The album is on track for a #1 Billboard debut and is tracking to post the largest 1st week debut of 2022.
Rihanna and her baby bump made an appearance at the Smokers Club Festival where A$AP Rocky was the headliners. Rihanna was spotted backstage and waving at bae as he performed for a capacity crowd.
Rihanna is reportedly weeks away from birth, but according to TMZ, being on hand for Rocky was important to her.
Last week, A$AP Rocky’s arrest seemingly put a hold on celebrating his forthcoming baby with Rihanna. According to The Sun, Rihanna “has been crying non-stop.”
“She’s heavily pregnant and these are very serious accusations,” a source said. “It’s a nightmare scenario for her.
“Rihanna was very, very upset and stressed by Rocky’s arrest. It’s not the best time for her to be on such an emotional rollercoaster,” the source added.
A$AP Rocky was arrested as he returned to LAX on last Wednesday morning. According to TMZ, the rapper arrived at the airport on a private jet from Barbados and was met by officers at the terminal and arrested. The charges for Rocky were assault with a deadly weapon. The weapon was a gun. Rocky was returning to America after vacationing with his girlfriend, Rihanna.
The assault is believed to occur on November 6, 2021, when Rocky allegedly shot at the victim three or four times, grazing him on the left hand, NBC News reports. The shooting reportedly happened near Vista Del Mar and Selma Ave. around 10:20 pm. Two additional men reportedly accompanied Rocky. Rocky was on hand the next day for Complex Con on November 7.
The alleged victim stated the shooting happened after an argument between the two. The LAPD says Rocky knows the victim who helped them identify the rapper as a suspect. Offers also executed a search warrant at Rocky’s home, ramming their way through his front gate.
Pete Davidson has long been a target of Kanye West due to dating his ex-wife Kim Kardashian. Davidson was on hand at the Netflix is a Joke festival this past week and made his issues with Ye a part of his routine.
“I had an AIDS scare this year,” Davidson said, alluding to YE stating the comedian had the virus. He then stated he hopes Kanye goes all in with his tactics, citing Mrs. Doubtfire, a film where Robin Williams dressed as a nanny to spend more time with his kids.
“Am I the only who secretly hopes Kanye will go full Mrs. Doubtfire?” Davidson said according to Variety.
Kardashian hit Instagram last month to show off pics of her ane bae, Pete Davidson, out for a night in Los Angeles.
According to PEOPLE, Kardashian and Davidson were at Jon & Vinny’s, a popular Italian restaurant in Los Angeles following the premiere of the new HULU show The Kardashians.
Also last month, Kim Kardashian spoke with ABC journalist Robin Roberts about The Kardashians show. While chatting with Roberts, Kim dived into her new romance with Pete Davidson, citing the affair is real, and she planned to spend a lot of time with the comedian.
“I wouldn’t be with someone if I didn’t plan on spending a lot of my time with them,” Kardashian said. “Obviously, I want to take my time, but I’m very happy and very content. And, it’s such a good feeling to be at peace.”
Moneybagg Yo’s baby mother Kennedy Lynette aka Chyna Santana has passed away. Santana and Yo have three children together. There is currently no detail as to what led to the death.
“Im so sickkkk,” Facebook user Jessica Summers wrote online. “Im heart hurting so bad dude. I was just otp with you my sister. Why you had to do me like that.!!!!! Kennedy Leynettee why you leave me.”
Condolences to Moneybagg Yo, the mother of 3 of his children has reportedly passed away pic.twitter.com/tUfnGne3mL
Tory Lanez was detained as he attempted to leave Las Vegas. TMZ reports the controversial rap star was stopped at Las Vegas airport as he attempted to leave the city. Law enforcement stated Lanez had a “large amount” of marijuana in his bags.
After being briefly detained, Lanez was allowed to leave the TSA agents. However, his weed was confiscated. Tory Lanez would remain in Vegas and appears to have had a great night in Las Vegas, hitting up Drai’s Nightclub and was even seen partying with Rick Ross.
— ToryLanez_#LondonFreestyle (@Fargo_Argentino) May 1, 2022
Last week, Tory’s name didn’t leave headlines as Megan Thee Stallion provided more details into the 2020 shooting incident, which involved both stars.
One of the biggest pieces revealed during Thee Stallion’s conversation with Gayle King was Tory Lanez attempting to bribe the rapper with $1 million to not speak on the shooting.
After Lanez allegedly shot Megan, he is said to have offered the money. “I’ll give y’all a million dollars if y’all don’t say nothing,” Megan quoted Tory.
In the conversation, Thee Stallion revealed there are still pieces of bullet fragments in her feet and stated that Lanez yelled “Dance B*tch” at her before firing. You can hear it from Megan Thee Stallion below.
It seems wherever DaBaby goes, trouble is to follow. Days after a new video put his “self-defense” Wal-Mart shooting in question, DaBaby is charged with felony battery after the beating of property manager Gary Pagar.
In December, Pagar rented DaBaby’s LA mansion for a music video. According to TMZ, DaBaby and Pagar agreed to only have a maximum of 12 guests during his tenure. The manager would visit and found as many as 40 people on the property.
In a video, Pagar was assaulted by one of DaBaby’s crew, Thankgod Awute, who also took the man’s cell phone. Awute is now charged with felony robbery.
In response, DaBaby hit Twitter to release another video of the incident.
“Y’all keep beliving these type of people & helping em assassinate my character y’all might as well get a rope & help him hang my black ass on a tree,” DaBaby wrote.
Y’all keep beliving these type of people & helping em assassinate my character y’all might as well get a rope & help him hang my black ass on a tree. pic.twitter.com/miO6daOyQZ
(@Fargo_Argentino) 
