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Happy Birthday Allah! 7 Facts That You May Not Know About The Founder Of The 5% Nation

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Many people may have heard of the “Five Percenters” or the teachings that stem from this cultural phenomenon born in the ghettos of America, but there are very few who are familiar with the origins of the 5% Nation (also known as the Nation Of Gods and Earths) or that of the founder of the Five Percent, who is best known as Allah. Artists and athletes such as Jay-Z and Carmelo Anthony have shown either their allegiance or alliance to Allah’s 56-year-old Nation. Of all of the religious and nationalist movements of the revolutionary 1960s, his story is always left out of Black History Month recognition, even though Allah met the same treacherous fate as many of the Black leaders of that era.

Born on this date in 1928, the man known as Allah was born Clarence Edward Smith to Louis and Mary Smith in Danville, Virginia. He moved to Harlem, New York as a young adult and it was from there that he began his lifelong journey in establishing a legacy of pride, righteousness, and all-inclusivity among the youth that has expanded all over the globe.

In commemoration of Black History Month, TheSource.com brings you seven facts about Allah and what his 5% Nation has brought to the Black, Latino, Asian and white youth in the United States and around the world.

  1. Allah fought in the Korean War; won several medals including the Silver Star and Purple Heart.
  2. He was a member of Nation Of Islam’s Temple No. 7 under Minister Malcolm X, however, left the NOI in 1963 shortly before Malcolm’s departure.
  3. Allah was given the “Street Academy” at 2122 7th Avenue(now known as Allah School In Mecca) by NYC Mayor John Lindsay in 1967.
  4. Allah was proficient at martial arts, which he learned in Korea and was an instructor to the members of NOI security, Fruit Of Islam.
  5. Allah was not anti-white and taught white 5%ers, including Mayor Lindsay’s assistant Barry Gotterher.
  6. Allah was killed by unknown assailants on June 13, 1969, however, it was revealed in a document declassified by the FBI in 1981 that he was a target of J.Edgar Hoover’s COINTELPRO initiative aimed at Black leaders.
  7. The message of the 5% is not a thing of Hip Hop’s past. Artists such as NYC’s Fame Labs, Detroit’s(D-Mecca) Njeri Earth and Allah Magnetic aka Mullah Don who carries on Allah’s tradition through their music.

The post Happy Birthday Allah! 7 Facts That You May Not Know About The Founder Of The 5% Nation appeared first on The Source.

Snoop Dogg And Diddy Tease Death Row/Bad Boy Collaboration

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snoop and diddy

Snoop Dogg and Diddy are teasing a possible collaboration. 

After acquiring Death Row Records, Snoop posted a short film that included a call from Diddy, giving praise to the rapper who he says taught him how to play “chess, not checkers.” 

“Congratulations king, great move, great move,” Diddy told the “Lodi Dodi” rapper, who responded, “You taught me how to play chess, not checkers.”

Snoop said they can do what they want now with Death Row and Bad Boy. 

READ MORE: Snoop Dogg to make Death Row Records the first NFT record label.

This epic moment would have seemed impossible at one time, as the east coast and west coast labels had beef with each other that went public on an airing of The Source Awards in 1995.

At the time Death Row’s owner Marion “Suge” Knight, took a blatant jab at Bad Boy Records founder Sean “Puffy” Combs aka Diddy after accepting the Best Movie Soundtrack of the Year award for the Above The Rim soundtrack.

With the awards taken place in NYC, the venue erupted with boos as Suge walked off the stage with Source’s coveted Mic and the momentum of the coastal beef only increased ten fold following this moment.

We’re glad to see things have come full circle in Hip Hop and this Death Row/Bad Boy collaboration will go down in Hip Hop history.

Share your thoughts with us on social media.

The post Snoop Dogg And Diddy Tease Death Row/Bad Boy Collaboration appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Dame Dash Releases Country Music “You’re So Fine”

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Besides starting Roc-A-Fella Records, founding arguably the greatest rapper of all time and losing it all within a ten year span, what else hasn’t Dame Dash done? Country music!

Released on Valentine’s Day, the Roc co-founder does a Johnny Cash rendition for his country music debut, complete with ten gallon hat and boots. The video, “You’re So Fine”, is an ode to his wife and had no shame making this his first musical offering since the collapse of Roc-A-Fella Records.

The post [WATCH] Dame Dash Releases Country Music “You’re So Fine” appeared first on The Source.

The Weeknd To Drop ‘the Dawn FM Experience’ Special on Amazon Prime Video

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The Weeknd's 'Dawn FM' Surpasses 500 Million Streams

The Weeknd’s Dawn FM experience isn’t over. The hype behind the Canadian artist’s fifth studio album is still here, and it just moved to the television screen.

Abel took it to Twitter to announce that the Dawn FM Experience will show on Amazon Prime. In a tweet, the Weeknd said, “next phase has begun… Dawn FM Experience premieres February 26 on @PrimeVideo.”

According to a press release, The Dawn FM Experience will also stream as “an eight-track live EP” exclusively on Amazon Music, and An exclusive merch capsule will launch at 12 noon PST/3 p.m. EST on the Amazon Music Artist Merch Shop the day before the premiere of the airing.

“I’m ecstatic to partner with Amazon to premiere the most elaborate live TV special I’ve ever done,” the Weeknd said in the press release. “Welcome to the next phase of Dawn FM—a purgatory otherworld where live performance, theater, and performance art collide for a night out at the club.”

The Weeknd created the Dawn FM Experience with the help of La Mar C. Taylor and Micah Bickham, who also directed the special.

The Weeknd also shared a tweet revealing his new t.v special trial.

The Weeknd released Dawn FM on January 7, and the album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The album also featured Tyler, the Creator, and Lil Wayne, as well as narration from Jim Carrey, which came out in early January and quickly propelled him atop Spotify’s most-streamed artists of 2022 list after earning 705 million streams in just the first two weeks of the year. He also set a new Billboard record by having the most charting songs (24) on the Global 200 chart for a solo male performer in a single week.

The Weeknd has given us a glimpse of his acting skills since his last album, After Hours. He also did it with Dawn FM. On February 26, fans will finally get a chance to see him in real action.

The post The Weeknd To Drop ‘the Dawn FM Experience’ Special on Amazon Prime Video appeared first on The Source.

Lil Baby Promises New Music and Said His Album Is Almost Done

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Lil Baby Is Back In The Studio Working On New Music

Lil Baby said it’s his turn again. Well, he didn’t say that verbatim, but it is his turn again as the Atlanta rapper said his album is in its finishing stages. Along with giving an update on his album stages, Lil Baby also declared to drop new music.

Lil Baby took it to Twitter to share the news.

Earlier this year, the My Turn posted a picture of him in the studio with the caption stating, “I’m coming.” Well, he’s not here with the music yet, but he’s definitely on the way.

Since entering the music game, Lil Baby has held a major influence in Hip-Hop. Lil Baby’s last two albums, My Turn and The Voice of the Heroes, his joint project with Lil Durk, both respectively reached No.1 on the Billboard 200 album charts.

The 4 Pockets Full Boss has been killing the features. And although he hasn’t been drooping music, he has been in the airwaves. He recently collaborated with Nicki Minaj on “Do We Have A Problem.” Then they spun the block again and collaborated on “Bussin.”

Before that,  he laid a verse on Gunna DS4Ever album, dropped a verse on Nardo Wicks, “Me or Summ,” Meek Mill’s “Sharing Location,” and Drake’s “Girls and Girls.”

The post Lil Baby Promises New Music and Said His Album Is Almost Done appeared first on The Source.

The Britney Book: Britney Spears Collects $15M Bag for Tell-All Book

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Britney Spears Calls Out Her 'So-Called Support System' In IG Rant Against Critics Of Her Living Room Dancing Videos

Britney Spears has reportedly inked a book contract worth up to $15 million. According to Page Six, the pop icon signed a landmark deal with Simon & Schuster for a tell-all memoir on her career and personal life.

According to a publishing industry insider, the deal came after a bidding battle between various publishers, and “the transaction is one of the biggest of all time, behind the Obamas.”

Britney Spears’ conservatorship was terminated by a California judge in November, with immediate effect.

Britney Spears had been in a conservatorship for 13 years before it was terminated by Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny during a hearing on Friday.

“The conservatorship of Britney Jean Spears’ person and estate is no longer required,” Judge Penny ruled after a quick session that lasted less than half an hour. “The conservatorship has come to an end.”

The judge also stated that she did not need to submit to any sort of capacity statement.

The post The Britney Book: Britney Spears Collects $15M Bag for Tell-All Book appeared first on The Source.

YG Honors Slim 400 with a New Tattoo

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YG Says He Honors Nipsey Hussle Privately

YG will carry the memory of his late friend Slim 400 on his body. The Cali rapper received a tattoo of Slim on his leg. YG shared the tattoo on social media with the caption, “Brazy Blood, Love you P Treez!”

Slim 400 was killed in December as a gunman walked upon him in a driveway in Los Angeles.

You can see the new tattoo below.

The post YG Honors Slim 400 with a New Tattoo appeared first on The Source.

Ari Fletcher Says She is Scared to Wear Her New 22-Carat Diamond Ring

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Ari Fletcher gave her bae Moneybagg Yo a lavish gift not too long ago and he has returned the favor. Ari has received a 22-carat diamond ring and it’s so massive she is scared to wear it.

The Shade Room points out Fletcher’s tweet, admiring her new gift but still scared about putting it on.

“A f*cking 22 carat diamond ring for me,” Ari wrote. “It’s so big I’m scared to wear it. I’m just staring at it in shock.”

You can see the ring below. Is it too big for your taste?

The post Ari Fletcher Says She is Scared to Wear Her New 22-Carat Diamond Ring appeared first on The Source.

The Game Addresses Super Bowl Halftime Show Rumors: “I Control My Own Narrative”

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The Game to young rappers advice

Over the last week, there have been rumors floating around at The Game’s alleged animosity towards the Super Bowl Halftime performers about not being included in the halftime show. Wack 100 even claimed that The Game told Jay-Z to “suck my d*ck” before the show.

This led The Game to take to Instagram to clear up his name’s rumors.

“Don’t nobody speak for The Game except THE GAME. I ain’t had no conversation with Jay-Z & the Super Bowl he put together. I don’t feel no way about not being included. It was a GREAT SHOW featuring iconic artists. It was a WIN for the culture,” he posted.

In the caption, The Game wrote a lengthy statement, telling people not to listen to the rumors and that he is in Miami trying to help Kanye finish DONDA 2.

“I control my own narrative. Do not be fooled by the internet, blogs, podcasts or anyone speaking on my name that is not me. My life & new album are both amazing & I’m in a great space creatively & artistically. I’m in Miami to help Ye’ finish Donda 2 & support my friend in one of the most pivotal times of his life/career. Leave me & my name out of any NEGATIVE conversations unless I have given you a REAL reason to include me !!! Hov’ continues to break down doors for the culture & I am in full support of anything & anyone who is on the help side of urban greatness. #BLACKFUTUREMONTH.”

It’s good to hear that the rumors are false and that The Game seems not to be mad about not being included in the Halftime show, even though it would have been great if he and 50 Cent were able to perform a track on stage.

The post The Game Addresses Super Bowl Halftime Show Rumors: “I Control My Own Narrative” appeared first on The Source.

TDE President, Punch, Speaks On Kendrick Lamar’s Impending Departure From Label: “It’s A Beautiful Thing To Watch”

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Punch on Kendrick Lamar: "Please remember that this is FAMILY"

Last August, Kendrick broke his nearly 3 years of silence with an Instagram post where he said that his next album would be last on TDE. Kendrick has not revealed any details on his upcoming project, only dropping a couple of collab tracks with cousin and frequent collaborator Baby Keem, and delivering an iconic Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.

Recently, the President of Top Dawg Entertainment, spoke on the upcoming departure from Kendrick with Mic, explaining how he believes K.Dot is “ready to build his own thing.”

“That’s a grown man right now,” Punch said. “We watched him grow from a teenager up into an established grown man, a businessman, and one of the greatest artists of all time. So how long do you actually be signed up under somebody? It’s been almost 20 years.”

He added that it’s time for Kendrick to “move on and try new things and venture out.” He also gave Kendrick his props for developing Baby Keem as an artist.

“It’s always been there, but now it’s just time and space where he can actually do it,” he said. “It’s a beautiful thing to watch because that’s something that started with what we built in the beginning. To see it blossom, it’s a full-circle moment.” 

While Punch did not disclose any updates regarding Lamar’s upcoming project, he said that Kendrick is on his own timeframe when it comes to making this album. He doesn’t need anybody in the studio with him anymore to coach him through the process and can do it all on his own.

“It’s different now just because it’s different, not because it’s his last project. It’s just the evolution of where we are. Kendrick doesn’t need anybody in the studio to coach him and help him make an album anymore. He’s well capable of doing everything on his own. It’s just the timeframe that we’re in.” 

The post TDE President, Punch, Speaks On Kendrick Lamar’s Impending Departure From Label: “It’s A Beautiful Thing To Watch” appeared first on The Source.