RZA Believes “Hip Hop Has Become One Sided” When Talking About Rise In Rap Violence and Deaths

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RZA recently spoke on the alarming rise in violence and deaths in hip hop in a new interview with the Financial Times.

“We’ve lost more hip-hop artists in the last few years than ever before,” the legendary rapper and producer said. “Growing up in the golden age of hip-hop, we lost maybe like a couple of artists, but not a dozen artists or more.”

RZA continued, saying that “Sometimes Hip Hop music glamorizes certain things. It glamorizes prison life, it glamorizes gangsters and thugs. I understand that, because I grew out of that. But it doesn’t give you the total tragedy of what that can end up being, nor are we being represented with a lot of alternatives. The point being made is there was more bounce, there was more substance. Hip Hop has become one-sided.”

Do you agree with RZA?

RZA is set to drop a collaborative project with DJ Scratch, entitled Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater on March 4th. You can preorder here.

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Soulja Boy Taunts Kanye Over Kim Kardashian Split: “Skete Got Yo B*tch, N*gga What You Gon Do?”

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While Kanye seems dead-set on trying to get his family back together, many think it’s time to call it quits and sign the papers. However, Soulja Boy, aka Big Draco, thinks it’s time for Kanye to stop going on social media to win Kim back, and take some action.

Souja Boy took to his IG live to deliver a message to Ye. “Kanye, wake up. Skete got yo bitch n*gga, whatchu gon do? Is you gon keep posting memes of Marvel vs. Capcom or you gon lay the smackdown?,” Soulja Boy said. “That’s what the fuck you get n*gga! N*gga tried to play me. N*gga, you know who the fuck I am? I’m Big Draco and now you running around Hollywood crying like a b*tch.”

Soulja seems to still have some animosity towards Ye after he was left off of DONDA without knowing. Following the situation, Ye apologized to Soulja for not letting him know he would not be using his verse. The two seemed to make amends, and Soulja even recently said that he “f*ck with Ye.”

Maybe Ye decided not to use Big Draco’s verse on DONDA 2?

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Wayno Explains Why Roc-A-Fella Was Uninterested In “All Falls Down”

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The Cootie & Chike directed Kanye West documentary jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy dropped this past week and has taken the internet by storm. Act 1 of the doc focuses on Ye during his pre-College Dropout days and has become a source of inspiration for many.

Clips of the doc have made rounds on social media, particularly one where Kanye plays “All Falls Down” in front of a disinterested Chaka Pilgrim, who was the head of marketing at Roc-A-Fella at the time.

Unlike most times, the internet actually defended Kanye, reaffirming the point that many did not believe in Ye and used this moment as a message for people to continue to follow their dreams even when others don’t believe in them.

However, Wayno, who is now the VP of A&R at Quality Control, used to work at Roc-A-Fella in the early 2000’s and was able to provide context as to why executives at Roc-A-Fella seemed uninterested in “All Falls Down.”

Wayno took to Twitter to say that Ye would perform the song in front of executives with a camera crew about 10 times, then asking how someone could be excited to hear something that they already heard 10 times before.

“Lmao the context behind this is he played this song in the office and did this with a camera crew like 10x , how many times can you have a crazy reaction to something you’ve heard 10x it was kind of annoying at that point.”

In another tweet, Wayno continued, saying “Y’all also gotta realize this is at a time when phones ain’t even have cameras on em , he came with a camera crew all the time recording everything. People weren’t used to that , Chaka hair ain’t even done you think she was happy to be on camera?”

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Lyrica Anderson, Eric Bellinger & Dice Soho First Artists To Release NFT Content Under New Riveting Nifter Partnership

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Riveting Entertainment announced its partnership with Rebel Blockchain Inc aka Nifter to introduce a unique spin to the NFT space allowing the opportunity for buyers to see a return on their investment and become part royalty share owners of the music NFT they purchase.

In a new era of music, recording artists are taking more ownership, pioneering creative ideas, and marketing their personal material. Riveting Music, an independent record label under Riveting Entertainment, has been known for its work with artists like Redman and Chris Brown. 

They also announced their season one NFT launch, “Ethos” which is a community of independent recording artists brought on through Riveting Music’s deep rooted relationships.

The announcement described Ethos as “the story of the underdog winning and artists coming together to form a creative space and community of like minded individuals with a common goal.”

Andrew Listermann, CEO of Riveting Entertainment shared with The Source.

“For a music NFT platform to be truly successful, it must prioritize supporting artists to help create the best opportunity for success. Nifter has shown they are ready to do that and so we are looking forward to releasing a lot of incredible music NFT projects with their platform.”  

The first artists from the roster to release NFT content under the new partnership include Lyrica Anderson, Lexi Drew, Nessly + Killy, Joss Austin, Dawin, Nieman + Eric Bellinger, and Dice Soho.

Share your  thoughts with us on social media.

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‘Real Husbands of Hollywood’ Showrunner Praises Writers For Bringing the Funny in New Season

First Look: 'Real Husbands of Hollywood: - More Kevin, More Problems' Set for Feb. 2022

The Real Husbands of Hollywood returns to BET+ after a nearly 6-year hiatus since the premiere of its fifth season. The original cast Kevin Hart, Boris Kodjoe, Duane Martin, JB Smoove, Nelly, Nick Cannon, Robin Thicke, and more, reunite for a six-part limited series.

This season, similar to the past, is filled with celebrity guest appearances that have no issue stepping into the comedic landscape to serve the audience.

“I think Duane said it best,” says Boris Kodjoe. “We never said goodbye.”

Wayne Stamps, the series’ showrunner for season 6, says the timing of the revival could not have come at a better time.

“I just feel like now is the perfect time because people just need to laugh…. to relieve pressure and stress. There’s no show better that’s doing that than this.”

This season, similar to the past, is filled with celebrity guest appearances that have no issue stepping into the comedic landscape to serve the audience.

This revival is titled: ‘The Real Husbands of Hollywood – More Kevin, More Problem.

“The impetus for this season started with our conversation with Kevin. We asked him, ‘how are you doing all of this with so much going on in your life’” says Stamps. “Kevin does a great job of exaggerating his life on screen as well, which is a big help.”

Stamp credits the writing staff for building each episode with a comedic cliff-hanging sequence as “each episode gets more funny.”

Hart, who hilariously teased the show nearly a decade ago while hosting the 2012 BET Awards, is more booked and busy than ever. Hart is cloned to physically fulfill his personal and professional commitments with a jam-packed schedule.

What may have seemed like a good idea takes an unexpected turn that Kevin and the guys do their best to get control of? The guys are pulled into Kevin’s cloned chaos but have a dramady of their own.

“The best thing about this show is we all get made fun of equally,” says Robin Thicke. 

Catch Kevin and the Hollywood Husbands exclusively now BET+.

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JAY-Z, Meek Mill, Lil Baby, Michael Rubin’s Fanatics & More Team to Acquire Mitchell & Ness

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Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, Meek Mill, Lil Baby, Michael Rubin’s Fanatics, Maverick Carter, Charli and Dixie D’Amelio (and their parents Marc and Heidi D’Amelio), and more of the biggest names in sports, entertainment, and culture announced they have teamed up to buy iconic lifestyle brand Mitchell & Ness from Juggernaut Capital Partners. Around 25% of the company will be owned by the strategic investment group, which includes some of the most well-known figures in sports, entertainment, and culture.

“Fashion is cyclical, but classics are forever. Mitchell & Ness is a true classic. I was an early adopter of this brand, as well as a part of a departure from athletic wear,” Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter said in a statement. “I’m proud to play a small role in bringing it back, and in some cases, introducing the authenticity and quality of the Mitchell & Ness brand to a new generation.”

Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin added, “Mitchell & Ness is an iconic brand and a pioneer within our industry.  I’m incredibly excited for Fanatics to partner with this incredible group of innovative owners to build upon the company’s already strong business that has kept the brand culturally relevant for more than 100 years. Growing up as a kid in Philadelphia we looked at Mitchell & Ness as a badge of pride, and I truly believe this legendary brand has no limit.”

Mitchell & Ness already boasts a strong brand but now will expand by utilizing its customer database and strong relationships with sports properties. In addition, the new ownership group will use their combined expertise to grow the brand by investing in growing the brand globally, continuing to elevate the brand’s cultural relevance, expanding the product portfolio, and bringing in new league, team, college, and entertainment rights.

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Brooklyn Woo Gang Members Charged In $4.3M COVID-19 Relief Scheme

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A recent report from The New York Post has confirmed that the federal prosecutors have charged almost a dozen “Woo Gang” members and affiliates from Brooklyn for illegally obtaining COVID-19 relief funds, which the feds believe amassed over $4 million.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Eastern District of New York says that the gang allegedly flaunted the money in a music video titled “Trappin” as well as their individual social media pages.

The $4 million was obtained through a government program between March 2020 and October 2021. Part of the alleged scam involved a man buying identity information for $150, which turned out to be a pivotal part in how the federal authorities uncovered their scheme.

Court dates have yet to be set for the group, but TheSource.com will bring you updates to the story as details develop.

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Happy Birthday To Hip Hop’s Multi-Faceted Mogul Dr. Dre!

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Today we celebrate the birth of one of the most influential figures in Hip-Hop. Not only was this man the first rap billionaire, but he was also an instrumental part (literally and figuratively) in the creation of a new sub-genre of rap known as G-Funk. The living legend is described is none other than Dr. Dre.

Andre Romelle Young was born in Compton, California on February 18, 1965. He was the first child born to Theodore and Verna Young. His father had a history in music and was a member of an amateur R&B group called The Romells from which Dre gets his middle name.

In 1986, Dre met O’Shea Jackson aka Ice Cube while collaborating on some music for Ruthless Records. Ruthless Records was a famous record label founded by N.W.A. member Eazy-E and west coast rapper Ice-T. These two are widely credited with starting the gangster rap movement on the West Coast.  This meeting and the addition of MC Ren birthed one of the greatest music groups of all time, N*ggaz With Attitude.

After a disagreement with Eazy-E, Dre decided to leave N.W.A. to build his own musical empire. Due to advice given to him by his close friend and fellow rapper, The D.O.C., and his bodyguard at the time, Suge Knight, Dre became the flagship artist of Death Row Records, a label started by Knight in 1992. On Death Row Records, Dre released his first solo album titled The Chronic. This album cemented Dr. Dre’s place as one of the top rappers out of California.  While working with Death Row, Dre produced the majority of new artist Snoop Dogg’s music helping him in his rise to superstardom, along with tracks for 2Pac who was also a label member.

In ’96 due to a disagreement between Knight and Dre, Dre left Death Row to build his own label called Aftermath Records. This changed the path of Dre’s career forever. The growth began when the head of Interscope Records, Jimmy Iovine, suggested that Dre sign white rapper Eminem. The success of Eminem’s music made Dr. Dre not only one of the most respected rappers/producers in the game but also one of the more powerful moguls.

Dr. Dre was set to release his third album Detox in 2007 but decided to not and instead produce for other artists. Since then Dre has been mostly behind the scenes shaping the current state of rap music. Most recently he produced the uber-successful N.W.A. biopic Straight Outta Compton, which has created a rise in N.W.A. support from a new generation. His third studio album, Compton, was released shortly after the film and finally ended the long wait for more work from Dre.

The life and career of Dr. Dre is one that has been able to make Rap and Hip Hop what they are today. Without his influence, who knows where rap music would be today. From everyone at The Source, Happy Birthday Dr. Dre, may you have many more success filled years.

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Pusha T Says His Beef With Drake Is Officially Over

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2018 was a year for the books. Some might refer to it as the year Pusha T bullied Drake into taking care of his kid. If that year proved anything, it was to make sure you never make Pusha T mad.

Push recently sat down for an interview with Complex’s Speedy Norman, where the two discussed Push’s upcoming project, as well as his relationship with Drake now that he and Kanye have seemingly made amends.

Norman brought up Drake recently using one of Push’s bars as an Instagram caption for a video of his son speaking French. Pusha said that it wasn’t “sus” for Drizzy to use the bar as the caption for a video with his son, even though Push was the one who told the world that Drake did indeed have a child.

Norman then asked Push if there would be any interest in looking past the beef the two had a few years ago.

“I’ve already looked past that,” Push said. “I don’t look towards that anymore. Bygones are bygones, as far I see. And I think that’s really good that [Drake and Kanye] squashed it. That works really good for them.”

However, social media quickly thought that Push was not telling the truth about squashing his beef with Drizzy based on his sarcastic tone in answering Norman’s questions.

Push took shots at Drake and Lil Wayne on the song “Infrared” off of his 2018 Kanye-produced album, DAYTONA, for those who don’t remember. He brought up Drake’s ghostwriting allegations and Wayne’s financial woes. Drake responded within 24 hours with “Duppy Freestyle,” mainly aimed at Kanye. However, in the song, Drake name-dropped Pusha’s fiancé Virginia Williams. Push then took things up a notch and dropped “The Story Of Adidon,” where he announced that Drake had a child with an ex-pornstar and was going to announce his child with the rollout of his upcoming Adidas line.

Since the incident, Drake has consistently held that Kanye told Push that he had a kid after he showed Ye some tracks from his forthcoming project Scorpion. However, Push has maintained that he learned the information from a woman sleeping with Drake’s producer Noah 40.

You can watch the full interview below.

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Kanye Announces “DONDA 2” Will Release Exclusively Through The Yeezy Stem Player

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Kanye is a free man. Apparently West no longer has to deal with major labels interrupting his music process, and now, he doesn’t have to worry about labels telling him how to distribute music as well.

Ye took to IG to make the announcement that his upcoming DONDA 2 album would not be released on any streaming website. Instead, the album would be released through Ye’s Yeezy Stem Player, which was released late last year.

“Donda 2 will only be available on my own platform, the Stem Player,” Ye captioned his post. He continued, saying “Not on Apple Amazon Spotify or YouTube. Today artists get just 12% of the money the industry makes. It’s time to free music from this oppressive system. It’s time to take control and build our own. Go to stemplayer.com now to order.”

Kanye’s stem player is a collaboration between himself and tech company Kano. The stem player was released right before the release of DONDA, and features technology that enables a user to split a songs between its vocals, melody and drums. Ye had been spotted with a old version of the stem player, famously in a video where he tests the video out in front of hip hop radio legend Big Boy playing “Follow God.”

However, this wouldn’t be the first time Ye would have exclusively released his music. In 2016 for The Life Of Pablo, Ye exclusively released the album under Tidal. A few months later, the album was added to all streaming serivces.

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