Hip Hop News

The effects of COVID-19 and lockdown are sure to continue to show up for months to come. Not many of us can say we went by unaffected by it all, Meek Mill included.

In a recent return HBO’s The Shop, the Philadelphia rapper sat down with Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young, DJ Khaled, the Washington Football Team’s Chase Young, and Jemele Hill to chop it up. During the discussion, he opened up about the creative rut that quarantine brought into his household and the “youngins” who helped him shake it off.

“Probably six months ago, Lil Baby and Durk terrorized me in the studio,” Meek is heard saying in a new episode of The Shop: Uninterrupted. “I had writer’s block. I’m in the house with a bunch of babies, quarantine. My lifestyle just changed dramatically.”

“They start coming to my house and I start noticing these young boys, they smokin’ me,” Meek adds. “I’m taking two hours to finish my verse. Khaled know I do nine songs a day. I just wasn’t in it but I fed off of them. And I told them that, ‘Yeah, y’all youngins in the building, I’m feeding off y’all today. I need the energy.’ They came back four weeks later, I’m in that room going like this, bangin’ out. We just fed off each other through that time.”

For an indication as to what came of their encounter, fans can find evidence on the three rapper’s “Still Runnin” track, found on Baby and Durk’s collaborative The Voice Of The Heroes album.  

Over the past few months, WWE has announced various cuts to its roster. There have been various rumors surrounding the WWE and its ownership, so it only makes sense these cuts would be made as the company looks to re-tool for the future. Unfortunately, some extremely talented individuals have been cut in the process, which has left many fans angered over the direction of the WWE.

For instance, fans were left in shock today after it was revealed that the company was letting go of Bray Wyatt who just came off of a fight against Randy Orton at WrestleMania 37. Wyatt hadn’t been present during any recent telecasts which had many fans worried about his status, now, it is confirmed that he won’t be back.

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The decision was met with a lot of criticism and vitriol as fans immediately based the WWE for its latest move. Underneath the tweet below, fans let their feelings be known, with one supporter saying “This company is going down the gutter man. Honestly, I grew up with star studded names from Taker to Angle to Austin. Who do they have now? Bar Reigns there’s hardly anyone that can draw or is a draw. Cena is part time. Embarrassing. Thanks god for AEW.”

Various other fans brought up the AEW as they no longer want to support the WWE. Some of the biggest fan favorites are now gone, and it’s hard for some supporters to want to stick around, especially if the company continues to go in this direction.

You can check out the reactions to Wyatt’s dismissal, below.

Los Angeles rapper Gonzoe has passed away. Gonzoe, who was a part of the ’90s rap group Kausion, was shot and killed in Seattle.

Reports claim that Gonzoe, born Ronald Moore, was shot three times in the chest while driving near a gas station. He got out of his car and ran to the gas station, where he collapsed. The gunman is still at large and police are working on an investigation. Kausion signed to Ice Cube’s Lench Mob Records back in 1995. Their debut album, South Central Los Skanless, was released the same year. “What You Wanna Do?”, a smash from their album, is famously featured in Grand Theft Auto V. Gonzoe was also known to be an associate of Tupac and the Outlawz.

The LA rapper was the co-CEO of Glovez Up Gunz Down, which is a celebrity boxing program co-founded by Snoop Dogg. The aim of the program is to tackle gun violence by getting kids off the streets and into boxing rings. Gonzoe fought in the inaugural match against comedian and Glovez Up Gunz Down co-CEO Boskoe100. Boskoe was one of the first to break the news of Gonzoe’s death on social media.

Isaiah Rashad’s latest album The House Is Burning was easily one of the most anticipated projects of the entire year. After taking five years between albums, fans were hoping for some new material and Rashad ended up delivering with an incredible body of work. Over the last 24 hours, fans have taken to social media to profess their love for the album and all of the great sounds that Rashad produces throughout it.

Top Dawg Entertainment has always been known for its quality projects, and Rashad’s latest joint is a testament to the label’s consistency. Among the fans who are digging Rashad’s new project is none other than Kevin Durant, who is currently in Tokyo competing in the Olympic Games.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

In fact, Durant loves the album so much that he decided to tweet out some lyrics from the project in the early hours of the morning. “What am I supposed to do outside but get rich? Work too hard but boy don’t floss too hard and get your wig split,” Durant wrote. For those who may not know, these lyrics come from the track “Darkseid” which has proven to be a fan favorite over the past day or so.

With The House Is Burning becoming the official soundtrack of Team USA Basketball, it seems like the team has a good luck charm as they go into the knockout stage.

Biz Markie’s life is set to be celebrated on August 2nd in New York City at the Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts on Monday.

TMZ reports that the ceremony, while expectedly star-studded, will be a private homegoing for the Long Island legend. Although, the general public will be able to watch a live stream via BET.

Al Sharpton’s National Action Network revealed that the civil rights leader and preacher will eulogize Markie, adding that he “touched the world with his infectious smile, amazing energy, and Hip-Hop hits.”

“Known for his Top 40 hit, ‘Just A Friend’ and his recurring role on ‘Yo Gabba Gabba,’,” the post continued. “He brightened every room he was in and every song he was on.”

Others in attendance will reportedly include Fat Joe, LL Cool J, Papoose, Big Daddy Kane, and Al B. Sure.

According to Markie’s wife of 16 years, Tara Hall, the likes of Fat Joe, Big Daddy Kane, and even Doug E. Fresh routinely called to check in on Biz for weeks before his passing.

It was on July 16th, that the DJ, rapper, and pioneering beatboxer passed away at 57 years old after a battle with Type II diabetes.

“Biz created a legacy of artistry that will forever be celebrated by his industry peers and his beloved fans whose lives he was able to touch through music, spanning over 35 years,” wrote rep Jenni Izumi at the time. “He leaves behind a wife, many family members and close friends who will miss his vibrant personality, constant jokes and frequent banter. We respectfully request privacy for his family as they mourn their loved one.”