Hip Hop News

Big news came out of the NFL today as JJ Watt officially signed with the Arizona Cardinals on a two-year deal worth $31 million. Watt is one of the best defensive players in the NFL and after parting ways with the Houston Texans just a couple of weeks ago, fans were wondering where he would go. In the end, he chose to be in the NFC West where there are a ton of elite quarterbacks to go out and feast on.

The Cardinals also just so happen to boast the talents of DeAndre Hopkins, who Watt got to play with during his Texans days. These two used to love playing with one another and as you can imagine, Hopkins is excited to have Watt back on his team. Taking to Twitter, Hopkins posted a video of Future from the “Life Is Good” music video, which was essentially his way of saying how he felt about the move.

This signing is huge for the Cardinals as they are a team that is currently on the up and up. Kyler Murray and Hopkins found a lot of chemistry last season and with Watt on the defensive side of the football, this is a team that is destined to do some big things.

Let us know what you think of the signing, in the comments below.

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It’s always entertaining to see rappers go head-to-head on the basketball court, especially given how many artists are actually quite adept at it. For example, 2 Chainz originally had hoop dreams long before picking up a microphone, and he’s far from the only one. We’ve seen Quavo of Migos fame shut it down at the NBA celebrity all-star game on several occasions, taking home the MVP title in 2018 and scoring a game-high 47 points in 2019.

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Now, 2 Chainz and Quavo are gearing up to go head-to-head in a two-on-two game of basketball, one that will benefit historically Black colleges and universities. Presented by Modelo Beer, Bleacher Report’s Open Run will find Quavo and Jack Harlow engaging in a competitive match-up against 2 Chainz and Lil Baby.

The winning team will have the earnings gifted to a historically Black university or college of their choosing. On that note, Harlow has selected Simmons College of Kentucky and Kentucky State; Baby has selected Morehouse College and Spelman College; Quavo will rep for Clark Atlanta University and Spellman College; finally, 2 Chainz will hold it down for Alabama State University, where he once played division 1 basketball. 

 Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Should you be interested in checking out the event, the two-on-two game will be taking place on Saturday, March 6, at 8 p.m. Eastern time. It will be live-streamed on the official Bleacher Report app, as well as on Twitter. Be sure to keep an eye out for this one, and sound off with your predictions on which team will take home the prize — Quavo and Jack, or Lil Baby and 2 Chainz? 

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The Ferragamo Falcon is ready to soar again. Following the release of his 2019 debut album Dior Deposits, as well as his subsequent EPs Platinum Falcon Tape Vol 1  and Return Of The Falcon, Guapdad 4000 has officially set the table for his next body of work 1176. The versatile rapper recently took to Twitter to issue a crucial reminder about the upcoming !llmind-produced project, confirming that not only does it drop later this month, but on March 19th to be specific. 

David Wolff – Patrick/Redferns/Getty Images

The West Coast rapper reiterated as much on Twitter, leaving little in the way for interpretation; a refreshing frankness in a world where cryptic tweets have become the norm. “My Album drops on March 19th,” he writes, alongside a few unfazed selfies. Unfortunately, further details about the project’s features are quiet for now, though it should be noted that Guapdad is among the game’s most affable personalities, and as such has assembled quite the network of collaborators. Even J. Cole considers him an ally, having welcomed him into the mix during the Welcome To Dreamers 3 studio sessions.

For those eager to hear a glimpse at what’s set to come from the creative minds of Guapdad and !llmind, look no further than lead single “How Many,” a slow-burning melodic banger. Should you like what you hear, be sure to check back on March 19th, when he comes through to drop off his new project 1176.

Coi Leray is having a moment right now, watching her career blossom with the release of her hit single “No More Parties”. She’s also been working with a number of artists that are helping her elevate, including Lil Durk, Pooh Shiesty, and more. 

Unfortunately, tied to her success has been the drama within her family, most notably between the artist and her father Benzino. You likely already know about Benzino’s history — the man has long been a headline mainstay on HotNewHipHop and other rap blogs. He’s known for beefing with rappers like Eminem, but apparently, he’s also got issues with his own daughter after Coi called him out on her new track.

“My daddy let me down, but I promise you I won’t let up/I wanna say f*ck that man, but that sh*t won’t make me better,” raps Coi Leray on “No More Parties”. The song is her most successful record to date, and it continues performing extremely well on streaming and social media. Judging from Benzino’s latest posts, he’s not happy with Coi’s bars about him, and he’s gone so far as to call her out publicly about them.

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A post shared by Benzino Scott (@iambenzino)

“Y’all goofy mfs get off my timeline wit that stupid sh*t,” wrote Benzino on Instagram, sharing a video of him with his daughter during a car ride. “I been posting and supporting, so idk where all this bs is comming from. That linr in her song is [cap]. my name and rep is very important to me and nobody is gonna tarnish that for story line u dig? I still love u very much coileray but this gotta stop. I don’t need clout, I am and always will be the clout and I’m very proud of what you are doing so I don’t need to prove nothing to anyone.

You know I was there in your life every step of the way and when sh*t got rough I still was there. Don’t matter though, this industry is full of f*ck n***az and b*tches, so I’m always here when sh*t get thick I’m just 7 numbers away. Tell your mother enough is enough, I took care her, you Taj and your two brothers whom have their own fathers and I treated them like mines. I don’t want or need credit, I was suppose to do all that and I did. I realize a lot of y’all out there grew up hard without the love of your fathers because they were absent. Well I’m not one of those fathers. I was there period. Now stay tf off my timeline with that goofy shit.”

Apparently, that wasn’t enough because he made a second post, responding to a fan’s comment supporting him. 

“Maaaan I watched n***as totally ignore they’re kids and never did sh*t fir them. Was it right? No, but I would never judged nor would I comment,” said Benzino. “It’s unfortunate but it was never my business to say anything. I’m upset because I did everything right and now being lied on. F*ck all that. I don’t like that. Coi was raised in mansions and had everything she ever asked for. My other 2 sons are grown and would never say these things. It’s wrong and f*ck who thinks different. Her mother has a lot to do with this slimey sh*t anyway. Leave tf me alone with this bs fr. Some of y’all are crossing a dangerous line and I’ve have had enough and it’s too much.”

What do you make of Benzino’s beef with his daughter Coi Leray?

Lamar Odom and Sabrina Parr seemed to be doing just fine a few months ago as they were both engaged and seemed to be as happy as ever. Unfortunately, things began to spiral out of control and now, the two are no longer together and Odom has been angered by what has gone on behind the scenes. While Parr claims much of it had to do with Odom’s personal issues, the former basketball star believes it all has to do with Parr and her alleged deceitful ways.

Recently, Odom got to voice his side of the story during an episode of The Real where he had some damning claims about his ex. In the clip below, Odom says that Parr was extremely deceitful and that she even went behind his back to release a documentary series about the two that was very clearly not finished yet.

Greg Doherty/Getty Images

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We’ve got a week ahead of us filled with the potential for some exciting new music releases, including from Drake, who reportedly told DJ Akademiks that he might have a new music video releasing before the weekend. While we patiently wait for more information on that front, we’ve been tapping into all of last week’s new drops, including Curren$y’s new mixtape, Duke Deuce’s standout project, and the five-disc deluxe edition of Freddie Gibbs and Madlib’s Piñata.

The latest update of the Staff Picks playlist includes a selection of songs from all of the aforementioned releases, as well as much more of what we’ve been rocking with. It’s also got the latest single from JID, Pop Smoke’s latest posthumous single, Denzel Curry’s brand new “‘Cosmic’.m4a” with Joey Bada$$, Lil Tjay’s booming “Calling My Phone” with 6LACK, and more.

Of course, we’ve also got a portion included for the R&B heads, including new music from Chloe x Halle, Bryson Tiller, Yung Bleu with Coi Leray, and more.

Check out what each HNHH staff member picked for the playlist this week and let us know whose selections are your favorite. Subscribe to our page on SoundCloud here for more playlists, as well as TIDAL here.

Alex Zidel (Editorial)

Pop Smoke – AP
2KBABY & Marshmello – Like This
Yung Bleu – Thieves In Atlanta (feat. Coi Leray)
Duke Deuce – FELL UP IN THE CLUB (feat. A$AP Ferg)
Duke Deuce – INTRO: COMING OUT HARD

Mitch Findlay (Editorial)

Curren$y – Closing Date 
JID – Skegee
Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Cocaine Parties
Denzel Curry & Kenny Beats – ‘Cosmic’.m4a (The Alchemist Version) [feat. Joey Bada$$]
Drakeo The Ruler – RIP Deebo

Cole Blake (Editorial)

JID – Skegee
Mavi – Methods
Mavi – Life We Live
Freddie Gibbs – Winter in America
Noname – Rainforest

Erika Marie (Editorial)

Curren$y – Arrival
Bryson Tiller – Still Yours (feat. Big Sean)
Noname – Rainforest
YG – Go Big (feat. Big Sean)
Big Jade – Gucci Bag

Rose Lilah (Editorial)

Key Glock – I’m The Type
Lil Tjay – Calling My Phone (feat. 6LACK)
Duke Deuce – SPIN (feat. Foogiano)
Chloe x Halle – 80/20

Madusa S. (Editorial)

JPEGMAFIA – PANIC ROOM!
Coi Leray – No More Parties (Remix) [feat. Lil Durk]
Nessly & Madeintyo – Link And Build
600breezy – Murder Rate 3

Aron A. (Editorial)

Freddie Gibbs – Winter In America
Rema – Bounce
DJ Muggs & Rome Streetz – Zig Zag Zig (feat. Knowledge The Pirate)
Curren$y – Jermaine Dupri
Charmaine – Woo!

Paul Pirotta (Sales)

Drakeo The Ruler – Talk To Me (feat. Drake)
Joyce Wrice – On One (feat. Freddie Gibbs)
Pop Smoke – AP
JID – Skegee

Alex Cole (Editorial)

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Cocaine Parties
Drakeo The Ruler – RIP Deebo
Bryson Tiller – Losing Focus
Bryson Tiller – Still Yours (feat. Big Sean)
Aries – DITTO

6ix9ine has drawn the ire of damn near everybody in the hip-hop community, to the point where fueling conflict has become an integral part of his pre-release rollout plan. And while that has grown quite tiresome for a great number of listeners, there remains a core number of loyal followers actively pledging allegiance to the controversial rapper. So much so that his new single “ZAZA,” released directly after his heated confrontation with Meek Mill, officially cracked its way into the Billboard Hot 100.

MICHAEL CAMPANELLA/Redferns/Getty Images

Though it didn’t have the momentum that some of his previous singles saw, the fact that 6ix9ine managed to secure a position on the Hot 100 is proof that the game isn’t quite done with him just yet. Even if people are simply tuning in to hate-watch, as many tend to do in this age of ours, that’s hardly going to stop the numbers from running up. Now, “ZAZA” is sitting in the 90th spot, a position that will be reflected in the next Hot 100 update.

Of course, it’s likely this development will spark passionate responses from both warring camps. The fans will maintain that 6ix9ine is capable of making waves even while surrounded by detractors and blackballing industry types. The haters will counter by stating that for all of 6ix9ine’s trash-talking and boasting, he barely managed to make any real noise on the commercial front. Still, following the underwhelming release of his recent album Tattle Tales, it’s interesting to see “ZAZA” garner as much interest as it has. All things considered, do you think this is a strong first week or a disappointing one for Tekashi?

Billboard Hot 100: #90(new) ZAZA, @6ix9ine.

— chart data (@chartdata) March 1, 2021