Hip Hop News

After The Weeknd publicly stated that he would never again submit his music to or attend the Grammys, The Recording Academy was swift to respond. It came as a shock to music fans that The Weeknd’s chart-topping After Hours album didn’t receive one bit of recognition at the last award ceremony. After Hours debuted at No. 1 and spent a year on the charts, but The Recording Academy’s voters didn’t think it was worthy of even one nomination.

Later, Iggy Azalea took to Twitter with allegations that the Grammys are “rigged as f*ck,” and Bebe Rexha suggested it was about payoffs. Following the backlash, it has been announced that The Recording Academy has made significant changes to its voting process, including eliminating secret committees that determine the ceremony’s most coveted categories including Best Album and Best New Artist.

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Variety describes the changes as: “Elimination of Nominations Review Committees In General and Genre Fields” and “Reduction In Number of Categories Voter May Vote,” as well as two new categories being added (Best Global Music Performance—Global Music Field and Best Música Urbana Album—Latin Music Field). There will also be adjustments made to the less controversial craft categories that involve production and presentation.

“It’s been a year of unprecedented, transformational change for the Recording Academy, and I’m immensely proud to be able to continue our journey of growth with these latest updates to our Awards process,” said Harvey Mason Jr., Interim CEO of the Recording Academy. “This is a new Academy, one that is driven to action and that has doubled down on the commitment to meeting the needs of the music community.”

“While change and progress are key drivers of our actions, one thing will always remain — the Grammy Award is the only peer-driven and peer-voted recognition in music,” he continued. “We are honored to work alongside the music community year-round to further refine and protect the integrity of the Awards process.”

The next Grammy ceremony is slated for January 31, 2022.

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The legal troubles are heating up for Diplo after he was accused of distributing revenge porn of a woman he was allegedly involved with. In November 2020, a woman filed a restraining order against the mega DJ, alleging that Diplo hired a private investigator to track her moves. Diplo has since denied the allegations, and it looks as if he’s taking her to court.

According to TMZ, Diplo has accused his “ex-fling,” Shelly Auguste, of not being able to take “no” for an answer. In court documents, he described Auguste as an “unstable fan who manipulated herself into” his life. Their interactions reportedly occurred years ago, but Diplo claimed that she hasn’t ceased harassing him.

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They reportedly began a consensual relationship sometime in 2019 and by 2020, the brief romance had come to a full stop. Diplo said Auguste went on to create fake accounts on social media and even sent “sexually suggestive messages” to his relatives. When their budding relationship ended, Auguste is accused of sending the DJ dozens of messages and voice recordings, some involving Diplo, and would show up to his home unannounced. He claims he feared for his safety and eventually sold his home.

Additionally, Diplo says that Auguste sent racist messages to the mother of one of his children, calling her an “ugly dark skin b*tch” and saying, “Go kill yourself I know I see right through you you’re not gorgeous.” Auguste denied sending any such messages and claimed that Diplo’s recent accusations only surfaced because she sought legal counsel first.

The DJ’s attorney, Bryan Freedman, told TMZ, “As this Complaint makes clear, my client and his family have been harassed, stalked and abused by Ms. Auguste for far too long — and it’s time for the courts to step in and put an end to her appalling and dangerous behavior.” Diplo has sued Auguste for “stalking, trespassing,” and revenge porn. 

Auguste says she and Diplo have been talking since 2014 and their “fling” wasn’t brief, at all. “The truth will prevail,” she added.

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These last couple of years have been huge for the Nike Dunk Low as the silhouette has seen a huge resurgence. Sneakerheads are starting to appreciate this sneaker again and it is easy to see why. It’s one of those models that will always stand the test of time and it also lends itself towards some incredible colorways. Both men and women have been receiving some new offerings as of late, and now, Nike has just unveiled the perfect women’s summer colorway.

This new model seen below is called “Sunset Pulse” and it truly brings out the “What The” vibes. The shoe is filled with pastel shades spanning from lavender to green to blue and to pink. There are also some more vibrant colors although those are reserved for the overlays that feature pops of color. Overall, these elements merge together to create a truly dope shoe that is going to liven up a lot of outfits this summer.

The shoe is slated to drop for $110 USD although a release date has not yet been announced. Be sure to keep your eyes open at your local retailer as these should be coming out sooner rather than later.

Image via Nike

Image via Nike

Image via Nike

Image via Nike

Image via Nike

She’s been taking a few hits lately, but that hasn’t stopped Saweetie from pressing forward. The rapper’s explosive breakup with Quavo was a trending topic on social media and later, Kevin Samuels sat down with Joe Budden to explain why, on a scale of one to 10, he gave Saweetie’s looks a “six.” The Bay Area artist’s “Slow Clap” collaboration with Gwen Stefani wasn’t well-received by fans, and now, Three 6 Mafia’s Crunchy Black is weighing in with his opinions.

Black caught up with VladTV and spoke about Saweetie and Quavo’s break up, most notably the rumors that the Migos rapper had a Bentley he gifted to Saweetie repossessed. “Yeah, I thought they said that he sent the repo people to take the car back from the b*tch,” said Black.

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“‘Cause he was smart enough to not cash out on that car. Do that lease sh*t. You know what I’m saying? So, he was smart to lease that car so he was able to send them over there and tell a b*tch, ‘Give my car back,'” Black continued. “And Saweetie, she—that’s a…she’s a typical b*tch. She’s a typical b*tch. Hoes always, and that’s the reason why, this part of this interview, I’m finna go in on these b*tches. Hoes always tryin’ to get somethin’ for nothin’. Listen to me: D*ck is more important than p*ssy at the same time. Hey, just as well as you can sell your p*ssy, I can go sell my d*ck.”

“Now, it’s just a difference from you selling yo p*ssy and tryin’ to whip it on a n*gga, but if I’m focused enough, I’mma whip this d*ck on a b*tch and she gon’ have to pay me for what I’m doing for her. That’s the reason why I’m sayin’ I’m pimpin’.” Black’s comments have been polarizing, as many men agree with him while ladies felt he was being disrespectful. Watch Crunchy Black explain his thoughts in full below and let us know your thoughts.

He has doubled down on his stance regarding the police-involved shooting death of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant, and now DJ Envy has a few words for Cancel Culture. The Breakfast Club became a focal point in discussions regarding the case after host DJ Envy expressed that he believed the shooting was justified. Envy once again reminded the world that his father is a retired police officer and judging from Columbus, Ohio police officer Nicholas Reardon’s body camera footage, Envy sided with Reardon’s decision to shoot.

Dr. Umar Johnson visited The Breakfast Club earlier this week and passionately criticized those involved in the death of Ma’Khia, but Envy was unmoved in his position. He faced backlash across several social media platforms, but Envy addressed the controversy when he caught up with Page Six.

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“The whole situation is tragic and it’s sad because that system failed that young lady. The fact that she’s out there fighting at sixteen with a grown woman,” said Envy. “The fact that the older man seen in the video would rather kick the girl on the ground and join the fight instead of stopping the fight, all these things come together and the system failed that girl and it is sad.”

“Everybody’s saying [the police] shoot first, but he possibly saved that [other girl’s] life,” he continued, restating his previous argument. “If she would’ve stabbed her, who knows if she would’ve lived. She could have got cut in the throat, in the face, we just don’t know what could happen.” Envy also spoke about Cancel Culture and the insults he received online, including comments that he doesn’t stand with the culture.

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“It doesn’t hurt me…because people are mad about what’s going on and I’m mad and upset as well,” Envy said. “But I know who’s on my side and who’s not. I know who tries to help the community and who doesn’t. We sit here and raise money every year for organizations that fight against this. I help our community with financial freedom and learning about buying their own homes, and their own investment properties. So people can have financial freedom so they can use their own money.”

“We should be able to have a conversation and dialogue” added The Breakfast Club host. “I did not sexually assault somebody. I wasn’t racist to someone. I am just stating the facts, and what I see. I have had conversations with friends and celebrities who feel the same way, but they will not say so publicly because it is not a popular opinion and they are fearful of the backlash.”

 Watch Dr. Umar on The Breakfast Club below.

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