Hip Hop News

DJ Khaled’s next album, Khaled Khaled, will feature Justin Bieber, the record producer revealed on Instagram this week. Bieber is the latest on a long list of the industry’s most popular artists that will appear on the project. 

“I’m so stressed out in a good way mixing and mastering this album,” Khaled wrote in the caption of a screenshot showing a missed call from Bieber and Justin Timberlake. “I missed the legendary FaceTime of the ICONS @justinbieber and @justintimberlake.”

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Khaled confirmed that Timberlake was working on the project as well, earlier this week.

“My brothers I’m gonna call you back! I’m mixing BOTH of y’all’s VOCALS!” Khaled continued. “@justinbieber I just got done with the mix a few days ago get ready for mastering! And @justintimberlake I just sent the record we did together off to mix. My brothers I will call you RIGHT BACK! I’m in ALBUM MODE !!!! #99% DONE. KHALED KHALED THE ALBUM COMING.”

While Khaled has yet to confirm a release date for the project, he has now repeatedly said that Khaled Khaled is “99%” done. His last album, Father of Asahd, was released in 2019 and also featured Justin Bieber for the track “No Brainer.”

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Members of the hip-hop community and fans alike were torn apart when the devastating news of DMX’s passing was confirmed. The rap trailblazer passed away after suffering a heart attack the week prior, eventually losing the fight for his life while in the hospital. Since his passing, makeshift memorials and tributes have erupted all across the country to pay ode to the beloved New York emcee. 

His memorial service was announced last week and set to take place at the Barclays Center on Saturday (April 24), exclusive to friends and family of the late rapper. A testament to his true star power, attendees spotted at his Celebration of Life Memorial service included big names like Beyoncé & Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, and Bobby Shmurda.

Made very clear in advance before the celebration, the in-person event at the multi-purpose arena in Brooklyn was restricted to just family and close friends of X. The ceremony kicked off with Kanye West’s Sunday Service choir and followed by remembrances from family, including his 15 children, and his friends. 

Rumors circulated that Swizz Beatz had contacted Ye prior to the service to attend the ceremony if possible. He and X have previously collaborated together and were well-acquainted with each other, so it’s quite clear why he the choir director was tapped to participate.  

“Our father is a king,” one of DMX’s sons, Xavier, said at the memorial service. “Our father is an icon.” Hip hop’s titular power couple Beyoncé & Jay-Z were among the guests spotted at the occasion, captured entering the venue in all-black attire. 

Others in attendance included Bobby Shmurda and Busta Rhymes, who gave each other a warm embrace and chat after the memorial. An organizer for the event also noted that Fabolous, A$AP Ferg, and Rowdy Rebel were all present at the service. 

Although this memorial service was exclusive to close associates of X, he is set to be honored in his hometown of Yonkers, at the upcoming Universal Hip Hop Museum, and many other spaces where fans of the Ruff Ryder can celebrate his life.  

Jake Paul hates Dana White and the feeling is mutual on the other side. The two have been at each other’s necks over these last few months and ever since Paul defeated Ben Askren last weekend, Jake has been sending a ton of shots White’s way. In fact, Paul is looking to cash in on the supposed $1 million bet they made with each other, on who would win the Askren fight. Paul was even on his IG story begging White to pay Snoop Dogg his $2 million.

Now, Paul is taking another approach in light of UFC 261. Today, Paul wrote an open letter to White, urging the UFC president to start paying his fighters a fair wage. It’s been known for a while now that the UFC doesn’t pay as well as one would assume, and Paul is looking to make sure White changes his ways, moving forward.

“Dana you claimed you would be $1 million on me losing,” Paul wrote. “Set up Askren to train with Freddie Roach…gave him full access to UFCPI…and he still got his ass handed to him. Seems like you are the real douche…not Ariel. In my third fight I made more in total pay than any fighter in UFC history. Maybe it’s time to pay your fighters their fair share? No wonder they all want to get into boxing. Dana you say you make the fights fans want to see…so hurry up and make Jones Vs. Ngannou. Pay them their fair share…$10 million purse for each guy, plus PPV. Why are UFC fighters so underpaid vs. Boxers.”

You can’t help but appreciate Paul advocating for the fighters and the fans here, especially with his mention of Jon Jones and Francis Ngannou. White recently said the fight won’t happen because of negotiations with Jones although at this point, White should just pay his men and give us what we all want to see.

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Ocho Cinco, née Chad Johnson, is one of the most recognizable names in professional sports history across the board. His expansive NFL career lasted a whopping 11 seasons, concluding in 2012. He has been named one of the most influential athletes on social media by CNBC and additionally boasts six NFL Pro Bowler appearances. 

Considering his lengthy career that has surely left the 43-year-old with a healthy net worth, many internet users were left in awe when Johnson shared a screenshot of a conversation with his teenage daughter where he pushed the youngster to get a job to experience the same struggle he did.

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“Parenting 101: kids don’t understand the sacrifices it takes,” wrote the father of 8 with a cursing emoji. In the attached exchange shared on Saturday (April 24), the teenager asks her father to let her know when he’ll be heading to the mall again so she can grab a new pair of Yeezys. He replied by suggesting she get a job to pay for items she wants while in high school, similar to the way he had.

Letting her father know she planned to get one right after graduating and had too much on her plate right now, Ocho Cinco fired back, “I caught the bus to school, then went to football practice, caught the bus to McDonald’s for a 6hr shift all while maintaining a 2.2 gpa & being a star athlete.”

Many social media users immediately reprimanded Johnson for the cutthroat response. “Ur kids shouldn’t have to struggle the way you did. You have money now,” posed one user. Another responded with laughing emojis, “Why would you want your child to have to struggle.” 

Taking aim at his GPA, another added that a, “C average isn’t good.” In a follow-up text exchange he shared on social media between him and his daughter discussing the heat he’s facing, Johnson laughed off the backlash. “They don’t know I’m trolling that’s what makes it funny. I love this shit it’s so funny and entertaining,” said Ocho Cinco to his daughter, who agreed with his sentiments. 

With an estimated multi-million net worth, it’s very likely Johnson was truly just trolling. Ultimately, Johnson dispelled the commotion of him being a cheap father, albeit a good conversation for the culture. What’s your take on the situation? Let us know down in the comments. 

Bittersweet emotions have been running through the hip-hop community in the past 24 hours. Yesterday, the late DMX was honored at a memorial service at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center where friends and family gathered to pay their respect. Kanye West brought Sunday Service to New York City while the Ruff Ryders reunited on stage for an emotional tribute to DMX.

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The funeral service is currently taking place with friends and family in attendance to say their final farewell to X. As fans tune in from their homes, Erica Ford took to the stage where she announced that New York State has officially declared December 18th Earl “DMX” Simmons Day. Dec. 18th is X’s birthday. Ford presented X’s family with the NY state flag that was flying on the day of his death. “His lyrics were also rapped on the Senate floor by Senator Jamal Bailey who introduced a legislative resolution alongside Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins in his honor,” said Ford.

During DMX’s memorial service yesterday, both Jadakiss and Styles P shared words on stage reflecting on X’s legacy, especially its significance for Yonkers, NY. “Y.O., y’all know this is a big hit for us. The world know the Dog but we know a different Dog. When he comes to the town, he’s much different than the one they see on TV. It’s hurts anytime you lose a soldier but this one hurts different because he was the main piece on the board,” said Jadakiss.

RIP DMX. Watch Erica Ford’s announcement below.