Hip Hop News

Kanye West Confirms The Release Date For ‘Donda’ After Teasing A New Song In A Beats By Dre Commerical

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Kanye West originally announced that his tenth album, Donda, would arrive last summer. But it never arrived. While some hoped the delay would be brief, nearly a year has gone by. At long last, we now know when the album will drop, and people won’t have to wait too long.

According to a press release from Kanye’s label, Def Jam Records, Donda is confirmed to arrive this Friday, July 23. The project will premiere at a sold-out listening event at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, which will also be livestreamed on Apple Music.

The news comes after Kanye teased a song from the album through a new Beats By Dre commercial. The ad features track and field star Sha’Carri Richardson while “No Child Left Behind,” which will presumably appear on Donda, plays in the background. The track appeared as one of nine songs that Kanye had listed on a whiteboard during a studio session with Tyler The Creator.

Donda is set to feature appearances from many artists, including Baby Keem. The reported cover art also surfaced and it depicts an abstract painting of what appears to be a woman painted in red over a grey background.

You can watch the ad in the video above.

Toosii Thinks Flo Milli Gets Ignored Because She’s “A Dark Skin Girl” With A Natural Body

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The topic of colorism has once again taken center stage thanks to a tweet from Toosii. There has been an influx of women in Rap over the last few years and the Hip Hop industry is finding that several artists are carving out their paths to the top of the charts. We’re seeing women dominate thanks to several factors, as Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Rico Nasty, Doja Cat, Aian Doll, BIA, Chika, City Girls, Armani Ceaser, Rapsody, Latto, Yung Baby Tate, cupcakKe, Flo Milli and others steal the industry’s attention.

Yet, not everyone has welcomed these ladies with open arms, and there have been complaints and debates regarding lyrical content. As people weigh the differences between a rapper and an emcee while judging bars, Toosii delivered a tweet where he argues that Flo Milli isn’t getting the attention she deserves.

Flo Milli, Toosii
Sarah Morris / Staff / Getty Images

“I feel like cause flo milli a dark skin girl dat don’t got a fake body she don’t get the same look as the rest of a lot of these females who only rap about sucking d*ck,” he tweeted. Both Toosii and Flo Milli are in this year’s XXL Freshman class and the New York-born rapper believes his classmate is more talented than people give her credit for.

Flo Milli’s fans were quick to agree with him but many people argued that her content is comparable to other women rappers. Check out a few responses below and let us know if you agree with Toosii’s take about Flo Milli.

Kanye West Confirms “Donda” Arrives This Week, Previews “No Child Left Behind”

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If it seems as if you’re facing an overwhelming amount of Kanye West content online these days, it’s because you are. The arrival of Donda is impending, and it comes after months of teasing and false rumors. The record’s rollout has been particularly intense as Ye has already hosted a listening party at the ChurchLV in Las Vegas and on Thursday (July 22), he will make his way to Atlanta for an event that we already know will be unlike any other. 

There have been several reports regarding what fans can expect from Donda, but we’ve officially received our first preview courtesy of a Beats By Dre commercial.

The clip stars Sha’Carri Richardson, the clocked “fastest woman in the world” who unfortunately missed this year’s Olympics after testing positive for THC. In the Beats By Dre commercial, the track “No Child Left Behind” plays in the background as a slow-motion video of Richardson captivates viewers. Then, text over the clip confirmed that Donda will arrive this Friday (July 23), just as suspected.

It is also reported by Page Six that Kanye has set aside thousands of tickets for his listening event in Atlanta for students from several HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) in the area including Morehouse, Spelman, and Morris Brown. Check out the commercial below.

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Sha’Carri Richardson Starred In A New Beats Ad Featuring A Song From Kanye West’s Upcoming Album ‘DONDA’

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Earlier this month, Sha’Carri Richardson tested positive for marijuana and was issued a one-month suspension, disqualifying her from participating in the Olympics in Tokyo. Richardson did have possible alternate routes to the United States Olympic Team, but every door closed and Richardson, who many viewed as a favorite to win gold in the 100-meter dash, sparked a great deal of conversation that included high-profile support.

With that as the backdrop, Richardson was back at the forefront of the discourse on Tuesday when she was featured in a new Beats spot scored and edited by Kanye West in anticipation of his new album, DONDA, during Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Finals.

Richardson was seen wearing Beats Studio Buds and she ran 100 meters with the backdrop of West’s “No Child Left Behind.” West’s album, set to debut on Friday, July 23, is also highly anticipated, and the combination of the two made for quite a launch.

As for Richardson, it will be interesting to see how she is discussed as the Olympics begin later this week, particularly through the lens of mainstream coverage of the track and field events. It certainly doesn’t seem as if she will be fading into the background, though, and a prominent placement in the midst of an NBA Finals telecast is a reminder of that.

Nas Disses Tupac On An Leaked Record That’s Just Over 25 Years Old

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More than two decades ago, Nas and Tupac were entwined in a short-lived hip-hop beef. It began in 1996, when Nas released his second album, It Was Written. It featured “The Message,” a track on which Tupac believed he was dissed. Tupac later released “Against All Odds,” with his own shots at Nas. But before they patched things up, Tupac was tragically killed in a shooting.

However, nearly 25 years after their beef came to an end, an unreleased record by Nas was leaked, and it features him taking strong shots at the late rapper. His attacks arrive halfway through the song’s first verse. “From tube-socks in Timbs to blue rocks and Benz / Who got the ends, the type of n***a 2Pac pretends,” Nas raps. “To all n****s who shine, guess who got revenge / I won’t showboat, my flow choke you.” This marks the first time fans hear Nas directly, unambiguously diss Tupac on a record.

Last summer, Nas spoke about the moment Tupac confronted him about the alleged (though not confirmed) diss on “The Message” during an interview on Ebro In The Morning. “He explained that he thought I was dissing him on the song ‘The Message,’ and I heard he was dissing me at clubs,” the rapper revealed. “He was like ‘Yo Nas, we brothers, man. We not supposed to go through this.’ And I’m like, that’s what I’m saying.” He added, “We had a plan to squash it in Vegas. So I was out there when he was in the hospital, praying for him to come through. Rest in peace.”

You can listen to the leaked record in the video above.

Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys Go All Out For 11th Anniversary & Share Photo Dump

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It has been over a decade of wedded bliss for Swizz Beatz and Alicia Keys, so it’s only fitting that they celebrate in style. Hollywood isn’t known for its longstanding relationships, so it is refreshing when couples who are happily in love share their major milestones. Eleven years ago, Swizz and Alicia married on the beautiful island of Corsica, so the pair decided to return to where they exchanged vows for a multi-day vacation.

“[Seventy-two] hr date trip dump Zaaaaa,” Swizz wrote in a photo dump post. “Celebrating our 11yr anniversary month all month [hands up emoji].”

Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys
Fernando Leon / Stringer / Getty Images

“Them Deans,” he added. “The fact we haven’t been back to the house in Corsica we got married at 11yrs ago until now is crazy !!!! Time goes by fast make every moment count [praying ands emojis] EID MUBARAK [open hands emoji].”

Following a year of quarantine, it’s clear that the hitmaking couple was ready for alone time. Meanwhile, fans are hoping that Swizz soaks up all the relaxation he can get because it’s back to work with the Verzuz between Dipset and The LOX quickly approaching. The pair of respected Hip Hop crews have been trolling each other for days and fans can’t want to see what they come up with on August 3.

Check out Swizz’s anniversary post below.

“The Wire” Actor Gbenga Akinnagbe Accuses Journalist Of Sexual Assault: Report

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In Hollywood, we often hear reports about women who come forward to accuse men of sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct. However, Gbenga Akkinagbe of HBO’s The Wire has accused journalist Lola Adesioye of sexual assault, reportedly citing two incidents he says occurred last year. The allegations will now be heard by a judge after charges were filed and Adesioye was arrested for “forcible touching, sexual abuse, and harassment,” reports the New York Post.

Adesioye’s attorney Robert Gottlieb has publicly responded to the allegations, refuting Akkinagbe’s claims by saying that his client and the actor were involved in a consensual relationship. Akkinagbe reportedly says in court documents that the journalist grabbed his behind on two separate occasions.

Gottlieb reportedly claims that there are several flirty text messages, enough to fill three binders.  “In that first binder are hundreds of text messages back and forth from one another that make it very clear that you have two young people flirting with one another,” Gottlieb said. “They were talking about snuggling… They talk about kissing.”

At some point, Adesioye moved to Brooklyn, and her new home just happened to be in a building that The Wire actor owns. “After this last incident were all the text messages which show a continuation of their relationship, but now it’s clear she feels hurt and abused by this fellow because while all of this is going on she moves from her apartment in Manhattan and moves into an apartment that he owns and she is a neighbor of his now,” the lawyer told The Post.

“They take trips upstate and this is after he alleged that she committed the sexual crimes against him,” he added. “She was working for him twenty-four-seven. She was on call every single second of every day — on weekends, writing press releases for him.” The attorney claims that things took a turn once Adesioye didn’t pay rent on time and there was tension because the journalist then asked the Akkinagbe to be compensated for all of the alleged work she’d done for him.

The pair filed cases against one another, “with Adesioye seeking compensation for her labor, and Akinnagbe seeking back rent,” and they were able to reach an agreement and settled. However, Akkinagbe decided he wasn’t quite finished and filed criminal charges.

Gottlieb calls the charges “blatantly false.”

Gbenga Akkinnagbe
Nicholas Hunt / Staff / Getty Images

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Juice WRLD’s Music Serves As The Inspiration Behind An Upcoming Animated Film

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It’s been over a year and a half since Juice WRLD passed away as the result of a drug-induced seizure at Chicago Midway International Airport. Since then, faithful listeners will have another way to enjoy his work.

According to Deadline, an animated film that uses Juice WRLD’s music as inspiration is currently in the works. The movie is produced by Modern Magic, a media company created by Adam Rosenberg and Rodney Rothman. Its script will be written by Jaboukie Young-White, who currently serves as a correspondent on The Daily Show. John Janick, Steve Berman, and Tony Seyler (who appears on behalf of Interscope Records) are listed as executive producers, as are Carmela Wallace, Peter Jideonwo, and Lil Bibby, each of whom are a member of the rapper’s estate.

The news comes after Juice WRLD’s label, Interscope Records, revealed that three posthumous projects from the late rapper are on the way. The first will be a new EP, The Party Never Ends, which the label promised is “coming soon.” Jideonwo also revealed the project will feature Lil Uzi Vert and “a few other big people.”

Lil Uzi Vert is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Harvey Weinstein Extradited To L.A. To Face 11 Felony Counts Of Sexual Assault: Report

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His divorce from Georgina Chapman was finalized just days ago after a four-year battle, and now Harvey Weinstein is back in California to face another set of accusations. The disgraced ex-Hollywood producer was once a man who had the world at his fingertips, but now he has become a pariah. People Weinstein once called his famous friends have come forward by the dozens to share their stories, and the picture painted has not been favorable.

The 69-year-old former movie mogul was extradited today from New York to Los Angeles to face a series of sex crime charges and is reportedly being held at the Twin Towers Correctional Facility.

Harvey Weinstein
Alexander Koerner / Stringer / Getty Images

Weinstein’s spokesman, Juda Engelmayer, issued a statement about the extradition, saying that her client’s legal team wasn’t happy with the outcome after alleged negotiations with prosecutors failed.

“We are disappointed that the L.A. D.A. didn’t wait for the judge’s ruling, but we did expect this to happen at some point,” the statement said. “We will be fighting so that Harvey can receive his needed medical care and of course, so that he can be treated fairly… Due process, presumption of innocence, and a fair trial are all still his right.”

Harvey was previously convicted of sexual assault and rape last year and sentenced to 23 years in prison in New York. According to USA Today, his latest charges include “11 felony counts of sexual assault, including forcible rape, against five women in encounters at Beverly Hills hotels dating back to 2004.”

Harvey Weinstein
Rachel Murray / Stringer / Getty Images

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