Hip Hop News

Indicted with a RICO case, a friend of the New York rapper, Casanova, is currently facing the death penalty. Brandon “Stacks” Soto was charged with racketeering on December 1st of this past year, alongside 18 other members of the Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation.

The members have been accused of murder, drug dealing, shootings, gun-running in a handful of states, running from New York down to Miami. The rapper himself is currently behind bars without bond due to racketeering conspiracy, narcotics conspiracy, possession of a firearm and aiding and abetting. Though in jail, Casanova remains partially active on social media, and has had alot to say about the poor conditions he’s been under, not to mention the lack of assistance he’s earned from any of his closest allies.

According to All Hip Hop, prosecutors say that Soto was involved in the murder of Jalani Jones, a 15-year-old, this past September. Based on messages from his Instagram, investigators claim they detail his hand in planning the murder.

On the night of September 21, Soto was spotted driving to Brooklyn on a surveillance camera with the shooter who remains unidentified. Cops ultimately found the car following the shooting, put it in their police lot, although it was later said to be stolen from the lot by members of Gorilla Stone. 

At the moment, Soto’s public defender, Kenneth Montgomery, is also set to represent Ronald Washington, a man accused of being part of Jam Master Jay’s murder back in 2002. Washington and Karl Jordan, his co-defendant, are also said to be eligible for the death penalty.

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Two weeks ago, Jada Pinkett Smith sent Twitter into a frenzy after her celebratory birthday post in honor of what would have been Tupac’s 50th birthday reminded everyone just how much love the actress and the legendary West Coast rapper had for each other during the 90s. Jada definitely got fans talking after sharing an archived poem that Tupac wrote for her on Instagram, but thanks to a new interview with former Outlawz rapper Napoleon, they’ll definitely be talking about the infamous love triangle once again.

Mychal Watts/WireImage/Getty Images

In a recent sit-down with The Art Of Dialogue, Napoleon discusses his reaction to hearing about the news of Shock G’s untimely passing, and on a more light-hearted note, the now-motivational speaker also touched on Jada Pinkett Smith and Tupac’s close relationship. According to Hip-Hop Lately, Napoleon distinctly remembers Tupac mentioning Jada’s name after she had offended the rapper at the start of her relationship with Will Smith. She had reportedly told the All Eyez On Me rapper to keep his hands off of Will Smith, and her warning had bothered him to the core.

“The second time I probably heard him talk about her is when he went to LA,” Napoleon says. “He was very upset. Pac came in the room [and] was like ‘Jada, she gonna contact me and tell me don’t do nothing to Will Smith.’ Pac was upset, and said ‘I don’t know why she think I would have tried to make some problems with Will Smith. ‘ He had a lot of love for Jada Pinkett at the time.”

Apparently, Tupac wasn’t even trying to beat up Will Smith, but for whatever reason, Jada Pinkett believed that he would try to and tried to deescalate any possible tension between the two rappers.

Watch the clip below to see Napoleon talk about Tupac and Jada Pinkett Smith’s relationship.

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Coming off PTSD, his well-received and high-charting album from 2020, G Herbo is back with a hefty tracklist for his fast-approaching LP, 25.

Singles off of his previous album, like the Tay Keith-crafted “Really Like That,” garnered millions of streams dating back to its release earlier this year. But, that’s all in the past! What we can expect from this latest project are features from 21 Savage, Gunna, Polo G, Rowdy Rebel among other familiar names, though these are surely the standouts we’re looking forward to.

In the trailer for 25, the rapper gets very introspective, lamenting, “I’ve seen death way too many times. I’ve been shot, been to jail, I done been broke and I took everything that came with this street shit … all the killing, fear … overcoming that fear.” Growth, as with any artist, seems to be a major theme in the way this project is turning out, which is made pretty self-explanatory by the title. He goes on to say “Now that I’m ’25,’ I feel like I’m at the top of my game,” he continued in between splices of Lamborghini street racing and tour footage. “All the bad shit I’ve been through, that’s why I am the way I am I always just kept my head high, staying 10 toes down … I know it’s light at the end of the tunnel.”

It’s safe to say the rapper seems beyond prepared for this drop. Let us know what and who you’re looking forward to hearing most when 25 hits streaming services this Friday.

Tracklist:

1. I Don’t Wanna Die
2. Cry No More (feat. Polo G & Lil TJay)
3. Stand The Rain
4. T.O.P. (feat. 21 Savage)
5. You Can’t (feat. Kid Laroi & Gunna)
6. No Jail Time
7. Cold World (feat. Yosohn)
8. Whole Hearts
9. 2 Chains
10. Drill (feat. Rowdy Rebel)
11. Trenches Know My Name
12. Doughboy
13. Demands
14. Loyalty
15. Pray 4 My Enemies
16. Turning 25

Bonus Tracks
Statement
Really Like That
Break Yo’self

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Bill Cosby is officially a free man but that doesn’t necessarily mean that he’s innocent. The sexual assault conviction that sent him to prison was overturned today due to a technicality and the case has been officially closed. 

Mark Davis/Getty Images 

Several of his accusers have emerged to denounce the decision to release him from prison. Victoria Valentino said that the decision came from nowhere and felt that it was a “gut punch” to vacate his sentence. 

Other accusers spoke to TMZ following news of Cosby’s release, claiming that he’s still a threat to society. Sammie Mays, who accused Cosby of drugging and assaulting her in the 80s, said that the decision is “disrespectful and despicable” to Andrea Constand, the accuser who took him to court.

Former Playmate model who accused Cosby of groping her, Sarita Butterfield, added, “I’m surprised and shocked with today’s news of Cosby’s release. It seems the justice system served the criminal, in this case, as opposed to the victims.”

“At this point, I just hope that he took time to reflect on the pain and anguish his actions caused so many women,” she continued. “And, also puts in the work towards becoming a better person.”

Meanwhile, the lawyer representing several of Cosby’s accusers shared her concerns for the alleged victims. She said the conviction being overturned “should not be interpreted as a statement or a finding that he did not engage in the acts of which he has been accused.”

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