Hip Hop News

Bow Wow Says Angela Simmons Might Be His Soulmate

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Rapper and Lottery Ticket actor Bow Wow lit up social media on Sunday when he sent out a shocking declaration. During an #askbow Q&A on Twitter, a fan asked “who was the love of your life out of all the relationships you were in?” referring to his long list of famous “It girl” exes. A list that happens to include Ciara, Blac Chyna, Erica Mena, Joie Chavis, Kiyomi Leslie, and Angela Simmons. 

Bow Wow bluntly responded “None of them.” 

Bow Wow

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The Shade Room caught hold of the tweet on Thursday after it was mentioned on Bow Wow’s appearance on The Breakfast Club Thursday morning. Charlemagne asked Bow Wow if his answer to the fan was really the truth, especially considering his seemingly karmic connection with teenage girlfriend and Growing Up Hip-Hop co-star Angela Simmons. 

After a little probing from Charlemagne, Bow Wow claimed Angela could be his soulmate but he simply isn’t ready to be committed. “That’s my dawg,” he maintains. “Anything she need, whatever it is, she got it. She could be [a soul mate]. I just have a type. She is a great type, but I just want to be out having fun. I’m still outchea.” 

The star does seem genuine in his response, stating he was happy for Angela in her new relationship with boxer Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs, and many fans were quick to praise his honesty. Even if Bow Wow felt otherwise, with Angela taken at the moment, all the relationship talk remains wishful thinking. 

What do you think of Bow Wow’s statement? Watch the full interview below. 

WATCH: Bow Wow on The Breakfast Club

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Stephen A. Smith Unamused After Quavo & Kendrick Perkins Faceoff

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Quavo and Kendrick Perkins appeared on First Take today where they attempted to squad their longstanding beef. The issues between the two all started when Quavo wrote the lyric “Get no playing time, Kendrick Perkins” in a song. This angered the former NBA player and the two have been going back and forth, ever since. Finally, they got to speak face to face, and if you saw the segment then you would know that it wasn’t particularly productive.

Even Stephen A. Smith was pretty annoyed by the whole thing as he interjected in the midst of the segment saying “”KP let me say this man, I knew absolutely, positively nothing about this ‘beef’ or whatever it is between y’all. I knew nothing about this literally until y’all both came on the air. Let me say this to you, Quavo loves his basketball, knows his basketball. You a champion, clearly a paid analyst on this network. You know your basketball and now it’s about us talking basketball, how ’bout that? Are we good?”

Stephen A. Smith

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Once the segment came to a close, Smith continued to give his take on the matter saying “I wasn’t [entertained]. No, I wasn’t. I didn’t like it one bit. Because I don’t. I’m gonna leave it at that. I don’t. I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t know anything about it.” Smith has been adamant about his distaste for petty beef in the past, and it’s clear that he wanted no parts of what was intended to be some sort of viral moment.

It’s hard to disagree with Smith especially when you consider how First Take is his job and it’s something that he has always taken seriously, even if you don’t like his opinion. 

Lori Harvey Is Unbothered By Future’s Shade

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After breaking up with Lori Harvey after two years of dating, the “Mask Off” rapper had to hit the booth to rain on his ex’s recent media parade with new-beau, actor Michael B. Jordan.

At the end of May, Future threw shade at his ex on a feature on 42 Dugg’s new album Free Dem Boyz: “Magic City, I’m the owner / Tell Steve Harvey I don’t want her.” The rapper gives the appearance that he has moved on with his new girlfriend rapper Dess Dior but his actions say otherwise. Lori usually stays quiet about her private life and romantic connections to some of the biggest celebrities, but this time she chose to speak her mind and indirectly address her exes’ recent jabs.

Lori Harvey

 Araya Diaz/Getty Images 

“I think they get from me that I try to just not let any type of negativity or rumors or anything like that make me stoop down to that level and go back and forth with it or whatever,” Lori said, speaking in an interview with Bustle. “Just maintain my position of I know who I am, I know what’s going on. I just try to stay up here and take the high road in every situation. So I think that would probably be what they get from me because I am private, so I like to just give enough.”

Michael B. Jordan has publicly ignored the negativity, only gushing about his relationship with Lori almost any chance he gets. The couple seems to be on the right track by not entertaining the haters with the reaction that they want.

The young celebrity power couple has chosen to stay fairly private, only speaking out about their relationship to certain outlets and occasionally posing together on social media. Lori and MBJ are focused on living their best lives, letting nothing get in their way — least of all the occasional bitter bar from Future. 

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2021-2022 NBA Season: Opening Night & Finals Dates Revealed

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Over the last two NBA seasons, we have had some unique changes to the schedule due to COVID-19. Of course, during the 2019-2020 season, the league was forced to suspend its operations until late July-early August. Once the league started up again, they played all the way until October, which is when the proceeding season would have been starting under normal circumstances. As a result, the current season started in December and is now set to end in the middle of July.

Thanks to Shams Charania of The Athletic, we now have a plethora of important dates for next season. As you can see, things are officially going back to normal and fans have every reason to be excited. The first game of the year will be on October 19th, and the NBA Finals will start on June 2nd of 2022. Needless to say, the NBA is officially going to see some normalcy again.

With people throughout the United States getting vaccinated, it seems reasonable to assume that NBA arenas throughout the United States will be at full capacity next season. Even the Toronto Raptors should be able to return to their home at Scotiabank Arena, as opposed to playing another season in Tampa Bay.

Either way, next season is going to be a lot of fun and there is plenty to be excited about. 

Adam Silver

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Cordae And Young Thug Run A Fight Club In Their Murky ‘Wassup’ Video

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Of all the songs on Cordae’s new EP Just Until, the one that seemed to intrigue fans the most was “Wassup,” which featured Young Thug. Perhaps fans weren’t expecting to see those names paired together on a tracklist but with Cordae collaborating with Roddy Ricch and Young Thug trading bars with J. Cole, it doesn’t seem like that far of a reach, in hindsight.

Today, Cordae and Thug shared the video for their back-and-forth track, adopting a storyline about an underground fight club they run with ruthless efficiency. The two rappers trade belligerent bars as Cordae shows off his pugilistic prowess, knocking out one challenger after another. In the video’s denouement, Thugger counts up their winnings while giving a subtle shout-out to Cordae’s new label endeavor, Hi-Level Productions.

In more expected collaborations from Cordae, the young rapper with an old soul, the former YBN member was tapped to work with his hero Eminem and Jack Harlow on the remix of “Killer.” It seems that even though Cordae was reportedly blocked from appearing on Em’s longtime compeer Royce Da 5’9’s album, turning down a guest spot from the Rap God was too good an opportunity to pass up. With co-signs from both rap icons and contemporary favorites, Cordae certainly has plenty of eyes on his upcoming follow-up to The Lost Boy.

Watch Cordae’s “Wassup” video with Young Thug above.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Jon Batiste Proves That Movement Is Medicine In His Euphoric ‘Freedom’ Video

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Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe-winning musician Jon Batiste released his soulful album We Are last month. The multi-hyphenate musician has shared a handful of triumphant visuals alongside his LP and now, Batiste returns with a jubilant video to his funk-forward track “Freedom.”

The colorful visual is an ode to his New Orleans hometown, community, and Black joy. It opens with the singer exiting a vintage car on a busy neighborhood street. As he begins to dance, his happiness is infectious. Eventually, he’s followed by an entire parade of dancers and band players marching down some of New Orleans’ recognizable streets.

In a statement given to Apple Music about some of the themes he explores on We Are, Batiste said:

“I like to use the inspiration from the past and combine it with the things that are in the present to create the future. We’re finally at a point where we’re starting to untangle the way that my grandparents, and even my parents, experienced America. It feels like the culmination in the coming of age of what many generations have built, fought for, and poured into. As heavy as these themes are, the overall message of the album is love, joy, and community. That, and also the power of social revolution, in the sense of what we have to do in the culture to make room for everybody to be able to fully be who they are.”

Watch Batiste’s “Freedom” video above.

We Are is out now via Verve. Get it here.

Megan Thee Stallion Explains Why She Made “Thot Sh*t”

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Megan Thee Stallion is gearing up to return from her brief hiatus, having recently confirmed that her comeback single “Thot Shit” is dropping at midnight tonight. After taking a month and a bit to recharge, the Grammy-Winning rapper is looking to pick up exactly where she left off thematically speaking, much to the delight of her loyal fanbase. 

Though we have yet to hear what the track itself is all about, Megan recently provided a bit of perspective on what drove her to pen the inevitably bawdy and debaucherous comeback single. “I’m really just talking shit and taking ownership of the words “thot” and “hoe” bc they’re not the drag the men think it is when trying to come at women for doing them,” writes Megan, affirming that “Thot Shit” will be heavy on the empowerment tip.

Megan Thee Stallion

 Kevin Mazur/Getty Images 

It should be interesting to see how Megan’s new music sounds. The sophomore studio release always comes with a bit of added pressure, though Thee Stallion has proven herself to be unflappable in the face of public scrutiny. On that note, one has to wonder if “Thot Shit” will follow “WAP’s” lead as another hypersexualized anthem determined to push boundaries in certain circles. After all, if we’ve learned anything from Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name) debacle, sex still sells and probably always will. 

Should there be an accompanying music video as presumed, don’t be surprised to see this one make plenty of noise come midnight. Be sure to keep an eye out — not that it’ll be easy to miss — for “Thot Shit,” Megan’s first release since her hiatus. 

Jacquees Denies Cocaine Use Allegations

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Jacquees and his girlfriend Dreezy were involved in a physical altercation with a man during a recent vacation in Mexico. After the man allegedly punched Dreezy in the face, Jacquees “body-slammed” him to the ground and stomped him out. Following the altercation, the man involved in the fight claims they started arguing after he allegedly refused to sell the couple weed. He also claimed that the couple tried to purchase cocaine from him, which Jacquees is denying.

Addressing the allegations briefly during his latest session on Instagram Live, Jacquees said that he doesn’t use cocaine. “Nah, my boy. We don’t do that one,” said the singer, responding to a fan who asked if he takes coke. “You dig? Give a fuck what you heard. Give a fuck what a n***a talkin’ ’bout. We ain’t on that one, kid. I don’t even address shit like that but I must address you, fly boy.”


Dominik Bindl/Getty Images

Dreezy previously told her side of the story, explaining what happened after a video of their fight went viral on social media. She said that she threw her shoe at the man after security held her back from getting involved.

Watch Jacquees address the cocaine use allegations below and let us know what you think.

Cordae & Young Thug Hit A Fight Club In “Wassup” Video

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Cordae may have positioned himself as a lover, not a fighter — but that doesn’t mean the lyricist won’t dabble in the latter category if provoked. Evidently, a spooky and tense instrumental from Take A Daytrip has taken the generally peaceful Cordae’s aggression meter to ten, culminating in a raw new video from the acclaimed lyricist.

Directed by Matt Earl and shot by Franklin Ricart, the clip finds Cordae and Thugger entering an underground fight club. Unsurprisingly, the rappers command attention through detached swagger and confidence, and before long Cordae is entering the ring. Despite the fact that his opponents clearly outweigh — not to mention out-aggro — the young rapper, Cordae’s technique and shifty footwork make him a constant threat.

To his credit, Thugger doesn’t opt to participate in the bloodsport, but his stylish attire and slick video-game-character aesthetic keep him in line with the ruffians. Visually, the whole of “Wassup” is extremely well constructed, featuring some of the tightest editing (also handled by director Matt Earl) we’ve seen in a music video this year. Though it might be difficult for some to buy into Cordae’s tough-guy persona, the rapper sells it with enough conviction to make haters second-guess saying such criticism to his face.

Check out “Wassup” now, and stay tuned for Cordae’s upcoming album From A Bird’s Eye View, set to arrive at some point later this year. 

Roddy Ricch Speaks On His Grammy Awards Rant Directed At Kanye West

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After being nominated at the Grammy Awards this year, Compton-based rapper Roddy Ricch ranted on Instagram Live about how people perceived his accomplishments, complaining that one of his idols, Kanye West, lessened the value of a Grammy Award by sharing a video of himself urinating on one of his trophies. 

“If I get nominated for six Grammys, and a n***a I look to have twenty-five of these muthaf*ckas, and I come in here and I want to get nominated for six this year,” said Roddy in March 2021. “I feel that’s a good number. And this year, the n***a just piss on that sh*t. How you think that made the world look at my accomplishment? That I worked for. I did all this sh*t! And you pissing on sh*t. That sh*t be lame.”

At the time, it was perceived as though Roddy was throwing a jab at Kanye. During his latest interview with Big Boy’s Neighborhood, the 22-year-old superstar spoke about his rant, clarifying what he meant.

“I feel like what I was saying, I needed to gather my thoughts more and say it how I wanted to say it. What I was saying was I grew up looking to a Kanye or Jay as like, if I do this, I wanna have twenty [Grammys] because that’s what they did,” explained Roddy. “When I seen [Kanye] pissing on a Grammy, it kinda rubbed me wrong ’cause I was like, damn n***a, now that I’m getting nominated, I feel like everybody’s sh*tting on the accolades. Now, it’s like it don’t even matter. Now that I look back on it, it’s like, I don’t really give a f*ck about it like that. But in that moment, that’s more so what I was thinking. No disrespect to Kanye because he’s a legend. He’s the guy. I pulled up on him, we chopped it up so it ain’t no disrespect to him.”

Check out Roddy Ricch’s explanation below.