Hip Hop News

We’ve lost a lot of rappers over the past few years including budding stars that were just coming into their own. This week, the hip-hop community is mourning the death of 20-year-old Dallas, TX rapper Lil Loaded. The young artist was the one to look out for this year, especially following his recent success. Signed to Epic Records, the rapper was gearing up for a big year ahead.

Epic Records has now issued a statement on Lil Loaded’s death, reading, “Epic Records is deeply saddened and devasted by the untimely death of rising hip-hop star, Dashawn ‘Lil Loaded’ Robertson. Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family, friends, and fans.”

There’s yet to be an announcement regarding Loaded’s official cause of death as Cedar Hill Police continue their investigation. The rapper’s attorney suggested that his passing was a result of suicide. His lawyer’s statement came after one of Loaded’s friends said that he died from suicide. 

Loaded was poised to become the next biggest rapper out of Dallas. The rapper amassed a wide fanbase from singles like, “Gang Unit” and “6locc 6a6y” which also served as the title of his 2019 mixtape. In 2020, he released his debut album, A Demon In 6lue as well as CRIPTAPE a few months later.

We’ll keep you posted on anymore updates regarding Lil Loaded’s passing. 

The Barbz are once again imploding. After a lengthy hiatus, Nicki Minaj has returned to social media with full force. The Queen rapper has been keeping her fans fed not only musically, but with her designer-filled Instagram posts. It’s obvious that with all the warmer weather, Nicki and her family are outside, albeit in their backyard.

On Wednesday (June 2), Mrs. Petty is back with more photos where she takes a moment to highlight her husband Kenneth Petty—and their stunning view of the city.

“I could still go to my hood— they know my body is good,” the rapper penned in one caption. In another she added, “Yup yup bling bling if the watch out, tell’em watch out [watch emoji].” Nicki has been riding high after the rerelease of her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty, especially considering the album sold 80K units during its first week. Recently, Nicki shared her gratitude.

“I love you guys so much. Thank you. Can’t wait to share my album with you real soon,” she said. “It rlly just boils down to having the best FANS ON EARTH that rode with me 12 YEARS LATER.” Minaj hasn’t offered up any new information regarding her next release just yet, but it’s clear that she’s ready.

Check out her photos below.

Derek Chauvin was convicted for the murder of George Floyd in April but his sentencing is set for this month. Many are wondering what the outcome will be, especially as prosecutors hope for a harsher sentence. However, Chauvin’s lawyer Eric Nelson is working hard to have his client released on probation instead of serving any sort of jail time.

Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images

Prosecutors said Chauvin’s actions “shocked the Nation” when they filed documents to court seeking a 30 year sentence for the murder of George Floyd. “No sentence can undo Mr. Floyd’s death, and no sentence can undo the trauma Defendant’s actions have inflicted. But the sentence the Court imposes must show that no one is above the law, and no one is below it,” prosecutors wrote in court documents. “Defendant’s sentence must hold him fully accountable for his reprehensible conduct.”

Nelson requested that the judge sentences Chauvin to time served with probation, claiming the former police officer’s actions are “best described as an error made in good faith.”

“Mr. Chauvin asks the Court to look beyond its findings, to his background, his lack of criminal history, his amenability to probation, to the unusual facts of this case, and to his being a product of a ‘broken’ system,” Nelson wrote.

Chauvin has been held in custody since he was found guilty of murder and manslaughter in April. 

Yandy Smith-Harris and Mendeecees are one of the most recognizable faces from the original Love & Hip Hop series. Their tumultuous union has been well-documented on screen, including the moments he was hit with an eight to ten-year prison sentence after being convicted of drug trafficking. Luckily for the couple, he was released from prison last year after spending just four years behind bars. 

Even after his release, however, their relationship problems continued. Mendeecees recently made a comment while the two appeared on Couple’s Retreat suggesting he wouldn’t stay with Yandy if she were locked up. “If the shoes were on the other foot, I don’t know what I would be able to do,” he said to her, moving her to tears. In their most recent on-screen spat, Mendeecees walked out on a therapy session between the two of them after growing annoyed when Yandy asked to be appreciated more. 

Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

“I feel like with Mendeecees, if he builds me up too much, he’ll think I’m too big-headed and then I’ll feel like I don’t wanna be with him or that I wanna leave,” confesses Yandy, to which Mendeecees vehemently denies.

“I could, get an award from one of the top Black organizations, I can…” she starts again before being interrupted by Mendeecees claiming he does say congratulations. She goes on before being interrupted by him once again, “But it’ll just be ‘Congrats on that’ versus…”

He then starts raising his voice, “I don’t even talk like that!” while adding Yandy was being “dehumanizing.” He then snaps, “Yeah, I’m ready for this sh*t to be over with, this sh*t is getting dumb. Forreal, we going in circles now and, matter fact, I don’t even wanna talk about that shit no more. F*cking dumb, this shit sounds dumb. This is stupid.” 

After a producer suggests they move on from the topic, he then storms out. It seems the couple has been making solid attempts to improve their relationship, but there’s no telling what will happen in the end between these two.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Onsite! (@its_onsite)

What are your thoughts? 

Whether they’re ruining a Black family’s cookout, spewing hateful anti-Asian sentiments, or attacking Black teenagers, “Karens” are often behind some of the worst pop culture moments. All of the viral “Karens” out there have even inspired the following definition from Urban Diction: “Karen is a pejorative term used in the United States and other English-speaking countries for a woman perceived as entitled or demanding beyond the scope of what is appropriate or necessary.”

Well apparently, the latest round of parents has chosen to do a public service and bring far fewer “Karens” into the world. Yes, the number of people named Karen won’t be getting significantly larger anytime soon because the name has apparently tanked in popularity as far as baby names go. According to Uproxx, the baby name experienced a 25% decrease in popularity in 2020.

Ventura County Shariff’s Office/Getty Images

Thanks to people like “SoHo Karen” Miya Ponsetto (pictured above), the name Karen has simply left a bad taste in new parents’ mouths. To be fair, the baby name has reportedly been slowly decreasing in popularity since its height in the 1960s, but for the name to plummet by 25% in 2020 is unlikely coincidental.

According to Uproxx, there were a mind-boggling 33,000 babies named Karen in 1965, and although the number of kids unknowingly named after a pop culture faux had drastically diminished to just 439, last year brought only 325 new Karens into the world.

After all of the viral “Karen” incidents, would you still name your child Karen?

[via]

Polo G ascension to the top of the rap game has been quick and well-earned. He first rose to prominence back in 2018 with the singles “Finer Things” and the Lil Tjay-assisted “Pop Out.” He followed with his debut studio album in 2019 Die a Legend and then 2020’s The Goat, which both debuted within the top ten region of the Billboard 200 chart. 

His Spring single “Rapstar” debuted at the summit of the Hot 100, a true testament to his increasing star power. It seems like not everyone is a fan of the Chicago native, namely Twitch streamer Adin Ross, who suggested that the rapper wasn’t coming hard enough. In response, Polo G aired out the “lil white boy from the burbs” on social media, taking more shots at Ross in a blazing new snippet. 

Noel Vasquez/Getty Images for Hennessey

Using some lines from the original drag, the rapper shared a trailer for his new album arriving on June 11th with a snippet of new heat. Lounging in a Rolls Royce, he spits “A lil white boy from Burbs got the nerve to tell me I ain’t going hard enough/Like he ever really had it hard enough/Like, b*tch don’t get me started up/I’m still gon’ be right here if the rap game finna garbage up/Can’t ride for nothin’/I’m with some renegades, Draco beatin’ filler bangs.”

He continues, “.223s hit his face/Tactical won’t leave a trace/I was thuggin’ grandma hopin’ that this sh*t a phase/Twenty chains, six figures, just to hit the stage.” The preview of the hard-hitting track earned the emcee a wave of support from some of his peers in the rap game. G Herbo left an encouraging emoji under the post, while Doe Boy commented numerous flame emojis. Trippie Redd also have his stamp of approval. 

Tentatively titled “Toxic,” Polo G effortlessly addressed his critics and asserted his longevity in the game. It’s expected to appear on his upcoming third studio album Hall of Fame.

Tap into the “Toxic” snippet and let us know if you’re rocking with it.