Hip Hop News

It’s official. Mulatto has finally decided on a new stage name after months of scrutiny over her chosen moniker.

Given the racially charged nature of her name, critics across social media have urged Mulatto to consider changing her name since she broke out as one of the most talented and exciting young women in the rap game. She’s teased a new name in all of her recent interviews, telling HNHH that she would make a major spectacle out of the eventual announcement. As we wait for the release of her new single this week, which is tentatively titled “The Biggest,” Big Latto is introducing fans to her brand new name.

Officially making the change across most digital streaming platforms, Mulatto’s name has been switched to simply Latto. The change first appeared when she was featured on Toosii’s new album, being credited as Latto. Her handle on social media remains @mulatto but we can only assume that her team is working hard to lock down the @latto name. 

The new single was previewed last week when the 22-year-old rapped over a Supah Mario beat from her car. She references the new name, saying, “New money, new crib, new whip, new name, I’m still that bitch.”

Check out the cover artwork for her new music below, listen to the song’s preview, and let us know what you think about her new name.

Image via Spotify

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At the top of the month, Bill and Melinda Gates announced they were seeking a divorce after 27 years of marriage. Following the announcement, subsequent information about the details of their separation began to leak into the press. Some reports allege that Bill Gates’ connection to Jeffrey Epstein contributed to Melinda’s decision, while new details allege Bill pursued Microsoft employees and sought love advice from Epstein.  

Now, the Microsoft corporation is confirming that shortly before stepping down from his position on the board of directors, Bill was being investigated for having an “intimate relationship with a company employee.”

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The tech giant confirmed Monday (May 17) that an unnamed person introduced the allegations more than 20 years ago in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch. The company explained they hired an outside law firm in the latter half of 2019 to conduct the investigation and “provided extensive support to the employee who raised the concern.” The following year, Gates announced his stepping down from the company’s board to focus on his work at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. 

Microsoft did not provide additional details about the investigation in the statement nor about what led to Gates’ decision to step down. A spokesperson for Gates admitted on Sunday that, “there was an affair almost 20 years ago which ended amicably.” 

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“Bil”s decision to transition off the board was in no way related to this matter,” the spokesperson said. “In fact, he had expressed an interest in spending more time on his philanthropy starting several years earlier.”

Bill has transferred over a billion dollars in Microsoft stock to his estranged wife who is alleged to be staying on a private island to deal with the divorce. 

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When an artist is as universally beloved as Nicki Minaj, it’s safe to assume that her fanbase stems from all walks of life. And while many were quick to celebrate the Young Money reunion anthem “Seeing Green,” which arrived as part of Nicki’s re-released Beam Me Up Scotty mixtape, some fans were quick to note the absence of a clean version. 

While such an absence might not bother the average rap listener, who have by now grown accustomed to explicit language and mature lyrical content, there are many who appreciate clean versions and radio edits — perhaps a younger sibling looking to discover hip-hop or a grandparent with different values and principles. One such fan was quick to hit Nicki Minaj with a request for an edited “Seeing Green”, citing religious grandparents who rely on clean versions to get their Nicki fix.

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“The fact that I didn’t realize no clean versions were uploaded,” replied Nicki, wasting little time in getting the ball rolling. “Smh. The cleans will b out tmrw guys. My bad on that. Give ur grandparents a hug for me babe.” As of this moment, the clean versions have indeed been adding to streaming platforms, proof that Nicki Minaj is for the people — especially those who pledge allegiance to the Barbz. 

In case you haven’t done so already, be sure to revisit Nick’s reloaded version of Beam Me Up Scotty, a project that went a long way in laying the foundation for her eventual hip-hop queenship. Largely praised as one of the great breakout mixtapes, Minaj’s zany delivery, inspired creativity, and breakneck lyricism were put on full display throughout. We can only hope that the re-release signals a new project to come, as the game could certainly use some new Nicki Minaj bars right about now. 

Soulja Boy has no problem reminding the world of his contributions. He often takes to social media every once and a while to jog everyone’s memories of the important things he’s given to the culture. Last week, after Nicki Minaj serviced her 2009 EP Beam Me Up Scotty to streaming platforms, he took to Twitter to remind folks he produced the melody for the memorable cut “Itty Bitty Piggy.”

Other things he’s claimed a vital hand in popularizing include pushing artists to use YouTube as a platform for music, revolutionizing how artists market themselves in the industry. It seems like some people aren’t impressed by Soulja’s most recent viral “first tweet.” According to TMZ, famed jewelry and diamond store Icebox is still pursuing a case against the rapper for an unresolved lawsuit dished to him back in 2013. 

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“I was the 1st rapper at Icebox,” said Soulja in the tweet over the weekend (May 15). While lighthearted in nature, a rep for the company told the publication that the viral tweet meant nothing in light of the alleged fact that he’s been ducking an open lawsuit they have against him. The company sued him back in 2013 for an open tab of over $60k they claim he never paid. 

They add they’ve been unable to collect the debt and it has now soared to nearly $200k. TMZ reports Icebox has assigned lawyers to the case in attempts to get the cash back with a judge ruling in their favor, but claim Soulja’s accounts never total more than $10k at a time. Essentially, hunting down the money has been a lost cause.

In other news, the Atlanta rapper has received a wave of support on social media in recognition of being ahead of his time. If you recall, Bow Wow recently gave Soulja Boy his long-overdue flowers. 

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Kim Potter, the 26-year police veteran that fatally shot Daunte Wright and claimed that she accidentally pulled her gun instead of her taser, will officially be on trial later this year for her charges. 

On Monday, a judge ruled that the trial would begin as early as December. Potter was charged with second-degree manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years. She was not charged with murder. 

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Daunte Wright, a 20-year-old Black man, was killed on April 11, 2021. He was fatally shot in Brooklyn Center, Minneapolis– just miles away from where George Floyd was killed months prior. The shooting took place in the midst of Derek Chauvin’s sentencing trial for murder charges connected to Floyd’s death. Dozens of protests erupted in the streets of Minneapolis as people were enraged at yet another police-involved shooting of a Black person. 

During the court hearing on Monday, Hennepin County District Court Judge Regina Chu ruled that the trial can begin on December 6, though it may experience further delays. “I think it’s to the benefit of everyone to try to expedite this case and try to come to a resolution or trial as quickly as reasonably possible,” said Chu.

We will continue to keep you updated on this case as it develops. Long Live Daunte Wright.

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