Hip Hop News

Westside Boogie’s 2019 album Everything’s For Sale, his Shady Records debut featuring J.I.D, Eminem, 6LACK, and more, was among the year’s quiet standouts. A contemplative release that showcased the depth of Boogie’s pen game, many have been eagerly awaiting to see where the Compton lyricist goes on his next project.

Now, it would appear that we’re one step closer to the album’s arrival, though a proper release date has yet to be revealed. Yesterday, WS Boogie took to Twitter to share a promising update, confirming that he recently locked in with Shady boss Eminem to talk shop and showcase what he’s been cooking up. After listening to the album, Em went on to give his label signee the seal of approval. 

 Scott Dudelson/Getty Images

“Got that green light,” notes Boogie, sharing a picture of himself and Em living up to the Shady reputation of “just not giving a fu*k.” Good news all around, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Boogie move forward with more details in the coming weeks. It’s as of yet unclear as to whether or not Eminem will be appearing on the project, as he previously linked with Boogie on Everything’s For Sale track “Rainy Days.”

Between Boogie’s upcoming body of work and Conway The Machine’s anticipated God Don’t Make Mistakes, it’s looking like 2021 has the potential to be a solid year for Shady Records. We’re looking forward to seeing what Westside Boogie brings to the table, especially in the wake of his steady stream of hard-hitting freestyles. Check out his latest update below, and sound off if you’re excited to see his sophomoric Shady drop in the near future. 

The last few months haven’t been smooth for The Joe Budden Podcast. After Rory and Mal’s sudden departure from the podcast in March, many fans theorized that the two co-hosts would no longer be returning to work on the podcast. However, during the last week of April, Joe Budden, Rory, and Mal all reunited for the 435th JBP episode “Shaking the Tree.” 

The trio followed that podcast up at the top of May with Episode 436 “The Floor Is Yours,” but today, it appears that the JBP has hit another bump in the road, as leaked audio from the 437th episode has made its way across the internet.

In the messy audio, Joe Budden can be heard ranting about Rory and Mal’s inability to secure deals for the podcast, and he also slams them for bringing “dark energy, arrogance, and entitlement” to the show. Joe also reveals that they have been telling their “representation” to contact Budden’s manager Ian Schwartzman to look over contracts.

The wildest part of the entire rant comes later on, when Joe Budden absolutely rips Rory, saying, “Since Rory feels like he has so many options here, somehow he still feels like he’s running the show. He feels like he’s entitled to more. Rory, you are in breach of your contract. And from this point forward, you are fired, and you are not welcome back.”

While the audio confirms that Rory has been fired, the rest of his words towards Mal are cut off. Many fans have already caught wind of Joe’s scathing rant, and of course, much of their opinions on the matter are split. While many have been pointing the finger at Joe Budden and citing his tendency to sabotage great working relationships, others have placed the blame on Rory and Mal for “overplaying” their hands throughout all of the JBP drama over the past month.

In response to the public commentary surrounding this unexpected development, Joe Budden has been sounding off on Twitter in a series of tweets and responses to other users. Starting off by writing, “Helluva run!! God bless,” the host began interacting with fans. Over a slew of tweets, Joe confirmed that his days working with Rory are “100000%” over with, reiterated that he could shut down anything that he started, and agreed that Ice and Ish, who stepped in during Mal and Rory’s hiatus, should think twice before going into business with him.

The final nail in the coffin arrives when Joe tweets, “No, it’s time for it to STOP being given thought…. There are millions of podcasts, ppl will survive.”

Judging from Joe Budden’s Twitter activity early Wednesday, May 12, it appears that Rory and Mal’s departure from the podcast will permanent. Now, fans of The Joe Budden Podcast will have to stay tuned to see if Joe continues the podcast without them or retires the show completely. For now, curious fans can listen to Episode 437 on Joe Budden’s Patreon.

Will you miss The Joe Budden Podcast‘s long-running cast of Joe, Rory, and Mal? Or do you think that the podcast has run its course?

This Saturday Kobe Bryant will be enshrined into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be inducted by none other than Michael Jordan himself. But before MJ gets on stage and gives what will presumably be an emotional speech, the NBA GOAT spoke with ESPN’s Jackie MacMullen and talked about the last time he and Kobe communicated with each other over text.

According to Michael, the last text exchange took place on Dec. 8, 2019, just 49 days before Bryant’s fatal helicopter crash. First, Kobe complimented Jordan on his Cincoro Tequila. They then talked about their families before Jordan asked about Bryant’s new passion for coaching. Read the text exchange (below):

“This tequila is awesome,” Jordan said Kobe texted him after he had sent over a bottle.

“Thank you, my brother,” Jordan says he responded.

“Yes, sir. Family good?” Kobe replied.

“All good. Yours?”

“All good.”

Jordan wanted to talk to Bryant about his daughter’s basketball team—which he was coaching. “He was really into coaching Gigi,” Jordan said, “so I hit him up about that.”

“Happy holidays,” Jordan texted back, “and hope to catch up soon. Coach Kobe??!” “I added that little crying/laughing emoji,” Jordan chuckles.

“Ah, back at you, man,” Kobe wrote. “Hey, coach, I’m sitting on the bench right now, and we’re blowing this team out. 45-8.” … “I just love that text,” Jordan says, “because it shows Kobe’s competitive nature.” Jordan added, “I don’t know why, but I just can’t delete it.”

Christian Petersen/ Getty Images

Jordan says the honor to induct Kobe is huge and he promised he’d be emotional remembering his good friend during the evening.

“It’s like standing up for a family member,” Jordan said. “He paid me the highest respect by trying to emulate certain things I did.” “And I can only repay that by showing my support and admiration for a guy who I felt was one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

Be sure to tune in Saturday to see MJ give his speech. RIP Kobe Bryant.

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Snoop Dogg is a man of many talents, who continues to innovate through his music and entrepreneurial endeavors. In honor of his recent partnership with BIC, which found him and Martha Stewart coming together for the new EZ Reach lighter, we had a chance to hit Snoop with a few questions about his latest business move, reuniting with Dr. Dre for No Limit Topp Dogg & Tha Last Meal, and the work he’s been actively doing to bring Mt. Westmore’s debut album to life. 

“You bring the legends of the West Coast together, something great will always happen,” explains Snoop Dogg, hard at work on the upcoming Mt. Westmore project. “Cube, 40, Short, and I have been running the game for years. This is the perfect time because each of us brings authentic and new ideas to the table. All four together? That’s magic.” It’s no wonder that he’d be quick to hook his groupmates up with the BIC Reach, were he only to have a few on deck. “And I always got a couple on deck for Wiz [Khalifa],” he adds.

Having only recently dropped off his eighteenth studio album From Tha Streets 2 Tha Suites, and with Mt. Westmore’s debut on the horizon, it’s clear that Snoop is poised for another prolific year on the musical front. Yet given his vast discography ranging across several decades and musical dynasties, it felt appropriate to look back on a few of Snoop’s beloved albums — No Limit Top Dogg and Tha Last Meal, released in 1999 and 2000 respectively. 

Rick Kern/WireImage/Getty Images

Evidently, those productions marked a key reunion with Dr. Dre following a collaborative post-Death Row hiatus. “Dre and I are family,” reflects Snoop. “It was great getting back with him. Whenever we are together, we do it big. I was going through a lot during my life at the time and we ended up making some real classics.” Classics including the likes of “Bitch Please,” “Just Dippin,” “Lay Low,” and “Hennessy & Buddah,” songs that came to define the new era of Dre and Snoop camaraderie. 

Despite his incredible catalog, Snoop is never one to dwell on the past — especially where his own catalog is concerned. “I wouldn’t say anything is underrated,” he admits, when asked if there are any projects he feels deserve more appreciation. “I am always focusing on what I got going right now, and staying in the present.”

Frazer Harrison/MTV1617/Getty Images

No easy feat, given how much the Doggfather has found himself branching out and pursuing new entrepreneurial endeavors. “Martha and I are a great duo and bringing the two of us together made a lot of sense,” says Snoop, breaking down his decision to connect with BIC. “The BIC EZ Reach lighter is beneficial for both of us in different ways. Martha uses it to light the grill, the stove, and candles. I use it to light candles and more.” Fans already understand the implication, but that’s not the only reason Snoop opted to link up with BIC. “I love candles and fragrances,” he reveals. “Bring some flowers into the mix and we’re good to go.”

Though the easy-access nature of the EZ Reach may lead to an increase in inadvertent lighter-pocketing, the Doggfather isn’t entirely sympathetic to those who find their gear snatched during a smoking session. “That’s on you if it’s gone,” he cautions. “Stay ready and you don’t have to get ready.” Wise words from one of hip-hop’s keen business minds, a quality he shares with some of the game’s great investors. “Nipsey, Nas, Diddy, Jay-Z, Cube,” he praises, naming those who keep him inspired to handle business. “We are all entrepreneurs and deeply invested in the technology space.”

WATCH: Snoop Dogg & Martha Stewart’s BIC EZ Reach “Pass It” Promo

Following their involvement in the killing of Ahmaud Arbery, Travis McMichael (35) his father Gregory McMichael, 65, and William “Roddie” Bryan, 51, were indicted on hate crime charges by a federal grand jury in Georgia last week. All three men have now pleaded not guilty to the charges, as well as to attempting kidnapping charges.

Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan appeared in court yesterday, where they faced both a federal judge and several of Ahmaud Arbery’s family members. A CNN report notes that the three wore orange jumpsuits and were shackled around the ankles.

Travis & Gregory McMichaels, Glynn County Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images

In addition to the aforementioned, the three men have been charged with murder and several additional charges. Both MicMichaels pleaded not guilty to malice and felony murder charges, as well as aggravated assault, false imprisonment, and criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment. William Bryan pleaded not guilty to charges of criminal attempt to commit false imprisonment and felony murder. 

Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was fatally shot in February 2020. Footage of his death went on to spark national outrage. The McMichaels and Bryan’s defense team have maintained that they were conducting a citizen’s arrest, citing self-defense. 

Sean Rayford/Getty Images

Speaking on the new hate crime charges, Arbery family attorney offered the following statement: “I appreciate that the judge, although it was waived by the defendants, took the time to walk through the charges and the facts to show how closely the facts of this case mirror actual hate crime charges which are difficult to reach in the US in a federal setting.”

“This is an important milestone in America’s uphill march toward racial justice, and we applaud the Justice Department for treating this heinous act for what it is — a purely evil, racially motivated hate crime,” adds Ben Crump, another attorney of the Arbery family. 

The state trial is set to begin on October 18th.

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It appears Robert Aaron Long, the man accused of killing eight people, six of them being Asian women, in shootings at three Atlanta-area massage parlors was indicted yesterday on murder charges by two separate grand juries. And according to the AP, one prosecutor filed notice that she’ll also seek hate crime charges and the death penalty.

Crisp County Sheriff’s Office/ Getty Images

A Fulton County grand jury indicted Robert Aaron Long for the murder of four woman back on March 16th, including Suncha Kim, 69; Soon Chung Park, 74; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; and Yong Ae Yue, 63. A separate grand jury in Cherokee County indicted Robert Long for a separate shooting there that resulted in the killings of Xiaojie “Emily” Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; Delaina Yaun, 33; and Paul Michels, 54. 

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis filed notice that she will seek hate crime charges and the death penalty against Long, who is a white man, as six of the eight women he’s accused of killing were Asian. Willis’ motion to seek the death penalty marks a change from her previous stance, when she answered “yes” when asked if she would “commit to refuse to seek the death penalty” last year. 

A separate grand jury in Cherokee County will decide on charges in relation to the other spa shooting that led to four deaths and an injury. We’ll keep you posted on details moving forward.

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