Al B Sure says that the new memoir allegedly written by Kim Porter before her death is manipulated and described it as “calculated fiction” in a rant on Instagram on Monday morning. In the wake of authorities arresting Porter’s ex, Diddy, on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, Al B Sure wants an investigation into her death. Kim’s Lost Words: A Journey for Justice from the Other Side released on Amazon, earlier this month.
“I am writing this post to formally request an investigation into an entire group of individuals who worked at or around the residence of Ms. Kimberly Porter including the publicists who assisted drafting this,” Al B wrote. “It has come to my attention that these persons were also instructed to steal her computer and mobile devices, which contained her ‘original book notes.’ Original notes are distinct from the fabricated bullsh*t and offensive pages circulated via Amazon which depict graphic sexual acts involving me that NEVER took place and were edited and added after Ms. Porter’s tragic murder.”
Al B Sure Performs During Women Empowerment Luncheon
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES – 2023/04/13: Al B. Sure performs during Women Empowerment Luncheon at NAN 2023 convention day 2 at Sheraton Times Square. (Photo by Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
He continued: “I urge you to consider who authorized such a fictitious publication without categorizing it as ‘Calculated Fiction.’ The publicists and conspirators worked in concert, from separate camps launching this campaign which appears to be a very personal and a deliberate distraction from there involvement in covering horrific crimes, assisted in, & perplexed the public for many years, which I have personally experienced and cautiously deemed just a ‘medical crisis’ for legal reasons until the rest of these atrocities were uncovered by authorities making it more believable to a gullible public that has been fooled for so long.” From there, he brought up Cassie and theorized that Porter was planning to sue Diddy in a similar way. Check out the full posts on Instagram below.
Al B Sure Speaks On Diddy’s Arrest
Porter died in November 2018 after a sudden bout with pneumonia. As for Diddy’s recent arrest, he’s already pleaded not guilty to the charges. He’s also denied all of the allegations he’s faced over the last year. Be on the lookout for further updates on Al B Sure and Diddy on HotNewHipHop.
Streaming numbers fluctuate all the time. Very rarely do they go up during a controversial time for an artist, though. Sure, there’s a few outliers, but it happens once in a blue moon. Diddy happens to be one of those cases, as his streaming numbers are seeing a nice bump, according to Luminate (via TMZ). The in-demand data and analytics company says that since his arrest/indictment, there’s been a 18.3% increase. At the time of writing, he’s at just over 9.7 million monthly listeners on Spotify. There could be a handful of explanations for this, so let’s briefly analyze them.
One could be that the internet is trying to uncover any sort of incriminating/revealing lyrics or themes in his music. With how many old clips from interviews, TV shows, and more that hip-hop sleuths are rediscovering, we could certainly those same people checking out his large discography. The other potential is that he’s just got a lot of loyal listeners out there who like to “separate the artist from the person”.
Kanye West may not be the most ideal comparison. But given how constantly he’s ruffling feathers it does warrant some consideration. He’s so massive that no matter what he does, fans are going to come back for more. Diddy may not be as talented or have as many individual hits as Ye, but he’s got tons of influence overall. Outside of his Michigan inmate lawsuit win, this could be the last small W for Diddy.
What are your thoughts on Diddy’s streaming numbers increasing amid his arrest? Do you think people are revisiting his catalog to find incriminating lyrics? Or do you think there are just supporters out there just bumping his stuff out of pure love? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Diddy and his arrest. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the world of music.
The Nike Air Max 1 is gearing up for its next release with the bold “Batman” colorway. This new edition features a sleek black base, giving the sneaker a clean and modern look. Vibrant yellow details pop against the black, creating a striking contrast that stands out. The bright yellow accents on the Swoosh, eyelets, and heel add a dynamic touch to the design. A crisp white midsole balances the dark and vibrant tones, keeping the colorway sharp and stylish.
The shoes feature a black and optic yellow rubber sole and a white midsole. Of course, the midsole features a Nike air bubble below the heels. Also, the uppers are constructed from a black mesh, with black leather overlays. Further, a yellow Nike Swoosh is on the sides. Finally, yellow Nike branding is on the tongues and heels.
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Hypebeast reports that the Nike Air Max 1 “Batman” will be released sometime this fall. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $140 when they drop. Further, make sure to let us know what you think about these kicks in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the most recent updates and news from the sneaker community. We’ll make sure to offer you the newest products from the most notable brands.
Top5, the Toronto rapper previously co-signed by Drake, is officially a free man after the murder case against him fell apart in court on Monday. Authorities originally arrested him back in 2021 for his alleged involvement in the murder of a 20-year-old accounting student. At the latest hearing, the judge in the case dismissed social media evidence on the basis of it being inadmissible.
According to the Toronto Star, Superior Court Justice Andras Shreck wrote in his decision that it “portrays Mr. Ali as a violent gang member with little regard for human life and who revels in the senseless killing of others. The risk that a jury will misuse this evidence and convict Mr. Ali because of his disposition is significant.”
Speaking about the topic afterward, Top5’s lawyer, Gary Grill, explained the legal prejudice against rap artists. “The problem about prosecuting artists like Mr. Ali [Top5] based on their music; it fails to understand what the medium is, what’s it about, and how drillers approach their audiences,” Grill said, according to CTV News. “It’s important for all drillers to portray themselves as the biggest, baddest gangsters on the planet. That’s what sells. That’s what all drillers are doing. The way that Mr. Ali was charged in the first place was as a result of his lyrics, it was a result of the videos that he was putting out there, as a result of his medium as a drill rap artist that attracted the attention with the police.”
Top5 Shouts Out Drake For The Assist
After leaving the courthouse, Top5 shared a picture of himself on Instagram and revealed that Drake actually covered his legal fees. Shortly after the post began circulating online, he removed that note from the caption. Check out the original version as caught by DJ Akademiks below. Be on the lookout for further updates on Top5 and Drake on HotNewHipHop.
Victoria Monet and John Gaines are officially no longer a couple, after the R&B singer confirmed the rumors that had been swirling for a little bit. The Atlanta native delivered a very open message to her fans (and the media) on her social media just a few hours ago. However, as you come to find out, Victoria and John have not been together for some time. The JAGUAR II creator began by admitting how hard it’s been to keep shoving these feelings of pain to the side. But with the speculation and “extremely false accusations” barreling down, Victoria Monet felt it was time to rip the band-aid off. “With good intentions, we honestly have been avoiding a formal statement about something as natural and as personal as love”.
Later, she writes, “Ultimately, we decided to be open and address it in hopes to put a period on the question marks for the sake of our healing process. We spent the last 10 months trying to respectfully and privately navigate the fact that we are no longer in relationship. Though we still completely adore and respect each other, we are not a couple anymore”, Monet says. “There was no infidelity, toxic behavior nor drama. We both just have some fundamental growing to do that would best be done apart so we can remain the best versions of ourselves for our daughter”.
Toward the end, Victoria Monet thanks all of her fans and loved ones for their “love, care and concern”. However, with this obviously being a big mental hurdle for both her and John they are kindly asking for “the peace and space to maintain a safe and happy environment to continue to co-parent to the best of our ability for Hazel!”. For context, there was some serious worry from her fanbase after a vague tweet turned out to be lyrics from her now released USHER collab, “SOS”. It read, “I’m way too sexy to be alone…”. Overall, breakups are never easy, and we are wishing Victoria and John all of the best moving forward.
What are your thoughts on Victoria Monet confirming the breakup rumors surrounding her and John Gaines? Did you suspect this was the truth previously? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Victoria Monet. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the worlds of pop culture and music.
Victoria Monét and John Gaines have officially broken up, the former couple announced on Monday (Sept. 23), amid growing speculation surrounding their status. The pair released a joint statement via social media, where they also shut down any rumors of infidelity or toxic behavior.
Young Dolph’s murder trial started dramatically when a prosecutor claimed that Yo Gotti’s brother Big Jook put out a $100K ‘hit’ on the slain Memphis rapper.
Among the highlights on Beyoncé’s hit album Cowboy Carter is the Post Malone collaboration “Levii’s Jeans.” Not long after the track’s release, denim company Levi’s had a significant stock jump, so much so that Levi Strauss CEO Michelle Gass said the following: “I would just say that denim is having a moment and the Levi’s brand is having a powerful moment around the world. One of the things that really is significant about the Levi’s brand and we place a lot of emphasis and investment is making sure that Levi’s brand remains in the center of culture. And I don’t think there’s any better evidence or proof point than having someone like Beyoncé, who is a culture shaper, to actually name a song after us.”
Well, it appears Gass figured it wouldn’t be a bad idea to formally get into the Beyoncé business.
On Instagram today (September 23), Levi’s shared an illustration of Beyoncé riding a horse in silhouette. (They tagged Beyoncé in the post, so that’s how we know for sure it’s her.) The post is captioned, “INTRODUCING: A New Chapter.” Furthermore, the Levi’s Instagram now features a highlight titled “Levii’s.”
It’s not currently clear what’s going on here, as the aforementioned is so far all the publicly available information about the situation.
Before photographer and Exquisite Eye Studios founder Breyona Holt captured the likes of music phenoms Coco Jones, Halle Bailey, Giveon and bLAck pARty, she got her drive from her hometown of Atlanta.
Currently based in Los Angeles, Holt credits the ATL scene for showing her the grind and hunger that she’d need as a burgeoning artist. It was in the mid-2010s that she kept SoundCloud selections on repeat, listening to acts Smino, Tommy Genesis, Raury, and Awful Records’ Alexandria. Even in her eight years spent on the West Coast, Holt’s mind hasn’t left her southern beginnings, which would come to shape the color theory and contrast in her commercial, editorial and cover artwork.
“We really grew up on dance cultures [in Atlanta], so the music really inspired a lot of the work that I was creating,” Holt tells Uproxx. “When I first started, my photography was very moody, and I think once I moved to LA, over time, I did see that my word got brighter, and I was kind of pulling away from what made me stand out as an artist. I had to take a step back like, ‘Okay, I don’t want to pull too far away like staying into the lines and following the trends and what LA has.’”
But while Holt would depend on her music playlists to soundtrack her mood while editing photos, she credits her father’s early film photography as an influence. Even as a singular visionary, Holt showcases that influence through grainy, analogue photography images of subjects like SZA and Normani.
Giveon
“I [loved] when I was going to his archive and what that would make me feel,” Holt says of her father’s works. “So even though I was mainly shooting on digital cameras at that time, I was trying to mimic that feeling that film made me feel. So the colors that you get with film is just a very organic type of feeling. I would say my dad was really one of my biggest inspirations at that time.”
Through her lens, Holt keeps an eye on individuals across entertainment, but viewers find her photos of Black women to be the most definitive. There’s an artist-to-subject unison where Holt channels the strength of Black womanhood and represents it with dignity. Holt’s portfolio exhibits crisp colors against genuine facial expressions and poses. Most of all, the Black femme energy radiates.
“I believe that it’s very important for us to be seen in a beautiful light and I think that sometimes, when Black women or Black men are the subject, we get the short end of the stick,” Holt says. “Whether it’s how we’re being lit–it doesn’t always represent us in the most powerful or the most uplifting way. Who I am at the core, I love art so much, and I want to make sure that we’re being documented and being seen in the best light, because these things will matter today and to generations to come.”
Since taking the cover art photography for albums like Joyce Wrice’s Overgrown, Coco Jones’ What I Didn’t Tell You, and Amindi’s TWYN, more recently, Holt shot the cover image of Halle Bailey’s new single “Because I Love You.”
“Her voice — she’s literally a siren; her voice is very angelic,” Holt says of Bailey, a fellow Georgia native. “Even just the instruments that she chose to use throughout the record. It was just something so refreshing and something I haven’t really heard before. When you hear a record like that, that inspires the colors you use. Just working with her on that project–the sound and the song is really what inspired the approach of the cover art, and I think it reflects the music video, which was incredible.”
Joyce Wrice
The commanding and vulnerable song would come to reflect Bailey’s confident stance on the artwork, which took on a life of its own. “Even down to the posing, all of those factors matter with the cover art. I’m so happy she chose that photo as the cover,” Holt continues. “I think it was empowering how you know her hands up, her chest out, the arms up–it’s just a very powerful image, and I’m just so happy to have this in my portfolio and to be a part of this.”
On capturing her muses, like the hair-blowing moment-in-time cover of Overgrown or 1970s funk ode on the cover of bLAck pARty’s Hummingbird, Holt likens the interaction to a “dance” between herself and the muse.
“These are real moments and actions for the most part. It’s not like ‘We’re going into these cover arts, and we want you to pose exactly like this,’ because I feel like it would come off a little forced and people would feel that,” she shares. “But these are real moments listening to the music on set, we’re in the vibe — this is a real emotion that they’re expressing through their body, through their face and the color is just there to amplify what’s happening.”
Except for the textured collage on the TWYN backdrop, Holt’s cover art is fairly minimal in practice, keeping the viewers’ gaze on her subjects, and the photography is a visual interpretation of their music.
“When I’m hearing the music, because I really enjoy color theory, it’s about ‘What is this making me feel?’” Holt says. “I think you can communicate a lot through color theory, you can evoke an emotion through the colors that you choose to use. I think using minimal backgrounds, for me, helps you focus on who the subject is. I love a moment where the environment is just an add-on, but like the eyes, the facial expression, the mood of the body language in the model, all of that really matters to me.”
Halle
Along with her photography, Holt calls it a “greater goal” to take her still images to the screen as a filmmaker, especially since she’s built her portfolio as a music video director and creative director.
“Although I started off, and I’m able to grasp people’s attention through my photography, I think people have taken a chance with me when it comes to these music videos,” Holt says of her budding path in filmmaking. “[I’ve] even shocked myself at what I’m able to create as a director, but as I continue to explore with music videos, I would love to grow in that field and do more short films and let that grow, as well, into longform video, movies and things like that.”
In continuing to document the culture, Holt also has her hands in tactile fashion projects under her Exquisite Eye banner, but presenting Blackness in an authentic lens remains integral to her purpose. Holt embraces her roots, and it shows in her life’s work.
“I just love my culture. I love being Black and I love how we always create such beautiful art no matter what,” she says. “To be in this day and age and be able to have the internet and be able to share my art and people gravitate to it, or they feel inspired by it, I’m just doing this for the bigger picture.”
(@officialalbsure)
