Hip Hop News

Chief Keef on His Influence on Hip-Hop: ‘I Be Tired of Hearing That’

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Chief Keef Announces "A Lil Tour" Across the U.S.

Chief Keef wants y’all to stop telling him how influential he is. He knows! Speaking with Grammy.com for the release of his Almighty So 2 album, Sosa revealed he hears it everywhere.

“If I had 500 M’s every time [I heard that], I’d be Jeff Bezos,” Keef said. “The fuck? I think I’d probably be bigger. I would be more rich!

“I be hearing that a lot, though, man. I be tired of hearing that shit. I be like, ‘We know.’ Me, you, and God know that. It’s okay. Let people do what they do, man. I was a big fan of Gucci [Mane] and Lil Wayne. Still am. So if I got people who love me like that, shit, man.”

You can read more from the interview here.

Chief Keef is hitting the road for his nationwide headlining tour, A Lil Tour, produced by Live Nation. The tour spans 17 dates, kicking off in Boston on July 16th and concluding in San Francisco on August 13th, with notable stops including Brooklyn, Atlanta, and Los Angeles.

Accompanying Chief Keef on tour are 43B signee Lil Gnar and The Glo Boyz as support for all dates.

Tickets for “A Lil Tour” go on sale Wednesday, May 15th, at 10 am local time, available on ChiefKeef.com.

The tour announcement comes hot on the heels of Chief Keef’s latest album, Almighty So 2. Crafted over two years, the album showcases Sosa’s prodigious abilities as an emcee, featuring appearances from Sexyy Red, Quavo, G Herbo, Tierra Whack, Lil Gnar, and Ballout. With tracks like “Grape Trees,” “Drifting Away,” and “Runner,” “Almighty So 2” is now available worldwide via 43B.

This tour marks another milestone for Chief Keef’s successful year, following collaborations with superproducer Mike WiLL Made-It on “DIRTY NACHOS” and hits like “Say Ya Grace” with Lil Yachty. Don’t miss Chief Keef’s electrifying return to Chicago on June 16th at Lyrical Lemonade’s Summer Smash, his first hometown performance since 2012.

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The post Chief Keef on His Influence on Hip-Hop: ‘I Be Tired of Hearing That’ first appeared on The Source.

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Spotify Hit with Cease and Desist Over Lyrics, Music Videos and More

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Spotify has been issued a cease and desist order from the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) for hosting lyrics, music videos, and podcast content without proper licensing.

According to Billboard, the NMPA demands the removal “or Spotify will face copyright liability for continued use of these works.”

Earlier this month, Spotify was noted to cut $150M in royalties from music publishers and songwriters beyond what was already expected. This results from adding audiobooks into certain plans, adding books to the total subscription price.

The letter reads, “Spotify appears to be engaged in direct infringement by hosting unlicensed musical works in its lyrics, videos and podcasts and by distributing unauthorized reproductions, synchronizations, displays and derivative sues of these musical works to its users. Making matters worse, Spotify profits from such infringement.”

You can see the full letter here.

The post Spotify Hit with Cease and Desist Over Lyrics, Music Videos and More first appeared on The Source.

The post Spotify Hit with Cease and Desist Over Lyrics, Music Videos and More appeared first on The Source.

Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ Commemorates 40th Anniversary With 4K UHD and Digital Release

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Prince’s ‘Purple Rain’ Commemorates 40th Anniversary With 4K UHD and Digital Release

Warner Home Video is poised to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Prince’s iconic film “Purple Rain” with a dazzling rerelease on 4K UHD and digital platforms, filled with special features set for a June 25 release. Get this, the special edition will deliver upgraded picture and sound quality, alongside cherished bonus content, including eight music videos.

 ”Purple Rain” made its cinematic debut on July 27, 1984 and was co-written and directed by Albert Magnoli. The film, was loosely inspired from Prince’s own life, and grossed over $70 million worldwide. This was feat back in the eighties where films rarely made that kind of money let alone musicals. The Prince starrer clinched an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score, and catapulted the then 26-year-old artist to unparalleled stardom. 

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Alongside Prince, the film featured Apollonia Kotero as the protégé and love interest of Prince’s character. She was revered for her beauty and how she captivated the lead character, The Kid, played by Prince. Also casts were actual members of Prince’s band the Revolution as well as other artists whose songs Prince had written or produced, such as Morris Day and The Time. We say all that to say, fans fell in love with the entire cast and their hits, we heard and saw play out on screen. More on those hits … The iconic motion picture soundtrack, boasted smash records like “Let’s Go Crazy,” “When Doves Cry,” and “I Would Die 4 U,” in addition to the legendary title track, has sold over 25 million copies to date. 

Albert Magnoli, a recent graduate of the USC School of Cinema-Television at the time, was handpicked to helm “Purple Rain” following the success of his student film “Jazz.” This caught the eye of Warner Bros. executives and the rest was history – that’s Hollywood for you!

The “Purple Rain” 4K UHD Disc offers fans a plethora of previously released special features, ensuring an immersive experience for longtime Prince fans and new audiences alike. Here’s a list of the included special features: 

Commentary by director Albert Magnoli, producer Robert Cavallo and cinematographer Donald E. Thorin
First Avenue: The Road to Pop Royalty – featurette
Let’s Go Crazy – music video
Take Me with U – music video
When Doves Cry – Music Video
I Would Die 4 U/Baby I’m a Star – music video
Purple Rain – music video
Jungle Love – music video
The Bird – music video
Sex Shooter – music video

This refreshing release feels like a must have and just in time for Summer. More importantly, this drop highlights 40 years of celebrated excellence for Prince, who we all miss dearly. 

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Donald Trump’s Defense Attorneys Paint Prosecution Star Witness Michael Cohen as a Serial Liar Out for Vengeance

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Here’s What We Know About the Jurors Seated in Trump Historic Criminal Trial

Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial, his former fixer, Michael Cohen, faced a relentless cross-examination from defense attorney Todd Blanche, aimed at tarnishing his credibility as the prosecution’s star witness. Despite the onslaught, Cohen maintained his composure, avoiding pitfalls that could derail the case against Trump.

Blanche’s strategy was predictable but still aggressive as he portrayed Cohen as a profane social media troll and vengeful liar, emphasizing his estrangement from Trump and his financial gain from books critical of the former president. Drawing attention to Cohen’s derogatory remarks and posts about Trump, including wearing a T-shirt depicting Trump in jail and referring to him as a “Cheeto-dusted cartoon villain,” Blanche sought to highlight Cohen’s bias and obsession.

Get this, Blanche dived into Cohen’s personal grudge against Trump, referencing Cohen’s social media posts where he called Trump a “dictator douchebag” and stated that he belonged in a “f**king cage like an animal.” Former US attorney Michael Moore noted that Blanche’s tactics aimed to paint Cohen as a “grifter” profiting from his criticism of Trump.

Cohen sometimes seemed confrontational, but he never lost his cool. He managed to withstand Blanche’s aggressive questioning without damaging the prosecution’s case. Cohen remained composed despite the defense’s efforts to shake him off his game.

The prosecution, tactfully anticipated Blanche’s attack, worked to reinforce the narrative surrounding the payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels and its alleged purpose to influence the 2016 election. Cohen’s testimony about breaking from Trump under pressure from his family resonated, highlighting the ethical dilemma faced by many of Trump’s associates.

Who knows how the trial’s outcome will go down as it remains uncertain. Legal experts noted that Blanche’s tactics may have impeached Cohen’s credibility somewhat, but Cohen’s testimony did not deal a fatal blow to the prosecution’s case. As the trial progresses, both sides continue strategizing in their pursuit of justice.

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ATF Agent Gives Testimony in Young Thug YSL RICO Trial in Atlanta 

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Young Thug 100 acres

Remember that YSL, Young Thug RICO trial? That’s STILL going on and Tuesday’s session in kicked off with the testimony of David Raissi, a special agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Raissi, who previously served in the Cobb County Police Department, provided insights into his investigation of the 2015 Lil Wayne tour bus shooting, which prosecutors aim to link to the alleged YSL gang. Raissi sheds light on his examination of the tour bus, and that matters because he was granted access to survey the damage and gather evidence. Additionally, he delved into the intricate web of phone records surrounding the shooting, adding another layer to the prosecution’s narrative.

ICYMI, the prosecution’s overarching goal is to depict YSL as a criminal street gang responsible for a myriad of offenses. However, defense attorneys vehemently oppose this characterization, asserting that YSL is merely a record label known as Young Stoner Life. Unless you’ve been under a rock, Jeffery Williams, known professionally as Young Thug, finds himself at the center of a massive RICO case alongside five other defendants. But this has been going on for a long time. We’re already 6 months into the trial. Indicted on May 9, 2022, Williams faces eight criminal counts under federal law, originally enacted to combat organized crime. Despite Georgia’s adoption of its own RICO statute, defense attorneys stress that the alleged criminal enterprises need not have a lengthy history, as required by federal law.

Amidst the intricate legal proceedings, concerns loom regarding the trial’s duration, with defense attorneys expressing apprehension about the extensive witness list potentially prolonging the case for years. Attorneys representing Williams challenge the prosecution’s portrayal of the artist as the leader of an alleged gang, underscoring differing viewpoints regarding YSL’s nature and purpose.

Get this, of the 18 jurors selected for the trial, six serve as alternates. Already, two jurors have been excused; one due to a medical emergency and the other following relocation out of Fulton County. Fulton County Superior Court Judge Ural Glanville has been vocal about the trial’s sluggish pace, urging both defense and prosecution to collaborate and streamline proceedings. Judge Glanville’s willingness to hold court sessions on weekends underscores the urgency to expedite the trial process. The jury selection phase, marred with arrests, charges, and disruptions, has set a historical precedent in Georgia’s legal landscape. Basically it is chaotic to say the least. With the potential for a trial spanning over a year, the case rivals previous lengthy legal battles, notably the Atlanta Public Schools teacher scandal of 2014-15.

The post ATF Agent Gives Testimony in Young Thug YSL RICO Trial in Atlanta  first appeared on The Source.

The post ATF Agent Gives Testimony in Young Thug YSL RICO Trial in Atlanta  appeared first on The Source.

Dame Dash Says Kendrick Lamar Won ‘Best Battle of All Time’ Over Drake

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Dame Dash Names Two JAY-Z Albums and One From Kanye as His Favorite Roc-a-Fella Projects

Dame Dash is weighing in on the Drake and Kendrick Lamar beef as the dust settles. Speaking with the America Nu Network, Dash dubbed Kendrick the winner in what he believes was “the best battle of all time.”

“As far as fighting goes, in this moment, Kendrick won,” Dash said. “It’s almost by far now. Last week it was neck and neck. After the last exchange with the pedophile thing and the response and ‘Not Like Us,’ it seems like he’s disrupted Drake’s life.”

Back to the best battle claim, Dash gave more context: “This has been the most impactful battle to where it looks like the battle songs are changing the trajectory of that artist’s life. It just seems like things are different for Drake right now. I’ve never seen this happen before.”

Kendrick Lamar is back on top of the Billboard Hot 100 with a Drake diss. Following the success of his scene-stealing “Like That” call out, Kendrick Lamar has placed a solo hit on top of the charts with “Not Like Us.”

Additionally, Lamar’s shade to Drake on “Euphoria” moves into the No. 3 slot from No. 11. “Like That” rebounds from No. 8 to No. 6. Drake gets a shot in on his own, with “Family Matters” hitting at No. 7.

According to Billboard, this is Lamar’s fourth Hot 100 No. 1 and 15 top 10s. Drake has a whopping 78 top 10 records, an all-time record.

READ MORE: Naomi Osaka Praises Kendrick Lamar for “Not Like Us,” Makes it Her Walk On Music

“Not Like Us,” released on pgLang/Interscope Records/ICLG, storms onto the Hot 100 with a staggering 70.9 million official streams, 5 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 15,000 units sold in the U.S. for May 9. Remarkably, these numbers were achieved despite the track’s late release on Sunday, May 5, after the chart’s tracking week had already begun on May 3.

This debut marks the 1,171st song to claim the No. 1 position in the 65-year history of the Hot 100, and notably, it’s the 79th to accomplish this feat straight out of the gate.

READ MORE: Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Laps Spotify Record Previously Held by Drake

Additionally, “Not Like Us” ascends to the top spot on the Streaming Songs chart, becoming Kendrick Lamar’s fifth chart-topper in this category. Its 70.9 million streams represent the highest weekly total among R&B/hip-hop tracks since YouTube user-generated content was excluded from chart calculations in 2020. Surpassing the previous record set by Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future and Young Thug, which garnered 67.3 million streams in its debut week on rankings dated September 18, 2021.

Furthermore, the track dominates the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts right out of the gate, marking Lamar’s fourth No. 1.

In other chart news, “Euphoria” experiences a surge in streams, climbing to 49 million (up from 28.9 million in its initial frame). At the same time, its airplay audience dips slightly to 1.9 million (down from 2.5 million) and sales increase to 7,000 (up from 6,000) during the May 3-9 tracking period.

Completing Lamar’s trio of hits in the Hot 100’s top 10, “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin rises to No. 6 from its debut atop the chart on April 6. The track gains 22% in streams, reaching 34.2 million during May 3-9, along with a 13% increase in radio reach to 29.4 million and a 76% surge in sales to 3,000 units.

Fan reaction is below:

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P-Valley Star Brandee Evans Joins Sheryl Lee Ralph in ‘The Fabulous Four’ an Upcoming Comedy Film

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P-Valley Star Brandee Evans Joins Sheryl Lee Ralph in ‘The Fabulous Four’ an Upcoming Comedy Film

Star of P-Valley, Brandee Evans, just joined Sheryl Lee Ralph for a new film, The Fabulous Four.

Evans, best known for playing Mercedes Woodbine, is boarded into a cast that tapped Ralph to star alongside acting icons Susan Sarandon and Bette Midler with Megan Mullally, which is being billed as a comedy being released on July 26, 2024.

Here’s the drop as reported by Black Film and TV: the film “follows three longtime friends (Ralph, Sarandon and Mullally) who go to Key West to be bridesmaids in a surprise wedding of their college friend Marilyn (Midler).” Now, with all four friends back together, “sisterhoods are rekindled, the past rises up again in all its glory, and there are enough sparks, drinks and romance to change all their lives in ways they never expected,” based on the logline. Evans will play Ralph’s daughter.

Evans will be reprising her role as Mercedes in the new season of P-Valley, which is one of Starz’s hit series alongside the Power franchise. Back in 2021, Evans was quoted by Shadow and Act in an interview:

“I don’t think on TV you’ve really seen what happens truly at home on any show that you try to compare us to, and we’re going to continue to break that barrier. This isn’t anything you’ve ever seen before, P-Valley stands alone in that sense,” she said.”And it’s shot from a woman’s gaze, which I think is so beautiful and Katori [Hall] is going to continue on with those female directors this season as well. It’s a beautiful moment when you’re able to see it through a woman’s eyes and mostly with a woman’s perspective on the show.”

The post P-Valley Star Brandee Evans Joins Sheryl Lee Ralph in ‘The Fabulous Four’ an Upcoming Comedy Film first appeared on The Source.

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HBO Announces First Season of Hard Knocks ‘Off Season’ with NY Giants 

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HBO Announces First Season of Hard Knocks ‘Off Season’ with NY Giants 

HBO’s Hard Knocks series is poised to feature one of the NFL’s most iconic franchises, the New York Giants, in its upcoming season titled “Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants.” This marks the Giants’ first appearance on the show since its inception in 2001, coinciding with the franchise’s 100th season. 

Now get this switch up … Unlike previous seasons, this iteration of Hard Knocks will capture the NFL offseason, providing viewers with an inside look at the Giants’ operations from January to July.

You can catch the five-episode season premieres on Tuesday, July 2, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and will be available for streaming on Max. Subsequent episodes will air on Tuesdays through July 30, offering fans an in-depth glimpse into the Giants’ preparations for the upcoming season.

With Hard Knocks previously featuring New York teams like the Jets in 2010 and 2023 and delving into the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys, the spotlight now turns to the Giants as they approach a significant milestone in their storied history.

The Giants’ narrative is bound to raise eyebrows. Rich with intrigue, the team will have to navigate the 2024 season without star running back Saquon Barkley, who departed from the team after the 2023 season. As fans witness his rehabilitation journey firsthand, Quarterback Daniel Jones’s return from a torn ACL adds another layer of drama.

For all those who dream of being a GM, expect an insider’s perspective on the decision-making process led by general manager Joe Schoen and his front office. This process culminated in the 2024 NFL Draft, in which the Giants selected wide receiver Malik Nabers with the sixth overall pick. 

This Hard Knocks is set for plenty of drama from the top down as head coach Brian Daboll faces a pivotal season ahead, aiming to steer the Giants to a successful rebound following their 6-11 record in 2023. As the team embarks on its journey toward redemption, Hard Knocks will offer an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of the franchise, providing fans with unprecedented access to the Giants’ offseason preparations.

The post HBO Announces First Season of Hard Knocks ‘Off Season’ with NY Giants  first appeared on The Source.

The post HBO Announces First Season of Hard Knocks ‘Off Season’ with NY Giants  appeared first on The Source.

Big Daddy Kane Names J. Cole the ‘Greatest Lyricist of this Era’

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Big Daddy Kane is saluting J. Cole. With all of the talk about The Big 3, which no longer exists, Kane spoke with The Art of Dialogue about who his favorite is out of J. Cole, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.

“I’m actually more of a J. Cole fan, honestly,” Kane said. “I think he is probably, you know, the greatest lyricist of this era. He’s my personal favorite of all them cats.”

You can hear it from Kane below.

In related J. Cole news, Benny the Butcher revealed how he attempted to gas up Cole when he first heard “Like That.”

Speaking with Wild 94.1 FM in Tampa, Butcher says he was excited for the possibility of a Cole reply.

“I’m not gonna lie, when I frist heard that K. Dot shit, I texted bruh the demon emoji,” Benny revealed. “I said, ‘Bruh, lace up.”

Benny also revealed that he understood Cole’s position on the apology as well. You can hear it all from The Butcher below.

J. Cole infamously bowed out of beefing with Kendrick Lamar. The forfeit came after dropping the “7 Minute Drill” diss record, and many fans asked why. We may now have a reason.

According to AllHipHop, ScHoolboy Q, seemingly a friend to Cole and a well-known associate of Lamar, reportedly slid a word of advice during the Dreamville Festival.

AllHipHop notes: “Allegedly, ScHoolboy Q had a conversation with J. Cole at the Dreamville Festival. Our writer confirmed that ScHoolboy Q was at the festival and that they did have a conversation. She couldn’t corroborate what they talked about, but sources are telling me that they gave him a warning.”

You can read more details here.

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The post Big Daddy Kane Names J. Cole the ‘Greatest Lyricist of this Era’ appeared first on The Source.