As if this summer’s music festival season wasn’t already stacked enough, Hot 97’s Summer Jam lineup has been announced.
The staple hip-hop festival will be held on June 2 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York. This year’s official headliners include Doja Cat, Offset, Sexyy Red, and Davido. But it doesn’t stop there: Method Man and Redman, Tee Grizzley, Sleepy Hallow, and 41 (consisting of Kyle Richh, Jenn Carter, and Tata) are also slated to deliver bookend sets, according to the event’s flyer.
Offset has performed several times at Hot 97’s Summer Jam festival as a member of Migos (most notably 2019 and 2021). However, in June, this will be the “Worth It” rapper’s first time gracing the stage as a soloist. When asked about the possibility of bringing out special guests, he played coy. “I might do my Summer Jam set with just me,” he said. “‘Cause I deserve that.”
But he did reveal that his set will include several elements from his debut solo headline tour’s production and possibly even a moon walk tribute to the late Michael Jackson.
Although a pre-sale date hasn’t been revealed, the station has hinted that one will be. To gain access to the pre-sale, you must sign up for the station’s Insiders List email list. The general on-sale date for Hot 97’s Summer Jam 2024 is Friday, March 22, at 10 a.m. local time. Find more information here.
It’s become evident that drama in any capacity leaves Cardi B feeling stressed out. Still, she’s never had a problem calling out internet trolls and people challenging her beliefs. Most recently, tension has been stirring around the topic of equal partnerships, or both people splitting expenses 50/50. After Cardi spoke out saying she’s all for finding balance within unions, social media users who felt differently began lashing out, particularly noting that her tumultuous past with her husband, Offset, is enough for some not to take her opinion seriously.
“Cardi B trying to give us relationship advice is CR*ZY,” one TikToker wrote earlier this week. “(Also, retire the 50/50 argument),” they added. When she came across the Gen-Z user’s rant, the “I Like It” hitmaker had plenty to say. “But, this wasn’t about me,” Cardi wrote. “Sooo, you saw my life but you ain’t saw the part about my parents? Or the part if you both college students, will y’all split the bill?” the femcee asked beneath the OP. “Like, I’m sorry, but I’m not taking relationship advice from you,” they doubled down on their take. “Loved y’all at Rolling Loud last year though .”
Cardi still had more to say, dropping off another comment to clarify that she “never had to hold Offset down,” because “HE ALWAYS BEEN RICH .” Rather than congratulate her, the creator replied, “Ma’am, at this point [just] drop the album.”
It’s no wonder that Cardi B isn’t too worried about splitting bills with her man, especially considering the continued success of her discography and other creative endeavours. Years after delivering the provocative visual for “Bodak Yellow,” it hit a massive milestone on YouTube, proving that the former stripper still has juice in the rap game. Read all about that at the link below, and check back later for more music/pop culture news updates.
Legendary gangsta rapper and former Def Jam signee, BoSS (Bo$$), has passed away. The Detroit native, born Lichelle Laws, died on March 11th at the age of 54. The cause of death was complications from long-standing health issues. BoSS changed the game when she blew up, becoming the first woman signed to Def Jam. She served to kick down the doors and usher in a wave of female emcees under the label. While she may have flown under the radar in her later years, her indelible mark will forever remain in the history of rap.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK–MARCH 12–Rapper Boss (aka Lichelle Laws; Bo$$) appears at a party with DJ Irene ‘Dee’ Moore on March 12, 1993 in New York City. (Photo by Al Pereira/Getty Images/Michael Ochs Archives)
Lichelle Marie Laws grew up in a suburban home. Alongside her education at a Catholic private school, she enlisted in extracurriculars like cheerleading. She was also raised by her parents to take jazz and tap dance classes, as well as ballet and piano lessons. Her parents, both devoted church deacons, instilled strong Christian values in her upbringing.
However, despite her middle-class roots, Laws was determined to leap into hip-hop, which was considered a huge taboo. In 1990, Laws, accompanied by her loyal DJ Irene ‘Dee’ Moore, moved from Detroit to the vibrant south side of Los Angeles after a failed stint in NYC. Their path was etched with the harsh realities of low-income living in LA. The two weathered hunger, peddled drugs to make ends meet, slept on park benches and crumbling hotels and weaved through the gang dynamics of the West Coast. Regardless, the two of them became BoSS, fueled by an unwavering determination to make their mark in the music scene. The name BoSS is an acronym, which stood for “Bitches On Some Shit!”
DJ Quik Connection & Def Jam Deal
One of her earlier collaborations was with Sylk Smoov on “One Nation,” which featured on his debut album. She also contributed to the soundtrack of the Detroit film Zebrahead, sharing credits with many notable artists, like MC Serch, and a younger Nas, then known as Nasty Nas. However, none of this would have happened if she had not crossed paths with West Coast rap icon DJ Quik.
Quik took her under his wing and connected BoSS with a host of rappers for future collaborations. Notably, AMG tapped her for “Mai Sista Izza Bitch,” which was produced by DJ Quik. This helped BoSS catch the attention of none other than Def Jam. As a result, she became one of Russell Simmons’ very first signings to the label and remains one of the pioneering female rappers ever.
BoSS’ debut album, Born Gangstaz, released under Def Jam West, boasted production from Jam Master Jay, Erick Sermon, Chryskillz, among others. The album hit the shelves in May 1993, quickly garnering attention and selling close to 400,000 copies. Furthermore, it stormed to number three on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It also peaked at No. 22 on the Billboard 200.
Although it didn’t quite meet Def Jam’s lofty expectations, the album boasted notable tracks like “Recipe of a Hoe” and “Progress of Elimination.” Mosh notably, the album also housed “Deeper.” The successful single, featured a sample from Barry White and an interpolation of Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Under The Bridge.” It served to showcase how her distinctive gritty style could blend with other genres seamlessly.
“Deeper” soared to #65 on the Billboard Hot 100, and dominated Billboard’s Hot Rap Songs chart for three consecutive weeks. The accompanying music video featured Laws rapping from behind bars and in a straitjacket. Upon release, it became a major television sensation. It was subsequently broadcast on Yo! MTV Raps and BET’s Rap City, helping to cement her presence in the game.
However, it appeared that things between Boss and DJ Dee began to shift behind the scenes after the album dropped. After the release of Born Gangstaz, the partnership between Laws and Moore ended amicably. Nonetheless, Laws would carry on under the BoSS banner throughout her career.
The WSJ Article
Following the release of her album packed with gritty street narratives, a Wall Street Journal piece cast doubt on the authenticity of Laws’ hardcore, streetwise persona. Published in 1994, the article unveiled Lichelle Laws’ upbringing in a middle-class environment in Detroit. This seemingly contradicted her claims of a rough urban upbringing. However, it overlooked the self-satirical elements within her music, embodied in tracks like “Intro: A Call from Mom.”
Def Jef, the album’s producer who proposed involving Laws’ parents in the project, was shocked by the misconceptions. He emphasized that there was an intention behind BoSS’ music — a blend of reality and satire that characterized her work. “I can’t believe none of the reviews saw the irony of that,” he said. “No one did!” His defense fell on deaf ears, however, and the backlash from the article heavily impacted the trajectory of her career.
And so, despite the success of Born Gangstaz, BoSS never had the opportunity to drop a sophomore project. The rapper’s second album had been slated for release under Def Jam, but the label unfortunately declined her demos, leading to her departure from the company without a subsequent release. Despite this setback, Laws maintained her ambition to deliver another full-length album for most of her life. She once said, “When my record comes out I’m gonna pack up my kidney pills — the 45 I have to take every day — and go wherever.”
After parting ways with Def Jam, BoSS relocated to Dallas, Texas. She made the move with her partner Ricardo Royal, also known as Cocoa Budda. There, she juggled roles as a radio DJ while raising her son Lamar, and balancing her musical pursuits on the side. She had to focus a little more on her health after she suddenly developed kidney complications in 1999. Since she and Lamar’s father were separated at the time, she returned back to her family in Detroit. BoSS reportedly had to undergo three and a half years of dialysis before she could get back on her feet and continue to produce music.
In May 2011, her family revealed her urgent need for a kidney, reaching out to the Facebook community in search of a potential donor, albeit to no avail. In 2017, she faced yet another significant health setback, experiencing a major stroke and seizure. Subsequently, a GoFundMe campaign was initiated on January 31, 2021, to raise funds for a recommended medical procedure.
Although the campaign surpassed its $15,000 target, updates on her condition remained sparse until news of her death broke. Following her passing on March 11th, a wave of tributes continue to flood in from fellow rappers who shared her era and fans who cherished her music. Lichelle Laws’ memorial is scheduled for March 23rd at a yet-to-be-disclosed location, where friends, family, and fans will gather to honor her memory.
Akbar V is someone who is very active on social media. Overall, she is someone who has ridden heavily for Nicki Minaj over the years. Ultimately, this has led to a bit of controversy. Some fans don’t like the fact that she is defending the artist all the time. Meanwhile, the Barbz love it. Akbar is someone who is in their corner, through thick and thin. Sometimes, this is good to have, especially when you consider Akbar’s talent as an MC. That said, it seems as though the artist has been struggling to break a record, and is in need of some cash.
With cash on her mind, Akbar V took to Twitter and shouted out Drake. She noted that he has been giving out a lot of money lately and that she wants a piece. In fact, she asked for a whopping $350,000. That is not chump change, and it is a bold ask. At his shows, Drake is typically giving out $25K and $10K per person. $350K is a bit absurd, but as Akbar V explained, he came through for her. In the tweets below, she noted that she would do anything for him. However, some fans aren’t so sure that this actually happened.
In the comments over at The Neighborhood Talk, many were skeptical about whether or not Drake would send Akbar V or anyone, that much cash. “Post receipts or it ain’t true..,” one person wrote. “she be lying i need to see the receipts,” echoed another. Others opted to mock the rapper, with one person saying “To be worried about Cardi but you can’t afford to break your album is crazy.” Needless to say, there is plenty of skepticism to go around right now.
Let us know what you think about this revelation from Akbar V, in the comments section down below. Do you believe she is telling the truth? Or is this not accurate? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Bryson Tiller is one of the most treasured R&B artists of the 2010s decade. His debut project T R A P S O U L is an essential record in that era of the genre. The Louisville, Kentucky product put his all into the production and songwriting. It paid off because it is still being bumped heavily nearly 10 years later. After 2017’s True to Selfand 2020’s A N N I V E S A R Y, he went pretty quiet though. But, over the past couple of months, he has been feeding fans on Soundcloud with “Tiller Tuesdays.” For the majority of the year he has been dropping singles and EPs and the audience has been gobbling it up. Finally, they are being rewarded with a full album from Bryson Tiller as he just announced in a trailer.
The “Don’t” hitmaker posted a wild set of visuals on his Instagram just hours ago. It incorporates the use of AI and robots, as Bryson Tiller is building a more enhanced version of himself in lab. He is fully committing to the bit by adding “Dr. Tiller” to his bio. In the caption, he explains how he has been slowly building up to this moment. “ Here’s what I’ve been building for the past 3 years. Looking forward to showing the world what he’s capable of.”
After the incredibly creative trailer, Bryson reveals that the name of the LP and its release date. It will be a self-titled offering out on April 5. What is also worth noting is that Charlie Heat will be an executive producer, so you know the beats will be heat (pun intended). So far, we have one single for the album which is “Whatever She Wants” which has been a smashing success. But, Tiller wants to show that he has a little more to give out before the album drops. A new single, “Calypso,” is out now as well.
What are your thoughts on this album trailer for Bryson Tiller’s self-titled project? Is this going to be his best tape to date, why or why not? How do you feel about the implementation of AI in the trailer? Does this get you excited for the record? Who would you want to see featured on it? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Bryson Tiller. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the world of music.
Billy Dee Williams brought Lando Calrissian to life in 1980’s The Empire Strikes Back, entering the minds and hearts of Star Wars fans everywhere since. But amid reports of the development of a new movie based on Cloud City’s suave administrator and eventual Rebel general, he had some light teasing to do to the character’s young interpreter, Donald Glover, also known as Childish Gambino. Moreover, Glover portrayed Lando in Solo: A Star Wars Story in 2018, and his take on a younger version of the character was pretty well-acclaimed despite other issues folks had with Solo. Yet Billy Dee thinks that the entertainer’s performance stands on his massive shoulders.
“I had a nice little lunch with him,” Billy Dee Williams told Radio Times magazine of Donald Glover. “He’s a delightful young man. Extremely talented. But I don’t see him… I mean, when it comes to Lando Calrissian, there’s only one Lando Calrissian. I created that character.” However, he knows that Lando has to evolve with a new generation, so he offered Glover some advice to be more charming and mold the character to a new audience, set of demands, and artistic approach in the narrative. As the 86-year-old remarked, he already defined Lando in the 20th century, and now it’s time for Gambino to do the same for the 21st century.
NEW YORK, NY – MAY 21: Donald Glover attends a screening of “Solo: A Star Wars Story” hosted by The Cinema Society with Nissan & FIJI Water at SVA Theater on May 21, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage/Getty Images)
Not only that, but Billy Dee Williams also suggested that there’s one way that Disney could convince him to return to the role. “Pay me a lot of money and I’ll sell my soul,” he told the publication. For those unaware, the entertainment company already did so for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker in 2019, for which the New York City native reprised his iconic portrayal of Lando Calrissian 36 years after his last appearance as the character in 1983’s Return of the Jedi. We’ll see if he ever sells his soul again.
Meanwhile, Childish Gambino is working on possibly remastering and re-releasing his 2020 album 3.15.20. While that’s only based on social media teases, a lot of folks are expecting new music from him very soon. But if you’re more into the 40-year-old’s screen work, there’s plenty more where that came from as of late. For more news and the latest updates on Billy Dee Williams and Donald Glover, stick around on HNHH.
Dr. Dre says he suffered three strokes while in the hospital to treat his brain aneurysm back in 2021. He recounted the experience while appearing on SiriusXM’s This Life of Mine with James Corden, last week.
“It’s just something that you can’t control that just happens, and during those two weeks, I had three strokes,” Dre told Corden. “I got up, and I went on about my day, and I thought that I could just lay down and take a nap.” He added that one of his son’s friends suggested they go to the hospital. “So they took me to urgent care,” Dre said. “Next thing you know, I’m blacking out. I’m in and out of consciousness, and I ended up in the ICU. I was there for two weeks. I’m hearing the doctors coming in and saying, ‘You don’t know how lucky you are.’”
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 06: (L-R) Dr. Dre, Scott Greenstein, SiriusXM’s President and Chief Content Officer and James Corden are seen on SiriusXM’s ‘This Life of Mine with James Corden’ at SiriusXM Studios on February 06, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
As for how he could’ve prevented the aneurysm, Dre says doctors couldn’t provide any help. “Nobody could give me an answer,” he said. “I had no idea that I had high blood pressure or anything like that. I’m lifting weights, I’m running, I’m doing everything I can to keep myself healthy. High blood pressure in Black men, that’s just what it is. They call it the silent killer. You just have no idea.” He finished that suggesting that the experience “definitely makes you appreciate being alive, that’s for sure … It’s crazy, so now knowing that I had no control over that. It’s just something that could happen out of the blue.”
In the time since the hospitalization, Dre has headlined the Super Bowl Halftime Show. He also recently teamed up with Snoop Dogg to release a line of cocktails called “Gin and Juice.” Be on the lookout for further updates on Dr. Dre on HotNewHipHop.
Anthony Edwards showcased his prowess in a pivotal game, dropping 32 points, grabbing seven boards, and dishing out eight assists, propelling the Wolves to a 114-104 triumph over the Jazz.
The win is important, but his dunk over Jazz forward John Collins will be up and down your timeline all day.
“It gives me chills, man, because I always dreamed of dunking on somebody like that,” Edwards said.
However, Edwards’ remarkable plays come with a cost: He sustained injuries. Despite hitting his head on the rim during a block against the Pacers and dislocating his finger in the dunk over John Collins, Edwards’ resilience shone through.
With this win, the Wolves draw level with the Nuggets at 47-21, seizing the No. 2 spot in the West via tiebreaker, having won their season series 1-0. The Nuggets and Wolves face off tonight (March 19).
Incarcerated crooner R. Kelly is looking for a reduction in his 30-year prison sentence, and his lawyer mentioned frat culture during her appeal request.
In an appeals court hearing yesterday(March 18), attorney Jennifer Bonjean said college fraternities could also be considered racketeering organizations under the law that Kelly was convicted of. The law was used when he was found guilty of three counts of child pornography and three counts of child enticement.
MSN reported that Bonjean tried to convince judges that prosecutors misused a racketeering statute that was meant to shut down organized crime to convict R. Kelly in her attempt to get him a new trial or reverse the 2021 convictions.
She said it was unfair prosecutors charged Kelly with leading a Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) enterprise from 1994 to 2018.
“This was not a collection of people who had a purpose to recruit girls for sexual abuse or child pornography,” she said. “Whether they turned a blind eye, whether some of them suspected that some of these girls were underage, that’s a whole different matter. And once we get into that sort of territory, where we’re going to say that constitutes a RICO enterprise, well we have a lot of organizations — we have a lot of frat houses — we have all types of organizations that are now going to become RICO enterprises.”
Assistant U.S. attorney Kayla Bensing stated that Kelly’s network of aides and employees was part of his “system in place that lured young people into his orbit” before he “took over their lives.”
TheSource.com will update this story as more details develop.
Detroit rapper Dripin’ Honey, who also teaches in the Detroit area and goes by the name Ms. Brown, was reportedly fired from her job because of her music career. In a TikTok video, Honey explained that the parent of one of her students was very unhappy about her new music video, “Drippin’ 101.”
She alleges that even months after constant meetings with her employer about her involvement in the music industry, she was ultimately asked to erase all her content. Brown added that the video featured her students, one of whom was wearing merchandise from Taylor Preparatory High School, though it’s unclear if that was the school she was fired from.
The video has garnered over 235,000 likes on TikTok.
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Here’s what I’ve been building for the past 3 years. Looking forward to showing the world what he’s capable of.” 
