Today in Hip Hop History: Hip-Hop Celebrates Its Birth In The South Bronx 50 Years Ago!

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On this day 50 years ago (August 11, 1973), Kool Herc threw his legendary back-to-school basement party, which would go on to create the foundation for Hip-Hop music through the “breakbeat” DJ technique he used to keep the party rocking. Many aspiring emcees at the time paired ‘the break’ with the rhymes flowing through their minds, jumpstarting a sound and movement now considered the most popular genre in music; Hip Hop.

Many are familiar with the story of the 1520 Sedgewick Avenue Recreation Center and how Jamaican-born Herc attracted the youth from the community and other boroughs that had already made names for themselves in other aspects of the culture (B-Boying, Graffiti, and MCing). The climate in NYC has often been omitted from history, where the city was on the brink of bankruptcy while crime and “white flight” was at an all-time high. These were the circumstances in which the culture of Hip Hop was born and thrived throughout the city for about a decade before it became recognized by the mainstream.

Salute to the pioneers of the era, such as Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, Coke La Rock, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, The Funky Four Plus 1 More, The Magnificent Seven, and a host of others who were there at the foundation. Thank you for giving us what we can document now as Hip Hop history!

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Happy Birthday To The Music That Raised Me: A Girl’s Ode To Hip Hop

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The birth of Hip-Hop infused a flavor element into the world that not everyone was prepared for. As hip hop turns 50 years old today, huge corporations, giant companies, and everyone in between is celebrating a genre of music that once was deemed a fad. No one could anticipate the soul-filled, compassionate talent that would soon become a force to be reckoned.

As a self-certified hip-hop head myself, I personally feel a sense of gratitude for the music that raised me. As a troubled child abandoned by my parents and raised by my granny, I always searched for something to love. My grandma, her mother, and my aunt raised me in the church, hoping to keep me from falling to the streets and setting a solid foundation that would one day come in handy. Hip-Hop wasn’t played in my home, and the first glimpse I received was from my older brother, who was seven years my senior and brought my first Janet Jackson Control tape from the mall. One day in 1986, when I was just seven years old, I went to my father’s side of the family, which was a lot more colorful, to say the least. My cousin Sharon ushered me to her grandma’s old wooden record player and played ‘La Di Da Di’ by Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh. We played the record the entire day. I was sad to go home because none of that was cooking in my house, and I wanted more. I found my aunt Mildred’s electric can opener, which had a radio attached to it, and discovered DJ Red Alert, and it was over. I was addicted to hip-hop. My big brother, who was way cooler than me, would tell me what was ‘real’ and who was biting, and I listened. For the next few years, I soaked up every snare, R&B remix, and lyric hip hop had to offer. I’d race home to adjust the hanger on the TV to watch Video Music Box on that in-between channel, and that was the highlight of my day. But when I fixed my brother’s broken cassette tape and popped his NWA Niggaz4Life in my headphones—I couldn’t believe the nasty filth that came out of their mouths. And I loved it. I would rap all the lyrics in school and church to my friends and indefinitely get into trouble after. 

Hip-Hop kept me busy and somewhat out of trouble. I waited for the hottest releases and saved up money for what are now considered classics. For me, it was Queen Latifah who inserted a pride into me I never had before. MC Lyte’s style and flow let me know it was OK to be different. I even listened to everyone from Snow Informer to Lil Vicious Freaks against my older brother’s advice because I listened to it all.

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When my mother resurfaced back into my life seven years later, and I moved to New York City, and could never fathom how far hip-hop would carry me. From working at the Mart 125 on 125th Street at 14 years old doing nails for Dr. Khalid Muhammad and Bobby Brown to meeting Monifah and Marquee there, who introduced Kelis and I to a new producer named Pharrell. From working at Rawkus Records and traveling the world with Talib Kweli, Slaughterhouse, Kelis, and MF DOOM to hosting a hit show on XM radio with one of my favorite journalists, Bonz Malone, called Spitkickers where we had classic rappers freestyle live on air to now writing at the magazine I once hoarded.

As hip-hop turns 50 years old, I want to thank ALL the hip-hop artists who spent countless hours in the studio and away from their families creating music that we connected to….music that made us feel, love, and gave many of us a reason to live.  

From The Notorious B.I.G., Salt N Pepa, J.J. Fad, Public Enemy, Nas, Black Sheep, Wu-Tang, Lil Kim, DMX to Royce Da 5’9”, The Roots, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, 2pac, M.O.P., The Lox,—-too many to name.

We Salute and love you, and we give a huge Happy Bornday to HIP HOP!

Check out some of the hip-hop songs below that changed my life.

That one time I appeared on a classic album.

And check out my bars at the end of Talib Kweli’s ‘Fly the Knot’

What songs would you add?

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LL Cool J on What Drew Him to Hip-Hop: ‘I Had Never Heard Young, Black Men Sound Powerful Before’

LL Cool J at Lollapalooza 2018

One of Hip-Hop’s biggest stars of all time, LL Cool J, pulled up on Kevin Hart’s Gold Minds podcast to reflect on his career and the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. During his conversation, LL reveals what drew him to music.

“I started writing rhymes at 11, 12 years old. I started writing my own rhymes. Why was I attracted to it? Because I had never heard young, black men sound powerful before. Every time I saw black men on TV, they were like being handcuffed and being put in a police car. Or it was a bad story. Or they were somebody that I couldn’t relate to that was way far away somewhere. But these guys were right there where I was from. And they were dreaming big… back then, it was a dream and that bragging and that macho stick your chest out pride was really about ‘I want to be somebody, I want to be heard, I don’t want to be invisible.’ To a certain extent, it was overcompensation for what wasn’t happening for us in the community… it made me feel like it was possible to make it. I was inspired. And that’s why I love it so much and why I still do it.”

– LL Cool J

You can hear the full episode below.

The post LL Cool J on What Drew Him to Hip-Hop: ‘I Had Never Heard Young, Black Men Sound Powerful Before’ first appeared on The Source.

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Ice Spice Named Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Rookie Of The Year

Billboard recently unveiled their pick for the 2023 R&B/hip-hop rookie of the year, Ice Spice. The 23-year-old Bronx rapper has certainly reached new heights in her career in recent months. “I have put in so much hard work, and it means a lot to be recognized for it and have more than just plaques to show for it,” she says of her latest feat. She’s hot off a couple of wildly successful collaborations with the queen of rap herself, Nicki Minaj. Most recently, the duo got together to drop their viral contribution to the Barbie soundtrack, “Barbie World.

She also made headlines this year for her appearance on the deluxe edition of Taylor Swift’s Midnights. Their “Karma (Remix)” quickly became Ice Spice’s third song to chart in the top 5 on Billboard’s Hot 100. The young artist also recently dropped off a new track called “Deli” in recent weeks, making waves with the song’s accompanying music video.

Read More: Ice Spice’s Next Collab Could Be Pinkydoll, If NPC Streamer Has Her Way

Ice Spice Honored By Billboard

The rapper’s skyrocket to stardom began when her song “Munch (Feelin’ U)” blew up in 2022. The song showcases her refreshing take on drill rap, quickly gaining popularity on TikTok. She later worked alongside PinkPantheress to release “Boy’s a liar, Pt. 2” in February of this year. The song, again, went viral. Since then, her fans have been watching the performer’s every move, as she dominates the charts with each release.

Last month, Ice Spice dropped off the deluxe edition of her Like..? EP, offering fans four new tracks. As of late, Like..? (Deluxe) has even been competing with east coast OG Nas’ latest LP. He dropped his new album Magic 2 on the same day as Ice Spice’s EP, and their numbers have been cutting it close. So far, Ice Spice’s effort has managed to pass up Nas’ in terms of streaming, though his managed to get more pure sales.

Read More: Ice Spice’s White Bikini Thirst Traps Remind Us She’s The “Baddest Lil Bih”

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Scorpio Hypes Up Ice Spice And Scar Lip

Eddie Morris, aka Scorpio, is a music legend. Also known as Mr. Ness, he was an original member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, one of the most influential groups in music history. Scorpio was recruited to the group by Flash himself. However, Scorpio would leave with Melle Mel after Flash sued their record company for unpaid royalties from “White Lines (Don’t Don’t Do It)”. Scorpio would work closely with Grandmaster Melle Mel, including the release of 1997’s Right Now.

In 2022, Scorpio reflected on “The Message”, arguably the biggest hit of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. “I think one of the important things about that song is it just have us trusting in things that we didn’t trust in sometimes. Like with music, you gotta get out of your own ego. Because realistically, we hated that song. We couldn’t stand that song. We didn’t think that it had no reality to us, but thank God Ms. Robinson had the better vision. Thinking, because we was coming from the Bronx, that it’ll match better versus putting it with somebody else, or whatever the case may be. So just trusting in other people was the biggest lesson. We don’t have all of the answers. No artists have all of the answers.” Now he’s giving his flowers to the next generation of hp-hop.

Scorpio Shouts Out Ice Spice And Scar Lip

“Everybody is doing their thing, females taking over,” Scorpio said in a 4th of July video. “Big up to all the sisters out there in the Bronx—Ice Spice, Scar Lip, all of them—even if it’s not your style of music, they gettin’ up out the mud, so we gotta salute.” Obviously, Spice and Scar are two of the biggest names in the game right now. Spice broke out with “Munch (Feelin’ U)” and “Bikini Bottom” in 2022. She’s followed that up with three top-10 singles this year – “Boy’s A Liar Pt. 2” [#3), “Princess Diana” [#4), and “Barbie World” (#7). Furthermore, she is a must-have on any festival setlist and is most recently coming off a performance at Wireless in London.

Meanwhile, Scar Lip isn’t quite at the same level of hype as Ice Spice but is gaining that popularity fast. Like Spice and “Munch”, Scar saw her song “Glizzy Gobbler” go viral on TikTok. That led to a record deal with Epic Records. She then kicked off 2023 with another breakout single, “This Is New York”. The most recent news out of her camp is that she might have a collab with Cardi B in the works. 2023 has been a huge year for women in rap, but there is still a lot of fierce backlash towards their inclusion. However, messages of support from the likes of legends like Scorpio go a long way to helping rectify that.

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The History Of Russell Simmons & Def Jam: How He & Rick Rubin Established Hip-Hop’s First Powerhouse Label

The history of Hip Hop would be incomplete without the mention of Russell Simmons and Def Jam Recordings. The illustrious music label began with Rick Rubin in his dormitory at New York University. A little while later, Rubin and Simmons joined forces to establish the powerhouse as a fully formed label. After housing now-legacy acts like LL Cool J, The Beastie Boys and Public Enemy in its early days, Def Jam quickly gained notoriety. 

Russell Simmons enjoyed a very successful time as the co-founder of Def Jam. The Hip Hop genre was quickly proven to be in safe hands under the leadership of both Simmons and Rubin in the 80s. However, both co-founders have parted ways with the label for different reasons. Regardless, Russell Simmons is forever etched into the Def Jam history books.

Russell Simmons’ Early Days

Russell Simons in 1988
Hip hop mogul Russell Simmons attends the Run DMC Tougher Than Leather album release party at the Palladium night club on September 15, 1988 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

A New York native, Russell Simmons was introduced to the rising wave of Hip Hop early on. He crossed paths with Kurt Walker and DJ/Bboy at the City College of New York. This encounter further delivered a greater dose of the genre to Simmons. By the late 70s, after hearing Eddie Cheeba perform in Harlem, Simmons surrendered himself to a life of Hip Hop. 

In the 80s, Simmons was a rising Hip Hop promoter. This inspired his younger brother Joseph Simmons, also known as Rev Run to make music. Rev Run began to perform with Darryl McDaniels and Jason Mizell as Run-DMC. Run-DMC went on to achieve many groundbreaking feats as a new-school Hip Hop act. The group is also widely considered as one of the greatest Hip Hop acts of all time.

Formation Of Def Jam Recordings

Def Jam co-founders, Russell Simmons and <a href=Rick Rubin.” class=”wp-image-691805″ srcset=”https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1271604920.jpg 1024w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1271604920-300×198.jpg 300w, https://wp.hnhh.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/GettyImages-1271604920-768×508.jpg 768w” sizes=”(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px” />
LOS ANGELES, CA – 1997: (L-R) Record producer Rick Rubin and music mogul Russell Simmons pose for a portrait in Los Angeles, California in 1997. (Photo by Jim Steinfeldt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Russell Simmons was 27 years old when he co-founded Def Jam alongside then-21-year-old Rick Rubin. Both of them were rising producers, while Simmons doubled as a manager. He was working with multiple acts alongside Run-DMC. These were: Whodini, Kurtis Blow, and the Fearless Four. In addition to this, Simmons swiftly became one of Hip Hop’s go-to personalities. He was at the center of the genre in the early 80s in New York, forging connections with several clubs and record companies. 

After linking up with Rubin, Simmons joined the effort to create an independent record company. The pair signed on some underground acts, and the rest was history. In the year of its inception, Def Jam released the singles “I Need a Beat” by LL Cool J, and “Rock Hard” by the Beastie Boys. Both songs achieved mainstream success, making the acts one of the first to do so within the genre. 

Def Jam’s first full-length release was Radio, the debut studio album by LL Cool J. After scoring a distribution deal with CBS through Columbia Records, Def Jam became a significant player in the music business. Radio was a monumental success, not just commercially, but critically too. Thus, Russell Simmons, Rick Rubin, and Def Jam became household names. 

Russell Simmons’ Controversies

While Rubin parted ways with Def Jam in 1988 after a fallout with Lyon Cohen, Russell Simmons’ exit was a lot more controversial. Due to the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the MeToo movement, a series of allegations were aimed at Simmons beginning in 2017. Numerous women came out to accuse Simmons of multiple instances of sexual misconduct. These include physical and sexual harassment, assault, and rape. 

Consequently, Simmons stepped down from his position in Def Jam, along with his positions in other companies. HBO also removed his name from All Def Comedy, the series he launched in 1992. Furthermore, a documentary, On the Record, was released in 2020 on HBO Max and covered many of the allegations against Simmons. 

Personal Relationships

Russell Simmons and Kimora Lee Simmons
Russell Simmons and wife Kimora Lee Simmons during MTV Life Beat in Los Angeles, CA, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)

Russell Simmons and model Kimora Lee Simmons married in 1998. They share two daughters, Ming Lee, and Aoki Lee. The couple separated in 2006 and divorced in 2008. While his relationship with his ex-wife and daughters was great even after the divorce, things have taken a rocky turn in recent times.

Earlier in June, after the Father’s Day celebration, Simmons was called out by Kimora and their daughter Aoki for emotional abuse. Aoki Lee further took to Instagram Live sharing her concerns over her father’s mental well-being. She detailed instances of his behavior, sharing that she has refused to speak up due to her father’s influence. 

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Nas & Hennessy Team Up Through Limited Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Collab

As one of the greatest rappers to ever touch a microphone, it’s no surprise that Nas is showing out for the genre’s 50th anniversary. However, those tributes might come in unexpected ways that display the MC’s business acumen. Moreover, he and Hennessy are teaming up for a limited edition bottle with a “never-before-seen” “HenNASsy” logo for the occasion. Of course, for those familiar with the New York legend’s business moves and partnerships, this shouldn’t be news to you. After all, the two have been partners for over a decade, with him becoming a brand ambassador back in 2020.

In addition to the liquor itself, the company also produced a film to accompany the release narrated by Nas, set to be shown on July 20, the bottle’s release date. The 49-year-old also collaborated with Bronx photographer Renell Medrano for his contributions, further honoring the city that birthed rap music. In previews of the film, the rapper not only showcases the new bottle with detail, but also talks about why he loves the art form of hip-hop so much. According to the press release, this collaboration will “showcase the breadth and depth of hip-hop culture.”

Read More: DJ Khaled Shows Off Rare Nas Photo From The 90s

Nas’ Limited Edition Hennessy Collab For Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

What’s more is that this isn’t the only move that Hennessy made to celebrate rap’s 50 years in music. Furthermore, they will also launch “Hennessy AI.bum covers,” which uses artificial intelligence that converts selfies to unique album covers inspired by the genre’s eras. It’s part of the iconic cognac brand’s Rep Yours campaign, aiming to inspire “fans to show what hip-hop means to them through an immersive digital expression.” Even though AI is quite the controversial topic these days, this seems like a more wholesome use of the technology, and Nas’ cosign makes it all the more meaningful, especially as new music is on the horizon.

Another Look At The Bottle

“It means a lot to me to celebrate this legendary moment in hip-hop history with Hennessy, a brand that has supported me for over 10 years,” the rapper stated. “Hennessy is part of our culture and continues to inspire generations of hip-hop fans, so I’m really proud to share our new Limited Edition bottle with the world.” Meanwhile, he also called the genre “the vibration of the people” in another Instagram post about the collab. For more news and the latest updates on Nas, keep checking in with HNHH.

Read More: Nas & Damian Marley’s “Distant Relatives” Turns 13

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Billie Eilish Claims Rihanna Is The “Hottest Person To Ever Exist”

Young musical artist Billie Eilish is doling out love in droves. While she showed her adoration for Megan Thee Stallion earlier in the year, she now turns her attention to hip-hop superstar Rihanna. And she isn’t the only hype girl. Rapper Latto showered Rihanna with praise as well. Speaking to Vogue due to the launch of her newest perfume fragrance, Eilish No. 2, Billie touched on not only Rihanna’s awe-inspiring aura but her own style as well. “I don’t need to always prove to everyone that I’m a tomboy,” she said. “Like, that is what I am, but I also am this kind of girl.”

Billie Eilish continues: “I’m also feminine, and I’m also sexy, and I’m also cute, and I’m also just like, none of the above, and I’m just me.” With RiRi as a role model, Billie is finding ways to remove fan negativity from her life. She uses baths, big dogs, and family time as methods of focusing on what’s important in her life. As she enters the perfume scene with a splash, she wants to shed some of that tomboy essence, a defining feature at the beginning of her music career. Being everything and nothing at the same time allows Eilish to transcend identity while still being able to play in all the arenas.

Read more: Billie Eilish Shows Off Chest Tattoo In New Bikini Photo

Billie Eilish and Rihanna’s Recent Successes

 
 
 
 
 
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Billie Eilish not only has a new fragrance out. She’s advocating for less body shaming and feeling more comfortable in her own skin. “I like myself more than I used to, and I’m more interested in how I feel than how they feel,” the singer admitted. “But then also that might be a load of bullsh*t because it still hurts my feelings like a [sonofab*tch].” She last played in concert in December of last year. Her most recent venture is acting; she played a cult leader character in Amazon Prime’s Swarm, which came out in March.

As for Rihanna, she receives this Billie Eilish praise in the midst of her second pregnancy. After dominating the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show, she has since gone to multiple fashion shows and musical events, including being name-dropped as A$AP Rocky’s “beautiful wife” at a Spotify Beach Concert in Paris. Safe to say, Rihanna’s basking in the spotlight without having to do too much at the moment. Both women are crushing it in their respective fields, and even beyond.

Read more: LeBron James Feels Rihanna’s Baby Bump: Watch

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Dr. Dre To Receive First ASCAP Hip Hip Icon Award

Dr. Dre’s countless contributions to hip hop will be honored at The ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards. He’s set to receive the first ASCAP Hip Hop Icon Award of all time, further cementing his influence on the world of hip hop. The ceremony is scheduled to take place tomorrow in Los Angeles.

“Dr. Dre’s groundbreaking early work laid a foundation for Hip-Hop as we know it today. As a champion for some of today’s biggest artists and a successful entrepreneur, he changed the culture around Hip-Hop,” explained chairman of the board and president of ASCAP Paul Williams. “Dre continues to be a pivotal figure in the music industry,” he says. Adding, “We are thrilled to recognize him with the inaugural ASCAP Hip-Hop Icon Award as we mark 50 years of Hip-Hop.”

Read More: Dr. Dre Had To Change Original “Aftermath” Label Name For This Reason

Dr. Dre Is Officially An “Icon”

The Hip Hop Icon Award was designed to “[recognize] the contributors, creatives and professionals with a proven track record of uplifting Black music.” It was also conceptualized alongside the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective. This year’s ASCAP Rhythm & Soul Music Awards ceremony will also honor the 50-year-anniversary of hip hop.

Dr. Dre was honored again earlier this year at the Grammys. He was given the Dr. Dre Global Impact Award in February. “I’m extremely moved by this award,” he said upon receiving it. “I want to say thank you to the Recording Academy and the Black Music Collective for this honor.” He continued, “I know everybody in here probably knows this already, but this is the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop. Make some noise for Hip Hop!” Dr. Dre went on, “Where would I be without it? Where would a lot of people be without Hip Hop, to be honest? Hip Hop became a lifeline for me as a teenager growing up in Compton, and it started with a song called ‘The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel.’”

Read More: Snoop Dogg And Dr. Dre Say Their New Album Is “Coming Soon”

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Ne-Yo Owes $3M To The IRS Due To Back Taxes

Singer/songwriter Ne-Yo — who began his career way back in 1998 — should know by now how to play the money game. With his latest hot water situation with the Internal Revenue Service, that does not seem to be the case. The rapper owes over $3 million in back taxes to the IRS, according to RadarOnline-obtained documents. The actual number is $3,166,811.68 and this debt is for the year 2020. Seems like COVID-19 discombobulated Ne-Yo.

Born Shaffer Chimere Smith, he and his ex-wife, Crystal Renay, are no strangers when it comes to owing money and not paying on time. Crowe Custom Countertops did work on a property the former couple owns in Alpharetta, GA. Ne-Yo did not pay them for their work, and the company issued a lien to him and Renay. The duo also had a lien of $4,000.00 for taxes owed to the City of Atlanta. As for the divorce settlement between the two, Ne-Yo had to pay Renay $1.6 million, gave her one of their four Georgia properties, covered $20k in moving expenses, and bought her a car in the $150k range.

Read more: Ne-Yo Not Back With Ex-Wife Despite Appearing Together

Ne-Yo’s Continued Financial Woes

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 11: Ne-Yo In Concert at The Hard Rock Hotel Times Square on May 11, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Unfortunately, Ne-Yo is used to forking over large sums of money. He and Crystal Renay have three kids together. From the divorce, that means $12k in monthly child support, as well as school expenses. Plus, he pays her $5k in alimony for the next three years. Overall, this was an expensive relationship, but not the only one for the R&B artist. He made his ex-girlfriend, Sade Bagnerise, do a paternity test for one of their alleged children. He’s also looking for child support after the DNA test. (Ne-Yo is the biological father of their first child, but he’s unsure about their second child.)

This begs the question: Does Ne-Yo make music anymore, or is he spending all of his time in the courtroom? Allegedly, he’s “down to date fans,” but who would race towards this many red flags should be tested for mental health purposes. Lately, he appeared on the British version of The Masked Singer as Badger and finished runner-up to Joss Stone. Motown Records released his latest album, 2022’s Self Explanatory.

Read more: Ne-Yo Says He’s Too “Toxic” For Taylor Swift

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