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The Young Dolph Memorial In Memphis Is Being Removed By The Owner Of The Former Makeda’s Building

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Ever since Young Dolph was shot to death at Makeda’s bakery in his native Memphis, the site has become the location of a memorial dedicated to his memory. The wall — which Dolph’s protege Key Glock featured in his “Proud” video — of the former bakery has been plastered with messages, flower bouquets, and teddy bears as well-wishers have come to pay respects to the hometown hero. However, that may soon change, according to a report from ABC Memphis, after the owner of Makeda’s decided not to re-open out of safety concerns.

Now, the owner of the building that once housed the bakery is ready to begin leasing the space again and wants the memorial taken down so they can do so. A community activist quoted in the story, Frank Gotti, expressed his understanding, but the report notes that others are not pleased. “I understand you have to lease it out and run a business,” Gotti said. “It’s his building and nobody can argue with him on that. I appreciate him for keeping it up this long.”

The concerns of both the building owner and Makeda’s might be well-founded; earlier this month, Jeremiah Taylor, who helped maintain the memorial, was reportedly shot and killed, while another was also shot to death near the memorial late last year. It’s easy to see why business owners wouldn’t want those associations attached to a property they wanted to lease.

Freddie Gibbs Explains Why He Was Nervous To Meet LeBron James: ‘I Thought He Was Gonna Beat My Ass’

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Freddie Gibbs has long been an avid basketball fan and in recent months, he’s taken advantage of his recent bump in rap game prominence to enjoy the game up close and personal, even getting to take home the jersey of his favorite team’s best player, DeMar DeRozan after finally equaling Chi-Town hometown hero Chance The Rapper (who he blamed for taking up all the tickets in the first place) in the comp ticket hierarchy.

However, Gibbs recently revealed he was actually reticent to meet with one player, in particular, the guy who happens to be pretty much the face of the NBA: LeBron James. The reason? Gibbs has been one of the many, many prominent spectators trashing the Los Angeles Lakers’ lackluster season, often posting video clips of himself watching their games and providing his own commentary. The Lakers are currently 28-36 and rank 4.5 games behind the #8 seed Clippers, meaning they could miss the playoffs for the second time in James’ tenure as the Lakers’ top dog.

So, when Gibbs met LeBron during Super Bowl weekend in LA recently, he revealed in a video on Instagram, he says he was slightly worried about a confrontation with the much bigger basketball star. “I talked to LeBron [at] Super Bowl weekend,” he said. ” I was like, ‘Oh sh*t!’ Look, I thought LeBron was gonna beat my ass. I ain’t even gon’ lie, man. I was prepared to get my ass whooped for talking sh*t about the Lakers.”

Fortunately, though, LeBron is pretty chill about the trash talk — maybe he’s used to it after 17 years in the NBA (and the four years of high school preceding that). Hopefully, this can lead to a Gibbs appearance on The Shop, because Freddie is one amusing storyteller and needs somewhere to crack jokes that isn’t the Joe Rogan podcast.

Freddie Gibbs is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

TikTok Launches A New Tool To Help Artists On The Platform Distribute Their Music To DSPs

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In recent years, TikTok has become one of the go-to social media platforms for the discovery and promotion of new music, but while it’s been helpful in generating hits for the likes of Doja Cat, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, and more, for newer artists using the app to drive interest in their songs, the experience can be … let’s say a little “chaotic” — to say nothing of the labels who are trying to use the app to market artists and being hopelessly stonewalled by the cryptic algorithm and ever-evolving tastes on the app.

However, that may soon change as TikTok launches SoundOn, a new tool designed to help independent artists find their way on the platform, with a music-specific dashboard offering analytics, marketing advice, and even a team of employees to help A&R collaborations among artists. Most importantly, SoundOn will also help artists get paid — both directly through the app and via DSPs. Artists who upload music directly through SoundOn would get paid similarly to how a record deal works but with a “flexible exit clause” to allow them to withdraw rights should they decide to actually sign to a label.

The beta test of the new service has already generated its first major success in Muni Long’s “Hrs & Hrs,” which hit more than 1 million video creations and 1.6 billion views of the song, driving it to No. 16 peak on the Billboard Hot 100. Meanwhile, plans for the future include a creator marketplace that will help match TikTok-ers with promotional partners, again helping them generate revenue outside of the traditional label system. It’s certainly another interesting innovation that may spark the next, artist-friendly phase for the music industry.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Nicki Minaj Reveals When ‘Queen Radio’ Will Make Its Return

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It’s been almost three years since Nicki Minaj released an episode of Queen Radio. The platform, which Nicki has used to promote her music and share announcements in addition to some other controversial moments, has not held an episode since 2019. That same year, she promised that Queen Radio would make a return alongside the release of her single “Megatron.” While “Megatron” was released on time, there was no episode of Queen Radio. Now, at long last, it’s coming back.

On April 8, Queen Radio will make its return, though it won’t do so on Apple Music’s radio platform, where it was previously housed. Instead, it will make its return on Amp, a new app from Amazon. Through Amp, listeners will be able to enjoy music and commentary from Nicki and even call in to speak with her — if she decides to allow them to. They can also share the tracks that they’re enjoying. Amp has access to tens of millions of songs from Universal Music Group artists, while other names like Big Boi, Tinashe, and Pusha T will also host shows on the platform.

Nicki shared the announcement about her show’s return during a livestream on Instagram. You can watch a clip from the livestream above.

Snoop Dogg Doesn’t Understand How Nas Was Sued For Sharing A Photo Of Himself And Tupac

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This past weekend, Nas was sued by well-known rap photographer Al Pereira sued Nas after the rapper posted a 1993 picture of himself with Tupac and Redman outside Club Amazon. According to HipHopDX, Nas allegedly shared the photo without permission or licensing the image. It’s a situation that many artists have found themselves in recently. In 2019, Justin Bieber was sued for sharing a photo of himself, a case that was settled for an undisclosed amount. Ariana Grande and Dua Lipa have also been sued multiple times for the same reason.

Photographers are able to file these lawsuits if they are the exclusive holder of the copyright of the photo, even if the person they are suing is in the photo. However, Snoop can’t seem to fathom how this makes any sense. In a new video he posted on Instagram, he questions the logic of it all. “How’s a mothaf*cka suing Nas for a picture that he in?” he said before adding that photographers have “lost y’all mothaf*ckin’ rabid ass mind.

“When you take a picture of a n****, that picture ain’t yours,” Snoop continued. “That’s a mere likeness-type situation. You’re borrowing my likeness. We need new laws to help us as artists, man, because it’s a bunch of mothaf*ckas selling pictures with my face on it and I don’t get sh*t ‘cause they took the picture. Can anybody help me with that? Just a basic question.”

As for Nas and Pereira’s lawsuit, the latter says the picture’s worth decreased in value since Nas posted it in 2020. Pereira also registered the photo’s copyright in 2017.

Dua Lipa is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Doja Cat Is Roasting Her Own ‘Contractual’ Taco Bell Jingle On TikTok Before It Even Drops

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On Planet Her, everything exists on Doja Cat’s terms — even her own branded content obligations. The pop star/rapper went on TikTok to let fans know that a “contractual” agreement she has with Taco Bell is dropping soon, and in her mind, this jingle is not going to be something she’s proud of doing. In a candid, no makeup clip, that seems to have been shot just after waking up, Doja spoke out about her agreement to help peddle Mexican pizza for the beloved fast food brand, and also noted that the word “jingle” has since been banned within her team.

@dojacat

somebody gettin cussed out

♬ original sound – Doja Cat

“Somebody gettin cussed out,” she wrote in the video’s caption, before continuing on her rant. “I got to do this f*cking — you got to be quiet though, you can’t tell anybody that I told you this — I gotta do this f*cking TikTok where I do… everybody keeps calling it a jingle,” she began. “It’s for Taco Bell, and I gotta do this f*cking jingle. By the way, I banned that word within my team, jingle. We’re not allowed to say that. But I have to do a jingle, they want me to rap about Mexican pizza, so I want to give you a heads up before you see that shit — it’s contractual. I know it’s bad.”

Well, now we all want to hear it more than ever. So keep an ear out for Doja Cat rapping about Taco Bell. Or, based on her roasting of this obligatory segment, maybe just hold out for the tour.

Travis Scott Announces Project HEAL And Donates $5 Million To Community-Based Initiatives

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Travis Scott has laid low since the tragedy that took place at Astroworld Festival back in November. In the four months since, the rapper has delivered an interview about the incident, celebrated the birth of his second child with Kylie Jenner, and received a lawsuit over allegedly stolen cover art. Now he’s doing some good for the community. According to TMZ, Travis has announced Project HEAL, a philanthropic endeavor that will launch community-based initiatives. In addition to the announcement, Travis will also donate $5 million to these causes.

The new project will provide support for students, creatives, music fans, and concertgoers. $1 million from his donation will go towards HBCU scholarships. This will be done through his Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund, which provides support for Black students.

The remaining $4 million will go towards the Project HEAL initiative, where it will be divided towards numerous causes. One of them includes the creation of a free mental health program for children, which will be spearheaded by Houston-based behavioral health expert Dr. Janice Beal. Travis will also expand his creative design program through his Cactus Jack Foundation thanks to a seven-figure expansion of the CACT.US Youth Design Center at TXRX Labs in Houston. A press release for the center describes it as a “nonprofit makerspace for young artists, designers, tech innovators, including free studio space, work space, tool spaces, job and apprenticeship training, youth education and events.”

Travis will also donate money to the U.S. Conference of Mayors Task Force on Event Safety with the goal of making sure that fans remain protected at concerts. It’s part of a collaborative effort to ensure maximum safety at large-scale events and will lead to a “comprehensive report of recommendations.” In the press release for Project HEAL, Travis Scott shared a statement about the new endeavor.

“My grandfather was an educator who made a difference in thousands of young lives throughout his life,” he said. “He is a major influence on me and countless others, whose dreams he believed in, whose hopes he invested in, and whose futures he made big. It’s in his spirit that we are creating projects and programs that will look to the future of our communities and create hope and excellence in as many lives as possible.”

Kanye West’s Surreal ‘Hurricane’ Video Is Full Of Striking Imagery

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At least Kanye West’s new video for “Hurricane” is better than the one he temporarily put out for “Eazy.” Continuing his theme of using deconstructed, surrealistic imagery, the animated video uses CGI to depict a few striking visuals, chiefly among them a tableau of a fortress resting near a body of water atop what looks like a chessboard with a dragon attached the underside, which sets the stage for a jailbreak of faceless figures who rush into the sea for something resembling a religious revival.

The whole thing certainly builds on the visual motifs that have come to define Kanye’s Donda era, which has seen him obfuscate his identity with a series of full-face masks. He seems to be making a commentary on how the public perception of art subsumes the artist; he’s made other allusions to feeling like he’s being silenced — despite, y’know, being one of the most successful artists in the world who can reasonably get away with charging fans $200 for an album on a Raspberry Pi — and having his true self overshadowed by gossip and fans’ projections about him (which, sorry, has been driven largely by his own antics).

Despite the source, Kanye’s messaging doesn’t feel too off-the-mark, and the imagery that pervades the “Hurricane” video — including the suggestiveness of the dragon appearing to be the source of the light his faceless jailbreakers can’t help but be drawn to — gives viewers something to think about. “Jesus Walks” it isn’t, but it’s still a visual feast for fans who haven’t yet given up on the idea that Mr. West is an artistic genius. Watch the video for “Hurricane” above.

Mitski, The National, And The Roots Will Headline The 2022 Pitchfork Music Festival

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Pitchfork Music Festival will return to Union Park in Chicago this summer. Celebrating newcomers and veterans in the realm of indie music, Pitchfork Music Festival takes place over the course of three days, with over 60,000 fans expected to attend this year.

Festivities kick off Friday, July 15, with headliners The National, Spiritualized, and Parquet Courts. Supporting these headliners are Tierra Whack, Ethel Cain, Cupcakke and more. Mitski, Japanese Breakfast, and Lucy Dacus will take the stage Saturday, July 16, with support from Magdalena Bay, Chubby And The Gang, and more. Closing out the festival on Sunday, July 17 are The Roots, Toro Y Moi, And Earl Sweatshirt, along with the likes of Noname, Badbadnotgood, and Injury Reserve.

“This year’s lineup is a celebration of the rising indie class, and those who continue to pave the way for innovation,” said Pitchfork editor in chief Puja Patel in a press release. “Our goal was to highlight a diverse group of artists who are taking their musical genres to new heights, and I’m proud of how it’s come together.”

General on-sale begins Friday, March 11 at 10 a.m. Check out the full line-up below.

Pitchfork Music Festival Lineup 2022
Courtesy of Pitchfork Music Festival

Some of the artists mentioned are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

AzizTheShake Performs The Boastful ‘Toledo’ On ‘UPROXX Sessions’

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Today’s episode of UPROXX Sessions features Nashua, New Hampshire native AzizTheShake, who comes through with a boastful, supremely confident performance of his upbeat single, “Toledo.”

The rapper/producer — whose name is a reference to a scene from Bruce Willis’ 1997 sci-fi cult classic The Fifth Element — recently executive produced fellow UPROXX Sessions alum BIA’s 2020 EP For Certain (as well as its deluxe edition), contributing beats for the songs “Automatic” featuring Doe Boy and 42 Dugg, “Bia Bia,” “Cover Girl,” and “Plate.” The New Englander has also worked with Black Fortune, Giggs, J. Cole, Jazz Cartier, Rob Stone, Sevyn Streeter, and Tommy Genesis.

On the solo tip, he’s released one album, 2019’s Brandt Theater, and released two new singles this year: “Toledo,” which features Jiles and Meech BOLD on the original version, and “Image of God” alongside Luke Bars. As he branches out, stepping from behind the boards to center stage to display his mic skills, his performance here forecasts the potential for a big breakout thanks to his infectious energy and witty wordplay.

Watch AzizTheShake perform “Toledo” on UPROXX Sessions above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.