JAY-Z Archives - Page 7 of 123

You Can Official Bring Home The ‘Book Of HOV: A Tribute To Jay-Z’

December 3, 2024 by newhiphopnews

The Brooklyn Library’s Book Of HOV exhibit, which ran from July to December 2023, might be over, but that doesn’t mean the fun has to end. The exhibit, which incorporated Jay’s lyrics, interviews, and even his once-favorite luxury car, has been turned into an actual book by Assouline (the same publisher of that pricey Apple Music 100 Best Albums book) consisting of essays analyzing the Brooklyn rapper’s life and career, as well as 700 images and interviews. The Book Of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z is available to pre-order now for $120, with a special edition selling for $2,000. An ultra-limited-edition (one of five) is available as well, price per request (which means you probably can’t afford it).

The Book of HOV: A Tribute to Jay-Z is divided into eight chapters, with each named after and inspired by a different Jay-Z lyric. Among photos from the exhibit are images of the guitar Jay played at Glastonbury to troll the Gallaghers after they disparaged him for not being “rock-and-roll.” A portion of the sale from the limited-edition copies will go to the Brooklyn Public Library.

And if you can’t get your hands on the book, no worries; the exhibition appeared to tease an upcoming 14th album, which could be on the way soon.

Jay-Z’s Luxury Weed Brand In Reported Dire Financial Straits

December 3, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Millionaires and billionaires are not going to flawlessly exceed at everything they put their minds to. You can tie that fact to Jay-Z, one of hip-hop’s most successful entrepreneurs. According to HipHopNMore and SFGate, his luxury weed company, Monogram, is in serious peril financially speaking. Hov launched the brand in 2020 and was named the brand’s Chief Brand Strategist. The California-based cannabis supplier was kickstarted in a big and flashy way. Magazines like GQ, Vogue, and Vanity Fair featuring it front and center really helped get the word out.

Moreover, some of the debut promotion included a lavish photoshoot at the Frank Sinatra house in Palm Springs helped get this target audience established pretty quickly. But it turns out that that over $500 million investment was a mistake on the part of its overseer, The Parent Company (ironic name). Both outlets have gathered that Monogram was supposed to make around $300 million in its inaugural year.

Will Jay-Z Have To Shut Down Monogram’s Operations?

CLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 30: Inductee Jay-Z speaks onstage during the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame )

However, Jay-Z and his partners were nowhere near that mark. In fact, TPCO had a net loss of $587 million. Obviously, they had to move on from the New York rapping legend’s project. They did, and Gold Flora decided to give Jay-Z a chance. However, that also backfired, as the newer parent company was also struggling mightily. They were also losing return on their investment, losing around $56 million.

Additionally, Gold Flora’s debts were well over their assets at $60 million. Since Monogram’s inception, they have accused of smuggling, allegedly failing to pay invoices, as well as allegedly owing a weed farm around $200,000. Overall, Monogram’s faults were expected by those in the cannabis industry. Seth Yakatan, an investor in this field, told SFGate that general reviews are uninspiring. “Monogram was supposed to be an ultra-premium product, and I don’t know anyone who tried it and thought it was anything more than mid-tier.”

Read More: Kendrick Lamar “GNX” Review

[Via] [Via]

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Boi-1da Thinks JAY-Z Slighted Drake With Super Bowl Halftime Show Pick

December 2, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Boi-1da has been a crucial part of Drake’s sound since day one. He produced “Best I Ever Had” back in 2009, and dominated the production on the rapper’s 2015 classic mixtape If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late. He has never been particularly outspoken on social media, but the producer made his allegiance to Drake known on Monday. Boi-1da liked an Instagram reel comparing Drake’s upcoming sports plans to that of Kendrick Lamar’s. The reel in question theorized that Drake’s global success is threatening to both Dot and Roc Nation head, JAY-Z.

This theory has been floating around for months. DJ Akademiks and other Drake supporters have put forth the idea that JAY-Z felt slighted by Drake’s plan to perform at the World Cup in 2026. The World Cup is among the most viewed events in the world. It tops the list when it comes to sporting events. The World Cup pulls in 5 billion views compared to the Super Bowl. The American sporting event only pulls in an estimated 127 million. Boi-1da liked the Instagram reel claiming that JAY-Z chose Drake’s enemy, K. Dot, as a means of combating this clear disadvantage in terms of popularity.

Boi-1da Implies Drake Is Playing The Long Time

Boi1da liked a reel of Jay Z choosing Kendrick Lamar to host the superbowl because he saw Drake planning on performing at the World Cup infront of billions of people

The Super Bowl only averages 127million views pic.twitter.com/MFdruh2wul

— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) December 2, 2024

Drake has been talking up his World Cup involvement since September. The rapper sat down with FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the impact the 2026 event will have. He also praised Toronto, his and Boi-1da’s hometown. “Canada as a whole, we have an incredible melting pot,” Drizzy stated. “But in Toronto, there are just so many different cultural experiences. So when the world comes, it’s going to be beautiful.”

Boi-1da has worked with JAY-Z and Kendrick Lamar in the past. He produced a song on Hov’s 2013 album, “FuckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt,” and Lamar’s classic 2015 single, “The Blacker the Berry.” He’s found tremendous success with both artists, but his allegiance remains with the 6 God. Boi-1da had three production credits on Drake’s last album, For All the Dogs (2023). He produced, the hit single “First Person Shooter,” which kicked off the Kendrick Lamar “Big Three” battle. “First Person Shooter” also contained the phrase “big as the Super Bowl,” to put an ironic bow on the whole thing.

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J Cole Claims That Jay-Z Once Told Drake To Give Cole A Hit Single

November 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

J Cole and his manager and Dreamville cofounder Ibrahim Hamad continue to bring fans a compelling experience via their Inevitable audio series chronicling the former’s career. They brought fans a lot of interesting reflections and revelations so far, with one alleged interaction in particular driving a lot of fan interest. Moreover, the North Carolina rapper and Ib claimed that Jay-Z once told Drake to give Cole a hit single. This was at Hov and LeBron James’ Two Kings dinner during NBA All-Star Weekend in 2011, and Cole wanted to find a hit single before the release of his debut album, Cole World: The Sideline Story.

“We having a conversation. Me, Cole, Drake, Future [The Prince],” Ibrahim Hamad said of Jay-Z and J. Cole. “I don’t know who else but there were a couple more people. So then Jay walks in and he sees all of us together. He goes ‘Yo!’ and he looks at Drake and he says ‘Yo, give the boy one,’ points at Cole like basically ‘give him a hit.’ We’re all like ‘what?’ I even remember Future’s face being like, that’s embarrassing.”

J Cole & Jay-Z Performing In 2014

J Cole <a href= — NEW YORK, NY – JANUARY 28: Rappers J. Cole and Jay Z perform in concert at Madison Square Garden on January 28, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

“He’s looking at Drake and pointing at me and going, ‘Give him a hit, give my boy a hit,’ basically,” J. Cole remarked during the new episode. “What I do remember is being at the dinner after that and I’m just looking at Cole and he looks pissed,” Ib added. How they spoke on the meaning behind all this is that the two MCs were at a highly competitive point and had just collaborated on the song “In The Morning.” Not only that, but Cole had allegedly failed to put out a hit single before this album cycle despite previous attempts like “Blow Up” and “Higher.”

Apparently, J. Cole actually confronted Jay-Z about this situation later into the night, claiming hypocrisy over this demand for a hit single when Reasonable Doubt didn’t have that expectation. What’s funny is that not only did Cole World: The Sideline Story become his biggest album at that time, but “Work Out” proved to be a massive hit. So it all worked out in the end…

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J. Cole’s Breakout Mixtape ‘The Warm Up’ Is Finally Available On Streaming Platforms

November 23, 2024 by newhiphopnews

J. Cole’s trip down music memory lane continues. Last week, the “Port Antonio” rapper posted his debut mixtape, The Come Up, Vol. 1, to digital streaming platforms. Yesterday (November 22) another Cole World goodie was shared to streaming.

J. Cole’s sophomore mixtape, 2009’s The Warm Up, is now accessible across Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal. While many J. Cole supporters consider The Come Up, Vol. 1 his breakout, The Warm Up was undeniably his breakthrough.

As Cole lore goes, the project’s single, “Lights Please” caught Jay-Z’s attention which lead to a deal with Roc Nation. The rest is hip-hop history.

Following its release, J. Cole’s longtime friend, manager, and business partner Ibrahim ‘Ib’ Hamad took to X (formerly Twitter) to talk about the challenges in getting the project onto the music servers.

“Took us 15 years, but I’m so happy we’re able to get this up,” he wrote. “This project is very special to me, shit really put Cole in the game, and we ain’t look back since. Forever grateful for this project, legit changed n****s lives forever.’”

Continue below to view the tracklist and artwork for J. Cole’s The Warm Up.

Tracklist

1. “Intro (The Warm Up)”
2. “Welcome”
3. “Can I Live”
4. “Grown Simba”
5. “Just To Get By”
6. “Lights Please”
7. “Dead Presidents II”
8. “I Get Up”
9. “World Is Empty”
10. “Dreams” featuring Brandon Hines
11. “Royal Flush”
12. “Dollar And A Dream II”
13. “Water Break (Interlude)”
14. “Heartache”
15. “Get Away”
16. “Knock Knock”
17. “Ladies” featuring Lee Fields and The Expressions
18. “Til’ Infinity”
19. “The Badness” featuring Omen
20. “Hold It Down”
21. “Last Call”
22. “Losing My Balance”

Artwork

The Warm Up is on streaming now via Cole World Inc./Interscope. Find more information here.

JAY-Z’s Team ROC Advocates for Transparency in Roger Golubski Trial, Files Lawsuit Against KCKPD

November 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Team ROC, the social justice arm of Roc Nation, is championing transparency in the upcoming trial of former Kansas City, Kansas police detective Roger Golubski. Set to begin on December 2, Golubski faces federal charges for exploiting his position to extort and sexually assault Black women and teenagers.

Legal representation procured by Team ROC has filed a motion on behalf of Kansas City media outlets, including The Kansas City Star and KSHB-TV, advocating for journalists’ rights to broadcast the trial. The motion emphasizes the need for First Amendment protections to ensure public confidence in the criminal justice system, particularly given allegations of systemic misconduct within the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD).

This trial is part of a broader investigation into longstanding corruption within the KCKPD. Team ROC asserts, “The citizens of KCK deserve to know that the law enforcement system can protect them.”

“Transparency in trial proceedings is of the utmost importance for the public and to protect the First Amendment rights of the press,” Reed Smith LLP attorneys Jordan Siev and Lara Gatz said. “We believe the Court should grant the request to publicly broadcast the trial, or at a minimum permit the streaming of the trial at the federal courthouse in Kansas City, Kansas. The media should be able to provide real-time updates to the good citizens of KCK about a serious and painful matter involving their community’s police. Broadcasting the trial will prove to all that the justice system is open and fair.”

In a related effort, Team ROC and the Midwest Innocence Project (MIP) filed a lawsuit against the KCKPD and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County for failing to comply with the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA). Despite public records requests submitted in November 2023, the Unified Government has only provided limited documents, falling short of legal obligations.

Both initiatives underscore Team ROC’s commitment to uncovering corruption, holding perpetrators accountable, and fostering reforms within the KCKPD.

For more details, visit kckpdcorruption.info.

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Jay-Z’s Team Roc Files Lawsuit Against Kansas City PD Over Alleged Misconduct, Lack of Transparency

November 21, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Jay-Z’s social justice arm, Team Roc, has taken legal action against the Kansas City, Kansas Police Department (KCKPD) and the city’s government, accusing them of obstructing efforts to investigate claims of wrongful convictions and police misconduct.

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday (November 19), alleges that the KCKPD has failed to comply with a public records request made under the Kansas Open Records Act (KORA) in November 2023. According to Team Roc, despite paying $2,200 in fees, the department has withheld crucial documents related to allegations of officer abuse and misconduct. The 225 documents provided, the group claims, were mostly irrelevant, consisting of personnel and training records instead of the requested information.

“Kansas City residents have suffered enormously as a result of KCKPD abuses,” the lawsuit states. “Some have been framed for crimes they did not commit; some have been coerced into providing false testimony; some have been sexually assaulted; some have endured brutal beatings; and some have even been killed. Rather than promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, the KCKPD has a long history of turning a blind eye to, at best, and even covering up, if not worse, abusive and/or corrupt conduct by its officers.”

Team Roc has been actively seeking transparency from KCKPD since 2021, previously filing lawsuits to obtain records detailing complaints against officers, as well as documents on the training and oversight of the department’s investigative division. The current lawsuit highlights a systemic pattern of alleged misconduct within the department, including framing individuals, coercing false testimony, sexual violence, excessive force, and even fatal incidents.

“When good faith efforts are met with bad faith tactics, the fight for transparency continues in court. Truth deserves no less. The people of Kansas City, Kansas, deserve no less,” Team Roc wrote in an Instagram post announcing the lawsuit.

Attorney Alex Spiro, representing Team Roc, emphasized that the organization has a right under KORA to access the requested records, which could shed light on the alleged abuses. However, the government’s resistance has made legal action necessary.

“The government has attempted to block our access to those files, and so we’re suing to see what they don’t want us to see,” Spiro explained.

Team Roc’s lawsuit seeks to compel the release of the withheld documents and to hold the department accountable for its alleged failures in transparency and accountability. This latest legal move underscores their commitment to uncovering the truth and advocating for justice in Kansas City.

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Jay-Z And Team Roc Filed A Lawsuit Against The Kansas City Police Alleging ‘Abuse And Misconduct’

November 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Although Jay-Z is best known for his rhymes and his billionaire ambition, much of his attention in recent years has been focused on a mission of social justice, which he’s pursued through his Team Roc initiative. After a million-dollar investigation into the Kansas City Police Department, Team Roc has now filed a lawsuit against the department, alleging that the KCKPD failed to comply with a public records request issued by Team Roc in November 2023 looking into a “longstanding” pattern of alleged “abuse and misconduct.”

According to Rolling Stone, the lawsuit accuses the KCKPD of “stonewall[ing] plaintiffs for almost a year… Defendants have produced zero documents relating to any complaint or investigation into even a single instance of misconduct by any member of the KCKPD.”

“Kansas City residents have suffered enormously as a result of KCKPD abuses,” the lawsuit reads. “Some have been framed for crimes they did not commit; some have been coerced into providing false testimony; some have been sexually assaulted; some have endured brutal beatings; and some have even been killed. Rather than promoting a culture of transparency and accountability, the KCKPD has a long history of turning a blind eye to, at best, and even covering up, if not worse, abusive and/or corrupt conduct by its officers.”

Team Roc’s lawyers want a court declaration that Kansas City officials “failed to comply” with their records request, and for the request documents to be turned over within 30 days.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Larry Davis Shot 6 Corrupt NYPD Officers And Escaped 38 Years Ago

November 19, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Some say he was 50 Cent before 50 Cent. Some called him “the Robin Hood of The Ghetto”, while the establishment dubbed him “the crack city terminator.” In the hood, his solution is considered the only possible answer to a continuous epidemic of police brutality. Some of your favorite rappers from French Montana to Lloyd Banks to Jay-Z have name-dropped him on their tracks and BET felt he was so important to American culture that their American Gangster series had to open with him, but only an educated few know why the name Larry Davis continues to ring bells almost four decades after that fateful night in November of ’86.

On this date in 1986, a 19-year-old Bronx man by the name of Larry Davis was engaged in a shootout with over 25 NYPD officers who came after him in what appeared to be a murderous hit. For those that don’t know what makes this such a unique story is that Davis not only survived but escaped unharmed long enough to tell his story to the FBI. Larry Davis was acquitted of the police shootings(six officers were critically injured), which was the only time anyone was acquitted for shooting an officer of the law in U.S. history.

Check out the first-hand account from someone who was with Davis on that cold night in the Bronx at Larry’s sister’s apartment on Webster Avenue.

Words: Shams DaBaron

November 19, 1986 is a night that forever changed the course of my life. It was the height of the crack epidemic on this cold winter night when I was meeting with my partner and best friend Larry Davis. We were discussing the trip we were taking the next day to California to avoid the heat he was experiencing from some corrupt cops he sold drugs for. For weeks he had been laying low knowing they had a bounty on his head. At the time no one could be trusted. The police were rolling up on anyone associated with Larry to find out where he was.

On this night, I sat with him in his sister’s apartment discussing our plans for the trip we were taking and making final arrangements with one of my associates to restructure some of the business dealings in the street. Larry was in the process of extricating himself from out of that lifestyle of dealing drugs and we were going to refocus our energies totally toward dealing in music. The decision was made months ago, but became complicated once Larry made his plans known to others and the corrupt cops caught wind of his decision to step off with their money. They then put a bounty on his head.

As he was explaining what was going on in the streets to my associate, the associate became very scared and verbalized his fears to us, while asking Larry if he himself was in fear for his life. Larry’s reply, “Well, no I’m not scared. The only person I fear is God… Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wanna die, but if it’s my time to die, then so be it…” At this point I’m ready to tune him out and dismiss his words as Larry just talking mess… But then he continued, “One thing, though, I will say is… if they come and kill me, I guarantee you that before I go, I’m a take one of those pigs down with me.”

Hearing him use the term “pigs” is what really caught my attention. It showed that even in the most negative of situations – having been a drug dealer for a group of corrupt NYC cops – Larry was still in some way affected by the pro-Black organizations that gave birth to our generation. The seeds of their struggles were planted in us whether we knew it or not. And to me, it seems, that on that fateful night of November 19, 1986, the spirit of those freedom fighters, and the spirit of that movement, guided his thoughts and actions and helped him overcome the overwhelming force that came to assassinate him.

What is even more significant and what we must keep in mind while Remembering Larry Davis is that on that night of November 19, 1986, Larry became what famed lawyer William Kunstler called “A symbol of resistance to police violence.”

Shams DaBaron
Larry’s Childhood Friend

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Uncle Luke: Jay-Z, Diddy And Kanye West Work With The System To Make Black People Villains

November 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Outspoken hip-hop legend Uncle Luke recently took to social media to share his thoughts on the ongoing villainization of the Black community. In a passionate rant, he argued that systemic forces are at play, painting successful Black figures as villains within the culture. He specifically named Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Diddy as examples of stars who, in his view, have both benefitted from and contributed to this dynamic.

“LeBron James is a villain,” Uncle Luke said. “Why? Because he has all-Black representation. […] You guys don’t know, that’s how America works. I, Luther Campbell, I am a villain. I’m a bad guy. That’s why when you look at my profile, ‘bad boy of hip-hop.’ I will never get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Puff Daddy was not a villain, he was one of them. Kanye West was one of them. Jay-Z was one of them. Biggie Smalls, a villain. Tupac, a villain. We all are villains. And until you people realize that as Black people in America, you are the villain. It’s black and white. You are the opposite of white. We will always be in competition with them. Y’all don’t hear me.”

This isn’t the first time Uncle Luke has voiced strong opinions on such matters. Recently, he commented on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal troubles, alleging that Diddy’s behavior was heavily influenced by substance abuse. As with his latest remarks, his perspective sparked significant debate among followers, with many taking to the comments section to both support and challenge his claims.

Beyond social critique, Uncle Luke also calls out industry figures when he feels overlooked. Earlier this year, he publicly urged female rappers to acknowledge and compensate him for pioneering the provocative, party-focused style that has become a hallmark of their success. As always, the Miami rap icon keeps his commentary raw, leaving fans wondering what bold statement he’ll make next.

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