A billboard in support of Young Thug popped up in Times Square, this week, featuring the phrases “Truly Humble Under God,” and “Free Jeffrery.” The entertainment company, TSX, takes credit for its placement in the advertisement. The billboard comes as Thug’s RICO trial is set to resume, next month.
The phrase, “Truly Humble Under God,” is an acronym for the rapper’s “Thug” name. His attorney, Brian Steel, revealed the meaning during the trial, earlier this month. “T.H.U.G. meant and means to Jeffery something very personal,” Steel said in court. “It was his pact that if he could ever make it as a musical artist and help his family, himself, and as many others out of this endless cycle of hopelessness, he would be truly humbled under God. That’s what T.H.U.G. means.”
DECATUR, GA SEPTEMBER 13: (EDITORS NOTE: Best quality available) In this handout photo provided by the DeKalb County Sheriffs Office, rapper Jeffery Lamar Williams, aka Young Thug, is seen in a police booking photo after turning himself in for outstanding drug and firearm charges September 13, 2018 in Decatur, Georgia. The charges stem from a traffic stop last year where police allegedly found drugs and a gun. (Photo by DeKalb County Sheriffs Office via Getty Images)
Judge Ural Glanville postponed Thug, and the rest of YSL’s RICO case, after the stabbing of one of the other co-defendants. “Let me go ahead and tell you where we are,” Judge Glanville announced to the jury. “Remember yesterday we recessed because one of our participants had a medical issues and I was telling you about that? Well, unfortunately, that medical condition still exists. Given the length of time that we will probably address that, it might be just more prudent to recess you. An early recess. Instead of recessing you this Friday as the Court’s plan was originally, I’m gonna recess you for the holidays, today.”
Jamaican DJ and reggae artist Beenie Man, known for his significant contribution to the dancehall music scene, has garnered considerable attention for his financial success. As of 2023, Beenie Man’s net worth is estimated to be around $4 million USD, according to Celebrity Net Worth. This impressive figure reflects his enduring influence in the music industry and his savvy business acumen.
Born Anthony Moses Davis in Kingston, Jamaica, Beenie Man began his music career at a young age, showcasing his talent in local talent shows. His journey from a child star to a globally recognized artist is a testament to his dedication and skill. His early exposure to music and his relentless pursuit of success played a crucial role in his rise to fame.
Career Highlights & Achievements
(Photo by Mark Davis/Getty Images for BET)
Over the years, Beenie Man has released numerous albums and hit singles, which have significantly contributed to his net worth. His ability to evolve with the changing music industry, while maintaining his unique style, has kept him relevant and successful. Notable albums such as Many Moods Of Moses and Art And Life, which won the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album, mark milestones in his illustrious career.
(Photo by Bennett Raglin/BET/Getty Images for BET)
Apart from his music career, Beenie Man’s wealth also stems from various business ventures and endorsements. His entrepreneurial spirit has led him to invest in sectors beyond music, diversifying his income streams. These ventures, coupled with lucrative endorsement deals, have bolstered his financial standing.
Impact On Dancehall Music
Beenie Man’s influence extends beyond his financial success. He has played a pivotal role in shaping the dancehall genre, inspiring a new generation of artists. His contribution to the music industry, particularly in popularizing dancehall music globally, is immeasurable.
Philanthropy & Social Influence
In addition to his commercial success, Beenie Man is known for his philanthropic efforts. He has used his platform to advocate for various social causes, contributing to his community and making a positive impact beyond his music.
Conclusion
Beenie Man’s net worth of approximately $4 million USD in 2023 is a testament to his talent, hard work, and business acumen. His journey from a young talent in Kingston to a globally recognized artist and entrepreneur exemplifies the potential of dedication and passion in achieving success. As he continues to influence the music industry and contribute to society, Beenie Man’s legacy as a dancehall legend and savvy businessman remains indisputable.
The music industry is a complicated place where sometimes even artists themselves can’t tell why something succeeds or fails. But during a recent Instagram live Cardi B tried her best to explain a recent trend she noticed in the music industry. What she’s trying to identify is why country music is more popular than ever and there’s some evidence to back up her claims. For much of the first half of 2023, the Billboard 200 was dominated by Morgan Wallen’s album One Thing At A Time. Throughout that same time frame Wallen’s song “Last Night” led the Hot 100 for months on its way to becoming the biggest hit of 2023.
Cardi B thinks she has an explanation for why its happening. In the clip from her livestream she theorizes that middle-American country music listeners. She claims they’re switching from buying CDs, to buying music from digital platforms. There’s certainly some evidence to back up her claims as well. Two country hits from this year, Jason Aldean’s “Try That In A Small Town” and Oliver Anthony’s “Rich Men North Of Richmond” rose up the charts with a disproportionate amount of their sales coming from purchases rather than streams. Check out the full video of Cardi’s theory below.
Cardi B’s Instagram Lives have been a place for piping hot tea in recent weeks. That comes as she’s dealt with numerous public dramas. The biggest is her alleged separation from her husband and former Migos rapper Offset. The story turned from just rumors into a full blown scandal when Cardi went on her Instagram live last week. During the stream she described herself as “single.” The claim sent fans into a full blown frenzy of trying to dissect exactly what happened and when.
The Cardi B and Offset drama doesn’t appear to be reaching any kind of conclusion either. They’ve continued to face even more rumors about their potential long-term plans. Earlier this week the pair were both announced as performers for New Year’s Eve parties taking place at the same venue. That sparked even more debate from fans as to where the two stand at this time. What do you think of Cardi B’s claims that country listeners switching from CDs to digital purchases explains the rise of country music on the charts? Let us know in the comment section below.
Public Enemy is one of the most revolutionary early hip hop acts of all time. The group stands beside the likes of N.W.A. and X-Clan for their politically charged rhetoric and lyrics. With critically acclaimed hits such as “Fight The Power” and “911 Is A Joke,” the group is a significant influence on rap acts today. Though several members have come and gone throughout the years, co-founders Chuck D and Flavor Flav have been ever-present forces.
Public Enemy’s first four LPs have all received platinum or gold certification from the RIAA, and they are widely recognized as the most acclaimed discography of any hip-hop act, praised by critics and fans. As a group, Public Enemy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. Further, the group received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 62nd Grammy Awards ceremony. Since their formation in the late 1980s, each member of the group has gone on to achieve massive success.
Terminator X
CHICAGO – JULY 1990: DJ Terminator X and rapper Flavor Flav of Public Enemy signs autographs and greets fans backstage prior to their performance at the U.I.C. Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois in July 1990. (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Terminator X served as the original turntablist for Public Enemy, crafting iconic scratches and beat selections for the group. Unfortunately, a 1994 motorcycle accident left him permanently injured and unable to focus on the group full-time. In 1998, the DJ retired to his home, where he continued to raise African black ostriches. After leaving the group, X took a step back from the limelight, choosing to live outside the public view.
As a founding member of Public Enemy, X received honors alongside the group, including their Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Further, the group credited him on their 2015 release, “Man Plans God Laughs.” The former DJ married Robin Dugger in 2018.
DJ Lord
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 18: DJ Lord of Public Enemy performs onstage during the 28th Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on April 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Kane/WireImage)
After Terminator X left the group in 1998, the remaining members of Public Enemy began a search for his replacement. After witnessing his set at a Vestax Battle in 1999, Professor Griff, an on-again-off-again member of Public Enemy, recruited DJ Lord. Lord has since appeared as the group’s full-time DJ, taking on the turntable at subsequent world tours and reunion shows. In recent years, DJ Lord has collaborated with other rap groups, including 2MP, Prophets of Rage, and Cypress Hill. In 2019, he joined Cypress Hill on tour, maintaining the boards and taking on a solo set before the headlining act.
Professor Griff
Professor Griff is easily the most controversial member of the group. The so-called Minister of Information for Public Enemy has been embroiled in controversy over the years due to his homophobic and antisemitic statements, causing him to have an on-again-off-again relationship with the PE brand. Following his departure from Public Enemy, Griff continued his solo spoken word career. He also penned several books espousing his philosophy and knowledge. In 2017, Professor Griff married Kansas City femcee Solé.
Flavor Flav
NEW YORK – 1989: Rapper Flavor Flav of the rap group ‘Public Enemy’ at the filming of a video for their song ‘Fight The Power’ directed by Spike Lee in 1989 in New York, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Flavor Flav is a household name due to his larger-than-life persona, eccentric style, and tenure as a reality television star. Like many rap pioneers, Flav has invested his hip hop wealth into a host of thriving businesses, including numerous restaurants across the country. The Public Enemy founder also starred in television ventures, including The Surreal Life, Strange Love, Flavor Of Love, I Love New York, and I Love Money. Flavor Flav was also the subject of a Comedy Central roast in 2007.
In 2020, Public Enemy was scheduled to perform at a campaign rally for Bernie Sanders, without Flavor Flav. Flav’s attorneys reportedly sent the hip hop group a cease and desist letter, alleging that they could not utilize the Public Enemy brand without Flav’s consent, which he would not provide for the event. Following this, lawyers from both parties presented a series of litigious arguments, ultimately leading to Chuck D allegedly expelling Flav from the group entirely.
Chuck D
Shortly after the feud, Chuck D revealed that Flavor Flav’s firing was a hoax, designed to stir up media attention. The apparent hoax was intended as a commentary on media disinformation, according to the Public Enemy founders. During the legal discussions, it was revealed that Chuck D is the sole owner of the trademark and title “Public Enemy,” aligning with his de facto leadership position in the group. Despite this, they continued to create music together as a team.
In 2019, Chuck D received over $1 million in unpaid royalty money from Terrordome Music and Reach Music Publishing after pursuing legal action against them. The rapper has also appeared in numerous television outings, feature verses with other rappers, and political events. Most recently, Chuck released a four-part docuseries on PBS titled Fight The Power: How Hip Hop Changed The World. The PBS series aired in February 2023 to mostly positive reviews. The Public Enemy founder has remained a political rap figurehead for generations and left an indelible mark on history through his contributions to culture and art.
Elliott Wilson is a prominent figure in hip-hop journalism. It has significantly shaped the discourse around the genre through his writing, editorial work, and media ventures. Known for his insightful coverage and contributions to hip-hop culture, Wilson’s career spans several decades, during which he has become a respected voice in music journalism. As of 2023, his endeavors in the industry, from magazine editor to digital media entrepreneur, have accumulated a net worth of $4 million, according to Idol Net Worth, reflecting his influence and success in the field.
Career Highlights: A Trailblazer In Music Journalism
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 23: Elliott Wilson attends the 4th Annual TIDAL X: Brooklyn. At Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 23, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for TIDAL)
Wilson’s journey in hip-hop journalism began with his tenure at The Source magazine, where he honed his writing and critic skills. He further later became the editor-in-chief of XXL magazine. He was instrumental in shaping the magazine’s editorial direction and elevating its status in the hip-hop community. Under his leadership, XXL became a key platform for hip-hop artists and fans, featuring groundbreaking interviews and in-depth genre coverage.
In addition to his work in print journalism, Wilson has successfully transitioned into digital media and podcasting. He founded Rap Radar, a digital platform that offers comprehensive coverage of hip-hop news, interviews, and cultural commentary. His podcast, also under the Rap Radar brand, has become a popular destination for in-depth conversations with some of the biggest names in hip-hop. Wilson’s ability to adapt to the evolving media landscape demonstrates his foresight and commitment to staying at the forefront of hip-hop journalism.
Personal Life & Influence
CRWN IX – A conversation with Elliott Wilson and Lil Wayne – 2014 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive
Elliott Wilson’s personal journey is marked by his relentless pursuit of journalistic excellence and his deep passion for hip-hop culture. His contributions go beyond reporting. He has also played a role in shaping how hip-hop is perceived and discussed in the broader cultural context. Wilson’s influence extends to mentoring aspiring journalists and actively participating in discussions about the industry’s future.
Reflecting On Wilson’s Legacy
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 08: Journalist Elliott Wilson (r) interviews Snoop Dogg. At Highline Ballroom on August 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Considering Elliott Wilson’s $4 million net worth in 2023, his career is a testament to the power of dedicated journalism in shaping cultural narratives. His impact on hip-hop journalism is measured by his financial success and the respect he commands within the industry. Wilson’s journey highlights the importance of authenticity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to the craft of journalism.
Everything Beyonce does is larger than life, so why would her recently released concert film be any different? Last year she took a big swing with the house and dance-themed album Renaissance. The project was her first since 2016’s Lemonade and turned out to be a smash success with both fans and critics. So earlier this year when it came time to embark on the Renaissance tour she similarly did it big. At shows across Europe and North America, she unpacked some of her biggest hits to adoring crowds.
With the concerts grabbing headline news nearly every night it’s no surprise that Beyonce captured the glory of it all on film. That eventually became the Renaissance concert film which released in theaters earlier this week. Unsurprisingly, the film soared to impressive box office numbers right away. According to HipHopDX despite being out for just half a month, it’s already landed among the top 5 concert films of all time. Her $30 million at the US box office places her alongside Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, and Miley Cyrus in the top 5.
It’s no surprise that the film is doing so well after the start it got off to. The film had the biggest December opening weekend of any film in the past 20 years. It came just a few weeks after a different concert film achieved similar success. Much like Beyonce’s Renaissance tour, Taylor Swift’s Eras tour dominated headlines all year.
Taylor’s concert film came out a few weeks before Bey’s and also reached astounding levels of success. Both films had smash premiers that saw them completely taking over the box office from conventional movies. After its first month at the box office had wrapped up she surpassed Justin Bieber to score the highest-grossing concert film of all time. What do you think of Beyonce’s Renaissance film cracking the top 5 highest-grossing concert films of all time in just a few weeks? Let us know in the comment section below.
Cardi B and Offset will both perform at the Fountainbleu hotel in Miami in celebration of New Year’s Eve, despite their recent breakup. Page Six reports that the two agreed to the appearance while they were still an item.
Cardi will take over the luxe pool with tickets “ranging from $5,000 up to $25,000,” while Offset will appear at LIV nightclub where tickets cost $125 and $15,000.” While they will perform at different spots within the building, it’s sure to be an awkward affair considering the shots Cardi has been sending at Offset since their split.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 12: Offset and Cardi B attend the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Catherine Powell/Getty Images for MTV)
Cardi vented about Offset during an Instagram Live post after threatening to “f*ckin take it there” on Twitter. “I really, really don’t like doing the internet sh*t, but the sad sh*t is — stop calling me,” she said. “’Cause you will f*cking talk to a n***a and a motherf*cka will play in your f*cking face over and over and over again and still be like, ‘Watch what I’m about to do, watch what I’m about to say.’ And it’s so f*cking sad that a n***a like to play games with me when I’m at my most vulnerable time, when I’m not the most confident. They like to play games with me because he knows I’m not an easy girl. Yesterday, I could have been out, I could have been chilling, I could have been this and that.”
Cardi B and Offset spent six years together following their 2017 engagement and share two children. Outside of their relationship, Cardi recently confirmed that she’s planning to release new music in 2024. Perhaps she’ll tease some of what’s in store on New Year’s Eve. Be on the lookout for further updates on Cardi B and Offset on HotNewHipHop.
Montreal police have a long history of making things difficult for rappers that try to perform in the city. While the city has a bustling rap scene of its own, instances of backstage issues and police shutting down shows date back years. Despite their reputation, they took it to the next level during a recent show Dave East was trying to perform in the city.
In a compilation of clips assembled by MtlFlexTV, they recap the events of the night. It first starts with the police interrupting Dave’s show inside with a series of back-and-forth interactions between him and various officers on the scene. Afterward, they stop the show entirely and force everyone outside which is where the eventual confrontation happens. The final clip shows the police pepper spraying East and the group surrounding him as well as anyone nearby including the person trying to film the encounter. Check out the full clip below.
In the caption of the post, the account makes reference to the reputation Montreal police have. “SPVM doing their best to make sure no artist wants to perform in Montreal,” it reads. “No big rapper or entertainer would ever wanna don’t here anymore it’s a damn shame. Everytime there is a little bit of hope for the city the Quebec government steps in or the police,” one of the top comments on the post agrees.
Dave East is fresh off the release of a new mixtape with Crunch Calhoun. The project is called 30 For 30 and features 14 track with numerous collaborations throughout. Mike & Keys, Buda & Grandz, J. Stone, aarabMUZIK, and Lyrivelli all make appearances on the record. It’s Dave East’s second new project of 2023 following his lengthy Fortune Favors The Bold which dropped back in July. In addition to that he also shared the deluxe edition of his album Book Of David which added an entire 9 new songs to the project. What do you think of the Montreal Police interrupting Dave East’s concert, taking him outside, and pepper spraying him? Let us know in the comment section below.
In true Kanye West fashion, his collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign, Vultures, did not materialize in time for its release date. Throughout the past month, the two have been actively promoting the album with a “Vultures Rave,” various listening sessions, and a pre-save link that has since disappeared. During this promotional rollout, Ty Dolla $ign shared a written tracklist, featuring heavily teased songs like the Backstreet Boys-sampling “Everybody.”
One song that particularly stands out on the tentative list of songs is “New Body,” a collaboration between Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign, and Nicki Minaj. While this song has yet to be released, it is over five years old. One of the most highly anticipated collaborations on Vultures, here is a brief history behind Kanye West, Nicki Minaj, and Ty Dolla $ign’s “New Body.”
Kanye West & Nicki Minaj Have Not Worked Together in Many Years
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign had worked together on numerous occasions before teaming up for a full-length album. On the other hand, Ye and Nicki Minaj have not worked together on a song in many years. The two first teamed up on “Monster” from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, where Minaj delivered arguably her most iconic verse. Also on the album was “Dark Fantasy,” which features a spoken introduction from Minaj. Her 2010 debut, Pink Friday arrived the same day as Kanye’s album, featuring West on the song “Blazin’.” In 2018, a voice note from Nicki Minaj appeared on “Violent Crimes” from West’s Ye. Later that year, Kanye West and Nicki Minaj both featured on “Mama” from 6ix9ine’s debut album, Dummy Boy.
Initially Intended For Yandhi
Following Kanye West’s series of 7-track collaborative albums, he began to tease yet another new album, titled Yandhi. West announced that the supposed sequel to Yeezus would arrive on September 29, 2018. Of course, the album never officially materialized but ended up transforming into the gospel-centric Jesus Is King. Yandhi ended up leaking almost in its entirety in 2019, with many of its tracks being non-secular versions of songs from Jesus Is King. Among these tracks were “I Love It,” Teyana Taylor’s “We Got Love,” and “New Body” featuring Nicki Minaj. While previewed at Jesus is King listening parties, “New Body” remained unreleased and highly anticipated, with many of the leaks eventually receiving releases. West, Minaj, and Ty Dolla $ign had even filmed a music video for the song.
During a TV interview, Kanye explained the concept behind the song. He says, “I’m taking two stigmas at once because I love taking stigmas and flipping them to positive. Negative energy to a positive. One of the stigmas is that men, the more people we sleep with the higher our score goes. With a woman, the more people they sleep with, people they sleep with, people consider that to be, the lower their score goes.”
The majority of Yandhi’s leaks were reconfigured as the non-explicit Jesus Is King. “New Body” was noticeably missing from the tracklist. Around that time, Nicki Minaj sat down with The Shade Room, revealing new insight into the song’s status. “What’s funny is that I did a song with Kanye, that he now wants to turn into a gospel song.” She elaborated, “I done wrote three different verses, chile, and I don’t know. We ain’t seeing eye to eye on it.”
Nicki Minaj tells fans to spam ASAP Ferg to release their collaboration “Move Ya Hips” and Kim Kardashian for her song “New Body” with Kanye West. pic.twitter.com/dEvtFkSyS7
In the time since its initial leak, “New Body” has become a fan favorite among Kanye West and Nicki Minaj fans. The song even went viral on TikTok in 2020, prompting Nicki Minaj to advocate for its release. She even encouraged her fans to spam Kim Kardashian’s “comments everyday” if they wanted it to be released. Ty Dolla $ign also advocated for the release of “New Body.” That same year, his song “Status” included a lyric where he said, “I told Ye to drop the OG ‘New Body’.” With the song’s uncertain future as a leak and a reworked gospel song, it was still highly anticipated by both featured artists and hardcore fans.
Nicki Minaj Shuts Down Official Release
Nicki Minaj says she’s not interested in clearing her verse for Kanye West’s ‘New Body’
While promoting their upcoming album, Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign have previewed “New Body” during various listening sessions. These snippets included the original Nicki Minaj guest verse. After the album did not surface in time for its December 15 release date, Kanye West shared a screenshot of a message to Nicki Minaj, asking her to clear her verse for “New Body.” Minaj took to Instagram Live to speak about the status of the song. She said, “Regarding Kanye, that train has left the station. No disrespect in any way. I just put out a brand-new album. Why would I put out a song that has been out for three years?”
After declining his request to clear “New Body,” Kanye responded to Nicki Minaj during a listening session. At the same event where he spewed antisemitic remarks and sent jabs at Jay-Z and Drake, he said, “I made [Nicki Minaj] rewrite her verse 3 times for ‘Monster,’ I supported her career.” Fans may finally get “New Body” with the scheduled release of Vultures on December 31. However, it is highly unlikely for the song to be released in its original form, featuring a verse from Nicki Minaj.
Over the last few weeks, streaming giant Spotify has been a trending topic, but it hasn’t all been positive chatter; The company’s latest round of layoffs was accompanied by news of artists like Snoop Dogg and “Weird” Al calling them out over its payout rates
However, users flooding their social media timelines with the Wrapped results have somewhat helped offset the negative remarks. The platform is focusing on user excitement by rolling out yet another feature: AI playlists.
What is Spotify’s AI playlist feature?
Similar to the AI DJ function, which rolled out in February, the AI playlist feature allows users to generate a collection of songs using prompts.
Spotify has several curated playlists based on genre, artists, decade, release date, charting history, and even modes. However, the AI playlist feature allows users to think far beyond what already exists. According to TechCrunch, users must select the AI chatbot to get started to access the add-on. Users can let their imagination fly once the box takes over the screen. Prompt ideas mentioned presented by the outlet as an example were “get focused at work with instrumental electronica,” “fill in the silence with background café music,” “get pumped up with fun, upbeat, and positive songs,” and “explore a niche genre like Witch House.”
The feature has not yet gotten a wide release, and it’s not clear when (or if) it will. A spokesperson told TechCrunch, “We routinely conduct a number of tests. Some of those tests end up paving the path for our broader experience and others serve only as an important learning. We don’t have anything further to share at this time.”
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