Meek Mill recently joined Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, as part of his continued efforts with his Reform Alliance nonprofit, according to Rolling Stone. Shapiro had signed SB838, which is a new bill that “limits the length of probation and prevents people from being sent back to jail for minor violations.”
“I thought that it was either I go to jail and I take my son to school and I ended up taking my son to school so I want to thank you guys here today,” Meek Mill shared during his vulnerable speech. “I don’t want to get emotional because it’s a lot. We all grew up in the streets and we tried to be better, but they labeled us as felons and sent us back to jail. I had to fight against that the whole time to gain my respect and be who I am today and I’m proud of that.”
“I don’t even drop tears, but I want to say this because there are a lot of young men who follow me in the streets,” he added. “They don’t really know what I go through to be in these places with government officials and to change my life… I didn’t ask for this position… It’s not for clout, it’s something that I stand and live for.”
Meek Mill gets emotional while joining Gov. Josh Shapiro (D-PA) to celebrate the signing of a probation reform bill:
“We try to be better, but they labeled us ‘felons,’ sent us back to jail. I had to fight against that the whole time to gain my respect and be who I am today.” pic.twitter.com/8zBYOixsNu
Meek Mill started the organization in 2019 alongside Jay-Z and Michael Rubin, with the hopes of being able to “transform probation and parole,” by directly getting the laws to change. The rapper had previously been pardoned by the prior governor, Tom Wolf. He had previously served eight months in prison for drug and weapon possession and would go back for violating house arrest in 2017.
Check out the video of Meek Mill enacting change and his full speech above.
As she explains, it’s part of the album’s era — and was meant to be divisive.
“I like the idea of: I did it on purpose and it’s this big ruse to make people react,” Doja said, according to HipHopDX. “But I also like the idea of: I love this piece of visual art, I like this visual for this sound… So I chose that visual and applied it to the sound and people made up what they [want], which is what you do with art. “You interpret it how you want to interpret it. Everybody has a right to interpret how they want.”
“But this whole very confident ‘Satanism’ thing is like — I’m sorry, when the f*ck did I say that I was a Satanist?” she added. “Or even go marching outside the church? When the fuck did I say that? It’s really tacky and annoying and discredits a lot of the hard work that I’ve put in.”
Check out Doja Cat’s full Apple Music interview above.
In the past few months, there have been some major artists in rap and R&B to receive recognition from their hometowns. Gucci Mane got his own day declared after him in Fulton Country that coincided with the release of his new album. Around the same time, Usher also got his own day named after him in Las Vegas while also receiving the key to the city. He’s going to make a pretty major splash in Vegas in just a few months when he headlines the Super Bowl halftime show at the city’s brand-new stadium.
Now Metro Boomin has become the most recent artist to receive a similar honor. According to TMZ, he was given the key to his hometown of St. Louis earlier this week. He was on stage with his four siblings and St. Louis mayor Tishaura O. Jones earlier this week when he was presented with the key. Metro took the opportunity to tribute his late mother as a major part of the reason for the recognition was his long-running “Single Moms Are The Real Superheroes” campaign. December 14th is now officially known as Metro Boomin day in St Louis. Check out some photos from the event below.
Earlier this month, Metro Boomin shared his artist wrapped from Spotify and he had some extremely impressive numbers. His late 2022 album Heroes & Villains was among the most-streamed rap albums of 2023. But it was far from the only project he was involved in. He also released a feature-packed soundtrack for the animated superhero film Spiderman: Across The Spiderverse. Both projects resulted in major hits with high-profile collaborations.
Metro Boomin has also been teasing his next big release for much of the year. He’s repeatedly tweeted updates about a potential collab with Future. He’s described it as the “ultimate album” and tweeted about taking the album cover photo months ago. However, substantial updates on the project have slowed down in the past few months. What do you think of Metro Boomin being honored with his own day and the key to the city of St. Louis? Let us know in the comment section below.
Even though it doesn’t seem like there’s an Outkast reunion on the horizon any time soon, there doesn’t appear to be any bad blood between Andre 3000 and Big Boi. In fact, Andre recently revealed on Questlove’s podcast Questlove Supreme that he accidentally shared a surprising hobby with his fellow former Outkast rapper that Big Boi has picked up.
The discussion started with a rumor about Andre 3000, of which there are many as he’s a notoriously mysterious artist. The particular rumor they discussed is that Andre is really into fishing, something he denies. But it did serve as the springboard into a different and surprisingly hilarious anecdote about deep sea fishing. “I invited Big Boi on a couple of them and Big Boi, he’s been running with it. Big Boi goes out and deep sea fishes all the time,” Andre explains. Listen to the full hilarious sequence on the podcast below.
Andre 3000 is fresh off of releasing an album that left fans and fellow rappers divided. He dropped his debut album New Blue Sun last months after years of anticipation building up. On the album, he shifted his style dramatically wandering away from hip-hop altogether. Instead, the album is an ambient jazz project with long instrumental compositions that prominently feature Andre playing the flute.
The album has prompted dozens of responses from Andre’s contemporaries sharing their thoughts on the project. Artists like RZA, Lupe Fiasco, and Big Gipp came to his defense praising both the album itself and the bold artistic risk he took releasing it. Fans and critics were more divided on the project. Many fans who were anticipating a rap sound came away from New Blue Sun disappointed even though Andre warned when he announced the project that there would be “no bars.” Critics who were more familiar with ambient jazz music are also divided on how compelling Andre’s take on the style actually is. What do you think of Andre 3000 getting Big Boi into deep-sea fishing? Let us know in the comment section below.
Playboi Carti dropped his new song, “2024,” just in time for the new year that’s approaching. The track is rumored to be the first preview of his upcoming project, I Am Music, which, according to Hypebeast, might drop in January.
“Yeah, yeah, you came back and you fell, uh / Second place, can’t be in my face, oh, nah / Deep pockets, they think I’m rockin’ Chanel,” he raps, according to Genius, as he points out his champion mentality and extravagant tendencies. “Fat wallet, lil’ b*tch, you know I got here / Out of pocket with your b*tch, Chanel / I’ma grow me some horns, baby, I’m from hell.”
Right now, as a surprise drop from the rapper, the song is only available to listen to on YouTube. However, the release came complete with a music video that matched the energies. It opens with Playboi Carti showing off his car collection and designer luggage, as he performs in his garage. He also unwinds on the hood of a few of the cars, as he throws some money in the air — all while maintaining his rap skills over an entertaining beat.
Later in the video, he dances around with some friends outside of a gas station.
Check out Playboi Carti’s new song, “2024,” above.
After chaos unfolded at Tamar Braxton’s Baltimore performance last month, her former friend LeTroy took to social media to talk about it. He revealed that Braxton’s backup singer, James Wright Chanel, allegedly saw the wrath of none other than Chrisean Rock. He accused the Baddies star of getting frustrated when she wasn’t allowed to perform, and punching James as a result.
According to LeTroy, Braxton wasn’t happy that he spoke about the situation publicly. Now, he’s taken to Twitter to vent about the performer using his footage of the tour on social media, despite him asking her not to. “Since this is YOUR tour, you need to pay your own camera people and editors to shoot and edit footage of you. You were sent notices to not use this footage, yet you did. You have no respect for anyone. Take this down please,” he wrote.
“I sent you and your team this edit being nice offering you the rights to acquire this footage you refused and said ‘this girl has gone wild’ in reference to me. So wild my footage off your page,” he said in a subsequent Tweet. “Dog I have had enough. I’m not protecting her anymore. I wish I never ever planned that tour. I just want my footage taken down.” In other Tweets, he claimed that she only got upset with him bringing the Chrisean Rock incident to light publicly because attention was “taken off of her.”
“She care about being famous more than anything,” he added. “I planned this entire tour because NOBODY wanted to do it and called her washed up. I booked EVERY show for this tour. EVERY.” What do you think of LeTroy calling Tamar Braxton out for allegedly using his footage without permission? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Despite the collaborative spirit that exists on Wu-Tang Clan’s early work, on the production side of things, it was mostly a one-man job. RZA handled almost all of the production on the legendary group’s debut album and many of the solo projects that various members released following it. When he did have help from others it was always other members of the group, meaning almost no outside production work was done for the group for its first few years of existence.
During a recent appearance on the SiriusXM show HipHopNation, RZA explained his decision. “In the old days, I was very dominant. Like, it’s all my beats. And that’s because, in the old days, I didn’t feel that other producers were giving the Hip Hop type of beat that I thought was dope for Wu,” he says in the interview. He elaborated even further on his control of the group’s early days as well. He explained the deliberate choice to make listeners actually listen to the song rather than dance along to it. Check out the interview clip below.
In the decades since they debuted, Wu-Tang Clan’s influence hasn’t faded. The rap group have become legends whose influence as a group and as individuals is felt far and wide across hip-hop. There’s still a demand to see them play together as well. They just announced a short residency in Las Vegas early next year. The group will bring four performances to the city in February and March with tickets already on sale.
Recently, RZA spoke out in favor of Andre 3000’s recent artistic shift into ambient jazz music. TMZ caught up with him and he was quick to praise the former rapper’s new direction. He was even inspired by Andre’s new album New Blue Sun to try and release another instrumental album of his own. What do you think of the level of control RZA exercised over the Wu-Tang Clan in its early days? Let us know in the comment section below.
Lucian Grainge stands as a titan in the music industry, revered for his remarkable contributions and transformative impact. With an estimated net worth of $250 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth, Grainge’s journey is a testament to his unparalleled vision and dedication within the music realm.
(Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for Universal Music Group)
Born on February 29, 1960, in London, Lucian Grainge’s passion for music began at an early age. His journey in the industry commenced when he joined PolyGram in the late ’70s, marking the start of an illustrious career. His strategic prowess and keen understanding of the evolving music landscape propelled him to prominent positions within Universal Music Group (UMG). Grainge’s visionary leadership as the Chairman and CEO of UMG since 2011 has been pivotal in steering the company to unprecedented success. Moreover, his ability to adapt to digital shifts and harness the power of technology revolutionized UMG, making it the world’s leading music company.
Philanthropy & Humanitarian Contributions
(Photo by Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Lucian Grainge is actively engaged in philanthropic initiatives. His dedication to various charitable causes, such as music education programs and humanitarian aid, underscores his commitment to giving back to society. Additionally, Grainge’s efforts in supporting emerging artists and nurturing talent highlight his desire to foster the next generation of musical innovators.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 11: Sofia Richie, Elliot Grainge, Caroline Grainge and Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Sir Lucian Grainge attend the British Consulate’s celebration of Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee on June 11, 2022 at the British Consulate General Residence in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for British Consulate Los Angeles and Universal Music Group)
Lucian Grainge’s personal life remains relatively private, with a focus on his influential role in the music industry. Married to Caroline Grainge, he maintains a low-key persona outside of his professional endeavors. His legacy, however, is entrenched in his indelible mark on the music landscape, shaping the careers of countless artists and influencing the global music market.
Impact & Financial Milestones
Grainge’s net worth of $250 million is a testament to his strategic acumen and enduring influence in an ever-evolving industry. His ability to navigate technological disruptions and adapt to changing consumer preferences has not only elevated his wealth but also solidified his legacy as a music industry magnate.
In summary, Lucian Grainge’s estimated net worth of $250 million signifies his extraordinary journey and profound impact on the music industry. His visionary leadership, philanthropic endeavors, and strategic contributions have reshaped the musical landscape, leaving an indelible mark on generations to come. Overall, Grainge stands as an emblem of success and innovation, showcasing the immense potential for influence within the realm of music.
Yesterday, Nicki Minaj took to Twitter to address DJ Envy, accusing him of blackballing her and throwing a jab about his alleged real estate scam. “Remember how cocky dj envy was when he was saying he black balls my music on the radio?” Nicki wrote. “Ask yourself how a DJ could get away w/that behavior. Then I remember him selling them busted houses & I have to laugh… We prayed, envy 1 by 1… God will show y’all that you are NOT GOD.”
Now, the DJ has responded on The Breakfast Club, claiming that he plays her music nowadays. According to him, he previously decided not to play Nicki’s music because she allegedly threatened to send people to beat a fellow DJ up for his comments on one of her albums. In solidarity, he decided not to include her in his mix.
“I ride for all the DJs. Nicki Minaj at the time got upset and said she was sending some Queens dudes up here to pretty much beat [DJ Self] up. That was wack. You can’t threaten that man for his opinion,” he explained. “The DJs are always the ones that get picked on and that gets beat up… An artist never goes at the other artist, they always say ‘Well, why the DJ played the record.’ What I said was, ‘I’m not going to play Nicki’s record until they squash that beef.‘”
“I still play her music,” he added. “And I’ll continue to play her music. I can’t blackball, all I can do is not play her in my mix.” Nicki Minaj has yet to respond to his most recent comments. What do you think of DJ Envy’s response to Nicki Minaj’s recent Tweet about him? Do you think he’s in the right, or is it Nicki? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Black Sheep is a hip-hop duo who were most popular in the ’90s. The duo consists of rapper Dres and producer and rapper Mista Lawnge. They were a part of the Native Tongues supergroup, which included Jungle Brothers, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and more.
Black Sheep’s biggest hit, “The Choice Is Yours (Revisited),” is a classic for listeners across generations. They most recently performed it at A GRAMMY Salute to Hip Hop, which aired December 10, 2023. The track comes from their debut album, A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing. This album included several successful singles, including “Flavor of the Month” and “Strobelite Honey.” Just earlier this year, Lola Brooke sampled the classic song for her track “Just Relax.” Here is a look at what Black Sheep has been up to over the years.
Black Sheep released albums in 1991 and 1994. However, they hit the dreaded “sophomore slump” with their second project, Non-Fiction, which was not critically or commercially successful. The duo disbanded shortly after this release.
Their next album, 8WM/Novakane, would not be released until 2006. Duo member Mister Lawnge made some appearances on the album, but Dres is considered the only member of Black Sheep. An instrumental version of their debut, A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing, was released in 2010. Tortured Soul , which was an album and mixtape released by Dres, released in 2018.
What Black Sheep Member Dres Been Up To
Dres of Black Sheep has remained active musically and socially. He released solo music and appeared on songs in 1999 and 2000. He also appeared on the lead single from the 2011 Slaughterhouse EP. Later, he formed a duo with A Tribe Called Quest member Jarobi called Evitan, which is Native spelled backward. The duo’s name pays homage to their supergroup, Native Tongues. They released a project in 2012 called Speed of Life, with their most recent output being a remix of a track called “Mad Men,” released in 2022. Dres continues to be a prominent figure in the music space, regularly posting on his social media accounts and appearing at various hip hop-centric events.
Further, Dres’ announcement from earlier this year has his day-one fans getting quite excited. “This particular project is a D&D project — Dilla & Dres. Through the blessing of Ma Dukes and my man Tony, I’ve been allowed to visit a sacred land,” he shared during the Induction Ceremony into Washington D. C.’s National Hip Hop Museum. The album has no release date at this time. Footage from the making of this album – among other moments – is included in his new documentary titled The Choice is Yours. It chronicles Dres’s life as a hip hop icon and is available to stream now on Paramount+.
What Former Black Sheep Member Mista Lawnge Has Been Up To
Mista Lawnge of Black Sheep has not been active musically for quite a while. During the sessions for 8WM/Novakane, Mista Lawnge was working on a secret album titled The Class of ‘89. The project seemed to stem from spite since Dres suggested Mista Lawnge work with other producers. This was not something he wanted to do. The fact Dres found out about it via their publicist only strained their relationship even more and ended it altogether. Mista Lawnge returned to the public spotlight in 2020 with a talk show on YouTube called Guess Who’s Talking. On it, he interviewed guests from a myriad of different avenues. However, only three episodes of the show are available on YouTube.
What The Duo Has Been Up To Together
Sources say Black Sheep were supposed to reunite for a tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut project in 2016. According to these sources, they announced the tour across their social media, but it never materialized into actually happening.
The tour would have reunited the members and lined up well with their fellow Native Tongues group members, A Tribe Called Quest, who dropped their final album that same year. Despite the duo’s disbanding, their coming together to perform at the Grammys Hip-Hop Tribute show – and Dres posting a picture of them together in April of this year – gives listeners hope that things may have changed.
Black Sheep has, unfortunately, had legal issues with streaming services. The duo sued Universal Media Group (UMG) earlier this year for “unlawfully lowering its artists’ royalty payments from Spotify as part of an ‘undisclosed, sweetheart deal’ for shares in the streaming service in 2008.” Unfortunately, their case was dismissed in November of this year for two reasons, one being uniquely frustrating – they took too long to do it.
Also, the judge ruled “Black Sheep could not support its remaining claims for underpaid royalties dating from 2021, finding in part that the contract gave the label ‘sole discretion’ over how to distribute its music.” It seems label troubles have been affecting artists throughout the years, no matter what generation they come from.
What’s your favorite memory of Black Sheep? Let us know in the comments section.
