Music

A Shooting At Boosie Badazz’s Music Video Set Left One Man Dead

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For the second time in a year, Boosie Badazz was caught in the midst of gunfire. According to TMZ, shots rang out while the rapper and his crew were filming a music video in Hunstville, Alabama. Footage captured the ordeal, showing Boosie and company standing comfortably beside each other on the 200-block of Binford Drive when the gunfire breaks out. People in the crowd immediately scatter and make a break for it in search of safety. TMZ added that Huntsville police told the publication that they responded to the call about gunshots around 4:30 PM on Saturday, and upon their arrival, officers said they saw between 50 and 100 people running from the scene.

Unfortunately, the shooting killed one man. Randall Strong, Jr., 20, was transported to the hospital. While he was originally listed in critical condition, CBS News19 later reported that he died from his injuries. Police said Christopher Kwan Freeman, 22, turned himself in early Sunday morning. He was charged with murder and booked into the Madison County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

It was just six months ago that Boosie was wounded in a Dallas shooting. He was seated in a sprinter van at a strip mall called Big T’s Plaza when someone opened fire on the van. Boosie suffered a gunshot wound to the leg and was quickly taken to a hospital to be treated for his injury.

You can watch the video captured during Boosie’s video shoot above.

Meek Mill Slams ‘Blogs’ And Accuses Them Of Only Covering The ‘Goofy Sh*t’ He Does

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Meek Mill often finds himself trending on social media for questionable things. One example came earlier this year, when he mentioned Kobe Bryant in a tasteless manner on a song with Lil Baby. Prior to that, there was his and Tekashi 69’s parking lot spat in Miami. Despite these instances, it’d be wrong to say Meek hasn’t done anything positive, or at least not embarrassing, over the past few months. But the way the Philly rapper sees it, the coverage he gets has only focused on the bad he does.

“Yesterday I help a innocent man gain his freedom back he had life in prison,” he wrote on Twitter in reference to Eric Riddick, a 51-year-old man who was recently released from prison, thanks to help from Meek and others, after he was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent 29 years locked up for it as a result. He added, “On the net I was trending for a pause basically lol them blogs got y’all… Go check blogs pages …don’t post positive post just the goofy sh*t… y’all sheep and be serious lol.”

An example of “goofy sh*t” Meek refers to is a past tweet where he oddly asked his followers, “I need vibrating panties with the remote lol they on Amazon? Lol.” The post caused him to trend on Twitter.

As for Riddick, he was freed after he agreed to plead no contest to third-degree murder with time served. A Court of Common Pleas Judge previously reviewed Riddick’s case after his defense attorneys claimed evidence was withheld from the defense team during the trial.

Meek Mill is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Swizz Beatz Discusses The Possibility Of A Second Posthumous DMX Album

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DMX’s Exodus, arrived on Friday. It’s the final album the rapper completed before his death, minus some last-minute loose ends that were tied up posthumously. Swizz Beatz executive produced the album and he’s also taken charge of promoting it, including an appearance on The Breakfast Club, in which he spoke about the possibility of a second posthumous DMX album.

“He’s got a lot of music,” Swizz says around the 23:00 mark of the interview. “But, for me it’s like, he just worked so hard on this record that I don’t really want to tamper with things unless it can be better than this record. I don’t want to just put things out, and even with the footage, we recorded the whole process of the album, and we could’ve been putting that footage out right now leading up to the album.”

He added, “But I’m like, ‘let’s do something masterful with it. Let’s treat it as art and curate it to where it adds to his legacy and is not just a blip of a moment that seems like it works, but you still don’t understand the whole story.’” So this almost certainly isn’t the last you’ll hear from DMX.

You can watch the full The Breakfast Club interview above.

Lil Yachty, Icewear Vezzo, And Rio Da Yung OG Serve Up A Greyscale Video For The Hard-Hitting ‘Plastic’

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Lil Yachty has been extremely busy for well over a year now and all that’s added up to the strong comeback he’s made since the release of Lil Boat 3 last spring. More than a year later, Yachty returned with a brand new project, Michigan Boy Boat, an effort that saw him working with some of the best rising and established rappers from the state’s Detroit and Flint areas. A month removed from the mixtape’s release, Yachty continues its promotional run with a brand new video for “Plastic.”

In it, Yachty is accompanied by Icewear Vezzo and Rio Da Yung OG, rappers who both appear on the song, as well as members of his decently-sized crew. The greyscale visual features the group in a fairly laid-back state as they lounge and kick it in a room together. Clips of them recording music and spending time at a strip club also appear throughout the video.

Prior to dropping Michigan Boy Boat, Yachty extended his Lil Boat 3 project with new songs and later shared videos for tracks like “In My Stussy’s” and “Asshole.” He also flexed some freestyle skills in a visual for “Cortex” which came after he was confirmed to appear in the upcoming season of Lil Dicky’s show, Dave which premieres next month on June 16.

You can watch the “Plastic” video above.

Future Dissed Lori Harvey And Michael B. Jordan On His Original ‘Maybach’ Verse With 42 Dugg

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At multiple points over the last decade, Future has been given the crown of “toxic king” for things he’s either done outside of music or things he’s said in his songs. The passionate lover that showed his heart on Honest, the rapper’s 2014 album, was quickly replaced by toxicity on his 2017 effort, Hndrxx. Fast-forward to the present and Future once again reached for the “toxic king” crown during his guest appearance on 42 Dugg’s track, “Maybach.”

On it, Future raps, “Tell Steve Harvey I don’t want her / One thing I never seen was a bitch that leave,” which is of course directed at Lori Harvey whom he dated last year.

However, it turns out there was much more to that diss than fans heard on the final version. On the original version of the track, which 42 Dugg shared in a TikTok video, Future not only took a shot at Lori but her current boyfriend Michael B. Jordan as well.

“Must’ve forgot to tell her daddy she begged me not to leave,” Future says after the aforementioned line. “Put baguettes on ya ankles damn near up to ya knees / She didn’t have a choice, but to go f**k a lame after me.”

During a recent interview with The Breakfast Club, 42 Dugg reveals he pushed Future to rap the line because of the attention it would get.

“I told his ass, you need to say that sh*t three more times,” he said. “I was loving it…Future knew too though. He knew what was going on. Future a bad motherf*cker.”

You can listen to the unofficial version of “Maybach” above.

42 Dugg is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Juice WRLD’s Estate Hit With A Lawsuit By A Producer Who Claims The Rapper Stole Parts Of His Song

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On Friday, Juice WRLD’s estate shared an anniversary edition of the late rapper’s debut album, Goodbye & Good Riddance, which came with an updated version of “Lucid Dreams” with Lil Uzi Vert and a new track titled “734.” But its arrival came with new trouble for the rapper’s estate. A producer who goes by Ghost Loft sued them, claiming the Juice WRLD’s 2018 song “Scared Of Love” features 16 stolen bars from Loft’s 2013 song “So High.” He pointed out that Juice WRLD and another producer, Mitch Mula, are the only credited names on “Scared Of Love.”

Loft also claims that during a later conversation, Mula told him that “Scared Of Love” features a sample from “So High.” As a result, Loft filed the lawsuit against Mula, Juice WRLD’s mother, the executioner of his estate Carmella Wallace, and Juice WRLD’s labels, Universal Music Group and Interscope. He’s seeking compensation for damages, a writing credit, and an injunction that stops the estate from making money off “Scared Of Love.”

Fans of Juice WRLD will soon receive more music from the late rapper in the form of Maroon 5’s “Can’t Leave You Alone,” a track from the band’s upcoming album Jordi which arrives on June 11. It will serve as his latest posthumous track of the year, the last one being with Post Malone and Clever on “Life’s A Mess II.”

Lil Uzi Vert is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Goodbye & Good Riddance (Anniversary Edition) is out now via Grade A Productions/Interscope Records. Get it here.

Jay-Z Says He Boycotted The 1999 Grammys After DMX Was Snubbed At The Award Show

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Competition in hip-hop has always been a major factor in hip-hop. It’s something Jay-Z knows all too well, having had spats with acts like Nas and Drake. But sometimes rappers need to put aside their differences for the greater good. During a recent appearance with Bad Bunny on LeBron James’ HBO show The Shop, the legendary musician spoke about once siding with the late DMX after the Grammys failed to nominate him at their 1999 show.

“The first time I boycotted the Grammys was for him,” he said. “We both came out that year. He didn’t get nominated. He dropped two No. 1 albums in the same year and they didn’t even nominate him.” The two albums Jay-Z is referring to are 1998’s It’s Dark And Hell Is Hot and Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood. The 1999 award show is also where Jay-Z earned his first Grammy, winning in the Best Rap Album category for Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life. He added, “I wasn’t even in the building because I boycotted it for him. There was a competitive thing, but it was big love.”

Jay-Z then dove into the pugilistic nature of his relationship with DMX, recalling a time when the late rapper called him out at a show. “He got on stage: ‘JAY-Z, where you at!?’ I was like, ‘This guy is nuts!’ He was just all passion,” he said. During the episode of The Shop, Jay also explained why DMX was an impossible act to follow at live shows.

Kawhi Leonard’s ‘Culture Jam’ Project Released A Video For ‘Everything Different’

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Friday was a pretty good day for Kawhi Leonard. On the court, the two-time NBA Finals MVP came up big in the Los Angeles Clippers’ Game 3 win over the Dallas Mavericks, scoring 36 points and reeling in eight rebounds to propel his side to a crucial 118-108 victory. With the win, L.A. cut its series deficit against Dallas in half, making things 2-1 ahead of a gigantic Game 4 in Dallas on Monday evening that could lead to the Clippers re-gaining home-court advantage with the win.

His big day wasn’t just limited to what he did in the world of basketball. A gigantic music fan, Leonard, along with Warner Records Senior Vice President of A&R Eesean Bolden, is the driving force behind Culture Jam, an upcoming compilation album that is slated to drop sometime this summer. While Leonard does not rap on the album, he did tease that a video was coming for the track “Everything Different” featuring NBA YoungBoy and Rod Wave.

The video, which also features top high school basketball recruit Mikey Williams, dropped on Friday, and you can watch it at the top of this post. Beyond just the album, the broader Culture Jam project will be used as a way to raise money for youth sports and arts initiatives, with a portion of Leonard’s earnings heading to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation.

“Culture Jam will always be a platform where creators’ ideas and talents come to life and serve our families and communities,” Leonard said in a statement. “As an athlete that loves family, music, culture, and community, it was extremely important for me to build a space where all these elements thrive. Culture Jam’s significance is not only timely but it is also necessary. Equally, it is extremely important to support youth. My donation to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation is just the beginning of that support and connection.”

Rick Ross Sued By Concert Promoters After He Missed A Show Earlier This Year

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Rick Ross has some new legal troubles to deal with. The rapper was sued by St. Louis concert promoters after he missed a show back in January 2021. Antoine Meeks and Orland Watson filed a lawsuit earlier this month that seeks $74,000 in damages from Ross. According to the St. Louis Business Journal, Meeks, whose company is Black Luxury Entertainment LLC, and Watson, who’s connected to Rockhouse Entertainment, claimed Ross was contracted to appear at the Pagent in St. Louis, but the show was eventually canceled after he didn’t appear for the concert.

Prior to the cancellation, Meeks, Watson, and their respective companies said Ross was set to receive $60,000 in two payments through their contract. The first $30,000 was paid on October 21, 2019, while the second half would be given at the time show. The promoters also paid $6,000 for the venue, $3,300 to accommodate Ross’ travel expenses, $4,100 on marketing and promotions, and $25,000 on “production costs.”

As he awaits further details in this lawsuit, Ross will most likely continue work on his upcoming album, Richer Than Ever. Back in September, he said the project was 95% complete. He and Drake are also reportedly working on a joint album, which former NFL wide receiver Chad Johnson revealed in a tweet. “The joint album they’re doing together [will] unseat all projects they’ve done to date,” he wrote.

Swizz Beatz Revealed DMX Believed ‘Exodus’ Would Be His Last Album, Saying, ‘X Was Tired’

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On Friday DMX’s posthumous album, Exodus was released. Fans of the late rapper can rest assure knowing that the final body of work was completed before DMX tragically passed. Swizz Beatz, who executive produced Exdous, also revealed that a bulk of the project was completed after DMX and Snoop Dogg’s Verzuz battle last summer. In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Swizz spoke about the energy DMX had while he recorded the album — or lack thereof.

“We’d been talking about this record for a long time, but after we did Verzuz [in July 2020], he was ready,” Swizz said during the interview. “He saw that the people were showing him love and the fans were ready.” He added, “X was tired. The whole time we were doing the album, he was excited, but he was like, ‘I think this is going to be my last album.’ I was just like, ‘Let’s get through this and then let’s see; let’s judge it later, let’s not judge it now.’”

Swizz concluded, “I just tried keeping him in the now spirit, instead of thinking about what he’s not gonna do. But obviously, he knew something we didn’t.”

The famed hip-hop producer also shared his own feelings about the album now that it’s out. “I can at least listen to a song now without breaking down,” Swizz said. “I’m making it look strong, but I’m crushed, I’m destroyed, I’m hurt. But I had to pull this through for him and his family and for his legacy.”

You can read the full Rolling Stone interview here.

Exodus is out now via Def Jam. Get it here.