Music

Ruff Ryders Are Hosting A March To Honor DMX And Support The George Floyd Justice In Policing Act

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The unexpected passing of DMX has led to a whole host of projects cropping up in his memory. Not only is his label releasing a guest-packed posthumous album, Exodus, later this month, but his crew the Ruff Ryders have been active about organizing, too. Ruff Ryders to The Rescue organized a march in Houston called Ryde4Lyfe that will honor his memory, as well collaborate with the Philonise and Keeta Floyd Institution, founded by the brother of George Floyd’s brother, to commemorate the life of George Floyd.

Additionally, the event hopes to raise awareness for the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act that’s before Congress. If you’re in Houston and able to attend the march, it will start this Saturday, May 22 in McGregor Park at 8 AM CST and finish at the Jack Yates High School.

Check out more information on the march in an Instagram post shared to the Ruff Ryders To The Rescue account:

Here’s the full caption for the post:

Ruff Ryders 2 The Rescue is joining forces with Philonese & Keeta Floyd ‘Institute For Social Change for a game-changing ride event. Come out and support a monumental humanitarian cause! We are asking that everyone reach out to your local congressmen to ensure the vote to pass the “George Floyd Justice In Policing Act” In Congress. Our ride honors George Floyd & The Late Great DMX. For years, X has been the voice of strength, hope, and courage in the streets throughout the black community. Over the past decade, most of the Black culture has suffered behind police brutality without justice. We’ve watched countless viral videos of sisters and brothers senselessly beaten and gunned down by law enforcement. It’s time to end this cycle. We’re striving for the passing of this bill to help end police brutality in our culture and begin to hold law enforcement accountable. The ride out will take place on Saturday May 22nd at 8am CST in Houston and start at 5225 Calhoun Road and end at 3650 Alabama Street. The proceeds of the t-shirt will be donated to our campaign to end police brutality. Gear up, join us, and support a monumental humanitarian cause!

Learn more about the event here.

Young Thug Says He Won $5,000 From Another Rapper Betting That Tekashi 69 Would Snitch

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During Young Thug’s recent second appearance on the Million Dollaz Worth Of Game podcast, the Atlanta trap mad scientist covered a lot of topics, from clearing the air regarding his Jay-Z Verzuz comments to recalling a bet he made with a peer over whether the notorious Tekashi 69 would testify against his former comrades in the Nine Trey Bloods set.

It turns out, it was a pretty safe, “friendly” bet (in Young Thug’s words), as Tekashi did eventually end up testifying for a reduced sentence — a move that benefitted him personally, but left him essentially persona non grata among rap peers who believe he violated street code. Although Thug himself doesn’t subscribe to this belief, he said he simply believes in loyalty and was brought up not to spill his friends’ secrets.

Detailing the bet itself, Thug refused to share who it was with (see above), but still shared enough to back up the story. “I can’t say his name, but I bet another rapper,” he recalled. “I don’t know where he from. I think the West Coast…. bet another rapper that 6ix9ine [would] tell before he told. I’m like, ‘He gon’ tell.’ Me and him bet a friendly $5,000…. I bet $5,000 that he’d tell and he bet $5,000 that nothing is gonna happen to him. I bet $5,000 that something was gonna happen to him, too. I don’t know why I had that belief. I really believed he gon’ think he gangsta, he gon’ try to step out, and somebody gon’ do somethin’. Even if it’s on some humble sh*t.”

Of course, to date, nothing serious has happened to Tekashi, although he’s kept up his trollish antics. Part of that may be due to the pandemic that shut down most public life over the past year and part of it may be due to the security guards he seemingly has around him at all times, but either way, it looks like Thug only gets to collect on half that bet for the time being. Considering he recently claimed to have lost nearly a million dollars in one night in Vegas, maybe he should consider leaving the gambling to the professionals.

Young Thug is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

T-Pain Wants To Make You A Drink With His New Book Of Cocktail Recipes

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For nearly 15 years now, T-Pain‘s been primarily recognized by his signature hit, “Buy U A Drank(Shawty Snappin’).” The song, which reached the No.1 spot on the Hot 100 in May 2007 and was sampled in T-Pain’s latest single, “I Like Dat” featuring Kehlani, has since seen a recent resurgence thanks to its popularity on TikTok. Therefore, it’s no surprise that it formed the inspiration for T-Pain’s latest endeavor: a book of cocktail recipes, cheekily titled Can I Mix You A Drink?

Written with the input of God Save The Queens author Kathy Iandoli and mixologist Maxwell Britten, the title bills the book as 50 cocktail recipes from T-Pain’s life and career. T-Pain told Billboard, “Years back, I got up with my friend, [author] Kathy Iandoli, and told her I wanted to do some innovative s–t, so this was a concept we had in mind for a while, where I could combine my music with my love of drinking. She and I worked on this for a while, and then we both were busy with other stuff, then we came back together and finished this up.”

Can I Mix You a Drink? is due September 14, 2021, and is available for pre-order in both hardcover and Kindle editions here.

The Roots’ Questlove And Black Thought Are Teaming With Disney Junior For An Animated Short Series

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Questlove and Black Thought both keep themselves plenty busy outside of The Roots, and now the pair is teaming up for yet another new endeavor. This time, it’s Rise Up, Sing Out, a series of animated shorts they’re making with Disney Junior.

The series, which is set to premiere later in 2021, will feature music from the pair. Press materials describe the show, “Presenting important concepts around race, racism and social justice for the youngest viewers, the series consists of music-based shorts that are designed to provide an inspiring and empowering message about noticing and celebrating differences and providing a framework for conversation.”

In a joint statement, Questlove and Black Thought said, “It is an honor to work with the Disney Junior team to help create a series of shorts that will empower and uplift the future generations in the way we know best, through music. We hope these shorts will encourage the young audience to recognize and celebrate our differences as human beings while learning the tools to navigate real-world issues of racial injustice.”

Joe D’Ambrosia — senior vice president, Original Programming and general manager, Disney Junior — also said, “We recognize that many kids are experiencing a multitude of feelings around what’s happening in our world today and know that many families are struggling with how to discuss sensitive issues around race. Our goal with these shorts is to open up the conversation and provide families with the tools and knowledge to address these important topics with their preschoolers in an age-appropriate manner through music and relatable kid experiences.”

A Rapper Is In Trouble After Attending The Capitol Riot And Taking A Photo For An Album Cover

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People who were at the infamous Capitol riot earlier this year have been getting exposed, and now a rapper has found himself in trouble after showing up to the Capitol, taking photos, and using one of them on an album cover.

Newsweek reports that Virginia-based rapper Bugzie The Don (real name Antionne DeShaun Brodnax) was pictured sitting on top of a SWAT truck as rioters stormed the Capitol building behind him. The image was used as the cover art for his album The Capitol, which was released in March.

Bugzie told the FBI that he was in DC on the day of the riot to shoot a music video. He also said he followed protestors and entered the building, but did so peacefully. He walked around, took photos and videos inside, and said he did not enter any office or chambers, nor did he engage in any violence or theft. He also noted that while inside, he received messages from friends informing him that video of him walking around was broadcast live on CNN.

In March, the rapper was charged with entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; parading, demonstrating, or picketing in a capitol building; and disorderly conduct in a Capitol building.

Pooh Shiesty Explains When He Knew ‘Back In Blood’ Was A Hit For Uproxx’s ‘How I Blew Up’

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Memphis native Pooh Shiesty is in the midst of a massive career breakout thanks to the viral success of his hit single “Back In Blood,” a star-making co-sign from trap rap godfather Gucci Mane, and his recently released debut mixtape Shiesty Season, which features appearances from big-name co-stars like 21 Savage, Lil Durk, and Memphis’s own Tay Keith.

Uproxx’s newest show, How I Blew Up narrated by Cherise Johnson, gives the Southern star the chance to tell the story of his rise to fame in his own words, from his upbringing in the Cane Creek Apartments to the moment he knew “Back In Blood” was smashing success. His breakout began with an attention-getting turn on “Breaking News,” which led to Gucci Mane reaching out to him in the dead of night. “Back In Blood,” though, was the catalyst for Pooh reaching his current level of renown after a snippet of Pooh and Lil Durk shooting the video circulated online. He just received his gold plaque for Shiesty Season, and details his plans for the future, which include his own label, Choppa Gang, supporting childhood friend and fellow rapper Big30.

Watch Pooh Shiesty break down how he blew up above.

Pooh Shiesty is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Mark Wahlberg Wrecks Joyner Lucas’ Car In The High-Speed ‘Zim Zimma’ Video. With Diddy And George Lopez

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If you know anything about hip-hop at all, you’ll probably recognize the title of Joyner Lucas‘ new single “Zim Zimma” as the contorted, familiar catchphrase coined by Beenie Man on his 1998 hit “Who Am I” (repurposed from Missy Elliott’s 1997 debut single “The Rain [Supa Dupa Fly]“) in which Beenie wonders “Who’s got the keys to my Beema?” In Joyner’s case, it turns out to be none other than actor/rapper/fast-driving car enthusiast Mark Wahlberg. Like Lucas, Wahlberg hails from Massachusetts, so it’s no surprise that the two are acquainted.

Waving off Joyner’s initial concerns, Mark promises to teach him “how to drive this b*tch” before wrecking the car in a collision with a dirt pile. While Mark tries to downplay the damage, an exasperated Joyner leaves him to deal with the mess, strolling the streets of Beverly Hills to his “uncle George’s” house — who turns out to be comedian George Lopez. After some finagling, Joyner manages to borrow his Unc’s BMW — although he’s disappointed to discover it’s more “Beater” than “Beamer.” A final scene sees Joyner cruising in (or rather, on top of) a miniature version of the car for kids alongside yet another famous face: Diddy — aka “Love” — who mugs the camera as Lucas launches into a lightspeed display of multisyllabic lyricism.

“Zim Zimma” follows Lucas’ Lil Baby collaboration “Ramen & OJ” and similarly quirky, high-concept music video for “Will Smith.”

Watch Joyner Lucas’ “Zim Zimma” video above.

Kevin Abstract Explains Brockhampton’s ‘Final Album’ Decision: ‘We All Love Each Other’

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Brockhampton fans took a blow this past March when the group’s founder and de facto frontman, Kevin Abstract, announced that their next two albums would be their last as a group. Since then, they’ve released the first of the pair, the expansive Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine, leaving them with one final project to put out as a group before they go their separate ways.

However, before that, Kevin addressed the impending shakeup on Twitter, perhaps hoping to impart a sense of closure to longtime fans and reassure them that the group wasn’t breaking up for the usual dramatic reasons music fans are used to hearing. “We all love each other and we wanna continue making the best music we can,” he wrote. “Everybody just getting a lil older and got a lot to say outside of group projects. We’ve dedicated the last ten years of our lives to making music together. This next project we’re just doing what’s rite.”

He did share some good news for Brockham fans sorry to see the group go, though. While their next album will be the final album completed as a group, Abstract did tease that the long-awaited Technical Difficulties project that appeared to be scrapped last year might still see a release sometime down the road — it just may take a while due to sample clearances. “Still wanna try to get technical difficulties out at some point,” he admitted. “Just hella samples to clear, so i wouldn’t even be surprised if that came after the last album. But we really want that out.”

The group hasn’t yet announced when the final album will come along or what it’ll be called, but there’s a Europe tour planned for 2022, so it’ll presumably be out by then, and then the future beckons.

Check out the tour dates for 2022 below.

YG & Mozzy Announce The Release Date Of Their Joint Album ‘Kommunity Service’

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Mozzy

It’s official; Mozzy and YG’s full-length joint project, which features collaborations “Bompton To Oak Park” and “Perfect Timing” with Blxst, has a solid release date. The duo announced the title and release date of Kommunity Service today, sharing the cover and star-studded tracklist as well. The cover reproduces the poster of Hype Williams’ 1998 feature film debut Belly with Mozzy and YG standing in for the late DMX and Nas, while the tracklist includes a who’s-who of street-centric fellows; A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, G Herbo, Tyga, and Young M.A are all set to appear on the 10-song set.

The two California rappers will drop Kommunity Service this Friday, May 21. Both rappers are in the midst of career upswings; while Mozzy turned in a productive 2020 with two albums, Beyond Bulletproof and Occupational Hazard, YG successfully launched his own artists and imprint with the compilation EP 4hunnid Presents: Gang Affiliated. Some of both artists’ signees are included on Kommunity Service, including D3szn, E Mozzy, and Celly Ru.

Check out the tracklist for Kommunity Service, which drops 5/21, below and pre-order it here.

  1. Gangsta
  2. Dangerous ft. G Herbo
  3. Bompton to Oak Park
  4. MAD ft. Young M.A
  5. Vibe With You ft. Ty Dolla $ign
  6. Drop A Location ft. A Boogie wit da Hoodie
  7. Toot It Up ft. Tyga
  8. First 48 ft. D3szn, E Mozzy & Celly Ru
  9. Bite Down
  10. Perfect Timing ft. Blxst

Dave Grohl Joins The Chicago Mayor In Teasing The Full-Capacity Return Of Lollapalooza 2021

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Following reports that Lollapalooza’s 2021 return was approved by the city, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot makes it official. Lightfoot tapped Dave Grohl to join her in a video to tease the return of massive festival, saying it can return to it’s full capacity of 100,000 people per day and will take place in Grant Park the weekend of July 29 through August 1.

The teaser video opens with Lightfoot and Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady, who has been advising the city on COVID-19 safety measures, sitting together on lawn chairs and listening to music. Lightfoot asks Arwady if live music will be able to return soon, and she replies with, “You know, I think we can do it. We keep getting people vaccinated, we keep making good progress, I’m giving the green light.” Grohl then appears in the clip with his own video message. “What’s up Chicago. I’ll see you this summer with my good friends the Foo Fighters,” he says.

Sharing the video on social media, Lightfoot wrote that proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test will be require upon entry at Lollapalooza. “In alignment with our public health guidance, the world class festival returns to the city later this summer. However, full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test will be required to enjoy the festivities.”

Watch Mayor Lightfoot and Dave Grohl in the Lollapalooza 2021 teaser video above.

Lollapalooza’s 2021 lineup will be revealed 5/19 at 10 a.m. CDT, with tickets going on sale at noon.