Music

Joe Budden Tells DJ Akademiks To Stop Reporting About Drake

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Joe Budden is a polarizing figure in hip-hop media. He’s been called a hypocrite, especially with regards to his personal life. He’s also been called a hater, as seen in his infamous Lil Yachty interview. The former rapper does make some good points, however. He reflected on the Drake coverage that DJ Akademiks has been doing in recent weeks, and he sees a problem. In Budden’s estimation, Ak’s bias towards the 6 God has made him an unreliable source for fans.

Budden broke it down on an episode of the Joe Budden Podcast. He applauded DJ Akademiks for his journalism skills, but criticized the way Ak has shared it. He pointed to the recent bot allegations that were made against Kendrick Lamar during the NBA finals as a prime example. “Ak is the one on stream during the NBA finals,” Budden asserted. “Good journalistic sh*t you was doing, but you gotta know that any Drake news coming from you is viewed through a different type of eye.” The former Slaughterhouse member pointed to Ak’s relationship with Drake as the problem.

Read More: Jay-Z Called “Cap” On Alleged Beanie Sigel Betrayal, Joe Budden Reveals

Joe Budden Tried To Give His Former Co-Host Advice

DJ Akademiks shared messages he got from Drake during the Kendrick Lamar battle. Drake even used a sample of Ak on the diss song “Push Ups.” Joe Budden correctly noted that whenever Ak tries to defend Drake, it will look like he’s being given orders by the rapper. “It comes off as a mission sent from Drake,” he explained. His advice to both DJ Akademiks and Drake is to take a couple plays off. Especially in the wake of Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop Out” concert, which was an overwhelming success. “It’s too much to fight,” he added. “You’re gonna look away.”

Joe Budden ultimately urged DJ Akademiks to stop proselytizing on Drake’s behalf. “Ak is the mouth piece,” he complained. “As a Drake fan, I want Ak to stop announcing things about Drake… The Drake releases are much better as a surprise. Anything with Ak reporting it, it just looked a way.” Joe Budden wrapped up his statement by assuring fans that he has respect for DJ Akademiks. He did throw him a bit of a dig, however, when he said that Ak doesn’t care about criticisms because Drake is a “brand builder.” He’s not wrong.

Read More: Drake Fans Theorize He Was Taking A Shot At Joe Budden With His “One Trick Ponies” Post

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Diddy Reps Claim He Stands By Cassie Apology Despite Deleting It

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Diddy made a confusing decision on June 21. The Bad Boy mogul decided to delete all of his posts on Instagram. The speculation as to why was overshadowed, though, by the fact that his apology video to Cassie was one of the posts deleted. Fans quickly honed in on this decision, and questioned whether it meant Diddy takes back the statements he made in the video. It didn’t take long for Diddy’s reps to get on the horn with TMZ and attempt straighten things out.

Diddy’s reps told TMZ that he stands by the apology. The outlet was told that the mogul was not taking a shot at Cassie by removing the video. The rep cited the deletion of all Diddy’s Instagram posts as proof. They then went on to tell TMZ that the apology video already served its purpose. “Diddy’s apology was seen around the world,” the outlet wrote. “and “[It] got published/broadcast everywhere — so everyone’s seen it, and it exists forever. In terms of how feels. We’re told Diddy meant what he said in that clip, and that stands even today.” In short, Diddy reportedly meant what he said, and still does.

Read More: Diddy Once Confronted Suge Knight With Guns, Ex-Bodyguard Alleges

Diddy Deleted His Entire Instagram Feed

 
 
 
 
 
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The clarification did not stop there. The mogul’s reps claimed that the decision to wipe the IG account is not a strategic one. TMZ was told the decision was made spontaneously, and doesn’t have a significance beyond Diddy wanting a clean feed. It’s admittedly hard to take the mogul at his word, given the various crimes and incidents he’s denied. He was adamant that was innocent when Cassie filed a lawsuit against him for abuse. Then, the video of Diddy assaulting Cassie in a hotel lobby surfaced on CNN.

The mogul’s apology was criticized even before its deletion. A member of the form representing Cassie, Hillary Povar, dismissed it outright to Fox 11. “It wasn’t about her,” she claimed. “It wasn’t about what he did wrong, and I think that’s where we see a lot of things go wildly off course from a PR perspective.” Povar also emphasized the importance of legal action over internet “cancelation.” “It’s just ineffective in terms of really dealing with what the actual issue is.”

Read More: Diddy Allegedly Abused Cassie For Having An Affair With Kid Cudi

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Diddy Could Come Back From Cassie Assault Footage In Three Ways, Michael Blackson Claims

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It’s no secret that Diddy has a tough road ahead of him, but according to Michael Blackson, he has a few different ways that he could possibly redeem himself. During a recent interview with The Art Of Dialogue, the comedian weighed in on the slew of lawsuits the Bad Boy Records founder is currently facing. For those who don’t recall, he’s been accused of rape, physical abuse, and more in recent months. Matters were only made worse in May when footage of him assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie surfaced online. Unsurprisingly, it left viewers disturbed and certainly didn’t help his public image.

“I saw the video, man,” Michael Blackson explained. “And the thing about it is, like, everything else was speculations […] whether his sexuality, everything he was doing, sex trafficking — all of that was all speculation, but when you saw the video, you’re like, ‘If he could do this, he’s capable of anything.’”

Read More: Roger Bonds Addresses Diddy & Felix Da Housecat Relationship Rumors

Michael Blackson Claims Diddy Could Come Out, Convert To Islam, Or Become A Pastor

He continued, revealing the three different options he thinks he has to redeem himself. “There’s probably three ways [for him] coming back to life. Probably the Nation Of Islam — number one, probably, right? Y’know, go out there, got talk to [Louis] Farrakhan, join the team, I mean put him on the street [to] sell bean pies, like they did back in [the] 90s,” he began. “Two, just join the LGBTQIE [sic] — I’m not sure if I missed any letters or not. Join them […] Turn into a pastor [or] something; turn into a Ma$e. Y’know, become a pastor, or just pack this sh*t and go to some village somewhere and change your name.”

What do you think of Michael Blackson’s take on Diddy’s potential paths to redeem himself? Do you agree with him or not? Do you think there’s any coming back for Diddy amid the countless allegations he’s facing? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read More: Diddy Scrubs His Instagram Following Months Of Controversy

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Havoc Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Prodigy On Anniversary Of His Death

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Havoc and Prodigy changed hip-hop. As Mobb Deep, they perfected the hardcore East Coast sound. They also sold three million records in the process, making them one of the most respected duos in the genre’s history. Havoc and Prodigy also found success as solo artists, but the latter’s life was tragically cut short by sickle cell disease. Prodigy died on June 20, 2017 at the age of 42. A lot of time has passed, but Havoc is still paying respects to his former partner.

Havoc took to Instagram on June 20 to honor Prodigy’s memory. He posted various photos of him and Prodigy over the years, along with a heartfelt caption. “Missing my brother,” he wrote. “Today marks 7 years, feels like just yesterday we were rocking them stages and reflecting on our journey.” The rapper followed up this post with a second. A simpler post, with only one photo and one phrase, but emotional nonetheless. “Day one’s,” he wrote under a photo of the two rappers as children. This isn’t the firs time Havoc has spoken highly of his partner in public.

Read More: Remembering Prodigy Of Mobb Deep

Havoc And Prodigy Were Childhood Friends

The rapper was questioned by TMZ shortly after Prodigy’s death and asked to make a statement. he made it clear that he needed time to grief. “I’m still f**ked up,” he admitted. “I can’t even listen to ‘Shook Ones’ or any songs. I can hardly look at the pictures… [we] met when I was 15. I’m 43 right now.. I still can’t believe it.” Havoc was continued to brandish and celebrated Mobb Deep’s legacy in the years since Prodigy’s passing. Especially when it comes to the anniversaries of seminal albums like The Infamous.

Havoc, who considers himself to be lyrically masterful, told Billboard that Prodigy outshined him on their breakthrough release. He does maintain, however, that he got Prodigy on the album before. “The whole album he stepped his game up,” Havoc conceded. “[When] we were on Juvenile Hell, I thought I was the lyricist of the group. When we started working on The Infamous album… as time went on I said ‘goddam, this dude is a animal.’” In 2023, Havoc announced that a new Mobb Deep album would be released with previously unheard Prodigy verses.

Read More: “Shook Ones, Pt. II” By Mobb Deep Is The Best-Ever Beat, Rock The Bells Proclaims

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The post Havoc Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Prodigy On Anniversary Of His Death appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Havoc Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Prodigy On Anniversary Of His Death

by

Havoc and Prodigy changed hip-hop. As Mobb Deep, they perfected the hardcore East Coast sound. They also sold three million records in the process, making them one of the most respected duos in the genre’s history. Havoc and Prodigy also found success as solo artists, but the latter’s life was tragically cut short by sickle cell disease. Prodigy died on June 20, 2017 at the age of 42. A lot of time has passed, but Havoc is still paying respects to his former partner.

Havoc took to Instagram on June 20 to honor Prodigy’s memory. He posted various photos of him and Prodigy over the years, along with a heartfelt caption. “Missing my brother,” he wrote. “Today marks 7 years, feels like just yesterday we were rocking them stages and reflecting on our journey.” The rapper followed up this post with a second. A simpler post, with only one photo and one phrase, but emotional nonetheless. “Day one’s,” he wrote under a photo of the two rappers as children. This isn’t the firs time Havoc has spoken highly of his partner in public.

Read More: Remembering Prodigy Of Mobb Deep

Havoc And Prodigy Were Childhood Friends

The rapper was questioned by TMZ shortly after Prodigy’s death and asked to make a statement. he made it clear that he needed time to grief. “I’m still f**ked up,” he admitted. “I can’t even listen to ‘Shook Ones’ or any songs. I can hardly look at the pictures… [we] met when I was 15. I’m 43 right now.. I still can’t believe it.” Havoc was continued to brandish and celebrated Mobb Deep’s legacy in the years since Prodigy’s passing. Especially when it comes to the anniversaries of seminal albums like The Infamous.

Havoc, who considers himself to be lyrically masterful, told Billboard that Prodigy outshined him on their breakthrough release. He does maintain, however, that he got Prodigy on the album before. “The whole album he stepped his game up,” Havoc conceded. “[When] we were on Juvenile Hell, I thought I was the lyricist of the group. When we started working on The Infamous album… as time went on I said ‘goddam, this dude is a animal.’” In 2023, Havoc announced that a new Mobb Deep album would be released with previously unheard Prodigy verses.

Read More: “Shook Ones, Pt. II” By Mobb Deep Is The Best-Ever Beat, Rock The Bells Proclaims

[via]

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Chance The Rapper’s New Single “Stars Out” Leaves Fans With High Expectations For Upcoming Album

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Chance The Rapper fans have been looking forward to a new project from the hitmaker for years now, and it finally looks like one is on the horizon. Earlier today, he unveiled his brand new single, “Stars Out.” The track arrived alongside a minimalistic accompanying music video, and so far, fans are impressed. It’s expected to appear on his upcoming album, Star Line Gallery, which he officially announced in April of this year.

Listeners sharing their reactions to the new single on social media, revealing that it’s given them high hopes for the rest of the album. “Stars Out” follows Chance’s single “Buried Alive,” which he also unleashed back in April. That similarly had fans looking forward to hearing what else he has to offer on his next LP, and anticipating a major comeback for the Chicago artist.

Read More: Chance The Rapper Keeps The Comeback Momentum Alive With “Stars Out”

“Ok chance the rapper finally rapping again,” one fan says of the new track on Twitter. “I’m so ready for Chance The Rapper comeback,” someone else writes. Others are claiming that if “Stars Out” is anything like the rest of the album, he has a huge year ahead of him, and they can’t wait.

Star Line Gallery does not yet have an official release date, though he originally announced that it would drop in Spring of this year. It’s too late for that now, however, fans still expect it to arrive sometime in 2024. Hopefully, it’ll be released sooner rather than later.

Social Media Reacts To “Stars Out”

What do you think of Chance The Rapper’s new single? Do you agree that he’s heading for a major comeback? Are you looking forward to hearing what else he has to offer on Star Line Gallery? Share your thoughts in the comments section, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates. Check out some social media users’ reactions to “Stars Out” down below.

Read More: Hip-Hop Albums We’re Still Waiting On For 2024

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Chloe Bailey Claims Her Music Is Only Labeled R&B Because Of Race

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Chloe Bailey has been a star for most of her like. She broke out as half of the duo Chloe x Hailey in 2016, and scored major successes alongside her sister before going solo in 2021. Her debut album was praised by fans and critics alike, for its musical ambition and eclectic blend of sounds. Chloe Bailey was trying to defy easy categorization with her art, but she was repeatedly tagged with the label of R&B. She talked about this frustrating situation during a recent interview with Nylon.

Bailey told the outlet that her R&B categorization stems from the color of her skin, and not her sound. “Any music I do will easily and quickly be categorized as R&B because I’m a Black woman,” she noted. “If someone who didn’t have my skin tone made the same music, it would be in the pop categories. That’s just the way it’s always been in life.” The desire to break out of genre constraints is something Bailey has sought to do more as she’s gotten older. She’s found chart success, and now she’s seeking out artistic success on her own terms. Bailey cited two of the singers who managed to shed the R&B label, and one of them, unsurprisingly, is her mentor.

Read More: Chloe Bailey Dons A Leopard-Print Bikini In Stunning Beachside Snaps

Chloe Bailey Wants To Challenge R&B Conventions

 
 
 
 
 
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Chloe Bailey loved Beyonce’s album Cowboy Carter. She had a front row seat to Beyonce’s transformation, given that she signed to the icon’s label in 2016. She was still surprised by what she heard in terms of genre experimentation. “I was really proud of Beyonce doing Cowboy Carter,” she asserted. “Because Black people originated country music. It’s just showing that possibilities are endless.” Bailey also mentioned Whitney Houston as a Black, female singer who proved that true crossover success is attainable.

The singer isn’t going for Houston’s pop or Beyonce’s country on her new album, though. Chloe Bailey told Nylon that she’s seeking to carve her own genre and musical path. One inspired by the sounds she has heard in the Caribbean. The outlet cites “calypso, gospel, Afrobeats, and Carnival band music” in the upcoming album, which is titled Trouble In Paradise. Bailey concurs. She also described an overarching theme to the album. “[It’s a] coming-of-age celebration of being a woman and having fun,” she stated. “Not taking life too seriously.” We can’t wait to hear it.

Read More: Chloe Bailey Returns To Eating Meat After More Than A Decade Of Being Vegan

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Spotify Launches New Plan in U.S. For a Dollar Less That Entirely Exclude Audiobooks

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Spotify has introduced a new subscription plan, Basic, priced at $10.99 per month, offering a $1 discount for users who don’t need audiobook access. Take that, inflation! 

Check this out, this single-user plan provides ad-free access to millions of songs and podcast episodes but excludes the audiobook feature available in the regular Premium Individual plan, which costs $11.99 per month.

Spotify explained this one who dollar drop in price stating, “Enjoy the music streaming benefits of your Premium plan without the monthly audiobook listening time,” when announcing the Basic tier. In contrast, the higher-priced premium plans include 15 hours of audiobook listening time monthly from a catalog of over 250,000 titles.

Get this, the basic plan’s launch follows recent price increases for most of Spotify’s existing plans. The Individual plan rose by $1 to $11.99 per month, the Family plan went up by $3 to $19.99 per month, and the Premium Duo plan increased by $2 to $16.99 per month.

Oh but wait, additionally, Spotify offers an audiobooks-only plan for $9.99 per month, providing 15 hours of audiobook listening time.

The new Audiobooks Access tier, introduced on March 1, allows Spotify to pay lower music-licensing rates for bundled plans. This follows a 2022 settlement between the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and streaming services, which includes a carveout for bundles like Amazon Prime and Apple Music + Apple News.

Don’t get too excited because last week, the NMPA filed a complaint with the FTC against Spotify, arguing that these music-and-audiobook bundles will reduce mechanical royalty payments to songwriters and artists by $150 million annually. Spotify acknowledges that the bundles allow for lower royalty rates but maintains that overall earnings for creators will continue to rise.

The post Spotify Launches New Plan in U.S. For a Dollar Less That Entirely Exclude Audiobooks first appeared on The Source.

The post Spotify Launches New Plan in U.S. For a Dollar Less That Entirely Exclude Audiobooks appeared first on The Source.

Megan Thee Stallion’s ‘Megan’ Tracklist Features Victoria Monét, UGK, And Even A Snake Reference In Japanese

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Megan Thee Stallion’s new album, Megan, is one day closer. Today, the Houston hottie shared the tracklist, revealing that the project will be 18 tracks long, with features from past collaborator GloRilla, Brooklyn drill rapper Kyle Ricch, R&B hitmaker Victoria Monét, Texas royalty UGK, and Japanese rapper Yuki Chiba. The snake motif that has unfurled over the past year continues, with “Boa,” “Cobra,” and “Hiss” joined by “Rattle” and “Mamushi,” which is the Japanese word for “snake.”

As usual, Megan’s love for Japanese anime shines through, as well, with a track titled “Otaku Hot Girl” borrowing the Japanese term for “fans” or “nerds,” which was co-opted by American anime fans to refer to themselves. Meg recently updated the cover of the album in response to fans’ lukewarm reception of the original, butterfly-themed cover. She went back to her snake theme, using a photo of herself emerging from a giant egg covered in slime.

During the tour promoting the album, Hot Girl Summer, Thee Stallion proved many of her haters wrong in saying she isn’t an arena artist, hanging out with WNBA stars like Angel Reese and Brittney Griner, and found herself upgraded to headliner on festivals like Lollapalooza and Outside Lands after Tyler The Creator dropped out.

Megan is out 6/28 via Hot Girl Productions LLC. Find out more information here.

Chance The Rapper Pulls The ‘Stars Out’ On His Celebratory New ‘Star Line’ Single

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Chance The Rapper’s comeback trail continues with “Stars Out,” the latest single from Star Line, the follow-up to the Chicago rapper’s debut album, The Big Day. While previous singles “Buried Alive” and “Together” were heady, introspective songs about Chance’s efforts to rebuild his confidence and take care of his family after his first album underperformed, “Stars Out” is more celebratory, with Chance in more of a party mode, pulling out his Rolls-Royce Phantom to flex for a night on the town. However, Chano’s serpentine lyricism is still on full display, with rapid-fire punchlines peppering a jazzy instrumental.

Although it’s getting a little late in the year for Chance to hit his intended release window of spring 2024, Chance has probably earned himself a little grace with his confident singles. He also deserves a little after experiencing some upheaval in his personal life; in April, it was revealed he and his wife Kirsten Corley had agreed to a divorce after a trial separation — a decision that definitely prompted some soul-searching for the noted wife guy. Now that he’s recalibrated his identity to account for the loss, though, he’s got the release of Star Line to look forward to — and so do we, the fans.

Listen to Chance The Rapper’s “Stars Out” above.