The Game is a legendary West Coast rapper. He was the biggest star in Compton during the 2000s, and served as a mentor for the stars who came up under him. He was also absent from the biggest L.A. show in recent memory. Kendrick Lamar brought down the house with his “Pop Out” show on Juneteenth, and fans were quick to point out that Game was one of the few CPT legends who did not get a shout-out or a reference. This led many to theorize that Lamar and Game were on the outs. The latter decided to hop on Instagram Live the day after the show to clear the air.
The Game made it clear that he was a fan of the “Pop Out” show. “Kendrick did his sh*t, and what he did last night was amazing for the West Coast,” he told his followers. “I sat back and I watched it. I ain’t have to be there to think that the muthaf**king sh*t was cool. It’s a dub for the coast.” He assured fans that he has no problem with Lamar or TDE as a label. The rapper actually claimed that he was given the chance to invest in TDE when the label was starting out. “[Anthony] Top Dawg [Tiffith] wanted to give me half of Top Dawg,” The Game stated. “I didn’t want nothing from n**gas. I just wanted to push n**gas in the right direction.”
The “Hate It or Love It” noted that he doesn’t live to engage in gossip. Still, he was annoyed by what he saw on social media during and after the “Pop Out.” “Stop speculating and doing all that goofy sh*t,” he demanded. “Muthaf**kas in my DM, all these blog sites talking about ‘the West Coast ain’t f**king with you and you ain’t this and you ain’t that. I be in my own lane, chilling. Taking care of my kids.” The Game also felt the need to assert the role he played in helping people like Dot and Nipsey Hussle break through to the mainstream. “That n**ga learned that sh*t on the way up,” he said. “Snoop looked out for me like that, I looked out for Kendrick.”
The rapper does have evidence to support his claim. The Game tapped Kendrick Lamar to appear on his 2011 song “The City,” and reunited with him on 2015’s “On Me.” Lamar, meanwhile, dedicated a verse to The Game on the 2012 song “Black Boy Fly.” The song, which uses Game’s real name, Jayceon Taylor, details the jealously that Lamar felt when the former released his classic debut, The Documentary. The respect has always been mutual between the two rappers, even if the friendliness hasn’t been.
Kendrick Lamar’s recent “Pop Out” at the Forum in LA was undoubtedly impressive, and it appears as though he paid tribute to one of the iconic artists who inspired him with his onstage outfit. During the show, Kendrick rocked a bright red hoodie with a white t-shirt underneath, as well as a matching red hat. This is strikingly similar to the look 2Pac wore for his performance at the 1994 Source Awards.
To complete his 2Pac-inspired fit, Kendrick even sported a massive diamond cross chain, which is also similar to the one the late icon wore at the awards show. Jeweler Ben Baller recently chatted with TMZ Hip Hop about the eye-catching piece, revealing that Kendrick reached out to him last week looking for something to wear for the show. He claims that he wasn’t aware of its connection to 2Pac at first, but was friends with him before his 1996 death, making it an ideal collab.
Reportedly, the chain Kendrick wore is worth a whopping $600K, which is certainly no small chunk of change. He also rocked a $150K Cuban link, meaning that all together, his jewelry alone was $750K. Obviously, the hitmaker went all out, and fans can’t blame him. Aside from the hundreds of thousands of fans tuning in to watch the show, he was joined by several of his celebrity peers onstage. Dr. Dre, YG, Tyler, The Creator, and many more made appearances.
He performed his hit “Not Like Us” five times too, truly driving his message home after his viral feud with Drake. As for Ben Baller, he said he didn’t pick a side amid the beef, and that he’s still friends with Drizzy despite providing Kendrick with the 2Pac-inspired chain. What do you think of Kendrick Lamar paying tribute to 2Pac with his “Pop Out” look? Are you surprised? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Bianca Censori never fails to draw attention with her creative, and usually scandalous, looks. The Australian model’s latest outing in Paris was certainly no exception. She was recently spotted heading out to a local hotspot, stunning in yet another nude-colored fit. It consisted of pants with suspender-like straps covering her chest and left little to the imagination. She paired the eye-catching fit with a simple pair of heels.
Censori also topped off her look with a hot pink wavy wig. She was seen wearing something similar earlier this week. It appears as though she and her husband Kanye West are in town for Paris Fashion Week, and they stepped out for the Prototypes Menswear Spring/Summer 2025 runway show yesterday. Aside from the unexpected hairdo, she sported a curve-hugging sheer bodysuit and a pair of knee-high sock heels.
Kanye West and Bianca Censori attends the Marni fashion show during the Milan Fashion Week Womenswear Fall/Winter 2024-2025 on February 23, 2024 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
Ye was nowhere to be seen on her latest excursion. He opted to keep everything under wraps the last time he was photographed, however. At the runway show, he rocked an all-white outfit complete with a full face covering, gloves, and even a hood.
Censori’s most recent outfit is a bit of a departure from her typical looks, though it doesn’t necessarily come as a surprise. She usually prefers to show at least a little bit of skin and might have just grown tired of her usual nude bodysuits. What do you think of Bianca Censori’s latest scandalous look? Are you a fan? We’re not permitted to post the images directly on HotNewHipHop, but if you’d like to see them, you can do so by clicking the Via link below. Share your thoughts in the comments section, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop Out” show will go down as a classic moment. E-40, a guy who has seen a lot, deemed it one of the greatest nights in hip-hop history. All the heavy hitters from the West Coast were in attendance. Well, almost. Vince Staples is one of the few L.A. stars who was not present at the show, but it wasn’t for lack of support. Fans questioned why Staples was missing in action, and DJ Mustard set the record straight on social media.
The answer was simple enough. Vince Staples just dropped his latest album, Dark Times, and is gearing up to go on tour. DJ Mustard let it known that Staples was working when the “Pop Out” was popping off. “Vince Staples was overseas making the blacks proud on Juneteenth,” he wrote. “Other wise [sic] magic would of been magic on stage.” The producer is referencing the song “Magic,” a collab that appeared on Staples’ previous album, RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART. Vince Staples’ Instagram seems to back up Mustard’s claim. The last time the rapper posted was on June 8, and he included photos from a show he did in Germany.
Vince Staples’ busy schedule didn’t stop fans from asking where he was. The rapper even hopped on X (formerly Twitter) to quiet the speculation. “Stop politicking on my behalf,” he wrote. “Enjoy the beautiful moment.” The rapper also voiced his approval over the surprise appearance of Tommy the Clown at the “Pop Out” show. Staples tweeted the L.A. icon’s name, before elaborating. “In all honesty,” he wrote. “If I knew Tommy the Clown was gonna be there I would’ve cancelled the tour. I been waiting for my moment since ‘02.” Tommy the Clown is a dancer best known for pioneering the “clowning” style. In true Staples form, his comment is both hilarious and sincere.
Vince Staples is a Kendrick Lamar supporter. That being said, he didn’t love the impact that Lamar’s beef with Drake had on the music world. He spoke on the matter during a Long Beach event in May. “[Artists] are getting priced out of our contracts, we’re getting priced out of our imprints,” he explained. “There are no labels, basically, that are incentivized to sign Black music.” He then criticized media personalities and label heads for hyping up the beef. “While Taylor Swift is fighting for people to be able to have streaming money,” he noted. “N**gas is on the internet arguing with each other about some rap sh*t.”
Kendrick Lamar hosted his eagerly awaited “Pop Out” event at the Forum in LA last night, and as expected, he was joined by an impressive series of special guests. Dr. Dre, Tyler, The Creator, Jay Rock, YG, and many more took the stage, while others simply stopped by to watch the historic performance unfold. The Weeknd was one of them and was spotted having a blast in the crowd.
For those who don’t recall, The Weeknd seemingly dissed Drake on a collab with Future and Metro Boomin. As a result, he was called out by name on Drake’s track “Family Matters.” He didn’t appear to get involved much more than that, though he was still sure to show up to support Kendrick at the highly anticipated performance, which was his first since his viral feud with Drake.
Not everyone’s happy that he showed up, however. Toronto rapper Top5 recently took to Instagram to issue what appears to be an alleged threat. Moreover, he accused The Weeknd of using drugs. “@theweeknd you started doing coke now [you’re] from Compton?” he wrote. “Wait till my GGs see you.” It’s unclear exactly why Top5 is so upset with The Weeknd, but it’s possible that he simply feels like he should do a better job of repping Toronto.
Either way, he’s getting clowned for the alleged threat in No Jumper‘s comments section. “Bro threatening a dude who make love songs,” one Instagram user jokes. “Beefing with the weekend is cr*zy,” another claims. What do you think of Top5’s reaction to The Weeknd’s appearance at Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop Out” even in LA? Are you surprised or not? Is he going overboard? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
ScHoolboy Q is a cornerstone of the West Coast rap scene. His gritty lyricism and raw storytelling have carved out a distinctive niche. Emerging from the shadows of the Los Angeles hip-hop underground, Q’s journey with Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) has been nothing short of transformative. His music is a visceral journey through the highs and lows of his life. It blends street tales with introspective moments, making him a quintessential figure in contemporary rap. With his deep voice and compelling narratives, ScHoolboy Q has consistently pushed boundaries. Further, he delivers tracks that resonate with authenticity and a rugged charm that’s hard to replicate.
From the hard-hitting verses of Habits & Contradictions to the introspective depth of Oxymoron and the stark reflections in Blank Face LP, Q’s discography is a testament to his evolution as an artist. His ability to seamlessly merge personal struggles with universal themes has earned him a loyal following and critical acclaim. Tracks like “Man of the Year” and “Numb Numb Juice” have dominated charts. They cemented his status as a formidable force in hip-hop. Exploring ScHoolboy Q’s essential tracks, we delve into the songs defining his career.
1. “Hands On The Wheel” Ft. A$AP Rocky (2012)
From the mixtape Habits & Contradictions, “Hands on the Wheel” is a pivotal track in ScHoolboy Q’s career. Featuring A$AP Rocky, this song encapsulates the rebellious spirit and hedonistic lifestyle that marked Q’s early years in the industry. The beat, produced by Best Kept Secret, blends dark, pulsating rhythms that perfectly complement the carefree yet defiant lyrics. Moreover, “Hands on the Wheel” quickly gained traction for its seamless chemistry between Q and Rocky. The track explores themes of excess and escapism. This collaboration highlighted Q’s ability to create memorable hooks and verses and established his place within the broader rap community.
“Collard Greens,” featuring Kendrick Lamar, is a track from ScHoolboy Q’s major-label debut album, Oxymoron. This single showcases the dynamic chemistry between Q and Lamar. Produced by THC and Gwen Bunn, the song’s upbeat, party-ready vibe is underscored by complex lyrics exploring indulgence and escapism themes. Further, the track became a commercial success, peaking at No. 92 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning critical praise for its innovative production and lyrical depth. “Collard Greens” solidified ScHoolboy Q’s position in the mainstream rap scene. It proved his ability to craft hits that resonate with a wide audience. The collaboration with Kendrick Lamar further boosted its appeal, showcasing TDE’s talent pool and their influence on contemporary hip-hop. The song remains a fan favorite and a key highlight in Q’s discography.
3. “Man Of THe Year” (2014)
“Man of the Year,” a hit single from ScHoolboy Q’s album Oxymoron, captures the artist at his most celebratory. The track features a vibrant, upbeat production by Nez & Rio, incorporating a sample from Chromatics’ “Cherry.” With its hook and party-ready vibe, “Man of the Year” became an anthem for celebration and success. The song’s upbeat energy and catchy chorus quickly made it a favorite among fans. It even earned significant airplay and charted on the Billboard Hot 100. “Man of the Year” showcases ScHoolboy Q’s ability to create feel-good music that still carries his signature edge. The track’s success helped further establish Q’s reputation in hip-hop, highlighting his appeal.
4. “Studio” Ft. BJ The Chicago Kid (2014)
“Studio,” featuring BJ the Chicago Kid, is another track from ScHoolboy Q’s Oxymoron album. This smooth, sultry song explores themes of longing and desire. It contrasted sharply with the grittier tracks on the album. Swiff D’s production features a mellow beat and melodic undertones that perfectly complement Q’s reflective lyrics and BJ’s soulful hook. Moreover, the song became a commercial hit. It reached No. 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned acclaim for its laid-back vibe. “Studio” showcases a different side of ScHoolboy Q, highlighting his ability to delve into more personal and intimate themes. This track expanded his artistic range and resonated with a broader audience, proving his versatility as an artist. Its success solidified “Studio” as a key track in Q’s discography.
“That Part,” featuring Kanye West, is a standout track from ScHoolboy Q’s album Blank Face LP. The song is built on a hypnotic beat produced by Cubeatz, Cardo, and YeX. It created a dark, moody atmosphere that complements the introspective and braggadocious lyrics. The collaboration between Q and Kanye adds a dynamic layer to the track. Both artists delivered memorable verses that explored themes of success and excess. The track quickly gained popularity, peaking at No. 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. The high-profile collaboration and the infectious, repetitive hook, “That part, ” bolstered its success. The chemistry between ScHoolboy Q and Kanye West is palpable. Each brought their unique style to the track while maintaining a cohesive sound.
“Dope Dealer,” featuring E-40, is once again a track from ScHoolboy Q’s Blank Face LP. Produced by Southside and Metro Boomin, the song dives deep into the gritty realities of street life. Q delivers unfiltered verses about the drug trade. E-40’s distinctive flow adds another layer of authenticity and intensity to the track, making it a standout collaboration. The production of “Dope Dealer” is dark and menacing, perfectly complementing the subject matter. The beat’s heavy bass and haunting melodies set the stage for Q’s vivid storytelling as he navigates the dangers and allure of street life. Additionally, “Dope Dealer” was praised for its honest portrayal of a harsh reality. The collaboration with E-40, a legend in his own right, further solidified Q’s position in the hip-hop community.
7. “Numb Numb Juice” (2019)
“Numb Numb Juice” is the lead single from ScHoolboy Q’s fifth studio album CrasH Talk. It is a fiery and aggressive track that showcases Q’s raw energy and unfiltered lyricism. Produced by DJ Fu and Nez & Rio, the track is concise yet impactful, with Q packing a punch in its brief two-minute runtime. The song’s lyrics also reflect a no-nonsense attitude, with Q addressing his critics and asserting his dominance in the rap game. The production is gritty and intense, creating an urgent and electrifying atmosphere that draws listeners in from the first beat.
“Numb Numb Juice” was met with positive reviews, praised for its high energy and Q’s compelling performance. The accompanying music video, filled with vibrant visuals and homages to classic hip-hop videos, further amplified the track’s impact. The song’s success reaffirmed ScHoolboy Q’s position as a leading voice in contemporary hip-hop, showcasing his ability to deliver tracks that resonate with long-time fans and new listeners.
Kendrick Lamar’s “Pop Out” show has been the defining concert event of 2024. The rapper repped the West Coast with pride, and made sure to include every artist and celebrity that he considered vital to the California scene. Naturally, E-40 was among these artists. The Oakland icon had the unique but crucial job of narrating the “Pop Out” show, and to no one’s surprise, he crushed it. E-40’s voice was instantly recognizable, and perfectly suited to sound and feel of the event.
Like everything else related to the “Pop Out,” E-40’s involvement was a surprise. The rapper was tight-lipped about his involvement with Lamar’s pgLang team. He did, however, detail the way his narration came to be on Instagram. E-40 claimed that K. Dot reached out to him while he was on the road, and requested that he carve out time to provide recordings. The interaction reportedly happened over the phone while the rapper was in Washington. “After landing in Washington, DC from Aspen,” he wrote. “I rushed to the hotel to answer the call and contribute some authentic game to what I knew was going to be a monumental night for The West Coast.”
E-40 couldn’t attend the “Pop Out,” but he thanked Kendrick Lamar for making him feel included. He also showed love to the West Coast, which seemed to be the overriding sentiment of the event. “I feel honored to be considered for moments like this,” he added. “Sometimes the West Coast is overlooked. But not tonight. I’m glad I was able to play my part and Sprinkle a little Game on this historical moment.” E-40 dubbed the “Pop Out” concert “one of the biggest nights in hip-hop history,” and the public seems to agree.
Of course, E-40 couldn’t wrap up his message without praising the man of the hour. The West Coast may have won last night, but Kendrick Lamar is the rapper who made it possible, and E-40 made sure to emphasize Dot’s importance. “From the beginning I knew @kendricklamar was gonna be special,” the Oakland icon asserted. “He’s always shown me the utmost love and respect.” Lamar obviously feels a similar reverence for E-40, as he referenced the rapper on his now-classic Metro Boomin collab, “Like That.”
Kanye West’s various controversies continue to follow him throughout his career. According to Ty Dolla Sign, however, that hasn’t been a deterrent for him. During a recent interview with Billboard, he spoke about his Vulturescollaborator, dubbing him one of the best people he knows. Moreover, he theorizes that Ye’s talent is what’s allowed him to recover from all of his past scandals, and continue to retain a fanbase.
“Ye is the best artist of this generation, besides me, and I don’t give a f*ck about what people were talking about,” Ty told the outlet. “I know my n***a. He’s one of the best people I’ve ever met.” He went on to share how he thinks Ye is able to bounce back so quickly, which is why he claims he wasn’t concerned about the performance of Vultures 1.
(L-R) Rappers Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign perform onstage during the “Vultures 1” playback concert during Rolling Loud 2024 the at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 14, 2024 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
“Just with my analysis of how it goes with him, he goes all the way to the top,” he explained. “And something may happen and he’ll say [something people find offensive] — and then people [get] right back, you know. Because this sh*t is undeniable.” The duo has more on the way, and hopefully, it’ll arrive sooner rather than later. Vultures 2 was initially expected to arrive in March, which came and went with no album in sight. According to the NFR Podcast, however, he recently revealed that “The album is almost done and could be released any day now.”
What do you think of Ty Dolla Sign’s recent remarks about his collaborator, Kanye West? Do you agree with him or not? Are you looking forward to their upcoming album, Vultures 2? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
California knows how to party. Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth concert, The Pop Out: Ken & Friends, proved as much this week while living up to its name and bringing a range of street-certified artists from across the Los Angeles area together in a one-of-a-kind performance reminiscent of culture-defining shows like Fresh Fest, the Hard Knock Life Tour, or Jay-Z’s I Declare War show.
Kendrick himself called the show an example of “unity at its finest,” highlighting what to outsiders might appear to be an unusual and even ill-advised collection of affiliations, considering the city’s history of internecine gangland conflict. Just under three years ago, the Once Upon A Time In Los Angeles festival was marred by an attack on South Central rapper Drakeo The Ruler — an attack that turned out to be fatal, costing the city its third icon in as many years after the deaths of Nipsey Hussle and Kobe Bryant in 2019 and 2020.
So to collect so many of LA’s Blood and Crip-affiliated artists not only onto one show bill but onto the same stage was a victory for unity, regardless of the simmering spitefulness that ran through much of the headliner’s setlist.
It helps to have a common enemy, though.
The entire West Coast united on stage for the finale of Kendrick Lamar & Friends The Pop Out pic.twitter.com/9Y36quV8hm
While almost none of the artists on stage as Kendrick Lamar performed the Drake diss song “Not Like Us” five times in a row have ever even had dealings with the Canadian superstar, it was hard not to get caught up in the infectious energy permeating the Kia Forum. The song is a phenomenon, a viral tornado that has swept through real life gatherings as surely as it has social media. In its way, it’s also a callback to a simpler time, before TikTok dances and AI-powered algorithms determined the popularity of singles custom-designed to game search engines and recommendations pages.
That it’s a combative, defamatory anthem makes its popularity so unique; there is a call-and-response hook, but it revolves around dragging down a rival to the artist himself. Every quotable is damn near a libel litigator’s wet dream. It’s not exactly “standing on couches and crooning to the roof” music. Maybe that’s why it was such a perfect song to bring together a city so well-known for warfare. “California Love” is a thing, but the unspoken context is LA loves a hater.
Or maybe we just understand them. Look at the icons that this town has deified. Kobe Bryant’s defining characteristic was a near-sociopathic commitment to competition — one that his staunchest supporters inherited (Temecula, anyone?). Eazy-E? Rose to stardom on the wave of a song dedicated to his hatred of law enforcement. His former bandmate, Ice Cube, broke away from NWA with a vicious diss track of his own, “No Vaseline.” Tupac Shakur, arguably the West Coast’s messiah figure, is still the face and gold standard of rap beef thanks to his treatment of friend-turned-rival The Notorious B.I.G.
Kendrick’s show, as much as it shone a spotlight on LA’s flourishing well of talent, past, present, and future, was a testament to LA’s legacy of contrarianism, of contradiction. The city itself is often positioned as a counterpoint to New York, America’s “First City.” A trip downtown underlines its original architects’ intentions to make it the New York of the West. But everything around it, as the city grasps toward the ocean, the mountains, the desert surrounding it, displays its rejection of this characterization.
Ken & Friends was a rejection of external definitions. A declaration of LA’s own identity. But more than anything, it was a party, the likes of which you can only throw on the West Coast.
(WARNING: Spoilers for Power Book II: Ghost will be found below.)
So, where did we leave off in episode two of Power Book II: Ghost season four? “To Thine Own Self” concluded with a bit of a reality check for Tariq and Brayden as they realized that a life outside of the drug game is not one for them. Despite Noma’s demands for them to stay out of it, the duo opts to come up with a plan to get back in and make some money for themselves. Monet continues her search for her killer while Dru and Diana hope that she never finds an answer. Cane and Noma seem to be forming a new relationship and Effie made some big moves to keep the operation. Now that you’re up to speed, here’s what to expect for this week’s episode.
When Will Power Book II: Ghost Season 4, Episode 3 Come Out?
The third episode of Power Book II: Ghost season four, titled “Birthright,” will arrive on June 21. The episode will be available on Friday, 6/21 on the STARZ app starting at midnight EST/PST. The episode will later air on the STARZ TV channel at 8 pm ET/PT. A synopsis for “Birthright” can be found below:
Tariq and Brayden must find an in with a vicious new connect. Noma tasks Cane with handling a competitor operating on her turf.
You can also watch a pair of teasers for Power Book II: Ghost season four, episode three below:
New episodes of ‘Power Book II: Ghost’ season four are available on the STARZ app on Fridays at 12:00 am ET/PT and on the STARZ TV channel at 8:00 pm ET/PT.
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