Overall, Gunna has been having one heck of a year in 2024. The Atlanta, Georgia rap product has made quite a lot of noise when it comes to his music, which is almost a given every 12 months. This time through, the trap veteran dropped his follow-up to a Gift & a Curse, One of Wun, just over a month ago. Already, the project has seen some tremendous results, as the album peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 200 chart. That success can be attributed to songs like the title track, “prada dem”, “on one tonight,” and more. You cannot sleep on his feature game either, as his contributions to “1:59” by Normani and “Jump” by Tyla have led to massive streaming numbers. However, Gunna did hit a minor bump in the road as a fight broke out at a recent show.
According to HipHopDX, hands were thrown at the last stop of the Bittersweet Tour. The latter kicked off on May 4 and ended last night in his hometown of Atlanta at the State Farm Arena. Flo Milli accompanied him throughout the 16 locations and if you remember, it got off to a rocky start. The trek began in Columbus and during Flo’s time onstage a fan threw a shoe at her. It caused her to end her performance early and Gunna was there to show his support.
Now, the tour is ending with more violent acts, as it appears that two women were headlining the fight. It started with some bystanders holding the two ladies back while they were pushing each other. However, things escalated quickly, as the two concertgoers broke free of their restrainers and began to throw some hard-hitting punches. The climax of the tussle was the body slam, which seemingly ended the brawl. It seemed that the recipient of said action was ok, as she got up right after. But as we said, this was just a small hiccup last night, as Gunna appeared to be performing in front of a sold-out audience “back in the a”.
What are your thoughts on this fight at Gunna’s last Bittersweet Tour stop in Atlanta? Is this one of the nastiest pieces of fight footage you have seen from a hip-hop concert? Do you think Gunna is back after dropping One of Wun? Or was he never falling off? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Gunna. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Florida rapper Ski Mask The Slump God has announced the dates for his 11th Dimension Tour supporting his new album of the same name. His openers on the tour will be fellow Floridians DJ Scheme and Danny Towers, while he will also be joined by emerging stars Hardrock and Molly Santana on North American dates.
Tickets will be available beginning Friday, June 14, at 10 AM local time at LiveNation.com. Pre-sale tickets are available now. See below for dates.
Ski Mask The Slump God 2024 Tour Dates
06/15 – Chicago, IL – Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash^
07/05 – Ebreichsdorf, Austria – Rolling Loud Austria^
07/09 – Prague, Czech Republic – Lucerna Music Bar*
07/10 – Budapest, Hungary – Akvarium
07/12 – Munich, Germany – Tonhalle*
07/15 – Krakow, Poland – Studio*
07/17 – Vilnius, Lithuania – Lukiskes 2.0
07/19 – Riga, Latvia – Positivus Festival*
07/25 – Brooklyn, NY – Brooklyn Paramount
07/26 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
07/28 – Montreal, QC – MTELUS
07/29 – Toronto, ON – HISTORY
07/31 – Cleveland, OH @ House of Blues
08/01 – Detroit, MI @ The Fillmore
08/04 – Minneapolis, MN @ The Fillmore
08/06 – Denver, CO @ Summit
08/09 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
08/11 – Portland, OR @ Roseland Theater
08/12 – Seattle, WA @ Paramount Theatre
08/14 – San Francisco, CA @ The Midway
08/15 – Los Angeles, CA @ Hollywood Palladium
08/16 – Phoenix, AZ @ The Van Buren
08/19 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
08/20 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues
08/21 – Austin, TX @ Stubbs Waller Creek Amphitheater
08/23 – New Orleans, LA @ The Fillmore
08/25 – Atlanta, GA @ Coca-Cola Roxy
08/28 – Miami, FL @ The Fillmore
09/05 – Glasgow, United Kingdom @ SWG3 Galvanizers
09/06 – Dublin, Ireland @ 3Olympia Theatre
09/07 – Birmingham, United Kingdom @ O2 Institute
09/09 – Manchester, United Kingdom @ O2 Ritz
09/11 – London, United Kingdom @ O2 Forum Kentish Town
09/13 – Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg Max
09/14 – Cologne, Germany @ Hype Festival*
09/15 – Paris, France @ Le Bataclan
09/17 – Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix
09/19 – Milan, Italy @ Fabrique*
09/21 – Zurich, Switzerland @ Komplex 457
09/22 – Berlin, Germany @ Astra*
09/23 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Vega
09/24 – Hamburg, Germany @ Grosse Freiheit 36*
11/07 – Auckland, New Zealand @ Spark Arena
11/09 – Melbourne, Australia @ Festival Hall
11/10 – Brisbane, Australia @ Fortitude Music Hall
11/12 – Sydney, Australia @ Enmore Theatre
11/14 – Perth, Australia @ Metro City
^ Festival Date
11th Dimension is out now via Victor Victor Worldwide/Republic Records
Nicki Minaj has been having a bit of a rough time around her European tour. The most noteworthy incident came last month when she was arrested in Amsterdam. Videos of her arrest made the rounds online which caused fans to speak out on behalf of Minaj against the treatment she received from police there. When she was later freed she took to social media to further explain the ways that she had been victimized. The ordeal caused her to half to cancel a show in Manchester and the second show she had scheduled for Amsterdam, though the former was eventually rescheduled.
This time she’s in Paris, where many a celebrity in the past has had run ins with the notoriously aggressive paparazzi. In fact, the reputation of the press there may have something to do with why Nicki Minaj’s security reacted to hostile to someone trying to take pictures of he there recently. Video made the rounds online earlier this week of an interaction between a photographer and Minaj’s security. They use various tactics like shining flashlights, standing between her and the camera, and even getting physical to put some distance between them. Check out the clip of her security dealing with the paparazzi below.
Nicki Minaj also recently announced a new leg of her Pink Friday 2 tour. After her European leg she will return to North America for another round later this year. In the meantime, she had fans wondering if a divorce was inbound. It was all because of a tweet she made earlier this week. A simple post reading “Yes, Single” left fans wondering. They debated if new music was on the way of if Minaj had become newly single herself.
What do you think of the tactics Nicki Minaj’s security used to deal with paparazzi during a recent show in Paris? Do you plan on seeing her in the second North American leg of her tour later this year? Let us know in the comment section below.
Michael Rainey Jr. was recently the victim of public sexual assault and harassment following his appearance on Twitch streamer Tylil James’ show. Tylil, or as he’s colloquially known, TyTy, is an internet personality who has made a name for himself on social media. He hosts The Tylil Show on Twitch, where he live streams and engages with his audience of 100,000 viewers. However, an unfortunate incident has cast a negative spotlight on the show.
The incident in question occurred on June 9, 2024, during a live stream hosted by James. The live stream was meant to be a promotional appearance for Michael Rainey Jr. He made an appearance to discuss the premiere of the new season of Power Book II: Ghost which took place in New York City the previous week, among other things. Altogether, the stream included Michael Rainey Jr., Tylil, and at least four others. There were also two toddlers present, who stood to the left of a seated Tylil, and in front of Rainey. The atmosphere was lively, and the chat was active, as Tylil engaged with his audience.
However, the stream took an unexpected turn when a woman who was later identified as Tylil’s sister came in from the left of the screen. She stood at Rainey’s side, spoke quietly into his ear, and began making what looked like sexual advances at him. Things then took a turn when she reached down and apparently, groped Michael Rainey. Rainey’s discomfort was evident: he looked around, appearing slightly shocked and physically uncomfortable. Shortly after, he left the stream, and the clip soon started to go viral. The gesture made by the woman in the video was not visible, however, as this side of the camera was blocked by the two children standing at James’ side. The moment, captured on camera, quickly escalated into a viral controversy.
Michael Rainey Jr. also addressed the incident on his Instagram. Expressing his shock and the gravity of the situation, he stated, “At this point, everyone has seen the video circulating online. I am still in shock and don’t fully know how to process what happened last night.” He also emphasized, “This is an unfortunate situation that I do not condone in any way. I can’t take it lightly because I know I would be in serious trouble if the roles were reversed.” He closed his message with: “The fact is, sexual assault is never OK, regardless of gender or status. We’re all human, and we should respect each other. Most importantly, we should always respect ourselves”
Initially, Tylil James seemed to downplay his sister’s assault against Michael Rainey during the livestream incident. He remarked, “She had never seen somebody of that caliber, so she started… That’s my sister, so I’m not gonna say nothing bad about her. I’m gonna just check her.” However, Tylil later acknowledged the assault against Michael Rainey and issued a more formal and sincere apology.
“After the actions that occurred during my stream last night I would like to sincerely apologize to Michael and his family for what took place,” he began. “My little sister was completely wrong and out of line,” and added, “What she did was very inappropriate and unacceptable. I am truly embarrassed and disgusted by her actions.” He also expressed respect for whatever decision Michael chooses to make, including legal action, and committed to taking “extreme precautions with future streams to avoid similar issues.” Finally, he shared that he has banned his sister from participating in future streams.
As the incident quickly spread on social media, the public’s response was in support of Michael Rainey Jr. Furthermore, there was criticism for the casual handling of the situation. Specifically, several folks on social media called out Tylil for ignoring Rainey’s assault. Meanwhile, some other fans and viewers urged Rainey to take legal action.
The conversation took yet another turn when Power creator, producer, and Michael Rainey Jr’s employer, 50 Cent chimed in. He posted a screenshot of the TMZ report of the incident, and appeared to mock the public’s anger on Instagram by labeling the incident an “aggressive advance.” Moreover, he captioned the post: “LOL. He’s fine no charges pressed.” 50 Cent subsequently faced backlash for his dismissive response to the incident. Soon after, the post was eventually taken down.
If you really study the 6ix God, it’s clear Drake isn’t just a rapper, he’s a full-blown business mogul. And like any serious entrepreneur, Drake protects his assets and investments by strategically forming multiple companies. Over the years, he has been incorporating new businesses left and right, with CBC Canada reports showing he’s racked up over 50 different companies and LLCs to his name. It’s undoubtedly a head-spinning amount of corporate entities for one guy, and this has brought backlash his way. After all, for Drake, these companies are all part of the meticulous strategy to grow and maintain his empire.
See, an LLC (limited liability company) is a type of business structure that protects an owner’s personal wealth from the potential risks of any single business failing or facing lawsuits. By separating different ventures into their own LLCs, Drake ringfences each project. Therefore, if one goes belly-up, it can’t threaten to bankrupt his whole operation. It’s genius asset protection 101 for ballers of his net worth, which Forbes estimates around $250 million. So what are some of Drake’s key companies and LLCs? Let’s break it down.
This is Drake’s record label, co-founded in 2012 with Noah “40” Shebib and Oliver El-Khatib. Previously a subsidiary of Warner Records, OVO Sound became an independent label in 2022. It has since launched the careers of artists like PartyNextDoor, Majid Jordan, and Drake’s longtime collaborator, dvsn. Today, OVO Sound is a household name within the music industry.
Another one of Drake’s most popular companies is OVO Clothing. This is his signature streetwear line featuring that iconic owl logo you’ve probably seen a couple of times. OVO apparel quickly became a fashion statement, collaborating with heavy hitters like Canada Goose on premium outerwear pieces. Drizzy even has an entire sub-label with Nike called Nocta. With separate LLCs for OVO Clothing, Nocta, and likely other OVO brand extensions, Drake maximizes that hot branding across product lines and companies.
Drake’s multi-faceted production company was co-founded with Future the Prince in 2017. DreamCrew has scored major hits producing shows like Netflix’s Top Boy and HBO’s teen drama Euphoria. His commitment to entertainment at large has made Drake a lowkey, yet successful producer.
Within Drake’s array of companies are dozens of individual LLCs covering various aspects of his business interests. These include: at least 9 LLCs with the “DreamCrew” name for his production ventures, and 18 LLCs starting with his initials “ADG” (Aubrey Drake Graham). Moreover, there are other LLCs like “Owl Creative Holdings” tied to his OVO brand. Finally, there are cryptic names like “Silence Policy LLC,” and “Strix S-Corp.”
The LLC corporate structure allows Drake to separate different assets and business activities in his companies. As a result, any risks related to that project are isolated to that particular project and the assets of that particular entity. Moreover, in addition to his core businesses, Drake has used LLCs to make strategic investments across other sectors. These include:
The plant-based food company Daring Foods
The Crypto payment platform MoonPay
Italian soccer club AC Milan (partnering with LeBron James)
Esports/lifestyle brand 100 Thieves
Real estate holdings like his $100 million Toronto mansion
Conclusion
Evidently, Drake is a man who is playing multi-dimensional business chess with these companies. For a business mogul of his stature, forming new companies regularly is just smart asset management. Altogether, Drake is playing the business game at an elite level. He is using the same tactics as billionaires like Donald Trump to amass a fortune. Just as he’s rapped, Drake indeed aims to “turn into Jay” by building an empire that goes far beyond his musical artistry. His multitude of LLCs are the behind-the-scenes legal entities that will help grow and protect that empire for years to come.
Outdoor music festivals are one of the best ways to experience your favorite artists in action. Sure, being able to access their catalog at home whenever you want is an incredible luxury. However, there is just something about the limited you have with someone who enjoy listening to that makes it so special. Couple that with the atmosphere of other die-hard fans around you all while being just a mere few feet away from the performer and you have yourself an unforgettable moment. The organizers at Beach, Please are certainly ensuring that you are not going to find anywhere better than the coast of Romania to see names like Travis Scott, Ice Spice and more this summer.
This five-day event is looking like it will be one for the books, as the aforementioned artists are just a sliver of the superstars that will be rocking the stage. From July 10-14 rappers like Don Toliver, Yeat, Chief Keef, Gucci Mane, Rick Ross will be performing their biggest hits too. According to XXL there will be over 200 in total making their way to Costinesti, Romania, one of the stunning cities off the Black Sea coast. There is also a lot of ticket information, so be sure to read carefully.
The are four different pass packages that offer unique services across the board. There is the General Access 5-Day Pass, which starts from $194.80 (179 EUR). Or if you only want to attend one day in particular, those start at $65.30 (60 euro). Additionally, Beach, Please! has VIP and Ultra VIP passes starting at $358.04 (329 EUR). A VIP pass includes priority fast-lane access, elevated platform views, table reservations, dedicated bar service and private restrooms. If you want to purchase any one of these options, you can click this link. Beach Please! does not allow reselling and they are almost sold out, so be sure to get yours as soon as possible.
What are your thoughts on Travis Scott, Ice Spice, and more headlining Beach, Please!? Is this one of the best festival lineups you have seen all year, why or why not? If you are attending, who are you most excited to see perform? Could this turn into one of the biggest music events? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Travis Scott and Beach, Please!. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
The first six months of 2024 have given us so much music that it’s felt overwhelming. It’s a double-edged sword we’ve been tasked to master, especially in today’s streaming era – so much music at our disposal, and so much listening to do. Still, whether you’ve effortlessly breezed through the large pile of releases in 2024 or continue to push a good pile of it aside like that annoying pile of laundry on your bed, there’s no doubt that you have a favorite from the year.
Maybe it comes from Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s exciting and rapid-fire rap beef that pit two of the genre’s best in a dual unlike any other. It could also come from the many other hip-hop offerings from the year. You could also pick from the stellar pop selections from the likes of Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, and others. Country music offered plenty to love thanks to outputs by Beyoncé, Shaboozey, Zach Bryan, and others. Like I said, there’s plenty to pick from.
Thankfully for you all, it’s not your job to sift through that pile of releases. However, it is our job! So here are the best songs of 2024 so far, picked by the Uproxx staff.
Beyoncé — “II Hands II Heaven”
Ahead of the release of her eighth studio album, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé declared “This ain’t a Country album. This is a Beyoncé album.” The foundation of Bey’s music has always been love, and on Cowboy Carter’s turning point, “II Hands II Heaven,” the biggest musician in the world finds herself at ease, next to the one she loves most. Lyrically, “II Hands II Heaven” is instantly one of Bey’s more vulnerable deep cuts, but sonically, the song encapsulates the feeling of driving down a Texas road, hands in the air, with the love of your life by your side. – Alex Gonzalez
Future & Metro Boomin — “Like That”/Kendrick Lamar — “Not Like Us”
With just 16 bars on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That”, Kendrick Lamar kicked off what became one of the biggest rap beefs in history. Six weeks later, Lamar accepted and celebrated his win on “Not Like Us.” The two records bookend Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s rapid-fire war of words that ended with Lamar embracing his “boogeyman” persona, notching two additional No. 1 singles to his catalog, and proving that hip-hop’s crown was always positioned on the head of King Kunta himself. “Like That” and “Not Like Us” are also important timestamps for an exciting period in hip-hop – one that the genre was in search of for the better part of a year – and a testament on how to finish what you start. – Wongo Okon
GloRilla — “Yeah Glo!” & Rapsody “3:AM”
Oh what, you thought I was going to just pick ONE? To represent the BEST song of the year so far in hip-hop? Oh naw, baby. You see, hip-hop is many things to many people, and that’s why I have to present both — to represent the dichotomy, to highlight how that dichotomy is a sham, and to allow for all the space between these two tracks to symbolize just how much room there is in this genre for everything. (Also, the one thing for sure in 2024 is: Women run hip-hop. Tell Joe Budden to stuff it.) GloRilla‘s “Yeah Glo!” is an inescapable anthem, a club banger of the most perfect proportions to get hips shaking, hands flying, and voices raised. “3:AM” is a tender reflection on interpersonal relationships, an introvert’s weekend playlist staple. And yet, the two women who made these songs share more in common than conflict (Rapsody turned up to Glo’s track at a private dinner in LA attended by Uproxx, while Glo has her share of emotive, romantically-invested tracks on Ehhthang Ehhthang), and these songs are complements and foils to each other, presenting two sides of the same coin. – Aaron Williams
Lay Bankz — “Tell Ur Girlfriend”
Since music’s inception, every generation has crowned one track the greatest tale of forbidden love. For Generation Z, Lay Bankz’s hip-rocking smash single, “Tell Ur Girlfriend,” could very well be the anthem to snatch the top spot. If you are going to sing about something morally deemed off limits, then why not backdrop it against the infectious sound of a good Philly and Jersey Club mashup. Something so bad shouldn’t sound so good, but it just does, and the melodic rap delivery is the cherry on top. – Flisadam Pointer
RM — “Come Back To Me”
BTS’ brand is built on tightly constructed and radio-appeasing pop music (that’s ultimately catchy and a hell of a time, by the way). When the group’s members veer off to tackle a solo endeavor, though, the mission statement is markedly different. RM’s new solo album Right Place, Wrong Person cohesively and impactfully touches on a number of different styles and moods. A clear highlight is the album-closing “Come Back To Me,” which is downright John Mayer-y over the course of a warm 6 minutes. It’s not BTS, but it’s still smooth like butter. – Derrick Rossignol
The Tortured Poets Department is long. 31-songs-over-122-minutes long. But to dismiss Taylor Swift’s 11th studio album as “too long” means you’re going to miss some gems. “The Black Dog” doesn’t arrive until track 17, but it’s a heartbreaking summation of everything that made Swift the preeminent songwriter of her generation. It’s specific (listening to The Starting Line) yet universal (anger and sorrow over the end of a relationship) with a cathartic bridge. Or in Swiftie terms: it should have been The Tortured Poets Department’s track 5. – Josh Kurp
Waxahatchee — “Right Back To It”
Tigers Blood is another product of Katie Crutchfield’s union with Saint Cloud producer Brad Cook, who helped the singer-songwriter assemble a supporting cast that includes MJ Lenderman, Spencer Tweedy, and Phil Cook. Lenderman is prominently featured on the instant-classic single “Right Back To It,” lending his laconic drawl to Crutchfield’s impossibly wistful cry of a voice. It’s the kind of song you know you’ll want to play again immediately within the first 60 seconds, and again and again after that. – Steven Hyden
Zach Bryan – “Pink Skies”
“I write and record music reckless and fast,” Zach Bryan tweeted a few weeks back, alluding to yet another new collection of work set to drop any day now. This prefaced “Pink Skies,” his latest top 10 hit and another example of Bryan’s seemingly endless well for timeless songwriting. Bryan writes the kind of songs that feel like they have been in your blood for a lifetime, instantly nostalgic for the kind of music you’d hear your parents dancing to after you went to bed. They’re the kind of songs that sound best in a truck or a garage or a campground or, as is the case these days, in a basketball arena or on a football field. They hug the middle ground between specificity and generality, where you never question their meaning to Zach even as you impart your own experiences on them. In short, “Pink Skies” is another high point for what’s been several years of high points. As reckless and fast as he keeps wanting to bring these songs, we’ll be there as long as they stay this good. – Philip Cosores
Over the course of his career, Toro Y Moi has followed his muse to some pretty interesting places, from chillwave to synth-pop, house, R&B, and more. On his next album, Hole Erth, which drops on September 6 on Dead Oceans, he seems to be leaning into a blend of modern alt-pop and the scuzzy SoundCloud rap sound of the past decade. Lending to this impression are features from rappers like Don Toliver, Duckwrth, Kenny Mason, and Kevin Abstract, while the rockier, more melodic features include Death Cab for Cutie’s Benjamin Gibbard, hyperpop artist Glaive, and synth-pop project Porches, among others.
To kick off the rollout for the album, Toro shared the nostalgic video for “Tuesday,” which reflects on the half-idyllic, half-rebellious teen years of suburban youth. There’s a tongue-in-cheek quality to the lyrics, which toe the line between poking fun at the painfully earnest songwriting of the heyday of Hot Topic and earnestly reproducing it. You can watch the video above and check out the album’s cover and tracklist below.
Toro Y Moi
01. “Walking In The Rain”
02. “CD-R”
03. “HOV”
04. “Tuesday”
05. “Hollywood” Feat. Benjamin Gibbard
06. “Reseda” Feat. Duckwrth & Elijah Kessler
07. “Babydaddy”
08. “Madonna” Feat. Don Toliver
09. “Undercurrent” Feat. Don Toliver & Porches
10. “Off Road”
11. “Smoke” Feat. Kenny Mason
12. “Heaven” Feat. Kevin Abstract & Lev
13. “Starlink” Feat. Glaive
Martin Shkreli has responded to the company suing him over his prior ownership of the Wu-Tang Clan album, Once Upon A Time In Shaolin. When PleasrDAO explained on X (formerly Twitter) how they plan to give the public access to the unheard album, Shkreli told them to “eat a d*ck.” The company is suing Shkreli for allegedly copying and sharing the iconic one-of-one album, which they say diminished its value. Shkreli ended up forfeiting ownership of the project following his fraud conviction.
“Our master plan is to release the music to the public in a way that honors the Wu-Tang Clan and gets them paid while circumventing the streaming oligopoly; every action we are taking is in service of that mission,” PleasrDAO wrote on X. “Eat a d*ck, they got paid, multiple times,” Shkreli responded. “These super nerds are suing me,” he wrote in another post with laughing emojis. “The least crypto ethos, whitest, least culturally relevant dorks good luck!”
Martin Shkreli Leaves Court Following Guilty Verdict For Securities Fraud
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 04: Former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli walks away from the U.S. District Court for the Eastern. District of New York after the jury issued a verdict, August 4, 2017, in the Brooklyn borough of New. York. City. Shkreli was found guilty on three of the eight counts involving securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
As for PleasrDAO’s lawsuit, the company is seeking $2 million in damages, according to court documents obtained by AllHipHop. “The album was supposed to constitute the sole existing copy of the record, music, data and files and packaging,” their lawyers wrote in the filing. “It now appears, however, that Shkreli improperly retained copies of the data and files at the time of the forfeiture and has released and/or intends to release them to the public. Such actions would cause PleasrDAO to incur significant monetary and irreparable harm, and give rise to numerous claims for relief under the forfeiture order and common law.”
Martin Shkreli Fires Back At PleasrDAO
eat a dick, they got paid, multiple times
— Martin Shkreli (e/acc) (@MartinShkreli) June 11, 2024
these super nerds are suing me the least crypto ethos, whitest, least culturally relevant dorks good luck! https://t.co/Qd7D77xcsd
— Martin Shkreli (e/acc) (@MartinShkreli) June 11, 2024
This past weekend, Jay-Z and his company Roc Nation announced their “Dine & Learn” series to promote $300 million in scholarships for low-income Philadelphia households. The money is meant to help underprivileged youth bypass the public school system and attend prestigious private schools instead. On the surface, it seems like another of Jay-Z’s philanthropic ventures, maybe even an extension of his scholarship-giving Shawn Carter Foundation. But the Brooklyn-born rapper has come under fire for the seemingly selfless move. If you dig a little bit beneath the surface, the criticisms start to gain weight. All may not be as it seems with these latest Jay-Z-Roc Nation scholarships.
What many suspect is happening here is that Jay-Z is leveraging his influence and power to host and promote a 10-event series about a Republican-backed educational bill. These events aim to inform residents about Senate Bill 757, or the “Pennsylvania Award for Student Success” (PASS). This is what many perceive to essentially be a Republican school voucher program. The program would reportedly reroute $300 million in taxpayer dollars to fund charter and private schools.
On one hand, the program allows students to move out of an underfunded and failing school system. On the other, that’s $300 million that those same public schools will never see – and that private schools will essentially be handed. And then there’s the question of what will happen to those who don’t win any Jay-Z and Roc Nation-backed scholarships.
Jay-Z & Jeff Yass: An Odd Couple
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 05: Jay-Z attends the Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures’ “The Book Of Clarence” at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on January 05, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/WireImage)
Another strange part of this whole announcement is that it means Jay-Z is pairing up with Jeff Yass. The Philadelphia native is a billionaire conservative and a major investor in TikTok. Commentators have speculated that Yass influenced Trump’s side-switching on the TikTok ban bill that went through Congress earlier this year. After meeting with Yass at Mar-a-Lago in March, Trump flipped from supporting a ban on the app to opposing a ban.
Jeff Yass is also well-known for an anti-public school stance, pushing school choice policies and programs. Essentially, these policies and programs give families options for schooling beyond their local district. So, the public has been left wondering why Jay-Z would ever pair up with Yass. Critics argue that the PASS bill has an underhanded goal of diverting and exhausting public school funding. Why exactly would Jay-Z and Roc Nation support these scholarships?
Well, truthfully, all we have at the moment is Roc Nation’s public comments. The company’s CEO, Desiree Perez, told the media that “what we are backing is education…We’re just educating [people], which I would think everyone wants people to make informed decisions.” So, the company’s current stance is that they are simply spreading awareness for educational options in Philadelphia. Still, many city residents aren’t so sure a school voucher program is the correct way to handle the situation. Later in her HuffPost interview, Perez stated “The kids in these zip codes are suffering right now. If you have a better solution, aside from making them wait until the public school system can get it together with the funding they are receiving, I am all ears.”
The Philadephia public school system’s situation is quite complex, and the public has reacted with varying nuanced opinions on Jay-Z’s involvement. Some have said that letting some low-income youth attend private schools ultimately hurts the majority left behind. Others have said that Jay-Z is simply trying to help level the playing field since $300 million wouldn’t fix Philadelphia’s public schools. Amid this storm of public responses, it remains unclear what Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s motives are for the scholarships. All we have at this time is his CEO’s public statements.
cutting up at Gunna concert pic.twitter.com/YkfTRhTzNN
(@1starlo) June 12, 2024
