Back in 2020, Cardi B interviewed Joe Biden as part of his presidential campaign. Since then, she has soured on the now-President.
Cardi is the subject of a new Rolling Stone feature shared today (May 16). In it, she’s blunt about her feelings towards both Biden and Donald Trump: “I don’t f*ck with both of y’all n****s,” she said as confirmation that she doesn’t plan to vote at all in the upcoming election.
Our June 2024 cover star @iamcardib has a reminder: “I’m that bitch and y’all fucking know it.”
The star is on a mission to cement her legacy while dealing with the pressures of marriage, motherhood and following up her classic debut.
The piece goes on to note, “Before, she had seen Trump as a dire threat, but under Biden, she’s felt ‘layers and layers of disappointment’ from what she sees as domestic and foreign mismanagement. The cost of living is too high, wages are too low, and too little is being done about it, she says.” Cardi added, “I feel like people got betrayed.”
Cardi also said, “It’s just like, damn, y’all not caring about nobody. Then, it really gets me upset that there is solutions to it. There is a solution. I know there’s a solution because you’re spending billions of dollars on any f*cking thing.” She later added, “[America] don’t pay for endless wars for countries that have been going through sh*t for a very long time. There’s countries [where] kids are getting killed every single day, but because the [US] won’t benefit from that country, they won’t help. I don’t like that America has this superhero cape on. We never did things to be superheroes. We did things for our own convenience.”
Earlier this week, Cardi B responded to someone on X (formerly Twitter) who suggested that Cardi was “underappreciated” by her fans. Cardi wrote, “Exactly and I tell myself this all the time, and I hate that I fall back and start interacting again and it bites me in the ass…anyway NO album this year..Dropping these features I already committed to and traveling and enjoying my summer.”
Uh oh.
But fear not.
On Thursday morning, May 16, Cardi B was revealed as the latest Rolling Stone cover star. Within the Mankaprr Conteh-written profile, Cardi’s apprehension about dropping a follow-up to Invasion Of Privacy is thoroughly reported, and an update is provided on where the as-yet-titled sophomore studio album stands, as excerpted below.
“In an Instagram video from March 1, Cardi promised to do just that, saying she would release the album this year. By the middle of May, however, she will backpedal in a heated online exchange with her followers. As Cardi and Spotify commemorate those four songs hitting a billion streams each, she’ll spot fans on X posting skeptically about the status of the album, and fire back: ‘This is a big accomplishment for me, and of course here comes Bardigang complaining like Deum I can’t celebrate sh*t,’ she’ll write, adding, ‘Anyway NO album this year I don’t care I’m relaxing.’ Soon after, however, she’ll delete the latter tweet, with her rep confirming to Rolling Stone that an album in 2024 is still the plan.”
Kalan.FrFr has been steadily making a name for himself in the music industry, representing Compton, California with his laid-back vibe and versatile singing and rapping skills. His distinct West Coast sound and commitment to showcasing the essence of Los Angeles are on full display across his music. With recent singles like “Everybody,” a moody ode to L.A. gang culture, and “Ain’t No Fun,” which interpolates Snoop Dogg’s iconic song of the same name, Kalan’s music undoubtedly embodies the ethos of Los Angeles’ rich musical history. His latest project, MAKE THE WEST GREAT AGAIN, looks to further push that message and speaks volumes about his mission to revitalize the West Coast music scene.
In a recent interview with HotNewHipHop, Kalan emphasized the project’s significance as a wake-up call for the entire West Coast music scene. With Kendrick Lamar drawing attention to the region in recent weeks due to his series of Drake diss tracks, all eyes are on this side of town. “It’s about addressing the ongoing conversation in West Coast music where people keep downplaying it,” he explained. “I felt it was time to change that narrative, to give people something that would wake them up, change their perspectives.” With the assistance of L.A. heavyweights like Ty Dolla Sign and YG, he wanted to drive home the message of unity. “It was so important to make sure that we stick together as a whole,” Kalan said.
MAKE THE WEST GREAT AGAIN is a testament to Kalan’s message. If it wasn’t clear before, he’s making it known that this is his rallying cry for the resurgence of West Coast dominance in the rap game. In an exclusive interview with HotNewHipHop, Kalan provides a window into his world, diving into the inspiration behind the EP, his take on the current West Coast music scene, and his personal journey. As summer approaches, Kalan.FrFr is ready to set the tone for L.A.’s hottest season yet.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 05: Kalan.FrFr performs during 2023 Rolling Loud Los Angeles at Hollywood Park Grounds on March 05, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/WireImage)
HotNewHipHop: Alright, let’s dive into your latest project, MAKE THE WEST GREAT AGAIN. First off, what was the inspiration behind the name of the project?
Kalan.FrFr: Well, it’s pretty self-explanatory. It’s about addressing the ongoing conversation in West Coast music where people keep downplaying it. I felt it was time to change that narrative, to give people something that would wake them up, change their perspectives. So, MAKE THE WEST GREAT AGAIN felt fitting. And it just stuck. It was time to give people a wake-up call and it was just like putting a battery in everybody’s back.
I like the title. It definitely speaks volumes. Did you come up with the album title before or after all the beef began?
I had the title. I had it going through the process and I came up with like a whole list of titles and stuff like that. And it was named something else at first, but for some reason, I couldn’t name it that and then somebody actually dropped a project with the same name so we couldn’t do that. And then just the whole ambiance of what was going on, it just felt like it fit.
You got Ty Dolla $ign and YG on the project, two West Coast legends. How important was it for you to collaborate with them?
It was so important to make sure that we stick together as a whole, as the West Coast. A lot of times we be so separated on the West, like a lot of people don’t see a lot of the bigger artists working with a lot of the dudes on the come-up that was grinding and stuff like that. So just having songs with YG and Ty Dolla $ign, period, is just like fire.
Was it easy to get them to collaborate with you? Have you been cool with them for a while?
Yeah, Ty and I have been making music since the beginning. YG and I go way back too. So, it was more about timing. We finally locked in and made it happen. It was cool.
What song from the project speaks to you the most?
“ANDFUK” for sure. It’s just the vibe, you know? Had too many lemon drops, turn me to a different person (laughs).
I remember in previous interviews you mentioned you didn’t drink at all. What changed?
Yeah, I changed. I changed for sure. I’ll go to lunch and get like 6 espresso martinis.
Okay, so what’s your vibe when you get in the studio, you have to drink a little bit or smoke a little bit to kind of get in the zone?
I’m smoking all day. Like from sunrise to sundown, I’m smoking. But drinking, I’m not a heavy drinker. But when I do, I’m gonna go hard or go home, for sure, if it’s an opportunity. Not in the studio. I’m just vibing, smoking, and making sure I hear some good beats, listening to it, and making sure I got something to talk about.
Where has the inspiration for the music been coming from lately? This new project has lots of different songs, lots of different sounds that you’re experimenting with. But what kind of topics, for people who haven’t heard it yet, like what are you talking about?
I just been vibing, not too serious right now. For me, I’m just taking everything one day at a time, just vibing, enjoying life for what it is, and taking situations for what they are. So the music sounds vibey, like, I’ve been outside, I’ve been living life.
What has been one of the best experiences you’ve had within the last year, whether it’s been a place you traveled to or a show you performed at? Like, what really comes to mind when you say like, life is good right now?
Man, everything. It’s so many blessings. I’m starting to want to go on this spiritual journey or trip real quick, but like, I’ve been, I’ve been so caught up in being appreciative for like the little things and it’s crazy. It’s just getting up every day, you know, and being able to make music and stuff like that. Like that’s the stuff that means the most to me right now. Because I’m watching a lot of people in situations and they’re not as vibrant. So I just thank God, you know?
That’s good to hear. It feels like you have just been able to stay positive throughout your entire journey. Who are people who have motivated you and kind of kept you inspired throughout the way?
My team for sure. Big shout out to my team. Homies, other artists like Ty for sure, and my family. It’s just the love be coming from everywhere. And then just… I got something to prove. It’s like my fans, the people that believe in me, I got something to prove to them. I want to make sure they keep getting projects, no skips, they keep growing with me, like, you know what’s happening, loving the music every time. I’ll keep making the experience for them every time they see me. I want to say I’m content, but it’s not content, I’m just comfortable.
Like you said, you have a really dedicated fan base. You know, ladies love Kalan. So when you’re making music for the ladies, what kinds of things do you take into consideration? Whose approval do you gotta get?
You know, like, I’m like the woman whisperer (laughs). I know what to say. But I ask my homegirls! I’ll play songs for them and stuff like that. And it comes naturally.
Who would you say is your Mount Rushmore of West Coast artists?
No order, right? Ty’s on there, definitely. Kendrick’s on there, definitely. Snoop Dogg, and Nate Dogg.
I’m glad you mentioned Kendrick. We gotta get into what’s been going on on the West Coast right now. “Not Like Us” is going crazy. I need to know your thoughts on it. Who’s side you on?
They’re not like us. That’s how I feel about it. It’s going insane. We just got to see how all this plays out. Musically though, Dot all the way. I’m rolling with L.A..
TORONTO, ONTARIO – FEBRUARY 18: Kalan.Frfr performs during YG’s Red Cup Tour at History on February 18, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario. (Photo by Robert Okine/Getty Images)
Has anyone ever dissed you up to this point?
Not that I’ve heard. Or someone might have said something about me but they had no followers. It was just a coincidence. But you know, I haven’t really encountered any sneaky disses or anything like that. I don’t really pay attention to what others say. You know how it is. If somebody ever addressed me with something negative, I’d address it. I don’t dwell on it too much. I’m one of those people who just let it be. It’s the internet, you know?
People talk a lot on the internet. What’s the craziest rumor you’ve heard about yourself through the internet?
Just rumors about me having kids, you know? It’s kind of amusing how stories like that get twisted. No kids. The internet has some folks thinking they’ve got my love life all figured out, but I’ve heard all kinds of random stuff like that. But none of it’s true. There’s zero truth to it. They just make up stuff.
If you had to pick one word to describe the current state of West Coast music, what word would you use?
Lively. The vibe in the city.
What kind of summer do you think we’re gonna have here in L.A. this year?
For sure, it’s gonna be lit. Some parties are gonna be crazy because it’s already hot. Pool parties are going up. I went to one the other day, and they played “Not Like Us.” It was going crazy. Everybody and their grandma thought they were from L.A.. If you don’t know what you’re doing, just stop. It’s the easiest thing in the world. Stop messing it up. Everybody’s dancing.
So what do you have planned for the summer? What can we look forward to?
I’m going wherever the wind blows. You know, I’ll travel to Houston here and there. Every time I go there, I’ll just chill for a couple of days. So I’m gonna head there. I might go to Miami a couple of times. I’m gonna have fun this summer. I’m enjoying myself. Same vibe. It’s gonna be a great summer. Everything in LA is turnt up. I can’t wait. The way people have been acting these last couple of days, with new music coming out, I’m just interested to see where it’s all going. But I’m here for it. I haven’t seen people this excited about music in a long time. It feels special, different. I’m gonna be hitting the studio heavy, record, for sure.
Drake has not been having a particularly good time as of late. Overall, this is due to the fact that he has been having a rough go of his battle with Kendrick Lamar. Songs like “Meet The Grahams” and “Not Like Us” have ultimately given Lamar the win. Although Drake fans are holding out hope of a comeback, it seems as though public opinion has shifted in one very obvious direction. Interestingly enough, Kendrick has remained reclusive throughout this entire process. Fans have not seen him since the release of “Like That,” which is impressive in and of itself.
One person who has been taking Kendrick’s side in all of this is O’Shea Jackson Jr, the son of Ice Cube. Jackson has been making some jokes at Drake’s expense as of late, and this week, he took aim at one of Drake’s old photoshoots with GQ. In the image, Drake is pointing a finger gun with one eye closed as if he is looking to aim with precision. However, it seems as though Drizzy missed a key detail here, as he had the wrong eye closed. “Is he using the wrong eye to aim or am I trippin?” Jackson joked.
— O’Shea Jackson Jr (@OsheaJacksonJr) May 16, 2024
This led to many piling on Drake in the replies. For instance, Punch from TDE came through and said “Man I didn’t know you were this funny on here.” Another commenter wrote “No wonder his shots towards Kendrick weren’t hitting . Lame ahh n***a.” The jokes did not end there, with someone else simply saying “No, you’re not. It explains why all his disses missed too.” Needless to say, Drake cannot escape clowning right now. However, that could probably change with a few summer bangers.
Let us know what you think of everyone clowning Drake, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that everyone is going too far now? Do you think that the artist will be able to make a comeback later this year that makes everyone forget about what just happened? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will be sure to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Kanye West’s VULTURES 1 caused controversy for a myriad of reasons, not least of which was a conflict with a music legend over allegedly unauthorized work. However, it seems like there’s a way out, although we still have to see whether this gets solid confirmation in the near future. Moreover, he and Donna Summer’s estate are reportedly finalizing a settlement over a copyright infringement lawsuit against Ye. The estate claims that he sampled the classic “I Feel Love” without their permission on the track “GOOD (DON’T DIE)” on his Ty Dolla $ign collab album. They filed the legal action on February 27, a little over two weeks after the LP dropped, and it alleged that Ye either re-recorded the song, used A.I. vocals, or isolated the original vocals. Either way, it would constitute copyright violation according to the suit.
“Kanye West asked permission to use Donna Summer’s song ‘I Feel Love,’ he was denied,” a representative for Summer’s estate stated. “He changed the words, had someone re-sing it or used A.I., but it’s ‘I Feel Love’… copyright infringement.” Both parties agreed to pursue an amicable resolution together, and according to alleged sources who reportedly spoke to AllHipHop, they had a global settlement by Monday (May 13). This followed negotiations in April and this month. However, one particular challenge was apparently finding Ty Dolla $ign in order to serve him with legal documents.
PARIS, FRANCE – OCTOBER 02: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY – For Non-Editorial use please seek approval from Fashion House) Kanye West attends the Givenchy Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on October 02, 2022 in Paris, France. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale – Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images)
Regardless, all parties have reportedly agreed in principle, and expect to execute a final written settlement in the very near future. Still, there are no public details about Kanye West and Donna Summer’s estate’s agreement at press time, whether monetary reimbursement or other considerations. Apparently, the plan is for the estate to file a stipulation to dismiss the lawsuit once everyone’s signed onto the settlement. As such, this whole debacle, which was among the most contentious parts of the VULTURES series’ rollout -– and that’s saying something -– seems like it’ll wrap up soon.
Meanwhile, representatives for both Kanye West and the Donna Summer estate reportedly declined further comments on the matter. With more albums supposedly on the way from Ye and Ty, who knows what sample-based case could prop up next? They are notorious for taking big risks these days, which can sometimes result in some amazing moments. We’ll see if we actually get that sequel or if this lawsuit settlement is one of the final remnants of the VULTURES era.
Brian McKnight and his family have been going through some very public drama over the last year or so. Overall, it appears as though McKnight and his older children are not on good terms. In fact, he recently came out and made some shocking comments. These remarks saw the singer refer to his biological kids as “evil.” One of his eldest sons, Niko, has been livid about these comments and has made sure to let that be known on social media. McKnight’s ex has also been outspoken about the comments and just how mean-spirited they are.
Recently, in a Mother’s Day post dedicated to McKnight’s new partner, he let some information slip through the cracks. It was in this message that he revealed that his most recent child was the first time he was actually present for their birth. For many, this was a truly shocking revelation, including Niko, who took to social media and explained that he never knew his dad wasn’t there when he was born.
In the comments section over at The Neighborhood Talk, fans did not take kindly to what they were hearing. They felt that McKnight has gone too far against his family, and that his actions are not acceptable. “The way some mothers protect their children from the truth to protect their hearts is truly remarkable,” one person wrote. “You would think I knew him personally the way I hate him,” said another. Needless to say, these last few months have been terrible PR for McKnight who now has public opinion against him.
Let us know what you think about all of this family drama, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that Brian McKnight could patch things up with his older children? What do you make of the fan reactions to all of this? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Young Thug has been in jail for over two years now due to the Rico case against him in the state of Georgia. Overall, this has left him out of the loop on many of the inner-workings of the music industry. However, he does have an inside source these days in Mariah The Scientist. The R&B singer has been visiting Thugger in prison and has been able to play him some music, while also explaining the intricacies of rap beef. Of course, we are talking about the feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Given that Thug has a relationship with Drake and Metro Boomin, one would be curious to know what he thinks about what’s happening. Although as Mariah The Scientist explains, he isn’t really taking sides. “For sure. I tell him everything. I might tell him too much. I play him the [diss] songs over the phone and s–t. He’s a lover of music in general,” she explained. “He f–ks with everybody. I don’t think he would ever be able to – let me not speak for him. He love music though.”
Young Thug Gets The Inside Scoop From Mariah The Scientist
MIAMI BEACH, FL – DECEMBER 06: Rapper Young Thug performs at L’Eden by Perrier-Jouët on December 6, 2018 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Andrew Toth/Getty Images for Perrier-Jouët)
Subsequently, Mariah The Scientist went on to say how Thugger feels about the beef in general. “He thinks it’s interesting, for sure,” she noted. “We were listening to some of the songs. Not all of them, because now I’ve gotten lost. In the beginning, I was like, ‘Hey, there’s a tizzy going on.’ I played him some of it. I feel like those two people are both great rappers. With all of the rappers with the guy and the girl rappers, granted it’s cool for the craft, and to be able to keep up with that — because let me not lie and say there’s no competitive energy in the music industry. Because there is.”
Let us know what you think of the beef between Drake and Kendrick Lamar, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that the beef is now officially over? Do you think that Drake may come back and try to take back the lead? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Beef is permeating hip-hop at the moment, and over the past few days, Soulja Boy has been getting into it with Metro Boomin. Now, though, Soulja has acknowledged that he crossed a line and has apologized.
As Billboard notes, Soulja was apparently upset by a resurfaced Metro tweet from 2012 that reads, “My phone rings to come to the studio with Jeezy. Yours rings to send Soulja Boy a pack of beats. Sit down.”
In now-deleted tweets, Soulja wrote, “F*ck that n**** mama!!!!!!!!!! Don’t speak on my name b*tch! You sacrificed your own mom @MetroBoomin you a puppet.” He said in another, “All the streams, sales, money, and fame not gone bring your mom back @MetroBoomin was it worth it? can say f*ck this money and fame sh*t and still be a boss can you?” In one tweet, he also wished Metro a happy Mother’s Day.
Soulja put a stop to his antics yesterday, May 15, when he tweeted, “I apologize to @MetroBoomin for over reacting over an old tweet. Condolences to his mom. I’m going to seek therapy and anger management. I’m done responding to hate, new or old.”
I apologize to @MetroBoomin for over reacting over an old tweet. Condolences to his mom. I’m going to seek therapy and anger management. I’m done responding to hate, new or old.
Gunna just dropped off a new album called One Of Wun, and so far, it has been getting a ton of mixed reviews. Overall, fans seem to like it. However, there have been a few negative reviews, with some saying that the artist just sounds like he always has. Either way, the new project has some great tracks on it that will certainly get a lot of play throughout the summer months. Gunna is great at crafting songs with a vibe to them, and One Of Wun is a great representation of that skill.
Having said all of that, some have been interested in how this album will do numbers-wise. Back in 2023, the artist’s comeback project a gift & a curse ended up doing 85,000 units in its first week. According to new projections from DJ Akademiks, One Of Wun is expected to do 65,000 units in the first week. It is still unknown if this will be good enough for the number one spot on the Billboard 200. For comparison’s sake, a gift & a curse debuted at number 3, although the project was heralded as one of the best of the year.
No matter what, Gunna is going to get some songs to chart, and with his tour ongoing, there is no doubt that fans are happy to hear these new tunes live. That said, fans are eager to see what Gunna does next. He has the opportunity to change up his sound, and it seems like some are ready for that to happen. Only time will tell what that artistic evolution ends up looking like.
Let us know what you think about all of this, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that the new Gunna album was a solid addition to his discography? How do you feel about the recent first week sales projections? Should they be higher? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Overall, the Travis ScottAstroworld Festival in 2021 was a disaster. Ten people were killed during the festival, and thousands of others were injured during a crowd crush. It was one of the biggest festival tragedies in the history of hip-hop, and the ramifications are still being felt to this day. Scott, Live Nation, and even Apple Inc. have been subjected to numerous lawsuits. However, it was recently revealed that Scott had settled nine of the 10 wrongful death lawsuits that had been filed.
Now, Scott is still facing one more for the death of 9-year-old Ezra Blount. A couple of days ago in Houston, State District Judge Kristen Hawkins revealed that the trial for this lawsuit would begin in September. In fact, the exact date for jury selection has been set for September 10th. The family of Blount wanted to have the trial earlier, but judge Hawkins revealed that this would not be feasible at the moment. Of course, the trial could be canceled if Scott and Live Nation come through with a settlement in the next few months.
US rapper Travis Scott arrives for the screening of the film “The Idol” during the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on May 22, 2023. (Photo by Valery HACHE / AFP) (Photo by VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
In addition to the wrongful death lawsuits, there are also a ton of injury cases that are still ongoing. Following the tragedy, it was well known that this would be a legal nightmare for the artist. For now, the recent settlement amounts have not been disclosed. That said, it seems clear that this is costing Scott millions of dollars right now.
Let us know what you think about the Travis Scott Astroworld situation, in the comments section down below. Do you believe that Travis Scott was at fault for all of this? Do you feel safe when attending big festivals? Are festivals doing enough for safety and first responders? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
