Drake offered to pay for a fan’s divorce proceedings during the final stop on his It’s All A Blur – Big As the What?Tour. Performing at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Thursday, the Toronto rapper drew his attention to one fan in the audience.
“I’m going to get you a good lawyer, and we gon’ pay for your divorce tonight,” he said. “You gon’ be single and ready to mingle.” He added that she’s “fine as hell” and needs “to be single out here.” “Aye, and while you at it, you need to find you somebody to take you out on a date, too,” he finished. “I’ll pay for the date, too.” Throughout the long-running tour, Drake has been offering to help fans with financial situations on numerous occasions. He’s offered to cover surgery costs, help out cancer survivors, and more.
Drake Performs At “Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert”
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 9: Rapper Drake performs onstage during “Lil Baby & Friends Birthday Celebration Concert” at State Farm Arena on December 9, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
Drake’s tour comes to a close as fans anticipate a response to Kendrick Lamar’s recent diss aimed at the rapper. The former TDE rapper called him out while appearing on Future and Metro Boomin’s new album, We Don’t Trust You, for the song, “Like That.” Lamar took issue with being lumped in with Drake and J. Cole as hip-hop’s “Big 3.” Drake has yet to respond, but J. Cole shared a surprise mixtape on Friday featuring a diss track as the closing song. While respecting Lamar’s talents, Cole still labeled some of his projects overrated. Cole has been performing on the It’s All a Blur Tour tour as well.
Any jitters Nicki Minaj might’ve been experiencing before her Pink Friday 2 Tour are long gone by now as she continues to impress us with her powerhouse stage presence. On Thursday (March 28), the mother of one made a stop in Newark, New Jersey, where she had a few surprises in store for patrons of the show. As HipHopDX reports, East Coast drill icon Fivio Foreign markedly came out to spit his bars on their 2022 collab, “We Go Up,” which had the crowd going crazy.
Elsewhere, Minaj shared the stage with Jadakiss, someone who the Trinidadian credits with being an inspiration to her. Footage from the 48-year-old’s stint shows a relatively calm crowd watching him. As some social media users are pointing out, this could be because the “Anaconda” artist draws in a younger crowd of listeners than the oldheads who typically bump Jada and others of his time. Nevertheless, Minaj was grateful to the former Bad Boy artist for coming out to support her.
“The one and only @jadakiss graced #GagCity with his presence tonight,” the femcee wrote on her IG Story. “I couldn’t feel more honoured. One of my faves of ALL time. Y’all know that’s the truth. Kiss, thank you ,” Minaj added. On Friday (March 29), Papa Bear’s mom took over Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and tonight (March 30) she’s got a performance lined up at Madison Square Garden. In April, you can catch her in Washington DC, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Connecticut, and at J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival in North Carolina.
Nicki Minaj has been pouring all her time and energy into the Pink Friday 2 Tour this month, but somehow, the Queen of Rap has also had time to dabble in the beauty and fashion industries too. Her recently launched press-on nail line got all the love from Beyonce this week, and ahead of the weekend, Minaj confirmed she has her first-ever signature shoe dropping soon. Read all about that at the link below, and check back in with HNHH later for more music/pop culture news updates.
Tom Brady, Travis Scott, and Kevin Hart served as surprise guests at the Topps and Fanatics Rip Night in Linwood, New Jersey this weekend. Meanwhile, the trading card event was shocked to have such big-name guests. Furthermore, this caused the parking lot to become flooded with fans as the store only had a capacity of 100. Brady embraced the nature of the event, trading cards with fans and kids in attendance.
“This was incredible. Unreal. I did not expect the turnout. We were notified on short notice. We talked to the kids and got them involved. The smiles on these kids’ faces. The experience of trading their own cards with an athlete and celebrity is an experience they’ll probably never have again,” store owner Jon Riffle told TMZ. Furthermore, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin also attended the event.
Read More: Tom Brady Reveals Post-NFL Weight Loss, Attributes It To Calmer Lifestyle
LINWOOD, NEW JERSEY – SEPTEMBER 30: Tom Brady attends Fanatics and Topps ‘Hobby Rip Night’ Event with Michael Rubin, Tom Brady, Kevin Hart and Travis Scott on September 30, 2023 in Linwood, New Jersey. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Fanatics)
Furthermore, the quartet of famous faces were in New Jersey for a gala thrown by Rubin, Jay-Z, and Meek Mill for the REFORM Alliance. Scott, Quavo, and Lil Baby were just some of the a-lister performers who gave an intimate concert to about 200 people. Additionally, the event was a James Bond-themed charity blackjack tournament hosted by Jay-Z, Meek Mill, and Rubin in Atlantic City. Meanwhile, other performers included Fat Joe, Fabolous, Lil Durk, and French Montana. The event included an auction that reportedly raised over $24 million for charity.
While Jay-Z didn’t perform atop the marble bars and custom-made gaming tables, he was said to be “holding court” alongside a group including Kyle Kuzma, according to Page Six. Famous faces at the event included Kim Kardashian, Jack Harlow, and Matthew McConaughey. Meanwhile, the auction was emceed by Kevin Hart. The event was in honor of Reform Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to parole, probation, and sentencing reform. Jay-Z, Meek Mill, and Rubin are all board members.
Aaron Rodgers has made his move to New Jersey official. While the veteran quarterback was traded to the New York Jets in late April, Rodgers has only recently put down roots in the area. According to the Daily Mail, Rodgers recently closed on a $9.5 million mansion in Montclair. Described as an “ultra-private architectural masterpiece,” Rodgers’ new home encompasses 4000 square feet and sits on two acres of private land. Furthermore, it reportedly has eight bedrooms, ten bathrooms, and a three-car garage. Built in 2022, the house sits about 10 miles from MetLife Stadium.
According to property records, the house was sold at the end of June. However, it is unclear if Rodgers has moved into the home. For most of his tenure with the Packers, Rodgers lived in a 4012-square-foot mansion in Suamico, Wisconsin. He also maintained properties in San Diego and Malibu. Despite his living status being unclear, Rodgers has been impressing his new team during training camp. He will make his Jets debut at MetLife Stadium in a September 11 home opener against the Bills.
However, Rodgers did not play in the first preseason game of the 2023 NFL season, as his Jets took on the Cleveland Browns in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio. Instead, the trio of Zach Wilson, Tim Boyle, and Chris Streveler played under center in the 21-16 Browns win. Meanwhile, Rodgers could be seen with a headset on amongst the coaching staff. Despite the loss, Wilson played a solid game, going completing three of six passes for 65 yards. Kellen Mond, the newly acquired backup for Deshaun Watson, had a strong showing for the Browns. Mond completed 13-of-19 for 92 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson also had a good game under center, going 8-for-11 for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Rodgers’ decision to drop nearly $10 million on a home in New Jersey further shows his intention to not simply be a “one and done” rental quarterback for the Jets. He recently restructured his contract with the team, taking a $35 million pay cut in order to help with cap space. While Rodgers’ contract covers the next two seasons, it technically stretches over the next seven years to be cap compliant.
Everyone’s got Beyoncé fever — including Governor Phil Murphy. Yesterday (July 28), ahead of the one-year anniversary of Bey’s seventh studio album, Renaissance, and her upcoming two performances at MetLife Stadium this weekend, the New Jersey governor revealed himself to be a member of the Beyhive, and gave Beyoncé a special title — the Queen Honey-Bey of the Garden State.
In a video shared to Twitter, Murphy honored Beyoncé with the title, and gave a special shoutout to many of her songs — hits and deep cuts alike.
“Hey New Jersey, did you know Beyoncé is performing at MetLife Stadium?” said Murphy in the video. “No it’s not deja vu, the Queen Bey herself will actually be coming to New Jersey. In honor of her two performances this weekend, I have officially proclaimed Beyoncé the Queen Bey of the Garden State.”
He continued, saying “Queen Bey — New Jersey would have a problem if you didn’t perform at MetLife for for your Renaissance tour. Your New Jersey BeyHive will always be crazy in love with you. We are all heated to know we will be living cozy in your presence this weekend.”
He then signed off, saying, “XO, Governor Murphy.”
In honor of @Beyonce blessing New Jersey with her presence this weekend, I hereby proclaim the Irreplaceable lyrical genius “Queen Honey-Bey” of the Garden State.
Superior Court Judge Gary N. Wilcox is in trouble with the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct for filming himself rapping along to Nas and Busta Rhymes’ music in a series of TikTok posts that the committee has deemed inappropriate. They filed the complaint against Wilcox on Friday, June 30.
They allege that between April 2021 and March 2023, Wilcox posted 40 TikTok videos under the username “Sal Tortorella.” The videos apparently contain content featuring “profanity, graphic sexual references to female and male body parts, violence, misogyny, and racist terms,” as noted by the New Jersey Globe.
Busta Rhymes and Nas during Nas Celebrates His New Album “Hip Hop is Dead” At His Black & White Ball – December 18, 2006 at Capital in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
The Advisory Committee took special issue with one TikTok featuring Nas’ 2003 track “Get Down.” They said that “the song contains explicit lyrics concerning a criminal case and a courtroom shooting as well as derogatory and discriminatory terms, drug and gang references, and the killing of a doctor in a hospital who treated another gang member.”
In one TikTok, Wilcox lip-syncs to Busta Rhymes’ 2006 hit “Touch It.” The caption reads: “When an ex-girlfriend calls you ‘Santa’ because of your new white beard.” The lyrics in the post are as follows: “For the record, just a second, I’m freakin’ it out/ While she tryin’ to touch, see, I was peepin’ it out/ She turned around and was tryin’ to put my dick in her mouth/ I let her.” Other songs of note include Rihanna’s “Jump” and Miguel’s “Sure Thing.” Another features the phrase, “You think you can run up on me and whip my monkey ass? Come on. Come on!”
Wilcox’s attorney, Robert Hille, downplayed the seriousness of the posts. “I don’t think that at the end of the day anybody is going to believe there was any desire to do any harm here,” Hille said, according to The New York Times. “Hindsight is 20-20.”
Earlier this week, hip hop duo Eric B. and Rakim performed at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, NJ. Their performance was part of the North to Shore Music Festival. The performance made history, with the iconic duo becoming the first rap act ever to perform at the New Jersey venue. According to Eric B., the performance was one he’s always hope for. Their performance also comes just in time for the 50th anniversary of hip hop, which will be celebrated in August.
“Performing at the Stone Pony is definitely a dream come true,” Eric B recently revealed in a press release. He continued, “I have been TRULY BLESSED during my career to have played at almost every premiere arena and venue around the world. So, to be able to be the first Hip Hop group to play at the Stone Pony, which has been the home to countless iconic acts…especially as we celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop, is unprecedented.”
Governor of New Jersey Phil Murphy even took the opportunity to personally thank the pair for their performance. He wrote on Twitter, “Tonight I was honored to introduce two pioneers of hip-hop — @EricBandRakim — for historic performance at @thestonepony @inAsburyParkNJ!” He also added, “I couldn’t dream of a better way to honor 50 years of hip-hop as part of the @NorthtoShore Festival.”
In a recent interview with HotNewHipHop‘s Erika Marie, Rakim opened up about what he looks forward to seeing from the hip hop genre in the next five decades. “I’m looking forward to…man,” he began. “I think, with the 50th-year anniversary, I think it’s kind of taken a lid off of Hip Hop.” Rakim also said, “It’s taken a limit off of Hip Hop, to be able to celebrate 50 years. What we’re actually doin’ is celebrating 50 years of emceeing and DJing and B-boying, you know what I mean? So, it’s like we were going back with knowing our history on these great artists.”
Lil Uzi Vert came out with a hit when they dropped “Just Wanna Rock” back in 2022. Overall, this was a song that took a lot of people by surprise. This is mostly due to the huge shift in sound. This was a Jersey club banger that saw Uzi delivering some of their most off-kilter vocals yet. Additionally, the production was unlike anything that Uzi had ever rapped over. In the end, fans were quite impressed by it, and for some, it has replaced “Dreams And Nightmares” as the Philadelphia anthem.
Recently, Uzi got to speak to 032 Magazine where they touched on a plethora of topics. For instance, they explained why they changed their pronouns. Furthermore, they gave a rundown of their stint in rehab. In addition to all of this, they also spoke on “Just Wanna Rock” and how the whole track came together. As it turns out, the song is unfinished, although Uzi isn’t pressed about it. “Yeah, I make experimental music,” Lil Uzi Vert said. “That song is definitely unfinished. The end of the beat is messed up too.”
From there, the artist went on to say that doing this song always made sense to them. At the end of the day, it is the culture they grew up around. Lil Uzi Vert even referenced their beginnings as a dancer. “People forgot I was a dancer before I was a rapper,” they explained. “I didn’t make any of this up, that’s how cool kids from Philly and Jersey dance – so I’m only a product of my environment. I’m just shining a light on that culture.”
With The Pink Tape on the horizon, fans are curious to hear what Uzi might decide to do next. Whatever it is, there is no doubt that fans are going to be excited to hear it. Let us know your thoughts on “Just Wanna Rock,” in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the music world.
Fetty Wap, an artist who once dominated the charts, now finds himself entangled in a complicated legal situation. Through this deep dive, we will explore the circumstances surrounding Fetty Wap’s 2021 arrest and how it has impacted his career.
Fetty Wap’s Rise to Fame
WHITE PLAINS, NEW YORK – MAY 21: Fetty Wap visits Prime on May 21, 2021 in White Plains, New York. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
Before diving into the Fetty Wap prison case, let us briefly walk you through the rapper’s rise to prominence. Born Willie Junior Maxwell II in Paterson, New Jersey, Fetty Wap first burst into the music scene with his 2014 hit single “Trap Queen.” This song became a commercial success, reaching No. 2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
In 2015, the artist continued to claim his space in the rap game with singles like “679” and “My Way.” These songs helped establish his distinct style, characterized by its sing-song delivery and catchy hooks. He soon released a self-titled debut album, which debuted at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It appeared that Fetty Wap was destined for greatness, but his path took an unexpected turn.
The Downfall: Fetty Wap Prison Case
The Arrest
(Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Firefly)
Fast forward to 2021, and Fetty Wap’s name has become synonymous with legal troubles. On October 28th, 2021, FBI agents arrested Fetty Wap at the Rolling Loud music festival at Citi Field in Queens, New York, just moments before his scheduled performance. Prosecutors charged him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, specifically more than 100 kilograms of narcotics, including cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and crack cocaine.
The Allegations
LONDON, ENGLAND – September 23: Fetty Wap performs on stage at o2 Forum Kentish Town on September 23, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ollie Millington/Redferns)
As per the allegations outlined in court documents, Fetty Wap and five other individuals were part of a large-scale drug distribution network. The operation reportedly sourced narcotics from the West Coast and distributed them throughout the New York and New Jersey areas. Authorities confiscated about $1.5 million in cash, 16 kilograms of cocaine, two kilograms of heroin, fentanyl pills, handguns, and a rifle during the investigation.
The Accomplices
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – NOVEMBER 21: Fetty Wap performs onstage during Power 105.1’s Powerhouse 2021 at Prudential Center on November 21, 2021 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)
The Fetty Wap case doesn’t solely focus on the rapper. It also involves Anthony “Ant” Leonardi, Brian “Brazy Bucks” Sullivan, Robert “Webs” Brown, Kalyas “Yaya” Temple, and Robin “Rob-Boo” Blue. The individuals face drug, firearms, and narcotics trafficking charges. The investigation into this network began in 2019, leading up to the high-profile arrests late last year.
The Implications: Career Hanging In The Balance
LONDON, ENGLAND – September 23: Fetty Wap performs on stage at o2 Forum Kentish Town on September 23, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Ollie Millington/Redferns)
Given the serious nature of the charges brought against him, Fetty Wap’s once-promising career now seems to be in jeopardy. He initially pleaded not guilty to the charges but then changed to a guilty plea in 2022.
The public’s response to the allegations has been mixed. Some fans express sympathy and hope for the best. At the same time, many others criticized him for engaging in these activities despite his previous success. Regardless of public opinion, the Fetty Wap case has undoubtedly tarnished his reputation and career prospects.
The Consequences
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – AUGUST 26: Fetty Wap attends the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on August 26, 2019 in Newark, New Jersey
Fetty Wap appeared in court on November 2nd, 2021, and was subsequently released on a $500,000 bond. He was also required to surrender his passport and stay on home confinement, where he was electronically monitored.
The rapper would finally be sentenced in May 2023 to 6 years in prison, and he apologized to his family during his time in court (via the New York Post): “I always aimed to lead,” he told the judge at his sentencing in Long Island federal court. “I ended up hurting the community, hurting the people who look up to me, hurting my family, hurting my children, hurting myself,” he continued. “I only wanted to do right by my family and loved ones… In doing so, I never asked myself — is it all the way right?”
A Cautionary Tale: Pitfalls of Success
As Fetty Wap’s story unfolds, it serves as a stark reminder of the pitfalls that often accompany sudden wealth and fame. It is also a cautionary tale about the importance of surrounding oneself with positive influences and making sound decisions.
In the end, the Fetty Wap case is a sad turn of events for the rapper who once enchanted fans around the globe with his unique sound and style. As the world watches and waits for his day in court, many are left to wonder: What could have been if Fetty Wap’s path had not taken this unexpected and dark detour?
In January 2023, Lil Tjay was arrested en route to a filming session with Ice Spice. Arrested during a traffic stop in Brooklyn, police claim they found a handgun in the vehicle, leading to Lil Tjay’s detention on a possession charge. His attorney, Dawn Florio, claimed that the gun found did not belong to the rapper. Furthermore, she claimed the traffic stop itself was illegal. The whole incident led to further controversy, as Lil Tjay was re-arrested after a courtroom blunder overlooked his arraignment and bail filing.
Gossip once again arose on May 5, when reports surfaced that Lil Tjay had been booked on a weapons charge in Bergen County, New Jersey. According to recentlybooked.com, Lil Tjay was booked for the unlawful possession of a firearm without a permit. However, his lawyer has issued a statement to clear up any confusion.
Florio Claims Lil Tjay Turned Himself In And Was Not Arrested
After the reports began to circulate that Lil Tjay had been arrested prior to his booking in New Jersey, Dawn Florio addressed the rumors. “This arrest is not a new gun charge.” Florio told nydrilloffical via DMs, “He had to turn himself in for the case where he was a victim where he was shot multiple times.” As for why he was booked despite being the alleged victim, Florio’s message continued. “The allegation is that there were guns in the car.”
Florio made reference to a June 2022 incident in Edgewater, New Jersey. Lil Tjay was reportedly shot seven times during a botched robbery in the riverside town. The rapper underwent surgery and made a successful recovery from the incident. However, it appears that he earned criminal charges from the incident. Similar to his January arrest, it appears the charges stem from the possession of a firearm without a license. The legality of the situation is interesting. Even though this incident predates the January arrest, only turning himself in now technically makes it a second offense. While the fact that the incidents happened in two states, New Jersey takes firearm offenses fairly seriously. According to New Jersey state law, unlawful possession of a firearm carries a sentence of three to five years. However, any updates in this case will be found here on HotNewHipHop.
(@lowkeymagee) April 5, 2024
,” Minaj added. On Friday (March 29), Papa Bear’s mom took over Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, and tonight (March 30) she’s got a performance lined up at Madison Square Garden. In April, you can catch her in Washington DC, Baltimore, Brooklyn, Connecticut, and at 
(@nojumper)