Chance the Rapper to Headline Benefit Concert for Non-Profit SocialWorks at Chicago’s Ramova Theatre

Approved Punkd Chance Photo

SocialWorks, the youth empowerment charity founded by Chance the Rapper, is proud to announce a special benefit concert headlined by Chance himself. This one-night-only event, set to take place on April 13th at the historic Ramova Theater in Chicago, promises an unforgettable evening of music, celebration, and philanthropy. Don’t miss this chance to make a difference in the lives of Chicago’s youth while celebrating the birthday of one of the city’s most beloved artists. 

This highly anticipated event promises an evening of exceptional entertainment while championing a noble cause. With Chance the Rapper headlining and DJ Oreo opening, attendees can expect an immersive musical experience that reflects the spirit of giving back to the community.

In addition to the main event, an exclusive after-party will be hosted, featuring DJ sets from Chance himself and his friends. This post-concert celebration offers a unique opportunity for guests to continue the festivities while mingling with the artists and fellow supporters of SocialWorks’ mission.

Tickets for the Benefit Concert for Chicago’s Youth are now available for purchase, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to SocialWorks. Tickets go live at 10AM ET on Friday, March 29 here: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/74615268/chance-the-rapper-chicago-ramova-theatre

The post Chance the Rapper to Headline Benefit Concert for Non-Profit SocialWorks at Chicago’s Ramova Theatre first appeared on The Source.

The post Chance the Rapper to Headline Benefit Concert for Non-Profit SocialWorks at Chicago’s Ramova Theatre appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Freaky Tah Of The Lost Boyz Shot And Killed In Queens 25 Years Ago

Screen Shot 2021 03 28 at 6.05.10 PM 689x400

It was a Sunday morning in 1999, where Raymond “Freaky Tah” Rogers of the legendary Lost Boyz was attending a party for a friend. Tragically, while leaving the party hosted at the Sheraton Hotel in Queens, NY, Tah was shot in retaliation for another murder he had nothing to do with.

According to a report on the case, published by MTV News at the time:

The feud that resulted in the death of Freaky Tah (born Raymond Rogers) can be traced back at least to the November [of the previous year], when a member of the Lost Boyz was robbed.” It continued with, “After the robbery… someone police believe was a ‘hanger-on’ in the Lost Boyz camp attempted to retaliate by shooting a man named Michael Saunders, who was a member of the Hellraisers camp. But Saunders, who was killed in the December shooting, actually had no involvement in the robbery.”

Twenty-two years later, Freaky Tah is still remembered and missed by the Hip Hop culture while the LB Fam sans DJ Spigg Nice, whose still serving his 37 years for armed robbery, recognize and commemorate the crew’s fallen soldier. Salute to Mr. Cheeks, Pretty Lou, his son Freaky Kah and the rest of the Lost Boyz family.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Freaky Tah Of The Lost Boyz Shot And Killed In Queens 25 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Freaky Tah Of The Lost Boyz Shot And Killed In Queens 25 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago

tumblr pp1y7q0Yl41t1yehoo1 1280

On this date twenty-nine years ago, Big L dropped his debut and only full-length studio album Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous, on Columbia Records.

Aside from, eloquently stated by The Source Magazine at the time, “[coming] with ill animated lyrics, combined with metaphors that stun; a combo sure to have suckas on the run,” Big L also ushered in two emcees that are very prominent in the culture today: a then-unknown Killa Cam and a semi-established Jay-Z.

Produced primarily by the legendary Lord Finesse with Showbiz and Buckwild on the help out, this was a Diggin’ In The Crates album. According to “Funky Technician” Lord Finesse, who had a hand in some of the album’s production, in an interview commemorating the album’s 15th anniversary, he said this about the posse track “8 Iz Enuff”, With that [song] L just thought he had to do a track with the rappers from his hood. And he definitely wanted to put on [those particular emcees]… We looking like, ‘How you gonna put eight niggas on one track?’ [And he was like], ‘Don’t worry, I got this.’”

He definitely had it too.

Unfortunately, Lifestylez Ov Da Poor And Dangerous would be the only album released by L in his life as he was fatally shot in Harlem in 1999.

Salute to Big L kaka Lamont Coleman(RIP), Lord Finesse, Jay-Z, Cam’ron, Grand Daddy I, U, and everyone else who helped make this album a piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Big L Dropped His Debut Album ‘Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Released Their Second Album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ 36 Years Ago

tumblr pp3qhoPcVZ1t1yehoo1 640

On this day in Hip Hop history, the rapper turned actor Will Smith along with DJ Jazzy Jeff released their second LP, He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. This was the first double album in Hip Hop in its original vinyl state and is certified platinum by the RIAA.

It can be said that without this album, Will Smith would not be where he is today. The success this album provided for Smith gave him the exposure to take his talents from music to the screen. This was also a breakthrough album for the career of DJ Jazzy Jeff. Critics and consumers alike cited Jeff as the more musically inclined of the duo, although Smith was the obvious crowd favorite and frontman. Jeff’s ability on the turntables and the boards allowed him to be the unsung hero of the album and gain a lot of respect in the Hip Hop community.

The album received positive reviews from critics of countless publications. The Source even selected this album as one of the 100 Best Rap Albums list in 1998. The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart and #5 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. Overseas it peaked at #68 on the UK Album chart. The album’s most popular single, “Parents Just Don’t Understand” won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Released Their Second Album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ 36 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Released Their Second Album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ 36 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 29 Years Ago

tumblr pp1yc8vp5i1t1yehoo1 1280

On this day in Hip-Hop history, Wu-Tang Clan’s Ol’ Dirty Bastard released his debut solo LP, Return of the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version. Released by Elektra Records, Return of the 36 Chambers was only the second solo LP by any Wu-Tang member. Largely produced by fellow Wu-Tang emcee RZA, the album had a mostly positive commercial reception.

Peaking at number seven on the Billboard 200 and number two on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart, Return of the 36 Chambers sold 81,000 albums in its first week and was certified gold later that year. The album was also nominated for “Best Rap Album” at the 1996 Grammy Awards.

Coming off such a successful group debut, there were few critics could say to discount the record. The Source, Rolling Stone, and Allmusic have all given the project four out of five stars. In 1998, The Source selected the album to be a part of its 100 Best Rap Albums list.

Following Return of the 36 chambers: The Dirty Version, ODB went on to release one more solo album, Nigga Please, before his untimely demise in 2004. Ol’ Dirty will forever be remembered as one of the most talented and unique emcees to ever grace the mic.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard Released ‘Return Of The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

50 Cent Shares Teaser Of ‘Diddy Do It?’ Docuseries Amid Federal Raids

50cent 50cent X

Diddy’s biggest online nemesis 50 Cent says that his upcoming docu-series about the Bad Boy mogul and his most recent alleged allegations will be a hit and even posted a teaser so that the world knows it’s real.

50cent 50cent X (1)

Fif captioned the post on social media featuring the docuseries’ poster, “This is gonna break records when this drops. GLG GreenLightGang you know the vibes.” The bottom of the poster says “coming soon” with Diddy’s face pictured on police documents.

50 says that the doc will focus on Diddy’s current legal woes, including allegations of rape, sexual assault and sex trafficking.

The media/music mogul has been on Diddy’s heels since the allegations against him were ramped up this week with the raids of his Miami and Los Angeles homes. Moments after the raids, Fif jumoed on social media saying, “Shit just got real [eye emojis] the Fed’s in all the cribs, damn they got the kids in cuffs.” Soon after, he added, “Now it’s not Diddy do it, it’s Diddy done [shrug emoji] they don’t come like that unless they got a case.”

Diddy has since spoken about the raids via his attorney Aaron Dyer, stating, “Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated. Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way.”

The post 50 Cent Shares Teaser Of ‘Diddy Do It?’ Docuseries Amid Federal Raids first appeared on The Source.

The post 50 Cent Shares Teaser Of ‘Diddy Do It?’ Docuseries Amid Federal Raids appeared first on The Source.

King Combs GF Post Videos Kissing the Rapper Following Raids at Diddy’s Home

After the federal authorities ran through Diddy's homes, Christian, known professionally as King Combs, was spotted in an intimate moment with his girlfriend on Instagram.

Christian Combs appears not worried about the raids on his father’s home. After the federal authorities ran through Diddy’s homes, Christian, known professionally as King Combs, was spotted in an intimate moment with his girlfriend on Instagram.

Drone video that has made its rounds online appears to show Diddy’s sons Christian and Justin in handcuffs out front of the lavish Holmby Hills address amid the simultaneous raids on Diddy’s homes by Homeland Security for the alleged sex trafficking charge.

Law enforcement could be seen walking through his property on Monday with guns drawn as several people were spotted on the lawn, including Diddy’s sons, 30-year-old Justin Combs and 25-year-old Christian “King” Combs.

Over 30 law enforcement vehicles could be seen from the aerial view, with heavily armed agents on the ground and a helicopter, which could be heard overhead.

Diddy, aka Sean Combs, is currently under investigation by federal authorities for alleged sex trafficking.

The post King Combs GF Post Videos Kissing the Rapper Following Raids at Diddy’s Home first appeared on The Source.

The post King Combs GF Post Videos Kissing the Rapper Following Raids at Diddy’s Home appeared first on The Source.

Diddy Alleged Drug Mule Is Former Syracuse U. Basketball Player

Screenshot 2024 03 27 at 7.19.44 AM

The saga of Diddy and the federal raids on his home continue as the person who was arrested for drug possession at the Opa Locka Airport on Monday was a former b-ball player at Syracuse University.

Brenden Paul, the man arrested by federal agents while federal authorities stopped Diddy and his team, formerly played basketball for the University of Syracuse from 2018-2020, playing only 17 games in two seasons. Paul fared better on the court after transferring to Fairmont State University in West Virginia, with 51 points, 23 rebounds, 19 assists, and 11 steals in two seasons.

The 25-year-old was arrested and charged with one count of possession of suspected cocaine and another of possession of suspected marijuana candy after being searched at the Miami airport.

Rodney Jones said in an explosive lawsuit last month that Paul was a close confidant of Diddy’s who allegedly handled his drugs and guns. Diddy, however, has denied all of Jones’ salacious claims

The post Diddy Alleged Drug Mule Is Former Syracuse U. Basketball Player first appeared on The Source.

The post Diddy Alleged Drug Mule Is Former Syracuse U. Basketball Player appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Treach Talks Again About Brawl That Made Crips Put Out “Hit” On Him And Tupac

Tupac Shakur

In his exclusive interview with The Art Of Dialogue, Naughty By Nature front man Treach spoke about the brawl that he and 2Pac were involved in at a comedy club in Los Angeles, which ultimately led to the Crips putting the “green light” on him and ‘Pac following the melee.

Back in the mid-90s, Treach says that an brawl between the Rollin 60s Crips and the Bloods broke out at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles the week before they were in attendance, but suggested that the Crips came back the following week to exact revenge; the same night that he and ‘Pac were in attendance.

“They came in and just started picking up chairs and bottles. We heard the commotion in the back. Before we got a chance to look back, bow! I got hit in the head with a chair,” he remembered.

“That’s when I walked around with the big chain, so I took that shit off immediately. ‘Pac and everybody that was with us picked up bottles and chairs, and there was just an all-out brawl. So we ended up fighting our way outta there.”

Treach says that despite escaping with their lives, there were still repercussions for their actions at the Comedy Store. “It was so real we actually had gotten green lit by the 60s. A green light is like on sight, n-ggas is gonna roll on you and handle business — it’s a hit,” he said. “So I had to get up with my family that was out there … We sat down in Compton and basically let it be known we ain’t disrespected the gang, we was just doing what we had to do to get up outta there. So they took the green light off and the rest is history.”

The post [WATCH] Treach Talks Again About Brawl That Made Crips Put Out “Hit” On Him And Tupac first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Treach Talks Again About Brawl That Made Crips Put Out “Hit” On Him And Tupac appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: NWA Founder Eazy-E Died From AIDS 29 Years Ago

external content

On this day in 1995, gangster rap pioneer Eric “Eazy-E” Wright succumbed to complications of the AIDS virus less than 10 days after making it known to the public.

Many are able to embody the persona of gangsta rap. That’s thanks to the likes of Schooly D, Ice-T, and N.W.A. The difference between the two formers when compared to the latter is Eazy-E. a true entrepreneur and if it wasn’t the rap game, his money would’ve (as it has) been made regardless.

In 1986, Eazy-E went into business with Jerry Heller to create Ruthless Records. It’s often told that Wright used up to $250,000 of his own money, which he made in the streets, to fund this endeavor. Because of this, as Jerry Heller mentioned in his memoir titled, Ruthless, Eazy-E owned 80% of the rights to the company.

Yeah, I was a brother on the streets of Compton doing a lot of things most people look down on but it did pay off. Then we started rapping about real stuff that shook up the LAPD and the FBI. But we got our message across big time, and everyone in America started paying attention to the boys in the hood.

Ruthless Records would present Dr. Dre to a national audience, as well as Ice Cube. Their method; Gangsta Rap. It would be the harsh lyrics and gritty portrayal of the gang activity, crime, racial discrimination, police brutality, and day-to-day life in a predominately black area during the Reagan/Crack-era that would solidify not only the record company but the groups and acts associated as hip-hop royalty.

Nine short years after, 1995 to be exact, the world would lose Eric “Eazy-E” Wright to complications from AIDS.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: NWA Founder Eazy-E Died From AIDS 29 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: NWA Founder Eazy-E Died From AIDS 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.