On this day in 1996, Ghostface Killah’s released highly anticipated debut album Ironman was released on the Loud/RCA imprint. With exclusive in-house Wu production from True Master and the RZA coupled with Raekwon The Chef appearing on almost every song on the album, making this album one of the best concept albums completed by the nine-man conglomerate to date.
The 16-track album featured several hits that bolstered the Wu-Tang Clan’s status as the best rap collective in the game, including the haunting street saga “Motherless Child”, “All That I Got Is You” featuring Mary J. Blige and the late Popa Wu and “Winter Warz”, which appeared on the Don’t Be A Menace To South Central While Drinking Your Juice In The Hood soundtrack.
This album proceeded Ghost’s abstract lyrical content as witnessed on 2000’s Supreme Clientele LP, but its storytelling premise keeps listeners glued to the cadence and rhyme style of Mr. Coles equally as much as they are attracted to RZA’s production.
Ironman finally reached platinum status in 2004, which still proves to be Ghost’s most successful album of his career. The WTC would follow up with albums that attempt to mirror the conceptual preciseness of Ironman, however, none of the Clan’s solo projects can be compared in its totality to that of Tony Starks.
Tekashi 6ix9ine has once again been arrested. According to TMZ, he was arrested for violating the terms of his supervised release.
6ix9ine was taken into custody on Tuesday morning and will be prosecuted at the NYC federal courthouse for violating his probation conditions. There currently is no confirmation of the violation.
6ix9ine reached his plea deal in 2020 after battling charges of racketeering, firearms, narcotics trafficking, and more.
Earlier this month, the controversial and embattled rapper signed a new record deal with Kartel Music, reportedly for over $6 million.
According to TMZ, 6ix9ine will record a new album with Mexican regional artists and tour across the United States, Mexico, and Central and South America.
The rainbow-haired rapper will earn $1 million for a 10-song album and $250,000 for each show of a tour, resulting in nearly $6 million in earnings.
But there is some fine print. In accepting the deal, 6ix9ine agrees to sidestep legal issues and digital beef while also avoiding arrest.
But just last month, Tekashi 6ix9ine decided to use his drama to generate some views, and this time, it involves his former flame, singer Yailin La Mas Viral. The troubled and now wanted Brooklyn rapper dropped “Repuesta,” a diss track, along with a video yesterday (Sept. 4) aimed at an ex-girlfriend and fellow artist, Yailin La Mas Viral and the ‘Get The Strap” rapper goes in on his former lover.
Even though all of the lyrics are in Spanish (and can understood in depth by those who speak the language), the visual for Repuesta (which means response) gives viewers 6ix9ine’s perception of the rocky relationship between the two artists. Also, Tekashi, known for his flamboyant wear and hairstyles, toned it down this time, donning a black suit while casually spitting his verses instead of his signature screaming style.
The visual includes footage of the rapper and Yailin La Mas Viral when they were still together. The duo dated throughout 2023 before ending things in August. Footage also includes 6ix9ine interacting with Yailin La Mas Viral’s son, whom she shares with Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA. The relationship publicly went sour when it was reported that 6ix9ine was arrested in the Dominican Republic on domestic violence charges back in January after Yailin’s mother made a report.
A host of federal agencies have offered up their investigators to launch an “interagency operation” at the MDC(Metropolitan Detention Center) in Brooklyn yesterday(October 28) as Bad Boy music and fashion mogul Diddy remains in federal custody.
The Bureau of Prisons gave a statement to AP, saying that the operation is “designed to achieve our shared goal of maintaining a safe environment for both our employees and the incarcerated individuals housed at MDC Brooklyn.”
The agencies noted on Monday that there was “no active threat” and that the operation was pre-planned some time ago. The agencies did not give any more information about the operation “in an effort to maintain the safety and security of all personnel inside the facility and the integrity of this operation.”
MDC has a horrific reputation, known for its deplorable living conditions as well as murders and other acts of violence among inmates. Diddy attempted to make bail in order to leave MDC, but a judge ruled against him getting out on bail due to his alleged danger to society and his being a flight risk.
Diddy is not the first high-profile inmate at MDC, the facility where well-known prisoners such as R. Kelly and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman were held before their trials. Diddy, who was arrested on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering last month, could face life behind bars if convicted on these charges.
After Ice Cube took the field at Dodger Stadium on Saturday and performed his classic hit “Today Was A Good Day” before Los Angeles’ Game 2 win, who else would’ve been better to return the favor in the Bronx other than the BX’s heavy hitter Fat Joe? According to Yankees fans, it could’ve been anybody else, especially after the matching 4-2 loss against L.A..
Even though Joey Crack pulled out some of his biggest bops of the new millennium, including “Lean Back”, “All The Way Up” and of course, the Empire State anthem “New York”, the overall consensus of Yanks fans felt that Joe’s performance didn’t just miss the mark in exciting the Yankee Stadium crowd, but brought down the morale on 161 Street and River Avenue.
Were the fans right? Well, the Yankees could not score a run until the last out in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-run HR from Alex Verdugo in the team’s valiant, but losing effort. The Bronx Bombers still have a chance to turn the series around tonight in Game 4, but fighting against a 0-3 deficit against Ohtani and the Dodgers might not end with a “Good Day” for the Yankees.
This year’s SelectCon NYC, hosted by UnitedMasters and held at Brooklyn’s Zerospace, brought together some of hip-hop’s most influential voices—Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Cam’ron, and Joe Budden—for a transformative day of inspiration and insights. SelectCon provided a platform for these industry giants to dive deep into topics like music, entrepreneurship, and legacy-building. Here’s a rundown of the event’s highlights.
UnitedMasters founder, Steve Stoute, led powerful one-on-one discussions with each of the headlining icons. In separate conversations, 50 Cent, Cam’ron, and Joe Budden shared personal stories of their music careers, business ventures, and hard-won lessons on navigating the entertainment industry. The trio touched on iconic music moments, valuable mistakes, and their boldest career pivots, delivering unfiltered insights for attendees. Notably, they each shared the importance of creativity, adaptability, and ownership in building successful, sustainable careers. Industry titans Lenny “Lenny S” Santiago (SVP, Roc Nation) and Tremaine Emory (Founder of Denim Tears) also gave insights on their professional and personal journeys on an Ally presented panel.
Cam’ron Reveals ‘It Is What It Is’ is Crushing YouTube Sports—Trailing Only ‘First Take’
At SelectCon, Cam’ron shared an exciting update about his sports show ‘It Is What It Is’. The show has not only captivated sports fans but is also outperforming major sports programs on YouTube, including SportsCenter. In fact, the only show with more views is ‘First Take’. Cam’ron and Mase’s unique take on sports commentary, combined with their authentic style, has clearly resonated with viewers, marking a significant shift in how audiences engage with sports media online.
50 Cent on Early Sacrifices for Power: Took $17,000 per Episode to Executive Produce, Star, and Oversee Music
At SelectCon NYC, in a candid reveal, 50 Cent discussed his financial sacrifices during the initial seasons of Power, his hit TV series. Agreeing to be paid only $17,000 per episode, he prioritized retaining creative control to ensure the show’s authenticity. This early decision paved the way for the series to become a pop culture phenomenon, allowing him to leverage the show’s success to secure a stronger deal later. His story was a masterclass in trusting the creative process and focusing on the long game.
Joe Budden’s Tough-Love Advice to Aspiring Podcasters: “Stop Begging”
In his discussion, Joe Budden offered blunt advice to beginner podcasters, emphasizing that building an audience should come before seeking compensation. Urging aspiring podcasters to “stop begging” for checks before establishing a following, Budden highlighted the importance of hard work and consistency. His message reflected his own journey in the industry and underscored the necessity of dedication for success in the media space.
The event also featured an inspiring panel presented by Ally, focusing on mentorship, coaching, and sustainable business practices in the digital era. Moderated by Goldie Harrison (UnitedMasters Dir. of Commerce), the panelists included Lenny “Lenny S” Santiago (SVP, Roc Nation), Tremaine Emory (Founder of Denim Tears), Natalie Brown (Sr. Director, Corporate Citizenship, Ally) and UnitedMasters VP of A&R, Mike Weiss. Together, they shared fresh perspectives on the role of mentorship in empowering artists and discussed strategies for creative ownership in a digital-first economy.
50 Cent and Cam’ron Reunite at SelectCon: The Legendary Backstage Reunion
One of the day’s most memorable moments was the unexpected backstage embrace between 50 Cent and Cam’ron. Once known for their rivalry and playful jabs, the two icons came together in a show of mutual respect, capturing a moment that underscored the evolution of hip-hop relationships.
SelectCon NYC continues to push boundaries for artists, creators, and industry professionals by spotlighting career growth, ownership, and the entrepreneurial spirit. This year’s event reaffirmed SelectCon’s dedication to celebrating innovation, fostering dialogue, and empowering the next generation of creators.
O’Shea Jackson, better known to the world as Ice Cube, made a lot of people mad when he was fed up with the bs and released this scathing album, appropriately entitled Death Certificate 32 years ago on this date.
The album cover itself speaks volumes. A Caucasian corpse with a toe tag that reads “Uncle Sam” draped with the stars and stripes with the recently self-made solo artist pledging allegiance is as anti-establishment as you can get. Not only had Ice Cube been freed from his situation with the legendary Niggaz Wit Attitudes, but he had also been released into a sea of information that would make his metamorphosis from a mere emcee and rhyme writer of a “gangsta” rap group to an unparalleled entertainer unlike anyone else. The LP’s insert is just as powerful as the cover, with Ice Cube and his Lench Mob crew doing the knowledge to the Nation Of Islam’s Final Call newspaper.
The album features melodic, yet truthful messages from the late Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad throughout the duration of the album. Songs like “I Wanna Kill Sam” and “Horny Little Devil” echo NOI sentiments, but that doesn’t take away from the surgical lyricism from the former NWA frontman coupled with production from Sir Jinx, the Boogiemen, and Cube himself. Timeless gems like “Black Korea” and “A Bird In A Hand” tackles real-life issues in the urban community and the scenarios he addressed still ail our society today, yet are significantly ignored by today’s artists.
One of the most memorable tracks from Death Certificate is, of course, the infamous “No Vaseline” aimed at Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ren Yella, and their financial arm Jerry Heller. In the song, Cube spits darts like, “..lookin like straight bozos/ I saw it comin’ that’s why I went solo/ and kept on stompin’/ while y’all motherfuckers moved straight outta Compton..” and went straight at Heller’s neck with rhymes like, “..it’s a case of divide and conquer/ ’cause you let a Jew break up my crew/ house nigga gotta run and hide/ yellin’ Compton, but you moved to Riverside..”. N.W.A. never recovered from Cube’s blow, which made this record the ultimate diss record of all time. Ice Cube’s continued success which is still evident today, is just the icing on the cake of how he “dropped four niggas, now he’s makin’ all the dough.”
The Source sends a supreme shout out to Cube, the Lench Mob (you too Kam), Dr. Khalid (RIP) and everyone else involved with this timeless classic!
A multi-year partnership has been announced with the Houston Astros and Hip Hop mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s premium wine and spirits brand Sire Spirits, LLC as well as his charity, The G-Unity Foundation. This partnership, which was announced by the Astros, will be the first between Sire Spirits and a major League Baseball franchise.
The partnership will feature Fif’s Branson Cognac and his Le Chemin du Roi Champagne brand during the regular season including recognizing Branson as the “Official Cognac of the Houston Astros”, Le Chemin du Roi, which means “the King’s Path”, will be recognized as the “Official Premium Champagne of the Houston Astros” and the Club Level Bar at Minute Maid Park will be rebranded in 2025 as the “Sire Spirits Bar”. There will also be rotational home plate signage as well as product samplings and and specialty craft cocktails throughout Minute Maid Park.
“The Astros are proud to partner with Curtis and his team to offer Sire Spirits to our fans visiting Minute Maid Park,” said Jeff Stewart, Astros Vice President, Corporate Partnerships. “Both organizations share a common goal of giving back to our community, so teaming up with Curtis’ spirit company and charity to invest in the City of Houston just made sense. We are excited for this partnership, and I look forward to visiting the rebranded Club Level Bar next season.”
Also, 50’s G-Unity Foundation will be working with the Astros Foundation, including a a Leadership Series Program that will focus on character development, communication skills and risk analysis. Also, the G-Unity Foundation will receive a portion of the proceeds from two of the Astros’ Foundations; Share 2 Care 50/50 raffles wich will be sold during Astros home games.
“I am especially proud and excited about our first Major League Baseball deal with The Astros,” Jackson said. “We share the same philosophy of conscious capitalism. I look forward to providing the opportunity for at-risk teens to experience the excitement of attending a baseball game in a luxury suite setting at Minute Maid Park.”
MuseZeuM is thrilled to announce its groundbreaking collaboration with Apple Music to bring fans “The Best Curated DJ Mixes,” a unique series of mixes that merges artistry with cutting-edge sound. This series marks the beginning of MuseZeuM’s mission to make iconic mixtapes accessible in a format that ensures artists and DJs receive their due recognition and support.
Each mix within this exclusive collection is designed to deliver an immersive experience, true to the MuseZeuM brand. The inaugural lineup includes legendary producer Salaam Remi, known for his soul-stirring blend of classic and contemporary sounds; DJ Dirty Harry, who seamlessly fuses nostalgic throwbacks with modern beats; Ralph McDaniel, the visionary behind Video Music Box, who marries iconic visuals with fresh audio; Bambino, renowned for his dynamic mixes of old-school and new-school reggae; and Disco Neil, who infuses high-energy dancehall vibes that keep listeners on their feet.
“Our partnership with Apple Music is about more than just music; it’s about creating a space where art and technology intersect to pay homage to classic mixtapes while supporting the artists who inspire us,” says Salaam Remi, founder of MuseZeuM. “These mixes offer a unique blend of nostalgia, rhythm, and creativity that makes the MuseZeuM collection an unforgettable listening experience.”
Listeners can follow the MuseZeuM Apple Music page to stay updated on the latest releases, handpicked playlists, and exclusive content. This launch is only the beginning—MuseZeuM and Apple Music have much more in store to enrich the music culture and create memorable audio experiences for fans worldwide.
There no secret that the New York Yankees have their work cut out for them in the historic 2024 World Series, the most-watched MLB Championship Series in almost 40 years, but Ice Cube opening up Game 2 with his performance of “Today Was A Good Day” in Dodger Stadium was a precursor to L.A.’s 4-2 win over the Bronx Bombers.
In the third inning, Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez hit back to back homers off Yanks’ left hander Carlos Rodón, giving the Dodgers a three-run lead in a game they went on the win 4-2 to take a 2-0 series advantage. Hernández and Freeman became the second pair of Dodgers teammates to hit back-to-back homers in the World Series, joining Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager, who did it in Game 5 of the 1981 Fall Classic, also against the Yankees.
The Dodgers fulfilled Cube’s premonition that Los Angeles would have a good day, forcing the Yankees to go back to the Bronx and attempt to reverse the Dodgers’ momentum.
Additionally, with the series returning to New York and L.A. star Shohei Ohtani’s left shoulder subluxation which may force him to sit out at least some of the World Series, just might give the Yanks enough of an advantage tonight in Game 3.
On this date in Hip-Hop history, Harlem icon Ma$e released his debut album Harlem World on the Bad Boy/Arista imprint.
A millennial piece of uptown Hip Hop history post the shooting death of rap giant Big L, Harlem World helped usher in a new era of Hip Hop in Harlem. Prior to this release, Harlem had given birth to Doug E. Fresh, Kool Moe Dee, Kurtis Blow, and Rob Base, but had yet to see an artist with the level of conceited charm coupled with chart-topping hits to back it up that a Bad Boy-backed Ma$e had on this album.
Paving the way for groups like The Diplomats and A$AP Mob, this album was chock full of the opulent content expected from a true Harlem World representative. Along with its luxurious themes, the LP is laced with high energy production and a star-studded cast of guest appearances from some of New York’s finest, including labelmates The LOX, DMX, Lil’ Kim, Jay-Z, Total, 112, and Busta Rhymes.
After the untimely passing of the Notorious B.I.G., this album was set up to be the debut of Diddy’s “new protege and although it obviously fell short of the acclaim brought by Ready to Die, commercially, this album hit the same level of success as every other Bad Boy debut. Harlem World reached the pole position across music charts, sold over 2,000,000 copies to date, and was nominated for Best Rap Album at the 41st Grammy Awards.
Salute to Ma$e, Diddy and the Bad Boy fam for this piece of Hip-Hop history!
