Today in Hip-Hop history, Brooklyn trio Digable Planets released their sophomore LP Blowout Comb. Serving as a more politically charged follow-up to their jazzy debut, Reachin’: A New Refutation of Time and Space, this album showed the group’s stance on Black nationalism and inner-city living in the mid-’90s.
On this album, the trio abandoned their radio-friendly style to focus on a more militant agenda. Fundamentally, the group metamorphosed, leaving behind their once-coveted insect-centered imagery. As a group, they felt misunderstood. Their original intention with relating their cause to insects was to focus on the fact that bugs, although small, have a “nature to stick together and work for mutually beneficial causes,” according to frontman Ishmael Butler. While working on Blowout Comb, the group completely shed their insect facade and emerged anew with a new focus and new identities. The former “Butterfly” changed his moniker to “Ish,” “Ladybug” became “Mecca,” and “Dooblebug” was now “C-Know”.
Lyrically, this album was something straight out of the Black Power Movement. With references to The Nation of Islam, The Black Panther Party, Allah’s 5% Nation, and the racial and class struggles of the impoverished minorities of the United States, it is no secret what statement Digable Planets was trying to make. They did not want their Afrocentrism to be overshadowed by crossover appeal as it did on their debut. As a result, this LP did not receive much backing from their label, Pendulum/EMI. Despite its lack of internal support, the album still peaked at #32 on the Billboard 200 and #13 on the Top R&B chart.
Unfortunately, following this album, Digable Planets disbanded. The cause of the split is said to be creative differences and dissatisfaction with the music industry. Luckily for the fans, the trio delivered a masterpiece of conscious rap before fading into the pages of Hip Hop history. Take some time today to appreciate one of rap’s most slept-on albums.
Richard Bond, the director of a shocking new documentary “Tupac: Cover Up” (available on XUMO), and the producer of FOUR (4) other documentaries about the killing of the late rap star, also has a small YouTube “Live” show on the air two times a week. The show serves as an open discussion with the director, whose work on the 26-year investigation of the homicides has made him a constantly invited Subject Matter Expert by Fox, A&E, Discovery Channel, The History Channel, and hundreds of other outlets. He uses the unadvertised YouTube channel “The Tupac Assassination Channel” and the new “Tupac Cover Up channel to directly reach out to his hardcore base.
Yesterday(October 18), Bond had an unexpected caller into the show. The caller was Duane Keith Davis, Jr., the son of the man alleged to have murdered rap star Tupac Shakur, Duane “Keefe D” Davis. Recently, dozens of tabloid-level articles have described secondhand accounts as they pertain to Mr. Davis and his preparations for his trial in March of 2025. Davis himself has done no interviews since his arrest over a year ago. Aside from a periodic court appearance regarding bail or a random court filing, the world has had no insight into what is happening in the world of the man charged with one of the most notorious and infamous crimes in modern American history.
Not anymore. “Keefe-D’s” son, Duane Keith, Jr., in an exclusive interview with Bond- largely in response to having watched the Xumo Play docuseries “Tupac: Cover Up”- reached out to Bond to give the world an update on his dad, and to straighten out some bad facts, and introduce a few new ones.
One such rumor put out by the YouTube channel belonging to the former head of Death Row Records security was that Keefe-D had been beaten up in prison.
“He’s good. He’s good. He’s up in there getting fat from all that eating…. it ain’t been no big deal, no problems, no big problems for him. You know what I’m saying? I know many people claim that” said Davis Jr., speaking on the beating rumors.
“That was false. Nobody touched him. No, he didn’t get beat up by anybody. He had a problem with an officer over a mattress, an extra mattress…that’s all. (The alleged fight) that would’ve been another reason if he would’ve reacted…They would use, they would use that against him.”
Bond then turned the question to what was happening in the case and how little to nothing was coming out of the defense camp about how they planned to defend Davis. He asked Davis, Jr., when Davis’s next court date would be.
“It wasn’t one coming up anytime soon, but expect one to be coming up because we, going back to get him out of this situation again,” said Davis Jr., speaking on the recently failed attempt to have “Keefe D” released on $750,000 bail. The bail was recently denied because the Judge in the case did not believe the story of rap artist “Wack 100” as to where the bail money would be coming from.
“We gonna do it the right way and get him out. And, uh, so be expecting a court date very soon, I would say in the next couple weeks, honestly.”
For his part, Keefe D has claimed he fabricated entirely his “confessions” about the shooting for money. Documents in “Tupac Cover Up” tend to allege his “story” may have been a result of police coercion. This news may likely come as a surprise to Vegas investigators, who are still trying to connect “Keefe D” to the crime by first establishing that he was in Vegas that night. So far, all Vegas police have come up with is a receipt from “Keefe D’s” now-wife Paula Clemons, who paid for a hotel room at the Monte Carlo.
Davis Jr. Spoke on that as well.
“I understand what you just said, though, but I’m gonna just stop you right there,” said Davis Jr.
“Okay. You can go (get) Court documents from my mother and my father. They didn’t get married till 2000…2005, I believe, in 2005. And, um, just because my mother was out there, what does that have to do with my father? What if she…it’s all a rumor, right? That, uh, Mob James (A.K.A. James McDonald, a former associate of Death Row Records), and uh, Reggie said she was F—ing with Buntry!”
Buntry (A.K.A. Alton Mc Donald) was a Death Row Records associate known as a “henchman.” Buntry was also the brother of “Mob James”, who made this claim. “Buntry” was the man in the now famous MGM videotaped beating of additional Vegas suspect Orlando Anderson- Keefe D’s nephew. Police claim that this MGM beating was the triggering event for Anderon and Keefe D to go get a gun and shoot at Tupac and Marion “Suge” Knight later that evening.
“What if she was out here with Buntry? Nobody knows…That’s all I’m saying,” said Davis Jr.
“When it gets to the news, and many people hear it, like I said, they say my mom was in bed with him. Yeah. Then maybe they were staying out there, whatever. I don’t even know. What was it, the Monte Carlo? So what if they were staying at the Monte Carlo? Because Buntry was out here. And they said that my mom was f***ing him. So ,what if that was the case?”
These series of statements made by Davis Jr. highlight the lack of evidence Vegas PD has been able to come up with in 27 years of investigation. They are allegedly trying to scrounge up any video footage from 1996 they can find to try to place Keefe D in Vegas- a major problem for the prosecution. It also shows how quickly any evidence collected may have a different explanation.
Bond’s docuseries “Tupac Cover Up” tells the story of an old narrative that has been re-invented to indict Dwayne “Keefe-D” Davis in Clark County, Nevada. And he thinks all this media trying to link Diddy to Tupac’s 1996 killing is vapor.
“They (Clark County Prosecutors) are running with a stale and debunked hood legend that falls apart under its weight,” claims Bond.
“In 2012, an unreliable ex-L.A.P.D cop invented a story that filled in and re-enforced that old narrative with the help of a man they were, to some degree, possibly collaborating within a profit motive. The man who validated this theory after 14 years of never hearing this story before- Mr. Davis- looked to be coerced into what he said to Vegas Police. We show it in the documentary- “Stick to the Story,” one LAPD officer tells Davis- after Las Vegas Police leave the room so you can “sleep well” at night. It’s total coercion. “
UnitedMastersis thrilled to announce the highly anticipated return of SelectCon, set to take place on October 24, 2024, in New York City. This premier event, hosted by UnitedMasters, founded by entrepreneur Steve Stoute, will gather leading figures from the worlds of music, culture, and business for another transformative day dedicated to redefining entrepreneurship in today’s digital landscape, fostering innovation, and facilitating dynamic exchanges of ideas.
Building on the success of previous years, SelectCon 2024 will feature high-profile discussions under the “Mogul Talk” series, headlined by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Cam’ron, and Joe Budden—each of whom has seamlessly transitioned from influential music careers to thriving ventures in fashion, media, tech, and more. This year’s theme, “Entrepreneurship Beyond Music”, will delve into how these figures and others have built successful businesses. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and gain invaluable insights on transforming creative passion into long-term success.
SelectCon will also include mentorship sessions led by longtime brand partner Ally, offering attendees invaluable insights into navigating the business landscape. Attendees will have the opportunity to gain personalized guidance through the Mentorship Corner in the Ally Lounge, where industry leaders will provide one-on-one advice.
Hosted by Speedy Morman and Ivy Rivera, the lineup features performances by UnitedMasters rising star Cleotrapa, the Open Call winner, and the “Make Your Debut” Challenge winner, along with DJ sets from Angel + Dren and DJ SpinKing, ensuring an energetic atmosphere that celebrates both artistry and entrepreneurship.
Rap superstar Megan Thee Stallion tells the story for the first time about what her life was like following the 2020 shooting incident involving Tory Lanez and the pressure she was under at the time, which caused her to have a mental breakdown.
Megan recently dropped the trailer for In Her Words documentary, which explains how “the global superstar recovers from a 2020 shooting incident and grapples with the perils of fame (among other things).”
In a clip from the trialer, she says, “I think I really forgot who I was, and when life started really getting crazy, I didn’t have [my mother]. That’s when I started getting the backlash. The shooting. The betrayal. I was definitely getting a little too engulfed in social media…I had really had, like, a real breakdown.”
She added, “I want people to understand how this affected me. I want people to see how I feel. I been through so much I can’t give up.”
The trailer was first announced by RocNation and TIME Studios back in 2022, however, the doc is slated to premiere on October 31 via Amazon Prime Video.
“We are thrilled to be able to work with Roc Nation to share Megan’s story with the world,” TIME Studios’ co-head of documentary Loren Hammonds said in a statement. “Millions of people are familiar with her as an entertainer, but this series will give her a chance to share her truth as never before.”
Brooklyn drill luminary Fivio Foreign reaffirms his status as one of the genre’s most influential curators. Few artists have been as versatile for as long as Fivio, and his latest single, “Living Legend,” consummates his rise to international acclaim.
The new song kicks off with deep bass and sharp snares. As the beat builds, we hear Fivio taking stock of his wins: “N**** this is living legend s***, in Paris on my leather s***.” He sets the scene for a vivid narrative of his come-up, offering an authentic glimpse into Fivio’s life beyond the recording studio.
The NY giant’s versatility shines through past collaborations with artists such as Ye (formerly Kanye West), Drake, and Nicki Minaj, while his influence transcends into the fashion world with appearances at both New York Fashion Week (NYFW) and Paris Fashion Week.
For listeners clamoring for more, “Living Legend” is synonymous with the powerfully gritty sound introduced on previously released singles like “BLACC OUT.” The return track, out now, follows on from Fivio’s February-released mixtape Pain & Love 2, which boasts features from Meek Mill, Swae Lee, Popcaan, Sheff G, and Lil Tjay, among others.
WhyHunger, a non-profit organization working to end hunger and the injustices that cause it – held its 2nd annual Amplifiedconcert Presented by EY on October 15 at NYC’s Irving Plaza, kicking off its 39th annual Hungerthon fund-raising and education campaign.
Hosted by comedian Roy Wood Jr., the evening’s musical talent featured iconic Grammy Award winners and Tonight Showhouse band The Roots, award-winning 18-year-old guitarist, songwriter and bandleader Grace Bowers and her band The Hodge Podge, as well as Cuban “international funk champion” (NY Times) Cimafunk – captivating the audience with sets across funk, hip hop, blues, and soul.
Founded by the late singer/songwriter Harry Chapin and radio DJ Bill Ayers in 1975, WhyHunger has music in its DNA. Honoring its origins, the organization harnesses the power of music to fuel the food justice movement. The 2nd annual Amplified eventraised a gross total of $545,000 to support WhyHunger’s ongoing work to end hunger and protect the human right to nutritious food. More than 91% of funds raised will support community-based solutions for people in need across America.
iHeartRadio served as the Amplified 2024’s Premier Audio Partner, including on-air, digital, and social promotion on six iHeartRadio New York stations including 710 WOR, Z100, 103.5 KTU, Q104.3, Power 105.1 and 106.7 LITE FM.
Jenique Jones, WhyHunger Executive Director, said “Our 2nd Amplified concert was a dynamic celebration of the unique power of music and community to drive social change. An unforgettable kickoff to our Hungerthon campaign, the support of these artists, sponsors and fans will enable usto address the pressing challenges of food insecurity at a grassroots level, and to confront the broader social and economic causes of food injustice.”
Adding to his long list of over 100 accusers, another woman has recently come forward to file a lawsuit alleging that Diddy sexually assaulted her over taunts she made about his alleged involvement in the drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur in September 1996 that left him mortally wounded.
Ashley Parham claims that back in 2018, she teased the Bad Boy mogul about being involved in ‘Pac’s death and she claims that because of the verbal jab, he targeted her and eventually sexually assaulted her with a television remote.
Parham claims that the taunt was made in her initial contact with Diddy over FaceTime, to which he replied that she would “pay” for her comments. Parham says that a month later, she was invited to a home in Orinda, California, but contends that the meeting was a set up orchestrated by Diddy. She says that upon her arrival, Diddy held her at knifepoint and threatened to give her a “Glasgow smile” for her Tupac cooments.
A Glasgow smile is where an assailant cuts their victim’s face at the corners of their mouth.
Parham then claims that Diddy took his clothes off, covered her body in a liquid-like substance, then proceeded to sexually assault her with a television remote. She also said that Diddy threatened to make her disappear before he and two other men raped her.
Parham alleged that the mogul told her he “hadn’t had any a*s that tight in a while” and offered to pay her to say their encounter was consensual.
In court docs obtained by TMZ, Parham says that she declined the offer and threatened to go to the police, but Diddy responded by threatening the safety of her family. Parham alleges that she reported the incident to Walnut Creek Police and the Orinda Police Department, however, no investigation was ever conducted into the incident.
Diddy’s reps have yet to publicly address these new allegations.
The Hip Hop world is in shock after the news has been confirmed that legendary Brooklyn DJ Clark Kent has passed away. He was only 57 years old.
There has been no report as of the cause of his death, however, family members and close associates have confirmed his passing.
The Panamanian-born DJ was originally behind the wheels of steel for Brooklyn legend Dana Dane before stepping behind the production boards, producing hits such as Junior Mafia’s “Player’s Anthem” and for artists such as 50 Cent, Mariah Carey, Rakim, Slick Rick and more.
TheSource.com will update this story as more details develop.
During a recent interview with Us Weekly, BX rap legend Fat Joe talked about his weight loss and how a healthier diet has led him to lose weight in order to help battle his almost life-long fight with diabetes.
Joe says that along with his new dietary habits, taking Ozempic has help him lose upward of 200 lbs. in the past two decades.
“We just try to eat everything with the least carbs as possible,” Joe told Us Weekly. “So we try to stay away from the bread, the pasta, the rice. That’s the smartest way to eat.” He added that carbs are still necessary so it’s all about balance. “Like this morning I ate breakfast, I had this toast. I cut the corner off, ate it, and kept it moving,” he added. “Normally I would’ve ate [sic] the whole thing. But you know, that’s what we do. We cut carbs and try to be smarter.”
The Terror Squad Don is scheduled to host tonight’s BET Hip Hop Awards live from Las Vegas.
