News Exclusives

[WATCH] Former Death Row Security Guard Suggests Keefe D Could Be Arrested for 2Pac’s Murder This Year

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On the Bomb1st podcast, Former Death Row muscle Reggie Wright Jr. added more to the rumor mill about the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, saying that the last man alive in the car which fired the fatal shots that killed Shakur will be charged with the decades old crime this year.

Wright says that the Las Vegas Police Department has been ramping up their investigation into the Shakur murder and that Keefe D, the most talkative witness in the Tupac murder investigation, has had a nervous last coule of weeks.

“Let’s put it this way, I bet Keefe D [has] been having the runs for the last two weeks,” Wright said. “Because yeah, they are knocking on doors and there’s some activity.” Wright even made a challenge out of the rumors and urged viewers to predict the date in which Keefe D will be arrested this year while promising a prize to whoever predicts the correct date.

The post [WATCH] Former Death Row Security Guard Suggests Keefe D Could Be Arrested for 2Pac’s Murder This Year appeared first on The Source.

Young Chop’s Brother Shot and Killed in Chicago

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According to several reports, Young Chop’s brother, Johnny May Cash, was killed over the weekend after being shot in the thigh and later dying from his injuries. He was 27 years old.

It is believed that May Cash might have been killed in retaliation to a viral video of him shoving a woman against a wall and later hitting her in the head.

Cash was signed to his brother’s label and collaborated with Chicago artist Lil Durk on “I Go” on Durk’s “Signed to the Streets 2” mixtape and on Chop’s 2013 track “Ballin”, which also featured Durk.

So far there are no suspects and no arrests have been made.

The post Young Chop’s Brother Shot and Killed in Chicago appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip Hop History: Nas Released His Iconic ‘Illmatic’ Album 28 Years Ago

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28 years ago today, Nas dropped his debut LP ‘Illmatic‘. Released by Columbia Records in 94’ Nas recorded the album at Chung King Studios, D&D Recording, Battery Studios, and Unique Recording Studios in New York City. Produced by DJ Premier, Large Professor, Pete Rock, Q-Tip, L.E.S., and Nas himself; the bangers on the album will be embedded in Hip Hop culture as classics merely based upon its production alone.

The album sold 60,000 in the first week and debuted at number 12 on the US Billboard 200 chart. On January 17, 1996, the album was certified gold by the RIAA in 2001 it earned a platinum certification after shipping 1,000,000 copies in the United States alone.

Lyrically, Nas delivered street certified verses on ‘Illmatic‘ that influenced the majority of the 90’s and is regarded as one of the greatest LP’s of all time by critics and major publications globally.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Nas Released His Iconic ‘Illmatic’ Album 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

2 NJ Women Inmates Impregnated After Sex With Transgender Prisoners

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An all women’s prison in New Jersey launched the liberally progressive move of allowing transgender inmates to be house with the other female inmates, but now the prison is in hot water after two of the naturally-born female inmates were impregnated by a transgender inmate.

It was reported that some of the 27 transgender inmates at the Edna Mahan Correction Facility have been having sex with the biological female inmates, however, there have been no reports of rape because all of the incidents of sexual relations have reportedly been consensual.

“While DOC cannot comment on any specific disciplinary or housing decisions that may be considered in light of these events, the Department always reserves all options to ensure the health and safety of the individuals in its custody,” said NJDOC External Affairs Executive Director Dan Sperrazza.

Last year, to female inmates filed lawsuits against the prison claiming that the transgender inmates were having sex with the biological female inmates, but the legal director over at the ACLU has maintained their support of the prison reform that now allows transgender women to be housed with biological women.

“[It’s] in line with New Jersey’s strong anti-discrimination laws that prevent discrimination and harassment on the basis of gender identity,”  said Jeanne LoCicero.

The post 2 NJ Women Inmates Impregnated After Sex With Transgender Prisoners appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: West Coast Legend Spice 1 Dropped Self-Titled Debut LP 30 Years Ago

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Whether you’re hanging in Coachella Valley or simply mourning the loss of Crenshaw’s fallen hero Nipsey Hussle like the rest of us, West Coast Rap is definitely being bumped at high volumes this weekend. That’s why we had to show some love to the Hayward homie Spice 1 on this lovely Sunday, which happens to fall on the 27th anniversary of his debut self-titled album.

Jive

Two years before appearing alongside MC Eiht and Scarface on our June ’94 cover (Issue #57), the rapper born Robert Lee Green Jr. delivered this banger for the Bay Area, which went on to reach way beyond his hood. The album was a big label follow-up to his well-received street EP Let It Be Known, which sold almost 100K in pure sales as an independent release. Once Jive came into the picture, the seven-song project was re-released and retitled as Spice 1, including five songs from the original project in addition to nine new ones. The switch up paid off, with the revamped version giving us the classic cut “Welcome to the Ghetto” and going on to sell almost half a million records.

The tracks on Spice 1 sound like quintessential G-Funk, translated through singles like “187 Proof” and the reggae-tinged “East Bay Gangster,” all the way to deep cuts like “Peace to My Nine” and the low-rider classic “City Streets.” It’s clear to see his style & delivery is inspired by the rap icon that discovered him — Spice 1 hails from Oakland’s The Dangerous Crew created by Too $hort — but the connection is less “flow biting” and more “of the same kin.” At the end of the day, it all just sounds like good gangsta rap.

The initial success of the album helped it rank in the top 20 of Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart at #14, later achieving gold certification by RIAA. “Welcome to the Ghetto” proved to be a hit as well, rising to #39 on the Hot R&B/Hip Hop Singles & Tracks chart and also appearing on the Hot Rap Singles where it faired the best at #5. It ultimately marked a good start to a career that would go on to produce 12 studio albums and more than a handful of compilation LPs and collab albums, the latest being as recent as 2015 with his Bossolo-assisted project Thug Therapy.

We crowned him as one of the 115 greatest MCs from 1988 to 2003 for our 15th anniversary (Issue #167), and we stand by that sentiment as he rings in 27 years of his debut project. The Bay Area is home to an important sound and time in Hip-Hop, and Spice 1 helped cultivate that. Salute, king!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: West Coast Legend Spice 1 Dropped Self-Titled Debut LP 30 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Juvenile Hell’ 29 Years Ago

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Juvenile Hell was the first album by duo Mobb Deep that paved the path for many other East Coast rappers of their genre, which only a few know preceded their most revered LP, The Infamous.

Dubbed as one of the most acclaimed East Coast rap duos of all time, MCs Havoc and Prodigy came together to release their first album, Juvenile Hell on this day, April 13, 1993. Hailing from Queensbridge Housing projects in New York City, Mobb Deep was rather young when they released their first album, at the early age of 19.

At the time of its’ release, Juvenile Hell wasn’t received on groundbreaking levels. The new sound of the duo was too hardcore for some, very street-oriented, and the album provided one major single entitled “Hit it from the Back”; which peaked at 18 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart that same year. It wouldn’t be until later that Mobb Deep would become a Hip Hop classic and household name. In time they have gained longevity with their sound inspiring practically all other east coast rappers of their caliber. Had it not been for their first album, and their street poetry over tracks produced by the likes of DJ Premier and Large Professor, the map would never have been drawn for much of the major East Coast sound.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Mobb Deep Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Juvenile Hell’ 29 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Method Man Partners With Intercept Music To Create Global Platform For Indie Labels And Artists

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Fueled by disruption, Intercept Music accelerates the independent creator economy through artistic empowerment with a worldwide launch today, Tuesday, 12 April. 

Intercept Music, a revolutionary technology platform expressly created for independent labels and musical artists who seek creative solutions to their financial future, launches its worldwide digital distribution platform today in partnership with iconic entertainer Method Man. 

By forging a powerful partnership, Intercept Music and Method Man underscore the value and importance of artistic emancipation in today’s creator economy. 

The launch celebrates Intercept Music’s clarion call with a campaign entitled “Independence Empowered,” featuring Method Man as captured by director Dale May.

Method Man x Intercept Music Commercial 

The post Method Man Partners With Intercept Music To Create Global Platform For Indie Labels And Artists appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Jazzy Jeff Defends Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock

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One of the most popular duos in Hip Hop history is the Grammy Award winning DJ jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, who even after three decades, still have each other’s back and that is proven after what Will Smith’s longtime DJ and friend had to say about “the slap heard around the world.”

On a segment of Closed Sessions Legend Conversation at Dorian’s Through the Record Shop in Chicago, Jeff Townes aka Jazzy Jeff touched on the topic of slapping Chris Rock at this year’s Academy Awards by defending Smith’s actions, but at the same time admitting that the move was out of character of the otherwise comedic actor.

“Don’t get it twisted that it was something he was proud of,” Jazzy Jeff said. “It was a lapse in judgment, you know? I think the thing that I’ve realized is I don’t know too many people that has had the least amount of lapse of judgment than him. I can name 50 times that [Smith] should’ve smacked the shit out of somebody and he didn’t. So for him to have a lapse in judgment, he’s human. And I think a lot of the criticism comes from the people who don’t think people like that are human.”

See video footage of the interview below.

The post [WATCH] Jazzy Jeff Defends Will Smith Slapping Chris Rock appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Never Before Seen Footage Of Jay-Z Bringing Out Michael Jackson During 2001 Summer Jam

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One of the biggest music performance occurrences in history is Jay-Z announcing the presence of The King Of Pop Michel Jackson at HOT 97’s annual Summer jam in 2001. Video footage of that performance that has never been seen in over two decades has now surfaced showing the Hip Hop introducing the pop culture icon onstage at the Long Island, NY concert.

The footage shows the moment that Hov brought MJ onstage and how The King received the love and support from the fans. This is also the same Summer Jam that sparked the highly publicized Nas vs. Jay-Z beef on wax.

See the footage below.

The post [WATCH] Never Before Seen Footage Of Jay-Z Bringing Out Michael Jackson During 2001 Summer Jam appeared first on The Source.

Incriminating Texts Link Brett Favre to $8M Welfare Scandal

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According to a report from Mississippi Today, NFL legend Brett Favre was involved in a welfare scam in which  Favre received over $8 million in funds from Mississippi officials, which has been allegedly proven with texts of the famed QB pressing Miss. officials for the money.

Anne Wolfe’s exposé revealed that Favre had special access to Gov. Phil Bryant and others who controlled the welfare spending, including the state’s welfare chief and a grant-funded nonprofit director. The allegations came about after the former director of the Mississippi Department of Human Services and five others were indicted for misappropriating funds within the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. 

Nancy New was among those indicted. She gave Favre $5 million in grant funds to build a volleyball stadium at his alma mater at the University of Southern Mississippi, which could be part of the forthcoming civil suit.

A pharmaceutical company backed by Favre called Prevacus allegedly received $2,5 million in stolen funds from the Mississippi Department of Human Services. In comparison, Farve collected over $1 million for himself, but an auditor says he still owes $228,000 in interest on the money he improperly received. 

Mississippi Today’s messages allege that Favre told Prevacus owner Jake Vanlandingham to offer Gov. Bryant shares in Prevacus, but Bryant denied ever considering taking the stock. Nancy New is accused of giving the $2.15 million to Prevacus in exchange for shares of the stock. 

Farve reportedly received a Ford F-150 Raptor from the state’s then-director of Department of Human Services, John Davis, who was arrested in 2020 on five counts of conspiracy, embezzlement, or fraud. 

MDHS Director Bob Anderson said that the department would be filing civil charges against Favre, but Farve has not been charged with any crime.

The post Incriminating Texts Link Brett Favre to $8M Welfare Scandal appeared first on The Source.