News Exclusives

YNW Melly’s Mom Responds To Him Accusing Her Of Lying

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 07 at 11.31.06 AM

South Florida rapper YNW Melly’s murder trial has began this week, with Melly receiving an overwhelming amount of support from the Hip Hop community despite the fact that he could be facing the death penalty if convicted. After voicing his opinion from behind bars about the support he’s received from his loved ones, Melly’s mom responded on social media sayng she has her son’s back no matter what.

Melly’s Manager, 100K, has been catching criticism from Melly’s mom, who claims that the rap mogul conducted shady business involving both of her sons and Melly was quick to defend his manager/friend’s honor.

“Man listen, everybody who entertaining that s**t or whatever going on, that is not what it is, my mama be lying, my mama got anxiety issues, her a** triggered bruh. She feel some type of way because she thinks my brother is supposed to be bigger,” Melly said. 

Jamie Demons-King, Melly’s mother, responded to his claims on IG, stating, “Think whatever you want about me but I love my son and make sure he keeps money on his books and that he is good,” Demons-King said. “I’ve never missed a court date in 3 years except when I caught Covid from the hospital 2X because I’m a nurse and I stopped working last month. I love Jamell no matter what but I’m completely [heartbroken] nothing can fix that I been front row watching my son fight for his life and being a single mom so yes I have anxiety and I’m stressed I cry most days and I don’t eat. I hate internet stuff it makes me want to give up I never asked for life but I’m blessed to be here. Anyone who knows me know I show love to everyone. I’m going to always be here for Jamell no matter how hurt I am his mom and I love him.”

Screen Shot 2022 04 07 at 9.44.31 AM
Screen Shot 2022 04 07 at 9.44.31 AM

The post YNW Melly’s Mom Responds To Him Accusing Her Of Lying appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Alicia Keys Drops New Visuals For “City Of Gods Part II”

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 07 at 9.17.20 AM

Today, 15-time GRAMMY® Award-winning artist and worldwide-celebrated music icon Alicia Keys debuts “City of Gods Part II,” a reimagined version of her epic collaboration with Fivio Foreign and Kanye West, “City of Gods,” released earlier this year. “City of Gods Part II” is available everywhere now. The accompanying music video made its global broadcast premiere on MTV Live, MTVU, BET Soul and BET Her, as well as on the Paramount Times Square billboards in New York City.
 
Featuring newly-penned verses alongside the impassioned chorus of the original track, “City of Gods Part II” offers a soulful, stripped-back piano rendition of the hit single that is quintessentially Alicia Keys. Alicia transforms “City of Gods” in an iconic new way that encapsulates the emotions brought forth throughout the original version, remaining a heartfelt ode to the city of New York.
 
To celebrate the release of “City of Gods Part II,” Alicia appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show today for the debut television performance of the track. 
 
This summer, Alicia will head out on her “ALICIA THE WORLD TOUR” starting in June in the UK and August in the US. For tickets and more information, please visit: https://www.aliciakeys.com/shows/tour.

The post [WATCH] Alicia Keys Drops New Visuals For “City Of Gods Part II” appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Das EFX’s Debut Album ‘Dead Serious’ Turns 30 Years Old!

by
tumblr ppktz4Qpny1t1yehoo1 1280

A couple of dreadheaded backpackers made stuttering rhymes chic when Krayz Drayz and Skoob came together and dropped their Dead Serious album April 7, 1992.

Released on the East/West imprint and recorded in both the famed Firehouse Studios in Brooklyn and North Shore Soundworks in Long Island, Dead Serious became a platinum selling album in just two years, revering it as one of the most influential LPs of the “Golden Era”.

The hit singles “They Want Efx” and “Mic Checka” were both forces to be reckoned with on the Billboard charts, while the virtually production of Chris Charity and Derek Lynch aka “Solid Scheme” ensured the consistent output of quality music for Das EFX until Charity’s untimely passing in 2000.

The Brooklyn, NY/Teaneck, NJ duo met in college at Virginia State University and became a part of EPMD‘s “Hit Squad” collective in just two years after their initial meeting with EPMD and never looked back. Salute to Drayz, Skoob, and the entire former Hit Squad family for bringing us such an historic classic.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Das EFX’s Debut Album ‘Dead Serious’ Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Warren G Speaks On Being Pressed By Suge Knight For Telling Snoop Not To Sign Death Row Contract

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 06 at 8.58.28 AM

West Coast/G-Funk legend Warren G sat down with Talib Kweli for his ‘Peoples Party’ podcast, where the production pioneer talked about being affiliated with Death Row Records, but not actually signing to the label.

Warren explained how things got heated when Suge found out that Warren warned the label’s premiere artist Snoop Dogg not to sign the Death Row contract without getting it reviewed by an attorney.

He said, “I told Snoop ‘No, don’t sign that. You don’t know what you’re signing. You gotta get a lawyer to look at that stuff.’ And I was a young buck saying this!”

Warren said when Suge came for him, “He was like, ‘Aye, blood! Where Warren G at?!’ And I was like, ‘Sh*t, what’s up?’ He said, ‘Aye, blood. You told them not to sign that contract?!’ I took off! But the only way you could get down was the elevator, so I’m at the elevator like [hurriedly pressing the button]. He grabbed me and pushed me up against the wall and was like, ‘You told them not to sign that contract, blood?!’” 

See the video below.

The post [WATCH] Warren G Speaks On Being Pressed By Suge Knight For Telling Snoop Not To Sign Death Row Contract appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Warren G Speaks On Being Pressed By Suge Knight For Telling Snoop Not To Sign Death Row Contract

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 06 at 8.58.28 AM

West Coast/G-Funk legend Warren G sat down with Talib Kweli for his ‘Peoples Party’ podcast, where the production pioneer talked about being affiliated with Death Row Records, but not actually signing to the label.

Warren explained how things got heated when Suge found out that Warren warned the label’s premiere artist Snoop Dogg not to sign the Death Row contract without getting it reviewed by an attorney.

He said, “I told Snoop ‘No, don’t sign that. You don’t know what you’re signing. You gotta get a lawyer to look at that stuff.’ And I was a young buck saying this!”

Warren said when Suge came for him, “He was like, ‘Aye, blood! Where Warren G at?!’ And I was like, ‘Sh*t, what’s up?’ He said, ‘Aye, blood. You told them not to sign that contract?!’ I took off! But the only way you could get down was the elevator, so I’m at the elevator like [hurriedly pressing the button]. He grabbed me and pushed me up against the wall and was like, ‘You told them not to sign that contract, blood?!’” 

See the video below.

The post [WATCH] Warren G Speaks On Being Pressed By Suge Knight For Telling Snoop Not To Sign Death Row Contract appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Slain DC Rapper Goonew’s Body Propped Up On Stage For Nightclub Funeral

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 06 at 8.33.18 AM

DC rap mainstay Goonew was shot and killed a few weeks ago, but over the weekend, the 24-year-old late rapper’s body was propped up on stage at a DC nightclub for a memorial service, much to the disgust of some critics and attendees.

Complete with an iced-out watch, hoodie and crow, Goonew’s embalmed body was on display at Bliss Nightclub, with many calling the viewing disrespectful, while others say that this is the way Goonew, whose real name is Markelle Marrow, to go out.

The nightclub apologized, saying that they were aware of the memorial service, but had no idea that an actual corpse would be on the stage.

The post [WATCH] Slain DC Rapper Goonew’s Body Propped Up On Stage For Nightclub Funeral appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Slain DC Rapper Goonew’s Body Propped Up On Stage For Nightclub Funeral

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 06 at 8.33.18 AM

DC rap mainstay Goonew was shot and killed a few weeks ago, but over the weekend, the 24-year-old late rapper’s body was propped up on stage at a DC nightclub for a memorial service, much to the disgust of some critics and attendees.

Complete with an iced-out watch, hoodie and crow, Goonew’s embalmed body was on display at Bliss Nightclub, with many calling the viewing disrespectful, while others say that this is the way Goonew, whose real name is Markelle Marrow, to go out.

The nightclub apologized, saying that they were aware of the memorial service, but had no idea that an actual corpse would be on the stage.

The post [WATCH] Slain DC Rapper Goonew’s Body Propped Up On Stage For Nightclub Funeral appeared first on The Source.

[WATCH] Lawyer Says Eyewitness Saw 2 Men, 1 Female Attacking Megan, Woman May Be Shooter

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 06 at 8.04.56 AM

One of the most impactful legal voices to weigh in on legal and criminal cases in Hip Hop is Moe Gangat, who has given his POV on cases such as NBA YoungBoy and Casanova 2X, but Gangat has some integral speculations about the Megan Thee Stallion/Tory Lanez case that many may find shocking.

According to Gangat’s IG post, “Two extremely interesting facts that came out about the Tory Lanez case”. “First, the police have admitted into evidence, they’ve testified, that the other woman who was involved here, they tested her hand for gunpowder shot residue, and she had gun powder residue on it, suggesting that she may have been the shooter. Number two, there was an eyewitness, somebody who was a third party who saw the whole thing and he said, ‘I saw two men and another woman beating on Meg.’ As for who pulled the trigger? He said, ‘I don’t know but I did see the muzzle flash go off and the other woman was the one closest to the muzzle flash.’”

During yesterday’s hearing, Lanez was cited for violating the no contact order with Megan Thee Stallion handed down by the judge. He was taken into custody and forced to pay a $350 bail in order to be released.

The case will resume on September 14.

The post [WATCH] Lawyer Says Eyewitness Saw 2 Men, 1 Female Attacking Megan, Woman May Be Shooter appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released His Third LP ‘I Am’ 23 Years Ago

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 06 at 7.34.25 AM

Released by Columbia Records, Nas’ third album, I Am, debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album sold 470,000 copies in its first week and went on to be certified double platinum in the United States. The album was nominated in 2000 for Best Rap Album at the 43rd Grammy Awards.

Originally intended to be a double album titled I Am…The Autobiography, the album was arguably Nas’ most honest and poetic project at the time. Although the additional tracks were scrapped due to bootlegging of the original sessions, the intention for the theme and tone of the project can still be felt on the single-disc LP that was released.

Nas’ cover art has always been an iconic staple of his work. Usually consisting of his face superimposed over his native Queens, each cover has served as a visual representation of Nas as an artist. This particular cover was shot by famed portrait photographer Danny Hastings. In order to create the image of Nas’ face in the Pharaoh mask in a pre-Photoshop world, Hastings created a clay mold for Nas’ face (which in fact almost killed him when clay got lodged in his nostrils, nearly suffocating him).

This album wasn’t only popular in the United States. I Am… made appearances on music charts in Australia, Canada, Norway, France, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. The two official singles from this project claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Nas Is Like..” peaked at #86 and “Hate Me Now” climbed a little higher to take the #62 spot.

After the release of this album, Nas went on to release seven more solo albums and two collaborative projects. Nas continues to perform and is known as one of the most prolific rappers of his or any generation. Take some time today to listen to this album appreciate the career of a living legend.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Nas Released His Third LP ‘I Am’ 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Tory Lanez Hit With $350K Bail At Megan Thee Stallion Court Hearing

by
Screen Shot 2022 04 05 at 2.58.47 PM

According to a recent report from Rolling Stone, Tory Lanez was detained in a Los Angeles courtroom for violating a no contact order in Megan Thee Stallion’s felony assault case and will not be released until posting the $350K bail handed down by the judge.

Rolling Stone‘s Nancy Dillon reported that Lanez left the courtroom in handcuffs and was detained until he posts his new bail requirements. The judge added that Lanez could not refer to Thee Stallion in any way on social media until the case was over.

Even though the prosecutors suggested that his baile be set at a whopping $5 million, Judge David Herriford found the singer’s social media activity to be targeting Tina Snow with “clear messages” sent through subliminal tweets was in clear violation and settled on $350K..

The tweet that caused Lanez the most damage in court was one sent February 23 where Lanez referred to Meg as “U” and spoke about how he was “fucking two best friends.”

“Good D*ick had me fucking 2 best friends … and I got caught … that’s what I apologized for … it’s sick how u Spun it tho,” he said.

The case will resume on September 14.

The post Tory Lanez Hit With $350K Bail At Megan Thee Stallion Court Hearing appeared first on The Source.