Museum of Graffiti, the leading contemporary art museum in Miami’s Art District of Wynwood, is celebrating a milestone anniversary of 5 years on December 4 – 6, 2024 with a hand-selected group of partners guaranteed to serve up an experience in culture that Miami has never seen.
Highlights include panel discussions, live performances, limited edition releases, and culinary experiences curated by CookUnity. Don’t miss the private collectors’ preview, a public opening featuring Rahzel, and a thought-provoking panel on “Global Hip Hop Culture Born in Miami.” Additional activities include live tattooing, single-line portraits, rap battles, and exclusive listening parties.
In line with its mission to share the power of expression, spark wonder, and inspire creativity for and about the graffiti art movement, Museum of Graffiti has tapped Rolling Loud for an official partnership guaranteed to pair audio with the visual art that spans 3 different exhibitions in separate buildings that are all connected via an interactive patio that will be home to the Spotify Artists’ Lounge. The three solo exhibitions are CEY ADAMS’ Departure: 40 Years of Art & Design, TRISTAN EATON: Women of Marvel, and SLICK: MIA.
This milestone event showcases the evolution of graffiti art while celebrating the Museum’s mission to inspire creativity and highlight graffiti’s cultural significance.
ScHoolboy Q has announced a brand new run of live tour dates which includes stops both in the U.S as well as Germany, France, Netherlands and United Kingdom. Playing songs from his critically acclaimed catalog, including this year’s Blue Lips, ScHoolboy Q will kick off the tour in Oakland CA next year — undoubtedly bringing the energy from the Summer run to new crowds globally.
Some say he was 50 Cent before 50 Cent. Some called him “the Robin Hood of The Ghetto”, while the establishment dubbed him “the crack city terminator.” In the hood, his solution is considered the only possible answer to a continuous epidemic of police brutality. Some of your favorite rappers from French Montana to Lloyd Banks to Jay-Z have name-dropped him on their tracks and BET felt he was so important to American culture that their American Gangster series had to open with him, but only an educated few know why the name Larry Davis continues to ring bells almost four decades after that fateful night in November of ’86.
On this date in 1986, a 19-year-old Bronx man by the name of Larry Davis was engaged in a shootout with over 25 NYPD officers who came after him in what appeared to be a murderous hit. For those that don’t know what makes this such a unique story is that Davis not only survived but escaped unharmed long enough to tell his story to the FBI. Larry Davis was acquitted of the police shootings(six officers were critically injured), which was the only time anyone was acquitted for shooting an officer of the law in U.S. history.
Check out the first-hand account from someone who was with Davis on that cold night in the Bronx at Larry’s sister’s apartment on Webster Avenue.
Words: Shams DaBaron
November 19, 1986 is a night that forever changed the course of my life. It was the height of the crack epidemic on this cold winter night when I was meeting with my partner and best friend Larry Davis. We were discussing the trip we were taking the next day to California to avoid the heat he was experiencing from some corrupt cops he sold drugs for. For weeks he had been laying low knowing they had a bounty on his head. At the time no one could be trusted. The police were rolling up on anyone associated with Larry to find out where he was.
On this night, I sat with him in his sister’s apartment discussing our plans for the trip we were taking and making final arrangements with one of my associates to restructure some of the business dealings in the street. Larry was in the process of extricating himself from out of that lifestyle of dealing drugs and we were going to refocus our energies totally toward dealing in music. The decision was made months ago, but became complicated once Larry made his plans known to others and the corrupt cops caught wind of his decision to step off with their money. They then put a bounty on his head.
As he was explaining what was going on in the streets to my associate, the associate became very scared and verbalized his fears to us, while asking Larry if he himself was in fear for his life. Larry’s reply, “Well, no I’m not scared. The only person I fear is God… Don’t get me wrong, I don’t wanna die, but if it’s my time to die, then so be it…” At this point I’m ready to tune him out and dismiss his words as Larry just talking mess… But then he continued, “One thing, though, I will say is… if they come and kill me, I guarantee you that before I go, I’m a take one of those pigs down with me.”
Hearing him use the term “pigs” is what really caught my attention. It showed that even in the most negative of situations – having been a drug dealer for a group of corrupt NYC cops – Larry was still in some way affected by the pro-Black organizations that gave birth to our generation. The seeds of their struggles were planted in us whether we knew it or not. And to me, it seems, that on that fateful night of November 19, 1986, the spirit of those freedom fighters, and the spirit of that movement, guided his thoughts and actions and helped him overcome the overwhelming force that came to assassinate him.
What is even more significant and what we must keep in mind while Remembering Larry Davis is that on that night of November 19, 1986, Larry became what famed lawyer William Kunstler called “A symbol of resistance to police violence.”
André 3000 recently revealed a surprising detail about his long-awaited debut solo album, New Blue Sun. Despite its critical acclaim and a nomination for Album of the Year at the 2025 Grammys, the project doesn’t count toward fulfilling his contract with Epic Records. In an interview with journalist Touré, the OutKast icon shared his initial confusion and eventual understanding of this contractual stipulation.
“They congratulated me on the process, they congratulated me on what the work was, but contractually, it’s very interesting. My label will not count this album against my contract — this is as a solo artist,” André said, referencing his unconventional flute-based project.
After consulting his lawyer, André learned that the stipulation dates back to the 1970s, when some artists tried to fulfill their record deals by submitting low-effort or unconventional material. Labels countered this by requiring new works to align with the artist’s previous output.
“I didn’t understand it at first and we tried to find ways around it,” he admitted. “But my attorney explained it in this way: it was invented in the ’70s maybe, when artists were trying to get out of their deals so they were just pretty much turning in anything. It says, ‘The next recording has to be 90 percent like the recording before it.’”
He added, “It stops you from turning in 10 tracks of handclaps and saying, ‘This is my album.’ And I get it! But Sylvia [Rhone] and the team have been so supportive. They know I’m not turning in a handclap album — they get it. But as a business, this is the stance they took.”
Despite the setback, André isn’t rushing to leave Epic Records. He remains focused on creating music and has confirmed that he’s already working on another album. While keeping details under wraps, he shared that the new project is well underway.
“Oh, for sure,” he said when asked about a follow-up to New Blue Sun. “At this point, I’m just trying to keep the momentum. There’s such a thing as creative momentum. The next stuff is very interesting, too. We’re almost a third — or halfway — into it.” However, he noted there’s no set release date. “I don’t know when it will be ready. Who knows.”
For now, fans can continue to celebrate André 3000’s latest artistic evolution while eagerly awaiting the next chapter in his legendary career.
Together with longtime business and creative partners Ibrahim Hamad (who also serves as Cole’s manager and cofounder of Dreamville) and Scott Lazer (Filmmaker, Creative Director), J.Cole released a new limited audio series titled “Inevitable.” It will take listeners on an unfiltered voyage through his life, career, and personal evolution, using both released and unreleased music to guide the story.
Check out the first episode of Season 1 and purchase the full seriesHERE
Titled “The Come Up” after J. Cole’s debut mixtape, the first episode dropped yesterday evening followed by the project’s release on official streaming platforms. This is the first time the mixtape has been made available on DSPs since its debut in 2007.
Today In Hip Hop History, Foxy Brown released Ill Na Na 28 years ago and changed the way women sounded in hiphop. Introduced to the world by a Brooklyn rapperJay-Z on the classic Ain’t No Nigga, Def Jam pulled out all the stops for the queen of the label who released her album one week after her former friend Lil Kim.
“Get Me Home” was released on September 15, 1996. It peaked at number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. The second single, “I’ll Be”, released on March 4, 1997, also noted a commercial success. It peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Brown’s highest charting single.
The album featured guest appearances by Blackstreet, Havoc, Method Man, Kid Capri, and Jay-Z with a majority of the production by the Trackmasters. Ill Na Na produced two hit singles, “Get Me Home” featuring Blackstreet, and “I’ll Be” featuring Jay-Z. Ill Na Na was re-released in 1997.
Salute to the Brooklyn Bombshell who influenced so many girls in hip hop. Never forget.
Outspoken hip-hop legend Uncle Luke recently took to social media to share his thoughts on the ongoing villainization of the Black community. In a passionate rant, he argued that systemic forces are at play, painting successful Black figures as villains within the culture. He specifically named Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Diddy as examples of stars who, in his view, have both benefitted from and contributed to this dynamic.
“LeBron James is a villain,” Uncle Luke said. “Why? Because he has all-Black representation. […] You guys don’t know, that’s how America works. I, Luther Campbell, I am a villain. I’m a bad guy. That’s why when you look at my profile, ‘bad boy of hip-hop.’ I will never get into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Puff Daddy was not a villain, he was one of them. Kanye West was one of them. Jay-Z was one of them. Biggie Smalls, a villain. Tupac, a villain. We all are villains. And until you people realize that as Black people in America, you are the villain. It’s black and white. You are the opposite of white. We will always be in competition with them. Y’all don’t hear me.”
This isn’t the first time Uncle Luke has voiced strong opinions on such matters. Recently, he commented on Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legal troubles, alleging that Diddy’s behavior was heavily influenced by substance abuse. As with his latest remarks, his perspective sparked significant debate among followers, with many taking to the comments section to both support and challenge his claims.
Beyond social critique, Uncle Luke also calls out industry figures when he feels overlooked. Earlier this year, he publicly urged female rappers to acknowledge and compensate him for pioneering the provocative, party-focused style that has become a hallmark of their success. As always, the Miami rap icon keeps his commentary raw, leaving fans wondering what bold statement he’ll make next.
Harlem’s own Jim Jones, the legendary rapper, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, is giving back to his community this holiday season with his annual turkey giveaway through his non profit VampCares. On Sunday, November 24th, families in need can pick up a free turkey at 57 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY 10026, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM ET.
This initiative, spearheaded by Jim Jones, reflects his continued commitment to supporting Harlem’s families and ensuring everyone can celebrate Thanksgiving with a meal to share.
“As someone who grew up in Harlem, it’s important to me to give back to the place that shaped me,” said Jim Jones. “The holidays are about community, gratitude, and giving, and I’m grateful for the chance to make a difference in people’s lives.”
Known not just for his success in music and business, but also for his dedication to uplifting his community, Jim Jones invites Harlem residents to join him for this special event. Families are encouraged to arrive early, as supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last.
Newly revealed alleged text messages tied to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal case for alleged sex trafficking have surfaced, according to an exclusive report by AllHipHop. These messages, reportedly sent by singer Cassie to Combs, were allegedly written following an assault in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2016.
Footage of the alleged incident, which gained attention earlier this year, has added a layer of scrutiny to the case. Cassie’s lawsuit against the music mogul came to light in late 2023 under the Adult Survivors Act. While the lawsuit was swiftly settled, the terms of the settlement remain undisclosed. This development occurred amidst a wave of similar civil suits filed against Combs.
According to disclosures from the federal government, Cassie allegedly sent a text message to Sean “Diddy” Combs after the 2016 hotel incident, expressing the physical and emotional toll of the altercation. “I have a black eye and a fat lip,” she reportedly wrote. “You are sick for thinking it’s OK to do what you’ve done… I still have crazy bruising. […] I turn my head for a second, and you get violent. You drag me down the hall by my hair… I have bleeding cuts. You hit me in the head twice.”
The text continued, reportedly addressing the recurring nature of the abuse, “When you get upset the wrong way, you always want to show me that you have the power, and you knock me around. I’m not a rag doll. I’m someone’s child.”
In early 2024, Sean “Diddy” Combs issued a public apology for his actions against Cassie after CNN released video footage of the 2016 incident. Calling his behavior “inexcusable,” the music mogul emphasized his commitment to therapy and personal growth. While the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office did not pursue charges due to the statute of limitations, the incident remains part of federal prosecutors’ broader allegations against him in a federal case involving alleged sex trafficking.
In other developments, former Bad Boy artist Shyne stirred controversy by claiming he served as the “fall guy” for Diddy in the infamous 1999 nightclub shooting, which resulted in Shyne serving nearly nine years in prison. He alleged that Diddy was the true instigator of the incident, though the claim has been met with skepticism and rebuttals from figures like Funk Flex. While some find credibility in Shyne’s accusations, they remain unproven and should be approached cautiously.
Big Meech is home and 50 Cent has tracked down the former BMF kingpin. Hitting X, 50 teased a project in the future from the two, using his trademark “GreenLight Gang,” slogan, alluding to a production in the works.
Big Meech is out of federal prison and serving the rest of his sentence at a halfway house. He is now a resident of the Miami Residential Reentry Management Office. In a new picture, Meech poses next to an unidentified man dressed in all Black.
According to TMZ, Big Meech has been removed from FCI Coleman Low in Wildwood and moved to BOP’s Miami Residential Reentry Management Office. He will complete his 30-year sentence in a halfway house.
Earlier this year, Meech’s sentence was reduced by nearly three years. He was initially sentenced in 2008.
Meech’s attorney, Brittany K. Barnett, claims Meech used his 20 years in prison to focus on personal growth and begin a new chapter in his life.
Ultimate Hustler edition 
Camera speed, rolling and action. BMF BIG MEECH • 