Cole Bennett continues to make good on his promise to drop a video for every song on the Lyrical Lemonade compilation album, All Is Yellow. Today (February 22), the prolific video director has shared the video for the album’s opening track, “Fly Away,” which features Sheck Wes, Ski Mask The Slump God, and JID.
In the song’s accompanying video, Ski Mask emerges from Lyrical Lemonade’s signature yellow curtain, sitting upon a yellow throne as he delivers his scorching verse.
The video then cuts to JID, who shines bright in a dark room, putting his lyrical ability and his star power on full display. The rappers are all seen in black suits and yellow ties throughout the visual.
In an interview with Paste, Bennett shared that for the All Is Yellow album, he wanted to tie the videos together using the yellow curtains and accessories.
“It’s gotten to the point where the audience’s eye has now been trained to see a black suit and a yellow tie, without any context beyond that, and know exactly what it means,” said Bennett. “And that’s super exciting to me, to be able to drive home a theme that far.”
The Philadelphia City Council has voted to ban the wearing of ski masks in public spaces in an effort to help law enforcement. This will include parks, schools, public transit, and other city-owned buildings. Offenders will face fines of $250 each time and $2,000 if they wear the mask during the commission of a crime.
“The City of Philadelphia has been under siege with individuals who use ski masks to commit crimes. It’s caught onto not just young people, but young adults who have made this a particular thing to do,” council member Anthony Phillips told CNN. “The Philadelphia Police Department can’t tell who’s a criminal and not a criminal, which makes it difficult for crimes to be solved in Philadelphia.”
An Eagles Fan Wears A Ski Mask To Lincoln Financial Field
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: A Philadelphia Eagles fan wears a ski mask during the game against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia defeats Houston 32-30. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Sarah Peterson, a spokesperson for the mayor’s office, told CNN: “The administration will review the legislation, and in the meantime looks forward to our ongoing work with City Council on the urgent matter of ensuring public safety.” Philadelphia Police Department Deputy Commissioner Francis Healy previously complained about mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that they “complicated policing.” He explained in November during a committee hearing: “There was a time not so long ago when any average police officer would see a person donning a mask before entering a convenience store or a bank and they would believe a robbery was about to occur. However, the pandemic changed that mindset where people were actually more fearful of people without masks than with masks.”
Solomon Furious Worlds, an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, conversely argued that the bill will disproportionately affect innocent people of color who may be wearing a face covering. He told CNN: “If the city council was serious about curbing crime they would spend time and money on mental health crises in the city, housing in the city, child care in the city so single parents could work more, after school programs, education, things like that.” Be on the lookout for further updates on the bill banning ski masks in Philadelphia on HotNewHipHop.
Ski Mask the Slump God blew the roof off the SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, IL, last Saturday. The 27-year-old rapper kicked off the second day of the rap festival with something special. During his performance, he brought on Nardwuar the Human Serviette, absolutely hyping up the crowd. Born John Ruskin, Nardwuar is a Canadian celebrity journalist and musician who is the lead singer and keyboardist for the Evaporators. His absurd, eccentric, yet well-researched interviews of rap and hip-hop stars are infamous.
While it appears Ski Mask did this for the memes, it’s still a great tribute to someone who can get rappers so riled up. Pharrell and Drake are on record saying their interviews with Nardwuar are the best they’ve ever had. However, other performers like Dave Rountree of Blur, Alice Cooper, Travis Barker, Beck, and Nas have either hung up on him or verbally or physically attacked Nardwuar. A polarizing figure in the rap game for sure, the journalist must’ve felt pretty good gracing the stage at one of rap’s most influential concerts of the year.
The Summer Smash 2023 featured an impressive lineup all weekend long, including Vince Staples, Ice Spice, Glorilla, Juicy J, Trippie Redd, and Rico Nasty. Headliners were Kid Cudi on Friday, Future on Saturday, and Playboi Carti on Sunday. Plus, special guest stars were $uicideboy$, Lil Uzi Vert, and Lil Durk. To put it bluntly, this was a massive show that didn’t disappoint. And when Ski Mask the Slump God pulled his Nardwuar stunt, the audience ate it up.
Nardwuar also angers Canadian politicians on the regular and is on the record stating he will interview any celebrity. Funny enough, musicians have immortalized his zany demeanor in tribute lyrics. At the 2013 SXSW Festival, Pharrell turned the tables on him and interviewed him the same way he’d interview others. Lil Uzi Vert sampled some of his 2018 Nardwuar interview for the song “Futsal Suffle 2020.” Most recently, Maclemore’s 2022 song “Maniac” features a cameo from the Canadian journalist, complete with references. For Ski Mask, his embracement of Nardwuar’s kooky aura should only help his own rising fame.
It’s Monday once again, and while most of the world is back at their 9-5, YNW Melly is back in court for his double murder trial. Proceedings officially began earlier this month in Broward County, several years after the young rapper turned himself into the police. Things initially seemed to be going in Melly’s favour, however, evidence submitted last week shows alleged texts between the 23-year-old and his mother, Jamie King, in which he asked her to bring him a gun around the time of YNW Juvy and YNW SakChaser’s deaths.
Detective Danny Polo, who’s incredibly familiar with Melly’s case, took the stand ahead of the weekend as a witness for the prosecution. At the time, he donned a court-sanctioned ski mask to help conceal his identity out of concern for his family. However, according to Law & Crime, one of the jury members expressed an issue with this in a note to Judge John Murphy III. When court resumed this morning (June 26), correspondent Bryson “Boom” Paul shared on Twitter that Polo will be removing his mask for the remainder of his testimony.
#YNWMellyTrial: Judge Murphy III has ruled that Det. Danny Polo will be removing his mask for the remainder of the testimony.#ynwmelly#melly
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) June 26, 2023
Since Judge Murphy’s ruling, the defense has hardly made objections, though Melly’s attorney did speak out when what sounds like his voice was played in an audio recording of a phone call. According to Polo’s testimony, he believes that the Florida native was being recruited by two separate G-Shine Bloods gang members.
While listening to the call, the undercover detective shared that he’s “listened to hours of Melly’s music, watched music videos, and listened to jail phone calls,” making him one of the strongest witnesses we’ve seen take the stand so far.
Keep scrolling to read more live updates from Bryson “Boom” Paul in Broward County this afternoon. What are your thoughts on Judge Murphy III’s new ruling about Detective Polo’s ski mask? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more updates on YNW Melly and your favourite artists.
#YNWMellyTrial: The prosecution asks Det. Danny Polo to identify YNW Bortlen in a group photo including @YNWMelly & G-Shine Blood members Javon Mitchell, name in the Melly booking email chain, Jaquan Burton Q-Shine/Purk, and Derrick Dickson, also known as Gino. #ynwmelly#melly
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) June 26, 2023
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) June 26, 2023
#YNWMellyTrial: Det. Danny Polo believes that @YNWMelly was being recruited by two different G-Shine Bloods gang members based on the text message conversations of Gino and Hurk.#ynwmelly#melly
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) June 26, 2023
#YNWMellyTrial: The prosecution asked Det. Danny Polo, what a “beat” and “hook” are. Polo: “The beat is the soundtrack to a song.”#ynwmelly#melly
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) June 26, 2023
#YNWMellyTrial: The prosecution prepares to play a video of a phone conversation with the # titled “Melly Bitxh Ass” with laughing face emoji.
The defense objects once it appears to be @YNWMelly’s voice on the other end of the phone call, and Gino is mentioned.#ynwmelly#melly
— Bryson “Boom” Paul (@brysonboompaul) June 26, 2023
#YNWMellyTrial: Det. Danny Polo confirms it is @YNWMelly voice on the phone in video. Polo references that he has listened to hours of Melly’s music, watch music videos, and listen to jail phone calls.
A detective opted to shield his identity today while testifying in YNW Melly’s double murder trial. The detective and gang expert, Danny Polo, claims that he’s undercover, and has been receiving death threats as of late. He was allowed by Circuit Judge John Murphy, who cited his “safety and security,” to wear a black ski mask to hide his face. Melly’s defense attorney, David Howard, objected to the use of the ski mask. Assistant State Attorney Kristine Bradley asked Polo gang-related questions.
Melly’s attorneys have continued to claim that evidence being presented is improper, calling it “prejudicial.” Howard additionally claims that cell phone evidence being used cannot be properly authenticated. “That phone was being used while Mr. Demons was in custody,” he says, “We know it is being used by several other people.” Melly could be facing the death penalty if he is found guilty of the murders of Christopher “Juvy” Thomas Jr., and Anthony “Sakchaser” Williams. The 19-year-old and 21-year-old men were killed in Broward County on October 26, 2018. Melly’s looking at two counts of premeditated murder.
“This is not his stage personality. This is not an actor that is playing a character. This was his real life,” Bradley claimed in her opening statement, alleging gang activity. She continued, “Any time a word would normally be spelled with a ‘C’ as in Charlie, they don’t use that. They replace it with the letter ‘B,’ so instead of saying, ‘I am at the crib,” they say, ‘I am at the brib.’ Why ladies and gentlemen? Because ‘C’ is associated with Crips, ‘B’ is for Bloods.”
The jury was also shown surveillance footage of Melly and Cortlen “Bortlen” Henry getting into a car with the victims the night of the murders. Footage of Bortlen arriving to the hospital with the victims was also shown to jurors. The judge later claimed that one juror said Polos’ ski mask was giving them “anxiety.” He said that he received a note from them, reading “When I was a child I had seen someone get robbed.”
SEPTA, the transit authority that oversees public transport in Philadelphia, has announced that it will be cracking down on riders wearing ski masks. The move comes after a number of violent incidents have occurred in the city, which police claim were perpetrated by individuals concealing their identity using ski masks and similar articles of clothing. As recently as May 24, a man was killed on a local bus after engaging in an argument with a man wearing a ski mask.
However, the move has been erroneously reported as a new ban on the article of clothing. Instead, a spokesperson for SEPTA stated that the ski masks and other non-religious articles of clothing that fully obscured a rider’s features had been on a prohibited items list for some time. While those rules had been lessened during the pandemic, the recent wake of violence has forced SEPTA’s hand. The policy enforcement comes along with a new head of the transit police, Charles Lawson. Additionally, Lawson wants more officers patrolling the transit system.
The ski mask, colloquially known as a “shiesty”, has become more and more common in recent years. It has become a rap scene staple, with many artists integrating it into their look. However, that isn’t much of a concern for Philly authorities. Riders caught wearing a ski mask will be removed from the transit system, but will not be charged or cited. Furthermore, this will only be enforced by transit police. Bus operators and station attendants will not be required to pursue enforcement of the policy.
However, Philadelphia is not the first to pursue this policy. Florida prohibits anyone above the age of 16 from wearing hoods or masks that conceal their identity in public. Meanwhile, West Virginia also prohibits masks and identity-concealing garb in certain public settings. There are of course exceptions – such as religious attire and COVID-19 masks. How do you feel about the new policy? Let us know in the comments. Get all the latest society news here at HotNewHipHop.
“Water” is an adlib that many music fans love to say out loud. The artist who most famously coined the adlib is none other than Ski Mask The Slump God. Stokeley Clevon Goulbourne was born in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and started rapping at a young age.
His initial rose to fame came along with his best friend XXXTentacion (Jahseh Onfroy) when they met in jail. They both decided that music and rap was what they loved and was talented at. After they were both released, they went on to form the collective group Member Only in 2014.
Ski is underrated by many, but he is a prominent name in SoundCloud as he was a part of the SoundCloud era. Ski is mainly known for his rhythm, versatility, and ability to rap at extreme tempos. He is also known for his cartoon-inspired instrumentals and his ability to carry any feature he’s on.
A controversial opinion, but Ski Mask The Slump God is also granted the title of the King of Rolling Loud. Whenever he performs, he knows how to bring energy not only from his performance but with the crowd as well. Also a loyal best friend, Ski always makes sure to give a shout-out to his late best friends, Juice Wrld and XXXTentacion.
Ski has multiple mixtapes, albums, singles, and eps to his name. We go on to look at some of his most streamed songs, according to Spotify.
#5- “Foot Fungus“
Coming up fifth on this list is the song “Foot Fungus.” This song was featured on his debut studio album “Stokeley.” Coming out on November 30, 2018, this song clocks in at 2:26.
On Spotify, this song has reached 234,097,146 streams and comes in as his fifth most streamed song. The popularity of this song grew over time because of the song title itself and people wanting this song to reach the radio for the same reason above.
An 808 heavy-based beat mixed with outrageous lyrics and rhyming every last word in the verse helps with his flow. As well as, starting with a nice on-and-off rhyming pattern turned into a fast-flowing song makes this song unique.
#4-“Catch Me Outside“
On the number four spot, we have the song “Catch Me Outside.” Arguably one the most recognizable song off Ski’s discography and a song many fans came onto first. This song has gained 247,641,895 streams since its release.
Clocking in at 2:25, this song was featured on his “You Will Regret (Reloaded)” album. Originally released on June 13, 2017, as a single, Ski would release the song again on the album on February 2, 2018.
The song title was inspired by Danielle Bregoli’s famous Dr. Phil quote, “Catch me outside, howbow dah.” The beat was produced by Timbaland, which was the beat used in Missy Elliott’s “She’s a Bitch” song. Elliott even went to Twitter to praise the song since it featured her famous beat.
#3- “Take A Step Back“
If you want to talk about a bass-heavy beat, look no further than our third entry, “Take A Step Back.” Released on May 15, 2016, this song was a staple of Ski’s career. Clocking in at 3:30, this is the longest song on the list.
This song has gained a massive 353,158,409 streams on Spotify for good reasons, too. “Take A Step Back,”is a mosh pit anthem, and if you see this song live, good luck.
The song featured Ski’s late best friend XXXTentacion and was the pinnacle song of both of their early careers. This song was one of the most popular collaborations between the two best friends.
#2-“Nuketown“
At number two, we have “Nuketown,” which features his late best friend, Juice Wrld. The song was released on November 30, 2018, on the “Stokeley” album as well.
Initially, the song featured two Ski verses but was later changed to add a verse from Juice. “Nuketown,” gained popularity due to the aggressive beat and lyrics used. The song also features a screaming Ski in the chorus and a Juice delivery we never will forget.
It has a staggering 377,646,039 streams on Spotify and clocks in at 2:46 . It also peaked on Billboard’s Hot 100 list at number 63 for six weeks.
#1-“Faucet Failure“
Finally, Ski Mask The Slump God’s number one most streamed song is “Faucet Failure.” Releasing on November 30, 2018, on the “Stokeley” album, just like the others, it gained significant popularity.
With his most streams racking in at a significant 492,802,526, this song deserves it all. The way Ski rides the beat with his flow and his delivery on the song makes you bob your head to everything he says.
The runtime on this song is 2:25, which is quick but gets straight to the point. The song has also been on the Billboard Top 100, sitting at number 87 for 11 weeks.
Even though it has been some time since Ski dropped music, he still continues to pop up on features and preview snippets. His popularity continues to grow daily, and he always has a supporting fandom behind him.
We can’t wait to see what Ski has in store for us in the future.
(@scubaryan_) 
