During May 2023, Chris Brown’s associate and close friend, Lowell “Lo” Grissom, was fatally shot. Grissom was a talent scout for Chris Brown Entertainment, as well as a rapper. The tragedy took place Miami Beach’s GALA Nightclub, and it also left two other women injured. Authorities labeled Deshawn “Thorobread” Davis as the killer, a man who is also the main suspect in a kidnapping from 2022. The victim in that case, Elnaz Hajtamiri, is being presumed as dead. Because of all of these alleged crimes that Davis is responsible for, he was eventually placed on U.S. Marshals’ Most Wanted Fugitives list on August 1.
Now, some justice is being served for these victims. According to AllHipHop, U.S. Marshals were able to capture him on Monday, August 5. To get some extra assistance, marshals were offering up to $25,000 for information. U.S. Marshals Service Director Ronald L. Davis released a statement shortly after arresting Davis, saying, “I commend the men and women of the Marshals Service and our partners for the capture of Deshawn Davis. “It is our hope that this apprehension brings justice to his victims and safety to the community”.
Chris Brown has yet to react to this news, but when the murder did occur, he reacted painfully on social media. “Love you bro. Rest up MY BROTHER”. The nightclub also released a statement shortly after “Lo’s” passing. “We are shocked and deeply saddened by the isolated and targeted incident that occurred last night at our upscale establishment”.
What are your thoughts on Chris Brown’s associate Lo’s killer being caught? How long do you think it will take for Deshawn “Thorobread” Davis to receive his sentence and charges? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Chris Brown. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Killer Mike has just dropped a new ten-song project titled “Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival: Songs For Sinners & Saints,” intended as an epilogue to last year’s autobiographical album “MICHAEL.” Announced just this past Monday, Mike expressed his gratitude to fans by offering the project as a free download for 48 hours.
In the midst of this release, Mike delivered six performances across three nights at NYC’s legendary Blue Note jazz club, culminating in a live stream of the final performance that drew nearly 100,000 viewers. “Michael & The Mighty Midnight Revival” continues its tour, including a performance at Lollapalooza this Saturday.
Mike says of the project “for me this is a testimonial. When I was growing up an important part of church service was people having the opportunity to stand up and give public testimony on their trials, tribulations, and triumphs. After the celebratory atmosphere that followed MICHAEL I was reminded that tribulations never cease, but God is always with me and this is a testimonial of my tumultuous times, my trials, and my continued triumph in spite of doubt, outright hate, and fear. I am here to speak to and with my fellow sinners and Saints.”
Education has always been and remains one of the fundamental and key factors in the overall development of both individuals and nations. After all, a complete education is not just about knowledge. Quality education develops creativity and shapes critical thinking. It helps to analyze independently and promotes social integration. But not all young people come to this understanding at a young age. That is why it is great that in recent years we have seen a trend of famous musicians and showbiz stars using their popularity to advocate for education. Moreover, this trend is growing. Famous people have a huge power of influence on millions of people. And those who recognize this in a positive way seek to use this power for the benefit of society.
Why Education Advocacy Matters
World-class musicians and singers are not just favorites of the public, but also have a significant impact on it and its opinion. The statements and actions of popular performers draw attention to significant social issues. Education is no exception. When they support educational initiatives, it not only raises awareness, but can also change society’s attitude towards education in a positive way. Young people who often identify themselves with their favorite stars are often inspired by their examples. That is why celebrities who advocate education are making a huge difference. Thanks to them, young people strive for higher academic achievements.
The lives of modern youth are busy and sometimes exhausting, as it happens that they have to do many tasks at the same time and also prepare for exams. So, students can often get stressed about their studies. However, with motivation from their icons and timely help from professional writers, they don’t have to worry about failing or other unpleasant things. After all, even if the question of how to write an essay arises, thanks to current technologies and the prevalence of online help, students can ask a search engine to write my essay and get the best quality paper on time and without fear of being cheated. Of course, students should first familiarize themselves with the reviews and rating of the service among users. And only then make a decision about a particular one and enjoy the results.
At the same time, celebrity education advocacy has a practical impact on educational systems. Thanks to their donations and support, it is possible to do valuable things.
Create new educational programs
Improve school infrastructure
Provide scholarships for talented students
All this contributes to reducing inequality in access to quality education. As a result, it improves the overall level of education of the population.
Prominent Musicians Advocating for Education
Beyoncé
She actively supports education through her BeyGOOD initiative. Beyoncé has launched various projects and programs. All of them are aimed at young people from vulnerable groups. Namely, to improve their access to quality education. One of the most striking examples is scholarships for students of African-American educational institutions. They help talented young people realize their potential when obtaining higher education.
Chance the Rapper
The American rapper, songwriter and producer is known for his significant contribution to Chicago public schools. It was he who founded the SocialWorks organization. The latter supports educational initiatives and programs for young people. Thanks to the efforts of Chance the Rapper:
millions of dollars have been raised to improve learning conditions in schools,
numerous programs aimed at developing students’ creative abilities were created.
Shakira
The world-famous singer of catchy songs is actively working to improve learning initiatives through her Barefoot Foundation. The main goal of this foundation is to provide access to quality education for vulnerable children. The ones not only from the United States but also from Colombia.
Thanks to Shakira’s efforts, they built several schools where children now can receive a modern education in a safe environment.
Alicia Keys
She is not only a famous soul R&B singer but the one who cooperates with the Keep a Child Alive Foundation. This foundation supports those children affected by HIV/AIDS. As part of this cooperation, Alicia has initiated several educational programs. And she did this in parallel with information campaigns. All of them are aimed at raising awareness of the importance of education and, at the same time, a healthy lifestyle. Thanks to the efforts of the famous singer, thousands of children have received support and continue to receive it. All of them can now study without hindrance, and thus develop.
Impact and Initiatives
As we have already seen, musicians and singers not only draw attention to education issues, but also take decisive actions. They implement specific programs that have a considerable positive impact on entire communities and society.
The example of Beyoncé’s BeyGOOD initiative is a good one. It has led to a considerable increase in the number of scholarship recipients who have been able to continue their studies at universities.
And Chance the Rapper’s projects in Chicago have improved learning conditions in dozens of schools. This, in turn, has had a positive impact on student performance.
Shakira and her Barefoot Foundation have provided education to thousands of children who previously did not have this opportunity.
And Keep a Child Alive with Alicia Keys has not only helped save the lives of many children, but also allowed them to get an education for their better future.
A Broader Movement
In addition to these stars, there are other musicians and actors who also actively support educational initiatives. They use their social networks to actively spread the word about the importance of learning. Social media plays an essential role in spreading educational advocacy, as it allows celebrities to quickly convey information to a large audience. They also try to involve their fans in supporting various projects.
Summary
Now it is clear for us that the celebrity involvement in education has the long-term benefits, and it does not require any further proof. They do not only raise awareness of the crucial importance of education, but also make a real difference in the lives of thousands. Children and young people. The positive impact of stars such as world-famous musicians and singers in promoting learning is perhaps the most striking example of great positive power. Especially how the power of popularity can be harnessed for the benefit of an entire society. Thanks to the efforts of celebrities, many children and young people in the United States and beyond have had and continue to have the great opportunities to study in high-quality learning institutions to further realize their full potential.
Olga Waldstein
Author of a blog about stars and celebrities and their influence on the behavior of their fans. She researches educational initiatives of US stars. Olga writes essays on socio-cultural topics, psychology, and holistic development.
According to The Jasmine Brand, a source close to the couple is claiming that Ye is controlling every aspect of her life. They allege that Kanye West has essentially become Big Brother by checking her phone and even policing her outfits. “Kanye now exerts total control over Bianca’s life…He films her from every angle before they go out…Then he critiques her body right down to her private parts — it’s so demeaning,” the source proclaimed.
“Kanye also screens her social media and controls what she eats and drinks…She’s not even allowed to go to bed until he tells her. He says it’s for her benefit, but he’s turned her into his own Stepford Wife!” they continued. It is important to remember that these are allegations from an unnamed source. They are not verified facts at the moment. Having said that, only time will tell how this relationship develops in the public eye. If one thing is for sure, it is that fans remain curious about what is truly going on.
Let us know what you think of these allegations, in the comments section down below. How have you felt about Kanye West’s marriage to Bianca Censori? Do you believe that something weird is happening behind the scenes? Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the music world. We will continue to keep you informed on all of your favorite artists and their upcoming projects.
Flava Flav has always been a man of many talents and ventures whether it is music, reality television, or business. And while nobody probably had Flav sponsoring the USA Women’s water polo team on their 2024 bingo card, that is exactly the case as the artist has emerged as playing a vital role in the team’s success and journey to the Olympics.
The story began in May when women’s water polo team member Maggie Steffens posted how most of the women work one (or more) full-time jobs in addition to practicing and competing in the sport. She commented how the women’s water polo team, like many of the less popular sports, relies on sponsors to pay for things like equipment, travel, and pool time.
Flav commented on her post, vowing that “as a girl dad and supporter of all women’s sports,” he would “personally sponsor you my girl,,, whatever you need,” promising that his manager would be in touch with her agent and vowing to “use all my relationships and resources to help all y’all even more. That’s a FLAVOR FLAV promise.”
The former Public Enemy artist indeed came through on his promise, donating an undisclosed amount of money and more importantly, serving as the team’s unofficial hype man, attending matches wearing a Team USA branded water polo cap and (of course) a similarly branded waterproof clock necklace. Joining him to cheer on the team was First Lady Jill Biden, who thanked him for his support of women’s sports.
On X, Flav shared a video of him embracing Biden and team members along with the caption:
“I love all the support Women’s Water Polo is getting,,, ya boy is so appreciative that the First Lady came to the First Game . THANK YOU @flotus Dr. Jill Biden for all the support of you and your family.”
In a statement to the Associated Press, Flav stated that “When I come out and I watch this water polo team … ‘USA! USA!’ Yo, I’m going to be the biggest hype man that they ever had in their life,” he told the AP on Friday. “I’m going to be bigger than any cheerleader that they had in their life. I’m going to cheer this team on, and I’m going to cheer this team into winning a gold medal.”
We need to talk about those ‘Prison Tapes’ snippets Tory Lanez just teased on his new Instagram profile @thetorytapes.
Full stop. How ever you feel about Tory Lanez, his incarceration and the victims who were affected by his case – who need to be shown respect at the highest levels, one thing is undeniable, these snippets are fire.
Okay onto the music … On Friday (July 26) Lanez’s dropped content on his official Instagram account. The post included snippets of has been reported as two newly released songs.
We all know he’s locked up but the quality of the music is insane, but lets continue …
The caption broke down two song titles: ‘Wish I Never Met You,’ and ‘Cell 245’
It gets more interesting. The songs are a part of a new project he’s calling ‘The Prison Tapes.’ Appropriate name if there ever was one.
But check this out, the Gram profile says new drops from Lanez will come out every Friday, indefinitely. Feels like Quarantine Radio all over again.
Here’s the caption from his post:
“‘The Prison Tapes’ Out Now Wish I Never Met You Cell 245 Dropping every week on @thetorytapes”
And looks like the records are out on platforms so go press play and tell us what you think.
In the meantime, here are some comments from the first IG post reacting to the drop:
Listen to Cell 245 here from Tory Lanez YouTube channel:
The hauntingly cinematic quality of Nicholas Craven’s production has cemented his status as a trailblazer among the producers specializing in drumless samples. While Daringer of Griselda and Roc Marciano played pivotal roles in developing and popularizing this sound, Craven’s movie-like approach to making beats has resulted in some of hip-hop’s most revered albums in the past few years, namely his joint projects with Boldy James, Fair Exchange, No Robbery and Penalty Of Leadership. The former was recorded in three days and released in 2022. Boldy James and Nicholas Craven doubled back at the beginning of 2024 with Penalty Of Leadership, a shoo-in for album of the year, but the circumstances surrounding the album’s release were unlike their first project together.
“We made two songs in the first day. He was still bound to the wheelchair, could hardly move, coming back from like paralysis. Like, it was insane – bolts in his neck,” Nicholas Craven told HotNewHiphop backstage at Festival D’Été Quebec in mid-July, where he performed alongside Mike Shabb later that day. “It was a heavy album to make but that was one of the most amazing experiences, too, because we managed to make something so special, so timeless out of that hardship.”
That quality that the two tapped into was presumably therapeutic for Boldy James following a near-death experience. For Nicholas Craven, it was an exercise in his ear for production; that innate ability to help score an artist’s story with subtleties that draw inspiration from his film heroes, like Martin Scorcese or Akira Kurosawa.
“I like to take something that’s subtle, that’s like smooth on the outside, and then turn it into something dark and almost scary, you know? Almost disturbing, but it seems like nothing. It’s just like, oh, there’s just some little nice melody with violins, but it’s actually like, you put the right rapper on it, the right context, and it’s completely different now. It’s like a horror movie,” he said.
Though he might be best known for his work alongside U.S. artists, it’s his collaborative efforts alongside Mike Shabb that has spearheaded a new era in Quebec hip-hop, one that he takes much pride in. Before the two hit the stage for FEQ, where they performed cuts off of their joint project Shadow Moses, we caught up with Nicholas Craven to discuss crate digging, working with Boldy James, and what he has in store for the remainder of the year.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
HotNewHipHop:Your career has been defined through your work with American counterparts. Westside Gunn, Mach-Hommy, Boldy James, and the like. How is working with someone like Mike Shabb, an up-and-comer from Montreal, different from working with some of the more prominent artists you’ve worked with? Especially just bringing it back to your hometown.
Nicholas Craven: It’s the best because I really feel like I’m getting in on the ground floor. You know, Shabb is like, he’s just like a small percentage of what he’s going to be right now. He’s already doing big things but I got a vision for him that he’s going to be like, probably one of the greatest rappers to ever live, honestly. To just f**k with him his honor, and he’s making amazing music too. So I’m just really happy to have somebody in the city that I can f*ck with on that level. Shout out to Jimmie D. Jimmie, that’s my man but me and Shabb got a nice chemistry.
I was telling Shabb earlier that you two are ushering in this new era of Quebecois rap that’s beginning to expand beyond the province itself, and obviously, getting a lot of traction from the States. How have you felt about the reception towards the work you and Mike Shabb have done together, specifically among your collaborators in America?
Honestly, that’s one of the best parts. Just like, you can realize that you don’t even really know these people until you meet them but there’s already a mutual respect, there’s already an understanding. It’s like a universal language, you know? When we’re really, really about this sh*t, you can hear it, you can feel it automatically. There’s no room for miscommunication. Like we both know what we’re about to do, we both know we’re about, period. So it’s just nice, man. And, I’ve been lucky to work with really, really good dudes, really good people, like family men, dads and shit that like [who] know how to be respectful and how to treat people right. So all in all, man, all these collaborations I’ve done, it’s just been a blessing and it brought me to talk to you, honestly.
Is there a project or track you’ve done out of your whole catalog that sticks out to you or has sentimental value to you?
It’s hard to say, for sure. There’s a bunch. But like, you know, most of my stuff with [Mach-Hommy], Boldy [James], Shabb, Jimmie, Roc Marciano, all that type of stuff – Ransom, Fahim. That’s where most of my great stuff lies, I think.
I read the Complex interview alongside Shabb where you mentioned the difference between being inspired and biting. How do you feel about seeing Nicholas Craven-type beats online?
That’s amazing. I’m just really happy that I’m actually inspiring people on that level, you know? And when you call it out, and you give respect, and you give credit, can you really be called biting? You know what I mean? So it’s like, you know, they’re trying to get in and try to get some little bread. To have a name that you can associate with the sound is pretty cool. So, yeah, no, I love that. I got my own little Nicholas Craven type beats playlist on YouTube. And I just like run through them sometimes and some of them are fire. I’m like, oh, wow, how didn’t I think of that?
I want to move to Shadow Moses real quick. How would you describe this project in terms of the creative synergy between you and Mike Shabb?
I’d say it’s one of the projects I’ve done that has the most like – it’s like a fusion. You know, I’ve usually I’ll do a project that’s like right up like – you know, I’ll do beats that are for Ransom, beats that are for Boldy. Shabbs’ picks are so different. They’re so unique, like, sometimes it’ll be beats I didn’t even think were dope, you know? And he’ll just perceive something in them. And he will hit them with like, his own new like 21st century style, you know? Like 2024 style, you know, and he listens to so much contemporary music that he mixes it up so nicely into like something that people aren’t doing on these types of beats. So the fusion is like one of my favorite things about it. It’s like a dark, new age and old school hip hop fusion.
Shabbs’ is also a producer. How does that play into the studio flow? He mentioned that he’ll listen to 1000 beats before finding one and you even mentioned that he’s very peculiar with his production choices.
Yeah, we got to go through a bunch because you know, I like a rapper that’s picky. You know, I like a rapper that’s really like – because I got beats. And the reason I got so many beats is because I want to be able to cater as perfectly as I can, as specifically as I can, to the rapper. So if I have, you know, 1000 beats to show him and he listens to all of them, there’s more chance he’s going to find exactly the thing that correlates with what he’s trying to do. So, working with him, it’s going through a lot of beats, and it’s also approaching samples a little differently. Sometimes I’m like, “Oh, I know Shabbs is gonna like this if I do that,” and I usually get them now when I got like a really good sample that I know he’s gonna fuck with. So yeah, it’s a lot of learning. It’s different than a lot of other beats of people I’ve worked with, but it’s fucking it’s one of the best learning experiences I’ve ever had.
He was telling me you guys run up in the vinyl store and just spend bands to find the illest sounds.
100%. It’s just filtering it down. We go into the vinyl shop, the owner already filtered it by selecting what he’s going to sell in the store, then we pick what we want, we make beats out of it, and then it’s filtered down again by Shabbs picking exactly the ones that work with him.
It sounds like a more precise and cleaner workflow between you two. I wanted to ask you, again, the Complex interview. You both mentioned how you put each other onto new things. I believe Shabbs said he rewatched The Wire because of you. What’s one thing you’ve learned from him throughout this collaborative process?
I’ve learned, really, the new local scenes in the States. A lot of people think, because of the internet, there are no local sounds anymore, but it’s false and Shabb is really tapped in. Like he can tell you the difference between a Baltimore and a DC beat, even though it’s like 40 minutes away, you know? He understands the lyrical characteristics, the instrumental components that make beats what they are, and like he can clearly see, not necessarily the genre, but the style that everybody’s doing. He can break it down mathematically really well. And I was never really a closed-minded dude. I like to expand and learn as much about hip-hop as I can but he definitely showed me a pocket that I wasn’t even aware existed.
I know you’re a film buff of sorts. If you could compare your sound, or even your production style to any director, who would it be in life? And why?
If I could compare it? I would like to say [Martin] Scorcese. Or [Quentin] Tarantino. Or, you know a [Akira Kurosawa]. Some sh*t like that, Coen Brothers. Yeah, that’s my sh*t.
Elaborate on that a little bit more.
I like how, especially like a Scorsese-type dude, and the Coen Brothers and Kurosawa – less Tarantino because him it’s like – what I’m trying to say is that I like to take something that’s subtle, that’s like smooth on the outside, and then turn it into something dark and almost scary, you know? Almost disturbing, but it seems like nothing. It’s just like, oh, there’s just some little nice melody with violins, but it’s actually like, you put the right rapper on it, the right context, and it’s completely different now. It’s like a horror movie.
I want to touch on Penalty Of Leadership. You and Boldy are going back-to-back with classics but this one has sentimental value to Boldy, as well. How was the process with this project, considering he was also in recovery? I’m sure this was also a therapeutic experience for him.
I think so. Yeah, it was very different than Fair Exchange. You know, Fair Exchange, we did in three days. Penalty took us about a year, a year and a half, going back and forth from Montreal to Detroit. And yeah Boldy, as soon as he got out the hospital, four days out the hospital, he hits me like, “Yo, come down. We got to make some music.” And we made two songs in the first day. He was still bound to the wheelchair, could hardly move, coming back from like paralysis. Like, it was insane – bolts in his neck. And yeah, it was super, super, super, like it was a heavy album to make but that was one of the most amazing experiences, too, because we managed to make something so special, so timeless out of that hardship. Now, it might make them look back on the situation in a brighter light, too, you know? I hope.
I know you recently mentioned that you and Ransom are cooking up something this year. I want to know, generally, what’s on the itinerary for the rest of 2024?
Yeah, me and Ran’ definitely cooking. I just sent him a 300 pack and he took a bunch of beats from it. And I got CravenInc coming. You can hear it here first. I got the new, new, new trilogy. Like Craven N is done, Craven N 2 and 2, now it’s Craven Inc. You know so that’s coming out. New Craven producer album, you know, a bunch of artists on there – everybody, all the All-Stars. Me and Ran got some shit, like I said, me and Boldy got some shit; me and Roscoe P. Coldchain from the Reup Gang got some shit. You know, we got some shit. No, no, no, we got some sh*t coming. Me and Shabb got some sh*t coming. It’s about to be a nice summer.
The sneakers feature a bold combination of red and navy rubber on the sole, complemented by a clean white and cream midsole. Also, the standout “Gold Medal” colorway takes the spotlight with striking gold accents across the upper. Further, a navy blue Nike Swoosh, highlighted with red outlining, adds a dynamic contrast to the design. The tongue proudly displays Kobe Bryant’s iconic logo in gold, enhancing the sneaker’s sophisticated touch. Additionally, the heels are adorned with the number 10, honoring Kobe’s jersey number on the National Team.
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Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Nike Kobe 4 Protro “Gold Medal” will be released on August 5th. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $190 when they drop. Further, make sure to let us know what you think about these kicks in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the most recent updates and news from the sneaker community. We’ll make sure to offer you the newest products from the most notable brands.
A meet and greet allegedly turned violent for four Texas men, who claim that they were attacked by members of Chris Brown’s entourage following an altercation backstage at Brown’s concert on Saturday night in Ft. Worth, Texas.
The four men (Larry Parker, Joseph Lewis, Charles Bush, and Da Marcus Powell) are suing Brown, Yella Beezy, Sinko Ceej, and Live Nation Entertainment for $50 million in damages as well as restraining orders against the performers. The plaintiffs argue that they suffered serious injuries that required hospitalization and one plaintiff remains hospitalized (although it is unclear which one it is).
While it is unclear what happened (various accounts have placed the men backstage at the concert with at least one having a verbal interaction), the defendants allege that Brown ordered the attack on them and that they were kicked, punched, and chased by members of Brown’s entourage.
Tony Buzbee, the Houston-based lawyer who is representing the four men, posted the following statement on his Instagram account on Monday (along with a picture of Brown in court from a previous trial):
On Saturday night in Ft. Worth, entertainer Chris Brown, along with his entourage, attacked and brutally beat several men who had just attended his concert. Multiple police reports have been made. At least one of the men beaten remains hospitalized. Chris Brown has a long history of violence. He has been arrested or accused of assault on at least ten occasions. Enough! The Buzbee Law Firm filed suit this morning on behalf of the four men brutalized this last weekend in the hope of obtaining justice for these victims and putting an end, once and for all, to Brown’s intolerable and thuggish behavior.
As of Monday afternoon, Brown had not publicly addressed the situation.
Brown was playing his second night in Ft. Worth as part of his 11:11 tour.
Chance The Rapper previewed his upcoming mixtape, Star Line, for fans at his “Writings On The Wall” listening event in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this week. Several attendees have been taking to social media to share their thoughts on the highly-anticipated project. It will be his first full-length project since The Big Day in 2019.
According to reports, he showed off 10 unreleased songs and two music videos. “Chance The Rapper is transforming how we consume music and interact with artists…again lol. Beautiful and inspiring experience. So grateful,” one user on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, as caught by Uproxx. Another on Instagram remarked: “Such a cool experience. I can’t believe how intimate and fascinating it was to unravel music in such a collective way.”
Chance The Rapper Attends SXSW For 50th Anniversary Of Hip-Hop
Chance has already released several singles from the project, including “Together,” “Stars Out,” and “Buried Alive.” He has still yet to confirm a release date for the album, although he told BET in a recent interview that he’s in no rush to do so. “I don’t have to rush to put anything and that gives me the confidence and security knowing that it’s cool to wait until I have everything packaged,” he said. “Then, I’ve fallen in love with it over and over again before I release it.”
Chance The Rapper Announces His Next Listening Event
Fans who missed out on Chance’s listening event in Atlanta will have a chance to catch another one in New Orleans, next week. Be on the lookout for further updates on Chance The Rapper on HotNewHipHop.