Travis Scott Wants Virgil Abloh’s Ghana Skate Park Reopened, Manifests “UTOPIA” Grammy

Travis Scott is making a call to action after he found out that his good friend Virgil Abloh’s skate park in Ghana is currently in shambles. This was one of his last initiatives before he passed away, and apparently someone filled it with cement, sand, and brick walls while claiming to own the land. It seems like a very complicated and unclear situation, with some blaming the government, others advocating for its closure, and many confused about the whole thing. Regardless, the Houston MC wants something done to restore this park to its former glory, as it will keep the design legend’s legacy alive and well while opening a space for fun and community like he envisioned.

“MANNN WHATT,” Travis Scott wrote as an Instagram comment recently, presumably for a post covering this ordeal. “WHAT WE DOINNNNNGGGGGGGG. LET ME KNOW WHAT WE GOTTA DO TO GET MY BROTHER PARK BACK GOING PLEASSSSSEEEEEEE.” For those unaware, they had a close relationship, one that carries over even after the latter’s tragic loss. For example, La Flame was announced as a headliner for a festival honoring the Off-White and Louis Vuitton icon’s memory.

Read More: Travis Scott, Rob49, & 21 S*vage Deliver Borderline NSFW “Topia Twins” Music Video

Virgil Abloh’s Skate Park In Ghana Left In Ruin

 
 
 
 
 
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However, he also has other other metrics by which he wants to do right by Virgil. One of these is his own musical work, the most recent of which was his 2023 smash hit album UTOPIA. Moreover, it’s nominated for Rap Album Of The Year at the 2024 Grammys, and Travis Scott let out a tweet on Thursday (January 4) manifesting a win against Metro Boomin’s HEROES & VILLAINS, NasKings Disease III, and more. “Gotta bring that rap album [trophy emoji] for the fans demmmmm Let’s lock in UTOPIA,” he wrote.

Travis Scott Manifests UTOPIA‘s Grammy Win

 
 
 
 
 
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Meanwhile, the “HYAENA” creative continued to make more strides in the fashion world, which echo Virgil’s artistry. The most recent sneaker of his we covered was the Jordan Jumpman Jack “Sail”. Hopefully the skate park finds a balance between respecting Abloh’s craft and respecting the will of Ghanians. Furthermore, for more news and the latest updates on Virgil Abloh and Travis Scott, log back into HNHH.

Read More: Andre 3000 Reveals He Was Invited To Play Flute At Virgil Abloh’s Funeral, Explains Why He Said “No”

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Andre 3000 Reveals He Was Invited To Play Flute At Virgil Abloh’s Funeral, Explains Why He Said “No”

Andre 3000 made a huge announcement yesterday, and fans are still reeling from it. The legendary artist will be coming through with an instrumental album called New Blue Sun. Overall, this is a project that will consist of the rapper playing the flute. Although many wanted a rap album from him, it seems like this will not be in the cards. Instead, he is making the kind of album that he wanted to do. It spoke to him in the moment, and you have to love him taking a huge risk.

In an interview with Rodney Carmichael of NPR, Andre 3000 got to speak on a plethora of topics surrounding the album. Moreover, he even spoke on some of the things that have happened to him over the past couple of years. For instance, he noted that Virgil Abloh’s family wanted him to play flute at his funeral. However, Andre felt like he would be a distraction. Not to mention, he didn’t know Virgil that well and didn’t think it would be appropriate.

Read More: Conway The Machine Cites Lauryn Hill & Andre 3000 As Dream Collabs

Andre 3000 Divulges On His Decision

“When Virgil [Abloh] passed, his family asked would I play at the funeral and I denied it, but only because I felt like I would be a distraction,” Andee 3000 explained. “I don’t know, I just felt like it would have taken away from the moment and I only knew Virgil through texts and a few conversations. So I couldn’t pretend like I knew him that well. I was honored that the family asked me to play at the funeral, but I couldn’t. And so when I told Guillermo, he was like, ‘Yeah, sometimes you have to look at it now as a responsibility to play. They asked you to play for a reason.’”

Turning down something like that can be tough, but given his reasoning, it makes a whole lot of sense. We’re sure Virgil’s family understood completely. Let us know what you think of this story, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news and updates from around the music world. We will always keep you informed.

Read More: Andre 3000 Net Worth 2023: What Is The Outkast Icon Worth?

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Meek Mill Joins Rick Ross With His Own Maybach Purchase

Meek Mill showcased himself purchasing the Haute Voiture Maybach designed by the late Virgil Abloh in a video on TikTok, earlier this week. The addition to his collection follows his MMG partner, Rick Ross, buying a custom Grey Maybach with red interior just a few hours prior. In the TikTok video, Meek shows highlights from his trip to the Mercedes dealership as an unreleased song plays in the background.

The lyrics directly reference Abloh and the car itself. “Louis Virgil got the soft fabric/ Virgil Maybach looking like it got some Timbs on it/ Equity on the back and then in the front I want M’s on it,” Meek raps.

Read More: Rick Ross, DJ Khaled, And Meek Mill Preview New Music

Meek Mill Performs With Rick Ross In NYC

NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 20: Rappers Rick Ross (L) and Meek Mill perform onstage during TIDAL X: 1020 Amplified by HTC at Barclays Center of Brooklyn on October 20, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for TIDAL)

The car features a blue and tan exterior with a white interior. Mercedes Chief Design Officer Gorden Wagener described the car in a statement: “The intricate features and exclusive design elements are what makes the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Haute Voiture one of the most extravagant models we ever created – it represents Sophisticated Luxury in its purest form.” Check out the Maybach below on Meek’s TikTok page.

Meek Mill Shows Off New Maybach

As for Rick Ross’ recent purchase, he went with a custom-made car. “It’s made it here baby, it’s made it here,” he said while showing off the car on his Instagram Stories. “One of one, one of one, one of one. Ya’ll see that in the middle. Come on now. It’s the biggest. It’s the biggest. Come on now. It’s never been done. See that? Never been. One time for Champion Motoring. They made it happen. It’s the biggest, it’s never been done. It’s the V-12.” Both car purchases come as Meek Mill and Rick Ross have been teasing working on new music together. Ross previewed new music with the two of them and DJ Khaled in July.

Read More: Rick Ross Cops Meek Mill’s Mansion For A Light $4.2M

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A$AP Rocky Accepts Virgil Abloh Award From HFR

There is more reason to celebrate for A$AP Rocky and Rihanna. The Harlem native could not help but be thankful for a very flattering award he picked up the other night. Flacko was called to attend HFR’s (Harlem’s Fashion Row) 16th Annual Fashion Show & Style Awards on September 5. The ceremony took the time to honor all of the stylistic pioneers of today back in New York. It was also there to recognize the 50th anniversary of hip-hop music.

According to Vibe, Kelly Rowland was also in attendance. She scooped up possibly the biggest award of the night, the Fashion Icon Of The Year. The HFR website lists all of the other five categories. Those included, Stylists Of The Year, Hip Hop Trailblazer Award, Editor Of The Year, Designer Of The Year, and last but not least, the Virgil Abloh Award. TMZ got footage of A$AP Rocky’s acceptance speech and he gave the late great designer and artist all of the praise.

Read More: B.G. Was Officially Released From Prison According To His Aunt

A$AP Rocky Remembers Virgil

a$ap rocky
NEW YORK, NY – JULY 10: Rihanna (L) and A$AP Rocky are seen filming a music video in the Bronx on July 10, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Raymond Hall/GC Images)

Rocky told the crowd a story of when Virgil began to recognize the A$AP Mob. He says, “Virgil discovered us, A$AP, us as a bunch of kids before I got my record deal.” Furthermore, he goes on to tell how Virgil helped him with the creative process behind his breakout album LONG.LIVE.A$AP. It is a nice moment to see the rapper take this award since the inspiration is strong still to this day. Now, he gets to take home a precious award that remembers a truly great legacy. Additionally, it symbolizes the great relationship Rocky and Abloh shared.

What are your initial thoughts on A$AP Rocky winning the award from Harlem’s Fashion Row (HFR)? Is Rocky deserving of this achievement? Is Virgil Abloh one of the greatest designers/artists ever? We want to hear what you have to say about all of this. With that in mind, be sure to leave all of your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below. In addition, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest breaking news around the music world.

Read More: Juicy J Claims Mac Miller Brought “Every Kind Of Drug You Can Take” To The Studio Prior To His Death

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Drake Puts Up A Massive Virgil Abloh Statue On “It’s All A Blur” Tour

Drake is back on road. On Wednesday night (July 5), the “Search & Rescue” rapper returned to the stage to start his first tour in roughly five years and he certainly made sure the experience was well worth the wait. While the It’s All A Blur tour setlist includes records from across his catalog, from Thank Me Later to Her Loss, he ensured that he provided an elaborate stage set-up to accompany the bops. However, he made sure that it also paid homage to one of the greatest creative minds of our time.

On Wednesday night, hours before Drake and 21 Savage hit the stage at Chicago’s United Center, the Canadian rapper hit the ‘Gram to preview the stage design. He revealed that the stage boasted a massive statue of the late Virgil Abloh throwing a paper plane – a reference to the Louis Vuitton spring-summer 2019 runway show. “Our brother is watching,” he wrote on his Instagram Story with an image of the statue.

Read More: Drake Shares New Trailer For “It’s All A Blur” Tour

Drake Pays Homage To Virgil Abloh

Upon its reveal on Wednesday night’s show, Drake issued a heartfelt message about Abloh. “Please make some noise for one of the most important people I’ve met in this industry,” he said on stage. “Make some noise for one of the greatest minds that we’ve ever seen.” He continued, “Our brother, our family, he goes by the name of Virgil Abloh. Let’s pay some respect.” Of course, this isn’t the first time Drake showed love to Abloh’s brilliance, having dedicated 2022’s Honestly, Nevermind to the Off-White founder. 

The It’s All A Blur tour already feels like it’ll create some incredible moments this year. The opening night shared some insight on the setup, which includes Drake running through a greatest hits-like setlist before 21 Savage emerges on stage. The two then joined forces to deliver a few cuts off of Her Loss before Drake appropriately closed the night off with “Legend.” But besides the tribute to Virgil, Drake also opened the show with “Look What You’ve Done” next to a hologram version of his younger self. Check his tribute to Abloh above.

Read More: Drake Teases “For All The Dogs” During First Tour Stop 

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Here’s The Inspiration Behind The Virgil Abloh Statue On Drake’s ‘It’s All A Blur Tour’

On Wednesday night, July 5, Drake and 21 Savage’s winding It’s All A Blur Tour kicks off at Chicago’s United Center. Drake reminisced on his formative Degrassi days to hype up himself and fans for opening night, and the tour’s staging is reflective in an especially sentimental way.

“Our brother is watching,” Drake wrote to his Instagram Story atop a photo of a larger-than-life statue of the late Virgil Abloh.

Drake Virgil IG Story
@champagnepapi via Instagram

NFR Podcast also tweeted, “Drake & 21 Savage’s tour stage design honors the late great Virgil Abloh with a statue [dove emoji] It pays homage to Virgil’s first Louis Vuitton fashion show in 2018!”

Abloh was an artistic polymath. He died aged 41 in November 2021 after an intensely private two-years-plus battle with cancer. The Chicago-area native’s seemingly sudden passing was met with an outpouring of grief on social media from prominent figures in music, fashion, and entertainment.

In the immediate aftermath, Drake paid tribute by getting a tattoo depicting the same photo that the It’s All A Blur statue recreated.

Abloh served as the Artistic Director Of Menswear for Louis Vuitton until his death, and Pharrell Williams stepped into the vacant role earlier this year.

Drake and Savage’s It’s All A Blur Tour will return to the United Center on Thursday, July 6. They’re then set to perform back-to-back nights at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, July 8, and Sunday, July 9.

The ambitious trek is scheduled to last into October. See all of the dates here.

Steven Victor Addresses Backlash Virgil Abloh Faced Over Pop Smoke Cover Art: “That Was Bullsh*t”

Steven Victor, who managed Pop Smoke before the rapper’s death, says that the backlash Virgil Abloh faced for the cover art of Pop’s posthumous albums was “bullshit.” He discussed the controversy during a recent appearance on the Rap Radar podcast with Brian “B.Dot” Miller.

“That was bullshit,” he said. “People sit back and think they know, but they don’t know shit. They’re like, ‘oh, this is not what Pop would like.’ I’m like, ‘fuck you talkin’ about?’”

Read More: Steven Victor Addresses Criticism Surrounding Pop Smoke’s “Faith”

Pop Smoke At Rolling Loud

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – DECEMBER 15: Rapper Pop Smoke performs onstage during day 2 of the Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium on December 15, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

Abloh originally debuted cover artwork for Pop Smoke’s posthumous debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, that was replaced after backlash from fans. It featured a picture of Pop Smoke that was the first result of a Google Images search, which fans called lazy. Eventually, artist Ryder Ripps provided a new artwork that depicted a simple chrome rose against a black background.

Victor continued: “When we did the video for ‘Shake the Room,’ like that whole concept and idea was Virgil’s idea, and when we were going through the process, like at first, Pop was like—’cause, y’know, he’d never had a video like that—he was like, ‘I don’t know,’ but he trusted Virgil’s vision, so it would’ve been the same thing.” Check out his full appearance on Rap Radar below.

Steven Victor On Pop Smoke’s Album Covers

At the time of the controversy, Abloh addressed the backlash during an interview with Complex. “I think it’s important that we as young Black kids and community support and reference each other rather than looking for it outside of our ecosystem,” he said. “To me, [the original album cover I made] was exactly that. There was a bond and synergy amongst both of us just being ourselves. It was completely organic.”

Read More: Virgil Abloh Explains Controversial Pop Smoke Album Cover

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Rick Ross Reveals Why He Didn’t Want The Virgil Abloh Maybach

Rick Ross is a man of exceptional taste. Overall, much of his taste has been brought out in relation to cars. Of course, he recently had his epic car show that brought out a ton of stars. Although there was some drama surrounding the show, it ended up being a great time. Moreover, he recently announced the winners, who got an exceptional cash prize. Needless to say, the artist is doing a lot for car culture, and the fans love him for it.

One car that seems to be making a lot of noise as of late is the Mercedez Benz Maybach designed by Virgil Abloh. While speaking to Complex, Rick Ross revealed that he was offered the car. However, he ultimately turned it down. “I’m going to be totally honest with you, I personally wouldn’t want the Maybach – only because I personally didn’t get it from the big homie Virgil,” Rick Ross explained. “And me scrolling through my phone while I’m on the phone with you, it was funny you asked me that because I was just offered the Maybach not even four or five days ago.”

Read More: Rick Ross Gets Some New Ice From Gunplay

Rick Ross Has A Good Reason For Turning It Down

Ross went on to explain his philosophy a bit more. At the end of the day, he was willing to pay for the car, and he would have preferred to have that genuine connection with it. “And I turned it down just out of love for the old shit. That was something that would’ve meant a lot more to me coming from the homie and I would’ve paid for it or whatever,” Rick Ross said. “And I feel like whoever he autographs those for, they should most definitely appreciate that car and keep it, you know what I mean? That’s just the person I am.”

Overall, you cannot blame him for feeling this way. The Virgil Maybach is a special car, although it does feel like a status symbol at this point. For Rick Ross, getting another car is no big deal. Besides, why would Rozay need a Maybach when he has NASCAR stocks in his garage?

Read More: Rick Ross Upsets South Fulton Residents Due To Trashed Plaza Following Car Show

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Alicia Keys Picks Up Maybach Gift From Swizz Beatz

Alicia Keys has finally picked up the $500,000 Virgil Abloh-designed Maybach that Swizz Beatz purchased for her as a gift. Beatz shared a photo of Keys in the car on Instagram, Sunday afternoon.

“Look who’s loving her gift now [laughing face emojis],” he wrote in the caption. “Blessings on this Sunday.” Busta Rhymes and Sean Garrett both left behind comments on the post. Other fans remarked, “After you put it out there she had to go get it,” as well as “I will enjoy that kind of gift too and a lot believe me.”

Read More: Alicia Keys Receives Virgil Abloh-Designed Mercedes-Maybach From Swizz Beatz: Video

Alicia Keys & Swizz Beatz

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 10: Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz attend the 61st Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center on February 10, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images)

Swizz Beatz first revealed that Alicia Keys wasn’t feeling the gift during an interview with Angie Martinez. “I don’t think she liked the goddamn car,” he said of the gift. He added that it was “still at the dealership,” while Martinez noted that Keys doesn’t seem like the “flashy” type. Swizz continued: “I know she was already thinking like, ‘Are they gonna be on me if I bring the kids to school in this? Are people gonna know how I’m movin’?’ [I’m sure] she start[ed] thinking like that way with it. She [was just] being very polite.” Virgil Abloh designed the car in partnership with Gorden Wagener, Mercedes-Benz’s chief design officer, before his death in November 2021. The car is a Mercedes-Maybach S-Class S680.

Swizz Beatz and Keys married back in 2010 after knowing one another since they were teens. Together, they share two children, Egypt Daoud Dean and Genesis Ali Dean.

Alicia Keys In Her New Maybach

As for new music, Swizz Beatz is still fresh off of the release of his latest EP, Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2. Swizz released the project in partnership with Mass Appeal for the Hip Hop 50: The Soundtrack campaign. The effort celebrates the 50th anniversary of the genre of hip-hop.

Read More: Alicia Keys Is Not Feeling The Limited Maybach Swizz Got Her

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