Symba Performs The Punchline-Laden ‘Ain’t Saying Sh*t’ On ‘UPROXX Sessions’

by

As hip-hop continues to evolve and morph into its ever-growing wealth of styles and formats, it’s nice to just hear someone spit some bars over a cool beat once in a while. In that spirit, Symba’s UPROXX Sessions performance of “Ain’t Saying Sh*t” is like a nice refresher on punchline-forward, swaggering battle rap as he goes for broke illuminating all his virtues and pointing out all foes’ many flaws.

Hailing from the Bay Area, Symba traded in hoop dreams for microphone skills in middle school, taking his name from an obvious source (The Lion King) and setting out to establish himself as royalty in his own right. He’s also one of those artists who approach the game with a degree of hard-earned business savvy from prior industry experiences. When a deal with Columbia Records in 2017 soured, he returned to the independent grind, generating enough buzz to attract another deal from Atlantic.

Making a splash earlier this year with a viral LA Leakers freestyle and a standout 2021 BET Hip-Hop Awards Cypher verse, and building on his 2020 mixtape Don’t Run From R.A.P, Symba is a member of a new wave of rap-first hip-hop artists that is about to start flooding the game sooner than you might think.

Watch him perform “Ain’t Saying Sh*t” above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

Symba is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Tory Lanez Receives Date For Preliminary Hearing In Megan Thee Stallion Case

by

Tory Lanez remains on bail in the case surrounding the assault of Megan Thee Stallion, though a court date is looming near. According to The Shade Room, a judge set a date for Tory Lanez’s preliminary hearing on Wednesday morning. The rapper will be heading to court to face a judge in mid-December. 


Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Prosecutors and the rapper’s attorneys were present at the hearing this morning. The judge ordered that the Daystar rapper appears in person for the hearing. It’s said that several witnesses from July 2020 will be providing testimonies at this time regarding injuries Megan Thee Stallion sustained from the shooting. It’s unclear which witnesses will take the stand, nor has it been determined whether Megan would be present for the hearing. Kathy Ta, one of the lead prosecutors, said that she estimates it’ll take roughly 90 minutes.

Since the shooting occurred, Tory Lanez has stated on numerous occasions that he’s innocent. Earlier this year, rumors began floating around that he had been arrested and jailed after a series of mysterious messages on social media. One of them read, “It’s been real.” The rapper later denied that he was in custody but reports emerged shortly after revealing that he was discussing a plea deal. However, it was outlined that there’s no agreement on a deal by Dec. 3rd, the rapper would have to head to a preliminary hearing. Given that a date for the preliminary hearing was set for mid-December during today’s hearing, it looks like Tory’s preparing for a lengthy legal battle ahead. 

[Via]

Charlamagne Tha God Responds To Boosie Badazz Criticism: “I’m On The Side Of Blackness”

by

It’s interesting how much things can change in 24 hours, especially when Boosie Badazz is involved.

Just yesterday, LGBTQ+ advocate and TV personality Ts Madison visited the Breakfast Club and ethered Boosie about his recent homophobic and transphobic rants towards Lil Nas X. It did not take Boosie long to respond, as he chose a random tweet intended to honor the anniversary of the movie Paid In Full to share his reaction: “THEY STILL GOT MY NAME N THEY MOUTH BOUT THAT GAY SHIT LOL @cthagod U PART OF THE PROBLEM KEEP EGGING THESE PEOPLE ON YOUR SHOW WITH THIS BRO.U USING YOUR PLATFORM TO SUPPORT NASxn his ANTICS ( I SEE WHAT SIDE U ON) HE SAID F**K YALL KIDS SMH DUMMIES.”

Breakfast Club host Charlamagne Tha God was soon made aware of Boosie’s comments directed towards him, and called in to co-host Angela Yee’s show Rumor Report to clear the air.

“I’m not on no side, I’m on the side of Blackness,” Charlamagne said. “First and foremost imma send Boosie healing energy. I don’t even know what I got to do with it. If I’m mistaken I thought I also said me included when I said we can’t stand on that moral high ground as far as pointing at somebody and saying they’re a detriment to kids because we’ve all said or done things that have probably influenced kids negatively. I said me included.”

Here, Charlamagne addresses his conversation with Ts Madison from yesterday morning (Nov. 2), when she questioned Charlamagne’s concern for today’s youth’s exposure to homosexuality. 

The Breakfast Club regularly brings on Black guests to discuss Black culture, so Charlamagne feels confident that he did not deviate from that mission.

Watch what Charlamagne had to say below.

Former Raiders WR Henry Ruggs III Was Driving 156 MPH Two Seconds Before Fatal Car Accident: Report

by

After a day-and-a-half of speculation surrounding ex-Raider Henry Ruggs III’s involvement in a November 2 car accident that left one person dead, we now have a handful of solid details. 

At 3:39 a.m on November 2, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department said they reported to the scene of a two-car accident involving Ruggs’ Chevrolet Corvette and a Toyota Rav4. Upon arrival, emergency personnel found the Toyota engulfed in flames, and located a deceased victim inside. 

Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department via Getty Images

According to a press release from the LVMPD, Ruggs remained on the scene of the accident, and showed signs of impairment, inciting charges of DUI resulting in death. He, along with his girlfriend who was riding in the Corvette’s passenger seat at the time of the accident, were transported to the hospital and treated for serious injuries. 

Today, Ruggs III made his first court appearance since the accident, and according to reports, the specifics of the accident are horrific. 

According to Katelyn Newberg of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, prosecutor Eric Bauman said “Ruggs was traveling at 156 mph about 2 seconds before the crash,” and that “he was at 127 mph when airbags deployed.” Ruggs’ blood-alcohol level was reportedly .161, two-times more than Nevada’s legal limit, and a loaded gun was found in his car. Prosecutors added that a dog was also killed in the accident. 

Ruggs, who appeared in court wearing a neck brace, clearly had no regard for anybody’s safety on the morning of November 2. Not even his own. Driving 156 mph is scary by itself, but to drive 156 mph, while inebriated, with a passenger in the car and other drivers occupying the roads is absolutely unthinkable.

While Ruggs’ former team, the Las Vegas Raiders, already released him from their roster, the 22-year-old could reportedly face up to 2-20 years for his charge of DUI resulting in death, and an additional six years for a second charge of reckless driving.

Check back for any updates.

[via] [via]

Dawn Richard Releases “Loose Your Mind” Exclusively Through Adult Swim

by

Adult Swim reveres itself as the unfiltered voice of today’s rebellious young adults. In addition to their primary television responsibilities, they enjoy dipping their toes into the music industry, hosting music festivals and taking part in exclusive releases.

Adult Swim tapped Dawn Richard for their 2021 Adult Swim Singles campaign this week. Dawn released single “Loose Your Mind” in partnership with Adult Swim, making it track 30 of their compilation playlist.

“Loose Your Mind” spans just less than three minutes, truly displaying Dawn Richard’s charisma and vocal creativity. The dance track utilizes groovy synths and several layered vocals to make for a compelling listen.

The New Orleans native employs seductive lyricism and a clever double entendre on the hook to tempt her desired listener to join her for a good time.

This track adds a great deal of value to the Adult Swim Singles collection already chock full of notable artists such as Soccer Mommy, Kero Kero Bonito and Iceage.

The release of “Loose Your Mind” comes just two weeks before Adult Swim’s free virtual music festival taking place on Nov. 12-13, where Dawn Richards will be performing. 

Directly after the virtual fest, the in-person second annual Adult Swim Festival will take place in Los Angeles on Nov. 15-16, featuring performances from Young Thug, Vince Staples, Lil Nas X and more.

Quotable Lyrics
I’ll make you lose, loose your mind
Baby I can give you what you want tonight
I feel it in my bones (Hey)
I know it look good

Ahead of the Adult Swim Festival, check out “Loose Your Mind” by Dawn Richard below.

Big Boi Explains How He & André 3000 Started OutKast, Reveals He Sold Dogs To Rick Ross

by

Big Boi is one of the most legendary hip-hop characters to have come out of Atlanta over the years, making up one-half of OutKast alongside André 3000. Influencing pretty much every new figure ruling Atlanta hip-hop in 2021, Big Boi and Three Stacks were important in cementing ATL as a hotspot in rap music and culture. OutKast is widely regarded as one of (if not, the) the greatest rap groups of all time, and during a new interview on 10 Questions with Kyle Brandt, Big Boi spoke about how he kicked off his friendship with André, revealing that he misses performing with the creative genius.


Prince Williams/Getty Images

“We just started hanging out. It was a group of maybe five of us, we were all new to the school (Tri-Cities Performing Arts High School) and we would hang out at lunchtime,” said Big Boi about the start of his friendship with André 3000. “We’d go back to Dre’s house because he used to do airbrushing on clothes, so he would airbrush our jean jackets. Me and my brother used to go over there for Dre to cut our hair. He was a great artist, so we just hung out. Then, we had the same taste in music and style and one day we were just like, ‘let’s do it.’”

He went on to say that he misses sharing a stage with the flute enthusiast before touching on how OutKast reacted to getting booed at the 1995 Source Awards.

“It was motivation, man,” said Big Boi. “It’s a good thing they did that because all it did was put a battery in our back. Look who won that year – Snoop, Biggie, OutKast. Powerhouses. That motivated us to go make ATLiens and really come back and fuck shit up. So, we appreciate it. Also, it (helped us) kick down the door for southern lyricists and let it be known that we’re spitters down here, too.”


Moses Robinson/Getty Images

He also touched on the celebrities he’s sold dogs to as part of his kennel business, revealing that he sold pups to Rick Ross, Usher, Serena Williams, Taraji P. Henson, and other stars.

Big Boi also spoke a lot about Atlanta sports during the interview, including his son, Cross Payton’s, football career at Oregon.

“He’s playing special teams and running back right now,” said the legendary rapper about his son. “I’m actually going to Oregon on Friday. I go every week to all the games. The best time I had was when they beat Ohio State. Nobody thought we could pull it off, but they did it.”

Check out Big Boi’s interview on the show below.

Will Smith Reveals He Fell In Love With Stockard Channing During First Marriage

by

Will Smith’s embrace of social media in the past year has offered a glimpse into his life that he’s never offered before. In addition to Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk, there’s a new sense of vulnerability from the Hollywood star that he’s exploring even further on his new memoir, Will. The latest excerpt from the book discusses how he “fell in love” with his costar Stockard Channing during the filming of their 1993 film, Six Degrees Of Separation.


Brenda Chase / Stringer/Getty Images

Channing played the lead role of Louisa “Ouisa” Kittredge while Smith took on the role of Paul Poitier. “Sheree and I were in the first few months of our marriage with a brand-new baby and for Sheree, I can imagine that this experience was unsettling to say the least,” Smith wrote in the book. “She’d married a guy named Will Smith and now she was living with a guy named Paul Poitier. And to make matters worse, during shooting I fell in love with Stockard Channing.“

At the time of filming, he was married to his first wife Sheree Zampino, though he revealed that his feelings for Channing grew stronger, even after the movie was done. “After the film wrapped, Sheree and Trey and I moved back to L.A,” he continued. “Our marriage was off to a rocky start. I found myself desperately yearning to see and speak to Stockard.”


Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images

Smith has previously discussed this topic in the past. During an in-depth profile with Esquire in 2015, the Fresh Prince detailed how his experience with the psychological effects of method acting. “My character was in love with Stockard Channing’s character. And I actually fell in love with Stockard Channing,” he revealed. “That was my last experience with Method acting, where you’re reprogramming your mind. You’re actually playing around with your psychology. You teach yourself to like things and to dislike things.”

Shortly after, Channing called Smith’s comments “flattering” during an interview with PageSix. “I adored him from the first time I laid eyes on him because I thought he was genuinely sweet,” Channing said. “I felt very protective of him, because it was his first big job. It’s amazing for me to hear that he felt that way, I’m delighted.”

Will drops on Nov. 9th. 

[Via] [Via] [Via]