New Hip Hop News

One of Pop Smoke’s alleged killers, Corey Walker, says that he told the gunman to hit the late rapper with a vase, not shoot him with a gun. Walker’s lawyer, Christopher Darden, explained his client’s defense in a motion to dismiss his murder and robbery charges, Friday. Smoke was shot and killed during a botched home invasion in February 2020.

Darden argued in the courtroom that Walker “specifically voiced his opposition to any violence before Pop Smoke was fatally shot.”

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The lawyer also explained that his client never entered Smoke’s residence: “It is clear from the evidence that [Walker] did not enter the house, was not armed, and did not personally kill the victim. Moreover, the evidence is clear that the defendant did not share the actual killer’s intent to kill.”

Darden also admitted that Walker “assaulted” the 15-year-old gunman after learning that he murdered Smoke.

Walker faces a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Smoke was 20 years old at the time of his death, and one of the most popular rising rappers in the Brooklyn drill scene. His debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, was released after his death and reached number one on the Billboard 200.

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Rick Ross is partnering with Rap Snacks’ CEO and Founder James Lindsay for a new company, Hemp Hop Smokeables LLC, which will sell cannabinoid hemp functional cigarettes and hemp wrap smoking rolling paper. The two are partnering with San Diego-based hemp manufacturing company Hempacco to produce a full line of products.

Ross explained his decision to get involved in the business in a statement: “Having had my own health scares, and through my healing process, I decided I would develop a line of smokables to help others with the benefits of Hemp cannabinoids. Working with James Lindsay and Hempacco’s team, including Lue, Jorge, and Sandro, has been fantastic. We’ve already started developing the flavors as well as the look and feel of all the products.”

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Hempacco co-founder Jorge Olson spoke about the benefit of working with someone like Ross: “The name recognition Rick Ross brings to this project is remarkable; just marketing to his base will be an incredible experience.”

Earlier this month, Ross made another major business investment by purchasing a Wingstop franchise for his son’s birthday.

Fans can check out Ross’ new business at the company’s website, here. Those who sign up for the brand’s newsletter will have a chance to win a free carton of CBD cigarettes.

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Lamar Jackson set an NFL record after the Baltimore Ravens’ 34-6 win over the Los Angeles Chargers, Sunday, for the most victories by a quarterback under the age of 25. Jackson now has 35 wins under his belt.

“That’s pretty cool, I guess,” Jackson said when asked about setting the record. “I don’t know to say after that. It’s cool. Got to keep going.”

When asked whether records are important to him, he answered: “We are on a roll for something else. If we break records, it happens. But we want something else.”

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The previous record-holder was legendary Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, who played in the NFL from 1983–1999.

“That’s the biggest one,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said of the record. “I promise you, that’s the one Lamar is the most proud of and that’s one we’re all most proud of, absolutely.”

The Ravens are now 35-8 under Jackson over the last four seasons. In that time, the superstar quarterback has thrown for 8604 yards, 76 touchdowns, and 21 interceptions. Being one of the best duel-threat quarterbacks of all time, Jackson has also rushed for 3247 yards and 21 touchdowns during his career.

Earlier this week, Louisville announced that the school is retiring Jackson’s number.

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Joe Budden threw shade at Rory and Mal on his Instagram story, Sunday, following the news that Budden’s former cohosts inked a lucrative podcast deal with SiriusXM’s Stitcher through the More Sauce label.

“They’ll question your character once you stop taking care of them,” Budden wrote over a black screen on his story.

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Budden, Rory, and Mal had an infamous falling out, earlier this year, which resulted in the latter two leaving Budden’s podcast.

Earlier this week, Vulture profiled the two podcasters, revealing the massive deal, rumored to be worth as much as $10 million.

“There were a lot of things we wanted to do in the old show that we weren’t able to because we just didn’t have as much control after a while,” Mal told Vulture. “Looking back, that was the beginning of the end. Honestly, all that started when everytime we wanted to try something, the energy around it would just be like, ‘Ehh, I don’t know.’ Despite the fact that this is our show, you know what I mean?

He continued: “And then there were also a lot of business meetings that were happening that we didn’t know about. Coming out of all that was a blessing, because now it’s literally just Rory and myself having conversations about what we creatively want to do. Stuff that before would not have seen the light of day because the energy around it was just, ‘Ah, I don’t know, let’s think about that, let’s come back to that.’ It was never, ‘Yes, let’s do it, let’s try.’ With just Rory and myself, it can happen so freely now.”

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If you’ve kept up with the whole Tiger King fiasco that kicked off at the beginning of the pandemic, you’re probably familiar with the name Jeff Lowe. The giant cat keeper took over for Joe Exotic when the latter was imprisoned, but now it looks like Lowe is getting the boot from Tiger King park.

Legal documents obtained by TMZ reveal that Lowe allegedly owes over $10,000 in unpaid rent and other damages. It’s expected that he pay the fine and remove himself from the premises by noon on October 22nd.

Sources told the gossip site that Lowe’s wife, Lauren, turned up to court to represent him, sharing that her husband was at home taking care of their sick kid. She asked the judge for an additional month before the family would be evicted, but the request was promptly shut down.

Back in June, PEOPLE reported that the couple had been arrested for DUIs just two weeks after the Oklahoma Zoo had been raided by federal authorities – talk about an unlucky streak.

The article reveals that Jeff and Lauren were both booked around 4 AM, and along with the alcohol-related charges, the former received one for changing lanes improperly. Things may be looking bleak right now, but it sounds like Lowe has a plan. He told TMZ  that he plans to “move the zoo to a new, still to be determined, location.”

Back in September, the Tiger King subject also made headlines when he stepped up to the plate and offered to claim the body of his co-star, Erik Cowie, after he tragically died at just 53 years old. RIP.

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Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers went at it with Bears’ fans at Soldier Field in Chicago, Sunday, after rushing for a game-winning touchdown in the final minutes to give his team a 24-14 win.

“I own you, all my f—— life, I still own you, I still own you,” Rodgers yelled at the crowd.

As for why he did it he explained after the game: “Sometimes. you black out on the field — in a good way. I looked up in the stands and in the front row all I saw was a woman giving me the double-bird. So I’m not sure exactly what came out of my mouth next.”

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The future Hall of Fame quarterback has backed up his words in Chicago throughout his career, going 21-5 against the Bears during his illustrious 17-years in the league. In those games, Rodgers boasts a 57-10 touchdown-interception ratio. His 21 wins against the organization are his most wins against any opponent.

Rodgers finished the matchup, Sunday, with 195 yards and three total touchdowns.

The three-time NFL MVP and the Packers will face off against the Bears again on December 12th in Green Bay.

Check out Rodgers’ touchdown below.

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On October 17th, TMZ reported that a judge has denied former Empire actor Jussie Smollett’s request to have the 2019 criminal case against him thrown out. The 39-year-old faces charges of disorderly conduct after allegedly lying in police reports about what happened to him.

At the time, Smollett reported to have been jumped by two white men in red MAGA hats, saying that the individuals poured bleach on him, threw racist and homophobic remarks at him, and threw a noose around his neck. The actor kept the noose on until officers arrived, capturing the moment on footage via bodycam.

The investigation eventually revealed that Smollett was attacked by two Black men that he knew from his work on Empire – the Osundario brothers. As per TMZ, the pair admitted to have staging the entire incident at the request of their famous friend.

Smollett’s trial is set to begin on November 29th, and plenty of people have been sharing their opinion on the news, including 50 Cent. “Yeah he smiling but he crying inside. SMH he was trying to shine, it’s hard to shine when I’m out here,” the rapper captioned an Instagram post.

“Empire who? Empire how? Empire where? LOL ITS THE POWER UNIVERSE Green Light Gang.”

Back in 2019, we reported that 50 Cent had theories about Smollett staging the incident so that his show, Empire, would beat 50’s, Power, and it seems that he still feels the same way now.

If you’re looking for more information about the Jussie Smollett case, be sure to read one of our first stories on the incident.

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