New Hip Hop News

At 63-years-old, Anita Baker should be enjoying the fruits of her decades of success in the music industry. Instead, she’s fighting for the rights to her own records. The legendary R&B star recently took her fight with her label public by asking fans not to stream her songs while she tries to secure ownership of her master recordings.

“Miraculously… i have out-lived *ALL, of my Artists Contracts They no longer ‘Own’, My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30 yr old, Mstrs are 2B Returned, 2 Me  Unfortunately, They’re gonna make me Fight 4 it. I’m Prepared, 2 do that. Please Don’t advertise/buy them ABXO,” Baker tweeted. 

Most major label contracts provide upfront financing for recording and releasing an album with the stipulation that the label retains ownership of the final product. Over the years, artists like Prince, Little Richard, and more have spoken out against these business structures, saying they deny artists the rights to their own creations. Black artists, in particular, have often watched their work deliver massive profits without reaping the financial benefits. 

In following tweets, Baker broke down rates of streaming services and even referenced streaming service giants as “thieves in the temple” who use her name and likeness for free advertising.

Since Baker’s tweet about boycotting her music, fans have rallied behind Baker to make sure she receives the money that she deserves. 

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Rick Ross has been sitting on his upcoming album Richer Than I’ve Ever Been for some time now, presumably putting the finishing touches on the anticipated project.

Last we heard a full-length effort from The Boss, it was on 2019’s Port Of Miami 2, a solid sequel to his acclaimed debut and home to some of his most personal music yet. Since then, Renzel has presumably made a whole lot more money — especially after renting his estate for the production of Coming 2 America — and we can’t wait to hear his new batch of luxury raps whenever they ultimately surface. Evidently, Renzel has been doing his part to liven up the waiting game, having recently taken to sharing snippets on social media.

 Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

First, Rozay offered a glimpse at a new song, one in which he spits a few bars over an Isaac Hayes sample. Now, he’s back with another peek at what’s to come, popping up with another snippet, this one produced by longtime collaborators Cool & Dre. “Time to let your man get it, fuck a pandemic,” he raps, over a lavish beat from the producers. “Big rims, n***a can you fuck with it? I’m talkin’ B.I.G, n***a how Puff did it / light shining on me like the Lord said / all white n***a like a coke head.”

Swearing to leave for Haiti after hitting the billion-dollar mark, it’s clear that Rick Ross is keeping his eyes on the prize. Don’t be surprised to see some more snippets from Richer Than I’ve Ever Been coming soon, as well as actual news on the project’s release date. Based on what you’ve seen thus far, are you looking forward to Rozay’s new album?

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As we reported yesterday Robert Aaron Long, the suspect in custody for the killing of eight people at three massage parlors in the Atlanta area, told police the parlor attacks were “for providing an outlet for his addiction to sex.” Long killed four people at Young’s Asian Massage, three people at Gold Spa, and another victim at Aromatherapy Spa. 

Although six of the victims were of Asian descent, Long claims there was no racial bias in the crime. Long was reportedly a client of the parlors he targeted. Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds stated, “During his interview, he gave no indicators that this was racially motivated,” adding,
“We asked him that specifically and the answer was no.”

Shortly after the crime, the Cherokee County sheriff’s office shared surveillance-video images from the scene, prompting Long’s family to contact the office, which reportedly helped lead to his capture.

Sheriff Frank Reynolds said, “They were very distraught,” adding the family has continued to cooperate in the investigation. 

Capt. Baker said Long admitted to the crime, stating, “Yesterday was a really bad day for him and this is what he did.” He explained, “It’s a temptation for him that he wanted to eliminate,” with the massage parlors representing “the temptation.”

Long planned to drive to Florida and continue his crime spree, but was caught about 150 miles south of Atlanta, according to the police.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms thanked law-enforcement officers for their quick work arresting him, “This could’ve been significantly worse. It is very likely there would’ve been more victims.”

Long bought a gun from Big Woods Goods in Holly Springs, the store told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The shop is now cooperating with law enforcement. A 9mm firearm was found when Long was arrested in Crisp County late Tuesday. Police are running forensic tests to determine whether it was used in the shootings.

Long faces four counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault. He is being held in Cherokee County with no bond. We will keep you updated on more information as the investigation continues. 

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At the beginning of March, Rod Wave blessed his fans with new music and released “Street Runner,” his first single of 2021 and the first song from his highly anticipated upcoming project SoulFly. To commemorate his return, the Pray 4 Love artist has revealed a creative way to continue interacting with the single weeks after its release: a full-fledged video game. In partnership with Krool Toys (who has also pumped out eccentric video game takes on Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red as well as Future and Lil Uzi Vert’s collab project Pluto x Baby Pluto), Rod Wave has launched a video game inspired by “Street Runner.”

Krool Toy’s video game rendition of Rod Wave’s latest single is now available to play for free on its official website, and it is also giving away a 1 of 1 game box as well as a custom “Street Runner” Gameboy Advance to play the video game on. In statements to Complex, both Rod Wave and the creative toy company shared comments about their left-field collaboration.

Commenting on how the meaning of his latest single influenced the design of the video game, Rod Wave said, “‘Street Runner’ is a personal song about the sacrifices I made to pursue this career that I have now. All while never forgetting about the family and loved ones I’m doing it for. This video game brings my story to life beyond the music.”

In regards to the “Street Runner” game’s nostalgic vibes, Stefan of Krool Toys explained, “When building out this game we really wanted to give people the feeling of being back in an arcade getting behind one of those old school sit-down racing games, as well as incorporate some elements from Rod’s home of Florida.”

If you’re feeling the creative new direction for Rod Wave’s “Street Runner” single, stay tuned for more updates as his forthcoming project SoulFly is set to drop on March 26.

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Soulja Boy is pretty peeved after Drake, who he infamously accused of stealing his flows bar-for-bar, word-for-word on his first single, linked up with Bow Wow and gave the former child star his flowers. The Toronto rapper said that without Bow Wow, there wouldn’t be a Drake. Soulja Boy is wondering why he wasn’t given that same treatment, reloading the clip on the current holder of the #1, #2, and #3 songs on the Billboard Hot 100.

Draaaakkeeee??? Draaaaakkkkeeeeee????? Soulja Boy is infamous for yelling out the world-famous rapper’s name a couple of times during his interview at The Breakfast Club, which prompted dozens of media headlines about his supposed beef with the artist. Telling the hosts of the radio show that he “taught Drake everything he knows” in early 2019, Soulja Boy is pissed off that Drake wouldn’t acknowledge his influence despite his willingness to show love to Bow Wow. He let his frustration be known on social media.

“That n***a drake is hilarious,” wrote Big Draco on Wednesday afternoon on Twitter. “Dude stole my whole bar then thanked bow wow.”

Drake was in Houston this week to celebrate his latest achievement on the Billboard Hot 100, joining Bow Wow and his OVO crew as he praised the young legend. “If it wasn’t for you, it wouldn’t be no me,” he said to Bow Wow. “That’s why I’ma rock with y’all forever.”

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Do you think Drake should give Soulja Boy his props too?