Vince Staples’ New ‘Are You With That?’ Video Illuminates The Unsettling Nature Of Surveillance

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Vince Staples has been back lately in a big way, even though he never left. The Long Beach-raised rapper is brutally honest enough to talk about the way the music industry monetizes people’s struggles, and on the heels of releasing his latest full-length album, Vince Staples, he’s shared another new video for “Are You With That?” The video follows up earlier singles like “Law Of Averages,” oh and an explosive LA Leakers freestyle, giving fans more of what they were hoping for in the lead up to the new project.

In the first half of the clip, Vince is portrayed under glaring spotlight in a number of mundane situations, doubling down on the unsettling nature of surveillance, and the way Black people are scrutinized in a specific way, especially those who grew up in neighborhoods like Vince did. In the second half, Vince portrays the process of burying and holding vigils for his friends in an even more explicit way, showing himself deeper and deeper in a grave each scene. Vince Staples came out last Friday, but it’s only one of several projects Vince is working on lately. He’s also previewed his graphic novel Limbo Beach and teased yet another new musical project, Ramona Park Broke My Heart to follow up this record. Check out the new video above and stream his new record here.

King Von Named By Police As 17-Year-Old Gakirah Barnes’s Killer: Report

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There have been rumors regarding the death of Gakirah “K.I.” Barnes for years, but only recently have authorities reportedly come forward to release documents about the case. Back in 2014, 17-year-old Barnes, who was reportedly a member of the Gangster Disciples, was shot nine times and killed in Chicago. The teen was a native of the city and had a reputation as someone who had killed over a dozen people, and she lost her life to the streets she was reportedly dedicated to. 

Following Barnes’s death, there were conversations about who the hooded figure was that shot her, and recently, reports have stated that the Chicago Police Department has released new information about Barnes’s case.

These newly shared documents show that witnesses reportedly named King Von, a reported member of the Black Disciples, as the alleged shooter who was responsible for Barnes’s death. “An unknown M/1 wearing a Grey Hoodie and Blue jeans approached the victims. The unknown offender then produced a handgun and began firing in the direction of the victims, striking all three. The unknown offender then was observed entering an unknown vehicle making good his escape,” the document showed.

The police also stated that the “investigation revealed that the victim was killed by Dayvon Bennett,” using King Von’s government name. The rapper was said to have been “positively identified” as the “offender,” however, there wasn’t enough evidence to tie Von to the slaying so charges against him weren’t filed.

Many people from Chicago have taken to social media to share that this was information that has been known since Barnes’s murder was first announced. Swipe below to check out more about this case.

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Rapsody, Tierra Whack & More Appear On Femme It Forward’s “Big Femme Energy Vol. 1”

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Music company Femme It Forward is gearing up to launch its new indie label. Ahead of its launch, they’ve delivered a brand new compilation with a kick-ass all-girl roster of music. Big Femme Energy Vol. 1 is a collection of original music from some of the most revered women in music right now such as Rapsody, Tierra Whack, Kiana Ledé, Lauren Jauregui, Baby Rose, Tayla Parx, and more.

“Big Femme Energy is an expression of the unique duality of power and delicacy. It’s about family, love, sisterhood, and the experiences that connect us as women,” Heather Lowery, executive producer of Big Femme Energy Vol 1., said. “It celebrates the power, and achievements of women and girls, while sharing stories of insecurities, vulnerabilities, and navigating mistakes, which every young woman can feel empowered by. It pays homage to those who came before us while paying it forward to those who will come after us.”

Rob $tone Connects With Too $hort On “Gossip”

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Rob $tone has been in go-mode in the past year. The rapper came through in 2020 with the release of Stone Cold and its deluxe edition. At the top of the year, he swiftly followed it up with Solitaire Stone. The fumes are still running high and Rob clearly isn’t letting up this summer. On Friday, the rapper returned with a brand new single titled, “Gossip.” The upbeat West Coast anthem includes an appearance from Bay Area OG Too $hort as well as Uce Lee. The song arrives shortly after he teamed up with Rubi Rose on “I Love It.”

Too $hort is still riding high off of his collaborative project with E-40, Ain’t Gone Do It/Terms And Conditions. The album dropped shortly after the two appeared on Verzuz together. 

Check out Rob $tone’s new single below.

Quotable Lyrics
Aye, look stop it
Ya lil n***as ain’t playin’ in the audience
Copyin’, they wanna take me out and box me in
I want a front page cover on my mom n’em

Soulja Boy Unleashes New Track “BOP!”

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If you’re a fan of Soulja Boy, chances are you’ve been enjoying the recent influx of music he’s been releasing. The rapper is still riding high off of “She Make It Clap,” the viral TikTok sensation that had everyone and their moms doing the dance. It was almost like 2007 all over again. The single, along with a new label deal, has opened up the gates for the release of his forthcoming album, Draco which is due out later this month.

Over the weekend, the rapper delivered a non-stop stream of music including a remix to his “Rick N Morty” freestyle featuring Rich The Kid. Now, he’s come through with a new track called, “Bop!” which was among several other tracks he dropped in a matter of days.

Check it out below.

Quotable Lyrics
She make it bop
I got my glock
N***a reach for my chain 
I’m shootin’ off top

Soulja Boy Issues Warning To “P*ssy N*gga” Who’s Been Talking About Him

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Clubhouse has attempted to crack down on people screen-recording conversations, but there doesn’t seem to be a way to get around it. For a time, social media couldn’t hear enough about the budding app, and while the buzz surrounding Clubhouse has dissipated, it’s still a popular place for celebrities and influencers to connect.

Recently, Soulja Boy reportedly made his way over to a Clubhouse room and called out an unidentified person who has gotten under the rapper’s skin. “I wanna say your name so bad p*ssy lil’ n*gga, but I can’t make you famous,” said Soulja. “I just can’t.”

Soulja Boy
Paras Griffin / Stringer / Getty Images

“You can have the clout from the other rappers, that’s cool, but you ain’t gon’ get it from me,” he continued. “I know that’s what you want, you want me to say your name, and I’m not. But just know, I ain’t forgot about you, boy. And I’mma get you. On god. I’mma get you, boy. Speaking on me in the interviews like you know me, n*gga. You don’t know sh*t about me. On god. It can go there. Anywhere, anytime, anyplace.”

Soulja Boy added that he “has the money” to “drop a whole million” on his foe’s “head.” He told his unnamed opp, “Don’t play with me.” Soulja didn’t appreciate the person mentioning his name and he let it be known that he’s not going to let it go.

Of curse, fans have speculated about who Soulja coul be talking about. Check out his clip from Clubhouse below.

Lion Babe Tap Trinidad James For “Get Up”

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It’s been nearly two years since the release of Lion Babe’s last album, Cosmic Wind. The New York duo’s genre-bending style has always been part of their appeal, especially in the way they can pull off unexpected collaborations. They’ve banked tracks with Raekwon, and Leikeli47. In recent times, they’ve also shared a few covers of some classics that they put their own unique spin to.

Lion Babe has been preparing for the release of their album Rainbow Child. This week, they shared a brand new single titled, “Get Up” which includes a guest verse from Trinidad James. “Get Up” follows the release of “Signs” and “Frida Kahlo.”

Check out the song below and keep your eyes peeled for more information on the release of Rainbow Child.

Quotable Lyrics
Baby you high, catfish fried
Please don’t let ’em kill your vibe
A queen, baby, let’s slide
404 to the 305

Vince Staples Shares “ARE YOU WITH THAT” Music Video

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Vince Staples is fresh off of the release of his new self-titled album. It’s the rapper’s first body of work in upwards of three years since dropping FM! It’s a succinct 10-songs in total that was led by the singles, “Law Of Averages” and “Are You With That?” The latter served as the second single of the project and now, has a brand new set of visuals. The artsy music video for “Are You With That?” captures cinematic shots of Vince Staples taking on the roles of people in his own neighborhood. It’s a Vince Staples world, literally.

The rapper recently spoke to Cultured Magazine about his new album. He explained that he largely tried to offer some sort of “clarity” for the listeners in terms of his own story.

“I’ve heard a lot of peers saying, ‘We want to know more about you,’ even though these topics are things that I’ve said before on previous projects,” he said. “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it, type shit. I’ve figured out how to make sure my music is on the right canvases that translate easily. You shouldn’t have to know rocket science to be able to listen to a song and appreciate it. I feel like I was going for difficulty more than understanding at a certain point. This is like a clarity moment for the listeners.” 

Peep his new music video above. 

Boosie Badazz Visits Hotel Where Whitney Houston Died: “Taking Me A Bath”

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Eight years ago, the death of Whitney Houston shocked the world. It was in February 2012 when the celebrated singer made appearances ahead of the Grammy Award ceremony, including visiting with Brandy and Monica to rehearse for Clive Davis‘s coveted pre-Grammy gala. Sadly, Houston was found unresponsive in her Beverly Hilton Hotel room, submerged in the bathtub. She was reportedly pronounced dead on the scene.

Houston’s family, friends, and fans have kept her legacy alive through memories and music, and Boosie Badazz recently wanted to share a Houston-inspired moment with his social media followers.

Boosie Badazz, Whitney Houston
Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images

“Taking me a bath,” said Boosie in a video shared on social media. “I’m like, four doors down from the room Whitney Houston died in, so I’m taking me a bath.” The rapper added, “This sh*t legendary. I love Whitney Houston. Four doors down from the room where she died in. So, I’m taking me a bath. Listen to Whitney. T.I.P. Whitney Houston.”

It looked as if Boosie was honoring Whitney Houston in his own way, but not everyone thought that filming himself in a bath was appropriate, especially considering that is how she died. The Louisiana rapper has repeatedly spoken about his love and admiration for Houston, so it doesn’t seem as if his intentions were disrespectful.

Years ago, the Beverly Hilton decided to “retire” the room where Houston passed away because there were too many people requesting the room in order to party there “like Whitney did.” Check out Boosie’s video below.

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Offset + Cardi B Tell Each Other How In Love They Are

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New York rapper Cardi B and Offset really love each other. Cardi B goes to her Instagram Story on their daughter Kulture Kiari’s birthday and shares a super gushy moment. The inseparable duo tell each other they love one another in such a cute and heartfelt way. Things quickly change from the gushy moment to […]