New Hip Hop News

Florida rapper 9lokkNine was reportedly arrested this week on RICO and racketeering charges. He is reportedly being held on a $750,000 bond. 

This is the latest in a string of legal difficulties involving the Florida rapper. This year, the Cash Money-affiliated rapper was arrested on five counts of attempted murder. He was seemingly released a few months after his arrest before being arrested again on RICO charges. According to the legal documents, 9lokkNine was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office on racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering charges. 

The 21-year-old may not be able to find a way out of this one. RICO charges are very serious — we’ve seen everybody from Tekashi 6ix9ine, Casanova, Hoodrich Pablo Juan, and others get locked up on racketeering charges. 9lokkNine has a long criminal history and as a repeat offender, the court likely will not go easy on him. We will continue to keep you updated as more information is released.

9lokkNine is best known for the hit record “223’s” with YNW Melly. He has been compared to the likes of Kodak Black, making a lot of noise around Florida as one of the brightest rising stars from the Sunshine State. Hopefully, he can get this situation sorted out so he can continue to make his dreams come true.

In just a month from now, some of the best athletes in the world will be headed to Tokyo, Japan for the Summer Olympics. The best players in the NBA will be representing their countries and it should lead to some incredible basketball. Over the past couple of days, superstars like Kevin Durant and James Harden have all committed themselves to the team, while the likes of Steph Curry have been at home contemplating their next move.

After weeks of going back and forth, Curry has decided to not pursue the Olympics and instead, prepare for next season with the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have missed two straight postseasons and it’s clear that Curry wants to turn the tide and bring the Warriors back to prominence. 

For some players, the Olympics pose too much of a risk as there is potential to get badly injured. No one wants to have their season messed up because of an injury in a tournament that took place outside of the NBA’s jurisdiction, and Curry’s latest decision is further proof of that.

Despite Curry’s absence, the U.S. Olympic team is poised to be the tournament’s favorite and there will certainly be some superstar talent headed to Japan. Moving forward, it will be interesting to see who else Team USA is able to secure, and whether or not more players will side with Curry.

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Polo G and Migos just faced off in a battle for the #1 spot on the Billboard 200, which was awarded to the Chicago rapper after a solid first week of sales for his third studio album Hall Of Fame. Beating out Migos’ Culture III album, the Atlanta-based trio ended up at the #2 spot with a strong first week, setting the tone for the next week of new music.

After getting two potential AOTY contenders a few weeks ago, hip-hop fans had more to listen to this weekend with new music from Gucci Mane, YSL Records’ Unfoonk, newcomer Dro Kenji, GoldLink, and more being released. Every week, our editorial staff mulls over our favorite drops of the last few weeks, shining a light on our personal playlist picks for a complete look at what we’ve been listening to from our home offices. After Friday’s releases, you’ll see a few common themes from each of our editors with H.E.R. having a pretty popular album, Migos still dominating after a week, and the new singles from Vince Staples and Isaiah Rashad earning multiple picks on the latest playlist update.

This week’s playlist starts off with Tyler, The Creator’s new single “LUMBERJACK” before leading into more of the new music that was released last week, including picks from Kodak Black, Don Toliver, OMB Bloodbath, and more.

Check out all of our individual selections below and let us know who has the best taste in music. 

Alex Zidel (Editorial)

Unfoonk & Young Stoner Life – Bait Em In (feat. Lil Keed)
Kodak Black – Feelin’ Peachy
Dro Kenji – SUPERSTAR
Migos – New Money
Polo G – Bloody Canvas

Alex Cole (Editorial)

Don Toliver – Drugs N Hella Melodies (feat. Kali Uchis)
H.E.R. – We Made It
H.E.R. – Trauma (feat. Cordae)
H.E.R. – Bloody Waters
H.E.R. – Paradise (feat. Yung Bleu)

Cole Blake (Editorial)

Tyler, The Creator – LUMBERJACK
Little Simz – Rollin Stone
Vince Staples – LAW OF AVERAGES
GoldLink – Raindrops (feat. Flo Milli)
H.E.R. – Trauma (feat. Cordae)

Erika Marie (Editorial)

H.E.R. – Find A Way (feat. Lil Baby)
Isaiah Rashad – Headshots (4r Da Locals)
Vince Staples – LAW OF AVERAGES
Travie McCoy – A Spoonful of Cinnamon

Rose Lilah (Editorial)

Ruth B. – Sweet Chamomile
H.E.R. – Bloody Waters
Vince Staples – LAW OF AVERAGES
Migos – Jane

Mitch Findlay (Editorial)

Isaiah Rashad – Headshots (4r Da Locals)
Migos – Working A Fool
Tyler, The Creator – LUMBERJACK

Aron A. (Editorial)

Tyler, The Creator – LUMBERJACK
Gucci Mane – Top Of Shit (feat. 2 Chainz & Young Dolph)
Migos – New Money
Kojey Radical – 2FS
Portion – Ties

Joshua Robinson (Editorial)

Tyler, The Creator – LUMBERJACK
Vince Staples – LAW OF AVERAGES
KyleYouMadeThat – Poof Be Gone (feat Yung Baby Tate, YVETTE, and Cheerlebridee)
OMB Bloodbath – Don’t Do It
Migos – Menace

The release of Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” didn’t receive the same warm welcome as “Old Town Road” but that was largely due to the music video. The rising pop star faced backlash among conservative pundits and right-wing groups, among others, for giving the devil a lapdance and then, releasing the infamous Satan shoes. 

Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images

Lil Nas X sat down with Desus & Mero where they discussed the backlash he received from the video for “Montero” where he was being accused of being a negative influence on the youth. “I really just wanted to corrupt the youth — I’m kidding,” he told Desus & Mero who reminded him that there were far worse images on television in the 90s.

“Even when I was planning the video, I was like, ‘Oh, this is definitely going to hit Fox News,'” Lil Nas X said. “I definitely didn’t expect the outrage as much as it was at all, especially like, governors tweeting me…. It’s like, you don’t have anything better to do?”

As for the controversial sneakers, Lil Nas X explained that he didn’t realize that it would cause a massive storm on social media. He said that it was only meant for his fans who he believed would be the only people interested in purchasing the exclusive sneaker. 

“I don’t think anyone actually returned them,” Lil Nas X said of Nike’s cease-and-desist letter. “I can’t even get any more for my siblings and stuff, and so that sucks with the cancellation and what not, but I got my own pair so that’s good.” 

Check out the full interview below. 

Meek Mill’s recent freestyles has been a promising indication of where he’s going with his next album. It’s been nearly three years since the release of Championships, his first project after his last bid in prison. The anticipation was high, and Meek certainly delivered on expectations. However, he’s been hinting at its follow-up for a few years now without dropping a heap of music.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Last month, the rapper returned with his latest drop, “Flamers Flow” and its video which included a cameo from Bobby Shmurda. Given their mutual affinity for Jahlil Beats’ production, it seems inevitable that they’d be locking in the studio.

Earlier today, Meek hit the ‘Gram with a brand new clip of a recent studio session he had where Bobby Shmurda and his fellow Shmigo compadre, Takeoff, were in attendance. While the production wasn’t handled by Jahlil Beats, DJ Durel slid through with a massive stadium-ready beat for Meek and Bobby to rip through. 

The recently slew of releases from Meek seems to be a promising sign that a new album is on the way. Ross recently revealed that the entire MMG family is putting in work towards their forthcoming studio albums including his two star pupils. “Everybody’s cooking up right now. Everybody in the studio is working on their projects—Meek, Wale,” Ross told Complex News.

Check the snippet below. Are you excited for new music from Meek? 

There’s a search underway for a group of individuals responsible for the kidnapping of a young waitress in New Jersey. According to ABC News, the waitress was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted after chasing down a group of people who attempted to dine and dash. Police said that the incident took place on Saturday, June 19th at Nifty Fifty’s in Washington Township, New Jersey. 

The 20-year-old waitress served a group of five people who had allegedly tried to walk out on a $70 bill. The police said that she was abducted for a short time after following the group and put in a Dodge Durango.

“They pulled her into the vehicle and assaulted her inside the vehicle,” Washington Township Police Chief Patrick Gurcsik said. “The vehicle headed north on Route 42, made a U-turn and was heading south towards Monroe Township, and pushed her out of the vehicle.”

The woman was able to run back to the Nifty Fifty’s where she called the police. She was later taken to a hospital where she was able to get treated for the number of bruises she suffered and a potential concussion. She has since been released.

Gurcsik urged employees at any company to refrain from chasing suspects. Instead, he said to take down their license plate and call the police.

The suspects are still at large. 

[Via]

While Eli Manning certainly had his shortcomings at the quarterback position, there is no denying the fact that he’s a legend in the city of New York. He led the Giants to two Super Bowl victories and both of them came against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots. He always seemed to have their number and his performances in big games will always be something that football fans will remember him by.

Coming into this season, Manning has been hired by the Giants in a new role that will see him become the head of fan engagement. The Giants announced the news today and they also revealed that Manning will have his number retired in a ceremony on September 26th. He will also be placed in the team’s ring of honor, and as Manning explained, he’s overwhelmed by the honor.

Elsa/Getty Images