New Hip Hop News

The era when Death Row Records was running the music industry is hailed as one of the best for Hip Hop. Yet, when you ask people who lived through that time as they ran in label-affiliated circles, the Row’s intimidating approach to business dealings wasn’t always welcomed. Still, Suge Knight and his Death Row crew were one of the most respected, and successful, collectives in the industry, but it all began crumbling as legal troubles rolled in and, of course, with the callous murder of Tupac Shakur in 1996.

Those old Death Row stories feature an unlikely figure as Keyshia Cole was around 12 or 13-years-old when she began spending time with the label. Death Row producer Kurt Kobane recently said in an interview that even at that age, Keyshia was allegedly running things. Last August, Keyshia shared in an interview that she and Tupac were friends, and immediately prior to him being killed, he allegedly told her that he planned on leaving Death Row and working out a deal with Quincy Jones.

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“I actually did know [Tupac.] He wanted to sign me to Quincy [Jones] when he was with Kidada, Quincy’s daughter, and he was gonna leave Death Row and go to sign with Quincy. He wanted me to go over there because he said that Death Row was not the place for kids,” she said at the time. However, in a recent interview with The Art of Dialogue, Death Row singer Danny Boy calls foul on that statement.

“He ain’t told her sh*t,” said Danny. “Everybody was close to Pac when he died. Everybody. That’s all you hear. That’s what people do. But Keyshia went up—Pac went up to her. How old was she? Twelve, 13-year-old? He let her hear some sh*t that could have really got him hurt? He wasn’t just gon’ walk and say anything about anybody, especially, ‘I’m finna leave Suge’ in front of a 13-year-old.”

“He ain’t told her sh*t like that.” Danny Boy also said that Pac wouldn’t go to Quincy Jones because the legendary music producer has never entered into the Rap game. According to Danny, it wouldn’t have made sense for Pac to even entertain the thought. He did, however, co-sign Tupac’s love for Kidada and said he was convinced they would one day get married. 

Check out the clip of Danny Boy’s interview below.

The three-day Memorial Day Weekend may be over for the U.S., but photos of Drake’s star-studded shindig are just surfacing online. The rapper knows how to party with his famous friends in exclusive locations, and this time Drizzy was once against photographed in Los Angeles. The OVO mogul has been hard at work crafting his highly-anticipated Certified Lover Boy project, but in true Drake fashion, he knows how to make time for a little rest and relaxation.

According to OK! Magazine, Drake and Co. were spotted in Santa Monica grabbing late-night grub at Giorgio Baldi before heading over to SHOREbar.

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Over at SHOREbar, G-Eazy was snapped by the paparazzi outside as he took a few minutes to sign autographs for fans. Kehlani was also at the get-together and dodged cameras as she made her way inside. Now that the holiday celebrations have subsided, Drake fans are still waiting for the moment that Drizzy will drop more news about his anticipated record. 

There have been rumors about the project, including an alleged CLB truck that was seen on the highway. With everything still up the air, for fans at least, the summer takeover is inevitable and we’ll keep you updated as news progresses. Meanwhile, check out a few photos below.

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A shooting in Miami caused DaBaby to be named in reports, but after questioning, the North Carolina rapper was sent on his way. The incident occurred yesterday (May 31) evening in South Beach outside of Prime 112 nightclub. There weren’t any fatalities reported but it was said that two people were injured during the fray. Multiple reports stated that DaBaby was released from police custody after it was learned that he allegedly fired off a shot during the incident, however, it was reportedly in self-defense.

There were also reports that members of the rapper’s entourage were also being questioned, including 21-year-old North Carolina rapper Wisdom Awute. This evening (June 1), TMZ updated their report about the case to state that Awute and another man named Christopher Urena have been arrested in connection with the shooting.

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“In less than 24 hours, Miami Beach detectives were able to ensure those responsible for the shooting were arrested and charged,” said Ernesto Rodriguez, Miami Beach police spokesman. “We will now work closely with the State Attorney’s Office to ensure a successful prosecution.”

TMZ reports that Awute allegedly “fired at least one shot” while victims attempted to run, hitting one of them in the leg. Urena was allegedly seen shooting a victim in the back. The victim who was struck in the leg was reportedly treated and released, while the victim hit in the back remains in hospital care and is rumored to be paralyzed.

Attorney Drew Findling, the lawyer who is also handing YFN Lucci’s murder and racketeering case, told the outlet, “Mr. Kirk has been released by the police. No criminal charges have been filed against him.” The Miami Herald detailed the story police received regarding the incident.

According police report on Awute, two men were trying to get in their car at around 11:20 p.m. Monday in front of the restaurant when they got in fight with “a famous musical entourage.” That’s when the rapper pulled out a gun, the victim told police. Awute then shot one of the two men in the right calf, police said. The victim was then able to identify Awute as the shooter, police said in the report.

The NY Daily News reports that Awute is signed to DaBaby’s Billion Dollar Baby label. Awute and Urena both reportedly face a slew of charges including attempted murder.

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In almost every career field, the topic of mental health is buzzing. We’ve heard much about it in the sports world, especially among football players who suffer from CTE, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. This week, the subject of mental health took center stage once again after Naomi Osaka decided to pull out of the French Open altogether after receiving a fine for not appearing for the press junkets. She’s been praised by her competitors and fellow athletes around the globe, and Mike Tyson recently revealed to Reuters that he has an unconventional way of dealing with his mental health struggles.

The Brooklyn boxing icon spoke with the publication about using psilocybin mushrooms, or magic mushrooms, and how he’s used them to combat the issues that he’s dealt with. The change Tyson has gone through mentally and spiritually is partially thanks to his dosing, he said.

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“Everyone thought I was crazy, I bit this guy’s ear off,” the boxing legend said of his infamous 1997 match with Evander Holyfield. “I did all this stuff, and once I got introduced to the shrooms … my whole life changed.” Medical professionals have often spoken against people using such substances without a professional’s guidance because many users have experienced adverse effects that have permanently altered their reality or mental state.

Yet, Tyson sings shrooms praises. “To think where I was – almost suicidal – to this now. Isn’t life a trip, man? It’s amazing medicine, and people don’t look at it from that perspective.” Last year, Tyson appeared on the Impaulsive podcast and ate a few shrooms on camera. You can check that out below. Are you for or against the use of “magic mushrooms”?

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She knows how to steal the show, whether on stage or online. Anytime Rihanna appears on social media, fans across the world can’t help but take notice, and once again the Pop icon is attempting to break the internet. It’s not an unfamiliar sight to see RiRi wearing next-to-nothing while posing for flicks on Instagram. The Fenty mogul often pops up in lingerie from her brand, and she kicked off June with a sexy post where she shows off her curves while wearing a yellow thong.

Viewers got an intimate look at Rihanna’s shape as she put the two-piece on display, and she even gave a cheeky peek when she posted a photo of her bending over. Still, you know fans were still questioning the singer about her next project.

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Unsurprisingly, the likes, comments, and reshares came in by the tens of thousands. She received compliments from 50 Cent’s Girlfriend Jamira Haines, Dreezy, Theophilus London, Duckie Thot, Christina Milan, and many others.

“Been 3 mins of thinking of a caption… I ain’t got sh*t to say,” Ri penned in the caption. It’s clear that her lingerie look said it all. Meanwhile, fans as still awaiting news regarding Rihanna’s forthcoming anticipated album, and in recent months it has been rumored that she’s been locked in the studio with The Neptunes.

Check out Rihanna’s poses along with a few lovingly pesky music requests from her fans below.

A Hip Hop icon is grieving the loss of a loved one and the streets are being called on. J. Prince has been a legend in the Rap industry since founding Rap-A-Lot Records in the late 1980s, and whenever there is someone in need, especially in Texas, it’s well-known that people can call on J. Prince for help. He often flies under the radar and doesn’t get involved in the he-say-she-say that artists are often entangled in, but he came forward on Tuesday (June 1) to share tragic news about his nephew’s murder.

Prince took to Instagram to share both grief and ire. “Houston We Have A Problem To Solve!” he penned in the caption of a photo of himself with his nephew. “There are a few renegade young punks, who went into one of my boys’ garage and shot my unarmed nephew in his heart and killed him.”

“These clowns have no principles, with an ‘anybody can get it’ type of attitude,” he continued. “I wish I could go back to the western days and put a ‘WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE- MILLION DOLLAR REWARD’ on them but that’s illegal, so I won’t do that. To all the real ones in every hood in H-Town, let’s not wait on the police to solve every problem for us. We have legal rights that need to be exercised to protect.”

Prince added that he has “NO respect” for anyone “around the world” who has given themselves the title of “gangstas” but acts in this behavior. “Killing unarmed, innocent people at nightclubs, homes, schools, malls, restaurants, churches or wherever!” He did call on “real n*ggas around the world” to unify in order “to deal with these bad apples.”

“This is weak sh*t NOT gangsta!… Reap what you sow!” Read through his message in full below. We send our sincerest condolences to J. Prince and his loved ones during this difficult time.

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After enjoying a short taste of freedom, YFN Lucci was back behind bars. Earlier this year, the Georgia rapper was arrested in connection with a murder that occurred in Atlanta, and after posting bond under strict conditions, Lucci was re-arrested in mid-May. For the case, Lucci was named in a 105-count indictment involving alleged gang activity, felony murder, and racketeering. His attorney has denied all accusations of gang association.

“He’s not a gang member,” said attorney Drew Findling at the time. “What he is is an internationally recognized musical artist that is a triple platinum winner, that has performed all over the United States and all over the world.”

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Hours ago, WSBTV reported that YFN Lucci has been denied bond by a Fulton County judge. “My client is, your honor, an incredibly successful artist that is very well known nationally and even internationally,” Finding reportedly said in court on Tuesday (June 1). The judge stated, “The defendant will remain in a no-bond status at this time. Additionally, this court revokes any bonds previously issued in this case.”

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis reportedly revealed that a YouTube music video that the rapper appears in will be used as evidence in the case against him. It’s said that 11 others have also been named. 

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“We think it sends of very strong message to the public that no matter who you are, you have to follow the law and the rules, and you will be evaluated the same,” Willis said. “We’re working this case so hard because, as you know, I have taken a very strong stance against gangs. It’s causing a great deal of violence in our community.”

Prosecutors claim that Lucci drove his Maybach SUV along with two associates who are allegedly gang members into rival gang territory. A “gun battle” reportedly occurred and a James Adams was shot and killed. Authorities stated that Adams’s body was “dumped from the Maybach” not far from the scene.

“There are individuals outside gathered at the back of a car playing chess, holding a baby,” Fulton County Deputy District Attorney Cara Convery said. Check out a clip from Lucci’s hearing below.

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Just two days before Christmas, Gucci Mane and Keyshia Ka’Oir welcomed their baby boy, Ice Davis, into the world. This is the first child for the happy couple and they’ve taken to social media to share adorable images of their little boy. However, this isn’t Gucci’s only child, as the proud father also has a 14-year-old son. The rapper recently chatted with Billboard about parenthood and detailed why Baby Ice feels as if he’s a first-time dad.

Gucci explained that he found out about his eldest son when the boy was just one year old. “Me and the mother were kind of like strangers,” he said. “I never knew how much attention you got to pay to a baby. It’s not easy.”

“It’s a great thing and I love it, but it’s definitely challenging to be a parent.” Gucci’s artistry will also reflect the changes in his life, especially as a father. “I always want my music to talk about what was going on in my life, and the most important thing in my life now is my son.”

Keyshia added, “For maybe the first four weeks, [Gucci] put him to sleep every night on his chest by himself. He’s a great dad.” Check out a few adorable shots of Baby Ice Davis below.

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