New Hip Hop News

DJ Olivia Dope, former co-host of See, The Thing Is –– a podcast on The Joe Budden Network — has come forward to share a twenty-six-minute video on her Instagram page, during which she accuses Joe Budden of sexual harassment.

“I am doing this video today to finally explain my departure from the See, The Thing Is podcast as well as the Joe Budden Network,” she begins, before explaining her hope that her message will be heard by those who have faced similar experiences.  

“On Jan. 18, 2021, Joe Budden sat in on a recording of the female-led podcast I was a part of and continuously made sexual, suggestive remarks to me that made me extremely uncomfortable as well as fearful of dampening the mood if I didn’t laugh along while he made those sexual remarks to me,” she states. “Those moments not only live on the internet forever, but it also forced me into the decision of quitting the podcast.”

Monica Schipper/Getty Images

“It was traumatizing, embarrassing, and I’ve decided that I have to speak up,” she continues. “Not only was it important for me to walk away from it, but it’s important to heal myself and probably help others in the future. This probably wouldn’t be the best situation to enter into, working with this person.” 

She cites a specific episode (16), proceeding to share timestamps of the incidents in question. “I’m going to start from 13:48, Joe calls me out saying I never reached out to him privately or personally,” she continues. “This information is important because it proves my lack of familiarity with this person. That’s what makes everything that transpired afterward so uncomfortable…At 13:34, there’s an edit, because Joe says him and I should speak more, because ‘he’s been wanting to fuck me since we met.’ 

“Everyone in the studio laughed uncomfortably while one of my co-hosts confirmed that to be true,” says Dope. “I am mortified by this revelation not only because it was done in front of the entire production staff but it was done while we were recording audio as well as visual…That scene was cut out…At 19:26 seconds, another edit happens because Joe makes another suggestion to having sex with me.” Her list goes on, and Dope accuses Budden of creating a “hostile work environment” by suggesting her co-hosts didn’t dress as “sexy” as her.

Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images 

After quoting several additional inappropriate comments, Dope notes that Budden asked for an on-air hug, a clip that has since begun to circulate on Twitter. “It’s unbeknownst to me until I actually watch back the episode that he was moving his hips while he was hugging me,” she states. “I laugh uncomfortably because I don’t know what else to do at that point. Everyone else is kind of chuckling, and I sit back down.” She notes that she made it clear she was uncomfortable, stating as much later on in the episode. 

“I am mortified that when you search Olivia Dope, the brand I have spent ten years building, that comes up,” she continues. “I am mortified that after I quit, I had to have a heart-to-heart conversation with the child I gave birth to, because she can find it on the internet, her friends can find it on the internet, her teachers, and say that’s your mother being belittled and sexually harassed and called a bitch.” 

As of now, Joe Budden has yet to respond to Olivia Dope’s allegations. He is currently in the midst of a tumultuous falling out with his former Joe Budden Podcast co-hosts Rory and Mal. Check out Dope’s full statement below. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by @oliviadope

TDE has the world waiting for new music to drop out of their camp and it seems that they’ve already begun rolling out what will be a massive year for them. SZA dropped some new music in late 2020 and Isaiah Rashad came through with a brand new single at the top of the month. Rashad’s single, “Lay Wit Ya” ft. Duke Deuce serves as the first single from his forthcoming album, The House Is Burning. 

 
Karl Walter/Getty Images 

It’s the fellas from Black Hippy that many day-one TDE fans are really hoping will drop something this year. It seems like a new album from Kendrick Lamar will be arriving this year but many have been wondering about Ab-Soul’s whereabouts. The Carson, CA rapper has been heavily hinting at his follow-up to Do What Thou Wilt.

Earlier today, Soulo shared a few thoughts on his timeline including his opinion on Coi Leray who he deems “the flyest right now.” He went on to praise A Black Lady Sketch Show as well as Tevin Campbell’s performance as Powerline in A Goofy Movie (classic). Before signing off, he left fans with a tidbit of information regarding his next release. “That’s all I got right now… Album comin soon…” he tweeted.

This wouldn’t be the first time he hinted at new music dropping this year. He shared a similar update at the top of the year before offering an update on Kendrick Lamar’s project. Check his tweets below. 

Travis Scott’s ascent to stardom hasn’t solely been off of the strength of his music. The rapper’s aesthetic has influenced a whole generation of fashionistas and sneakerheads. His collaborations with Air Jordan have produced some of the most sought-after sneakers in recent years which was apparently leveraged for his appearance at the Super Bowl. 

Rob Carr/Getty Images

Maroon 5’s Adam Levine recently appeared on Sneaker Shopping on Complex where he discussed his array of sneakers including the pair of family-and-friends exclusive Travis Scott x Air Jordan 4 in purple. “[Travis] literally DM’ed me one day … and he was like ‘Yo, you wanna do the Super Bowl?’,” Levine said. “I was like, sure you’re going to have to get me those purple friends and family [4s] and the new 1s.”

Levine joked that it was a quick exchange between the two artists which ultimately got him the Air Jordan 4s. “I literally said, ‘Yo, if you can get me those shoes, man.’ Not only would I like to do it, anyways, but if you get me those shoes, it’s done,” Levine added. 

The Maroon 5 frontman’s sneaker collection includes some other rare artifacts that were personally gifted to him. During the interview, he was rocking the Red Octobers which he said Kanye directly gifted him. However, Levine explained that he wasn’t even a sneakerhead at that point and had no idea of the value. He’s educated himself since and wore them for the first time on the show.

Peep the episode below. 

It might not feel like it given how reserved he tends to be, but Earl Sweatshirt is somewhat of a young veteran in the game. Having risen to stardom as Tyler, The Creator’s mischievous and filthy-minded right-hand man, Earl quickly won hearts and minds through sharp lyricism and clever flows. Since emerging onto the scene with his classic mixtape Earl, Sweatshirt has gone on to deliver several acclaimed studio albums, with many citing his 2018 effort Some Rap Songs as his creative peak. 

Despite boasting an impressive discography to his name and a loyal fanbase, Earl has never quite dominated at the numbers game. Not that he really needed to, being among hip-hop’s rare numbers of unapologetic auteurs. Still, the experimental ex-Odd Future emcee has recently hit a new commercial milestone, securing the first RIAA certification of his career.

Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images

As reported by Pigeons and Planes, Earl’s “Chum” has officially gone gold. Originally released in late 2012 as the lead single to his debut album Doris, the song arrived following a lengthy stint at a Samoa boarding school for at-risk teenagers. Lyrically, Sweatshirt opened up and brought fans into his life, speaking on his father’s absence and the impact it had on him growing up. He also spoke on his time at the boarding school, airing his frustrations at having his circumstances publicized in the media. Overall, “Chum” remains one of his essential songs, and it’s no surprise that it has withstood the test of time.

We’d like to extend our congratulations to Earl Sweatshirt for securing the first RIAA certificate of his career. Be sure to revisit “Chum” below.

WATCH: Earl Sweatshirt – Chum

During his latest interview with HNHH, Detroit rapper 42 Dugg hinted at the title of his upcoming studio album Free Dem Boyz. The project has been in the works for months and it finally looks like it’s time for the budding superstar to deliver the full-length, revealing to his followers that it arrives at the end of this week.

Dedicated to his friends that are locked up, as well as those that have tragically lost their lives, 42 Dugg seeks to make a grand impact with his next studio album. The 4PF and CMG-signed rapper has been teasing the body of work all month and on Monday, he finally announced the official release date.

“FREE DEM BOYZ OUT THIS FRIDAY 5/21,” wrote Dugg on Instagram. “I told y’all I was coming!!!!!!!!!! this Bitch so f*cking hard.”

The pre-save has hit all streaming services, revealing that the album will contain nineteen new songs, including the previously released “4 Da Gang” with Roddy Ricch, “Free Me,” and “Free Merey.” The cover artwork pays tribute to some of Dugg’s closest friends, including Woo, Skeet, Nell, Rico, and others.

Stay tuned for more coverage surrounding the album once it’s released on Friday. Let us know in the comments if you’re excited to hear new music from 42 Dugg.