New Hip Hop News

Ja Morant and Anthony Edwards were engaged in one of the best battles of the entire season last night as Morant finished with 37 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds, all while Edwards came away with 42 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds. It was an incredible night for both of these players although, in the end, it was the Grizzlies who were able to come away with the big win.

For Edwards, this was a huge game in terms of the Rookie of the Year race as many believe he should now be a lock for the award. Of course, Morant won this same award last season and he knows what it takes to prove yourself on such a massive stage. In fact, Morant took to Twitter after the game where he congratulated Edwards on what was simply an amazing performance.

Heading into this season, there was a bit of slander going around when it came to this current crop of rookies. However, they have quickly proven to everyone just how strong the rookie class is, and it seems like there are three players who could realistically end up with the Rookie of the Year trophy.

Let us know who you would pick for Rookie of the Year, in the comments below.

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

There has been a lot of speculation regarding Nicki Minaj and her future in music. While she will always have an omnipresent glare over the rap game as one of its living legends, the all-time great emcee has been placing a focus on her family life in recent years, announcing her semi-retirement in 2019. 

Since then, we’ve lived through an entire pandemic so, obviously, the world is better when Nicki Minaj is an active artist. The Barbs (and plenty of other rap fans) have been discussing the potential for the Queen’s return in the coming weeks, theorizing that she could be coming with a new album soon. As far as Joe Budden is concerned though, he doesn’t think it’s the right time for her to drop.

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images 

Taking a contrarian stance on his podcast this week, Joe Budden butted heads with Rory and Mal, who said it might be time for Nicki to return to the game. After Mal suggested that Nicki should commence her comeback effort, Budden responded, “Did you not just hear everything we said about Khaled dropping during COVID? You want Nicki to drop right now? Nicki, I love you, I wish you and your family well, and that’s what I got.” Earlier in the conversation, Budden argued that the timing wasn’t right for DJ Khaled and he did not benefit from releasing an album last week. For what it’s worth, that exact album is being projected for a #1 debut on the Billboard 200.

Listen to what Joe Budden had to say below.

Jaden has always had a passion for music, art, and fashion, so it’s no surprise he has pursued all of these things to their fullest extent. After dropping a few albums, Jaden has now set his sights on the sneaker world and sustainability. He currently has two different shoes with New Balance, in the Vision Racer and the ReWorked version of the Vision Racer. Both of these models have vegan materials and so far, the chunky silhouette has been well-received by fans.

With the shoe’s success in mind, New Balance has been coming through with some brand new colorways and this Pink offering below is one of them. As you can see in the three images, the vast majority of the shoe is hot pink although there is some white and brown mixed into the sides as a way to deliver some contrast. It is definitely the flashiest colorway to be unveiled thus far and if you’re a fan of the silhouette, these might just be a must cop.

In terms of the release date, these are coming out on May 14th for $150 USD and can be found at Foot Locker, the New Balance Website, and the Greenhouse app.

Image via New Balance

Image via New Balance

Image via New Balance

When you adapt the nickname of “Certified Lover Boy” like hip-hop’s golden child Drake, you can get away with certain things that most of hip-hop’s toughest would probably be clowned for otherwise. Need an example? The Scorpion emcee is partnering with Uber Eats this Mother’s Day to give out free scented candles. Very smooth, Drizzy!

Image: Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images

Released through his fairly new candle line in partnership with Revolve called Better World Fragrance House, Drake decided to make this drop exclusive to his native Canadian fans who just so happen to order from his favorite local restaurants in the area. The featured scents will include clever fragrance names like “Sweeter Tings,” “Williamsburg Sleepover,” “Good Thoughts,” “Muskoka” and “Carby Musk,” which the latter Revolve described as a scent that, and we quote, “actually smells like Drake.”

Now listen, no one will give you too much flack for wanting to smell like Drake. In addition to his list of famous exes — Rihanna? J. Lo? HELLO?! — we’ll go out on a limb and assume that a smell-good by the name of “Sweeter Tings” must be able to give your nostrils something to sniff at. Better World Fragrance House will release each scent in a limited quantity beginning tomorrow (May 7) and extending until May 9.

Customers will have to order $50 or more worth of food from one of the restaurants listed below in order to qualify for one free candle:

In Toronto
Shoushin
Sushi Masaki Saito
Tachi (Assembly Chef’s Hall)
Sotto Sotto Ristorante
Pai
Byblos
Mamakas Taverna
Bar Koukla
Cactus Club Cafe

In Vancouver
Anh and Chi
Medina Cafe
West Oak
The Greek by Anatoli
The Greek Gastown
MeeT in Gastown
Vij’s

If the options above don’t work for you, Drake’s new Better World Fragrance House line will also be available via Postmates, betterworldfragrancehouse.co and in-store via Toronto’s KANDL.

Let us know if you’re trying to have mom dukes smelling like Drizzy this Mother’s Day Weekend by sounding off down in the comments section below:

Matt Barnes was known as one of the grittiest players throughout his era, and he was never shy to speak on getting into fights are wanting to beat someone up. With celebrity boxing becoming increasingly popular over the last couple of years, some have wondered if the retired NBA player would be willing to step in the ring against someone of his caliber.

For instance, Barnes was speaking to TMZ recently, where they brought up the concept of him fighting former NFL player Chad Johnson. As Barnes stated in the interview, he would certainly consider it although the only way he would truly do it is if there was a lot of money involved.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

“I do box but, to be honest with you, like, it’s not something that I really want to jump into, to be honest with you,” Barnes said. “To me, I’m kind of past that stage of my life. But, if it ever came across and the money was right, I’d consider it.”

Barnes Vs. Ochocinco would definitely be a lot of fun to watch but fans really shouldn’t be holding their breaths on this one. For now, they will have to stick to watching the Lamar Odoms of the world take on Aaron Carter.

[Via]