New Hip Hop News

As authorities in Atlanta attempt to make sense of the traumatic losses of eight people, the public is calling for an end to violence again Asian Americans. Weeks ago, Robert Aaron Long took responsibility for the shooting deaths of several spa workers in the Atlanta area, six of whom were of Asian descent. There has been a global call for citizens to stand against hate toward Asian communities, and Megan Thee Stallion partnered with Fashion Nova to donate to the cause.

Megan announced the collaboration on Instagram with a post that states she and the brand have linked with journalist and activist May Lee to give a significant contribution of $50,000 to the Asian Americans Advancing Justice organization’s Atlanta chapter. “I am heartbroken by the loss of eight individuals taken from their families on March 16 in a senseless, violent attack against Asian Americans,” wrote the rapper.

“To honor the memory of these victims, @FashionNova and I have partnered with the journalist and Asian activist @mayleeshow on a $50,000 donation to @advancing_justice_atl who work tirelessly to protect the civil and human rights of Asian Americans in Georgia and the Southeast,” she continued. “We stand in solidarity with all Asian Americans in saying that enough is enough. #StopAsianHate #StandWithAANHPICommunity.”

Check out her post below.

Jason Derulo and girlfriend Jena Frumes surprised fans this weekend when they announced that they would be expecting their first child together. Jason and Jena made the announcement via an Instagram video, which featured the two spending time together at the Baha Mar Resort in the Bahamas. The video is set to Robin Thicke’s “Lost Without U,” and a message written in the sand at the end of the video reads, “Coming soon.”

It’s unclear exactly how far along Jena is in her pregnancy or what the due date of the baby is, but she is clearly showing. Many fans were quick to comment that, due to how beautiful both parties in the couple are, their baby will be inheriting some pretty stellar genes. 

“That is going to be one gorgeous baby…congrats,” said one commenter. “The GENES this kid is inheriting are just unheard of,” said another. Some also noted that the two will likely parent very well together, commenting, “Omg congratulations! going to be the most incredible parents!!!”

Jena also posted a video of the couple on the beach, alongside the adorable caption, “Mom & Dad.” How sweet.

Congrats Jena and Jason! Check out their video announcement below.

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Before he even turned 21, Tay-K, real name Taymor McIntyre, was sentenced to 55 years in prison. The young rising rap star was convicted on murder charges, but his loved ones are hoping that the system reevaluates the case and establishes that Tay-K is innocent. We’ve continuously reported on Tay-K’s case as we’ve learned of new developments, and recently, the young rapper’s sister, Kayla Renee, penned a lengthy Facebook post detailing exactly why she believes her brother is innocent. According to Kayla, the facts speak for themselves and point to someone else being responsible, not her brother.

“He was charged and convicted of a murder that he did not commit at the age of 15, he had no weapon, he was the second youngest codefendant other than a young girl, (who’s free),” wrote Kayla. “He was in no room where anything violent happened matter of fact he wasn’t even in the home! This is all a matter of destroying and tampering w a young boys in order image to teach other rappers… (matter of a fact it’s deeper than that) other black young men a lesson.”

Kayla claims that investigators know the person who pulled the trigger and it wasn’t Tay-K. “Every codefendant testified to these facts!” she added. “They believe that Taymor should have ‘anticipated’ on another mans actions who he was no where near and had no idea of what was goin on, couldn’t even stop if he had the chance because he didn’t know!”

She also took aim at the media who she said has “been controlling in narrative w his case for 4 years” and because the rapper didn’t have a publicist or a team working by his side, Kayla believes public opinion has been swayed. “Taymor is innocent. Texas is racist!” Read through her post in its entirety below.

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Families are mourning the deaths of two people who lost their lives in Virginia Beach last Friday (March 26). It’s reported that separate altercations in the resort area caused deaths and multiple injuries; first, two groups arguing escalated into a fight that resulted in at least five men opening fire. One of the suspects, 18-year-old Nyquez Tyyon Baker, reportedly admitted to shooting into a nearby crowd before handing the gun off to someone else. Bad Girls Club star Deshayla Harris was slain in a separate shooting in the resort area, as well, and Pharrell Williams recently shared that his cousin Donovan Lynch, was also killed in a third altercation nearby.

Matt Winkelmeyer / Staff / Getty Images

According to USA Today, 25-year-old Donovan was a former college football player who was well-liked. It’s reported that he was killed by a police officer but details are scarce. It has been stated that officers “encountered an armed citizen” but it was later added that a firearm was located “in the vicinity.” Whether or not that firearm belonged to Lynch has yet to be shared but it has been reported that the officer who killed Lynch didn’t have his body camera activated. Why? For “unknown reasons.”

“The loss of these lives is a tragedy beyond measure. My cousin Donovon was killed during the shootings,” Pharrell wrote on Instagram. “He was a bright light and someone who always showed up for others. It is critical my family and the other victims’ families get the transparency, honesty and justice they deserve. Virginia Beach is the epitome of hope and tenacity and, as a community, we will get through this and come out even stronger.”

Check out his post below. We send our sincerest condolences to Pharrell and his loved ones.

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As the sound of “trap soul” begins to get bigger and bigger, Rod Wave is certainly among the artists leading the way. He’s grown a loyal and dedicated fanbase organically which has helped him become a massive star without actually seeming like he’s one. Nonetheless, the relatable content in his music has now earned him several more platinum and gold plaques to add to his collection.

Coming off of the release of his latest album, SoulFly, the rapper earned another 12 certifications from the RIAA for a slew of records. Among them are: “Rags2Riches” (2X Platinum), Pray 4 Love (Platinum), “Girl of My Dreams” (Platinum), “Green Light” (Platinum), “Dark Clouds” (Platinum), “Brace Face” (Gold), “Abandoned” (Gold), “Thief In The Night” (Gold), “Pray 4 Love” (Gold), “Fuck The World” (Gold), “Through The Wire” (Gold), and “Letter From Houston” (Gold).

It’s a massive feat for the rapper who’s currently looking at his highest sales week yet. SoulFly is expected to move upwards of 150K units in its first week which will likely help him hit the top spot on the Billboard 200. 

In other news, the rapper recently shared a thank you to Charlamagne Tha God who apparently pulled a few strings for a potential Ed Sheeran collab. We’ll keep you posted on any updates regarding that collaboration. Check out Rod Wave’s post below.