New Hip Hop News

Ever since the death of Chicago rapper King Von last November, many have been paying their respects to the slain emcee in their own ways — tribute posts, unique fashion choices and even tattoos by way of ex-girl Asian Doll are just some of the ways we’ve seen him honored. However, we’ve yet to see a whole King Von-themed birthday party. 

Well, that’s until a dedicated 6-year-old fan decided to change all that.

Image: Prince Williams/Wireimage

The toddler in question resides in Pittsburgh, and based off pics from the party it looks like they had a ball while paying their respects to someone who was expected to do a lot for the Chi-Town rap scene. The birthday girl imitated everything from Von’s signature O Block chain to his highly-recognizable braids. The rest of her ‘fit was extra dripped-out as well, which included an all-white combination of hair beads, a super clean G-SHOCK watch, GUCCI bandana à la Soulja Boy and a classic King Von concert tee that was fitting from all aspects. We’re sure Von would’ve approved — just look at how him, 21 Savage, G Herbo and Metro Boomin went all out for 21’s ’70s-themed “Players Ball” Birthday Party last October (seen above)!

Now listen….before you go calling CPS on her parents for letting their child honor a “gangsta rapper” at her party, take a minute to think about who you were listening to at six! Sure, you can act like Kidz Bop was the only thing in your rotation, but we all know that DMX (praying for you still, king!) or another musician with heavy “Parental Advisory” vibes didn’t help soundtrack your childhood. In short, let shorty rock!

Check out this 6-year-old’s stylish tribute to King Von for her birthday party below, and let us know down below in the comment section if her parents should get a pat on the back or a slap on the head for this party idea. We say the former, but sound off with your thoughts: 

The rap game has been calling for Ralo’s release in more ways than one. Last week, it was reported that artists like Drake and Meek Mill signed off on a letter to President Biden asking to grant clemency for Ralo. “On behalf of Terrell Davis and his family, we strongly urge you to grant clemency for Mr. Davis, who is serving federal time for nonviolent marijuana offense,” the letter reads.

According to TMZ, it seems like the plea for Ralo’s freedom could come into fruition under the Biden administration’s clemency program that’s in the works. Activist Weldon Angelos joined TMZ Live today where he explained that the White House reached out to him regarding this program that would benefit non-violent cannabis offenses.

In the case of Ralo, who was charged on conspiracy charges after police said they discovered 444 lbs. of cannabis on his private jet, Weldon said the rapper was arrested “for violating the same federal statute many entrepreneurs and corporations violate every day in 36 states across the country, who are not subject to federal prosecution.”

Weldon explained that if Biden pulls through on this, he hopes that it would be on a larger scale of what happened during the previous administration. “If this clemency program is launched, this would apply to people like Ralo,” Weldon explained before mentioning some of Trump’s efforts.

Check the full video below.  

[Via]

When majority of female emcees come into the game, one thing is for certain: they’ll either praise Nicki Minaj in order to be embraced, compared to Nicki Minaj unrightfully or for some reason or another end up beefing with Nicki Minaj. Notice how the common factor here is, well, Nicki Minaj? That’s because many people consider her to be the current queen of hip-hop, both for her decade-spanning domination of the music game and ability to branch off into television, film, podcasting and other forms of lucrative media outside of rap realms.

It’s very understandable that an aspiring femcee like Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta star Akbar V would look to Nicki as the ultimate inspo, especially after said Queen co-signed your rap career via social media.

Image: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for The Met Museum/Vogue 

“This Alone let me know my talent don’t go unnoticed,” Akbar wrote as a lengthy caption on a recent IG post, which showed off a mention she received not too long ago from Nicki Minaj in reference to her skills. The caption continued with a boastful affirmation that “All that other shit you haters talking don’t be bothering me,” in addition to prompts to go stream her latest single “Right Now.”  Adding onto the braggadocio even more, Akbar continued her praise of Minaj by stating, “She never told y’all favs this though.” The Nicki Love Train kept pushing forward from there, with the reality star even writing, “She’s the only person matters when it comes to female rap she’s the #QueenOfRap this was wrote a minute ago to me and everytime i get discouraged i go look at this.” 

“Right Now,” which currently sits at just over 35,000 views on YouTube since it dropped a few weeks ago on Mar 26, isn’t a bad song overall. Also, she looks pretty stunning in the official music video. We say, keep grinding! Let us know down in the comments what you think of “Right Now” by Akbar V though, and whether or not you could see her dropping a collab with Nicki Minaj sometime in the hopeful future:

One has to wonder whether or not Lil Nas X knew exactly what he was sitting on prior to the release of “MONTERO’s” controversial video. There stand many who appreciate what Lil Nas X brought to the table with “MONTERO,” rewarding the pop sensation with yet another number one record on the Billboard Hot 100. On the other hand, the song has reached undeniable levels of infamy, with Lil Nas X’s Satanic lapdance and subsequent tie-in shoe release having drawn the ire of public figures and rappers alike.

Rich Fury/Getty Images

Following the height of “MONTERO’s” release, as well as the alarming hospitalization of DMX, Detroit rapper Sada Baby responded by sparking a controversy of his own. “Lord we said Lil Nas X, not DMX,” wrote the rapper, an Instagram post that ultimately earned Sada no shortage of backlash and accusations of homophobia. Lil Nas X himself actually responded to a report on Sada’s post, writing “this is so fucked up omg” before encouraging fans to keep “MONTERO’s” momentum strong. 

Now, Sada has come forward to clear the air, taking to Instagram to address the backlash he’s been receiving since his initial post. “I said what I said in that post because of the shoes,” he begins, alluding to Lil Nas X’s MSCHF collaboration. “That’s it. The Devil shoes, the Devil in the video. Giving the Devil a lapdance. Wild, that shit crazy. That will never be no shit I sympathize with or empathize with or agree with. But I wasn’t wishing death on blood for real, nobody want a n***a dead.”

“His main audience is kids,” continues Sada. “What you showing to kids is you giving the Devil a lapdance. I don’t want to walk in a room anywhere with any of my family and see my kids imitating what they see in that video in any way. That’s not something I agree with. But yeah, I apologize to Lil Buddy if he feel I wanted him dead.”

Check out Sada Baby’s message regarding Lil Nas X below. 

We’ve all been missing the live show experience but hopefully, we’ll soon be able to connect with some of our favorite artists soon. With the vaccine rollout taking place across the country, more artists are taking the leap and announcing tour dates for this fall. The latest being Lil Tjay who is fresh off of the release of his latest project, Destined 2 Win,and plans on hitting the road this fall on his tour of the same name.

Jerod Harris/Getty Images

The 27-date tour is set to kick off in Salt Lake City on June 4th before performing in Phoenix, AZ the next day. However, the remainder of the tour dates will be taking place towards the end of September when he touches down in Nashville, TN. Clearly, the rapper is expanding the tour to touch across pockets of the globe that hasn’t been able to see him live due to the pandemic. Along with one Canadian date in Montreal, the rapper is hitting Europe for shows in Germany, Hungary, Belgium, and the UK.

Check the tour dates below. 

‘DESTINED 2 WIN’ OFFICIAL ­­­TOUR DATES
6/4 – Salt Lake City, UT @ The Complex
6/5 – Phoenix, AZ @ Marquee Theater
9/28 – Nashville, TN @ Marathon Music Works
9/30 – Norfolk, VA @ NorVA
10/1 – Baltimore, MD @ Rams Head Live
10/2 – Philadelphia, PA @ Fillmore
10/3 – Stroudsburg, PA @ Sherman Theater
10/6 – Montreal, CA @ MTELUS
10/8 – Buffalo, NY @ Venu
10/10 – Cleveland, OH @ Agora
10/13 – Detroit, MI @ Royal Oak Music Theater
10/14 – St. Louis, MO @ Pop’s
10/15 – Fort Wayne, IN @ Piere’s Entertainment
10/17 – Minneapolis, MN @ Skyway Theatre
10/28 – Anaheim, CA @ House of Blues
11/2 – Budapest, Hungary @ Akvarium
11/3 – Berlin, Germany @ Huxley
11/4 – Cologne, Germany @ Carlswerk Viktoria
11/7 – Stockholm, Sweden @ Fållan
11/8 – Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene
11/9 – Copenhagen, Denmark @ Amager Bio
11/10 – Brussels, Belgium @ Ancienne Belgique
11/12 – London, UK @ O2 Brixton
11/14 – Birmingham, UK @ O2 Academy Birmingham
11/16 – Manchester, UK @ Manchester Academy
11/23 – Providence, RI @ Strand Ballroom
11/24 – Wallingford, CT @ Oakdale Theater