New Hip Hop News

YNW Melly released his latest single a few weeks ago, dropping off “Thugged Out” with Kodak Black from behind bars. The catchy record unpacks the life that the two Florida rappers have chosen for themselves and it appears to be part of something larger for the currently incarcerated rapper, whose real name is Jamell Demons. Demons is presently facing the death penalty and is awaiting trial for the murders of his two friends YNW Sakchaser and YNW Juvy.

The 21-year-old rapper previously released his latest studio album, titled Melly Vs. Melvin, while in jail in 2019 and he may be gearing up to drop a second album from behind bars. 

On Wednesday night, YNW Melly took to his social media accounts to tease a new project, asking fans who they want to see him collaborate with. “Y’all miss me???” he asked. “Who wants a new Melly album?? Drop what collabs yall want to see in the comments n Ima get to it.”

Melvin has been hyping fans up for his eventual return home for the last two years, telling his supporters that he’ll “soon” be back with his family. His co-defendant YNW Bortlen was released on bond but Melly was denied.

Who do you want to see the young rapper collaborate with once he gets out? Are there any up-and-coming Florida rappers that you want to see him get on a song with?

The untimely passing of Chadwick Boseman last year left the entertainment industry, hardcore Marvel Cinematic Universe fans, and moviegoers in general speechless. After a private four-year fight with colon cancer, the star, known for his powerful historical roles as well as the transcendent role of King T’Challa in Black Panther, sadly passed away on August 28, 2020. Now, the long-awaited sequel to Black Panther is about to start production this summer, and prior to that, director and screenwriter Ryan Coogler has talked with The Hollywood Reporter about doing the impossible: making Black Panther 2 without Chadwick Boseman.

In the interview, Coogler touched on how much Boseman meant to the entire production and how difficult it would be to return to make the sequel without him.

“He was somebody who was so about the collective. Black Panther, that was his movie. He was hired to play that role before anybody else was even thought of, before I was hired, before any of the actresses were hired. On that set, he was all about everybody else. Even though he was going through what he was going through, he was checking in on them, making sure they were good. If we cut his coverage, he would stick around and read lines off camera [to help other actors with their performances].”

The acclaimed director also revealed that he thinks that the fallen icon would most definitely want the Black Panther team to keep pushing forward without him.

“It’s difficult. You’ve got to keep going when you lose loved ones. I know Chad wouldn’t have wanted us to stop,” Coogler said. “So it would be harder for me to stop. Truthfully. I’d feel him yelling at me, like, ‘What are you doing?’ So you keep going.”

Black Panther 2will commence filming this summer and premiere on July 8, 2022. The sequel is still being penned and directed by Ryan Coogler, and as previously reported, in light of recasting Chadwick Boseman’s role as T’Challa, it will explore the vast world of Wakanda & the beloved characters introduced in the first film.

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Following the release of Lil Nas X’s controversial “MONTERO” video, it feels as if the masses have been swept into a veritable “Satanic panic,” the likes of which has not been seen since Dungeons & Dragons launched in the seventies. The pandemonium was only enhanced following the announcement of the tie-in “Satan Shoe,” a collaboration with MSCHF that featured a Nike Air Max 97 customized to include a droplet of human blood and a generally devilish motif. 

 Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

Facing accusations of promoting satanism from clergymen, conservatives, and concerned parents alike — all of whom pelted the young melodist with their own take on fire and brimstone — Lil Nas X soon found himself in the midst of a full-blown controversy. The matter was made all the worse after Nike decided to unleash the legal eagles, suing MSCHF for trademark infringement on the basis that the Satan shoe misrepresented their brand; see Lil Nas X’s reaction to the lawsuit here. 

Now, a new report from AceShowbiz indicates that Nike is already seeing early success on the legal front, with a judge having recently granted a temporary restraining order preventing the production of MSCHF’s sold-out sneaker. In addition, the court order also indicates that MSCHF will not be able to utilize the Nike Swoosh or any other brand resemblances. It’s unclear what this means for the controversial sneaker, though it wouldn’t be surprising if these developing lawsuits only increase demand for the forbidden product.

Keep an eye out for further developments on Lil Nas X and MSCHF’s legal battle with Nike as it unfolds. 

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With the number of shootings that happen every single day in the United States, it’s probably best to stay away from any sort of shooting pranks on April Fool’s Day. DJ Quik must not have gotten the memo because, while he was on his way back home from the studio, the producer decided to give his fans the scare of a lifetime, revealing that he had gotten shot twice.

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“I’m on my way to the hospital,” said DJ Quik on Instagram Stories. “Someone just shot into my car 7-10 times on the freeway. I got hit twice. Pray for me.”

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Given the fact that, just recently, rapper Mo3 was killed in a shooting very similar to this, people were worried that DJ Quik’s life was in danger. CyHi The Prynce was also nearly killed after someone tried to run him off the road and fired shots into his vehicle. Three hours after posting that he had been shot twice, DJ Quik revealed that he was joking the entire time…

“Oh Yeah… APRIL FOOL,” he wrote with a winky face. We’re cool with fake news about a Jay-Z album or swapping out sugar with salt, but this sort of prank is just so unnecessary, especially with the current social climate in the country.

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Do you think DJ Quik should have thought before posting this?

Although he was ripped to shreds for the abysmal Star Wars: The Last Jedi, writer and director Rian Johnson came back swinging with the 2019 film Knives Out. The comedic ensemble mystery was released by Lionsgate, and it boasted a deep cast with Hollywood heavyweights such as Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Christopher Plummer, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jaeden Martell, and LaKeith Stanfield. The fresh take on the whodunit genre quickly became a hit, and now Variety reports that Netflix is looking to get a taste of Knives Out‘s success.

According to Variety, Netflix has spent a mind-blowing $450 million for the rights to Knives Out 2 and 3, and both Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig will return to direct and star in the sequels, respectively. The report notes that Netflix’s latest purchase marks the biggest check that the streaming giant has ever written to acquire rights for a property, following the $90 million spent on the polarizing Will Smith sci-fi flick Bright, $115 million on the Ben Affleck heist film Triple Frontier, and the $130 million for Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman.

Clearly, Netflix is betting big on the potential success of the Knives Out sequels. The first installment was created on a $40 million budget, and it went on to gross $311.4 million. Thus, it’ll be interesting to see how far Netflix can take the murder-mystery film series because it is reportedly heading in a more anthology direction, completely separating itself from the events of the original Knives Out.

Are you looking forward to Netflix’s Knives Out sequels?

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You shouldn’t believe everything you see, or read, on April Fool’s Day. Annually on April 1, jokesters around the world pull pranks on unsuspecting folks and this year, the first prank of the day appears to have already gone viral.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images

Jay-Z is currently trending on Twitter and upon checking out the trend, you’ll realize that it’s being reported that the rap legend is releasing a new album soon called Ascension. This news has not been announced by Jay-Z, Beyoncé, or anybody associated with the rapper. Instead, the rumor appears to have originated from Jay’s African fans, who are even sharing a presumedly fake tracklist for the album, which features popular African artists Sarkodie, Nasty C, Femi Kuti, and more. The joke tracklist also features Beyoncé, H.E.R., and Rick Ross. 

It hasn’t necessarily been confirmed that this is fake but it shouldn’t take too long for people to realize there isn’t much truth to the rumors. The tracklist looks as though it could have easily been manipulated by anybody with a basic knowledge of Photoshop.

A few music news outlets have already taken the bait, reporting on Ascension as though it were the real deal. Only time will tell if this ends up actually materializing but, for now, it looks like a clear April Fool’s Day prank.

Check out some reactions below.

Method Man, Streetlife, and Havoc’s 2019 collaboration “Squad Up” has proven to be quite the anthem, having amassed over three million views on YouTube since its initial release. Featuring a gritty instrumental from the Mobb Deep legend, the track received universal acclaim from hip-hop heads who still appreciate the golden era sound and attitude. In many ways, “Squad Up” captures the spirit of New York’s historical rap scene, so it’s no surprise that one of the city’s key institutions has recognized its value.

LISTEN:Streetlife, Method Man, & Havoc – Squad Up

For the second consecutive year, the New York Yankees have chosen Streetlife, Method Man, and Havoc’s “Squad Up” to be their official team song of 2021. In honor of the selection, Streetlife and Method Man will be holding it down with a live performance of the track during the Yankees’ official home opener today at Yankee Stadium. Look for that to kick off before the big game, during which the Yanks will go head to head with the Toronto Blue Jays at approximately 1:00 PM.

Being that “Squad Up” is the official team song, the Yankees have shared a promotional clip highlighting the opening night roster, set to the hype-inducing sound of Havoc’s production. “Ayo, this season isn’t about the preparation,” explains Method Man, offering a few predictions. “It’s about to be the year of the culmination. The baby bombers were the building blocks, the foundation. But now the skyscrapers are the topic of the conversation. Because in this city, rings rule everything around us. We’re bred different, so bear witness.” 

Check out the official “Squad Up” Yankees promo below, and show some love to Streetlife, Method Man, and Havoc in the comments below.