New Hip Hop News

Although James Hardenleft the team in January to join Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving on the Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets team owner Tilman Fertitta announced that the team plans to retire Harden’s number 13 jersey. 

In a statement to the Houston Chronicle, Fertitta stated, “James Harden will always be a Rocket. Of course, we will retire his jersey. He made my first three years of owning the franchise unforgettable. The success he brought this franchise over eight years and the memories he created for our fan base/community [are] truly remarkable.” 

These comments come before tonight’s Nets and Rockets matchup, and Harden’s first game back in Houston since he was traded to the Nets in January. 

Harden expressed excitement in his upcoming return, stating during a recent interview, “I’m excited just to go back to Houston where I basically had an unbelievable career there. They showed me mad love & respect & I’m just excited to be playing in front of those fans..Yeah I’m excited.”

Regardless of how he left, Harden was an amazing talent in Houston. In all eight seasons with the Rockets franchise, Harden led the team to the playoff including two trips to the Conference Finals in 2015 and 2018. After averaging 30.4 points, 8.8 assists, and 5.4 rebounds, Harden was named the 2017-2018 NBA MVP, the third player in the franchise to earn the reward. Harden is also the franchise leader in assists and second behind Hakeem Olajuwon in franchise points and win shares.

When his jersey is lifted at the Toyota Center he will be immortalized with Calvin Murphy, Moses Malone, Hakeem Olajuwon, Rudy Tomjanovich, Clyde Drexler, and Yao Ming.

Do you think Harden has earned the honor?

Elsa/Getty Images

Wu-Tang is for the children, and as such, those children must one day learn the history of the great and mighty hip-hop group. Now, that process will be slightly easier, provided one can get a hold of the extremely limited-edition Wu-Tang Clan coffee table that is officially on the way. Of course, it should be noted that this new tome is taking a page out of their fabled Once Upon A Time In Shaolin album, insofar as exclusivity is concerned.

 Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Case in point, HipHopNMore reports that the book is already being dubbed “the biggest and rarest book in the history of Hip Hop,” as detailed in a press release surrounding the big release. Featuring 300 pages worth of color pictures spanning across the group’s storied career, the book itself will be “encased in a striking bronze-encrusted black steel chamber” designed by sculptor Gethin Jones, weighing in at over four-hundred pounds. 

While the Wu-Tang Clan Legacy book will clearly be an incredible collector’s item for die-hard fans, it would appear that securing a copy might not be so easy. After all, a mere thirty-six copies have been created; while certainly thematically appropriate, it’s hardly ideal for anyone who isn’t the most ardent collector. Should you be interested to try your hand at a priority purchase, you can sign up via email at the official Wu-Tang Clan Legacy website right here. If you’re simply looking to admire this fine blend of hip-hop history and stellar craftsmanship from afar, check out a brief promo video below.

Nearly two full years following the death of Nipsey Hussle, the Los Angeles rapper‘s presence is still sorely missed by Hip-Hop fans and artists alike. As with any passing of a public figure, many people have speculated that Nip’s death was part of a conspiracy. While the most popular conspiracy theory surrounding the Victory Lap artist‘s passing involves his ties to Dr. Sebi and Big Pharm, there has been a long-running rumor that Eugene “Big U” Henley, Nipsey’s former manager, allegedly orchestrated his murder. Now, the founder and Executive Director of nonprofit Developing Options has stopped by Drink Champs to finally clear the air about those rumors.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

In the Drink Champs interview, N.O.R.E. revealed that he hadn’t even heard about Big U’s rumored involvement in Nipsey Hussle’s death before asking him to elaborate on the accusations.

“We ain’t got no beef. Period,” Big U explained. “We never stopped talking. All the way up until he signed the deal with Atlantic Records, he called me and said ‘Unc, let’s go. Where the f*** is the beef at?”

“I’m in the f****** video for “Ain’t No Rap N*****,” he continued. “I am the n**** who’s promoting Victory Lap on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook. All these weirdos that just became Nipsey Hussle fans, they weren’t promoting that! So where are these rumors coming from? It’s n**** using his name and his death to make some money.”

“And the rest of the ignorant people [are] falling for that. How you gone have that and got a man in jail, and be like ‘Oh it’s a conspiracy?'” Big U said, visibly irritated with the rumors.

For the full conversation, you can check out the entire Big U Drink Champs episode below.

G-Eazy has successfully mastered the art of the crossover, having embraced a more radio-friendly sensibility when the occasion calls for it. Yet never should it be forgotten that Young Gerald is a Bay Area rapper to the core, and will never hesitate to spit some bars. Today, G-Eazy came through to chop it up with the L.A. Leakers, and you already know such appearances can only lead to one thing. 

 Kevin Winter/Getty Images

For this latest freestyle, G-Eazy tackles a Cam’ron and Kanye West classic in “Down & Out,” a highlight off Killa’s Purple Haze album. Teasing the return of “wild and crazy Gerald,” G-Eazy seems in good spirits as he reminds the masses how he fares in a freestyle session. Highlighting the breakneck pace of his lifestyle, G-Eazy flexes relentless while painting a picture of his day-to-day. “I swoop hoes through my shows, I just run through the crowd,” he spits. “Have drug-fuelled orgies, I’m ten rubbers down / living ball-to-the-walls I ain’t dumbing it down / I’m like a white Jimi Hendrix, think my mother is proud.”

“I can write a manual,” he spits, taking a tonal shift. “Patrick Bateman is my spirit animal, either him or Hannibal / I’m the fuckin’ villain, gold fangs around her neck, I got my grill in / I’m on a killing while you cracked your head upon that ceiling / fuck rappers, I hate em’, ask me I ain’t sneaking shots to shade him / make me fuck around go Jason Statham.” 

Hopefully G-Eazy can bring this energy to his upcoming album These Things Happen Too, from which we’ve already seen a few singles surface. Do you think Young Gerald should stick to this style more often? Luckily, we’ve already been promised a “hip-hop” collaboration with Lil Wayne. 

Millions around the world have taken the COVID-19 vaccine and, while your arm may hurt for a few hours after having it administered, there don’t appear to be any serious side effects to the jab. Scientists and doctors are suggesting the different vaccines available, and President Joe Biden says that there will be enough doses of it for every American in a matter of months. Despite all of the proof that the vaccine is not harmful, talk show host Wendy Williams says that she doesn’t trust it and will not be taking it.

Lars Niki/Getty Images

During a recent televised appearance on Dr. Oz, Wendy spoke about the scary moment that she fainted on live television among other topics. One part of the interview is currently going viral as the duo of television personalities discuss the pandemic, speaking about the COVID-19 vaccines that are being rolled out. Wendy surprised audiences when she said that she refuses to take the vaccine.

“No, [I’m not planning on getting the vaccine],” said Williams. “No. I don’t trust it. I’ve never gotten the flu shot either though and you and I have talked about that. Several of the doctors on my team have told me, ‘Wendy, get the flu shot.’ I’ve never had the flu, I’m not getting a flu shot. I very rarely get a cold, I never have headaches. I don’t take an Aspirin because I feel my heart murmur or something like that. I’m not getting–no! I don’t trust it. There, I said it.”

After Dr. Oz reminded her that her words have consequences as somebody with a large platform, Wendy doubled down and shut down the question. “I’m not getting the vaccine,” she said matter-of-factly. “Listen, 10 million people and more have the flu vaccine and how many people per year catch the flu? No, I’m not getting the vaccine, Dr. Oz. I’m not. I don’t trust it!”

Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

When asked about why she specifically doesn’t trust the COVID-19 vaccine, Wendy couldn’t pinpoint any exact reason. “Doctors are really smart people,” she said. “But doctors don’t know everything. That’s been proven, as well. I’m not getting the vaccine.”

For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, you can visit the World Health Organization’s website here.

Nike announced Ann Hebert’s departure from the sneaker company after more than 25 years on Monday, after it was reported that her son had been using a credit card in her name to manage a sneaker resale business. 

An email obtained from Nike read “Ann Hebert, VP/GM, North America geography has decided to step down from Nike, effectively immediately. We thank Ann for her more than 25 years with Nike and wish her well.”

The announcement came in the wake of a Bloomberg Businessweek article published about her son, Joe Hebert’s hundred-thousand-dollar resale business, West Coast Streetwear. The article mentions Joe using a credit card in his mother’s name to acquire the exclusive shoes and resale them at his online stores. Joe denied receiving any inside information from his mother in regards to the shoes. Sneakers have been completely removed from one of his WCS websites and another website has been temporarily shut down.

Ann Hebert had worked as Nike’s North America Vice President and General Manager since April of 2020 overseeing sales, marketing, and merchandising. Hebert also was in charge of Nike’s SNKRS app, where shoes sell out almost instantly, to be later found on secondary sites and stores like her son’s, for almost triple the retail value. 

Sandra Carreon-John, a spokesperson for Nike, said Hebert, revealed “relevant information” to the company about her son’s business in 2018. At the time it was determined that there was “no violation of company policy.” 

“There is no commercial affiliation between WCS LLC and Nike, including the direct buying or selling of Nike products,” Carreon-John stated.