“Whoopty” Rapper CJ Addresses Industry Plant Allegations

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A lot has been said about Staten Island rapper CJ since his meteoric rise through the viral hit single “Whoopty”. One of the biggest music success stories of the year, CJ is fresh off the release of his new project Loyalty Over Royalty, and he’s been getting used to the perils of fame. Most notably, the amount of hate that comes in as your name continues to grow.

The drill-inspired rapper goes in a few different directions on his new EP, but he remains influenced by the sound of Brooklyn. Many other artists, including 22Gz, and fans alike have challenged CJ in recent weeks, with many referring to the rising star as an “industry plant”. During his new interview with Ebro Darden for Apple Music, CJ officially responded to that talk.

“There’s no response. I don’t pay that no mind,” he said about all the hate in his comments. “Everybody got an opinion, you can’t satisfy everybody. I’m gonna keep doing what I do, and elevating, and perfecting my craft. I don’t really pay no mind to what the internet’s saying. I’m good on this side.”

Elsewhere during the chat, CJ calls out a few names of New York rappers that he wants to collaborate with, including A Boogie wit da Hoodie, 50 Cent, Cardi B, Lil Tjay, and more. He also says that he linked up with J.I. recently and will be getting to work with him soon.

What are your thoughts on CJ? Are you a fan?

That Girl Lay Lay & Young Dolph Connect On “Breezy”

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Young Dolph remains a voice for the streets but he’s continuously proven to be a savvy businessman. His independent approach to the game has earned him some big bucks but in recent years, he’s taken the Paper Route Empire and expanded it with a slew of new artists. Needless to say, he can spot talent when he sees it.

That being said, Dolph just entered the world of PG-friendly raps with his latest collaboration with child star That Girl Lay Lay who dropped off her new single, “Breezy” this week. It’s an upbeat bop that finds Lay Lay and Dolph connect over their mutual love for cash and fashion.

That Girl Lay Lay began to gain buzz on Instagram after releasing a freestyle BlocBoy JB’s “Shoot.” Since then, she’s inked a deal with Empire Records as well as an overall deal with Nickolodeon.

Quotable Lyrics
Grandma taught me how to pray before I go to bed
I didn’t go to college because I became a millionaire instead
I don’t got student loans but I got university bread

Kiana Ledé Joins THEY. For The “Count Me In” Remix

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Producer-songwriter duo THEY. burst onto the music scene as a group in 2017 with the release of their debut album Nü Religion: HYENA, and since then, the outfit has been slowly building an excellent catalog of genre-bending music. Consisting of Drew Love and Dante Jones, THEY. went on hiatus and kept listeners waiting years for a full-length follow up to their 2017 debut before finally returning with their sophomore album The Amanda Tape.

Leading up to The Amanda Tape, the duo dropped a slew of singles, starting with last summer’s “Count Me In.” Each of the single’s cover artwork featured a cassette tape graphic that tied into their album cover and theme of their imminent sophomore album. Now, months after the fall release of The Amanda Tape, THEY. are revisiting one of the project’s standout tracks with a remix and new visuals.

Today, the duo shared a revamped version of “Count Me In,” which now features a verse from “EX” and “Wicked Games” singer-songwriter Kiana Ledé. Falling in line with their 2020 releases, this pseudo-remix also comes packaged in THEY.’s signature cassette tape artwork. “Count Me In” also arrives alongside a bold music video, which is sure to also elevate their single even more.

Are you feeling “Count Me In” a little bit more now that Kiana Ledé has joined the record?

Quotable Lyrics

You can come over
Bendin’ mе over
You can do all the tricks
Then movе it along
Maybe it’s wrong
But you know what it is

Chance The Rapper Goes To War With His Ex-Manager

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Chance-The-Rapper-Says-Jeremih-Discharged-Hospital

Chicago rapper Chance The Rapper is flexing his legal muscle. After an ongoing back and forth battle with his former manager Pat Corcoran, he’s upped the ante and sued. Chance The Rapper Sues Former Manager Chance The Rapper is suing Corcoran on accusations that he demanded kickbacks and exploited his position to get money out […]

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Fans Debate If YNW Melly Should Be Released After Bobby Shmurda + Kodak Black Freed

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Hip-hop fans aren’t content with the prison releases of Bobby Shmurda and Kodak Black. Social media has lit up with a not so new discussion once more, about the freeing of rap star YNW Melly. Twitter Debates If YNW Melly Should Be Freed Twitter users have been debating back and forth whether or not Melly […]

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Future Was Extravagant As Hell On “Lookin Exotic”

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For a man so often associated with toxic masculinity, Future certainly did his damndest to switch gears and showcase a different side to his layered persona. The result was none other than Hndrxx, Future’s second album of 2017 and his most melodic body of work to date. With today marking the project’s four-year anniversary, it feels appropriate to highlight one of the many extravagant gems, namely the Jake One and Southside-produced “Lookin Exotic.”  

For those who don’t believe that Future is versatile, “Lookin Exotic” showcases a different style for the Atlanta rapper, who takes to the percussive beat to let fly some confident flexes. “I came through and took all their bitches with me,” he boasts. “N**ga I get all the way faded, I can’t get tipsy / All these seven-star restaurants on a daily basis? I’m guilty.” Yet despite all of the wealth and lavish luxury, Future seems fixated on finding a soul-mate that meets his specific criteria — including but not exclusive to doglike loyalty. 

Happy four-year anniversary to HNDRXX, an album that some still swear deserves placement in Future’s top-five discussion. Should you be among them, sound off with your thoughts on the project below. 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Gotta put a whole lot of kush into my lungs
I put a whole lot of work in, I just begun
And when that green money on the turf, it’s their call
Gotta put that steel under my shirt and duck laws
Fuck the cops, she gon’ ride just like my dog

Caleborate And Kota The Friend Make ‘Contact’ With A Mellow Collaboration

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Bay Area rapper Caleborate is gearing up for the release of his new album Light Hit My Skin next month, and shares the first single, “Contact,” featuring Brooklyn rapper Kota The Friend. The cross-coastal collaboration shows the two indie rappers are on the same wavelength despite their distance, as they address their grind from the basement to their current success. While Kota rhymes about the way his girl and his son lifted his spirits through the rough years, Caleb praises his aunt for having his back and sharing her weed with him as he worked his way through his early career.

Although he’s not a household name yet, Berkeley native Caleborate made some noise in 2016 with the release of his album 1993, which led to increased attention on its follow-ups. In 2017, he dropped Real Person, while in 2019, his Hear Me Out EP reassured fans that he was still cooking up. Meanwhile, Kota broke out in 2018 with Anything., received major acclaim in 2019 with Foto, and kept up the momentum in 2020 with Lyrics To Go, Vol. 1 and Everything. He opened this year with Lyrics To Go, Vol. 2, setting himself up for a big 2021.

“Contact” marks the two MCs’ first collaboration, despite their parallel tracks, but it shows they already have remarkable chemistry thanks to their complementary mindsets and independent hustle. Caleborate’s album Light Hit My Skin is due March 26 and also features Duckwrth, Deante’ Hitchcock, Cantrell, Tone Sinatra, and more.

Listen to “Contact” above.

Davido Delivers A Breezy Tiny Desk Concert From His Living Room

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Nigerian Afropop star Davido is the latest artist to grace the Tiny Desk “stage,” delivering a soulful at-home concert from his living room. Splitting the difference between comfy and fashionable styles, he posts up on a stool with his various awards statues prominently displayed and his band occupying whatever free space they can find. He breezes through a set that includes his 2013 hit single “Gobe,” 2014 Nigeria Entertainment Awards-winning Hottest Single of the Year “Aye,” “Risky,” his Popcaan-featuring 2019 single from A Good Time, and “Jowo,” from his 2020 album A Better Time, giving a crisp chronological run-through of his career and accomplishments.

In recent months, Davido has been bridging the gap between his Afrobeats roots and US hip-hop, collaborating with Lil Baby on “So Crazy” in November last year, adding a Nicki Minaj collaboration to his collection with “Holy Ground,” and working with Megan Thee Stallion on an upcoming collaboration with British star Idris Elba (yes, that Idris Elba, who moonlights as a DJ and producer between movies and shows). And though Davido has put those famous American stars’ names on his resume, he still made sure to highlight his fellow up-and-coming African stars on the album as well; in January, he released the video for “The Best” featuring Mayorkun.

Watch Davido’s Tiny Desk Concert above.