New Hip Hop News

The estate of the legendary hip-hop photographer Chi Modu has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group regarding a page on the record label’s website titled, “Best Tupac Songs: 26 Essential Tracks.” The lawsuit claims that the post features one of Modu’s iconic photos of Shakur atop the page, but credits the image to the Universal Music Archives.

The estate claims to have sent a cease and desist to UMG, but that the “Defendants failed to meaningfully respond,” according to the lawsuit. The complaint alleges copyright infringement by UMG and 10 unnamed and unidentified co-defendants.

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

“Chi Modu’s photography captured moments of profundity and grace,” Scott Burroughs, an attorney for the estate, told Billboard in a statement. “While it does not surprise me that it would appeal to Universal, we are disappointed that the company did not reach out to the Estate to procure a license before exploiting Mr. Modu’s work on its commercial website. We look forward to addressing this infringement in court.”

Modu’s estate is seeking an award of all profits and fees, as well as the removal of the photograph, and damages. Billboard reports that statutory damages for copyright infringement can reach up to $150,000 per violation.

Modu is best known for his photographs of Shakur as well as The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, Nas, Snoop Dogg, N.W.A, and many more. He passed away in 2021 at the age of 54.

[Via]

Five years ago, Conor McGregor and Floyd Mayweather decided to meet in the boxing ring for what was a very interesting match. While it wasn’t the most entertaining fight of all time, there was certainly some morbid curiosity in terms of how Conor would handle a new discipline of fighting.

As expected, Mayweather won the match although it took him until the 10th round to put McGregor away. Since that time, these two have been going back and forth over a rematch, although it is mostly Conor who is interested. Mayweather has been looking at a multitude of other opportunities, and there is no doubt that this has frustrated the MMA legend.

Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

Recently, some renewed interest in a rematch was shown on McGregor’s part. UFC President Dana White got to speak to TMZ Sports about this newfound interest, and as he explained, there is pretty much no chance these two ever fight against each other again. White has a pretty strong say in what his fighters do outside of the octagon, and as far as Mayweather Vs. McGregor is concerned, he has no interest in making it happen or even facilitating such an event.

This is going to be sad news for McGregor, however, it is probably for the best. He is trying to make a UFC comeback and boxing would simply derail that right now.

Let us know if you want to see a Mayweather Vs. McGregor rematch, in the comments below.

[Via]

Some may have predicted the downfall of Drake with the release of Certified Lover Boybut his latest body of work is proof that he’s going to sell records, no matter what. He announced the album a few hours before it dropped and shocked the world when it became widely available on DSPs. Honestly, Nevermind leaps into the sound of dance music with minimal rapping. Some people counted it out immediately after it dropped but evidently, Drake’s going to do numbers regardless.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Billboard announced yesterday that Drake earned his eleventh #1 album with Honestly, Nevermind while simultaneously debuting at the top of the Hot 100 with “Jimmy Cooks” ft. 21 Savage for his eleventh #1 single. The rapper shared the news on his Instagram page, writing, “11 11 that stat line is gods work.” Even though Drake’s new album came out on top of the charts, Honestly, Nevermind actually marked the lowest opening week of his career. 

Drake previously debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 and Hot 100 with last year’s Certified Lover Boy. While the album shot to the top of the Billboard 200, his collaboration with Young Thug and Future, “Way 2 Sexy” also debuted at #1 on the Hot 100.

Aside from “Jimmy Cooks,” Drake also debuted “Sticky” and “Falling Back” in the top 10 of the Hot 100.

Check out Drake’s reaction to his latest Billboard feat below. 

Cordae shared a video on his Instagram Story, this week, badgering his Atlantic Records A&R, Success Davis, about when he’ll be able to release his next mixtape. In the series of short videos, Cordae and Davis can be seen traveling together by private jet.

“I’m trying to drop this mixtape, man, so I had to butter up my A&R and get him on a jet in the air right now,” Cordae said in the clip. “I’m trying to drop music, man. What we doing?”

“We coming, we coming,” Davis responded, laughing.

Bennett Raglin / Getty Images

After more pressing from Cordae, Davis went on: “It’s coming, it’s coming. As soon as we get back to New York, we going right to the corner offices…I got you.”

While specific details regarding the project are being kept under wraps, if a new mixtape from Cordae is imminent, it will arrive less than a year after his last studio album, From a Birds Eye View. The album featured Eminem, Lil Wayne, Gunna, Lil Durk, Freddie Gibbs, Roddy Ricch, Stevie Wonder, H.E.R., and Ant Clemons. That project was only released back in January.

Cordae first teased that he was working on new music, earlier this month.

“I always gain hella weight when I’m in album mode smh,” he tweeted, before later adding, “Time to drop some music. Fuck allat waiting shit. I feel better.”

Check out Cordae’s latest Instagram Story posts below.

[Via]

John Wall has one of the worst contracts in the NBA given his injury status over the years. He is making a grand total of $47 million and he hasn’t played very many games over the last four seasons. In fact, the Houston Rockets sat him all of last year as it became clear that Wall had no intentions of playing there.

For a while now, the Rockets have been looking at a buyout solution, but nothing has really made sense for them. Now, however, it would appear as though some sort of agreement has finally been reached.

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

According to Tim MacMahon, Wall is now going to be bought out and he will only lose about $6.5 million which is a pretty big win for him. Of course, this is a terrible scenario for the Rockets who will have to eat a truly horrible contract. 

Now that Wall is a free agent who can sign with anyone, it is being reported by Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN that Wall intends on going to none other than the Los Angeles Clippers. On the Clippers, Wall will get to play with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, which means there is officially a new big three in town.

This would be a massive addition to the roster, and we’re sure fans are excited to see how it all plays out.