Chicago, IL – Comedian Dave Chappelle cracked jokes with the youth and offered words of advice yesterday (January 30), during a surprise appearance at Chance The Rapper’s Open Mike event in Chicago.
Not one to skimp on humor, Chappelle did provide the crowd of high schoolers with the occasional laugh, but also took time to offer a few life lessons, speaking on the importance of being able to feel.
Chappelle added that the responsibility falls on artists more now than ever to remind people “of themselves” and to “get ’em thinking again.”
“We need young artists out there,” Chappelle said while speaking to the crowd of students. “Because a lot of people come up to me and they say ‘Dave, you tell it like it is.’ No, I don’t. Never did. I don’t know what it is. I tell it like it feels like. People know so much information. But they forget what things feel like. So, the job of the artist is to remind them of themselves. Get ’em thinking again. Get ’em feeling again…You see who our president is. Gotta tell ’em what it feels like. This is important times. So, I hope you guys are up to the task.”
Thank you @DaveChappelle for the wise words and @chancetherapper for creating such an amazing event. Best Monday night ever. #openmike pic.twitter.com/JshOniCFXv
— its dahlia (@SarcasticDahl) January 31, 2017
Also on hand for Chance The Rapper’s latest Open Mike event was the cast of The New Edition Story and Chicago Bulls player Jimmy Butler.
Open Mike was created to provide a platform for “young creatives building the next generation of cultural community.”
Other celebrity guests have included Kanye West and Vic Mensa, who performed a handful of tracks, including “U Mad,” “We Don’t Care,” and “All Day,” during an appearance in 2015. Jeremih also joined Chance at Open Mike last month.
Check out highlights from Chance The Rapper’s most recent Open Mike event below.
We at @OpenMikeChicago would like to thank @JimmyButler @DaveChappelle and THE CAST OF #NewEditionBET for comin to Chicago and supporting us pic.twitter.com/xuQl8OPJMt
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) January 31, 2017
Dave Chappell is here https://t.co/0FcJ8zt5gF
— €K (@seanck) January 31, 2017
Thank you @OpenMikeChicago @chancetherapper for such an inspirational night! You made me realize that anything is possible #NewEditionBET pic.twitter.com/Dk54YucgKJ
— Juju® (@JulietEstevez) January 31, 2017
You never know what to expect @OpenMikeChicago! Thank you to all of our special guests that came out last night. You all are an inspiration. pic.twitter.com/is5WUGRw7s
— SocialWorks, Inc. (@SocialWorks_Chi) January 31, 2017
The Grammys are quite a source of controversy for Hip Hop, but this year, two of the biggest artists won’t even be in attendance at the show. According to TMZ, Kanye West and Drake are not coming to the awards ceremony on February 12.
Drake‘s excuse is that he will be in Europe on the Boy Meets World Tour. On his stop in Amsterdam, he teased new music and promised the More Life playlist is coming soon. Drizzy is in contention for eight awards, including album of the year with VIEWS.
Kanye’s reason for skipping out on the Grammys isn’t as clear, but the celebrity news site points out that he has never won an award when nominated against a white singer. Yeezy has 21 Grammys of his own and is up for eight more this year. He has previously questioned the Academy, saying that Future, Young Thug and A$AP Rocky need more recognition. He also pulled a Kanye when he followed Beck onto the stage in 2015 when the singer won Album of the Year.
Frank Ocean will, of course, not be at the Grammys as he chose to not submit his Blonde album for consideration. Kanye had threatened to boycott the awards if the Academy did not bend its rules and give him a nomination anyways.
On a side note: Justin Bieber will not be at the ceremony either as he claims the Grammys are not reflective of what matters to the youth.
Many have reprimanded the Grammys for not properly representing Hip __hop before, especially when Macklemore beat out Kendrick Lamar in 2014 for numerous awards, including Best Rap Album.
But there is a ray of light for Hip Hop as Chance The Rapper, as an independent artist with a mixtape, is up for seven awards.
Houston, TX – Houston rap legend Chad “Pimp C” Butler, who tragically passed away in 2007 from a drug overdose, is the first solo Hip __hop artist to be immortalized at Rice University Research Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL), where the UGK co-founder’s lyric sheets and personal items are on display. On Monday (January 31), a panel dubbed “Pimp C: A Trill Legacy” is scheduled to discuss Southern rap and Pimp C’s pivotal role in its rise to the forefront of the culture. The panel features past collaborators, including his UGK partner Bun B, close friends and notable names who were influenced by the talented Grammy Award-nominated rapper and producer.
According to the CERCL website, the collection contains “several documents and other paraphernalia such as handwritten song lyrics on loose leaf paper and cardboard, papers from the Texas Department of Justice relating to his arrest for aggravated assault, a Grammy nomination, copy of his obituary from his funeral, and marketing plan by FM2 Radio, and the joint venture deal with Universal Music Group. Also included in the collection are several forms of artwork featuring Pimp C and a 12-inch record (warped) with the songs ‘Stop-N-Go’ and ‘The Game Belongs to Me.'”
Rice panel to explore legacy of Houston rapper Chad ‘Pimp C’ Butler HOUSTON – (Jan. 12, 2017) – The life and legacy of Houston rapper Chad ‘Pimp C’ Butler will be the focus of a panel at Rice University Jan. 31. The event marks the creation of the Pimp C Collection in the Woodson Research Center at Rice’s Fondren Library. The collection, part of the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning’s Hip-Hop Archive at the Woodson, includes several documents and promotional items including handwritten lyrics and contracts to promotional flats for the rap group Underground Kingz (UGK). What: Pimp C: A Trill Legacy, a panel hosted by Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL). The event is free and open to the public. When: Jan 31, 2017 7-10 p.m. Where: Rice Memorial Center Grand Hall 6100 Main St. Parking is available in the Central Campus Garage In 1987, Butler was a founding member of UGK along with Bernard “Bun B” Freeman in Port Arthur, Texas. They released their first album “Too Hard to Swallow” in 1991. In 2000, they were nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for “Big Pimpin” with Jay-Z. In July 2006, he released his first solo album “Pimpalation.” In 2007, Pimp C reunited with Bun B, and released the UGK album titled “Underground Kingz.” The album was Pimp C's final performance before his untimely death on December 4, 2007 in Los Angeles, CA. After his death, Bun B released the final UGK album “UGK 4 Life,” in which most of the recording was finished before Pimp C's death. Panelists will include Bun B, American rapper and half of the southern rap duo UGK, CERCL Distinguished Visiting Lecturer at Rice University; David Banner, Grammy Award winning rapper, record producer, actor and activist; Lil Keke, American hip __hop recording artist from Houston, Texas; Mr Lee, multi-platinum hip-hop/rap music producer from Houston, Texas, Co-Executive Producer of "Long Live the Pimp" Album; Chinara Butler, Co-Executive Producer of "Long Live the Pimp", CEO of UGQ Enterprises, LLC and Founder of Pushing Into My Purpose, Inc.; DJ Michael 5000 Watt, Co-Founder of Swishahouse Records
A video posted by Pimp C (@darealpimpc) on
In a statement to HipHopDX, Founding Director of the CERCL, Anthony B. Pinn, said, “The CERCL archive is committed to preserving the historical and cultural memory of Houston, and in this way helping to recall how Houston fits into national conversations and developments. One dimension of the archive involves Hip Hop culture in Houston. A vital component of the history of Hip Hop in Houston involves UGK, and so we are delighted to include Pimp C in the archive. His materials shed additional light on the importance of Houston and the global development of Hip Hop.”
He expresses excitement about the panel where guests will get firsthand accounts of Pimp C’s impact on the culture.
“I’m looking forward to hearing from those who knew him well,” Pinn continues. “Those who can talk about his motivations and about him as a person as well as an artist.”
The collection is open to the public. Click here to RSVP to the January 31 panel.
Los Angeles, CA – Chief Keef has been released from jail after posting $500,000 bail, Fake Shore Drive reports.
The Chicago rapper was arrested in Los Angeles Thursday (January 26), after his former producer Ramsay Tha Great accused him of assaulting him and robbing him at gunpoint.
Ramsay took to Instagram to share his side of the story and show his wounds from the alleged incident.
Chief Keef opened the year with a new project, the Two Zero One Seven mixtape.
(This article was first published January 27, 2017 and is as follows.)
Chief Keef was arrested on Thursday (January 26) following accusations from his former producer Ramsay Tha Great that the rapper assaulted him and robbed him at gunpoint in his home.
Chief Keef, whose real name is Keith Cozart, was led away from his Tarzana home in cuffs by the Los Angeles Police Department yesterday, seven days after the alleged incident occurred. Two others were taken into custody alongside Keef without incident, including fellow rapper Tadoe.
Following the alleged assault and robbery, Ramsay Tha Great posted this to his Instagram page, tagging Chief Keef in the process:
“Now if I was a celebrity I wouldn’t come personally jump a person with you five friends and a Ak 47 that’s just dumb your famous ……… now I’m taking everything from you . U really just fucked up dude coming to my house with your phone in your pocket with the location on…….. yea I’m pressing charges on yo ass. You a fucking low life mf niggas out here tryna do positive shit and you still on some goofy Chicago shit . We’ll see u in court”
@chieffkeeffsossa now if I was a celebrity I wouldn't come personally jump a person with you five friends and a Ak 47 that's just dumb your famous ……… now I'm taking everything from you . U really just fucked up dude coming to my house with your phone in your pocket with the location on…….. yea I'm pressing charges on yo ass. You a fucking low life mf niggas out here tryna do positive shit and you still on some goofy Chicago shit . We'll see u in court ⚖️💳
A photo posted by RamsayThaGreat (@ramsay_tha_great) on
Ramsay Tha Great explained the situation even further from a hospital bed: “Chillin’ at the house, I get into an argument with Uncle Roe wife, Kelly — she called Chief Keef and tried to put him on the phone with me to tell me to calm down. I’m calm, I’m just putting my point across.”
“I go to sleep, 15 minutes later somebody opening my door, kicking down my door, talking ’bout “It’s Sosa.” I had met him before, produced a song for him, I didn’t think nothing was wrong.”
“I opened the door, he pushed me in. A nigga behind him got a Draco, AK-47-looking thing, he started hitting me in the face, Tadoe started hitting me in the face.”
“Niggas can call me rat, I ain’t never claimed to be a gangster, none of that, nothing. I just claimed to be a producer. So you can call me rat, whatever y’all wanna do. I’ll see you in court.”
The story only saying it once
A video posted by RamsayThaGreat (@ramsay_tha_great) on
Ramsay has since followed up to say that “it’s sad to see my black community condone home invasion, deadly assault, hitting me in the face with an AK-47.”
“I’m the bad guy because he chose to do that to me? Y’all generation’s fucked up.”
The producer that got Chief Keef locked up… speaks out . #chiefkeef
A video posted by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on
According to NBC Los Angeles, LAPD Capt. Brian Pratt had this to say: “It was a violent home invasion involving firearms being pointed at victims. The detectives did some really great follow up investigation. Witnesses came forward and identified who our suspects were. We knew who we were going after – we weren’t just shooting in the dark.”
Tech N9ne has revealed a majority of the 68 shows for his Strictly Strange Tour. The trek, which also features Brotha Lynch Hung as well as fellow Strange Music artists Krizz Kaliko, Stevie Stone and Ces Cru, starts March 22 in Omaha, Nebraska and wraps up with a hometown show June 4 in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Strictly Strange Tour dates are at the bottom of the page.
(This article was first published January 12, 2017 and is as follows.)
Coming off the wave of his latest album, The Storm, Tech N9ne is ready to blitz through 2017 with the Strictly Strange Tour.
The Kansas City mogul shared via press release that he will be performing 68 shows in 74 days. He is bringing Brotha Lynch Hung as well as fellow Strange Music artists Krizz Kaliko, Stevie Stone and Ces Cru along for the ride. Tech N9ne hasn’t released the dates for the Strictly Strange Tour yet, but says fans can get the latest updates at his website.
Kaliko shared his R&B album, Go, in April while Stevie Stone’s last full-length release was 2015’s Malta Bend and he is setting up an April drop for his new project. Ces Cru is preparing to release its Catastrophic Event Specialists LP in February, their first album since 2014’s Codename: Ego Stripper.
Strange Music is planning on dropping 13 albums this year, according to the tour press release. Tech N9ne put an exclamation mark on 2016 with The Storm debuting at #12 on Billboard’s 200 albums chart. The label boss also received two gold single certifications last year.
View the Strictly Strange Tour flier and dates below.
Street Symphony has records for Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz and G-Eazy on his resume, as well as a much-coveted Grammy Award. But the producer has even more up his sleeve that he’s ready to unleash.
Growing up on Carlos “Six July” Broady, Trackmasters and Timbaland, Street — born Torrance Esmond — refined his sound, grew his brand and is now one of the most trusted producers in the industry. Now that he’s in the game, he credits Honorable C.N.O.T.E. for helping him navigate the politics of it all.
Producer for such sentimental songs as Yo Gotti’s “Momma” and 2 Chainz’s “Halo,” Street says he doesn’t mind being known as the man behind heartfelt records. He explains how his art is more than making a backdrop for a rapper to rhyme over.
“A lot of times, it just depends on what the artist is missing from the project,” he says about the beats of his that rappers have chosen. “I’m fortunate enough to where when I deal with artists, we talk about the projects as well and to me, that just shows that they respect me as a producer, just not some beat maker because they wanna talk about the project and let me hear the project, what they got. Then for me, I can kind of fill in what I feel like the project is missing and I think that’s why I end up with those certain kind of records.”
Although he is comfortable being the heartfelt producer, Street wants his name on bangers, too. He’s continuing to work with Yo Gotti, 2 Chainz and G-Eazy on more and more music.
“At the same time, I’m on a mission, along with my team, Track or Die, to get some of these club bangers going and get on these charts and radio, because you see more of your success on that level,” he says. “I’m sure that’s gonna come. I’m looking forward to that. That’s kind of the goal for 2017.”
Street was slated to be on Meek Mill’s DC4 and there’s a clip floating around of a record he created for the MMG rapper and Young Thug. When the project came out without the song, it was rumored to be on DC4.5, which Street says might or might not be a thing.
Bust down ft. Young thug #DC4.5 #DC4LIFE #DreamChasers #MeekMilly
A video posted by Dreamchasers snippets. (@dcsnippets) on
“We’ve got a great working relationship, just didn’t make that specific project,” he says of working with the Philly rapper. “But man, Meek’s on fire right now so he’s recording several things so I’m sure people will hear more of our music in the future.”
For Street, the future means building his Track or Die company, which includes producers D.O. Speaks, 8×8 (pronounced eight-oh-eight) and J Super. He has a business partnership with Starlito and is working on building the careers of Compton rapper Uno Malo and Nashville rapper Lil Bre.
“Track or Die, it’s a lifestyle, one thing about most producers that I know that are serious, is that we live, breathe, sleep, eat music and just the music business,” he explains of his brand. “I think the name Track or Die, just like Jeezy was Trap or Die, you going hard trapping, we going hard with the music. This is it. It’s kind of one of those things where this is the only option. Track or Die is full of amazing talent that we all share that one thing in common. I feel like we’re like a music fraternity. We just all really just rock with each other real heavy.”
In regards to Lil Bre, the producer is excited to watch the 19-year-old blossom, especially as he’s from Tennessee and knows the state could use some shine from a new generation. He shares what he looks for when connecting with artists and why he believes in the young gun.
“First thing’s first, I gotta know that you’re serious about this, because I’m opening up a crazy network,” he says. “So if I’m going to invest my time, money and energy into somebody, again the first thing I gotta know is that you are about this life for real. Bre has charisma, works hard and his live show is solid. Although he’s only 19, right now with new artists, I think it’s about the kids. Observing the success of [Lil] Yachty and [Lil] Uzi [Vert], and others around that age through a business lens, I felt like Tennessee was lacking with the new young kid wave. Memphis has had some popular artists with Gotti and you’ve got Blac Youngsta doing his thing… But Nashville, even as a major music city with talent, hasn’t really embraced urban music. I think Starlito and Young Buck kicked doors down for the city and the next generation, if smart, can prosper. Bre is a part of that next generation. We’ve got some good stuff on the way. I’m excited to share.”
Street himself has brought the city some shine with his Grammy Awards. In 2013, he won a trophy for Best Gospel Album for his work on Lecrae’s Gravity. In 2015, he returned after winning a trophy for Best Contemporary Christian Music Song for “Messengers.” His hometown now has Street Symphony Day on March 7 and he was able to create the “Street Symphony Scholarship” at his alma mater, Middle Tennessee State University, which is one of the biggest recording industry schools in the country.
“I remember when I was struggling trying to figure out how I could make it through college and still be in the recording industry as well,” he says. “I will say [the Grammys] definitely opened up those doors, definitely. I can go to Nashville and two phone calls, be in the mayor’s office. That’s real big.”
He comes to this conclusion after sharing that not all Grammys are the same and he hasn’t gotten any extra calls for his work on Best Gospel Album or Best Contemporary Christian Music Song. Instead, Street says that he remains hungry for more success.
“This is a ‘What have you done for me lately’ kinda industry,” he says. “So you win an award or achieve just like, you look at sports, ok LeBron [James] got one championship last year, but this is a new season, so yeah, you’re coming off of a championship, but you gotta do it all over again. So I don’t get too caught up on past achievements, I’m thankful for them and I’m thankful for the opportunity, but I just kinda look forward to the new goals and the next goals.”
There’s no doubt he is grateful for his work with several of the artists through the “glory years” of Christian Hip Hop. He says the niche genre just moves at a slower pace and doesn’t offer the same resources as the rest of the industry. He also points to the fact that artists such as Big K.R.I.T., Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole are bringing spirituality back into Hip __hop in a relatable way that there’s no longer a need for the “watered down” music.
“For me, I’m on to the new,” he says. “I’m onto the next challenge. I came, I conquered, I moved forward. I haven’t lost my spirituality or anything like that. That’s just music.”
(AllHipHop News) Veteran Bay Area rapper Keak Da Sneak was the victim of gunfire over the weekend.
According to multiple reports, Keak was shot, and although details are sparse, he posted a message to his Instagram page with a video of himself hobbling on stage.
“You’ll never understand how valuable life is until it flash before ya eyes. God’s plan can never be determined by man,” Keak wrote in a caption.
Keak posted footage of himself performing with Iamsu! and producer Marshmello in San Francisco at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium., which took place last night (January 21st).
You'll never understand how valuable life is until it flash before ya eyes 🙏🏾 Gods plan can never be determined by man an fa that I'm still livin an Can't nothin on this earth stop me!
A video posted by Keak Da Sneak (@therealkeakdasneak) on
This past week, Drake and Wizkid link up once again to bring us “Hush Up The Silence.” Horrorcore duo Twiztid drop off their latest single in a DXclusive with “Dead And Gone (Unh-Stop)” and Soulja Boy targets Chris Brown and 50 Cent in his latest diss track, “Hit Em With The Draco.”
Wizkid & Drake Are Back With Another Banger
Wizkid and Drake make great music together, from the “Ojuelegba (Remix)” to their #1 single “One Dance,” to their latest “Hush Up The Silence.”
Wizkid’s forthcoming LP Sounds From the Other Side is slated to come out soon.
Twiztid Releases Their Next Single
“Dead And Gone (Unh-Stop)” is Horrorcore duo Twiztid‘s latest single off their forthcoming album, The Continuous Evilution of Life’s ?’s.
The Continuous Evilution Of Life’s ?’s is expected to arrive next Friday (January 27).
Soulja Boy Hits Chris Brown & 50 Cent With The Draco (Lyrically)
“Hit Em With The Draco” is Soulja Boy‘s latest diss track aimed at his nemesis Chris Brown and 50 Cent and comes as the “Crank That” rapper is still promising a boxing match with C-Breezy.
“Aye 50 Cent what you talking about?/ You made all that money off Vitamin Water and then filed for bankruptcy/ You know I’mma knock Chris Brown out when I see him,” he raps.
View the Top 10 for the week ending January 21 below:
1. Wizkid & Drake “Hush Up the Silence” (single) 2. DXclusive: Twiztid Debuts “Dead And Gone (Unh-Stop)” (single) 3. Soulja Boy Slaps Chris Brown & 50 Cent With “Hit Em With The Draco” Diss Track (single) 4. Royce Da 5’9 Murders DJ Khaled’s “I Got The Keys” (single) 5. J. Cole Tells Story Of Meeting President Obama On Surprise Track “High For Hours” (single) 6. Royce Da 5’9 Freestyles Over Phresher’s “Wait A Minute” (single) 7. Fabolous & Jadakiss Recruit Tory Lanez For “Rapture” (single) 8. Fabolous & Jadakiss Drop Official Trailer For “Freddy Vs Jason” (video) 9. Will Southern Hip Hop Ever Fall Off? (video) 10. The LOX Goes In On Younger Rappers & Blames State Of Hip Hop On Lyor Cohen (video)
Feeling the creep of existential dread about the fate of the free world today? Or maybe you just want to watch some choreographed dance routines?
Either way, Chance The Rapper has got you covered.
Lil Chano posted a clip to Twitter on the eve of President Donald Trump’s inauguration where he and his boys (including Ventura-based rapper Kyle) got down to the groove of Sounds Of Blackness’ 1991 hit, “Optimistic.”
#optimisticchallenge pic.twitter.com/eIlZtZ264k
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) January 20, 2017
The group responded to the post on Twitter, with predictable positivity.
@chancetherapper we appreciate the video and the Love! We all have to remain Optimistic and hopeful #OptimisticChallenge
— Sounds of Blackness (@SoundsBlackness) January 20, 2017
The soon-to-be-everywhere challenge seems to have started with a post from YouTube/social media personality Jay Versace, who welcomed in 2017 with some unfettered joy.
2017 GOT ME FEELING LIKE 🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/kWjQFjM0wD
— JAY VERSACE (@tharealversace) January 13, 2017
After Versace’s post took off, others running-man’d their way into the action.
Mom: What do you even do in school
Me: pic.twitter.com/bLTGAYRGdv
— IamTristan (@Tristvn__) January 17, 2017
Now that Chance The Rapper Dancer has brought even more attention to the phenomenon, it seems like people have started recruiting to get their own dance troupe together.
Aye yo @Chris_Durand_ I cant even dance but we gotta do the #OptimisticChallenge cuzz
— Caleb Elliott (@Caleb_IsArt) January 20, 2017
It wouldn’t be the first time Chance inspired a viral sensation — his “So Gone” challenge from August has almost 260,000 retweets and inspired hundreds of imitators.
In recent weeks, viral campaigns have helped launch two rap songs to the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, with Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” making moves after everyone else stopped to do the #MannequinChallenge and Migos’ “Bad and Boujee” soaring after Rain Drop, Drop Top memes started popping up all over.
Could this be the big comeback “Optimistic” has been waiting on for more than 25 years?
Check out what people are saying about the #OptimisticChallenge on Twitter below.
This #optimisticchallenge is so needed as we enter the final hour before the apocalypse smh
— ❤Mina_Mosley❤ (@DSTBlaze) January 20, 2017
Black America needs to do a collective #OptimisticChallenge tonight 👊🏾✊🏾 #InagurationDay2017
— Sharese (@reseerese) January 20, 2017
Let's make it a thing. #optimisticchallenge #blackboyjoy
— Mia (@perfectlyMia) January 20, 2017
"As long as you keep your head to the sky" #OptimisticChallenge for the next 4 years
TDE welcomes in 2017 by revealing that the mysterious John Doe 2 is, in fact, SiR.
Label CEO Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith made the announcement today (January 19) on Twitter with a press release, revealing that the Inglewood rapper’s HER EP was TDE’s sixth release of 2016.
“I’m proud and it’s an honor,” SiR says in the press release. “The response has been crazy. It’s been amazing. I’m just excited that people love the music and are listening. I got so much more to share.”
TDE.
A photo posted by SiR (@inglewoodsir) on
SiR is no stranger to Top Dawg Entertainment and appeared on Isaiah Rashad’s The Sun’s Tirade last year and was featured on Jay Rock’s 90059 album in 2015.
“SiR is a great addition to TDE,” label president Dave Free adds in the release. “He’s a talented writer and artist who’s always willing to work hard and push boundaries creatively, making him a perfect fit.”
John Doe 1 was revealed last year to be Lance Skiiiwalker, who released his Introverted Intuition album with the label in October.
SiR joins Kendrick Lamar, ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, Isaiah Rashad, Lance Skiiiwalker and SZA to complete the Top Dawg roster.
His first release as a known-member of TDE is the video for “W$ Boi,” which can be viewed below.
Manhattan, NY – Taxstone was not released on bail after a judge ruled Wednesday (January 18) he should stay in jail for his alleged involvement in the Irving Plaza shooting, the New York Daily News reports.
Prosecutors argued that the Hip __hop personality, born Daryl Campbell, is a threat to society and claim they can “directly show” that he fired the shot that killed Troy Ave’s bodyguard, Ronald “Banga” McPhatter.
Initially, Taxstone was to be released on $500,000 bond and be sent to house arrest. He was arrested last week for a federal weapons charge and might have additional charges added as the case gets underway.
(This article was first published January 18, 2017 at 8:08 a.m. PST and is as follows.)
Popular podcaster Taxstone has posted bail and is on house arrest following his arrest on Monday (January 16), according to Billboard.
During an appearance in court yesterday (January 17), the Tax Season host’s bail was set at $500,000 with a handful of stipulations, including house arrest. In regards to his bail, he was required to put up at least $350,000 in cash or property.
DNAinfo reports that Taxstone, real name Daryl Campbell, was granted bail after Assistant District Attorney Hagan Scotten fought hard against his release. Scotten expressed his belief that Taxstone let off the shot that ultimately killed Ronald “Banga” McPhatter during a concert shooting at Irving Plaza last May.
“He had a gun in his hand and he murdered someone,” Scotten said in court while fighting against Taxstone being released on bail.
According to The Associated Press, defense attorney Kenneth Montgomery dismissed Scotten’s remarks and referred to Taxstone as a “smart, well-balanced person” and claimed that his client did not shoot and kill McPhatter.
Upon being arrested this week, Taxstone was struck with a federal weapons possession charge. He has not been charged with murder.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that Taxstone’s DNA was believed to be found on “the trigger, hand grip and magazine” of the handgun police retrieved after the Irving Plaza shooting.
Given that Taxstone’s arrest took place nearly eight months after the backstage shooting, Fox 5 News reporter Lisa Evers recently offered some insight into what could have been behind the delay.
“The other thing that he [Assistant District Attorney] said was in the past two months somebody started to talk,” Evers said in a video clip uploaded by DJ Akademiks. “So, it seems like they either picked somebody up who wanted to bargain with them or get a reduced charge or something like that.”
According to #lisaevers .. most likely someone was jammed up and singing like a bird to the Feds in the last 2 months in the #taxstone #troyave incident
A video posted by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on
Here is the breakdown of what the FEDS are claiming in court happened that night with #taxstone and #troyave … note … these are only allegations …but this is the narrative they have which is why they charged him with two counts of gun possession. Info is directly from the federal complaint which was unveiled in court today. Via @lisaevers
Fat Joe has reason to celebrate even before his Plata o Plomo album with Remy Ma comes out next month. The Terror Squad rapper signed a management deal with Roc Nation, according to a press release.
The New York rapper was posted up on his Instagram wearing the signature Roc Nation paper plane hat at the end of last year, but now his partnership with the house that Hov built is official.
Mobbed the fuck up. Coca Season has returned #moneyshowers
A photo posted by FAT JOE (@fatjoe) on
This is another step past Fat Joe and Jay Z’s longstanding beef, which was publicly put to rest when Jigga appeared on the “All the Way Up” remix last year.
Fat Joe and Remy Ma’s Plata o Plomo album is due out February 10 and the duo is also nominated for two Grammys for “All the Way Up.” The winners will be announced two days after the LP drops.
Los Angeles, CA – In light of T.I.’s Instagram rant about celebrities like Kanye West and Steve Harvey taking private meetings with President-elect Donald Trump, Public Enemy mastermind Chuck D caught wind of the situation and chimed in, likening Trump’s intentions to just another publicity stunt.
“Of course it’s a publicity stunt,” Chuck D tells HipHopDX. “It’s like when [President Richard] Nixon had James Brown. Any person who is black or a person of color, he [Trump] is going to use it like the person is on his side and that’s not necessarily so. How we read the media has to be the answer.”
While it’s unclear what exactly Harvey and Trump discussed during their talk, having a few people on the inside could prove to be beneficial in the long run, and Chuck doesn’t condemn Harvey for taking the meeting.
“The whole world should meet up with him [Trump] to keep this dude from going solo psycho on the planet,” Chuck D tells DX. “I’m sure Steve Harvey is looking at him eye to eye and cheek to cheek, not on his knees. He’s stepping to him as a man, and expects him to be accountable and see what he’s doing for black folks. I wouldn’t step to him, but who’s to say Steve Harvey can’t?”
He went on to address T.I.’s comments about people taking meetings with the President-elect and sees outspoken artists like T.I. a vital component to the future of this country and continuing a dialogue. However, he believes it’s unrealistic to think people are going to stay out of what goes on behind the White House doors.
“Steve Harvey is an adult,” he says. “T.I. is an adult. They can take it. At the end of the day, they’re on the same team—just a different position. We need people that can bark, especially in the rap community. Not every bark has a bite, but we at least need people that bark. Everybody can’t have the same role. Protests on this inauguration is very admirable from the artist community, especially black folk, but to think we going to stay out of that conversation on what goes on in the White House is naive. We should be outside the White House gates protesting damn near every day (Laughs). People are human beings. We are all different.”
While countless readers throw in their own two cents on Trump, T.I., Harvey and everything in between, the Fear of a Black Planet creator is adamant about one thing.
“We can’t read none of these comments online,” he says. “Comments on social media is like going back to the grade school. Any adult over 18 shouldn’t pay the commentary section any mind. It’s like 7th grade all over again. Expect a spitball and a milk cartoon, too.”
Las Vegas, NV – You have a limited time if you want to purchase Tupac Shakur‘s personal ticket stub from the Mike Tyson vs. Bruce Seldon boxing match from the night the West Coast legend was fatally shot in Las Vegas on September 7, 1996. He died from his injuries days later.
The stub is up for auction and at the time of publication only has two bidders, the highest being $8,500. A copy of Cathy Scott’s The Killing of Tupac Shakur book detailing the fateful night is included in the auction lot with the ticket.
After Mike Tyson hit his first round KO, ‘Pac allegedly handed his ticket stub, with his section FLR4 Row E Seat 2 printed on it, to a man and said, “Here you go boy, enjoy this,” TMZ reports.
Someone else ended up buying it and is now looking to auction the piece of history off through Goldin Auctions.
Maybe Martin Shkreli will cop it since he’s into collecting Hip __hop mementos, the latest being the highly anticipated project from Lil Wayne, Tha Carter V.
These days, Mike Tyson is done with his own boxing career and is now reportedly training Chris Brown for his fight against Soulja Boy.
Check out Tupac’s ticket stub from the Mike Tyson fight in Vegas below.
This past week in Hip Hop, Meek Mill had some eventful moments, from slipping on ice to getting clowned by a porn star. Elsewhere, Eminem put Kendrick Lamar’s pen game to the test and apparently just about everyone in Hip Hop wants to box each other.
Meek Mill & The L’s
A rundown of the L’s Meek Mill took this week includes him epically bailing on the icy stairs at his mama’s crib and porn star Mia Khalifa clowning him and the Philadelphia 76ers on Instagram (though that was quickly diffused by Joel Embiid). It was also reported that his breakup with Nicki Minaj was because he wanted to spend time with his homeboys instead of her on their trip to Turks & Caicos.
Oh, and also he offered to box Drake for a check, floating the idea of putting his ex up to be the ring card girl for the match.
“Y’all would come and see that fight wouldn’t y’all?” Meek mused in a Facebook Live video that exploded across the internet. “Y’all would pay $100 a ticket for that.”
Read more here.
Eminem Pen Checks Kendrick Lamar
A pretty cool story about Eminem testing Kendrick Lamar’s verse-writing ability popped up this past week, thanks to “Shape Of You” singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.
In an interview with the Zach Sang Show, Sheeran recounted the story that Em invited K. Dot over to record a track and asked that he leave his entourage at the door and enter the studio alone. It was just the two MCs and an engineer.
The Compton, California rap star wrote a sick verse that eventually became “Love Game” off The Marshall Mathers LP 2.
“Eminem said that he did it to test Kendrick because he thought he had a ghostwriter,” Sheeran revealed. “He then realized that he didn’t, and then claimed he was the best, which is kinda cool, I think.”
Read more here.
Hip Hop Celebrity Deathmatch In Real Life
So now, it seems that everyone in Hip Hop is trying to get the bag for boxing it out with their nemesis.
It all started with Soulja Boy and Chris Brown announcing their plans to box in Dubai (or LA, or Vegas, who knows anymore) and now we’re down a rabbit hole of potential possibilities for more boxing matches that could rack in millions. Easy money play for all.
RiFF RAFF offered to get in the ring with 50 Cent for $2 million, Kodak Black wanted to box Lil Wayne over the “best rapper alive” title and 50 Cent suggested that 21 Savage and his copycat 22 Savage be the undercard for Soulja Boy vs. Chris Brown match.
And then, Meek Mill said he’d fight Drake for $5 million.
While these rappers are prepping to be in the role of a boxer, Mike Tyson is seeing what life is like on the other side with his recently recorded diss song toward Soulja Boy. Yes, that happened.
Read more here.
DXclusives: Harvey J & Tre Capital
Harvey J cleverly used Hennessy to curate his “Hennessy Chicken” music video and then he went viral.
“Hennessy chose me,” he asserts in an exclusive interview with HipHopDX’s Ural Garrett.
Elsewhere, Tre Capital spoke with DX’s Victoria Hernandez about paving his own way while recording his We Must Do Better album.
The Los Angeles rapper has 11 tracks on the project that he created to speak and connect with his fans.
“Let me really make sure that I’m putting in the effort and the time to talk about the relationship with my family and how I felt discouraged trying to be a bigger role model for them,” he says. “My brother or my sister or friends around me or just music. Combining all of those topics and putting it into perspective of saying man, fans are so geeked to hear this album because it’s refreshing.”
Cash Money Records is engaged in yet another legal tussle, this time with the former management company for Drake. The Aspire Music Group is alleging in a lawsuit that Cash Money has withheld the Canadian superstar’s profits that it agreed to share in a deal signed in 2008.
Drake and Aspire entered into a management partnership that year, a four-year exclusive arrangement in where it was later agreed in a second deal that Cash Money would receive one-third of Drizzy’s songwriting and licensing profits, reports Page Six. Aspire says Cash Money is withholding statements from that time period and has yet to pay out any of the agreed upon terms.
Manhattan Supreme Court records show that in 2009, Drake signed his Cash Money Records deal via his connection with Lil Wayne’s Young Money Entertainment. It was then that Drake signed the second agreement that is the current point of contention. The suit states that Drake was set to honor the agreement for four albums. Conversely, Drake reworked his agreement with Aspire in 2012 over unpaid royalties and has since cut ties with the company.
Former Aspire exec Jas Prince and Young Money Records settled their legal differences for good last summer after Prince launched an $11 million lawsuit that was claimed to have been settled in 2014. Because of Aspire’s claims that Cash Money held out the profits, monies owed to Prince for discovering and getting Drake signed to the company were held up.
This adds to Birdman’s legal woes with Lil Wayne, with the “father and son” contending over the release of the Young Money honcho’s Tha Carter V album. Birdman promises that the project will be liberated this year, but Weezy says that’s not true.
In an apparent Facebook Live video, Meek Mill claims that he would “break Drizzy the fuck up for $5 mill.”
#meekmill says for $5,000,000 he'll beat #drake the f*ck up!!! And #nickiminaj can be the ring girl….. Mann let's get this sh*t cracking .. YALL send this to @50cent . Big Soulja vs chris brown was so last week… this beef with Drake n meek forever lit (more info in link in bio- YT)
A video posted by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on
Rappers all over have been suggesting their own boxing matches since Big Soulja and Breezy started talking about handling their issues inside the ring. Kodak Black offered to fight Lil Wayne over the “best rapper alive” title, 22 Savage wanted to box his namesake 21 Savage for that title, and RiFF RAFF wanted fisticuffs with 50 Cent for $2 million, because why not? Meek Mill versus Drake is just the latest speculative bout.
It’s a fight that’s been a long time coming ever since Meek accused Drake in 2015 of using a ghostwriter. After that, the 6 God wrecked the Philly rapper back to back, both in song form and in literal form as Meek became the ubiquitous symbol for taking an “L.”
The newly single Dreamchasers boss even offered up his ex-girlfriend Nicki Minaj to be the ring card girl for the match.
“Y’all would come and see that fight wouldn’t y’all?” Meek asks in the above video clip. “Y’all would pay $100 a ticket for that.”
Yes, the world would absolutely love to see Meek and Drake go at it pound for pound.
Hollywood, CA – Atlanta rapper Soulja Boy has been hit with yet another blow, and not the one people have been expecting to come courtesy of Chris Brown’s hands.
TMZ reports that while Soulja has been going back and forth with Breezy, his Hollywood Hills home was burglarized.
The crook, who busted through the front door while the home was empty, reportedly made off with $10,000 in cash and $12,000 in jewelry.
Cops are currently investigating the robbery, which went down on Tuesday (January 10). They were given a vital piece of information, an image of the suspect, thanks to Soulja’s security system.
So far, authorities have no evidence that suggests that Brown or anyone affiliated with the singer was involved.
Despite being robbed of nearly $25,000 in cash and jewelry, Soulja could rake in a nice amount of dough with his upcoming boxing match against Brown. Those involved are hoping to air the fight on Pay-Per-View, which could bring in added cash for the dueling pair of musicians.
Soulja Boy has not responded to the robbery publicly, but did post an Instagram video where he can be seen flashing his jewelry and an envelope full of cash.
Philadelphia, PA – Meek Mill knows he has a ton of haters out there — even more now that he doesn’t have his trump card in a Nicki Minaj relationship telling them to fall back. But even a Dreamchasers’ attitude couldn’t defend his twinkle toe actions when he was caught on surveillance video at his mother’s house falling down her icy stairs.
Instead of waiting for an internet sleuth to drag him through the e-coals, he decided to make the humorous footage go viral himself via his own Instagram account. To make matters even more interesting, he got put on skates while rocking a pair of Kanye West’s Adidas YEEZY Boost 350 V2 ‘Red Stripe’ Core Black Red.
“They spoke a L into existence,” he laughed off before clarifying “leaving out my mom house was tragic for me! Icey ass steps!!! U fall get right back upppp! ?? I ran I thought a ghost pushed me! I might sue yeezy! ? SINCE YALL WANNA SEE ME FALL SO BAD!!!!”
😂😂😂😂😂😂 timeout
A video posted by Meek Mill (@meekmill) on
While the comical clip has Meek’s name buzzing across the wide world web (his own personal video is nearing one million views as of press time), it is his highly publicized break-up with The Pinkprint that still rings out in the early stages of 2017. According to a still undebunked report, their dissolution came at the tail end of December during a Turks & Caicos vacation when Meek opted to kick it with the fellas as opposed to spending time with the birthday girl.
Cold world. Especially when you’re falling in the snow.
The presidency of Barack Obama is coming to its final days, but the transition wouldn’t be complete with one of the First Family’s legendary White House parties as they say their goodbyes. The Friday farewell jam featured the likes of hometown star Wale, Chance The Rapper, Solange Knowles, Usher, LaLa Anthony, J. Cole and several others.
According to a sweep of social media, Solange performed at the event and posted a photo of her soundcheck ahead of the performance. Wale and Chance are familiar faces at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and while cameras and cell phones weren’t allowed inside the party, most of the attendees documented the event via their respective pages.
Along with the aforementioned, Kelly Rowland, Chris Rock, Jay Pharaoh, John Legend and his wife Chrissy Teigen, George and Amal Clooney, Nick Jonas and Jill Scott were some of the other attendees for the private event.
“The sound check of life…Was truly the ultimate, ultimate honor. Can’t even put into words. Really. We will miss your excellence, your grace, and the phenomenal legacy you have let us all share,” wrote Solange in one of the few photos available from inside the event. We’ve collected the best of the footage we could find below.
The sound check of life… Was truly the ultimate, ultimate honor. Can't even put into words. Really. We will miss your excellence, your grace, and the phenomenal legacy you have let us all share. #obamaout🎤
A photo posted by Solange (@saintrecords) on
#PressPlay: #ChanceTheRapper speaks about his time at #PresidentObama 's farewell party the other night 🙌🏾
A video posted by The Shade Room (@theshaderoom) on
A photo posted by kellyrowland (@kellyrowland) on
All that Ebony at the White House Ayyyyyyyeeeee..We looking like the last episode of 106 & Park out this Bih😂😂😂 @usher @wale @lala @kellyrowland #blackstarpower #Whitehouse #MichelleObama #usher #lala #wale #kellyrowland
A photo posted by Jay Pharoah (@jaypharoah) on
This was before but it just ended and I'm so blessed to have been invited shout out @chancetherapper and @barackobama for believing in a young nigga
A photo posted by reesey money (@reeseynem) on
👯❤
A photo posted by LaLa (@lala) on
The one party we'll wait in line to get into… @johnlegend @chrissyteigen @jerryseinfeld @jessseinfeld @mimisam28 #whitehouse
A photo posted by djcassidy (@djcassidy) on
#ElFlacoYLaFlaca 😂 Yeahhhh con mi Flaco de Oro @marcanthony en la entrada de la #casablanca anoche en la fiesta de despedida de @barackobama No se imaginan como nos divertimos!!!!!!!! Y lo mucho q el #Presidente la #primeradama lo quieren 👍🏻 Love uuuuu to the moon and back 🙏🏻
A photo posted by Lili Estefan (@liliestefan) on
Oh, what a night?! So honored to have been invited to attend the last #grownup party at the White House before The President and First Lady depart from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. #gratefulplateful
