Amber

Havoc is a visionary; he always has been, since first expressing himself creatively through music and production. Upon finding a kindred spirit in the late Prodigy, Havoc quickly established himself as one of the game's most effective double-threats. A pioneer of the dark banger, his production retained a cinematic quality, the perfect backdrop for his reflections on his environment. "Everything around me was dark," he reflects. "Things was happening, people was getting shot, people was getting robbed, you know. I was broke. I didn't have money. So I wasn't naturally drawn to happy sounds." Nowadays, with a legendary discography to look back on, Havoc remains driven to create. A self-professed homebody who stays active behind the boards, it's clear that his passion for the craft hasn't faded. With artists still reaching out -- Conway, Flee Lord, Lloyd Banks, and Method Man come to mind -- there's no shortage of emcees who still respect the blueprint Havoc drafted all those years ago. Upon speaking with the Mobb Deep lyricist, what really stood out was his insight into the game -- that, and the friendly nature with which he delivered his gems. Should you be interested in hip-hop history, as well as the storied discography of Havoc and Mobb Deep alike, be sure to check out a transcription of our conversation below. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. Michael Tullberg/Getty ImagesHNHH: Havoc, what’s up! How have you been keeping busy and adapting to the times? Havoc: I'm always working on music. I'm a homebody, so it didn’t really bother me, cause I’m not a social butterfly anyway. But every now and then, knowing that you can't go out is just weird. Oh yeah, definitely. I know. When you're working on music, do you have a regimen that you follow? Is it kind of like a nine to five type thing? I usually work when I wake up and I just do it until whenever you know what I mean? I try not to go too late cause I want to get my sleep. I try not to go past, you know, one o'clock in the morning. I like to get my sleep because I wake up early anyway, you know what I mean? If you don't mind me asking - for all the gear fans, what’s the set up you’re working with right now? I got my Komplete keyboard. I got my Maschine studio. Pretty much that's my outboard gear that I work with. I got all my software and all of that stuff, but I keep it pretty simple, you know, my Maschine keyboard, and I'm good. Cool. I'm kind of familiar with Maschine myself, and it’s such a crazy piece of technology. Can you walk me through some of the key changes in the beatmaking technology you've experienced and how those transitions have affected your process? Right. One of the major change components of beat-making, producing, is that it’s now software-based. Even though we have the outboard gear -- like I would have the MPC -- but now it's connected to my desktop or to my laptop, and I actually can see what I'm doing. Definitely. Definitely. So when you first started making beats, what were you using back then? When I first started, I was using the EPS plus Ensoniq keyboard. I was using that in conjunction with the MPC 60, and that's all I was using at that time. So I pretty much almost got the same kind of setup, but just different equipment. I got my keyboard and I got my drum machine, which is the Maschine studio. So for the sampling, are you still crate digging? Now, I dig through samples that are provided to me, through people that do the digging. They hit me with mad samples, and I’ll dig through that. I dig on my own online and do stuff like that. But every once in a blue moon, you know, if I'm traveling, I can't help but to visit a vinyl record shop. To grab some exclusive pieces. Like if I'm in Amsterdam or Germany, one of those places, I'll grab some vinyl. I still have mad vinyl that I still collect. Back in March, I bought like $2,000 worth of vinyl. I just grabbed it and went. And I have my turntables. So sometimes, when things start feeling mundane, every once in a blue moon, I go to my turntables and I get my vinyl, I crack it out, and I'll sift through the vinyl. One thing I really wanted to applaud you for -- I'm personally a really big fan of that darker production sound. And you're one of the pioneers of that sound as far as I'm concerned, you know? Thank you. Can you break down how you kind of came to favor those darker, almost spookier sounds and samples when you were first starting out? It's all about, you know, that saying goes that “we're a product of our environment.” So not to make it sound too cliche or anything like that, but I grew up in a dark place. You understand what I'm saying? You know, make no mistakes about it. Queensbridge wasn't a happy place. Though there were happy times from childhood that I can remember, overall it's one of those places where you want to grow up, get a career and leave. You know what I mean? That place was just a stepping stone and then you get up out of there. "Everything around me was dark. Things was happening, people was getting shot, people was getting robbed, you know. I was broke. I didn't have money. So I wasn't naturally drawn to happy sounds. I would hear something dark and I'd be like, Ooh, that reminds me of the hallway that I'm walking up at night time when I'm trying to get into the house safely."And so that really kind of cultivated what I would become as a producer when it came to my sound. Because everything around me was dark. Things was happening, people was getting shot, people was getting robbed, you know. I was broke. I didn't have money. So I wasn't naturally drawn to happy sounds. I would hear something dark and I'd be like, Ooh, that reminds me of the hallway that I'm walking up at night time when I'm trying to get into the house safely. Or walking the block at night and not knowing what's going to happen. That really cultivated the sound -- my environment, period. Brad Barket/Getty ImagesDefinitely. It's like you were able to convey all these subtle feelings without having to spell it out. Obviously, you can rap as well. But you were able to bring those elements of your storytelling into the music, which I think is really cool. It gives a lot of Mobb Deep’s earlier stuff but this very cinematic quality to it. Were you always so in touch with your creative side when you were coming up? Absolutely. Absolutely. You know, I started drawing when I was about four years old. Growing up, I always knew that I was creative. I paid attention more to things. I wanted to know. I loved science, I loved history. I paid attention to things, and I used to draw, so basically I was creative, and producing gave me another outlet to create. It wasn't like I was a natural-born producer or anything like that. But, you know, once I got equipment in front of me, I was like, “Wow, what's this?” And then I was able to express myself. When you were first starting out writing and producing, was there one that you felt more comfortable with in general? One that you gravitated towards more? You know what? I love to write, you know what I'm saying? I don't consider myself the best writer in the world, but I conveyed my message. As far as Mobb Deep was concerned, I was able to do that. But I find that producing is easier because I don't have to say no words. I could just sit there and you can feel the mood. I don't have to even spell it out for you. It's just like, you just feel. It’s a vibe. Overall I love them both, but thinking back on it now, I think producing is like my greatest love. "I find that producing is easier because I don't have to say no words. I could just sit there and you can feel the mood. I don't have to even spell it out for you. It's just like, you just feel. It’s a vibe. Overall I love them both, but thinking back on it now, I think producing is like my greatest love."Fair enough. Was there one particular piece of writing that really stands out to you -- maybe the realest shit you ever wrote? [Laughs] I would have to say “Temperature’s Rising” off The Infamous album, because we was rapping about true events -- things that happened. And when I listened back to the verse, I really surprised myself on how close and real I got to the situation in rap form. I surprised myself. So I think that that's one of the realest verses that I wrote for sure. It's cool too, because you know, you're making the beats as well. So I imagine when you're bringing those beats into a session, you already have a pretty distinctive idea of where you want to go with the song. I don't know if you used to work solo when you were making beats or if you would collaborate with Prodigy. It was like half and half, maybe. What was it like in those early days when you were first finding that collaborative footing? Alongside P? Yeah. It was beautiful. Because it was new grounds for us. We were just testing the waters, and we didn't know what to expect. So it was just like we were on this adventure together. We didn't know if we were going to succeed or fail. So it was just this journey that we took. And just looking back on it, that was my most favorite part. We became successful, but to think back at the times of the unknowing -- we were just trying it and going so hard and we didn't know what was going to be the outcome. And I'm looking at that person now and I'm like, wow. We didn't know what we were about to do. That camaraderie! It's really a great thing too, especially because you could see that in the music. I think that's why your guys' music has withstood the test of time so much. And I think that's why a lot of people still view Mobb Deep as one of the greatest groups of all time. I was also very curious, just as a fan in general of the New York rap scene. I hear so many stories about when rappers were first coming up. The battling that took place. I've heard about the legendary DMX/Jay-Z battle. I saw on the Wu-Tang show, they reenacted Meth versus Chef. Did you have any experiences in the battling circuit when you were first coming up? Nah, we never really even took part in that because it was never presented to us. Now had we been in those circles, I'm sure we wouldn't have had no problems joining the cypher, but it never was presented to us. But I'm a fan of the battle. I mean, in the lunchroom when we was in high school, we used to all be at the tables and everybody used to be spitting their best lyrics. So I guess that was my little taste of battling, but I never got to do it on the come-up level being within the industry. But you were also part of the era where there were some crazy posse cuts. You look at the emcees that were on these tracks and it's really incredible stuff. Do you have any particular experience working on posse cuts where it really felt was like some big shit was going down? You know, early on I did a song with Black Moon, and I don't even think Mobb Deep was even out yet at the time. You had me, Buckshot Shorty, I believe Smith and Wesson was on the track. And this had to be like in ’93 or something like that. That was one of the early experiences I had with posse cuts. I'm sure I've been on a few since then, but none that really stood out more than that. But Prodigy was on one that was crazy and that was the “I Shot Ya (Remix)” -- the LL Cool J joint. That's one of my favorite Prodigy verses of all time. And you know, if he was here today, man, that would be a perfect question for him because I know he would say that that was one of his most memorable posse cuts that he was on. "Early on I did a song with Black Moon, and I don't even think Mobb Deep was even out yet at the time. You had me, Buckshot Shorty, I believe Smith and Wesson was on the track. And this had to be like in ’93 or something like that. That was one of the early experiences I had with posse cuts. I'm sure I've been on a few since then, but none that really stood out more than that. But Prodigy was on one that was crazy and that was the “I Shot Ya (Remix)” -- the LL Cool J joint. That's one of my favorite Prodigy verses of all time. And you know, if he was here today, man, that would be a perfect question for him because I know he would say that that was one of his most memorable posse cuts that he was on."Rest in peace Prodigy. For sure. LL Cool J ft Keith Murray, Prodigy, Fat Joe, Foxy Brown: "I Shot Ya (Remix)"I can't even imagine being in the studio for some of these sessions. That's something I always love to hear about -- the studio sessions. Because I know that for the artists, releasing the music is one thing, but actually being there, the creative side -- whether it's recording, whether it's listening back...I don't know how involved you are in the mixing process, but if you have a passion for that, I imagine that that's even more exciting, right? Yeah. I mean, it's crazy because you know, I've been in plenty of sessions with quite a few artists all together, and the camaraderie is unparalleled. You know what I mean? You can't simulate it. You got the record and everything like that, but the true experience in the studio with the artists and the vibes that's going on and how the artists are vibing, it's mind-blowing. Because you know, now that we’re in COVID-19, it's sad that some artists might not be able to experience that and they just have to send records off through the internet. But, you know, back in the days, all the rappers used to get together in the studio and just be writing. Everybody trying to write the best verse, and all the smoke is in the air. [Laughs] It's like, you didn't want the session to end. You know what I mean? Definitely! Definitely. And then the crazy thing too is like, you have the song when you're first creating it, right? It's in a skeletal state, you have your ideas, you're writing the bare minimum. Then you bring it to the studio where it really starts to come to life. Then when you release it, it takes on a life of its own. So you have people listening to it with all sorts of different interpretations of the song. It almost stops being your song in a way, because everyone starts to build up their own memories. And it's just like, how do you capture the vibe that you want to go for in that sense? It feels like it’s impossible in that sense. Yeah. It is kind of impossible because once you let it out to your hands, it's not your baby no more, you know what I mean? It's everybody else's baby. But you know, you go into the studio with one goal, one mission, and you try to accomplish that. You don't know if you truly accomplished it until you let it go. So you let it go. And then it becomes -- everybody has their own theories and thoughts on it. And you know, it becomes theirs, and it's a little bit of yours and, you know...but overall you feel good that you created something that can cause a conversation. Are you somebody who really considers the album as an art form when you were working on your projects? Like sequencing the tracklist -- was that something that you were particularly interested in? Absolutely. The album is an art form because it's a body of work, and it all has to intertwine together, right? The sequence has to be just right. If you fuck up the sequence, you could kind of fuck up the album in a way. Even though they’re the same songs, people might not get to the next song because you fucked up the sequence. They might be like, “Nah, I don't like this album. Bye. See you later.” But if you set it up just right and you pulling them in, pulling them in, pulling them in, pulling them in, and then later you saying, “All right, see you later.” So sequencing is really important. You know, long live the album. Cause now everything is just single-based and nobody's worried about an album and people are just streaming one song or two songs. I don't even think people have the patience to listen to albums anymore. That's just this generation, but they don't know what they are missing. You know, a full body of work is a real pure art form. I agree with that, that's for sure. I used to buy a lot of CDs and not to be that guy and be like, “Oh, CDs were the best way to listen to music.” Streaming is great, it has a lot of conveniences. But when you were buying an album, you were stuck with that album. You were listening to every song. I used to have CDs in my van, man, and a six-disc player. So I just learned every album I had front and back. It's just a great way to be able to listen to music. Yeah. That day is gone. I never thought the day would come. Because when we came in the game, the internet wasn't even here yet, then the internet came and I never thought that you know, the music will just be there, and it wouldn't be something tangible for me to hold. That was something that I couldn't really conceive, but then I saw it happening -- and now it’s here. It's just, you know, different times. D Dipasupil/Getty ImagesCircling back to the music itself that you tend to favor. One thing I really noticed in a lot of your production is that you really understand the importance of the bassline as the heartbeat of a song. I was wondering -- when did you start to develop this appreciation and almost mastery of using bass in your music? I think I kind of learned that from Q-Tip cause I worked with him hands-on and just listening to other producers, like Large Professor and Premier and Pete Rock. But mainly Q-Tip because I will be in the studio with him and I would see him doing what he was doing. I just knew that the bass was the meat of the song. It's the lifeblood of the song and you definitely couldn't have it without it because I don't remember hearing any songs without some skin on it. You know what I mean? Yeah, definitely. Given the horror-like soundscapes you use in general, are you someone who's into horror at all? Am I into horror films? I'm more into drama. You know what I mean? But I, you know, I don't really mind horror films. I watch them. I like listening to the music from horror films more than I probably like watching horror films. But I'm more of a drama, a feeling kind of person. But even in drama, you know, the music is still cinematic but the music from horror is unmatched. I agree with that. Sometimes when I write for work, I'll throw on some horror scores. There's some crazy ones. Honestly. I like the old school ones, I guess, but there's some new gems too. Absolutely! Absolutely. I got a few new ones. I don't know the names of them, and they're right here on my desktop, but I go through them like water. I'll be like, you know, just really listening. It Follows soundtrack. Very good. I recommend that one. I liked that one for sure. Okay! [Laughs] I’ma write that down! On a production level, do you have a favorite body of work that you've done? I would have to say it would be Hell on Earth. I was just really listening to that today. And I said, “Man, you know what?” I was still fresh, in the production game and to listen back at it and be like, “Damn, what the fuck was I thinking?” I like it. I'm a fan of it. So I have it in my car. As soon as I get in my car, it's on shuffle, but every other song that comes on is Hell on Earth. And that is one of my favorite bodies of work. That's a good one. So any particular beat to break it down even further? Beats wise on Hell on Earth? What's the song? It's the one with Prodigy and Raekwon and I'm just on the hook. I think it's called “Nighttime Vultures,” I believe. Mobb Deep ft Raekwon: "Nighttime Vultures" Raekwon is another one of my favorite emcees. Was it like getting him on that track? I mean, you guys have been pretty tight with the Wu-Tang Clan -- what was your relationship like at the beginning, when you were both coming up? I mean, getting Rae on the track was a huge honor, a blessing. To have somebody like Raekwon in the studio with you and just sitting there, kicking it with you like a brother. It felt good, man. You know, it really felt good looking back on it now it's like, wow. They respected us and we respected them. I wanted to also mention that I was pretty happy when I saw your name on Conway The Machine's album! How'd that one come together? I was going to work with Kanye in Mexico one day and I got there and [Griselda] happened to be there. And that was my first time ever even meeting anybody from Griselda. So I met them there, and we exchanged numbers. And usually people exchange numbers and they never hit you back. But he hollered at me. He was like, “Yo, I need you to get on this track or whatever.” But as a matter of fact, I sent him some tracks. We exchanged numbers and he was like, “Yo, send me some tracks. I sent him some tracks. I didn't hear back for a couple of months. I was like, “He probably not taking the track.” And then he hit me one day and he sent me a track that I made, and he rapped on it. I was like, “Oh shit, so you did use the track!” And he was like, “Yo, I need you to do the hook for me.” And I was like, “No problem.” [Laughs] So I sat in my house. I recorded it. I sent it back to him, no lie, in 15 minutes. That's how quick it took me to just do the hook, and he was pretty happy about it. He was like, “Yo, this shit is crazy.” I was like, “Yo, thank you.” You know, he put it out. And he got Lloyd Banks on there too. Right, that's crazy. And I love Lloyd Banks! Oh, and Flee Lord. That's my people. He real solid. It's cool too. It's almost funny actually how things kind of come full circle now. You almost reunited with G-Unit there. [Laughs] Absolutely! And you know what? Right after we did that record, Lloyd Banks hit me up. He was like, “Yo, Hav I need the track.” I said, “Don't worry. I got you.” And I sent him some tracks. So we have yet to see what is to come of that. But I'm sure it's going to be dope -- especially from Lloyd banks. I guess that's a good time to look back on your time with G-Unit -- what was the mentality going in? When did you guys decide to sign with them back at that point? Mobb Deep had been free agents. 50 Cent had given me a call. I did a song with him two years prior because he was one of my favorite artists before he even really took off -- I did a song with him and then he took off two years later. Mobb Deep were free agents, 50 called me, and it was an opportunity. And you know, he's from Queens so we all could relate, and he's performing on the highest level that a rapper could perform. It was like deal that you couldn't refuse. You know what I mean? It's like, “Yo come to G-Unit.” He gave us some Porsches real fast, and we was like, “Okay, we outta here!” The mindset going in was the like, “Yo let's throw a fresh new coat of paint on Mobb Deep.” And still trying to remain Mobb Deep. It kinda upset a lot of our hardcore fans. It upset them, but to me, it was an opportunity of a lifetime. I enjoyed my time over there, and it felt good. "[50 Cent]'s from Queens so we all could relate, and he's performing on the highest level that a rapper could perform. It was like deal that you couldn't refuse. You know what I mean? It's like, 'Yo come to G-Unit.' He gave us some Porsches real fast, and we was like, 'Okay, we outta here!'"Correct me if I'm wrong, but that was the first time that you guys worked with Dre. Oh yeah. That was the first time! You and Dre are both pioneers of that darker sound. Did you guys work on the song “Out of Control (Remix)” together? Dre already had it laid down, so we didn't work on it together. But you know, just the fact that we was able to be on the Dre track! So looking back on the G-Unit era, do you look back on it fondly overall? Absolutely. I look back on it truly fondly. It was a real fun time. As soon as we finished the music, 50 took us on tour for like three months straight. You know what I mean? It was just a bunch of photoshoots and a bunch of videos and whole tour buses! It was fun. Looking back on it, like I had a good time. You mentioned that earlier you were a homebody. How did you kind of reconcile these extravagant tours with artists like 50 Cent? Was that something that you had to get used to at the time? I was used to going on tour. Even within Mobb Deep, we would tour for like a month and a half or something like that. But the way that I deal with it is I try not to think about home. I'm like, “Okay, this is my job. This is what I do. This is what I signed up for.” So there's no time to complain. You're not home now. Go out. You gotta do what you gotta do and just make it back home. Dave M. Benett/Getty ImagesYeah. It kind of goes back to the camaraderie aspect too. I'm sure you guys build up a lot of strong relationships when you're on tour. People make a lot of promises about songs they're going to make and then never make. I'm sure there's a lot, you know, maybe some songs come of it. [Laughs] A lot of that does happen, you know what I mean? And then you form new relationships, new bonds, bonds made stronger. So a lot of things come with touring, you know -- good and bad. Have you been finding that a lot of artists have been reaching out to you, looking for production nowadays? You know what, it’s funny that you asked that because I was just telling my girlfriend that yesterday, I said to her, “I don't know why I'm surprised, but lately a lot of artists have been hitting me up.” You know asking for tracks, this, that, and a third. I got you. I got you. I got you. I'm only one man, but I can handle the workload. I've done whole albums, so just to give somebody a few tracks, it's nothing. But it's a blessing that you still are sought after all these years. It feels good -- but yeah, to answer your question, a lot of artists have been hitting me up lately, asking for tracks. I like the sound of that. When you're working for another artist specifically, I guess it helps to have a familiarity with the artists -- do you find it fun to kind of tailor the beat you're making towards the artists you're working with? You know, it's a real thin line that you have to walk. Because on one hand, the reason why they coming to you is because they want your sound. But at the same time you want to kinda cater to who the artist is. You have to toe the line. So you got to kind of combine it in a weird way, and not kind of make it into what you think that they might like. They came to you for you, so you have to stay in your lane and then give it to them. That's what I found is most successful. I think you’ve really pulled that off successfully. Two songs come to mind: “Why” with Jada, that was a big one. Even when I first heard it, I didn't even make the connection at first. Did you have that beat made before, or did you make that specifically for Jadakiss? Nah, he hit me up for some tracks. And I worked on the tracks, and it wasn't even anything that I had made. I went record shopping for a few records and that was like one of the second records I put on. I said, “Okay, here we go. There we go.” And then I did it, sent it to them. They loved it. It must be interesting to hear back what they do with it. Like he took it in a direction I would never have expected, honestly -- like he had that same rhyme scheme throughout, and the whole “Why” concept. Right. And it made it kind of special, you know what I mean? It made it like a Jadakiss record that you wouldn't forget because he did it in that manner. And when I heard that I was excited. I was like, thank you! Because sometimes you give records to artists and they don't really step up to the plate, so to speak. You're like, “Ahhh,” but you have to like it anyways. But he was one of those people that stepped up to the plate big time. Definitely. Also, the other song I was thinking of too was “Untitled” with Eminem. That was, I'd say, a very interesting beat from you too. It was almost like a swing tempo. I feel like that beat must have been made specifically for Em, the way you arranged that. I can't lie to you on that one. I definitely had him in mind when I was making it. Cause I was like, Eminem is so eccentric with his flow that you want to give him an eccentric swing that you know he could flow around. I knew that he would be able to navigate through that track. "Eminem is so eccentric with his flow that you want to give him an eccentric swing that you know he could flow around. I knew that he would be able to navigate through that [on "Untitled"]. For sure. And I think you captured it too. I've always found his own production captured this almost like carnivalesque quality to it at times, you know? And I find that your beat for “Untitled” brought that Havoc feel with that Eminem carnival vibe. The two just married to each other -- that dark sound and the carnival vibe and boom, you mesh it together and you got a record. Then you brought the full dark sound to “Welcome to Hell” also which was another banger. “Welcome to Hell.” Royce da 5’9 is one of my favorite artists. He's definitely one of my favorite artists. Like woo, his lyricism is crazy! Yeah. He's producing now too. I'm not surprised. [Laughs] You know, when I hear about any emcee producing, I'm not surprised because you know, artists are creative. Why aren't they producing more? "When I hear about any emcee producing, I'm not surprised because you know, artists are creative. Why aren't they producing more?" Seshanka Samarajiwa/WireImage/Getty ImagesThat's a good question. I'd be curious if every artist were to produce their own beats for one album, what would it sound like? It probably would sound dope. Yeah. They’d just have to climb that hurdle of learning the technology. I mean, if you throw an artist who's never seen Maschine in front of them, some interesting antics will ensue, I'm sure. But yeah that piece of technology is crazy, what you can do with that. Yeah. Yeah. Maschine is my baby right there. You know what I mean? I got this too, the Ableton Push. I played with it a little bit. But I didn't really... you know, it's hard changing workflows, so I kind of just left it alone, you know? When did you first start using the Maschine? I can't even remember, like whenever it came out. Whatever year that was. Did they come on? Like maybe eight years ago, maybe something like that. I don't really know. Yeah. Yeah. I'm not sure, but whenever they came out, that's when I started messing with it. Probably even longer than that, because I haven't been working with the MPC in such a long time. So, I had to be working with this for a long time. Are you planning on dropping any new solo albums or instrumental albums? What do you got cooking? You know, I'm still trying to figure it out. I would like to drop a solo album. An instrumental album would be dope too. You just gave me a thought, cause I never even thought about doing that again. That would be nice. But producing for other artists is what I'm doing right now. It’s where my heart is. And I want to kind of put out a couple of artists. So it's just a matter of time, of me putting out a few artists and then I might make another solo album or whatever, but, you know -- time will tell. Cool. Well, I'm looking forward to that. I also wanted to ask one quick thing -- What was your reaction to hearing Black Thought just obliterate 10 minutes straight of the “Burn” instrumental? Yo. When I heard that, I said, “Yo, this is the fucking lyrical Superman.” This is the lyrical Superman. I mean, who goes 10 minutes straight? People can't even talk ten minutes straight sometimes, much less rap. So, I mean, that just goes to show you that he takes his lyricism seriously. He's a true rapper, poet. And he's a master of his craft. Definitely. And he picked a good beat for the occasion. I would say so. I remember seeing that video. You could see him sweating as it goes and just in the zone. It's crazy. It's crazy. [Laughs] Like what do those pages look like that he wrote it on! I have no idea. I'm sure he made reference to what he wrote it on in the bars, but I don't remember. [Laughs] Like a tree trunk! He carved them into a tree trunk or some shit! You mentioned the lyrical Superman. I'm wondering what's a beat that led you to think, “Okay, this was a production Superman,” you know? Was there ever a moment where you were like, “Who thought of this crazy-ass beat?” Like anyone’s beat? Yeah. “Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang.” That beat is fucking crazy to me. Every time I hear it, I'm like, “Yo, I love this beat,” you know what I mean? For sure. There's plenty, a whole slew of others, but that's one of my all-time favorites. But there's so many ill, dope beats out there, man! I feel like a lot of people would probably put “Shook Ones Pt. II” in that equation. Yeah. I probably throw that in too. Did you guys know that that was the one when you came out of the studio? Were you guys like “This shit is gonna be the hit?" I think we had a good idea. Like, “This shit is banging!” We had a pretty good idea, but like I said, you make it, studio, and then the true test is when you let it out of your hands. Yeah, for sure. I feel like a whole new generation of people too probably heard that in 8 Mile as well. How did "Shook Ones Pt. 2" come to be the climactic song in that film generally? You know, when things like that happen it’s a licensing thing and clearance thing. So, you know, they go for clearance, and of course, you give them permission. To see it in a major motion picture like that, it just gave the song a pair of new wings for another generation. You can't top it. You've really worked with so many different artists. I'm just wondering, is there anyone that you still want to collaborate with? A bucket list collaboration that you're looking to get out there? There are so many artists out there that I would like to collaborate with that it wouldn't be fair for me to just name one or a few. But I'm a fan of a lot of artists, you know what I mean? In general. So, you know, I just like working with different artists. Did you have an album of the year pick for 2020? I would have to give it to Busta. He put out a decent, solid body of work. That's my brother right there. That's a great pick. Yeah, he killed it. I have to say Busta. You could tell that that was an album that he put a lot of thought into. Especially like the arranging, the track listing, the fact that he's able to bring back his older sound very consciously. You know what I mean? He gets the cadences down. He gets the sound effects down. He brought out a Dilla production for the occasion. Right, right. I mean, come on. That's Busta. I mean, he is an album-orientated artist all the way. From beginning to end, he's mastered that. Absolutely. Well, that's a great pick and look -- I'm sure we could talk hip hop for quite some time, but I don't want to take up your whole day. It’s all good. And thank you. I appreciate it. I appreciate your time and everything you've given the game in general. I hope we can talk soon again. Have a great day, and be safe! Definitely you too, man. And thank you for the interview. Scott Dudelson/Getty Images http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/YrPDSiMiAsEView the full article

DaBaby has often boasted himself to be the Billion-Dollar Baby, and while his net worth might not be at that level (at least, not yet), his numbers are certainly befitting of the moniker. While we've previously seen his breakout single "Suge" surpass the billion-stream mark across all on-demand streaming platforms, it would appear that DaBaby has officially seen another of his smash hits, the Roddy Ricch assisted "Rockstar," achieving the massive milestone on Spotify. Noel Vasquez/Getty ImagesToday, Baby took a moment to flex some of the incredible achievements he's recently knocked out of the park, sharing a celebratory post on his Instagram page. "Grammy-nominated song of the year & Billboard #1 Hit for 7 weeks in a row is now at a BILLION+ streams on @spotify alone," he writes. "Real ni*ga Rockstar, do anything but play wit em. Appreciate y’all dearly for listening and enjoying." Clearly, "Rockstar" has become as definitive a DaBaby anthem as "Suge," and it goes to show that the North Carolina lyricist can be a true mainstream juggernaut when he sets his mind to it. Boasting not one, but two billion-stream singles is no easy feat, and one has to wonder if DaBaby will go for the hat trick with his next major release. Either way, it should be exciting to see what he comes through with this year -- do you think the Billion Dollar Baby will hold it down with another album following this latest win? http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/ppMl1QiLVTYView the full article

Lil Durk's touch can make all the difference. That has been proven time and time again. He's been on a spectacular feature run as of late including on Fredo Bang's "Top (Remix)," Pooh Shiesty's "Back In Blood," and the list goes on. And the success of The Voice just makes a feature from Durkio invaluable. With the newly coined "Soul Rap" ushering in a new subgenre of rap, you have to attribute this in part to Durk's melodious efforts over the years. This week, the rapper slid through for the remix of Kevo Muney's "Leave Some Day." The rapper boosts the record with his own accounts of trauma that adds to Kevo Muney's own emotional verses. Check out the latest from Kevo Muney ft. Lil Durk below. Quotable Lyrics Look up to God like why? Why you take all my guys? And it hurt me inside I found out they was dying http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/0VODvK_95ToView the full article

Pop star Sia's directorial debut, "Music," arrives after social media backlash and two surprise Golden Globe nominations. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PopHiss/~4/S7tJr_JJ9kUView the full article

Bruce Springsteen, who made a splash with his Jeep ad during Super Bowl LV, was arrested back in November in a recreation area near his New Jersey home. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PopHiss/~4/FnicEVLNI8oView the full article

Marlon Craft has been ramping up for the release of a new project over the past few months. Singles like "At The Door" and "Grateful" got fans excited but January's "State Of The Union" served as a timely address of the current state of society. It's a powerful single that struck immediately after the Jan. 6th insurrection on Capitol Hill. At the wee hours of the morning, Marlon Craft unleashed his latest body of work, How We Intended. The project consists of 17 tracks with appearances coming from Oswin Benjamin, Chris Rivers, Malz Monday, Leah Rich and more. On the production side, 6ix, Plain Pat, !llmind, and more make contributions across the tracklist. "I wanted to make impactful music that affected people’s lives for the better and potentially helped to educate or forward conversations; I wanted to make a living totally off uncompromised art, and i wanted to have the respect of the culture and the people in it who’s opinions matter to me," said Craft on Instagram on the eve of the album's release. "Somehow in the midst of the horrific year that was 2020, I managed to reach a place where those goals have finally become a reality after years of hard work and dedication." Check the project out below. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/VNw1BpQFWYgView the full article

'I am taking the time to learn and be a normal person,' Britney Spears wrote on Instagram as a new documentary about her stirs up more controversy. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PopHiss/~4/MyiDSXZxGbYView the full article

Rihanna has introduced the world to her business savvy in the last few years, launching her tremendous Fenty Beauty, Savage X Fenty, and Fenty Skin lines. Her ventures into these territories have proved fruitful for the 32-year-old superstar artist, who has effectively shifted her focus from music to entrepreneurialism. One of her moves included the launch of a luxury fashion brand with famed house LVMH, but we haven't heard much about the Fenty brand as of late. A new update from Business of Fashion reports that Fenty is closing and LVMH will move forward with a vested interest in Rihanna's other lines. Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty ImagesAccording to BoF, the luxury ready-to-wear brand's high-end prices weren't a great match for Rihanna's core fanbase, which restricted Fenty from growing. With the news that Fenty will reportedly be shutting down, the LVMH-backed L Catterton is investing in her hit lingerie line Savage X Fenty. A statement provided to WWD from an LVMH rep claims that the house and Rih "have jointly made the decision to put on hold the RTW activity, based in Europe, pending better conditions." It's unclear if they will restart the brand at a later date. Fenty was first introduced to the general public in 2019. The two-year run was overshadowed by Rihanna's success in other areas, including with skincare, beauty, and lingerie. Are you upset about the brand closing? [via] + [via] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/jm_UDHaHWpYView the full article

Much has been made about the "old Kanye," a figure that has no shortage of nostalgia-fueled admirers, to the point where its hard to pinpoint exactly what era fans are referring to anymore. For the day-ones, however, who originally grew fond of the producer during his early years on Roc-A-Fella, The College Dropout will forever be a high point in Yeezy's career. And seeing as today is the album's seventeenth anniversary, it feels appropriate to spotlight one of the project's true standout cuts -- the Mos Def and Freeway assisted "Two Words," an ambitious and lyrically driven anthem. What makes the song so refreshing is, among many qualities, the era-defining instrumental. A blend of soulful vocals, harpsichord, lively bass, and wailing guitar, Yeezy's production here is easily among his finest hours. And while he's rhyming alongside two heavyweights in Mos and Free, Ye rises to the occasion with some impeccable lyricism. "I am limelight, Blueprint five mics / Go-Getters rhyme, like, should've been signed twice," he spits, kicking up a dexterous flow. "Most imitated, Grammy nominated / Hotel accommodated, cheerleader prom-dated." A classic posse cut evocative of a bygone era, "Two Words" is proof that The College Dropout will forever withstand the test of time. Say what you will about Kanye West in his current iteration -- sometimes, it's simply best to let the legacy speak for itself. QUOTABLE LYRICSI am limelight, Blueprint five mics Go-Getters rhyme, like, should've been signed twice Most imitated, Grammy-nominated Hotel accommodated, cheerleader prom-dated Barbershop playa-hated, mom-and-pop bootlegged it http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/ysr8PYmnT-4View the full article

December 8, 2019, will always be remembered as the day that the world lost Juice WRLD, who perished following a seizure and accidental drug overdose. Years later, the artist continues to dominate the charts whenever new posthumous music is released on his behalf, but the loss of Juice WRLD still remains fresh on many Hip-Hop fans' minds. As clips from his interview with DJ Vlad continue to roll out, it appears that the tragic situation has also left quite the mark on Chicago music executive Lil Bibby, who discovered and signed Juice WRLD. In a previously released clip from the interview, Bibby was fighting back his emotions while discussing Juice WRLD's harrowing drug use in the weeks leading up to his death. Although the "Lucid Dreams" artist had reportedly agreed to go to rehab, he unfortunately never made it. Bryan Steffy/Getty ImagesIn another segment from their interview, DJ Vlad presses Lil Bibby for the specifics of that day, and you can tell by Bibby's responses and body language that the former Chicago rapper is extremely uncomfortable with reliving it all once again. When Vlad seeks more details surround the legality of the situation, Bibby makes it clear that he doesn't want to touch on that topic. Vlad still continues to poke at Bibby by touching on the rumors that Juice WRLD swallowed a bunch of Percocets to hide them from police, whic quickly got a response out of his interview subject. "That's a lie," Bibby asserts before repeating his stance on the topic, "but I don't want to talk nothing about that Vlad." The interview continues with Vlad switching to the topic of Juice WRLD's seizures and his ultimate overdose. Vlad starts by questioning the music executive if he was aware of the emergency while it was taking place. "I got a call when the plane got pulled over by the police. They were saying that Juice was having a seizure, but everyone thought it was good, you know?" Bibby states. When asked if Juice WRLD had ever had seizures previously, he simply replied, "No." From that point on Lil Bibby starts to get more noticeably uncomfortable and emotional while talking about Juice WRLD's overdose. To view the full interview segment, check it out below: http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/lbPRV8RDBd4View the full article

According to Nipsey Hussle's former bodyguard J-Roc, the reports claiming that Lauren London is pregnant are false. Social media has been ablaze for the last few hours as Lauren London began trending following a report made by the Los Angeles Sentinel, a Black-owned newspaper with headquarters on Crenshaw Blvd. The article reported that Lauren London is expecting a child, announcing her pregnancy for the first time. However, this information was released before the actress had made a formal announcement. According to people close to the late Nipsey Hussle, this news is not true. Gregg DeGuire/Getty ImagesAddressing the rumors, Nip's former bodyguard J-Roc has issued a statement on the report, which he claims is false. "Fake News!!!" he wrote. "You people is miserable but sense [sic] we got y'all attention What It Feel Like Hussle x Hov 2/12/21 #TMC." Screenshot via Instagram StoriesLauren London has not issued any statements on this matter herself. She was in a relationship with Nipsey for nearly six years before the rapper's tragic passing in 2019. We will keep you posted on any possible statements that she makes. As J-Roc points out, a new collaboration between Nipsey Hussle and Jay-Z will be included on the tracklist for Judas and the Black Messiah called "What It Feels Like". The song was recently previewed, which you can hear below. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/MQjyB1F0A_IView the full article

True, Smokepurpp might not be the most universally beloved artist, as many of his early antics simply rubbed people the wrong way. Yet in spite of a few rough patches, the young Floridian has been consistently innovative in his own way, consistently exploring different musical styles and incorporating unexpected influences. On his latest release Psycho, Purrpp moved to pay tribute to the legendary Ozzy Osbourne, lining up a dark banger on the standout "200 Thou." Over an off-kilter and unsettling instrumental, Purpp kicks up a slick flow as he channels the spirit of Norman Bates, succumbing to his hedonistic urges. "Bitch I'm a monster, I can not be stopped, Never got shot so his cherry got popped," he spits. "I'm living different dracos on the yacht." In truth, there isn't much innovation on a lyrical front, but that has never been Purpp's way. And while some might feel that the unrelenting flexes can be grating, part of Purpp's appeal is his sheer dedication to doing whatever -- and whomever -- he wants. Check out "200 Thou" now. QUOTABLE LYRICSBitch I'm a monster, I can not be stopped Never got shot so his cherry got popped I'm living different dracos on the yacht http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/4GJdybDn5b8View the full article

Last year, Nas and Hit-Boy instantly achieved dynamic-duo status upon the release of King's Disease, an acclaimed project that featured stellar work from both parties. And while some wondered whether or not the partnership was a one-album endeavor, it would appear that Nas and Hit-Boy aren't quite finished yet. In fact, they recently reconnected for some new music on the upcoming soundtrack to Judas And The Black Messiah, a project that also features Black Thought, Jay-Z, Nipsey Hussle, J.I.D, Rapsody, and more. Mike Coppola/Getty ImagesThough the ongoing narrative implying that Jay-Z was actively poaching Nas' release dates has gained new momentum -- after all, the Jigga Man is making a return of his own on the same Black Messiah soundtrack -- many fans remain keen on seeing what Nas and Hit have in the cut. And from the sound of it, "EPMD" is about to arrive heavy on the bars, as indicated by a promising snippet shared on Hit-Boy's IG. "EPMD we back in business," spits Nas, over a sampled build-up. "I visualize what it is, not what it isn't / we at the mafia table next to the kitchen, eating Michelin star counting a million." The drums hit, and Nas resists the urge to quicken his flow prematurely. "Hood theories, on a Rothstein rigged the world series / Gotti ran every union in the city / N-a-s do it B-i-g like Biggie." Check out the track's opening moments below, and sound off if you're excited to hear this new banger from Nas and Hit-Boy. And should you be among those excited, consider checking out our exclusive interview with Hit-Boy right here. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/IACZQzbOcW8View the full article

Superstar recording artist The Weeknd performed his biggest show ever this weekend, hitting the stage at the Super Bowl Halftime show while millions of music and football fans watched on. His performance has been widely debated as one of the best of the last few years, with many comparing the Toronto native to some of the all-time greats, including Michael Jackson and Prince, on social media. Of course, not everybody was entertained by the artist's take on the Halftime Show, and those people are voicing their opinions as well. Mark LoMoglio - Pool/Getty ImagesDuring his performance, the singer stepped into a backstage area that was stylized as a phantasmagoria of gold media. The phenomenal set-up drew one of the highlights from the show, including one particular moment when it seemed as though the artist was looking for his way out of the claustrophobic space. If you watched the performance or saw any of the memes on social media, you know exactly what I'm talking about. The Weeknd hadn't said much about the jokes flying on social media regarding his concert, but he has finally acknowledged one of them, co-signing it as the "BEST" one from the weekend. Being reposted by The Shade Room, a savvy social media user mashed up a video from the Maury Show, which has a woman complaining about her deadbeat baby daddy, juxtaposed with clips of The Weeknd arguing with her and reluctantly walking back when it's revealed that he is the father. "naw this is definitely the BEST one," said The Weeknd in the comments. Have you seen any better ones, or is this indeed the superior Weeknd meme from the Super Bowl? http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/B9Shl_rYJYEView the full article

No matter how big they are in Hip-Hop, it's like rappers can't seem to avoid having their music leaked lately. Trippie Redd is notorious for having full projects leak on the internet, and even Travis Scott has had new songs surface onto streaming services way before they were supposed to. Now, as fans thirst for Drake leaks and honestly anything Certified Lover Boy-related, it appears that West Coast rapper Drakeo The Ruler has been caught in the crossfire. Drakeo's highly-anticipated collaboration with the Toronto legend has unfortunately surfaced online weeks prior to its official release. Leaked under the title, "Talk to Me," the song arrives unofficially after months of Drakeo the Ruler teasing it over his social media channels. After beating a murder case and returning to rap virtually unscathed, the artist, who claims that he's "too big of a rapper to be signed to another rapper," had enlisted Drake for his next project, The Truth Hurts. In the song, Drake truly assumes the role of a featured artist and solely contributes a hook, albeit a pretty great one. When it's officially released, it's sure to make waves and expand Drakeo's already bubbling fan-base. How this leak affects the rollout of Drakeo The Ruler's mixtape The Truth Hurts is yet to be seen, but with an imminent release date of Tuesday, February 23, it shouldn't be too much of a problem for the West Coast artist. [via] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/apOvwps-PMcView the full article

The official soundtrack tracklist for Judas and the Black Messiah was revealed on Tuesday, marking a pretty exciting moment for hip-hop fans worldwide. The upcoming film releases in a couple of days and alongside it, a bunch of new music from some of the industry's most esteemed artists and songwriters arrives. New music is on the way from Nas, Black Thought, A$AP Rocky, and more, as well as newcomers Pooh Shiesty, Polo G, and others. Shareif Ziyadat/Getty ImagesOne of the most exciting songs on the docket is "What It Feels Like" from the one-and-only Jay-Z and the late Nipsey Hussle. As part of the new trailer for Judas and the Black Messiah, the track was previewed and it's sounding like a record that many of us will have on repeat come Friday. The new trailer begins with Nipsey's hook on the song, presenting a bittersweet moment for fans who have missed hearing the Los Angeles rapper's voice. Jay-Z jumps in shortly thereafter with bars inspired by the film, speaking about Fred Hampton's legacy and redefining it. Being hailed as one of the best films of the year, Judas and the Black Messiah may also have one of the best soundtracks of the year if this is any hint. "What It Feels Like" releases on Friday. Listen to the preview above and let us know if you're excited about the full version. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/UIWsEKkfcsUView the full article

The new nominations for the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame's 2021 class have officially arrived, and as is often the case, several rap legends have been honored accordingly. With last year seeing the addition of the Notorious B.I.G, this year's batch of nominees has brought Jay-Z and LL Cool J into the fold. Should they ultimately go on to be inducted, they would be joining Run-D.M.C, Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, N.W.A, and Biggie as the hip-hop representatives -- at least, for now. Ray Tamarra/Getty ImagesIn addition to Jay and LL, nominees include Rage Against The Machine, Foo Fighters, Kate Bush, Iron Maiden, Chaka Khan, DEVO, The Go-Go’s, Carole King, New York Dolls, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Fela Kuti, Mary J. Blige, and Todd Rundgren. Eligibility criteria require that a nominee released their first commercial release twenty-five years ago; for Jay-Z, Reasonable Doubt's 1996 release makes it officially eligible, whereas LL Cool J has been eligible since Radio dropped in 1985. Should Jay-Z and LL Cool J make the final cut -- the voting process is undertaken by artists, industry employees, and even fans -- the Class of 2021 will be celebrated in May with a gala in Cleveland, Ohio. We can only hope to see hip-hop gain further representation in the storied institution, and both Jay-Z and LL Cool J are more than worthy of placement. And to think -- both are still active in the game, with LL having returned to the studio and Jay on the verge of a new Nipsey Hussle collaboration. Best of luck to both hip-hop legends! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/Yu9ZAsVf6x4View the full article

A report about Lauren London has caused the actress to become a trending topic. London has always maintained a low profile as it pertained to her personal life, only giving the world a glimpse of her romance with the late Nipsey Hussle before and after his untimely death. She's been unproblematic and has used her time in community building as she's given back to those in need, so it came as a surprise when the Los Angeles Sentinel reported that they confirmed the news that London is with child prior to a formal announcement. Frazer Harrison / Staff / Getty ImagesThe long-running weekly newspaper has been in operation for over 70 years and boasts headquarters on Crenshaw Blvd. in Los Angeles. Hours ago, the L.A. Sentinel tweeted out a link to their article where they write: "A L.A. Sentinel source confirmed that actress Lauren Nicole London is pregnant. Information is still being gathered, but there is an undeniable sense of warmth surrounding the news." "The American actress, model, and television personality has experienced many different levels of grief behind losing her significant other and father to her child, Nipsey Hussle, but being a mother has been an anchor through her waves of sadness," the outlet continued. "The ATL movie star is looking to celebrate later this week, with an intimate baby shower." Since the passing of Nipsey Hussle, London's name has been at the center of several rumors, many that had to do with her alleged relationships with other celebrities. The mother of two has often chosen to ignore the gossip and instead continues to share information on social media about Nipsey's posthumous initiatives, business partnerships, and music-related releases. Check out a few reactions to the rumor below. [via] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/nDcM1up4iF8View the full article

The on-again-off-again relationship between Ray J and Princess Love is back on...maybe. The husband and wife couple have been making headlines for quite a while regarding their relationship status. It all stemmed from the social media scandal that erupted back in November 2019 when an eight months pregnant Princess publicly declared that her husband left her and their young daughter in Vegas so that he could party with strippers and escorts. Ray J vehemently denied the allegations, but for a time, the couple was separated and living apart. Jesse Grant / Stringer / Getty ImagesThere were hints that their marriage was on the mend, but then divorce petitions were being filed and retracted left and right. Ray has recently offered an update on his romance with his wife, and according to the Love & Hip Hop Hollywood star, everything is headed in a positive direction now that they've planned on relocating to Florida. "We're in a good place right now. We're in Miami, we're gonna move down to Miami," said Ray J. "I don't think we're coming back to L.A. anytime soon. We've just been in a very positive place and we've been taking care of the kids, the kids love it out here and it's just given us a different mood and a different outlook on life." Frazer Harrison / Staff / Getty Images"We're taking it one day at a time." When he was asked if they are "back together," he gave an elusive answer. "Well, we are together," said Ray. "Back together? I think that's just a journey that we gotta take, but I think we are together and we love being together. Now, it's just figuring out, how do we keep it consistent and how to we enjoy life together and be good together because I think we're meant to be together." Watch Ray J explain his relationship with his wife below. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/abU2Ds-c7MQView the full article

It was just last week when Smokepurpp shared his Lil Mosey-assisted single "We Outside," and he's returned with his six-track EP, Psycho (Legally Insane). The Miami-bred rapper continues his tributes to famed rockers with his latest EP's cover. Deadstar 2 gave a nod to Kurt Cobain while Psycho tributes Ozzy Osbourne, and we can only imagine what he has in store for his next project. Smokepurpp's only feature comes from Mosey, so prepare to hear the rapper carry the bulk of this record on his own. Last month, Purpp has a public service announcement for anyone who has doubted his talents. "If you don't think I'm the hardest n*gga out, then you a b*tch," he said. "I don't care who you are. I'm the hardest n*gga out. 2021 I'm going up." Stream Psycho (Legally Insane) and let us know if you agree with Purpp take about his skills. Tracklist 1. Prom Queen 2. We Outside ft. Lil Mosey 3. 200 Thou 4. Rockstar 5. What You Wanna Do 6. Tic Tac http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/K3JtpUBwnMgView the full article

It's unclear what career awaits former Seattle Seahawks player Chad Wheeler, but his alleged victim is speaking for the first time about the reported domestic violence incident that almost left her dead. Weeks ago, the shocking news about Wheeler's arrest commanded attention after it stormed headlines. The 27-year-old football star was reportedly arrested and charged with first-degree domestic violence assault, domestic violence unlawful imprisonment, and resisting arrest following an altercation involving Taylor. It's reported that not only was she left battered and bleeding, but Wheeler allegedly choked her until she passed out and when she regained consciousness, he marveled that she was still alive. "Events happened over the weekend that transpired from a manic episode," Wheeler previously said in a statement. "I am deeply sorry for the pain and suffering that I have caused to Alleah and her family. I apologize profusely for the turmoil that I have caused to my family, teammates, fans and those closest to me. The most important thing right now is that Alleah gets the care she needs and I get help." On Tuesday (February 9), a clip from Taylor's upcoming interview with CBS The Morning surfaced where she details a portion of her alleged ordeal. “I remember getting up and running to the bathroom," she said. "Chad was standing by the bed, by the doorway, and he was sipping his smoothie and he was like, ‘Wow, you’re still alive.'... I’m grateful he didn’t grab me in that moment.” Taylor added that she made her way to the bathroom and texted Wheeler's father. “(I) told him that Chad was trying to kill me,” said Taylor, who wore a sling over her left shoulder. “Chad’s dad called him … and (Wheeler) answered. And he didn’t have a worry at all. Chad was like, ‘I’m just eating dinner. Nothing’s going on.’ That terrified me.” Watch the clip below. [via] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/oJFkT_dt5f8View the full article

As if we needed another reason for social media to explode with opinions, Mark Cuban has shaken the table. There have been several dialogues about America's national anthem in recent years, especially since Colin Kaepernick began kneeling during the anthem before NFL games prior to being edged out of the NFL. The silent protest was something that was widely rejected by sports fans and executives alike, but Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has reportedly consulted with NBA commissioner Adam Silver about no longer playing the anthem prior to Dallas Mavericks games. Thearon W. Henderson / Stringer / Getty ImagesAccording to ESPN, there hadn't been a formal announcement about the anthem's removal, however, it hasn't made an appearance "before any of their 13 preseason and regular-season games at the American Airlines Center this season." That seems strange to the public because no one from any other teams, including staff, has publicly spoken about the rule change. Throughout 2020, professional sports players were seen wearing Black Lives Matter attire or kneeling during the anthem as they stood accused of disrespecting the flag and veterans while being called anti-American. All of the allegations have been repeatedly debunked over the years, and it seems that Cuban has curbed the controversy by removing the song altogether. Mike Ehrmann / Staff / Getty ImagesThere reportedly is a rule in the NBA playbook about player's standing for the national anthem, but Silver hasn't enforced it because he previously stated he knows that it is a sensitive subject. Cuban has said in prior interviews that he would be "proud of" his team for taking a knee or showing a sign of protest because he believes the NBA should "allow players to do what's in their heart." [via] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/F_ywQ1d96ScView the full article

She's received tens of thousands of dollars in donations on her GoFundMe account, has become a "blue check" verified personality on social media, and has gained international attention—all because she mistakenly used Gorilla Glue in her hair. For days, all anyone has been able to hear about on social media is the "Gorilla Glue Lady" who emerged on TikTok with the shocking revelation that her slicked-down hairstyle hadn't moved in a month. After going viral, she received tips, offers for help, money, and even famous celebrity hairstylists offering to do her hair for free. The initial supportive hype surrounding the viral sensation shifted after it was shared that Brown may have plans to sue Gorilla Glue for not including a warning that their product can't be used on hair. The warning label specifies clothing, skin, and the like, but lawyers have taken to social media to argue that because "hair" wasn't listed, Brown may have a case. Tessica Brown now faces accusations that this entire ordeal was just a money grab or an opportunity to gain a little fame, but in an interview with TMZ, she claims she would never do anything like this as a stunt. "I was just over the talk shows and the hate groups," she said. "I'm over all of that because y'all really—they don't know me." "And they got some people out there saying, 'Oh, well she did this for clout. Put this on my head, let's see how many followers I get.' Never," Brown continued. "I put it on social media to get help. That was it. I didn't think for one second I'mma get up the next morning and that many people have looked at this. I didn't think for one second that this was gone be like, me talkin' to y'all right now." Brown added that she's been trying different remedies by they have all been painful. She also said that once she read up on how the Gorilla Glue would affect her hair, she decided to launch the GoFundMe to help her raise money for wigs. Check out her interview below. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/W4nbbWEWGvUView the full article

The effects of FKA Twigs coming forward with allegations against her ex-boyfriend Shia LaBeouf is having real consequences for the actor. It was back in December when the world was rocked by the news that the singer was suing the celebrated actor and alleging that he abused and sexually assaulted her. She even said that he gave her an STD, and after the news went viral, LaBeouf came forward to admit that he'd had a problem with alcohol and hadn't been his best self. Emma McIntyre / Staff / Getty Images“I have a history of hurting the people closest to me," said the actor months ago. “I’m ashamed of that history and am sorry to those I hurt. There is nothing else I can really say.” It's now being shared that LaBeouf and his A-list talent agency CAA have decided to part ways. Variety reports that Shia has been seeking help at an inpatient care facility following not only FKA Twigs's allegations, but multiple women, including Sia. The outlet states that CAA hasn't fired him or permanently ended their working relationship, but they do report that LaBeouf is taking "a break from acting" as his primary focus at this time is his recovery. It wasn't made clear what type of facility LaBeouf is in, how long he will be there, or what treatment he is receiving. He was recently cut from the Netflix Awards and as his fans rally behind him, it's expected that there will be more fallout from the scandal as Twigs's lawsuit looms. [via] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/SqUev0Lo-cUView the full article

She's been trying to get her child support payments to ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry reduced for some time, but Halle Berry seems stuck in her current predicament. Halle and her model ex reportedly broke up back in 2010 when their 12-year-old daughter was just a tot. Soon, Halle found love once again with French actor Olivier Martinez and they would later have a son, but Olivier and Gabriel's relationship was far from amicable. In 2012, the two men were engaged in a physical altercation and according to reports, Aubry claims he hasn't been able to book jobs because of it. Halle has reportedly been ordered to pay Gabriel $16K per month in child support for their daughter, and the actress has been doing her best to get that number reduced. John Shearer / Staff / Getty ImagesOn Tuesday (February 9), Halle expressed her frustration with the system in a lengthy comment she shared to Instagram. Years ago, there were reports that Aubry called the actress a "ghetto n-word," and an IG user mentioned the rumor on one of her posts, adding that she has to pay him. "And it takes great strength to pay it," said the actress. "And BTW it's wrong and it's extortion !" Halle clarified that she doesn't pay him any alimony, but she does fork over child support. "I've been paying it for over a decade now," wrote the actress. "I feel if a woman or man is having to pay support that is way more than the reasonable needs to help SUPPORT the child, i think that is wrong !" She added that she can understand if a parent needs help, but in today's society, Halle believes parents should do what it takes to financially provide for their children. Peter Kramer / Staff / Getty Images"The way many laws are set up people are allowed to USE children in order to be awarded money to live a lifestyle that not only they did not earn, but that is way above and beyond the child's reasonable needs, and that is 'THE WRONG' and where i see the abuse," she said. "The laws are outdated and no longer reflect the modern world." She called it her truth and added that she feels taken advantage of by the system. "I'm living it everyday and i can tell you it's hard." Check out her post in full below. [via][via] http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/realhotnewhiphop/~4/M3ZrL_aflRgView the full article