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In 2003, Beyoncé partnered with Scott Storch to produce one of her hits, "Baby Boy" featuring Sean Paul. The track has been a fan favorite for nearly two decades, but recently, Sean Paul spoke about the issue he's had with that collaboration. It was a successful pairing for both artists, but according to Paul, Jay-Z made things difficult because he didn't want his then-girlfriend getting too close to the Jamaican artist. Mark Mainz / Staff / Getty Images Sean Paul recently appeared on the Too Live Crew, Action & the Burgerman radio show in Jamaica, and a portion of his interview was shared by DancehallMag.com in patois. The radio host mentioned that he wasn't a fan of how Paul's collaboration with Bey played out, and Sean Paul agreed before sharing his side of the story. “Yuh si weh you seh? You neva feel comfortable. Me neva feel comfortable needa, but mi jus use my diplomacy all di while an guh roun any likkle obstacle weh me have inna life,” said Paul. The host added that he believed Jay didn't want his lady with Sean Paul for long periods of time and that may be why she's rarely performed "Baby Boy" with her collaborator live. “Yes, to me that was something that was apparent at the time,” he said, adding, “Wi know that artistry is artistry suh a nuh every time dem ting deh gwan.” Do you think this is something Jay-Z would do? [via] View the full article

Despite coming in the game with the "Pretty Boy Swag," Soulja Boy has become one of the trippiest rappers in the game. Though it appears that he may have slowed down on the lean and other pharmaceuticals, he has not quit rolling up pounds of the loudest. Once upon a time, he even claimed his lungs can withstand more kush smoke than the likes of Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa combined. This claim has yet to be proven true. While we might not see Soulja Boy face-off against Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa combined, he came through with an anthem for the smokers with "Zaza." The rapper's latest single is an ode to one of the most sought after strains right now. Soulja's raspy voice cuts through the gritty production as he describes a day-in-the-life. Check the song out below. Quotable Lyrics Stacks On Deck, Money Gang, blowin' on Zaza Young Drako, I'm not with the rara Hop out the cut, n***a pop like Impala Whippin' up dope, magic, Ta-da View the full article

Putting a spin on "Seasons of Love" from the musical "Rent," comedian Randy Rainbow's latest song skewers President Trump's most notorious moments. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PopHiss/~4/Q9TtAagBTLoView the full article

Putting a spin on "Seasons of Love" from the musical "Rent," comedian Randy Rainbow's latest song skewers President Trump's most notorious moments. View the full article

It's been a few years since we've received Jorja Smith's last project, though she remains a dominant force in the new generation of R&B artists. The UK songstress kept busy throughout 2020 with a few live performances, collaborations, and a handful of singles. And while we are excited to hopefully hear her sophomore release, she brought fans back to the beginning with her new collaborative effort with WDR Funkhausorchester for the Machiavelli Session. The singer and WDR join forces to bring orchestral remakes of her singles, "Blue Lights" and "By Any Means" that she dropped last week. One of the versions of Blue Lights includes an appearance for OG Keemo. The re-release of her reads were recorded for the Machiavelli podcast. Peep Jorja Smith's new drop below. View the full article

Martin Luther King Jr. Day may be over, but people are still paying tribute to the assassinated Civil Rights leader. It was in 1968 when King was making his way to dinner and while standing on the balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, he was shot and killed by James Earl Ray. While there has been heavy speculation regarding who was truly responsible for the death of the Southern minister, the conspiracies cannot overshadow the work he executed to make sure that Black people sustained the same rights in America as any other individuals. Keystone / Stringer / Getty Images Pandemic restrictions and the rise in COVID-19 cases in the United States have citizens remaining cautious about their travels, but Rihanna admitted that last year, she decided to take a vacation to visit the location where Dr. King was assassinated. The Lorraine Motel still stands as a feature of the National Civil Rights Museum, and today (January 19), Rihanna shared photos of her visit. "Finally found em’.... got cabin fever last summer and took a road trip to Memphis," the singer wrote in the caption to her post. "MAN... I can’t describe the feeling that came over me, you gotta go to experience it for yourself! #MLK." Check out her pictures below. View the full article

Donald Trump's final day in office is today and boy, did his presidency feel like a long one. The mission to get Donald Trump out of office during his presidency failed during the first impeachment trial and he managed to wrap up his tenure as president following the insurrection on Capitol Hill at the top of the year. What follows is unclear but he does wish the incoming administration luck on their endeavors. Olivier Douliery - Pool/Getty Images In his final bid farewell to the MAGA-supporters, Trump said goodbye to the American people while flaunting the success of his political movement that receives support from Neo-Nazis and QAnon theorists. The video was published to the White House's YouTube channel since Trump himself is barred from using the platform following the attack on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6th. And while he offered prayers for the incoming administration, he emphasized that he wishes them luck. It's worth noting that he didn't even bother mentioning Biden's name but rather referring to the incoming president and his team as the "new administration." Of course, a final bid to the American people wouldn't be complete without addressing the recent "blacklisting" on social media platforms. "Only if we forget who we are, and how we got here, could we ever allow political censorship and blacklisting to take place in America,” Trump said. “In America, we don’t insist on absolute conformity or enforce rigid orthodoxies and punitive speech codes. We just don’t do that. America is not a timid nation of tame souls who need to be sheltered and protected from those with whom we disagree. That’s not who we are." View the full article

Snoop Dogg and Donald Trump's history together is an iffy one but Snoop might have a change of heart before the president leaves the office. Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images The rapper has been reported to have been quietly lobbying Donald Trump alongside criminal justice reform activists Alice Johnson and former producer Weldon Angelos to try and get Death Row's Michael "Harry-O" Harris' sentence commuted. Harris was convicted for attempted murder and cocaine trafficking. Per NY Post, Snoop Dogg's push with Johnson and Angelos has proven successful as Trump granted clemency to Harry-O. Angelos said that Harris received the news of his clemency Lompoc Federal Correctional Institution in California. "Thank God. God is great. It feels like the weight of the world was lifted off my shoulders," Harris emailed Angelos. It's Ivanka Trump, however, who pulled through in the last minute. Angelos explained Ivanka spoke to her father who, alongside Johnson, got Harris granted clemency. "The credit on this one goes to Ivanka Trump because Ivanka Trump was not going to take no for an answer," Angelos said, adding Ivanka "did this for Alice Johnson and this is a huge win for hip-hop.” Trump is expected to announce his final list of pardons tomorrow which includes none other than Lil Wayne who pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge last month. He also gave Donald Trump a massive endorsement days before the November election so clearly, there was more to it than politics. [Via] View the full article

The legacy of Juice WRLD continues to live as his friends, collaborators, and peers keep his name alive. It's been over a year since his untimely passing, though he left behind no shortage of music. There's a vault filled with unreleased Juice WRLD music; some that were previously leaked. But those leaks just built anticipation among his dedicated fan base. Thankfully, people like DJ Scheme have been holding out on some serious bangers until the right time and it looks like this Friday is the right time. Serving as the lead single from the deluxe edition of his album Family, Scheme revealed that the song "50 Buck" with Juice WRLD and Carlton would be arriving this week. He took to Twitter where he shared a quick teaser along with the release date. During a recent conversation with HNHH, DJ Scheme shared praise for Juice WRLD and his natural songwriting abilities which more often than not didn't include writing anything down. "He definitely was one of the greatest songwriters of our generation. And one of the most beautiful voices of our generation," he explained. "He had the voice. And not just only the voice, he had the content, he had the lyrics. He was the most complete artist I've ever seen in my life." The release of "50 Buck" will arrive a week after Juice WRLD's collaboration with Young Thug, "Bad Boy" dropped. Peep Scheme's tweet below. View the full article

It's not every day that TDE's own SZA comes through and delivers a new single, but the tail end of December marked the release of her brand new "Good Days." Though her debut album CTRL provides plenty of replay value, the wait time has grown admittedly lengthy -- as such, many were quick to dive fiendishly into her new release, driving up the view-count with relentless speed. It reached the point where SZA's "Good Days" managed to make a serious dent on the Billboard Hot 100, cracking into the top ten right beneath Morgan Walley's "Wasted On You." Craig Barritt/Getty Images Clearly, the accomplishment made quite the impression on the acclaimed singer. "Listen to me," she writes, on Twitter. "I’m so fucking speechless I JUST WANNA SAY THANK YOU FOR TAKING US TO THE TOP FUCKING TEN I DONT UNDERSTAND HOW WE GOT HERE BUT GOD IS ACTUALLY WYLING . LMAO Wow THANK YOU SO MUCH I LOVE YOU!! BEYOND THE INNANNETS! GOOD DAYS VIDEO COMING SOON AFFFF." While it's unclear as to whether or not the massive success of "Good Days" will expedite the release of SZA's anticipated sophomore album, it certainly bodes well for those expecting a 2021 release. All things considered, it seems like TDE in on the verge of a major comeback year, with possible drops from SZA, Kendrick Lamar, Isaiah Rashad, and Ab-Soul. Check out SZA's celebratory message below, and sound off if you think her new single spells promising things to come. View the full article

Vanessa Bryant took to Instagram and shared a series of heartfelt photos and messages with the late Kobe Bryant, in celebration of her eldest daughter Natalia’s 18th birthday. The one year anniversary of the tragic Calabasas plane crash that took the lives of 9 people, including Kobe and daughter Gianna Bryant, approaches on January 26, and Vanessa reminded the media to be considerate of the pain it has brought on to her family. “We hope that videos of remembrance are done in a classy and tasteful manner that is respectful of all our losses,” Bryant shared. Vanessa shared a heartwarming throwback photo of Kobe holding baby Natalia at the Staples Center in the early 2000s captioning it, “Daddy’s little princess, Natalia.” She then shared a photo of the three of them sitting in the middle of the Lakers' court with big smiles on their faces. The touching photo earned a lot of comments from friends including Vanessa’s quarantine bestie Ciara. “So sweet. Love this pic. HBD Nani Boo!” Ciara commented. The 38-year-old shared several of Natalia’s gorgeous headshots in honor of her turning 18. She emphasized how proud she was of Natalia for staying strong in what she described as “the most difficult time of their lives.” “Thank you for stepping in to help me with your little sisters. You’re such an incredible big sister and a beautiful role model to so many people,” she said. [via] View the full article

Introducing our new series Hip-Hop's Best Verses -- self-explanatory, really. The aim is to take a deep dive into some of the rap game's best verses of all time, exploring the bars, the flows, the cadences, and everything that makes them withstand the test of time. Less of a ranking, more of a celebration of lyrical greatness. Feel free to share your own suggestions in the comments, and enjoy. I. GHOSTFACE KILLAH - SHAKEY DOG There are few lyricists that challenge listeners like Ghostface Killah. Rarely easy to unpack on a surface level, Ghost’s bars often require deeper analysis. Not necessarily for the sake of clarity, but to fully revel in the sensory overload he’s capable of delivering. Arguably the most detail-oriented emcee in the entire rap pantheon, a single Ghostface verse can feel closer to a short story in terms of immersion. As such, much of Tony Starks’ most effective penmanship is cinematic in nature, boasting complete narratives brimming with fleshed-out characters, high-stakes scenarios, comedic relief, and more often than not --- a brutal and violent end. Honoring his best verse is no easy task, but it’s hard not to look to the vivid Fishscale highlight “Shakey Dog” as a strong contender. Produced by Lewis Parker, Ghostface wastes little time in drawing us into his world, setting things off with a glimpse into his character -- the tale’s protagonist, antihero though he may be. A note -- Ghost never insults his listeners, allowing us to draw inferences based on the details he presents. It’s all too easy to picture Ghostface, decked out in the wintertime bubble goose, copping his order at the fish spot on 125th. It’s here that the sensory overload begins, as he enters the cramped car, alternating between ketchup-soaked fries and hits from the bat. Making moves back and forth uptown 60 dollars plus toll is the cab fee Wintertime bubble goose, goose, clouds of smoke Music blastin' and the Arab V blunted Whip smelling like fish from 125th Throwing ketchup on my fries, hitting baseball spliffs Back seat with my leg all stiff Push the fuckin' seat up, tartar sauce on my S Dot kicks Burak Cingi/Redferns/Getty Images RUM, FRIED PLANTAINS AND RICE, BIG ROUND ONIONS ON A T-BONE STEAK From there, he sets the scene. There’s to be a robbery, staged by himself and his partner, Frank. The mark is a gang of Cuban drug dealers who have made the mistake of deeming Ghost to be an ally. Prior to engaging, Ghost issues a few rules to the getaway driver, doing so with his style of colorful linguistics. “Fuck them ni*gas on the block they shook, most of them won't look,” he offers. “They frontin', they no crooks they fuck up they own jux / Look out for Jackson 5-0 'cause they on foot.” Officially ready to go, Ghost takes one tartar-sauce-coated-Sean-Carter-Reebok step forward and the world of “Shakey Dog” opens up. “See that lady with the shopping cart,” asks Ghost, as he enters the apartment complex. “She keep a shottie cocked in the hallway / 'Damn she look pretty old Ghost' / She works for Kevin, she about 77 / She paid her dues when she smoked his brother in law at his boss' wedding.” Though only a periphery player in the crime caper to come, Ghost’s writing injects this side character with plenty of development, from her weapon of choice to her cold-hearted backstory. As Ghost goes over some last-minute details with Frank, advising him to be wary of inadvertent children returning from school, the friction begins to reveal itself. “You is a crazy motherfucker, small Hoodie dude / Hilarious move, you on some Curly, Moe, Larry shit,” spits Ghost, recognizing that his partner may fly off the handle. “Straight parry shit, Krispy Kreme / Cocaine, dead bodies, jail time you goin' carry it.” Jemal Countess/WireImage/Getty Images It should be noted that the exchange between Ghost and Frank is the most difficult to unpack on a surface level. His use of non-sequitur and referential slang, paired with his unwillingness to distinguish the cadences of his characters, leave this section open to interpretation. Suffice it to say, there’s an urgency that makes sense given the high-stakes nature of the scenario, with Ghost’s wariness toward Frank’s behavior under pressure serving as a point of foreshadowing of the chaos to come. As it stands, the plot is simple. Ghost, a player the Cuban connects trust, is to approach the door. Upon knocking, Frank will put his gun to Ghost’s head and force his way inside. From the sound of it, Ghost is familiar with their habits -- from their television choices to their tantalizing culinary ones. “These fuckin' maricons on the couch watchin' Sanford and Son, Passin' they rum, fried plantains and rice, big round onions on a T-bone steak,” he raps. “My stomach growling, yo I want some.” As the caper kicks into gear, Ghost and Frank find themselves directly in the thick of it, flipping the script on the unsuspecting Cubans the moment they step into the apartment. Even his stick-up trash-talk is incredible: “The door flew Told him ‘Freeze! Lay the fuck down and enjoy the moment.’” Joseph Okpako/Redferns/Getty Images ON THE FLOOR LIKE “HOLY SHIT!” Unfortunately, things go awry as one of the Cuban’s wives takes matters into her own hand, seizing the four-five magnum and retreating into the kitchen. Not only is Ghost’s depiction of the wildcard event vividly rendered, but the direction his tale takes in the first place should be applauded. “His wife stood up speakin' in Spanish, big tittie bitch holdin' the cannon,” he raps, still managing to sneak a peek in the thick of the chaos. “Ran in the kitchen, threw a shot / The kick in the four-fifth broke a bone in her wrist / And she dropped the heat, "Give up the coke!", but the bitch wouldn't listen / I'm on the floor like, "Holy shit!" Despite Ghostface being relatively helpless in the midst of the shootout, Frank is more than capable of holding it down. As the wife drops her gun, Frank retaliates with a fatal shot. Enraged, the husband literally unleashes the hound, described so eloquently by our narrator as “Big Head Bruno.” It’s Ghost’s description that reinforces his mastery of gallows humor, once again written with brilliant detail. “He let the pitbull out, big head Bruno with the little shark's teeth chargin' / Foamin' out the mouth, I'm scared,” raps Ghost, his admission of fear making him all the more relatable. “Frank screamin', blowin' shots in the air / Missing' his target, off the Frigidaire, it grazed my ear.” Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns/Getty Images It’s all too easy to imagine the macabre scene unfolding, a testament to Ghostface’s ability to paint tapestries with his words. Not only that, but it’s admirable to see him position himself in a vulnerable state, one that often stands in contrast with typical archetypes. It also imbues his story with heightened tension, as it’s unclear as to whether or not his plot armor will hold for the duration. Rappers are often depicted as unstoppable forces, but here, Ghost stands acutely aware of his own mortality. It makes for an altogether more enjoyable climax, as Ghost’s surprise at the events before him mirrors our own. Luckily, Frank is able to deal with the “bullshit pit,” and the pair manage to flee into the bathroom (“butt-first” as Ghost is clear to point out), though forced to do so in a hail of gunfire. Despite Frank having proven clutch in the heat of the moment, he ultimately succumbs in the final minutes of the fray, killed by the last opponent standing. Though Ghost distinguishes these two assailants with the simple dichotomy of “skinny” and “big,” he does manage to slide in one final moment of brilliant description, calling on the latter’s “centipede stab wound.” Unfortunately, Frank’s run is cut decisively short and Ghost’s face is left unknown -- “to be continued,” he declares, setting the stage for a saga that would continue the following year with “Shakey Dog Starring Lolita" off The Big Doe Rehab. Easily one of the most exciting hip-hop stories ever put to page, Ghostface Killah's "Shakey Dog" remains a must-listen for any fan interested in the art of storytelling. There's a reason why Ghostface is widely considered to be one of the best lyricists of all time, and verses like "Shakey Dog" reveal a master at the height of his craft. Look for the second installment of Hip-Hop's Best Verses, arriving next week. View the full article

At a time when the coronavirus has not only spread rapidly but mutated into different variations, perhaps being inside of a packed nightclub isn't the right move right now. Despite the severity of the coronavirus, people are still going out, oftentimes maskless. They might not be the ones marching the streets for their anti-masker entitlements but they certainly aren't helping anything right now. Celebrities, unfortunately, find themselves at the center of these controversies too frequently, even after trying to issue COVID-19 PSAs on Instagram and what not. This weekend in Miami, a slew of rappers, such as Gucci Mane, 24kGoldn, Tyga, and Lil Baby, were partying at Star Island near Miami, along with Scott Disick, Post Malone, and Jake Paul. Gucci, 24kGoldn, and Lil Baby were there for business since they were performing but everyone else was just turning up. Oh, Lil Pump was there too but that shouldn't be shocking since he pretty much declared himself an anti-masker after endorsing Trump. The party in South Beach had little social distancing measures happening, according to Page Six insiders. The party was held in celebration of Electric Feel Entertainment founder Austin Rosen's birthday, who counts Goldn as a client. Real Housewives Of Miami star Lisa Hochstein hosted the party at her and her plastic surgeon husband's home where they said an "honor system" was in place. "We offered the backyard of our home to a friend that wanted to plan a last-minute get together … They were required to hire private security and cap the capacity at 150 people,” she said. “Guests were temperature checked upon arrival and could only access the outdoor space surrounding our house. Guests were told to wear masks when not eating or drinking.” [Via] View the full article

Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Khalid and other prominent Black musicians detail "17 More Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black in America" in a new video. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/PopHiss/~4/Qly2YZNCDhoView the full article

Alicia Keys, Mary J. Blige, Khalid and other prominent Black musicians detail "17 More Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black in America" in a new video. View the full article

It's been literal years since Joey Bada$$ dropped off a new album, though his involvement in Beast Coast's Escape From New York was a welcome holdover. And while he has been consistent in his assurances that his All Amerikkkan Bada$$ follow-up is imminent, Joey has pledged to keep active by way of a feature run -- this time linking up with Congolese-Belgian artist Lous And The Yakuza for a remix to her percussive dance banger "Amigo." For the remix, the Badmon opts to switch up his style, getting melodic and spitting some patois game. It's not exactly what you might expect from the New York lyricist, but it remains a testament to his versatility -- not to mention a one-way ticket to the clubs, were they indeed open for business. "Don't make me pick and choose, I don't wanna be confused," he sings, his voice tinged in autotune. "Badmon no play by rules, gyal you can be my muse." A different side of Joey Bada$$, but let's not forget that this is the man who played a pivotal role in bringing Post Malone's "Rockstar" to life behind the scenes. Should you be looking for something to vibe out to, look no further than the percussive and lush bilingual banger "Amigo (Remix)," featuring some smooth vocals from Joey Bada$$. QUOTABLE LYRICS Don't make me pick and choose, I don't wanna be confused Badmon no play by rules, gyal you can be my muse View the full article

Celebrities have been taking on the viral #BussItChallenge from Erica Banks’ Billboard Hot 100 hit "Buss It" for the last two weeks, showing off their “Megan knees,” but Queen Naija revealed she wasn’t blessed with the talent others seem to have. The singer shared a post on her Instagram story of her checking if she was eligible to take on the challenge, and she quickly realized that it did not come easy in her hilarious failed attempt. “I failed; I don’t have Meg knees… sorry,” Naija said,” I look like an inchworm.” The Michigan native recorded herself dropping to her knees in her kitchen and tipping over after several seconds of attempting to do the challenge. In the video, the look of regret on her face said everything we needed to know. “She sat down like ‘yeah this ain’t fa me,’” one user commented. However, Queen Naija came to her own rescue and was quick to defend her honor. Under The Shade Room’s post, she commented, “Oh nah, y’all wrong for this. Lol. I been had a bad knee since I sprained it at Sky Zone in 2017.” On a different note, other stars nailed the #BussItChallenge. Gabrielle Union and Iggy Azalea posted their takes on the viral trend earning nods and lots of excitement from Erica Banks herself. Fans have been calling out Mulatto and Nicki Minaj to post their videos doing the challenge as well, but neither has obliged us just yet-- time will tell. Who do you think should hop on the trend? Let us know in the comments. View the full article

Floyd Mayweather isn't only one of the most accomplished professional boxers in the history of the sport, he's also one of the most boastful flexers of all-time. On any given day, "Money" Mayweather can be found on social media showing off his material possessions, making sure that the world gets a good look at his million-dollar watches, his fleet of luxurious cars, and his out-of-this-world mansion. The boxer has a fight scheduled with YouTuber Logan Paul, which he references in his latest Instagram Live stream, and he's likely training hard for the bout, but in his spare time, Mayweather felt like doing some flexing. Going live for his millions of followers, Mayweather started by showing off his cars, walking through his garage and pointing to several Rolls-Royce models, a few Bentleys, a couple of Mercedes-Benzes, some Lambos, and a number of Ferraris. Once he was done giving a tour of his garage, Floyd walked inside his palace and continued the walk-through. Tom Pennington/Getty Images Right when you walk in from the garage, you can enter the pool area on the left. He proceeded to move upstairs to a living area before stepping into one of the most luxurious bedrooms and bathrooms you'll likely ever see. These are just some of the things that money can buy you. Watch the video above and try not to get jealous. View the full article

Lloyd Banks may not be as prolific as he once was -- in fact, many have accepted that the punchline king has entered a state of pseudo-retirement -- but that hasn't kept his fans from staying unwaveringly loyal. And while he hasn't been quite so frequent with his musical releases, he hasn't exactly closed the door on a comeback, going so far as to keep the door open ever-so-slightly. Now, Lloyd Banks has once again tossed a small morsel to the masses, using the opportunity to flex one of his proudest accomplishments: his legendary mixtape catalog. Stephen Lovekin/FilmMagic/Getty Images This afternoon, Banks took a moment to fire off a clever bar, one that simultaneously stands as a validation of greatness and a challenge to anyone seeking smoke. "Probably win my verzuz with mixtape verses," writes Lloyd Banks, clearly still contemplating a possible battle of his own. In fact, it's not the first time he's toyed with the concept of engaging in Swizz Beatz and Timbaland's catalog competition, previously opening the floor for his fans to suggest potential opponents; some of the more popular suggestions were Styles P and Joe Budden, the latter of which also fits the archetype of a retired rapper who drops occasional hints at a return. While it's unclear as to whether or not this recently-shared punchline stems from an unreleased song (possible, given the reference to the recent Verzuz phenomenon), it goes without saying that Banks stands as confident as ever. Rest assured that we'll probably see at least one more mixtape from the former G-Unit lyricist before he hangs up the spurs for good. As for his claim -- where do you stand? Do you think Banks could win a Verzuz off his mixtape catalog alone? View the full article

Yams Day wasn't the same as usual. The coronavirus, and its specific impact in New York City, prompted the A$AP Mob to take their live show virtual. So, it wasn't the typical free-for-all, open-mic style event that's annually hosted with the Mob but an award show hosted in honor of A$AP Yams. They still brought the guests through but they offered a new way to honor their peers and artists who've impacted the culture. One of the many appearances during Yams Day was the one-and-only Rowdy Rebel who could consider his quick cameo as his first post-prison performance. The rapper charged with a quick few bars with A$AP Rocky posted up in the studio. In typical AWGE fashion, the footage tried to capture the moment in all of its rawness without proper microphones. Just Rowdy Rebel rapping to A$AP Rocky who'd channel Master P and throw in an occasional "UHH." Rowdy Rebel has been revving up to make his official return to the rap game since his release from prison in December. The rapper's "First Day Out" freestyle was debuted on Funk Flex's show last month yet no official release has been announced. With the potential release of Bobby Shmurda next month, maybe Rowdy Rebel is simply waiting it out before a full-fledged takeover of the rap game can be executed. View the full article

NLE Choppa has been very open about his love of the great Tupac Shakur. In his young career, the 18-year-old rapper has sampled 2Pac, also citing him as an inspiration for the "Make Em Say" music video. The rising rapper from Memphis was born a few years after Tupac's death, but that doesn't mean that he didn't travel back into his discography to learn from the legend, soaking up wisdom like a sponge. While some have interpreted his latest tribute to Shakur as disrespect, others are viewing it the other way around, which is likely how it was intended. On Monday, NLE Choppa continued his re-branding effort by sharing a number of Tupac-inspired pictures on Instagram, wearing the same outfit as the late legend. "Death Is Not The Greatest Loss In Life. The Greatest Loss Is What Dies Inside While Alive. Never Surrender," wrote NLE Choppa, quoting Tupac as his caption. "Hoping Love Approaches Now And Not When When The Person Dies." The pictures were posted with the inspired shots following in a gallery, showing the teenage rapper wearing Karl Kani-designed "Thug Life" overalls, Pac's purple hoodie, a black-and-white striped beanie, and a chain hanging out of his top. A lot of attention to detail went into these pictures, so this is likely meant out of respect from the 18-year-old. Did NLE Choppa miss anything in these shots? View the full article

If we're talking about the biggest rap feuds of all time, you gotta give Jay-Z and Nas their flowers. The two went at it in one of the most disrespectful feuds in rap history that thankfully ended in better terms than it started. They're good now but things got tense with the exchange of several diss tracks including "Takeover" and "Ether." Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Looking back, it seems that Nas can appreciate what came of it. After all, rap is considered a competitive sport, despite how vicious things could get. During a recent interview on Rick Rubin's Broken Record podcast, Nas explained that it was a sobering moment for him realizing that these feuds could really come to life. The OGs before him did it, as well, like a rite of passage, but the stakes were high for Jay-Z and Nas at the time. "I was honored to have that part of my life happen because that's how I saw some of the greats do it coming up. I saw some of the greats do it," the King's Disease rapper explained. Rubin pointed out that the outcome of Jay-Z and Nas' feud was mutually beneficial, largely because they both proved their greatness at that point. "Again, it's about the art of MCing and when you're trying to make the best stuff you can make and you bump heads with another MC, and then you guys have a war or whatever, that's what this art form was since the beginning," Nas added, listing off Double Trouble and Busy Bee as examples of the forefathers engaging in rap beefs. "That's what I like about hip-hop compared to other genres is that, they go at it in hip-hop," he continued. "Hip-hop will always be around because of how competitive it is. Check the clip out below. View the full article

Pennsylvania-raised rapper Lil Skies is about to strike with his sophomore studio album, titled Unbothered. For years, the 22-year-old artist has been bubbling under the radar, enjoying chart success with a number of his songs. However, he has not been able to maintain a steady stream of mainstream attention, being described as a rising star for years. Despite all of the hate that he interacts with, as well as the critics talking him down, Lil Skies is unbothered. Enough so that he's named his sophomore studio album Unbothered, revealing the tracklist to his fanbase on Tuesday afternoon. The album will officially release at the end of this week, featuring songs with Wiz Khalifa and Lil Durk. Previously-released singles "Ok" and "Havin' My Way" will be included on the album, which has fourteen total tracks. Recently, Lil Skies lashed out at fans who did not respect his artistic growth. At the end of the year, the young artist said, "Y’all gotta stop wishing i was the same person & made the same music. when i came in this game, im a human being, im growing and changing too, i can’t be that same person i was three years ago. my life on a whole other type of time now, this be my last time addressing this." Mike Coppola/Getty Images Are you excited for Lil Skies' new direction on Unbothered? View the full article

Since King Von was murdered in November, the world has heard quite a bit from his half-sister, Kayla B. She''s come to his defense against naysayers, called out Asian Doll over her claims of being in a relationship with the rapper before he died, and most recently, she got into a streetfight with Cuban Doll. Controversy seems to follow her, and on Monday (January 18), Kayla B reappeared on her Instagram Live to deny that she had an incestuous relationship with her late sibling after old tweets resurfaced. Social media users began to complain that Kayla seemed too invested in Von's personal life and after years-old tweets of her showing love to her Von circulated, she hopped on Live to shut down the rumors. "Get y'all sick nasty asses on. Do I look like I'm from Down South?" Kayla asked. "Me and my brother we from Chicago. We're not from Down South where people f*ck they brothers and sisters. All y'all that sayin' that, I hope y'all grandma die 'cause that's some nasty sh*t." Some people suggested that they dated before knowing they were related, but Kayla said that isn't true. She said she always knew Von was her brother but after her dad passed away, they were separated. Swipe below to check out her videos and the controversial tweets. View the full article

Last month, rumors began to fill social media about Blueface and Coi Leray. The two rappers were spotted grabbing a bite to eat in Los Angeles, and after photographs of the pair went viral, there was speculation regarding the nature of their relationship. Last week, they added fuel to the fire after Leray posted videos to her Instagram Story where she and Blueface cuddled close and shared kisses on the cheek. However, the mother of Blueface's child, Jaidyn Alexis, posted a few videos of her own where she and the rapper were traveling together. "It's a baeeee cation we barely made this mf," she wrote over an image that seemed to be the two boarding a flight. Then, she gave her followers a look at the view from her beachside Miami Beach hotel where the pair kicked back before visiting a strip club. It's assumed that is where they ended up because Jaidyn posted a moment with Blueface as he held a large stack of bills up to his ear in a room lit with pink and blue lights. Regardless of the public arguments these two may engage in, they always seem to make their way back to one another. They share a son, Javaugh Porter, who was born in 2017. Check out a few photos below. View the full article