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Not long after a harrowing shooting took place at his recording studio, Waka Flocka Flame has returned to the game with some new music. Today marks the arrival of the sixth installment of Waka's Salute Me Or Shoot Me, a title that has since developed macabre undertones. Yet Waka has lost little of his luster on this go-around, a fact emphasized by the project's opening cut "I Remember." Taking to a hard-hitting instrumental from Lex Luger, Waka Flocka dives right into it, exuding menace and drowning listeners in energetic ad-libs. The vibe continues across, as Waka Flocka lines his project with a variety of different bangers. Loudeine-assisted "Long Live The King" finds Waka flowing over a minimalist 808-based production, while the sitar-driven "Lock Rags" adds a welcome tonality to the oft-intense tape. With features from Comethazine, La4ss, Loudeine, and Lotto Savage, Salute Me Or Shoot Me 6 is a reminder that Waka Flocka's boundless energy has yet to tire. In fact, it may very well mark his finest hour in a minute. View the full article

This weekend was a magical weekend in sports as Tiger Woods overcame the odds and won his 15th Major Tournament after having not won one in 11 years. Woods was considered by many as the best golfer of all time until a sex scandal and numerous injuries left him a different athlete. His win at the Masters on Sunday is changing the narrative around Tiger and now some are wondering if he can break the record for most Major wins all-time. That record currently belongs to Jack Nicklaus who has 18. Woods would need three to tie the record and four to surpass it. American swimming legend Michael Phelps was at The Masters on Sunday and saw Woods in all his glory. In an interview with TMZ, he said he's optimistic Tiger can eventually break the elusive record. "I hope he gets to 18. I'll say that," Phelps said. "Tiger's back. That's all I gotta say. He's back." Woods will have an opportunity to show everyone whether or not he has what it takes to win even more Major titles. Next month in May, the best golfers in the world will play in the PGA Championship which is the second Major on the schedule this year. View the full article

From the very first atmospheric swell of John Williams’ score, the trailer for Star Wars Episode IX beckoned us straight back into the eternal struggle between the light and the dark. Unveiled at last weekend’s Star Wars Celebration, our first taste of what to expect from The Rise of Skywalker may have been cryptic on the surface but has a lot of insight if you’re willing to burrow a little bit deeper into what’s unfolding before our eyes. As JJ Abrams reobtains the reigns of the franchise after Rian Johnson’s The Last Jedi, speculation builds over whether he’ll continue down the path that the previous director laid out or whether he’ll be retconning much of it and reverting back to his vision from The Force Awakens. Set to be the final instalment in the “classic” saga as we know it, we’ve taken a look at all of the major talking points that have arisen from its release and the plausible theories about what direction its concluding chapter could take. The Opening Scene Just like the initial trailer to Abrams’ The Force Awakens, our first glimpse at what’s to come from The Rise Of Skywalker comes complete with an emphasis on breathing. Yet where runaway stormtrooper Finn’s panting came from a place of fear and uncertainty, the exhalations of Rey-- the heir apparent to the Jedi throne-- appear more meditative in nature. Due to her steely composure, it’s entirely possible that what she sees before her is a force-induced vision the likes of which she’d endured in both TFA and TLJ as opposed to real events. Steeped in a landscape of vast sand dunes, the prevailing thought is that Rey is either physically or mentally inhabiting one of two familiar locations. Known as a barren wasteland for outcasts, scavengers and misfits, the young Jedi-in-training may have returned to her point of origin on Jakku. Alternatively, she may have gone beyond her own formative years and ventured back to the place where it all started-- Tatooine. The homeland of both Anakin Skywalker and his estranged son Luke, no location is more pivotal to the battle between the light and dark sides than the moisture farm-filled planet with two orbiting suns. As a previously unseen form of First Order TIE Fighter barrels towards our new protagonist, the narration is provided by none other than Jedi master and Rey’s reluctant trainer Luke Skywalker. “We’ve passed on all we know,” he ensures her, “a thousand generations live in you now. But this is your fight.” As we know from The Last Jedi, Luke is speaking from beyond the grave but it’s believed that he will play a substantial role nevertheless. Much like Yoda and Obi Wan Kenobi in The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi, Luke’s assertion that “no one’s ever really gone” may allude to the hazy apparitions known as “force ghosts” acting as an expositional device and a way to progress the plot forward. From there, we see a shot of a pair of matte black gloves poised around the controls of the TIE Fighter and as Rey launches herself into the air, it’s immediately assumed that the pilot can be none other than Kylo Ren A.K.A Ben Solo. Teamed with a coy reprise of Williams’ iconic “Han Solo and The Princess” love theme, this nods to not only Kylo’s parentage but to the strong yet ambiguous connection that he and Rey had formed during The Last Jedi. By the time we see Kylo’s mask being soldered back together, JJ Abrams and co. have us hook, line and sinker. The Characters As was made clear during the Star Wars Celebration panel, The Rise Of Skywalker doesn’t pick up exactly after the events of The Last Jedi and has been the subject of a “time jump.” As such, this has provided the chance for a whole host of characters both old and new to find their way into the power struggle between The Resistance and the sinister First Order. In what’s been a warmly received return, Billy Dee Williams is back and behind the controls of The Millennium Falcon with Chewie as Lando Calrissian and his new costume is a nod to Donald Glover’s interpretation of the role in Solo: A Star Wars Story. After assurances from Disney, the late Carrie Fisher will also be making one last-- and likely heartrending-- appearance as General Leia Organa. Clad in the same outfit as she’s seen in during The Force Awakens, her tearful hug with Rey and any other scene is not the product of CGI but of repurposed footage from previous films that Abrams wrote scenes for. For his reasoning behind the decision, Abrams was beautifully blunt in his description of why digitization was not an option: “A CG character was off the table. She was glorious. “You don’t recast that part, and you don’t suddenly have her disappear.” In addition to these returning stars, we’ll also be getting a new droid companion for BB-8 in the form of D-O, conceived of as a nod to the iconic Pixar lamp mascot Luxo Jr. Aside from cybernetic characters, we’ll also be introduced to a new “comedic” relief in alien resistance fighter Klaud but we can only hope that he has more of the wry wit of a Han Solo than the buffoonery of Jar Jar Binks. In terms of new human additions, the Star Wars celebration panel introduced audiences to Naomi Ackie (Lady Macbeth, Yardie) as Jannah. Set to join forces with Rey, Finn and Poe in what JJ is calling an “adventure movie,” Ackie responded to queries about whether or not she was Lando’s daughter in classically inconclusive fashion by stating "Lando is a very charming man, he could have children all over the universe." As for returning characters that are absent from the trailer, both Domnhall Gleeson’s General Hux and Kelly Marie Tran’s Rose Tico-- who was last seen in a coma after saving Finn-- are slated to return. On the other end of the spectrum, Jon Boyega was insistent that the border invincible if easily disposable Captain Phasma is “dead.” Yet for all that these developments quickened pulses, none have been more enticing than the return of a blood-curdling laugh and the site of his foulest deeds. Emperor Palpatine and the second Death Star Over 35 years since he was launched into a chasm aboard the death star by Darth Vader, Emperor Sheev Palpatine-- or Darth Sidious as he’s known by the Sith, is back to wreak havoc upon the galaxy once more. Revealed at A Star Wars Celebration, British actor Ian McDiarmid is back to reprise the role of his lifetime as the maniacal leader of the empire. Yet when we heard that devious cackle, many Star Wars fans were perplexed as to how and why this was the case. In the canon, it is largely accepted that the Sith cannot re-emerge as force ghosts in the same way that their Jedi counterparts can and thus rules out the possibility of Palpatine’s return as a spectral entity. Condemned to what seemed to be certain death, the return of not only his voice but a fragment of the Death Star could hold the key to his return. Gazed at from afar by Rey, Finn and Poe, the remains of the second death star appear to be partially submerged in water amid a leafy green planet. Due to the landscape, it can only be assumed that this is the second death star and this fragment that we’re seeing is situated on Endor, the Ewok-populated planet from which the rebel alliance was based for much of Return Of The Jedi. By enlisting aspects from the largely overlooked expanded universe, the answer to how Palpatine has reared his head once more begin to emerge. While Disney delegitimized much of the comic books and novelizations that came after the original trilogy, the return of characters such as Boba Fett, Darth Maul and Tag & Bink are prime examples of their willingness to explore it. With that in mind, the enlistment of such plot devices as the Sith’s ability to transfer their essence into an item or host and Palpatine’s secret cloning facility that he’d devised in the event of his death could provide the answer. As seen in early The Force Awakens concept art, there were plans for a scene where Rey must scuba-dive to the tattered remains of the Death Star and retrieve a lost relic. If this plot point were to be repurposed, it could lead her directly into Palpatine’s clutches. Beyond the expanded world, let’s not forget Palpatine’s words to Anakin Skywalker in Revenge Of The Sith as he regaled him with The Tragedy Of Darth Plagieus. In a multi-layered remark, the nefarious emperor proclaimed that “the dark side of the force Is a pathway to many abilities that some consider to be unnatural.” The Title When it comes to titles, no addition to the Star Wars saga has sparked as much rampant speculation about its potential meaning than The Rise Of Skywalker. A concerted effort by Abrams, a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight explained that we’ll have clarity when the film emerges: “I know that it’s provocative and asks a bunch of questions, but I think when you see the movie, you’ll see how it’s intended and what it means.” As a notoriously inquisitive bunch, Star Wars fans have been quick to try and tide themselves over by connecting the dots. Although there is all manner of hairbrained concepts, five main ideas ring with more plausibility than others. Arguably the most simplistic hypothesis, some have decoded the title as a way to let us know that Luke Skywalker’s supposed death was an elaborate ruse and he remains alive and well. Elsewhere, fans have expressed a mixture of concern and excitement over the prospect of this “rise” referring to the first on-screen appearance of an as yet unrevealed Skywalker descendent. For those not content with this concept, some believe Kylo Ren’s claims that Rey’s parents were simply “filthy junk traders” to be erroneous and that she is, in fact, part of the Skywalker bloodline while others believe it signifies Kylo, who is half Skywalker, returning from the depths of the dark side. Putting these straightforward interpretations aside, there is one alternative view that is undoubtedly the most profound and immersive of all. Espoused by everyone from Twitter users to seasoned director Kevin Smith himself, it is possible that Skywalker doesn’t refer to one individual but a new collective that’s entrusted with peacekeeping in the galaxy: “If Rise Of Skywalker meant that they were the next order of Jedi were called “The Skywalkers,” how beautiful. That saga is about a little boy they find in the desert. Not only is it an honour for Luke and it says that he truly is the master, it redeems the name of his father. The little boy who fell to the dark side.” Considering that the trailer proclaims that “every generation has a legend,” this could tie into the concept of “The Skywalkers” usurping the Jedi to take on a similarly mythical status in the galaxy. Whatever the conclusive answer proves to be, what we do know for certain is that this is the epic conclusion of a saga that was first brought into reality by George Lucas back in 1977 and promises to be one of the biggest cinematic events of all time. What do you expect from The Rise Of Skywalker? Sound off in the comments below. View the full article

Joey Bada$$ recently sat down with Ebro on his Beats1 show, along with the rest of the Beast Coast crew, where they explained why Nipsey Hussle's death is an example of why people should show more appreciation to each other while they're still alive. "Nobody thought that that day, we would lose Nipsey Hussle. Nobody thought in a million year, you know what I'm saying?" Joey explained. "He was one of those people that we thought we would have forever. And reasons like that is why people go underappreciated while they are here on this Earth." Joey further explained that the Crenshaw rapper has been recently receiving all of this love and praise for his music, his entrepreneurial skills and the work he's done in his community but he isn't alive to feel it. "As soon as we lose a person like that, everybody wants to jump on the bandwagon... We should have already been on that while he was here," he said. "He should've been able to see the fruits of his labor as much as it's taken off now." Joey extended his sentiment to not only the rappers and artists that you appreciate but everyone else in your life that you appreciate. "It’s extremely important that you show appreciation for your favorite artists, your favorite people, your favorite friends, your favorite family members, whatever,” he said. “It’s just extremely important you never waste those moments, you always appreciate them. Like you said, any moment it can go like that.” Peep the interview below. View the full article

Ty Dolla $ign and Lauren Jauregui have been keeping a low profile lately but new reports have brought them back in the spotlight since the couple has seemingly split. The duo dated for over two years and recent social media shares from both Lauren and Ty make us believe their relationship has come to an end. The first sign comes from Ty himself, who sent out a tweet a couple of days ago that just shows a broken heart. Lauren then shared a few tweets about the importance of trusting your feelings and knowing the truth "before it’s given." She relayed the same message on Instagram, accompanied by a selfie of herself. "I know the truth before it’s given, I can read it in your feelins. Ladies, always listen to that little voice in ur heart," she wrote. At this moment it's unclear what could have caused the couple's breakup. All previous posts about the couple have been positive reports on their relationship and just how much they enjoy each other's company and support each other's careers. "My boyfriend, Ty, is also super supportive," Lauren previously stated when discussing how her confidence as a songwriter grew. "Watching him work also is incredibly inspiring to me, [especially] seeing the way he makes tracks come to life with his musical brain. I'm more of a lyricist -- when I listen to a song, the first thing that I listen to is the lyrics. When he listens to the song, the first thing he listens to is the beat. We taught each other stuff about how to get better at what we do. He was a huge part of it, too." Presley Ann/Getty Images View the full article

The man who once rapped "just like the kids in the park, my vision is sharp" back on Rare Chandeliers is not one to take eye safety lightly. Yet last night, Action Bronson found himself facing an unexpected health scare during a concert at Ottawa's Algonquin Commons Theater. Unfortunately, Bronsolinio was forced to cut his set short after being "blinded by the light," a la Bruce "The Boss" Springsteen. TMZ caught video of Bronson reacting to an intense burst of strobe light, stumbling backward in a daze. You can see the moment the injury occurs, as Bronson appears stunned by the sudden onset of flashing light. Apparently, the rapper was forced to get medical attention after side effects lingered backstage. The rapper later took to Twitter to share his thoughts on the incident, dreading the severity of what might have been. "I was blinded and disoriented from that blast of the strobe light last night, that's why I was unable to finish in Ottawa," he writes, in an all caps message. "I'm feeling better now thank you. Those things need to never be near me again it was almost really bad. Be careful." Lest we forget, this isn't the first time a rapper has found themselves facing light-induced eye trauma. Joey Bada$$ once dared to gaze upon the sun during 2017's solar eclipse, a decision that ultimately led to the cancellation of several subsequent shows. Let it be known. Eye safety is no joke! View the full article

Beyoncé tweets but once a year, and this time it was to announce the release of “Homecoming: The Live Album,” a surprise collection of music from her show-stopping 2018 performance at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival — a.k.a. “Bey-chella.” The record, which is the artist’s 14th release... View the full article

Offset has released a video for 'Clout' from his solo studio debut LP, 'Father of 4.' Cardi B appears here for a rousing video bathed in yellow that further showcases their attraction to each other and how together, they push new creative boundaries. View the full article

Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys’s husband, says hip-hop industry lacks compassion View the full article

Iconic hip-hop producer and Alicia Keys’s husband, Swizz Beatz, isn’t afraid to tell his guy friends he loves them. View the full article

From Janelle Monáe's "black girl magic" to Lizzo's body-positive twerk fest to Christine and the Queens' contemporary theatrics, dance played an important role in elevating Coachella performances. The choreographers behind the performances share their thoughts. View the full article

Beyoncé could have just come to the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and played the hits. She didn’t. The artist instead opted to conceptualize a performance that paid tribute to black culture, and championed — and even challenged — her black fans. The concert’s creation was painstakingly... View the full article

Throughout history, artists have used music as an outlet to share their frustrations, even to the point of using lyrics that some believe advocate violence. There is no one particular genre that has perpetuated violence more than another, but overall rap and hip hop has bore the brunt of responsibility. Authorities have always had a keen eye on hip hop artists, especially those with violent lyrics, but as we live in an era where the line between art and reality is becoming less defined, people are being held to a different standard; a standard that has landed a few artists in jail. A 26-year-old man named Christopher Maurice McCallum, rap name Jun Jun McCallum, was recently arrested over what some claim to be lyrics to a song, while others say he was threatening violence against the masses. According to a news report, McCallum posted a rap on Facebook where he said he was feuding with several others in the Ocala and Gainesville, Florida area. In the rap, he stated that he planned on attending a concert at the Eight Seconds venue where another artist named Yungeen Ace was performing and alluded to doing something violent there. Authorities claim that the lyrics also threatened a mass shooting at the University of Florida campus because McCallum said, “catch you at a Gator game and shoot the whole campus up.” McCallum has been charged with threatening a mass shooting and is being held on $50,000 bond. After the Parkland school shooting in 2018, Florida laws were changed to make mass shooting threats a crime. Activists are drawing similarities between McCallum's case and that of Jamal Knox, a young rapper who was arrested after he posted a song online. On the track, Knox stated that he would cause harm to local police officers, naming them specifically. Knox was taken to court and sentenced to two to four years in prison over his lyrics that a judge stated wasn't protected under the First Amendment. Killer Mike, 21 Savage, Chance The Rapper, Yo Gotti, and many other well-known rappers have banded together to help get Knox released from prison. View the full article

Although he vehemently denies the allegations against him, the sexual assault case involving Chris Brown is moving forward. A woman who has only been referred to as Jane Doe alleges that back in February 2017, she ended up at the singer's home after a night of clubbing. She says that while there Brown gave her drugs including cocaine, marijuana, and molly before his friend, Lowell Grissom Jr., allegedly raped her. The woman also says Brown was walking around showing off firearms, including one that he allegedly carried in his waistband. The Blast reports that when the woman's mother became worried, she used software to track her daughter’s phone. The mother alerted the police to her daughter's location but were denied entry upon arrival. Grissom has stated in documents that anything that happened between him and Jane Doe was consensual and denies assaulting the woman. It's now being reported that court documents show that Jane Doe has requested a home inspection of Brown's mansion, a request that he's agreed to. She is allowed to have her attorney look through the rooms she was in on the night in question, and if she recalls being in other rooms while there, as long a Brown approves, they can visit those rooms as well. Of course, she won't be wandering around Brown's home; there will be a videographer and two attorneys. An initial walkthrough with Brown's attorney will be conducted beforehand and that will not be taped. The woman will wait outside with one of her attorneys while the other completes the inspection. The woman has two hours to complete her inspection and Brown has permission to record the event as well, however, he cannot show the woman or any of the attorneys. Jane Doe previously objected to Brown filming the inspection because she claimed it was an intimidation tactic. He refuted those accusations and said he just wanted to make sure his home was protected. She is suing for unspecified damages. View the full article

It was just a few years ago when Kevin McCall's name was associated with some of the most influential artists in the music industry. Whether he was working on his own music cor penning hits for some of your favorites, McCall had a promising career. He collaborated with Chris Brown, Big Sean, Tank, Trae Tha Truth, Keke Palmer, Tyga, Gucci Mane, J. Valentine, Joe Jonas, and Justin Bieber. McCall began dating America's Top Model winner Eva Marcille and after the two had a daughter together, many thought that this was the making of a Hollywood power couple. However, soon McCall was in the headlines for less than favorable news. He had public arguments with artists on social media, including his well-publicized beef with Chris Brown. Then, there were accusations of trouble in his relationship with Eva to the extent of a restraining order being issued against him and denial of his parental rights. When things calmed and the dust was settled, fans assumed that McCall was minding his business, working hard, and laying low. Eva has kept herself busy and now she's a peach holder for Real Housewives of Atlanta. Just last month, the show featured a storyline where she talked briefly about her relationship with McCall, whom she calls her daughter's donor, and how she has had to live in multiple homes because of his stalking behavior. Noel Vasquez/Getty Images “Every time I move, he finds me,” Marcille continued. “Because of that, I live in multiple places. Safety is a priority for me.” She also said, “I still feel a sense of threat. I have had to move five times, and I still feel a sense of uneasiness. He’s just so petty sometimes. I’ve walked outside of my balcony before and he’s been standing in the dark. And it is the scariest feeling ever.” McCall, who is in a relationship, quickly took to social media to blast his ex, along with her new husband, and deny claims that he's a threat to her. "Show me the Eva Marcille documents Im(I’ll WAIT) its public knowledge right? Let’s start posting my records with these violent claims if you can do that Then You can mute me like R. Kelly But I’m starting to feel We both victims of a modern witchHunt (and N***az is the witches). It’s sad when she gotta keep using my name for her storyline, if I was the husband I would be like 'Real hoe of Atlanta' is you out your mind, or is you still obsessed with your child’s Father? Why is he in our story line so much ain’t I enuff headline for our relationship?” Now, TheShadeRoom is reporting that McCall has been arrested on charges of domestic abuse, according to documents. They state that he was taken into custody on Monday morning and booked at the Compton Courthouse in Los Angeles. His formal charge is one felony count of injuring a spouse or cohabitant. It allegedly stems from an incident that occurred on January 14, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. His bail is set at $75,000 and his arraignment was scheduled for today. Further details regarding the incident have yet to be made public. View the full article

A new generation of female rappers is on the horizon and they're looking to become just as sensational as the women who have influenced them. While women in hip hop have found much success, they still struggle with double standards and finding acceptance in a male-dominated industry. Dame Dash sat down with Genius to give his opinion on the rising ladies of rap, and in true Dame style, he didn't mince words. "It's like, to me, hip hop's not a man's world," Dash said. "We think it is, but everything we do is for women." First up was Megan Thee Stallion who burst onto the scene with her breakthrough single, "Big Ole Freak." "I love it," Dash said. "I love it when someone owns who they are. Some girls be freaks and act like they not...that's what I'm sayin'. Girls are now like, I'm gon' be the dude now. I don't think girls should give a f*ck what a man thinks. Men are dumb." Dash heard just a brief snippet of Bhad Bhabie and shut that down quickly. "She's too young for me to be looking at like that," said Dash. "Next. The thing is, if she's that young talking about adult things...she better not be talking about no sex or using no drugs or none of that, or else that's pedophile ear. I don't know what the girl is talking about [because] I didn't want to hear it, but if she's talking about f*cking or if she's talking about anything underage girl's not supposed to be doing, then that's just promoting to me the Me Too moment that we don't want." Then there was Rico Nasty, whom he loved. "She's swaggy," Dash said. "I like her a lot. This s*it is hard right here. I wanna hear this s*it. She's the winner," he said while giving Nasty a thumbs up. "I like that she has a crew. A swaggy girl with a bunch of swaggy girlfriends. I like to see that. I like the type of girls that laugh at n*ggas, too, for not coolin' off." He went on to say that while he likes the fact the Domo Wilson was sexy in her music video for "Feelings," he's not really into rap love songs. As far a Melii is concerned, he said he liked her look and her style, mentioning that is daughter has been playing her record. He said Saweetie is "pretty as f*ck" but once he realized that's Quavo's girlfriend, he shut it down and said he "can't speak on that man's girl." Check out everything Dash had to say below. View the full article

Fre$h has been one of the busiest rappers in the game over the past few months. Many might remember him as Short Dawg during his stint at Young Money, but since departing the label, he switched up the name and established himself as Fre$h. The name change marked a new era in his career and he solidified it with the release of his debut project under the moniker, freshism. The rapper came through with a few more projects since then but now, he returns with his latest body of work, Drop Barz. With thirteen new tracks, Fre$h's hot streak continues with his latest project. Drop Barz features a few familiar names such as Ricky P, fellow Houston rapper, Maxo Kream, as well as Squalla and Dank. Peep his new project below. View the full article

18-year-old GlokkNine gained a bit more prominence in 2018 with the release of his music video for "JailHizeeBluez." The track came from his 2017 project Kold Face Kold Case but the rapper continued to flood the streets with three more projects. Bloodshells Revenge arrived in April and was followed by the release of his project, Loyalty Kill Love in April. He closed out the year with Lil Glokk That Stole Christmas and since then, he's continued to release loose singles. Today, he pulled up with his latest track, "Party Pooper." GlokkNine is back with his new song, "Party Pooper." GlokkNine hops on aggressive, piano-heavy production while delivering an energetic banger overall. The track follows the release of his songs, "Red Rover" and "Killed Or Be Killed" which dropped in the past month. Quotable Lyrics Racks out, n***a man drop, I can't stop I'm gon' black out and clear the whole park Said them n****s never surfed wit' me in that push to start You wasn't out here on turf wit' me thuggin' after dark View the full article

Lil Baby's been taking it easy in 2019 so far. He had one hell of a run in 2018 with the release of three projects including his debut album and his joint project with Gunna, Drip Harder. It appears as though he's taking a bit of a break after flooding the market and solely delivering guest verses. Back in March, he joined forces with the self-proclaimed King Of R&B, Jacquees, for their collaboration, "Your Peace." Now, he links up with a rising Atlanta rapper for their track, "Call Me Daddy." Poplord is a name out of Atlanta you should start getting familiar with now. Over the weekend, he teamed up with Lil Baby for "Call Me Daddy," a humorous yet infectious single. Poplord delivers a catchy hook and proves that he could hold his own alongside one of hip-hop's biggest names right now. Peep the new single below. Quotable Lyrics I just bought a bitch a new penthouse Hunnid floors up with the bust down rollie And the neckless to match Now, she forever call me daddy View the full article

We've been waiting on a new album from Wale for a minute. Although SHINE wasn't as well-received critically, his subsequent efforts reminded everyone why Wale is one of the most overlooked MC's in the game. Thankfully, a new album is on the way. The rapper took to Twitter to confirm that it's near completion. Wale hasn't shared a whole lot of details about his forthcoming album but it's safe to say that it is coming soon. The DMV MC took to Twitter to share a short video of himself posted up with Pharrell. "Wrapping up my album wyd," he tweeted with the clip. Clearly, this means that we could expect Pharrell on the project. Unfortunately, this project could very well be the last that we get from Wale, at least based off of a tweet from November 2018. After DJ Clark Kent asked where Wale was, the "Poledancer" rapper revealed that he was working on what he's hoping will be his final body of work. "He Wrapping up what hopefully will be the last Wale album . And finding someone who appreciates me then gettin out wit a lil bit of sanity," he tweeted. With his new album on the way, we're hoping that he unleashes a few of his MMG collaborations. At the end of 2018, he revealed that he had endless songs with Meek Mill and Rick Ross. Whether they'll land on his project or not remains a mystery but we're eager to hear what he has up his sleeve. View the full article

Blac Chyna has more legal drama to tend to. According to TMZ, her former landlord has sued her for nearly $50K over unpaid rent. Blac Chyna's former landlord has accused the model of ditching the final five months of her lease without paying anything upfront. Chyna's home was located in Studio City, CA and she's been renting from there since April 2017. The landlord revealed in the lawsuit that she signed the lease agreeing that she would occupy the home until March 2019. However, he said that she got up and left in November 2018. The landlord said that Chyna owes him $55,546 for five months of rent. However, after deducting her $25K deposit and adding on the $18K in damages, the landlord said that Chyna owes $48,546. Chyna allegedly removed "fixtures and equipment" from the home which the landlord claims caused $18K in damages. Chyna's former landlord is suing her for the amount as well as interest and attorney fees. Aside from the lawsuit over rent, she and the father of her child, Dream, came to an agreement in their custody battle in late March. Rob was previously paying $20K a month in child support but now, the judge has ruled that they'll share custody of their child, meaning Rob won't have to pay Chyna. However, the report did say that Rob would have custody of Chyna more frequently. View the full article

Bill Cosby's continued to maintain his innocence after dozens of women came forward with allegations that he sexually assaulted them. His sentencing has prompted him to liken himself to Martin Luther King Jr, Mahatma Gandhi, and Nelson Mandela, referring to himself as a "political prisoner." Earlier this month, the comedian reached a settlement with seven alleged victims who were involved in a defamation case against him. He denied that he approved of the decision, and now, he's placing the blame on his insurance company. Cosby's insurance company, American International Group, struck a deal with a woman named Chloe Goins who claimed that Cosby assaulted her at the Playboy Mansion in 2008 when she was just 18. However, Cosby's lashed out against AIG, calling their conduct "despicable." “AIG’s conduct is despicable and I can only imagine how terribly they’re treating their policyholders, who don’t have my means and my resources,” Cosby said in a statement to Deadline. In the agreement, the AIG paid off the woman who filed the lawsuit over the alleged incident in 2008. "It was proven by the Los Angeles Police Department that I was not at the Playboy Mansion on the date in question, and was not in the State of California,” Cosby said. “This woman’s supposed friend confirmed that she made up this story by denying that they knew her and, most importantly, denying that they visited the Playboy Mansion with her.” He continued, “AIG continues to act egregiously by settling these heinous claims without my knowledge and/or consent; and AIG continues to show they’re complicit in this scheme to destroy me and my family." Adding, “I encourage all of AIG’s policyholders to drop this pathetic insurance company quickly, before they destroy you and your family. Ms. Goins’ lawsuit never should have proceeded and I will still pursue my claims against her.” View the full article

Rapper KOTA The Friend offers us a relationship-goals anthem with the song "Birdie", an ode to romantic love. Though short, sweet and simple, the visuals for the song were also released and are absolutely adorable. Herein, the rapper is seen sitting back-to-back with his lover while delivering cold bars. The two are seen smiling at each other and giving the ultimate cuteness overload. Compared to the music video, the song is much longer and offers more bars for listeners to appreciate. The track follows up on the anticipated release of his sophomore album FOTO. The Brooklyn-bred rapper rose to prominence following the release of his debut album "Anything." back in 2018. Since then, he's been mentioned by Billboard and XXL as an act to follow along with garnering an instagram following that is 80k deep. Though prior to that, KOTA The Friend earned game cred via his collaborations with Asher Roth ("Asleep in the Bread Isle") and fellow New York rapping comrade Blu. Quotable Lyrics We ain’t in a competition Ain't nobody catching up Young, free and black with a whole lotta stamina We are more than okay Still reminiscing on the old days I still take the book with a low spade View the full article

Revisionist history adds a noted sense of immediacy to the legendary Jay-Z Vs. Nas beef. Yet in reality, the time between opening volley and counterstrike was unusually long, especially by today's standards. Jay-Z’s “Takeover” was released on September 11th, 2001 and Nas dropped “Ether” on December 4th of that same year. In this day and age, such a delay would be perceived as weakness. It’s not uncommon to hear people say “they on the clock” once the first shot is fired. Perhaps such a mentality is fuelled purely by selfish bloodlust, as a fast turnaround means new, and often passionate, music. Yet this proverbial “clock” tends to present a false narrative; a delayed response time should not be mistaken for cowardice, though it so often is. Consider a few of last year’s prominent feuds, namely Drake Vs. Pusha T and Eminem Vs. Machine Gun Kelly. The former feud found Drake’s “Duppy” facing off against Pusha T’s “The Story Of Adidon.” While tension had been simmering between both parties for some time, the notorious beef unfolded over one incendiary week. Pusha T’s “Infrared” dropped on May 25th. Drake responded to the subs with “Duppy,” which he released on that same day. Four days later, Pusha T replied with “The Story Of Adidon” on May 29th. One of the years biggest feuds unfolded in fewer than ninety-six hours. Eminem and Machine Gun Kelly’s beef transpired with a similarly brief turnaround time. On August 31st, Eminem set it off with “Not Alike.” Machine Gun Kelly clapped back on September 8th with “Rap Devil.” Eminem concluded the war with “Killshot” on September 14th; in dryly comedic fashion, our own post title for “Killshot” comes complete with an emphatic Finally. Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images In hindsight, I suppose we’re all guilty of getting caught in the hype on a reactionary basis. In such a competitive sport, the preservation of reputation can feel like the end-all-be-all. It’s not easy to have one’s dirty laundry aired in such a public forum, allowing millions of social media users to judge, troll, ridicule, memeify, and malleate an already volatile narrative. If one hundred thousand people clamor for an immediate response, prematurely citing “cowardice” in the event it never comes, the court of public opinion ultimately runs the risk of shifting against the defendant. Lest we forget, however, that back in 2002 Eminem unleashed two diss tracks to Benzino in “The Sauce” and “Nail In The Coffin.” Both tracks were penned in response to Zino’s “Pull Your Skirt Up,” and released a month-and-a-half after its release. Now Imagine Eminem took one-and-a-half months to respond to Machine Gun Kelly. Even if “Killshot” remained exactly as is, it’s entirely possible that the modern world would have moved on, the sheen of the battle long having dulled. Yet when Nas and Jay-Z went to war all those years ago, that was hardly the case. The landscape was vastly different, with little-to-no social media. Print outlets like The Source and XXL carried notable weight in providing news and insight into hip-hop culture. That’s not to say the fan response to “Takeover” was any different than a modern-day post-diss high. Yet the public sense of urgency was far more contained, largely expressed through word of mouth by sheer necessity. I was only twelve when I heard “Takeover,” and I can still remember hearing “Ether” for the first time, downloading it in my friend’s basement. There was no timeline analysis or questioning of reputation gained and lost, only an appreciation of Nas’ unrelenting and ruthless bars. Were social media to be in play, it would have likely shifted perception. The risk of groupthink is never far, and it’s easy to imagine “Takeover” as being premium meme fodder. Imagine the lines “you were a ballerina, I got the pictures I’ve seen ya,” complete with legions of amateur PhotoShops depicting exactly that. Case in point, examine this “REACTIONS” post to Drake’s “Duppy” for some context. In fairness, the birth of meme culture would have likely added an additional layer of comedy to some of hip-hop’s classic feuds. And it’s not as if people should be blamed for living the internet era. It’s no secret that news travels faster now, with endless content available at the bat of an eyelash. This generation has long been associated with “Instant Gratification,” due largely in part to the internet’s facilitation of damn near everything. Now, if Drake wants to hit the studio and release “Duppy,” he can upload it to SoundCloud hours later (as he did). Twenty years ago, Drake would have had to resort to different measures altogether. Paul Hawthorne/Getty Images Consider that some of the greatest diss tracks in hip-hop history, including “Takeover” and “Ether,” were released on official studio albums. In fact, many prominent diss records arrived on physical copies, which meant above all else, the printing process. 2Pac’s “Hit Em Up” was originally released on June 4th, 1996, as a B-Side to the “How Do U Want It” single. We mustn’t forget that “Hit Em Up” was penned as a response to Biggie’s “Who Shot Ya,” which was released all the way back on February 20th, 1995. Yet when we look back on their feud with a historian’s lens, Biggie and Pac’s still stands among hip-hop’s most storied beefs. Likewise for Ice Cube’s war with his former group NWA, which ultimately spawned the classic “No Vaseline.” Given that NWA wasted little time in blasting Cube on their albums 100 Miles and Runnin' (August 14th, 1990) and N****z4Life (May 28th, 1991), Cube ultimately felt compelled to place nail firmly in coffin. On October 29th, 1991, five months after NWA dubbed him Benedict Arnold, Ice Cube delivered “No Vaseline.” Today, a five-month delay between diss tracks is unheard of. Instead, eight-day delays are eternal. Four-days is fair game. Twenty-four hours is ideal. We recently saw Tory Lanez earn praise for his approach to diss-track marketing, which found him engaging in two spirited tilts with Joyner Lucas and Don Q. The former found him releasing two tracks in fewer than forty-eight hours, a pace matched by Joyner. The latter found Lanez responding to Q’s “I’m Not Joyner” in fewer than twenty-four. Now imagine if Don Q, or Joyner Lucas for that matter, issued a response tonight. How do you think his efforts would be met? View the full article

It is no secret that America's going through troubling times right now. In fact, the topic of American politics remains hotly debated since Donald Trump settled in office. The ensuing conversation surrounding the American president's antics constantly finds way to the top of the news. And with Trump in the White House (and on Twitter), the public opinion continues to echo loudly across social media platforms to either support or condemn his acts. Though a touchy subject, freedom of speech fortunately allows all to both share and be entitled to their opinions. As such, former first lady, the beloved Michelle Obama felt confident to speak on Trump's America during a press tour stop for her New York best-selling memoir Becoming. Sadly, things went left for the Harvard-educated author when she experienced a good old case of foot-in-the-mouth syndrome. During a chat with political commentator and television show host Stephen Colbert, Ms. Obama attempted to convey an explanation via metaphor to America's issues with their current president. She must have ran out of ideas because she used divorced dads to prove her point. More specifically, the verbal mishap unravelled when Michelle related America's issues as similar to spending the weekend with a divorced dad. Though we're all susceptible to nervousness and poorly thought out rhetoric, many divorced dads and affiliates did not respond well to the metaphor. While others jumped at the opportunity to let Michelle Obama have it. [Via] View the full article