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Kodak Black Gives Cardi B a Diamond ‘Cardiyak’ Bracelet

Chad Mauli Jun 13, 2021

Even though it was his birthday, Kodak Black was the one giving gifts. The Florida rapper took to Instagram to reveal a diamond bracelet that he customized for Cardi B. The cuban link piece, designed by Shyne Jewelers, features Cardi-inspired charms including a Birkin bag, a rockstar hand emoji with red nails, and one that says the name of Cardi’s daughter, Kulture. Kodak also included his Sniper Gang logo, while the buckle reads “CardiYak,” a combination of both their names. “Cardi B I Hope You Like Yo Bracelet,” wrote Kodak,…

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Megan Thee Stallion Says She Wants to Marry Pardison Fontaine

Chad Mauli Jun 11, 2021

Megan Thee Stallion has found the one in Pardison Fontaine. While promoting her new single “Thot Shit” on Thursday night, the Houston hottie opened up about her relationship with her boyfriend. During the YouTube Q&A, Meg was asked if she’s thinking about marriage. While she’s in no rush to the altar, she did reveal that she would be happy to become Pardison’s wife. “I’m not getting married right now,” she told her Hotties before adding, “But I do want to marry him… He want to marry me.” https://youtu.be/dQaDDYpEkR4 Back in…

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Nipsey Hussle And YG Join Maroon 5 on ‘Memories (Remix)’

Chad Mauli Jun 11, 2021

The Marathon continues. Maroon 5 enlists Nipsey Hussle and YG for the remix to “Memories” off the group’s new album Jordi. YG pays tribute to lost friends with a somber verse. “Got some homies in heaven now that watch my back,” he raps. “For all this pain, we numb it with champagne / 100 bottles in the club, that’s a goddamn shame.” His late friend, Nip, also reflects on the losses in his life on his posthumous verse. “I done lost too, relationships you could call true / You hit…

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DaBaby Declares Himself The ‘Best,’ Says Rappers Are ‘Scared’ to Work With Him

Chad Mauli Jun 9, 2021

The year of DaBaby continues. After earning platinum plaques for his albums and singles, the “Rockstar” rapper is feeling on top of the world and he’s not afraid to show it. Taking to his Instagram Story on Tuesday, he declared himself the “best rapper” while claiming that his peers are “scared” to work with him because they view him as a threat. “Best mf rapper & I’m on ALLLAT shit these ni**as LIE about,” DaBaby wrote. “I’m him frfr. If a n***a ain’t tryna work with the real thang he…

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Migos Reveals ‘Culture III’ Tracklist

Chad Mauli Jun 9, 2021

It’s finally here. Just days before its release, Migos has revealed the star-studded tracklist for their highly-anticipated new album Culture III. In addition to the single “Straightenin,” the 19-track set is filled with superstars–from Drake (“Having Our Way”) to Justin Bieber (“What You See”). Cardi B guests on “Type Shit,” while Future joins Quavo, Takeoff, and Offset on “Picasso.” The late Juice WRLD can be heard on “Antisocial” and Pop Smoke on “Light It Up.” Other guests include Polo G and NBA YoungBoy. In a recent interview, Quavo called the…

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Kehlani Reveals How Father of Her Child Reacted to Her Coming Out

Chad Mauli Jun 8, 2021

Earlier this year, Kehlani responded to rumors about her sexuality by officially coming out as a lesbian. As part of Facebook Watch’s “Pride On! Kehlani & Larray’s Excellent Pride Ride” special, the “Back Together” singer revealed how Javaughn Young-White, the father of her 2-year-old daughter, reacted when he learned about her sexual orientation. In March 2019, the two welcomed a baby girl named Adeya Nomi. “I have a 2-year-old daughter…She’s the best,” said Kehlani, according to Complex. “Me and her dad are like really, really close friends, and the decision…

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Teyana Taylor Named ‘Sexiest Women Alive’ by Maxim

Chad Mauli Jun 8, 2021

Teyana Taylor is the Sexiest Woman Alive. Maxim has crowned the R&B songstress atop its annual list of the Sexiest Women Alive. The 30-year-old wife and mother of two shows off her natural beauty and hot body in a stunning shoot for the magazine’s Hot 100 issue. Taking to Instagram, Teyana reflected on becoming the first Black woman to land the cover. “Somebody pinch me!!!! Maxim Hot 100 to be named the ‘Sexiest Woman alive’ by literally living in the skin I’m in. WOW….” she wrote. Teyana, who announced that…

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Mariah Carey Splits With Roc Nation

Chad Mauli Jun 6, 2021

Mariah Carey is under new management. The pop icon has parted ways with Roc Nation after three and a half years. According to The Sun, Mariah quit JAY-Z’s management company after a “huge fight” between the stars about the future of Carey’s career, which reportedly led her to seek new management. “Mariah and JAY had an explosive meeting which did not go well at all,” a source told the outlet. “She has made it clear she wants nothing more to do with him and has called it quits with Roc…

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A$AP Rocky Documentary ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ to Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival

Chad Mauli Jun 6, 2021

A$AP Rocky’s 2019 stint in a Swedish prison made international headlines. Now the Harlem rapper is sharing his story in a new documentary Stockholm Syndrome, which will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival as part of its Juneteenth programming on Sunday, June 13, at 8 p.m. Directed by The Architects, the 105-minute film covers Rocky’s music and his experience with the Swedish judicial system through archival footage, interviews, animation, and live concert footage, with appearances from Kim Kardashian, Naomi Campbell, Tyler, the Creator, Michèle Lamy, and A$AP Ferg. According to…

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R. Kelly Still in Jail Despite Rumored Release

Chad Mauli Jun 4, 2021

R. Kelly remains behind bars. In the early hours of Thursday (June 3), rumors started circulating on social media that the R&B superstar had been released from prison, where he is awaiting two separate trials in Chicago and New York on a series of child sex abuse charges. The photo shows Kelly walking out of Chicago’s Cook County Jail with a man who appears to be his lawyer. “R Kelly is out,” read one tweet. https://twitter.com/Ndi_Muvenda_/status/1400356155646529542?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1400356155646529542%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2021%2F06%2F03%2Fr-kelly-still-in-jail%2F Kelly’s name started trending amid speculation that he was a free man, but there…

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Yo Gotti Enlists DaBaby For New Single ‘Drop’

Chad Mauli Jun 4, 2021

Yo Gotti celebrates his new deal with Interscope with a brand new “Drop.” The CMG boss teams up with DaBaby on his latest single. Over the J. White Did It-produced beat, Gotti commands the ladies to drop it like it’s hot. “Drop, shake your ass then / Drop, with your best friend,” he raps, while DaBaby boasts about his “good girl” who’s “still shaking ass and titties.” Earlier in the week, Yo Gotti’s CMG record label announced a new partnership with Interscope Geffen A&M to continue developing CMG’s roster of…

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Meek Mill Unleashes ‘Flamerz Flow’ Freestyle

Chad Mauli Jun 2, 2021

The Dream Chasers summer begins. A month after dropping his “Lemon Pepper Freestyle,” Meek Mill reloads with his latest for “Flamerz Flow.” On his fiery two-minute freestyle, the Philly rapper gets back in his bag. “One false move, you a goner,” he raps. “We was maskin’ up before corona / Young ni**a, hangin’ out the Bentley while I’m swingin’ ’round the corner / Paper tag, this is not a loaner.” “I wish death on anything that threaten me or try to hurt me,” adds Meek, who is joined by Dave…

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Lil Loaded Dead at 20

Chad Mauli Jun 2, 2021

Lil Loaded has passed away at age 20. The Dallas-based rapper, whose legal name was Dashawn Robertson, died on Sunday (May 30), according to his lawyer. An official cause of death has not been determined, but an investigation is underway. Loaded’s attorney, Ashkan Mehryari, believes his client took his own life. “Sadly, Mr. Robertson passed away earlier today as a result of a reported suicide,” Mehryari told TMZ. In his last Instagram Story, Loaded shared a cryptic message. “Dear most high, please forgive me for my shortcomings and all of…

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Eminem Addresses Snoop Dogg Beef on ‘Killer (Remix)’

Chad Mauli May 31, 2021

Eminem and Snoop Dogg remain “cool.” After going back and forth last year, the two are leaving the beef in the past. Their so-called feud started last July when Snoop omitted Em from his top 10 favorite rappers list, telling “The Breakfast Club” that he could “live without” the Detroit rapper’s music. Em clapped back at Snoop for “doggin'” him on his Music to Be Murdered By: Side B cut “Zeus,” prompting Snoop to respond, “Pray I don’t answer that soft ass shit.” https://youtu.be/FVeZcM6tBQU But weeks later, Snoop revealed that…

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Jay-Z Says He Boycotted The Grammys For DMX

Chad Mauli May 31, 2021

JAY-Z is reflecting on his relationship with DMX. The Roc Nation mogul was a guest on the season premiere of HBO’s “The Shop: Uninterrupted” with LeBron James and Maverick Carter, during which he opened up about X for the first time since his passing on April 9. JAY-Z recalled their friendship and rivalry including the time he boycotted the Grammys in 1999 after DMX was shut out of the nominations. “The first time I boycotted the Grammys was for him,” he said. “We both came out that year. He didn’t…

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Swizz Beatz Reveals Why Pop Smoke Was Not Featured on DMX’s Album

Chad Mauli May 29, 2021

DMX’s posthumous album Exodus was released Friday featuring Alicia Keys, JAY-Z, Bono, and more. One guest who was noticeably absent was Pop Smoke, leaving fans to wonder what happened to his previously-announced feature. During an interview with the “Drink Champs” podcast earlier this year, X teased the collaboration with the late Brooklyn rapper, who was initially set to appear on “Money Money Money.” However, Pop’s verse didn’t end up on the album for unknown reasons. Now Swizz reveals that it was cut because Pop’s team gave his verse to someone…

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J. Cole Leaves Basketball Africa League

Chad Mauli May 27, 2021

J. Cole’s basketball career has come to an end for now. ESPN’s The Undefeated reports that The Off-Season rapper has completed his contractual obligations with the Rwanda Patriots BBC in the inaugural Basketball Africa League and has left Rwanda due to a “family obligation.” https://twitter.com/MarcJSpears/status/1397573071670628359?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1397573071670628359%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2021%2F05%2F26%2Fj-cole-leaves-basketball-africa-league%2F The 36-year-old made his debut with the Patriots on May 16. He had five points, three assists, and five rebounds in 45 minutes of three preliminary games. He was expected to play between three and six games with the team. Cole’s stint in the league…

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SZA Says She Hates Her Label

Chad Mauli May 27, 2021

SZA’s label woes continue. After publicly complaining about her label last year, the TDE songstress has voiced her frustration once again after her single “Good Days” exited the Billboard Hot 100 this week. The song, released on Christmas Day, peaked at No. 9 and charted for 20 weeks, her biggest solo hit ever. SZA responded in the comments of an Instagram post by putting her label on blast for seemingly not doing more to keep the single on the charts. “I really hate my label . So much,” she wrote.…

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Kanye West’s Yeezy Gap Line to Launch by End of June

Chad Mauli May 25, 2021

Yeezy Gap is coming. A year after announcing the partnership, Kanye West’s first Gap collection may be finally arriving in stores next month. According to a report from Business of Fashion, Gap’s Yeezy line is on track to launch by the end of June, with the hopes that it will revive the retailer’s sagging sales. More details surrounding the launch could be revealed on May 27 when Gap Inc. holds its Q1 2021 earnings call. In June 2020, Kanye announced his longterm partnership with Gap, which will include men, women,…

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Nicki Minaj, J. Cole Congratulate Drake on Artist of The Decade Award

Chad Mauli May 25, 2021

It’s a celebration. Fresh off receiving the Artist of the Decade Award at the Billboard Music Awards, Drake’s peers took to social media to honor the Canadian rapper for 10 years of greatness. In an Instagram Stories post, Nicki Minaj proclaimed Drake’s indelible contributions to the game. “Single handedly changed music & the music business forever,” she wrote. “Congratulations @champagnepapi.” Nicki, who collaborated with Drake on “Seeing Green,” previously revealed that her Young Money brother helped her when she had writer’s block. “He single handedly got me out of my…