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Tems Opens Up About Her Viral Oscars Dress

Chad Mauli Mar 15, 2023

Tems has no regrets about her stunning Oscars look. The white sculptural gown from Ukrainian brand Lever Couture’s AW22 Leleka Couture collection was one of the most-talked-about looks at Sunday’s Academy Awards, with its voluminous fabric that stretched around and above the seats at the Dolby Theatre. https://twitter.com/RapUp/status/1635055551615991810?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1635055551615991810%7Ctwgr%5E0ed44f67b43cb7932dfbd9304d85348e98207fc8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2023%2F03%2F14%2Ftems-opens-up-viral-oscars-dress%2F While she won praise from the fashion community, her look also spawned jokes and memes as social media weighed in on the view-obstructing gown. “Imagine waiting your whole life to be at the Oscars and you end up sitting behind a stratus…

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Lil Nas X Apologizes To Trans Community For Joke That He Transitioned

Chad Mauli Mar 15, 2023

Lil Nas X is regretting a joke that went too far. Taking to Twitter on Tuesday, the “Industry Baby” rapper apologized to the trans community after he was accused of mocking transitioning in a since-deleted tweet. “apologies to the trans community i def handled that situation with anger instead of considering why it was not cool,” he wrote. “much love to you guys. sorry.” https://twitter.com/LilNasX/status/1635709651546419200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1635709651546419200%7Ctwgr%5Eac4350af9396f86177f6da949a4f60c288ed757f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2023%2F03%2F14%2Flil-nas-x-apologizes-trans-community-joke%2F Prior to that, he posted a photo of influencer Glow Princess, while joking that he had undergone gender-affirming surgery. “The surgery was a success,” he…

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Rihanna Performs ‘Lift Me Up’ At The Oscars

Chad Mauli Mar 13, 2023

Rihanna forever. Just one month after slaying the Super Bowl Halftime Show, the pop superstar returned to the stage at the 95th Academy Awards on Sunday where she performed her Oscar-nominated song “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever for the first time. Following an introduction from Wakanda Forever star Danai Gurira, who called her “royalty in her own right,” the pregnant singer stunned in a custom Maison Margiela Artisanal look while standing on a platform that rose throughout the performance. Backed by a full orchestra, she belted out…

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Drake Says A Lot Of Rappers ‘Wouldn’t Be Here If It Wasn’t For Me’

Chad Mauli Mar 13, 2023

It’s not Father’s Day, but Drake is sonning the competition. The 6 God took to Instagram to boast about his influence in the rap game. He shared a photo of himself hugging his dog with a caption that sounds like it was ripped straight from his next hit. “A lot of them boys you entertain wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for me so don’t forget to wish me a happy fathers day June 18th,” he wrote. https://www.instagram.com/p/CprQa3rO9mv/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f322c70d-844c-42df-948d-4664a000e068 Drake has every reason to feel himself. He was ranked No. 8…

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Logic Seemingly Responds After Joe Budden Begs Him To Retire

Chad Mauli Mar 11, 2023

Logic is taking the high road. Earlier this week, Joe Budden reignited his feud with the Maryland rapper when he begged him to retire and “never step near a recording device again.” Now it appears that Logic is responding to his biggest critic. On Thursday morning, he shared a TikTok video featuring a clip from a 2015 interview where he explains that he’s a homebody and keeps to himself. “I don’t f**k with nobody at all,” he says. “It’s just me and my homies and my fiancée and my little…

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Joyner Lucas Reverses Will Smith Slap, Takeoff’s Death On ‘Devil’s Work Part 2’

Chad Mauli Mar 11, 2023

Joyner Lucas is turning back the hands of time with his new single and video for “Devil’s Work Part 2.” On the sequel to his 2019 track, the Boston MC imagines a world where he can reverse the deaths of Kobe Bryant and Takeoff, prevent the Tory Lanez-Megan Thee Stallion shooting, and keep 6ix9ine behind bars. He raps about changing the course of history and stopping Will Smith from slapping Chris Rock at the Oscars. “Erase that Will Smith slap and turn him back around / Or wait till they…

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Lil Yachty Wants To Make A Joint Album With Tyler, The Creator

Chad Mauli Mar 9, 2023

Lil Yachty wants to create an entire album with Tyler, the Creator. Hot on the heels of his acclaimed album Let’s Start Here, Yachty opened up about who he wants to work with in the future, including André 3000, Bon Iver, Solange, and Tyler. While he and the IGOR rapper have worked together in the past, Yachty has his eye on something bigger. “I would love to make a whole album with Tyler. That’d be tight,” he told Billboard. “I just think we could make something really special.” He credits…

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Michael B. Jordan Declares Drake The GOAT

Chad Mauli Mar 9, 2023

Drake is the Michael Jordan of rap, according to Michael B. Jordan. The Creed III star has declared October’s Very Own the greatest to ever do it. While speaking with his co-star Jonathan Majors for Complex’s “GOAT Talk,” the two got into a hotly-contested debate over who deserves the GOAT title. “Drake. Fight me,” he told Majors, while weighing between Drake and JAY-Z. https://youtu.be/NACc7uRQXhg MBJ said he had to go with Drake because of his consistency and relatability. “Consistently for how long, across genres,” he said. “To have an artist,…

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T.I. Teams Up With Kevin Gates On New Single ‘Active’

Chad Mauli Mar 7, 2023

The King’s back. T.I. teams up with Kevin Gates on “Active,” the first single off his upcoming 12th and possibly final album Kill the King. The track, which was premiered by DJ Greg Street on Atlanta’s V-103, opens with Gates reciting a prayer in Arabic before the King of the South proclaims his greatness (“I’ve been king 21 years”) while seemingly referencing his recent beef with Boosie Badazz, who called him a “rat.” “You started yellin’, started tellin’ / But on IG, you hard as hellin’,” raps Tip. “I’ma tell…

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North West Transforms Into Ice Spice In New TikTok Video

Chad Mauli Mar 7, 2023

North West’s love for Ice Spice continues. After getting a surprise visit from the “Munch” rapper, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West’s 9-year-old daughter transformed into the Bronx bombshell in her latest TikTok video. In the clip, which she uploaded to her shared account with her mother, North dons a curly ginger wig and white tracksuit, even rocking a replica of Ice’s signature chain while dancing and singing along to a sped-up version of “In Ha Mood.” https://twitter.com/TaSha_Cee/status/1632778664361226241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1632778664361226241%7Ctwgr%5Ed326c9446b6f5ce602c0a64b78408094d4a29762%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2023%2F03%2F06%2Fnorth-west-transforms-ice-spice-video%2F This comes after Ice Spice visited North at her home and made a…

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Saweetie And YG Spark Romance Rumors

Chad Mauli Mar 5, 2023

YG may just be Saweetie’s type. The rappers are sparking romance rumors after they were seen cozied up backstage at Rolling Loud California on Friday. Photos obtained by The Shade Room show a green-haired Saweetie smiling while talking to YG, who puts his hand around her waist at one point. But their PDA wasn’t enough to convince fans, many of who were not sold on their rumored romance. “That’s a grab of an elbow … let’s not lose our minds,” commented one person. “this gives.. absolutely nothing,” added another. It’s…

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Nicki Minaj Announces Her Own Record Label

Chad Mauli Mar 5, 2023

Nicki Minaj is expanding her kingdom. Fresh off the release of her new single “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” the rap queen returned to the airwaves for Queen Radio on Amp on Friday. During her first episode of 2023, she announced that she is launching her own record label under Republic Records, with Paddy Dukes serving as A&R. “I have a record label now,” Nicki said. “I want to do it right ’cause you know when I get behind an artist, y’all know how I do shit for people that’s not…

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Nicki Minaj Returns With New Single ‘Red Ruby Da Sleeze’

Chad Mauli Mar 3, 2023

Uh oh. The Queen of Rap is back. After dropping a remix to Machel Montano and Destra’s “Shake the Place” and popping up at Carnival in Trinidad, Nicki Minaj returns with her new single “Red Ruby Da Sleeze,” on which she introduces her newest alter ego. Over a sample of Lumidee’s early 2000s hit “Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh),” Nicki unleashes some of her most raw and ruthless rhymes, reminding us why she remains at the top. “Red Ruby Da Sleeze, Chinese on my sleeve / These wannabe…

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J. Cole Joins BTS’ J-Hope On ‘On The Street’

Chad Mauli Mar 3, 2023

The Real is back. In addition to releasing the Dreamville-produced Creed III soundtrack, J. Cole links up with BTS member J-Hope on the latter’s new solo single “On the Street,” which arrives alongside a video. On his verse, Cole World—who previously teased his retirement—reflects on his place in the rap game. “As the moon jumps over the cow / I contemplate if I should wait and hand over the crown / Or stick around for a bit longer / I got a strange type of hunger / The more I…

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Kodak Black Ordered To 30 Days In Drug Rehab

Chad Mauli Mar 1, 2023

Kodak Black is headed back to rehab. The rapper, whose legal name is Bill Kahan Kapri, appeared in Broward County Court on Tuesday where a judge ordered him to a drug rehabilitation facility for 30 days after he allegedly tested positive for fentanyl while awaiting trial on a drug trafficking charge. Kodak violated his bail conditions when he failed to submit to a drug test on Feb. 3. When he did submit a sample on Feb. 8, it came back positive with traces of fentanyl. As a result, a warrant…

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Don Toliver And Travis Scott Team Up On ‘Embarrassed’

Chad Mauli Mar 1, 2023

Just days after releasing his album Love Sick, Don Toliver re-ups with a deluxe edition featuring his highly-anticipated collaboration with Travis Scott, “Embarrassed.” The Cactus Jack duo links up once again on the Wheezy-produced track, which Don has been previewing on social media. “New checks on me, they clear / Got her naked on the terrace / Got my diamonds on in Paris / Got my diamonds on, embarrassed,” they rap over the woozy instrumental. In addition to Travis, the deluxe edition of Love Sick features three new tracks, including…

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Nick Cannon Says ‘God Decides’ When He Has More Kids

Chad Mauli Feb 27, 2023

When it comes to having more kids, Nick Cannon is leaving it in God’s hands. The multi-hyphenate star is already a father of 12, and he’s not ruling out the possibility of adding more to his expansive brood. During an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he was asked if he’s done having kids, but Nick said it’s not up to him. “God decides when we’re done, but I believe I definitely got my hands full,” he said. “And I’m so focused. I’m locked in. But when I’m 85, you never know.…

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Kodak Black Arrest Warrant Issued Over Failed Drug Test

Chad Mauli Feb 27, 2023

Kodak Black is wanted by cops in Florida. An arrest warrant has been issued for the rapper after he allegedly violated his bail conditions by failing a drug test earlier this month. According to legal documents, obtained by TMZ, the warrant was filed in Broward County court on Friday. A judge cited two incidents in recent weeks including on Feb. 3 when Kodak did not show up for a random drug test and failed to submit a sample that day. On Feb. 8, when he did submit a sample, it…

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NORD’s Recent Success in The Music Industry, Becoming an RIAA Certified Musician

Chad Mauli Feb 27, 2023

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has awarded Carter Davis, an Oregon based songwriter and musician who is known under the artist name NORD, for six Gold certifications and three Platinum certifications. His songwriting success originates from his repeated collaborations with Pop and Hip Hop artists Rebecca Black, Drake, 21 Savage, Addison Rae, and Ice Spice. The rising rapper and artist’s most recent notable songwriting effort was his large contribution to revived Pop singer and feminist icon, Rebecca Black, and her debut LP titled ‘Let Her Burn’. More than…

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Rihanna’s Super Bowl Performance Receives 103 FCC Complaints

Chad Mauli Feb 25, 2023

Rihanna slayed the Super Bowl, but not everyone was loving her performance. The Federal Communications Commission, the government agency that regulates communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable, received 103 formal complaints about Fox’s Super Bowl LVII broadcast, the majority of which were about Rihanna’s halftime show. Most of the complaints deemed the performance to be overly sexual, with some even comparing it to pornography. Others cited “inappropriate touching and dance moves” that were “offensive and completely inappropriate” for what they saw as a “family-friendly” program. A pregnant Rihanna…