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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…

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J. Cole Celebrates No. 1 Album ‘The Off-Season’

Chad Mauli May 23, 2021

J. Cole has the No. 1 album in the country. The Off-Season will debut in the top spot on next week’s Billboard 200. While final numbers have yet to be announced by Billboard, the 12-track project is expected to move over 288,000 equivalent album units in its opening week. The Dreamville boss celebrated his sixth No. 1 album all the way from Africa where he is currently playing for the Rwanda Patriots in the inaugural season of the Basketball Africa League. “Sending a thank you from Rwanda! #1 album, I…

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Drake’s Son Adonis Will Watch His Father Receive Artist of The Decade Award

Chad Mauli May 23, 2021

Drake’s family will be front and center when he accepts the Artist of the Decade Award at the 2021 Billboard Music Awards. Production sources tell TMZ that Drake’s mother Sandra Graham, who rarely makes a public appearance, will be in attendance as her son accepts the honor at Sunday’s show. Additionally, Drake’s son, Adonis, will be watching his father take home the prestigious award at L.A.’s Microsoft Theater. This would mark the first public appearance for the 3-year-old, who has remained out of the public eye. Drake will be honored…

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Future Takes Shot at Lori Harvey on New Song

Chad Mauli May 21, 2021

Future has more to say when it comes to Lori Harvey. While the couple broke up nearly a year ago, the “Toxic King” is addressing his ex-girlfriend on a new collaboration with 42 Dugg. In the leaked snippet, Hndrxx seemingly takes a shot at Steve Harvey’s stepdaughter. “Tell Steve Harvey I don’t want her,” he raps. It’s unclear when the song was recorded and if and when it will be released in full. https://twitter.com/DatPiff/status/1395413699867807746?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1395413699867807746%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2021%2F05%2F20%2Ffuture-takes-shot-lori-harvey-new-song%2F Back in August, it was reported that Future and Lori ended their relationship after less than…

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Nicki Minaj Shares New Photo of Son

Chad Mauli May 21, 2021

Nicki Minaj’s son steals the spotlight once again. After making his social media debut in January, the rap queen is giving fans another rare glimpse of the heir to her throne. The proud mom revealed her 8-month-old son, who she calls “Papa Bear,” in a behind-the-scenes video to promote her new song with Drake and Lil Wayne, “Seeing Green.” Dressed in a Burberry down onesie, the stylish mama’s boy can be seen flying on a private jet with his mother. In another photo, Nicki’s husband Kenneth Petty holds their son…

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T.I. And Tiny Under investigation For Sexual Assault

Chad Mauli May 19, 2021

Los Angeles police are investigating allegations that T.I. and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris drugged and sexually assaulted a woman. According to The Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Police Department launched a criminal investigation in April after meeting with one of the couple’s accusers. The woman, a military veteran who requested anonymity, says she felt incapacitated after accepting a tequila drink from Tiny in the VIP section of an L.A. club. She was then invited back to the couple’s hotel room where she claims she was raped. “Once in the…

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Amorphous Enlists Kehlani For Debut Single ‘Back Together’

Chad Mauli May 19, 2021

After going viral with his musical mashups, Amorphous drops his debut single “Back Together.” The 23-year-old DJ-producer gets an assist from Kehlani on the breezy bop, which arrives just in time for summer. “Need you to know we ain’t gettin’ back together / But that doesn’t mean that we can’t come together,” sings Kehlani. “‘Cause I love who we are when we ain’t back together.” Taking to Twitter, Amorphous reflected on the milestone moment. “This song means so much to me. It is truly a beautiful statement/introduction as a producer-artist,”…

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Nicki Minaj Says Drake And Lil Wayne ‘Washed’ Her on ‘Seeing Green’

Chad Mauli May 17, 2021

Nicki Minaj is showing her humility. On Friday, the rap queen released her 2009 mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty to streaming services for the first time featuring three new tracks including “Seeing Green” with Drake and Lil Wayne. In a Q&A with fans, Nicki said that her Young Money brothers “washed” her on the track, and she’s not afraid to admit it. https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/1393688361471074304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1393688361471074304%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rap-up.com%2F2021%2F05%2F16%2Fnicki-minaj-says-drake-lil-wayne-washed-her-seeing-green%2F “All I know is that they washed me on #SeeingGreen,” tweeted Nicki. “I’m a woman enough to admit when I’ve been washed on a track by the…

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J. Cole Reveals Why He No Longer Views Drake And Kendrick Lamar As Competition

Chad Mauli May 17, 2021

J. Cole is no longer trying to compete. Fresh off the release of The Off-Season, the Dreamville champ paid a visit to “The ETCs” podcast with Kevin Durant and Eddie Gonzalez, where he reflected on his career and relationship with fellow rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar, which has evolved over time. While they came up together, he has learned to value friendship over competitiveness. “These are the guys that push you, and you gotta push them,” said Cole. “I was so competitive early on that, like, even though we were…