Today, GRAMMY Award-winning artist Bilal unveils new single “Tell Me,” the latest from his forthcoming album Adjust Brightness, out September 27. Following the success of his June Black Music Month release, Live at Glasshaus featuring Questlove, Common, and Robert Glasper, Bilal is back with his first album of new music in eight years. The new work features 11 brand-new tracks that will take listeners on his most daring musical journey yet, marking a bold step forward in Bilal’s already innovative sound. 

“Tell Me” is a standout piece from Adjust Brightness, offering a glimpse into the forward-thinking sonic journey Bilal has crafted. The mesmerizing layered vocals are both intimate and raw, creating an abstract yet captivating listening experience. The track deconstructs traditional love ballads, weaving in unconventional structures while retaining a haunting emotional pull. Though it carries the bare and natural essence of a demo, “Tell Me” is masterfully produced, with every sonic detail honed to perfection.

“I realized a long time ago that, with the specter of AI and streaming, we risk losing our humanity,” says Bilal. “With Adjust Brightness, it was like: let’s make some shit that is going to confuse the damn computer. We’re bringing a love frequency — emphasizing the warmth, the love. It’s an intimate record.”

Eight years following 2015’s In Another Life, a collaboration with Adrian Younge that drew from the psychedelic verve of vintage funk, Adjust Brightness marks a bold new chapter for Bilal. This album is a giant step forward, as Bilal merges his organic, soulful roots with experimental electronic influences inspired by artists like Aphex Twin, Stereolab, and Jai Paul. The creation of Adjust Brightness was deeply inspired by a period of musical and visual experimentation. Bilal began to approach his music much like a painter approaches a canvas — focusing on moods, textures, and atmospheres rather than traditional song forms. His experiences with experimental jazz and live performances fed into this avant-garde direction, and tracks like “Sunshine” and “Humility” highlight his innovative use of atmospheric grooves, intricate beats, and sonic manipulation. Though he’s venturing into new territory, the album retains the warmth, intimacy, and emotional core that have always defined Bilal’s artistry.

The post Grammy Winning Bilal Drops Cubist Torch Single “Tell Me” Ahead Of LP Release first appeared on The Source.

The post Grammy Winning Bilal Drops Cubist Torch Single “Tell Me” Ahead Of LP Release appeared first on The Source.

The late Rich Homie Quan, who passed away September 5, will have the first posthumous track, “Song Cry”, released on the day of Quan’s memorial services in Atlanta today(September 17).

Song Cry is a real personal and emotional effort from Quan, who recognizes the pitfalls and downsides of fame and celebrity status.

“Aye, this one here personal,” he says in the intro. “I know a lot of my songs, y’all don’t take serious in a way, but I want y’all to turn this one up.”

The song comes on the day of Quan’s funeral in College Park, GA, where the expected crowd is anticipated to shut down several roads in the Southside of Metro Atlanta.

The funeral, which is being termed a “celebration of life,” is taking place at World Changers Church International. Fans will also be able to view the rapper’s body beforehand through purchasing tickets. After the funeral, there will be a repass celebrating Rich Homie Quan’s life at The Bank, a club-like venue in Atlanta.

Even though an autopsy was recently completed, his cause of death has not been made publicly known.

Rich Homie Quan was only 34 years old.

The post Rich Homie Quan’s First Posthumous Track ‘Song Cry” Released On Day Of Rapper’s Funeral first appeared on The Source.

The post Rich Homie Quan’s First Posthumous Track ‘Song Cry” Released On Day Of Rapper’s Funeral appeared first on The Source.

Born today in 1966 as Douglas Davis, Doug E Fresh is known as “the greatest entertainer” in Hip Hop with his ability to rap, dance, and perform his original human beatbox, making him one of the most important figures to the culture.

In the early 80s, Fresh performed among some of the greatest pioneering acts of the game, including The Treacherous Three, but started his own Get Fresh Crew and recruited a young Englishman who resided in the Bronx named MC Ricky D, aka “Slick Rick” Walters. These two created a song called “The Show” in 1985, a monumental track that is a landmark in the musical aspect of Hip Hop. On the flip side of The Show was “La-Di-Da-DI”, a human beatbox-powered, xxx-rated song that catapulted both Doug E Fresh and Slick Rick’s popularity to how they are respected as the pioneers they are today.

Salute to Doug on his birthday, and may he enjoy today and many more hereafter!

The post Happy 58th Birthday To “The Original Human Beat Box” Doug E Fresh! first appeared on The Source.

The post Happy 58th Birthday To “The Original Human Beat Box” Doug E Fresh! appeared first on The Source.

On this date 33 years ago, BX Hip Hop duo Nice and Smooth released their sophomore album Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed on the Rush Associated Labels imprint.

Back in 1991, when Naughty By Nature was putting us on to the meaning of O.P.P., Nice & Smooth were seasoned MCs gearing up for their second effort. This succeeded their self-titled debut album, which came like a breath of fresh air to the “no smiles” rap climate among NY emcees in the early 90s. Songs that dropped real-life melodic messages like the Tracy Chapman inspired “Sometimes I Rhyme Slow” and the party-driven “Hip Hop Junkies” made for a solid project that was played on the radio and respected in the streets. Their harmonizing was a return to the era where performers put on a show, and if you ever see Nice and Smooth live, you know that’s exactly what you get.

Thanks to Greg Nice and Smooth Bee for blessing the fans with this classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Nice & Smooth Dropped Their ‘Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed’ LP 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Nice & Smooth Dropped Their ‘Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed’ LP 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Producer/Rapper Jay Pluto connects thoughts with Brooklyn emcee RRose RRome for his first offering, “Glory”, from his new independent project OCB(Only Cowards Beg).

Pluto and RRome close out the summer with his latest effort since the release of his last single from the top of the summer, which was “Ziploc” featuring NYC rap king and co-founder of The L.O.X., Jadakiss. OCB is slated for a November drop and features other unnamed special guest appearances.

The post Jay Pluto Taps In With RRose RRome For “Glory” From His New ‘OCB(Only Cowards Beg)’ Project first appeared on The Source.

The post Jay Pluto Taps In With RRose RRome For “Glory” From His New ‘OCB(Only Cowards Beg)’ Project appeared first on The Source.

According to several confirmed reports, Bad Boy mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been taken into federal custody in New York today (Sept. 16). Reports state that the troubled music exec was brought into the FBI field office in Manhattan.

The detainment is reportedly connected to the ongoing federal investigation into alleged sex trafficking that led to the FBI and ATF raids on his Los Angeles and Miami mansions earlier this summer.

Marc Agnifilo, attorney for Combs, stated to TMZ, “We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Sean “Diddy” Combs is a music icon, self-made entrepreneur, loving family man, and proven philanthropist who has spent the last 30 years building an empire, adoring his children, and working to uplift the Black community.” Agnifilo adeds, “He is an imperfect person but is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges. Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.”

TheSource.com will update this story as more details develop.

The post BREAKING: Diddy Taken Into FBI Field Office In NYC first appeared on The Source.

The post BREAKING: Diddy Taken Into FBI Field Office In NYC appeared first on The Source.

On this date in 1999, one of Hip Hop’s greatest duos of all time, Erick and Parrish Making Dollars, released their fifth full-length studio album, Back In Business, on Def Jam. EPMD has been making stellar albums together since Hip Hop’s “Golden Era” and were actually the artists who appeared on the very first copy of The Source Magazine. So this album was a bittersweet one, being that Erick, who had now launched Def Squad while PMD maintained the Hit Squad banner, the two put out this album after feuding for the previous three years.

Getting back to their regularly scheduled program, EPMD did most of their own production and, of course, had Grandmaster DJ Scratch contribute behind the boards along with newcomers Agallah and Rockwilder. Guest appearances included Def Squad members Keith Murray and Redman, while Hit Squad member Das EFX made an appearance on one track.

The album’s only standout track was the radio-friendly “Da Joint,” which is partially why it didn’t receive the critical acclaim that was given to its previous four projects. For the first time in their career, the “Brothers from Brentwood” underdelivered to their fans, and most believed that their deliberate hiatus created a disconnect that couldn’t go unnoticed.

Salute to Erick, Parrish, Redman, Keith Murray, DJ Scratch, Rockwilder, Agallah and everyone else involved in this important piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: EPMD Dropped Their Fifth LP ‘Back In Business’ 27 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: EPMD Dropped Their Fifth LP ‘Back In Business’ 27 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

After former President Donald Trump expressed his disdain for famed singer Taylor Swift on his Truth Social site after she publicly endorsed VP Kamala Harris, Public Enemy hype man Flavor Flav quickly and passionately jumped to Swift’s defense.

Flav took to X and posted “I LOVE TAYLOR SWIFT,!!” Flav in his response to Trump’s “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!” COMMENT. One X user accused the 65-year-old rap legend of catering to Swift fans, saying, “Pandering to the swifties? Pretty pathetically hilarious,” Flav returned fire, replying, “You must be new here,,, allow me to reintroduce myself,,, they call me KING SWIFTIE.” He also retweeted actor Mark Hamil expressing his support for Swift as well.

Outside of politics, Swift attended the Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Cincinnati Bengals over the weekend to cheer on her boyfriend, Travis Kelce.

The post Flavor Flav Fires Back At Donald Trump In Defense Of Taylor Swift first appeared on The Source.

The post Flavor Flav Fires Back At Donald Trump In Defense Of Taylor Swift appeared first on The Source.

On today’s date, 45 years ago, Hip Hop’s first Billboard Top 40 single, “Rapper’s Delight,” was released by Englewood, New Jersey’s Sugarhill Gang. As one of  Hip Hop’s earliest relics, this single, written by The Cold Crush Brothers’ own Grandmaster Caz, is credited with bringing the art of rap to a multicultural mainstream audience.

In the ’70s, disco and soul still reigned supreme in the clubs and lounges of the country’s urban centers. In its most primitive form, Hip Hop was still misunderstood (and exclusive to New York City and California). Breaking, tagging, rapping, and spinning records were widely recognized as the borderline criminal activities of whatever city’s urban youth. The culture’s cult following was majority made up of housing project residence, the type to not frequent the discos and bars of their respective downtown centers. Every once in and awhile, someone would drop a single that would break through and get some shine on the club scene but never make much of a splash nationally. “Rapper’s Delight” was a different story.

On September 20, 1979, new wave bands Blondie and Chic were playing a concert at New York’s renown Palladium with British punk rock band The Clash; Hip Hop’s earliest socialite (and soon to be television host) Fab Five Freddy was on the scene with Sugarhill Gang members Big Bank Hank, Mike Wright, and Master Gee. Having just released a single featuring Chic’s hit single “Good Times” from their recent international album Risqué, it was natural for the gang to hop on stage and start freestyling as soon as Chic dropped the bass line.

Sometime later, Chic’s Nile Rodgers was out at New York’s Club Leviticus and heard a recorded cut of the very song The Sugarhill Gang ever-so-delightfully interrupted his concert weeks earlier. Enraged, Rodgers immediately sought legal action and attempted to sue the Sugarhill Gang for using his band’s instrumental in their single. The lawsuit was settled out of court, and appropriate credit was given to Chic in their part of the song.

With the lawsuit and legal attention came a swarm of popularity. Disc Jockeys in clubs across the country began to spin this record every night of the week. The single gained so much play in the United States that clubs across the globe began to push this song like no tomorrow. Although the single may have peaked at #36 on the Billboard 200, it was #1 in Canada and the Netherlands, #2 in Belgium, France, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and #3 in Germany and the UK. This single song sold platinum in both the United States and Canada, with over 5 million copies sold worldwide.

“Rapper’s Delight” may be the most important single of Hip Hop culture. It didn’t event style, it wasn’t the first to gain mainstream success, it wasn’t even from New York, but it was the biggest of its time. What “Rapper’s Delight” did was make it “ok” to listen to and support rap music out in the open. Before this single, Hip Hop was an urban taboo. Upon its release, the connotation transformed from one synonymous with the ghetto to a new and hip musical genre. In a way, “Rapper’s Delight” gentrified Hip Hop in a way that made it profitable. Without it, the culture would not be a powerful as it is today.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Sugar Hill Gang Released ‘Rapper’s Delight’ 45 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: The Sugar Hill Gang Released ‘Rapper’s Delight’ 45 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

On this day in 1999, the late great Ol’ Dirty Bastard of the Wu-Tang Clan released his second LP Ni**a Please on the Elektra label. Before it’s release, ODB was quoted saying that the then-untitled album had two contenders for its name; God Made and Dirt Don’t Hurt and The Black Man Is God, White Man Is The Devil. Ni**a Please was decided on after the original two were considered too outrageous.

Known for his controversial nature, ODB’s idea of promoting this project was to get his name in the headlines as much as possible, whether it be positive or negative. In the time in between his debut and sophomore release ODB was all over entertainment news and tabloids. His antics included a bail money fundraiser, surviving a shootout with police, interrupting the 1998 Grammy Awards, and even popping up at the welfare office in Brooklyn in a limousine to pick up his food stamps.

Obviously, all press is good press because the album debut on the Billboard 200 at #10 and sold 93,000 copies in the first week. The album went on to be certified gold by the RIAA in the year of its release.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Sophomore ‘N***a Please’ LP Turns 25 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s Sophomore ‘N***a Please’ LP Turns 25 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Today marks the 51st birthday of one of hip-hop’s most treasured lyricists, Nas.

By many, Nasir Jones is number one on their top, 10, 5, and 3 lists of the greatest emcees to ever touch the mic in Hip-Hop history. Marbled as the prodigal, deep, and lyrically intellectual spitter, Nas’ coming into Hip-Hop owned multidimensional potency. Not only was he a dexterous battle rapper, but the Queensbridge emcee was also gifted with a melodic touch for wax.

His 1991 debut on Main Source’s “Live At the BBQ” was an impressive display of the young Nas’ lyrical dexterity on a collective track with ridiculous blows.

“Verbal assassin, my architect pleases/When I was twelve, I went to hell for snuffing Jesus,” Nas easily launched the most compelling debut of a Hip-Hop emcee.

The mesmerizing drop eventually leads to a deal with Columbia Records, where he cements a legacy.

Over the course of two years, Nas huddled some of the culture’s best producers of the time, Large Professor, DJ Premier, Q-Tip, and Pete Rock to mold the echo of his debut album, Illmatic. The 1994 gem gained the likes of Hip-Hop purists and the young black youth. Drawing up the panoramic narrative as the young black boy from Queensbridge on the quest for survival, the 10-track piece is considered to be the greatest Hip-Hop album of all time.

The lyrical finesse of Escobar season continued to sizzle throughout Hip-Hop’s most prominent eras with profiled classics such as his certified sophomore debut, 1996’s It Was Written, followed by I Am…(1999), Nastradamus (1999), Stillmatic (2001), God’s Son (2002), up to 2018’s NASIR.

Nas has truly made his way into the prestigious lines of Hip-Hop heights. As of 2018, Nasty Nas is respectfully heralded as rap royalty. His influential reach stands beyond his lyrical supremacy, but his unmatched spirit which is true to the art form of rap.

Happy Birthday to one of the greatest lyricists in Hip-Hop history, Nas.

The post Happy 51st Birthday To Queensbridge Rap King Nas! first appeared on The Source.

The post Happy 51st Birthday To Queensbridge Rap King Nas! appeared first on The Source.

Another one … As you might have seen from earlier reporting, former Danity Kane and Dirty Money artist Dawn Richard filed a sprawling lawsuit against none other than Sean “Diddy” Combs, accusing him of verbal, physical, and sexual abuse.

Let’s be clear: Diddy and his legal team have denied these claims, and it seems they plan to fight them in court.

Anyway, the 55-page document, Richard also alleges that she witnessed Diddy abuse his then-girlfriend, Cassie, during their relationship.

We said that one already, but get this. She names celebrities Usher, Ne-Yo, and music executive Jimmy Iovine as witnesses who did nothing to stop the abuse.

Again, these are her allegations.

What’s more one notable incident detailed in the lawsuit took place at a star-studded dinner in Los Angeles before Diddy signed a deal with Jimmy Iovine’s Interscope Records. Richard alleges that during the dinner, Diddy threatened and punched Cassie in the stomach in front of the guests, causing her to double over in pain. Usher and Ne-Yo were reportedly present and saw the incident unfold.

The lawsuit claims details such as:

“In front of dinner guests, Mr. Combs hissed at Ms. Ventura in a screaming whisper and forcefully punched her in the stomach, causing her to double over in visible pain, crying.”

As we mentioned, the details were fast and furious. Diddy’s attorney, Erica Wolff, responded to the lawsuit, calling the claims “false” and suggesting that Richard is seeking money in conjunction with her album release. Wolff added, “If Ms. Richard had such a negative experience with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she would not have continued working with Mr. Combs for Dirty Money or returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020.”

Another one.

The post Dawn Richard Alleges In Lawsuit Certain Celebs Witnessed Cassie Abuse By Diddy first appeared on The Source.

The post Dawn Richard Alleges In Lawsuit Certain Celebs Witnessed Cassie Abuse By Diddy appeared first on The Source.

On September 13, 1994, Notorious B.I.G., alongside producers Easy Mo Bee, DJ Premier, Poke of the Trackmasters, and none other than “Puffy” (as Diddy was called then) as the executive producer, released the Hip Hop masterpiece known as Ready To Die.

As Big’s debut album, this highly anticipated release shows the lyrical prowess of the Bed-Stuy big man, and besides Method Man’s assistance on the epic “The What?” track, Mr. Wallace made it happen all by himself. Besides Nas’ Illmatic, no solo emcee accomplished that feat on the East Coast during that era. Recognized as “The King Of New York” and as seen on a vintage 1995 Source Magazine cover, Big’s legacy was etched in stone with this LP.

Timeless classics from that four-and-a-half mic-er include the DJ Premier-produced “Unbelievable,” the back-and-forth storytelling adventures of “Warning” and “Gimme The Loot,” and the eerie title track itself were just a few of the highlights of this legendary project. That’s not to forget the mainstream success of singles such as “One More Chance,” the Brooklynplayalistic sound of “Big Poppa,” and, of course, the hood inspirational, Mtume-based “Juicy.”

We only had the chance to get one more album(prophetically named Life After Death) out of one of the game’s greatest lyricists before he was prematurely killed in Los Angeles in 1997. Still, this album will always remind us that B.I.G. was “Ready to Die” because his talent was and will always be larger than life.

Salute to Big (RIP), Premier, Easy, Poke, Lord Finesse, Diddy, Lil’ Kim, and the entire Wallace family for this classic masterpiece!

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Notorious B.I.G.’s Debut LP ‘Ready To Die’ Turns 30 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Notorious B.I.G.’s Debut LP ‘Ready To Die’ Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

Cultural icon Tupac Shakur was then taken to the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada hospital after being shot several times in a drive-by on a Las Vegas strip on September 7, 1996. It was under a medically induced coma for six days before dying from internal bleeding on September 13, 1996.

After several failed attempts by doctors to revive 2Pac, his mother, Afeni Shakur, requested for his life support machine to be turned off. What were the events that transpired the days before the September 7th shooting that caused his early demise, and why has the mystery of his death never been solved? These are the questions that remain 28 years later. Chris Carroll, a retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sergeant, told Vegas Seven Magazine in an interview last year that we may never know;

“Shakur’s murder is still considered an unsolved homicide and an unsolved homicide case is technically never closed. But nothing more is ever going to happen with it.”

After all the documentaries that have been put out about Pac’s death, most fans attempt to put the clues together and create their own hypothesis, yet without hard evidence, it’s still just an educated guess as to what happened the night of September 7, 1996.

The only real evidence police had until last year was the witness account from Outlaw member E.D.I mean, who claimed to have seen all four men in the vehicle, and Yaki Kadafi, who was involved in a scuffle with officers two days following the shooting after they pulled over a driver he was with and he protested. Officers did not try to locate Kadafi, who was later gunned down in Irving, NJ, two months after the shooting.

Compton investigators assembled mug shots of several gang members, which included Orlando Anderson, the Crip that Tupac attacked in the MGM Grand lobby hours before the shooting. Anderson is the suspect said to have fired the fatal shots that killed Pac. Las Vegas police later discounted Anderson as a suspect and interviewed him only once. He was later killed in an unrelated gang shooting.

Last year, it was revealed that Duane “Keefe D” Davis would face charges related to the death of Tupac Shakur after years of claiming he was directly involved but avoided prosecution with an immunity deal. It seems 2023 was the expiration date of that said deal. Davis is currently behind bars while going to trial for the murder of Shakur and was given a $750K bond to be released during trial. Still, he has yet to make bail despite being offered the money because the judge has not approved the financial arrangement.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Tupac Shakur Dies After Being Gunned Down on Las Vegas Strip 28 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Tupac Shakur Dies After Being Gunned Down on Las Vegas Strip 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

The Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles Restaurant on the corner of Main and Manchester in Los Angeles will forever be a landmark in Hip Hop because it is the place where a group of armed assailants shot and killed Philly rapper PnB Rock back in 2022.

A source inside the restaurant states PnB Rock was the target of a robbery. Los Angeles police captain Kelly Muniz spoke to The Los Angeles Times and stated Rock, born Rakim Allen, was shown a weapon by the suspect, who eventually took a shot.

Three people, including a father and son duo, were eventually captured and charged for PnB’s death. 45-year-old Tremont Navon Jones was present with Freddie Trone, who was the getaway driver and father of the juvenile who executed the robbery and murder. Jones was arrested in May 2023, but his case was not revealed as it was placed under a different case number.

Jones was charged with two counts of robbery, one count of conspiring to rob, and one count of illegal possession of a firearm.

PnB Rock fathered two children with Steph, Milan and Xuri. PnB Rock recently released “Luv Me Again” on Sept. 2. In his career, he collaborated with Meek Mill, Chance the Rapper, YFN Lucci, Ed Sheeran, and more. He was 30 years old.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: PnB Rock Shot And Killed In Robbery At Roscoe’s Chicken And Waffles In L.A. 2 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: PnB Rock Shot And Killed In Robbery At Roscoe’s Chicken And Waffles In L.A. 2 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

On September 5, the news that Atlanta rap star Rich Homie Quan passed away shook up the music industry, but left many people with unanswered questions. it has been reported that a death incident report was released yesterday with accounts from Quan’s brother and girlfriend, who were the last two people to see Rich Homie Quan alive.

Andre Munford, Quan’s brother, said that he woke up at 3 a.m. and found Quan on the floor asleep with food in his mouth next to the kitchen. According to his girlfriend, Amber Williams, she found the rapper him on the couch at about 6:45 a.m. as she was getting up to get her child ready for school.

When she returned, she noticed that Quan was still on the couch in the same spot, but she decided to go back to bed. When she awoke around 111a.m., only to still find him still there, which is when she said she noticed his body was cold and he wasn’t breathing. It was at this point that Williams called 911. He was transported to Grady Hospital in Atlanta, where he was pronounced dead.

Atlanta PD did not report anything in the death incident about foul play or any sort of crime.

According to reports from his family, a celebration of life event for Rich Homie Quan is currently being planned.

The post Rich Homie Quan Death Incident Report Released By Police first appeared on The Source.

The post Rich Homie Quan Death Incident Report Released By Police appeared first on The Source.

On this date in 1977, Mr. 2 Necklaces was born Tauheed Epps in Atlanta, Georgia. Today, the man who once called himself “Tity Boi” has morphed into one of the games most prolific personalities with one of the most consistent careers of the decade.

His name change in 2011 and Based On A TRU Story album boosted Chainz to the status that you see today with his Welcome 2 Collegrove album to his Most Expensivest series on Vice. From his CEO Millionaires clothing company to the TRU record label, 2 Chainz has solidified his place in the game through music and fashion, two of the most recognizable staples of his persona.

Salute to Chainz on his birthday today and many more hereafter!

The post Happy 47th Birthday To The One And Only 2 Chainz! first appeared on The Source.

The post Happy 47th Birthday To The One And Only 2 Chainz! appeared first on The Source.

On this date in 1989, Brooklyn rapper Lana Moorer aka MC Lyte dropped her second full-length studio LP Eyes On This.

Released on her family’s First Priority imprint through the parent company Atlantic and produced by her brothers Audio Two, King of Chill, and Nat Robinson, Eyes On This was Lyte’s introduction into stardom, with the NYC skyline(including WTC) and two ’89 Porsche Carreras on the album’s cover as proof.

Some of the album’s standout tracks include “Cappucino,” “Cha Cha Cha,” and “Shut The Eff Up(Hoe)!,” which was the second installment in her battle with female rap phenom Antoinette.

The 13 track album made it to #86 on the Billboard 200 and is still recognized as a classic by real Hip Hop aficionados around the globe. Salute to Lyte, Milk, Giz, and the King of Chill for giving the people this dope album!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: MC Lyte’s Sophomore ‘Eyes On This’ LP Turns 35 Years Old! first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: MC Lyte’s Sophomore ‘Eyes On This’ LP Turns 35 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

As the entertainment world mourns the loss of the legendary Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman, the Freeman Family announces a special celebration honoring Freeman on Thursday, September 12th, at the legendary The Apollo in his hometown of Harlem, NY. This event will allow fans and friends to pay their respects and honor the life of the iconic entertainer.  

Isaac “Fatman Scoop” Freeman has carved out a distinguished career, known for his electrifying presence and impactful contributions to the music industry. His dynamic performances and unique style have made him a household name, captivating audiences worldwide.

The evening will feature special performances, guest appearances, and tributes highlighting Fatman Scoop’s journey from his early days in Harlem to global stardom. Fans and admirers alike are invited to join in celebrating this milestone event.

Event Details:

• Date: Thursday, September 12th, 2024
• Doors: 2:00 PM
• Program Run Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Location: The Apollo, 253 W 125th St, New York, NY 10027

Tickets are available at https://www.apollotheater.org/event/fatman-scoop-forever-celebration-of-life

MusiCares® helps the humans behind the music because music gives so much to the world

The family asks that in lieu of flowers or gifts, donations to MusiCares are encouraged to honor Fatman Scoop’s legacy and impact within the culture. MusiCares® is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. 

By donating to MusiCares® your contribution help aid preventive, emergency and recovery programs. Founded by the Recording Academy® in 1989 as a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) charity, MusiCares safeguards the well-being of all music people through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. 

Donations can be made at: www.musicares.org 

No gifts or items will be permitted to be left at or near the venue.

For more information or questions about the Celebration of Life, please visit: 

Fatmanscoopmemorial@thevanitygroup.com

The post Celebration Of Life For Fatman Scoop Scheduled For Tomorrow In The World Famous Apollo Theater first appeared on The Source.

The post Celebration Of Life For Fatman Scoop Scheduled For Tomorrow In The World Famous Apollo Theater appeared first on The Source.

Today, diamond-certified three-time GRAMMY® Award-winning hip-hop luminary Future formally details his highly anticipated new project MIXTAPE PLUTO. Continuing Future’s prolific game-changing 2024, the mixtape event of the year is set to be released on September 20, 2024. Pre-save/pre-add the mixtape here. 

Today Future also details an exclusive run of merchandise and physical product available for MIXTAPE PLUTO at freebandz.com, now available for pre-order. Items include bundles with limited edition t-shirts, a CD, and two vinyl variants in both black and green.

Additionally, Future continues to give fans a glimpse into the world of MIXTAPE PLUTO with the release of a new teaser for the song “TOO FAST.” Future has been igniting a frenzy across social media over the past few weeks in the run-up to the project’s release, previously sharing clips for various tracks across the mixtape, including hints of collaboration with Travis Scott.

Check out the “Too Fast” preview HERE

Earlier this week, Future wrapped up a sold-out arena run with Metro Boomin, the critically acclaimed WE TRUST YOU TOUR. The run saw the two superstars traverse across North America – including historic nights at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, and Los Angeles’ brand-new Intuit Dome. Billboard called the show “a testament to how deep Future’s catalog and bag of hits really is” while GQ celebrated the fact that “two great albums and a rejuvenated live show confirm Future’s powers are as strong as they’ve ever been.”  

Appropriately titled, the tour was in support of Future and Metro Boomin’s explosive, chart-topping collaborative albums released earlier this year: WE DON’T TRUST YOU and its follow-up, WE STILL DON’T TRUST YOU. The albums highlight the duo’s magnetic chemistry–which Rolling Stone calls “seamless”–and went on to capture the entire music industry’s attention, piquing competitive interests in ways not seen in years. The albums officially landed Future his ninths and tenth number 1 albums on the Billboard 200, while the single “Like That” featuring Kendrick Lamar spent a blistering 3 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. This run became, as Billboard stated, “the biggest story in rap.”

And now, with MIXTAPE PLUTO, Future continues to shape the sound of hip hop as a new chapter is written in the career of one of rap’s most inventive and influential wordsmiths.  A body of work stripped down to pure unadulterated Future, it’s simply Pluto at his core essence. It’s MIXTAPE PLUTO.

The post Future Releases Teaser Video For “Too Fast” From His ‘Mixtape Pluto’ Project, Set For 9/20 Drop Date first appeared on The Source.

The post Future Releases Teaser Video For “Too Fast” From His ‘Mixtape Pluto’ Project, Set For 9/20 Drop Date appeared first on The Source.

Rumors have been circulating since Showtime’s release of The Supreme Team series last year, which was narrated by Nas, that Gerald “Prince” Miller, one of the leaders of 80s Queens drug ring known as the Supreme Team(not to be confused with the pioneer rap group The World Famous Supreme Team), would be released sometime in the near future. Now, according to several reliable sources, that day has come.

According to Instagrm page @meccapolis, the lieutenant and nephew to notorious drug kingpin Kenneth “Supreme” McGriff is scheduled to be released today(September 11) from USP Big Sandy in Kentucky. TheSource.com has also obtained a text message between Miller’s wife and brother confirming his release this week.

For those who don’t know, Prince was one of the people name dropped in 50 Cent’s infamous 2002 hit “Ghetto Qur’an(Forgive Me)” in the first bars of the first verse where he rapped, “Yo, when you hear talk of the Southside, you hear talk of the Team/ See niggas feared Prince and respected ‘Preme/ For all you slow motherfuckers, I’ma break it down iller/ See Preme was the business man and Prince was the killer..”

It is also well known that the auto-bio story told by Fif in the 2003 silver screen classic Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ was based on the conflict between him and Prince’s uncle Supreme, who is a known associate of Irv Gotti and the Murder Inc. organization.

Miller has served 32 years in a federal prison for his role in the drug organization that was rumored to have netted up to $200,000 a day. Miller was originally sentenced to life without parole in 1992, but word on the street is that a new bill was passed into law in recent weeks that allows any federal inmate over 55 years of age that has been convicted of a non-violent crime is now eligible for parole.

The post EXCLUSIVE: Has Prince Of The Supreme Team Been Released From Federal Prison? first appeared on The Source.

The post EXCLUSIVE: Has Prince Of The Supreme Team Been Released From Federal Prison? appeared first on The Source.

September 11th (9/11) changed United States history forever. The memory of the many lives that were lost is cemented. From the employees of the World Trade Center to the first responders, the country pauses each year in its memory. Take a look at five tracks that memorialize September 11.

Jay-Z “Empire State of Mind”

Jay-Z’s strong connection to 9/11 remains forever. He released his classic album, The Blueprint, on the same day as the attack. 8 years later, he teamed up with Alicia Keys to give a legendary ode to their beloved home of New York City.

Long Live The World Trade

The memory of the World Trade continues to live on to Brooklyn’s finest.

Jay-Z 9/11 Freestyle

Live from DJ Clue’s Stadium series

Jadakiss “Why”

Jadakiss’s track took a more conscious approach than many of his previous records. In the Anthony Hamilton-assisted song, the Yonkers natives question several issues or daily occurrences he has experienced firsthand or witnessed from afar.

One of those witnesses was September 11th. Kiss questioned,

Why did Bush knock down the Towers?

In 2001, former President George Bush was 9 months into his first presidential term.

50 Cent & Eminem “Patiently Waiting”

The track comes from 50’s legendary debut album that was certified 9x platinum. Both Fif and Em mention 9/11.

50 Cent 9/11 lyrics

I’m innocent in my head
Like a baby born dead
Destination heaven
Sit and politic with passengers from 9/11

Eminem 9/11 lyrics

Them cowards f**k with the wrong building
they mean to hit ours

Talib Kweli- “Around My Way”

The conscious Kweli delivers on this record with the help of EGOT winner John Legend. The country’s pride was at stake at the hands of 9/11.

It really gets me mad
The way we saluting the flags
Wrapping them around our heads
When ni**as ain’t become American
’till after 9/11

As Talib Kweli’s words echoed for many, the country banded together as one to keep spirits high in such a trying time.

Two decades, we continue to send our hearts and prayers to the family and friends of the 9/11 victims. Long live the World Trade Center.

The post 5 Hip-Hop Songs That Mentions The Memory of 9/11 first appeared on The Source.

The post 5 Hip-Hop Songs That Mentions The Memory of 9/11 appeared first on The Source.

Fabolous made his studio debut 23 years ago on this day.

The Brooklyn rapper released his freshman album, Ghetto Fabolous on one of the worst days in New York: 9/11. Despite the tragic day and being met with mixed reviews, the album was a commercial success. The collection peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 charts, moving 143,180 copies.

The album spawned three singles: “Can’t Deny It” featuring the late Nate Dogg, “Young’n (Holla Back)” produced by The Neptunes, and “Trade It All” featuring Jagged Edge. DJ Clue, Rockwilder, Timbaland, Rick Rock, Just Blaze, DURO, Omen, Rush Da Spyda, Armando Colon, DJ Envy, and Mono contributed to the album.

Billboard reported that Ghetto Fabolous sold over a million copies in 2003, certified platinum.

What was your favorite song on the project?

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Fabolous Released His Debut Album ‘Ghetto Fabolous’ 23 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Fabolous Released His Debut Album ‘Ghetto Fabolous’ 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

On this day in 2007, the “old” Kanye released his third studio album, the last of his scholastically themed albums, which is aptly titled Graduation on the Def Jam/Roc-A-Fella imprint.

With the success of his The College Dropout debut and his sophomore Late Registration, Kanye was already on an unprecedented ascension that popular culture was unprepared for. The concurrent releases of 50 Cent’s Curtis album and Graduation also created a unique promotion of both projects. However, with West as the newer “rookie” artist, he was the favored underdog in the competition between the two. Graduation was the obvious winner in terms of sales, selling almost a half-million copies on its first day on the shelves.

Graduation offered several smash singles that gave Ye’ propelling momentum beyond his musical peers and set him well above the rest. Songs like “Can’t Tell Me Nothing,” “Stronger,” and “Good Life” with T-Pain on the help-out made 2007 probably the best year of Kanye’s career. Aside from the fact that Graduation earned Kanye a Grammy and an AMA, this last installation of his tetralogy served as the last piece of happiness before tragedy struck when Ms. Donda West passed away from coronary artery disease and multiple post-operative factors due to or as consequence of liposuction and mammoplasty just two months later.

Salute to Yeezy, DJ Premier, T-Pain, Lil Wayne, and everyone involved in the Graduation album. Definitely an essential piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Kanye West Dropped His Third LP ‘Graduation’ 17 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Kanye West Dropped His Third LP ‘Graduation’ 17 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Canadian rapper Tory Lanez, currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion, has been forced to put an end to his controversial “Prison Tapes” music series. Lanez’s cell block at the California Correctional Institution was raided by prison guards, who confiscated his studio equipment, effectively silencing his creative outlet behind bars.

Lanez, whose real name is Daystar Peterson, had been making waves with his weekly “Prison Tapes” releases, which allowed him to continue his music career even while incarcerated. However, his ability to record and release new tracks came to an abrupt halt following the raid, which Lanez suggests was a calculated move by prison authorities.

Lanez addressed the situation directly with his fans through a statement on his Instagram account. In it, he expressed frustration over losing his recording equipment and claimed that the real reason for the crackdown had more to do with his efforts to help fellow inmates than with his music.

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“The rumors are true. ‘The Prison Tapes’ will be discontinued until further notice,” Lanez wrote. “However, I think it’s important that my fans know the truth about the crooked a** sh*t that’s REALLY going on here. My cell was not raided and trashed because I learned how to record myself in prison or because I created ‘The Prison Tapes.’ I was shut down because the ‘HIGHER UPS’ figured out what I was really doing with ‘The Prison Tapes’ and how many inmates were being helped in a life changing way because of them.”

Lanez went on to describe the harsh realities of the prison system, particularly for Black and minority inmates, and revealed that his “Prison Tapes” were more than just a creative outlet—they were part of a larger plan to provide legal assistance to those in need. According to Lanez, the royalties from the music he created behind bars were being used to fund legal representation for hundreds of inmates, reopening cases and giving them a chance at freedom.

“Since the month of July, I’ve afforded legal representation for 472 inmates and actively reopened 476 cases,” Lanez claimed in his statement. “With the help of legal firm ‘UNITE THE PEOPLE,’ so many inmates will be returned to their families and loved ones. I’m naming this ‘The Hands of God Project.’”

Despite the setback, Lanez remains defiant, suggesting that the raid was an attempt to silence his efforts to bring attention to the injustices faced by incarcerated individuals. He ended his statement with a powerful message: “If ANYTHING happens to me, just know I went out in the blaze of glory trying to revolutionize the end of a mass incarceration era on our people.”

As of now, the future of the “Prison Tapes” remains uncertain, but Lanez’s commitment to using his platform for what he sees as a higher purpose continues to resonate with his supporters.

The post Tory Lanez Confirms “Prison Tapes” Shut Down After Prison Raid first appeared on The Source.

The post Tory Lanez Confirms “Prison Tapes” Shut Down After Prison Raid appeared first on The Source.

On possibly the world’s most tragic day in recent history (9/11), Hip-Hop mogul Jay-Z released one of his best LPs, The Blueprint, on his own Roc-A-Fella Records imprint. The fall of the World Trade Center obviously overshadowed the release on that date; however, before the end of 2001, The Blueprint introduced Jay-Z as the head honcho of the game that we see today.

With a full-scale battle brewing between him and Queensbridge legend Nas, Jay utilized this spotlight to showcase his versatility, his ability to make mainstream hits, and take on an MC or two that think he’s not qualified to sword fight on the mic. Even though it was polled in NYC by Hip-Hop radio station HOT 97 that Nas defeated Jigga on Wax 58% to 42%, with Hov’s acquisition of the presidential position at Def Jam just a few years later, it ended up being a draw with Nas as one of Jay’s artists.

Some of the memorable tracks from the album’s theme were “The Takeover,” the initial blow thrown at Nas, the romanticized “Song Cry,” the sinfully soulful “Heart Of The City,” and the epic “Renegade” track featuring Eminem.

Shout out to Jay and the entire staff at Roc-A-Fella for this timeless Hip-Hop classic!

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Jay-Z Dropped His Landmark ‘The Blueprint’ Album 23 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Jay-Z Dropped His Landmark ‘The Blueprint’ Album 23 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Rapper 50 Cent has decided to withdraw his defamation of character lawsuit against Daphne Joy, the mother of his youngest son. The lawsuit was originally filed back in May after Joy accused 50 Cent of emotional and physical abuse, as well as rape, in a now-deleted Instagram post.

TMZ reports that the rapper, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, recently filed new legal documents requesting that the judge dismiss the suit without prejudice. Although the judge has not yet signed off on the request, it is expected to be a formality.

Joy deleted the Instagram post that sparked the lawsuit in July, but it had already garnered significant attention. 50 Cent’s decision to take legal action was seen as a move to protect his reputation, especially given the severe nature of the accusations.

However, it seems 50 Cent has had a change of heart. While the exact reasons for withdrawing the lawsuit remain unclear, the decision to dismiss the case without prejudice means that he retains the right to refile it in the future if he chooses to do so.

The pair, who share a son, have had a tumultuous history, often making headlines for their public disputes. For now, 50 Cent is stepping back from this particular legal battle, leaving the door open for possible reconciliation or further legal action down the road.

The post 50 Cent Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Daphne Joy first appeared on The Source.

The post 50 Cent Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Daphne Joy appeared first on The Source.

Funkmaster Flex is facing an FCC complaint. Hip Hop Stands With Survivors, an advocacy group, filed a complaint against comments made by Funkmaster Flex during a recent show featuring Afrika Bambaataa. The Hip-Hop pioneer, who has largely stayed out of the public eye since being accused of child molestation by former Zulu Nation members Roland Savage and Hassan Campbell in 2016, made a rare appearance on Flex’s show on August 17th.

Bambaataa, also known as Lance Taylor, performed a DJ set on the show. According to Hip-Hop Wired, Flex later referenced Savage’s alleged recanting of his allegations against Bambaataa, stating: “It seems there’s a discrepancy that has been cleared up with Afrika Bambaataa and the young man Bee Stinger. It seems that the pedophile word that was being used, Bee Stinger is now saying that Afrika Bambaataa is not a pedophile.”

Flex added, “I don’t care whether or not Afrika Bambaataa prefers men or women or both. Yes, we do care if the word pedophile is used but obviously, according to AllHipHop that spoke to Bee Stinger, he’s saying that’s not the case.”

Ronald “Bee-Stinger” Savage walked back accusations against Afrika Bambaataa, who he accused of sexual abuse when he was 15 years old.

AllHipHop notes the two were pictured together at an event for the Zulu Nation, which Savage provided context to the moment. “Never underestimate the power of God when he intervenes in an affair he sets everything straight,” Savage said.

Savage stated Bambaataa sexually abused him when he was a teen. The 2016 statement was part of a series of bombshell statements against Bambaataa. Speaking with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmurk, Savage stated he doesn’t see the legend as a pedophile.

“Bambaataa is not a pedophile and, in my eyes, he was doing something that was consensual with someone that he thought was of age,” he said. “I wish, back in 2016, I remembered about the fake ID. I wasn’t thinking about that I had forgot about that I was in deep depression and still dealing with the trauma as an adult. I want to apologize for the little kid that didn’t know anybody and just wanted to be down with this thing called Hip-Hop so I pretended to be older.

“This is something that took place 35 to over 40 years ago. This man has never been convicted of anything. Let it go. I needed to set the record straight [and get] my closure.”

You can hear the full interview below and read more here.

Last year, Afrika Bambaataa and his role as the co-founder of the Universal Hip Hop Museum sparked some controversy, with an advocacy group demanding the defunding of the recently built museum because of the Hip Hop pioneer’s sexual abuse allegations.

This week, a group called Hip Hop Stands With Survivors released a letter calling NYC Mayor Eric Adams to halt all taxpayer funding funneled into the UHHM and fire the organization’s Executive Director, Rocky Bucano. The letter also calls for all companies, such as Microsoft, to end their financial relationship with the UHHM.

The letter says, “We expect his resignation or for the board to vote him out of the museum’s leadership and for the museum to sever all ties with Bucano, Bambaataa, and the Zulu Nation.”

In 2019, the State of New York donated a $3.5million grant to the museum. It’s scheduled to open sometime in 2023 or 2024 to celebrate Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary.

The protest has been taken to the streets, with an immediate response coming from Mayor Adams.

“The Universal Hip Hop Museum assured the administration that they cut ties with the Universal Zulu Nation and that Afrika Bambaataa has not had a role at the Universal Hip Hop Museum since 2016,” Adams said in a statement.

Executive Director Bucano also released a statement, denying that Bambaataa was ever a board member of the museum and that he was never a member of the Zulu Nation.

His statement says, “The Universal Hip Hop Museum and Mr. Bucano condemn all acts of acts of violence and abuse. I would like to make it clear that Afrika Bambaataa has not had a role at the Universal Hip Hop Museum since 2016. I and the Universal Hip Hop Museum are not party to any activities affiliated with the Universal Zulu Nation I affirm that the Universal Hip Hop Museum is committed to its mission to empower, educate, and uplift communities.” It goes on saying, “While it is true that Afrika Bambaataa was a founding member of the museum, he was removed from any involvement with the museum as soon as the allegations surfaced. He has never been a board member, advisory board member or volunteer. I have never been a member of the Universal Zulu Nation nor am I an agent of the organization or Afrika Bambaataa. The assertion that UHHM is a financial front for the Universal Zulu Nation, Afrika Bambaataa, or other Universal Zulu Nation members, is irresponsible, false, and misdirected.”

Bambaataa was hit with several sexual abuse allegations going back to the 1970s but has maintained his innocence.

His attorney, Vivian K. Tozaki, issued a statement in 2016 saying, “Recently, defamatory statements were published seeking to harm my client’s reputation so as to lower him in the estimation of the community while deterring others from associating or dealing with him. The statements show a reckless disregard for the truth, were published with knowledge of their falsity, and are being made by a lesser-known person seeking publicity. Valuable cultural resources, such as Afrika Bambaataa’s good name and time, should never be used to assist a mediocre person’s asinine quest for social media popularity and superficial gain.”

The post Funk Flex Facing FCC Complaint for On-Air Comments About Afrika Bambaataa first appeared on The Source.

The post Funk Flex Facing FCC Complaint for On-Air Comments About Afrika Bambaataa appeared first on The Source.

Launching September 12th, BARCODE, a leader in performance hydration, is thrilled to announce their new limited-edition flavor, BLUEKISS, in collaboration with the Grammy-nominated rapper.

This exclusive release is the perfect union of flavor meets function, combining the refreshing and nostalgic flavors of blue raspberry, blackberry, and blueberry creating a beverage that not only fuels your body but also takes you on a flavorful trip down memory lane.

The release of BLUEKISS is celebrated by a series of immersive events, including the “Beat the Heat” Ice Installation at key locations in New York City. These installations feature ice sculptures encasing the BARCODE BLUEKISS bottles slowly melting offering passersby the chance to try. In addition, fans have had the opportunity to sample BLUEKISS at select Jadakiss concerts, providing concertgoers a firsthand experience of this unique drink. 

Retailing for $28.99 per pack, BARCODE is available to shop online and in select retailers including Erewhon, Wegmans, Amazon, ShopRite, HEB, Central Market, and more.

The post Jadakiss Launches Exclusive New “BLUEKISS” Flavor In Collaboration With BARCODE Performance Water first appeared on The Source.

The post Jadakiss Launches Exclusive New “BLUEKISS” Flavor In Collaboration With BARCODE Performance Water appeared first on The Source.

PleasrDAO, the crypto group that owns the sole physical copy of the Wu-Tang Clan’s one-of-a-kind album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, is locked in a legal battle with former pharmaceutical executive Martin Shkreli over his alleged retention of unauthorized copies of the album. The group has accused Shkreli of failing to fully comply with a court order to surrender all existing copies of the album and is now asking a federal judge to enforce a more thorough search of his possessions.

In a letter submitted to a New York federal court on September 6, PleasrDAO expressed doubts about Shkreli’s claims that he has handed over all duplicates of the album. The group pointed to Shkreli’s public boasts about distributing copies to others, raising concerns that he may still possess additional copies that could diminish the value of their $4.75 million purchase.

Shkreli, who acquired the album in 2015 before it was seized by the U.S. government following his conviction for securities fraud, submitted a sworn declaration on August 26 stating that he had found 15 files containing copies of the album on his Microsoft OneDrive. He asserted that he had searched all his “devices, electronic accounts, and other personal effects” in compliance with the court order.

However, PleasrDAO remains skeptical. In their court filing, the group argued that Shkreli’s search may have been incomplete, particularly since he acknowledged the existence of “storage facilities” where his personal effects were kept during his imprisonment. The group claimed that Shkreli provided no clear explanation for why these facilities had not been fully searched, leaving open the possibility that additional copies of the album are hidden away.

The group’s skepticism is fueled by Shkreli’s own statements. PleasrDAO referenced a public remark allegedly made by Shkreli in which he claimed, “Dude, you know I burned the album and sent it to like, 50 different chicks, right?” This statement, if true, contradicts Shkreli’s sworn declaration and supports PleasrDAO’s concerns that more copies may exist.

The controversy stems from PleasrDAO’s 2021 purchase of the album from the U.S. Justice Department, which had seized it from Shkreli as part of his forfeited assets. The DAO bought the album with the understanding that it was the only existing copy, and they are now selling partial ownership of the record through non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

In June, PleasrDAO sued Shkreli, accusing him of retaining copies of the album in violation of their agreement. The group is seeking a court order to permanently seize any remaining copies in Shkreli’s possession and to prevent him from financially exploiting the album.

Shkreli, for his part, has argued that any copies he made were created under the terms of his original purchase agreement and are not subject to forfeiture. He maintains that he still has the right to use those copies, setting the stage for a potentially protracted legal dispute over the fate of the elusive Wu-Tang Clan album.

The post PleasrDAO Challenges Martin Shkreli Over Wu-Tang Clan Album Copies first appeared on The Source.

The post PleasrDAO Challenges Martin Shkreli Over Wu-Tang Clan Album Copies appeared first on The Source.

Last week, the Hip Hop world was shaken after the death of ATL rap mainstay Rich Homie Quan was confirmed, with him passing away in his sleep in his Atlanta home. Now, the “Flex” rapper’s dad has gone public to state that his son had at least 2000 unreleased songs and was working on a 25-track album when he died.

Quan’s father, Corey Lamar, sat down for an interview with AintYouMalcom and revealed that his son was working on videos with 2 Chainz and Plies to complement the album he was preparing, which featured several big-name collabos. “He has a catalog… He has a ton of music that the fans deserve to hear,” his father added.

Lamar took to IG last week to express the pain of losing his son. “Lord please please please help me to understand this. To lose my son… my 1st born, my best friend. Lord let this be a dream…. Yall pray for me and my family. I feel like I’m crushed into a million pieces.”

The cause of Quan’s death has yet to be confirmed.

At the time of writing, it remains unclear whether Quan plans to release the project or any other music in the stash.

The post Rich Homie Quan’s Father Reveals The Rapper Just Finished 25 Song Project first appeared on The Source.

The post Rich Homie Quan’s Father Reveals The Rapper Just Finished 25 Song Project appeared first on The Source.

On this date in 2000, M.O.P.’s Billy Danze and Fame joined forces with Terror Squad’s First Lady Remy Ma, The Conglomerate general Busta Rhymes nad crew member to polish off the remix of their classic stick-em-up hit “Ante Up” on the Loud/Relativity imprint.

Pulled from their fourth full length studio album entitled Warriorz, Billy and Fame recruited producer DR Period for the production as well as famed NYC DJ Funk Flex to give an energetic intro to the song. The infectious horns incite the track’s hype level, making it a club banger as well as a pep song for any situation where that “brooklyn” energy is demanded.

The video was shot by director extraordinaire Little X in Bed Stuy, Brooklyn and features several artists and Hip Hop personalities including  Gang Starr, Lord Have Mercy, Easy Mo Bee, Ralph McDaniels, DJ Green Lantern, Buckshot of Black Moon, Steele of Smif-N-Wessun, Method Man, Afu-Ra, and Tony Touch.

Ante Up was also featured in several silver screen classics such as Brown Sugar, You Got Served and even made it on an episode of Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Salute to Billy, Fame, Teflon, DR, Buss-A-Bus, Remy and everyone else who was a part of making this a piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: M.O.P. Dropped Their Timeless “Ante Up(Robbin Hoodz Theory)Remix” 24 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: M.O.P. Dropped Their Timeless “Ante Up(Robbin Hoodz Theory)Remix” 24 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has put his luxurious Holmby Hills mansion on the market, listing the expansive estate for a staggering $61.5 million. According to property records, Combs, 54, originally purchased the palatial property in Los Angeles’ exclusive billionaire’s row neighborhood in 2014 for $39 million.The nearly 20,000-square-foot residence, set on a sprawling 1.3-acre lot, offers an abundance of opulent amenities. Hidden behind private gates and surrounded by lush landscaping, the estate features mature trees, formal gardens, and a resort-style swimming pool complete with a waterfall and grotto. An outdoor covered loggia provides an ideal space for alfresco dining and entertaining.Inside, the traditional-style home boasts 10 bedrooms and 13 bathrooms. The gourmet kitchen is complemented by a wine cellar and a separate catering kitchen, perfect for hosting large gatherings. For movie enthusiasts, a state-of-the-art theater can accommodate up to 35 guests, offering a cinematic experience within the comfort of home.On the second floor, the primary suite stands out with dual bathrooms and expansive closets. A gallery hallway leads to additional guest rooms and family suites, ensuring ample space for visitors. The estate also includes a large, two-story guest house featuring a gym and a recording studio, catering to both fitness and creative pursuits.Despite the sale, sources close to Combs emphasize that the decision to part with the property is not related to any ongoing civil litigation or investigation. “Diddy established his primary residence in Miami years ago and always planned to sell his LA home once his daughters grew up and moved out,” a source told Fox News Digital. “He’s an empty nester and spends most of his time in Florida. It has nothing to do with any civil litigation or investigation.”

The post Sean “Diddy” Combs Lists Lavish Holmby Hills Mansion for $61.5 Million first appeared on The Source.

The post Sean “Diddy” Combs Lists Lavish Holmby Hills Mansion for $61.5 Million appeared first on The Source.

Friday night saw Brooklyn’s Xanadu transformed into a hotspot for the future of hip-hop, as Billboard hosted its highly anticipated 2024 Hip-Hop LIVE concert. With a sold-out crowd in attendance, the event was a celebration of the next wave of talent that is rapidly climbing the industry’s charts and taking the world by storm.The evening featured a dynamic lineup of performances that showcased the best of what’s next in hip-hop. DJ Miss Milan kicked off the night, setting the tone for an energy-filled event. The spotlight then turned to the rising stars, including Texas sensation BigXthaPlug, Florida’s own Bossman Dlow, and the genre-blending headliner, Teezo Touchdown.

Hip-Hop LIVE Highlights:

Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Program: Championing New Talent

A major highlight of the night was Amazon Music’s dedication to nurturing emerging artists through its Breakthrough Program. BigXthaPlug’s standout performance was a testament to the program’s success, which provides artists with increased visibility, livestream performances, bespoke marketing activations, and more. By backing artists during the most crucial stages of their careers, Amazon Music’s Breakthrough Program is helping to shape the future of hip-hop.

Exclusive On-Site Experiences

Beyond the music, State Farm brought their Good Neighbor Marketplace to the event, featuring local, Black-owned small businesses and delivering exclusive experiences to fans on-site. Meanwhile, the event’s exclusive cognac sponsor, Rémy Martin, elevated the evening with signature cocktails made with 1738 Accord Royal, offering a curated bar experience that added a touch of luxury to the night.

Billboard’s R&B Hip-Hop Power Players Event

The Hip-Hop LIVE concert followed Billboard’s annual R&B Hip-Hop Power Players Event, held on Thursday, September 5, at the Paradise Club at the Edition Hotel Times Square. The prestigious event gathered leaders from the R&B and hip-hop communities to celebrate the industry’s key power players, including Joey Bada$$ (Impact Award), Rachelle Jean-Louis (Executive of the Year), Teezo Touchdown (Rookie of the Year), Playboi Carti (R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year), and Megan Thee Stallion (R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year). The celebrations continue on Sunday, September 8, with Billboard’s R&B No. 1s Party, honoring the year’s biggest R&B chart-topping tracks.

Photo Credit: Kristina Bumphrey

The post Teezo Touchdown, Bossman Dlow + BigXThaPlug Light Up The Stage At Billboard Hip-Hop Live first appeared on The Source.

The post Teezo Touchdown, Bossman Dlow + BigXThaPlug Light Up The Stage At Billboard Hip-Hop Live appeared first on The Source.

Although the Hip-Hop community lost this giant in the game over two decades ago, the legacy of Eazy-E will always be seen, heard, and celebrated by the hip-hop culture.

Eazy-E was born Eric Lynn Wright in 1964 in Compton, California. Like most of his gang-infested neighborhood, Eazy adopted the street life and began a career selling drugs in the early 1980s. Wright earned as much as $250K selling drugs, but he quickly reinvested his street profits into the music business, thus starting Ruthless Records.

Not long after, Eazy linked up with O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson, Andre “Dr. Dre” Young and Lorenzo “MC Ren” Paterson and founded “the world’s most dangerous group”, N.W.A. This multi-platinum, Rock N Roll Hall Of Fame group catapulted Eazy’s status to the “godfather of gangster rap”.

Even though the world said goodbye to Eazy in 1995 after his short battle with AIDS, his musical genius continues to live on and influence future generations of Hip Hoppers.

Happy birthday, Eazy! #RIPEazyE

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On this date in 1996, Tupac Shakur, who’d just left the Mike Tyson vs. Bruce Seldon fight at the MGM Grand Las Vegas, was gunned down in Suge Knight’s BMW while at a stop light at East Flamingo Road and Koval Lane. He was shot four times, with two of the .40 caliber shots landing in his chest. Shakur succumbed to his injuries six days later. He was only 25 years old.

What were the events that transpired the days before the September 7th shooting that caused his early demise and why has the mystery of his death never been solved? These are the questions that remain a quarter century later. Chris Carroll, a retired Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department sergeant, told Vegas Seven Magazine in an interview in 2014 that we may never know;

The only real evidence police have are the witness accounts from Outlaw members E.D.I Mean, who claimed to have seen all four men in the vehicle and Yaki Kadafi, who was involved in a scuffle with officers two days following the shooting after they pulled over a driver he was with and he protested. Officers did not try to locate Kadafi, who was later gunned down in the PJs in Irving, NJ two months after the shooting.

Compton investigators assembled mug shots of several gang members, which included Orlando Anderson, the Crip that Tupac attacked in the MGM Grand lobby hours before the shooting. Anderson is the suspect said to have fired the fatal shots that killed Pac. Las Vegas police later discounted Anderson as a suspect and interviewed him only once. He was later killed in an unrelated gang shooting.

Las Vegas homicide Sergeant Kevin Manning said detectives called his lawyer to set up a meeting with a witness, so that the pictures could be reviewed, but according to Manning the calls were not returned. E.D.I. Mean and Frank Alexander, Pac’s body guard, told The Los Angeles Times in early 1997 that the Las Vegas police had never asked them to view photos of possible suspects in the case despite having seen the shooting and the faces of the men in the car from which shots were fired at Pac and Suge Knight. Alexander reported seeing the face of the suspect that shot Shakur but he was found dead with a bullet wound to the head in his home in Murrieta, CA on April 28, 2013. It’s being reported that it was suicide and there haven’t been any further updates about Big Frank’s death and who killed him. To this day, Las Vegas police dispute the witness accounts of what they reported to the officers the night of the shooting.

Last year, it was revealed that Duane “Keefe D” Davis will face charges related to the death of Tupac Shakur after years of claiming he was directly involved, but avoided prosecution with a immunity deal. It seems 2023 was the expiration date of that said deal. Davis is currently behind bars while going to trial for the murder of Shakur and was given a $750K bond to released during trial, but he has yet to make bail despite being offered the money because the judge has yet to approve the financial arrangement.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Tupac Shakur Was Shot On The Las Vegas Strip 28 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Tupac Shakur Was Shot On The Las Vegas Strip 28 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Veteran journalist and cultural critic Toure has recently shed light on one of his most challenging interview experiences, revealing the time when Mary J. Blige, the “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” was notably rude to him during a 1994 assignment. Toure shared the story on his blog, calling it the “2nd Worst Interview Situation” he ever encountered—surpassed only by a harrowing encounter with Suge Knight.

At the height of her career, following the release of her critically acclaimed sophomore album My Life, Mary J. Blige was set to be featured in a piece for The New York Times. The plan was simple: Toure would accompany the singer as she revisited her roots in the Schlobaum projects, capturing the story of a rising star returning home. But things didn’t go as smoothly as planned.

Toure recounts how Mary, still new to the industry, was visibly guarded and quick-tempered throughout the day. From the outset, her responses to his questions were curt and dismissive. When he attempted to engage her in conversation during a limo ride, she brushed off his questions, even going so far as to call him “stupid” before turning her attention away completely. Toure opted to give her space despite the cold reception, hoping she would eventually warm up.

The day took a turn for the worse when, after a brief visit to the projects, Mary and her entourage returned to the limo to continue the day’s journey. When Toure attempted to join them, Mary pointedly refused to let him into the car. As Toure stood outside for half an hour, missing out on a potentially pivotal moment for his story, he realized the day’s narrative would be far different than what he had envisioned.

When the group finally reconvened, the tension was palpable. Still clearly displeased, Mary ordered Toure not to speak to her for the rest of the day. During the ride back to Manhattan, uncomfortable silence ensued, culminating in Mary’s demand that Toure exit the limo in a remote, somewhat sketchy city area far from any convenient transportation.

The incident left Toure and the team at Mary’s label, Uptown Records, in a difficult position. Label head Andre Harrell, who was also a friend of Toure, reached out, urging him to consider Mary’s challenging upbringing and the psychological scars it left behind. Harrell explained that Mary’s harsh demeanor was rooted in the trauma of her past, which she was still struggling to overcome, even as her career soared.

Toure chose not to write a negative piece about Mary J. Blige despite the rough day. Instead, he pivoted, crafting a story that shifted focus from a traditional profile to a broader discussion of the image-making machine surrounding the star. Toure emphasized that a journalist’s job is to tell the story of the artist, not to settle personal scores.

Though the incident occurred decades ago, Toure’s recollection of that day remains vivid.

Watch below.

The post Journalist Toure Exposes Mary J. Blige’s Cold Treatment in Unforgettable Interview Experience first appeared on The Source.

The post Journalist Toure Exposes Mary J. Blige’s Cold Treatment in Unforgettable Interview Experience appeared first on The Source.

Russell Simmons’ legal battle with his ex-wife, Kimora Lee Simmons, appears far from over, despite his earlier optimism about a resolution. Four months ago, Russell hinted that the lawsuit he filed against Kimora was close to being settled, but recent developments suggest otherwise.

According to court documents obtained by In Touch, the 66-year-old music mogul has ramped up his efforts, demanding that Kimora, 49, produce private text messages and appear for a deposition this month as part of their ongoing federal court dispute. The case centers around allegations that Kimora used Russell’s shares of their jointly owned energy drink company to bail out her then-husband, Tim Leissner, from jail.

Russell’s recent legal moves indicate that the two have reached an impasse regarding the production of key documents he believes are critical to proving his case. He is specifically seeking communications between Kimora and Tim Leissner related to financial transactions that are at the heart of the dispute, as well as communications between Kimora and her financial advisors. Despite repeated requests, Kimora has not turned over the texts Russell believes are necessary for his case.

“The only text messages Ms. Lee has produced appear to be messages sent or received by Defendant Leissner, not her,” Russell’s lawyer argued, adding that Russell is entitled to messages containing responsive content, excluding those solely between Kimora and Leissner unless third parties were involved in the conversation.

In addition to the document dispute, Russell is pressing for Kimora to attend a deposition in New York. However, Kimora’s legal team has pushed back, arguing that she resides in Los Angeles, where three of her five children—who are school-age minors—live with her. Her lawyer emphasized that Russell is well aware of her location, noting that he has even sued her in Los Angeles previously. Kimora is insisting that the deposition take place in Los Angeles instead.

As tensions between the former couple escalate, a judge has set a hearing for October to address these issues.

Thoughts?

The post Russell Simmons Escalates Legal Battle with Ex-Wife Kimora Lee Simmons Over Financial Dispute first appeared on The Source.

The post Russell Simmons Escalates Legal Battle with Ex-Wife Kimora Lee Simmons Over Financial Dispute appeared first on The Source.

It appears that the day following the news of the untimely passing of ATL rap legend Rich Homie Quan, surviving Migos members Offset and Quavo have put their differences to the side with Quavo taking the first step in burying the hatchet.

Quavo posted a tribute to his late colleague Rich Homie Quan, who passed away yesterday from an apparent drug overdose at age 34. In his tribute, the Migos member posted the song “Nothing Changed” featuring Takeoff in his Instagram stories and tagged Offset to make it clear that nothing has really changed between the two. He even added in the text, “Good Convo With My Bro” with links and prayer hands.

Fans were obviously happy about the good news, with some mentioning that the Migos’ surviving members shouldn’t have waited for a death to bring them back together.

“They should have did this before Rich Homie died,” one user wrote.

Another summed up what many were feeling, posting, “We need y’all. We done already lost too much of our childhood.”

The post Quavo And Offset Squash Their Beef Following Rich Homie Quan’s Death first appeared on The Source.

The post Quavo And Offset Squash Their Beef Following Rich Homie Quan’s Death appeared first on The Source.

Sean Moltke, aka MC Shan of QB’s Juice Crew, turns 59 today.

The first solo MC with a major release from the “infamous” Queensbridge Projects celebrates his 58th birthday today. MC Shan was at the top of his game during Hip Hop’s “Golden Era,” along with crewmates Roxanne Shante, Craig G, Tragedy, Big Daddy Kane, Kool G Rap, Masta Ace, and of course DJ Marley Marl, who formed The Juice Crew. Shan’s first album, Down By Law, was a hit among Hip Hop aficionados of the 80s, with his epic battle against KRS-1 and Boogie Down Productions was one of the greatest crew beefs in Hip Hop all time. BDP vs. Juice Crew is a prime example of a good, healthy beef that stayed on wax and even managed to morph into a Sprite commercial featuring Shan and Kris.

The Source Magazine sends a supreme born day salute to the God Shandu on his 58th born day and wishes him many more in the future!

The post Happy 59th Birthday To The Juice Crew’s MC Shan! first appeared on The Source.

The post Happy 59th Birthday To The Juice Crew’s MC Shan! appeared first on The Source.

R&B star Ginuwine is celebrating a significant milestone in his journey—two months of sobriety. The singer, known for hits like “Pony” and “Differences,” took to Instagram to share his accomplishments and offer encouragement to others battling addiction.

In his heartfelt post, Ginuwine wrote, “And counting!!!! I am still going strong 2 months sober, maybe seems like a lil time to you, but to me and most, it’s a lifetime.” He emphasized the importance of seeking support, saying, “Don’t be ashamed, reach out for help like I did, because a lot of times, well, most times, you need that support!”

The singer expressed pride in his progress, noting, “I love the fact I didn’t fail! I stood TEN10 toes down, IT made me know I got this!” Ginuwine encouraged those facing similar struggles to recognize their strength and potential, urging them to “get up, let’s go!!! We got this!!!”

Ginuwine’s message powerfully reminds us of the strength it takes to overcome addiction and the importance of seeking help. His transparency and determination continue to inspire fans and others facing similar challenges.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MR. Superman.Elgin B Lumpkin (@ginuwine)

The post R&B Singer Ginuwine Celebrates Two Months of Sobriety, Encourages Others to Seek Help first appeared on The Source.

The post R&B Singer Ginuwine Celebrates Two Months of Sobriety, Encourages Others to Seek Help appeared first on The Source.

On this date over three decades ago, a blue-collar rapper from Queens named Young MC dropped his debut album, Stone Cold Rhymin’, on the Delicious Vinyl imprint.

There wasn’t much fanfare to the album besides the rapper/actor’s legendary “Bust A Move” track, which received a platinum plaque about a year after its release, appeared in popular silver screen classics such as Dude, Where’s My Car, and the 2017 Stephen King horror flick It. The song continues to stand the test of time.

With musical genius Quincy Jones behind the boards for Mr. Marvin Young’s debut, the 13-track full-length studio album was a sure-shot hit for its time and has secured Young MC a place in Hip Hop history.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Young MC Released His Debut Album ‘Stone Cold Rhymin’ 35 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Young MC Released His Debut Album ‘Stone Cold Rhymin’ 35 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Cleotrapa is forging ahead after her tumultuous experience touring with Ice Spice, finding support and a new opportunity with rap veteran Azealia Banks. The 26-year-old rapper, who recently exposed her former friend Ice Spice in a 6-part TikTok series, is set to perform alongside Banks at Terminal 5 in New York City on Halloween.

Azealia Banks, 33, took to X (formerly Twitter) on September 4 to announce the collaboration, using the moment to throw shade at Ice Spice, 24, for her alleged mistreatment of Cleotrapa during the U.S. leg of her Y2K! World Tour. The “212” artist made it clear that Cleotrapa will have a much better experience this time around, emphasizing the respect and professionalism she plans to extend to her fellow artist.

“I don’t like how everyone is trying to make Cleotrapa look. Any fcking who @iamcleotrapa will be performing with me on Halloween Oct 31. at @Terminal5NYC,” Banks wrote. “She will be paid, have her own space to glam, whatever she wants on her rider… because I have fcking respect & class.”

The post comes after Cleotrapa detailed the alleged mistreatment she endured on tour with Ice Spice, including not being paid, having to cover her own hotel and food expenses, and being isolated from the rest of the tour crew. These allegations have sparked widespread conversation on social media, with many fans rethinking their support for Ice Spice, a Grammy Award nominee.

Banks didn’t stop at defending Cleotrapa; she also took direct aim at Ice Spice’s manager, James Rosemond Jr., who had previously blamed the tour debacle on Cleotrapa and her team in a series of posts on X. Banks was quick to call out Rosemond, criticizing him for his comments.

“Ice Spice’s manager is a bird *ss n*gg* 4 trying to add insult to injury when a young girl is expressing how she feels. He’s trying to make Cleo look like an amateur when the fact that he’s even chiming in at all is ghetto, low class and a huge sign of having zero skin in the game,” Banks wrote. She added, “How about he get his artist some filler for those smile lines, she’s aging like f*cking milk.”

While Ice Spice has addressed some of the allegations, the damage may have already been done. The claims of mistreatment have undoubtedly affected the public’s perception of her, despite her recent success and accolades.

The post Cleotrapa Moves Past Ice Spice Tour Drama, Joins Azealia Banks for Halloween Performance first appeared on The Source.

The post Cleotrapa Moves Past Ice Spice Tour Drama, Joins Azealia Banks for Halloween Performance appeared first on The Source.

Tameka “Tiny” Harris, wife of rapper T.I., took the witness stand in a federal courtroom in California on Wednesday to address allegations that she and her husband staged a shakedown against MGA Entertainment. The Harris couple has accused the toy giant of stealing the likeness and style of their daughter’s teen pop group, OMG Girlz, to create the wildly popular “L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G.” dolls.

Tiny, who gained fame as a member of the 90s R&B group Xscape and co-wrote the hit song “No Scrubs” for TLC, was the first witness called to testify in the trial that began on Tuesday in Santa Ana. Speaking calmly and measuredly, Tiny firmly denied that the lawsuit was motivated by financial gain. “I’m not here for a money grab. I live very comfortably, me and my husband. We’re doing pretty well for ourselves,” she stated. Tiny emphasized that her primary concern was for the members of the OMG Girlz — her daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack — who she believes deserve recognition and compensation for their creative contributions.

“It’s more about the girls. I feel like the girls built a brand, and they work hard for it,” Tiny testified. She argued that it was unjust for a large corporation like MGA to profit from the image and style that the OMG Girlz had cultivated without including them in the success. “I don’t feel that it’s right for a big company to come and take something they built and not make them a part of it,” she added.

The legal dispute dates back to December 2020, when Tiny and T.I., whose real name is Clifford Harris, sent a cease-and-desist letter to MGA, demanding the toy company halt distribution of its O.M.G. dolls, alleging that the dolls’ name, vibrant hair, and unique wardrobe were directly inspired by the OMG Girlz. MGA responded swiftly with a lawsuit seeking a court ruling that the company owns the name and image of the dolls. In response, the Harris couple filed a cross-complaint for trade dress infringement.

This courtroom confrontation is not the first time the two sides have clashed. An initial trial in January 2023 ended in a mistrial, and a second trial later that year resulted in a loss for the Harris couple. However, that verdict was overturned due to a change in the law, leading to the current proceedings.

With T.I. watching from the gallery, Tiny clarified that their fight was about principle and justice for the OMG Girlz. The outcome of this trial could set a significant precedent for how intellectual property rights are protected in the entertainment and toy industries, especially regarding the creative contributions of artists and performers.

As the trial continues, the Harris family and their supporters are hoping that their case will lead to a favorable outcome, ensuring that the hard work and creativity of the OMG Girlz are properly acknowledged and compensated.

The post Tameka “Tiny” Harris Takes the Stand in Federal Court, Denies ‘Money Grab’ in Lawsuit first appeared on The Source.

The post Tameka “Tiny” Harris Takes the Stand in Federal Court, Denies ‘Money Grab’ in Lawsuit appeared first on The Source.

Beanie Sigel’s new focus is business beyond music. He is venturing into the food and beverage world with his new food truck, Grab & Roll, Wings & Bowls.

“Bringing flavor to the streets!” says the business’ IG account. “Gourmet eats on wheels.”

Beans’ truck can be found in The Broad Street Bully’s hometown of Philly at 2400 Passyunk Ave., available Wednesday through Saturday from 4 to 10 p.m. The truck offers food items that play off of Beanie’s lyrics and crew affiliations, with a menu that includes local staples like cheesesteaks, chicken wings, and fried seafood, as well as both breakfast and dessert.

The post Beanie Sigel Launches Philly-Based Food Truck Business first appeared on The Source.

The post Beanie Sigel Launches Philly-Based Food Truck Business appeared first on The Source.

KRS-One, a towering figure in hip-hop with a reputation for being unapologetically outspoken, has once again made waves with his candid critique of the genre he helped shape. During a recent appearance on 97.9 The Box, the Boogie Down Productions frontman aimed a troubling trend in hip-hop: elevating artists to legendary status only after they’ve passed away.

The conversation was sparked by the death of rapper and radio personality Fatman Scoop, who passed away on August 30. KRS-One, while praising Scoop, lamented that such recognition often comes too late. “It’s a shame we’re talking about him in this way,” KRS-One said. “Hip-hop gotta stop doing that. Only when dudes pass, that’s when they get on.”

KRS-One’s comments reflect a broader frustration with how the culture often overlooks talent during an artist’s lifetime, only to celebrate them posthumously. “We should’ve been looking at Fatman Scoop when his career was blowing up,” he continued, noting that Scoop never received the radio play or recognition he deserved while he was alive. This pattern, according to KRS-One, is a significant issue in the hip-hop community.

When asked by the interviewer whether other genres honor their deceased artists more appropriately, KRS-One didn’t hold back. “Other genres suck,” he remarked bluntly. “We don’t give a fck about them. Hip-hop runs sht.” For KRS-One, hip-hop, the most influential genre in contemporary music, should set the standard for artists’ appreciation and recognition.

This isn’t the first time KRS-One has voiced his concerns about the direction of modern hip-hop. During a 2023 panel at the Essence Festival, he shocked the audience by labeling modern rappers as “traitors” to the genre’s original intent. “What people call rap or hip-hop today is a disgrace to our culture,” he declared. “An absolute betrayal, disrespect, and a disgrace… If you know what original hip-hop is all about and you choose to do the opposite, you a traitor.”

While KRS-One has shown respect for contemporary artists like Kendrick Lamar, it’s clear that he believes hip-hop has strayed too far from its roots. His call to action is a reminder to fans and the industry alike: appreciate the talent in front of you before it’s too late. For KRS-One, the time to give artists their flowers is now, while they can still smell them.

KRS-One speaks on the passing of Fatman Scoop and calls out Hip Hop for only honoring rap icons after they die.

( @979TheBox /Youtube) pic.twitter.com/joKlOjxgyw

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) September 4, 2024

The post KRS-One Calls for Emcees to Receive Their Flowers While They Can Still Smell Them first appeared on The Source.

The post KRS-One Calls for Emcees to Receive Their Flowers While They Can Still Smell Them appeared first on The Source.

On this date in 1991, Trentonians Wise Intelligent, Culture Freedom and DJ Father Shaheed followed up their debut album Holy Intellect with their sophomore smash Pure Poverty, which was released under Profile Records.

Produced primarily by NJ producer Toney Dofat aka Tony D, the 13 track full length studio effort didn’t receive the mainstream success as did its predecessor, however, marketing dollars for conscious artists became less available for conscious artists and more available for “gangsta rap” artists such as DJ Quik whose debut album Quik Is The Name went gold in four months on the same label.

Sure shot singles from PRT’s second album include “Shakiyla”, an ode to the everyday Black woman, their own rendition of the 5% Nation’s national anthem “The Enlightener”, which they entitled “The Nation’s Anthem” and the mathematically saturated “Methods Of Dropin’ Mental”.

Salute to Wise, Culture, Tony D and a supreme RIP salute to Father Shaheed, who was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2014 at the age of 45. The Hip Hop world will never forget this timeless gem!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Poor Righteous Teachers Dropped Their ‘Pure Poverty’ LP 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: Poor Righteous Teachers Dropped Their ‘Pure Poverty’ LP 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

KRS-One wants more love shown to our Hip-Hop legends while they are still alive. Speaking on Fatman Scoop, KRS feels the tributes should have poured in before now.

“It’s a shame we’re talking about him in this way,” KRS said. “Hip hop gotta stop doing that. Only when dudes pass, that’s when they get honored. We should’ve been looking at Fatman Scoop when his career was blowing up. He never got played on no stations or nothing, only DJs that knew would throw his music on.”

KRS-One speaks on the passing of Fatman Scoop and calls out Hip Hop for only honoring rap icons after they die.

( @979TheBox /Youtube) pic.twitter.com/joKlOjxgyw

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) September 4, 2024

Isaac Freeman III, aka Fatman Scoop, legendary DJ and figure within the Hip Hop community, tragically died last week.

The heartbreaking revelation came from Freeman’s tour manager @itspurecold who posted on Insragram:

“I am honestly lost for words… You took me all over the world and had me performing alongside you on some of the biggest and greatest stages on this planet, the things you taught me have truely made me the man I am today. Thank you so much, I love you x.”

In another post from the Reminisce Festival, an event that had Mr. Freeman III scheduled to perform just next week on Sept. 7 added:

“It is with the deepest sorrow that we at Reminisce have received the devastating news of the tragic passing of the legendary Isaac Freeman III, known to us all as Fatman Scoop. This loss has left us all heartbroken.”

Rest in Power Isaac Freeman III aka Fatman Scoop.

The post KRS-One Wants More Love Shown to Hip-Hop Legends While Alive first appeared on The Source.

The post KRS-One Wants More Love Shown to Hip-Hop Legends While Alive appeared first on The Source.

Hip-hop artist 42 Dugg announced the “4eva Us, Neva Them” Tour, a 20-city, cross-country trek that will include stops in major cities, including New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Washington DC and more. He will be joined by some of hip-hop’s hottest rising artists such as Yungeen Ace, Cartier, Audi.Money and Chicken.P

The tour announcement comes after Dugg unleashed his debut album, 4eva Us, Neva Them, in July that included star-studded collaborations like Lil Baby, Meek Mill, Sexyy Red, Jeezy, EST Gee, Rylo Rodriguez and Blac Youngsta.

Dugg elaborated on his goal for the album in an interview with Billboard, nothing that he “just wanted to show the people the growth of what type of headspace I’m in, and what I’ve been through and how far along I’ve come.”

4eva Us, Neva Them marked the 2021 XXL Freshman star’s first full project since 2022, a collaborative effort with EST Gee titled Last Ones Left, which debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard 200. Dugg’s last solo project, Free Dem Boyz, came in 2021 and debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard 200.

The post 42 Dugg Announces “4eva Us, Neva Them” Nationwide Tour first appeared on The Source.

The post 42 Dugg Announces “4eva Us, Neva Them” Nationwide Tour appeared first on The Source.