Gucci Mane turned up to celebrate the release of his new double album, Breath of Fresh Air, by performing at The Tabernacle on Tuesday night (October 17).
During his set, Gucci brought out T.I. as a surprise guest, much to the surprise of concertgoers. Quavo, Latto, and Key Glock also popped out for the show, but given Gucci Mane and T.I.’s rocky past, many were glad to see the two Atlanta legends bury the hatchet after years of beefing.
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This comes after T.I. put Gucci Mane on his “Trap Mount Rushmore, as he told AllHipHop, “There were always three figureheads in trap music: myself, Jeezy, and Gucci. That was always like unanimous, and nobody could even question or you can’t add or remove anybody from that. Over time, there have been conversations about who else should be allotted.” He added, “We finally came to the conclusion from the people that the fourth figurehead is Future.”
In this clip, Cavario started off asking Freeway Ricky about his thoughts on Donald Trump saying he’d implement the death penalty for drug dealers. Freeway Ricky stated that after reading Trump’s books (which he pointed out Trump didn’t write) while he was in prison, he realized that Trump isn’t intelligent. Ricky then added that the death penalty isn’t the answer, and he stated that we need to start looking at these people as if they were our family members in order to get them real help. Moving along, Cavario asked Freeway Ricky about the final season of “Snowfall” and if he ever thought about suing the show. Freeway Ricky explained that because he’s done so many public interviews, it makes it difficult to sue the show. Freeway Ricky also spoke about running into Damson Idris, who plays the main character on “Snowfall,” and Ricky explained that he wasn’t aware of Damson because of him protesting the show. Freeway Ricky stated that he had a great meeting with Damson, who said that he wished Freeway Ricky was on the set. When asked about the “BMF” series, Freeway Ricky explained that he doesn’t watch shows like that because he sees them in the same light as the “Blaxploitation” movies in the past. From there, Cavario asked Freeway Ricky if he thinks BMF’s operation was bigger than his at its height, and he explained that he imagines BMF was bigger because they had a longer run. Freeway Ricky then stated that he thinks there could be another BMF because people are continuing to use drugs. Interview by: Cavario
He’s a man of many talents, and Nick Cannon is once again flexing his vocal skills. The media mogul has an entertainment career with a reach unlike any other. He went from being a child star to running successful businesses that not only manages artists but produces shows, films, and more. Not to mention, Cannon has also earned a pretty penny through his music career. He’s collaborated with the likes of R. Kelly, Chris Brown, and Jeremih, so it isn’t surprising that he’s on Instagram belting out R&B classics.
New Edition emerged in the 1980s as a group of singing kids who took the world by storm. Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Bobby Brown, Ronnie DeVoe, and Ralph Tresvant were the original quintet. However, after Brown’s departure, Johnny Gill was added on. They still tour the world for crowds of adoring fans, and Cannon paid homage by singing their 1988 favorite, “Can You Stand the Rain.”
The father of 12 shared a black-and-white video of himself at the piano. With his NCredible signs behind him, Cannon crooned out the hit, and in a flash, the internet responded. He’s no stranger to taking a few verbal jabs, and his critics were quick to drop a few jokes. Some people focused on Cannon seemingly mimicking the original sound, while others were New Edition purists.
Meanwhile, the hype surrounding Cannon and his growing brood has dissipated in recent weeks. There are several infants in the Cannon Clan these days, and the actor admitted that it is sometimes difficult for him to stay as attentive as he’d hoped. “Being a father of multiple kids, it’s always the biggest guilt on me is that I don’t get to spend enough time with all my children,” he previously said.
Curated by Questlove, the lineup included a shortlist of the greatest rap artists of all time, including stars from the genre’s Golden Era, the ’90s, and a handful of today’s most promising stars. However, LL was sure to preemptively address grievances over acts that weren’t participants in the musical jubilee. “We wish we could’ve included every artist,” he noted before adding that those events will come “at a later date, at a later time.”
The proceedings commenced from there, with Philly rapper Black Thought taking the stage to spit a few bars to warm up the mic for his lyrical predecessors to get busy. First up were pioneering rap acts Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Run DMC, LL, Salt-N-Pepa, Rakim, KRS-One, and Public Enemy taking attendees and viewers on a blast through the past records that helped mold the sound of the music during its formative years. LL and Black Thought carried a brief break in the action by engaging with one another as the second portion of the tribute began, which included appearances from ’90s luminaries De La Soul, Scarface, Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Method Man, Big Boi, and Busta Rhymes.
Critics skeptical of the Recording Academy botching this monumental occasion with a lack in scope were disproved, as Missy Elliott, Nelly, The LOX, and Too $hort’s presence was indicative of the variety of talent on display. In a culture forever young, it was appropriate that the current crop of stars also partake in the show. The decision to tap the likes of Lil Baby, GloRilla, and Lil Uzi Vert to round out the medley doubled as a full-circle moment that embodies what Hip-Hop 50 is all about. “From the Bronx to TikTok, to the whole world,” LL declared at the end of the set. “For the culture! Rock the Bells!”
Prior to the Hip-Hop 50 tribute, the Recording Academy bestowed Dr. Dre with the inaugural Dr. Dre Global Impact Award in light of his contributions to music throughout his illustrious career. After being presented by LL, Dre came onstage to accept the award. He addressed the crowd with a short speech, voiced his gratitude, and expressed his love for Hip-Hop, before asking where he’d be without it.
“I’m extremely moved by this award,” the 57-year-old said. He later added that his journey in rap “started with a song called Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel” which led him to “a 40-year career of doing what I really love.” He shouted out his various collaborators who were “inspiring and crucial to his success” over the years, as well as the people who stayed by his side during his most trying moments. The notorious perfectionist concluded his acceptance speech by advising those looking to follow their own dreams to “never compromise your vision at all, pursue quality over quantity, and remember, everything is important.”
The 65th Annual Grammy Awards included a number of reminders of just how far Hip-Hop has taken things since its inception in the South Bronx back in 1973. Creating its first Hip-Hop category in 1989, the Recording Academy’s relationship with the culture has evolved over time, to where some of the biggest winners each year can be traced back to the community. This evening was no different, as names like Kendrick Lamar and Lizzo won several awards, including Best Rap Performance, Best Rap Album, Best Rap Song, and Record of the Year.
Watch a clip of the Hip-Hop 50 Grammy Awards Tribute below.
During a sit down on Big Boy’s Neighborhood earlier this month, 50 Cent weighed in on the recent quarrel between Master P and his son Romeo and how he didn’t consider their issues to run as deeply as those between himself and his son Marquise.
But 50 also discussed Master P’s prowess as a businessman and negotiator as he detailed being outnegotiated on the terms for his first tour which came about through Master P.
“What I’ll say about P is he was slick,” 50 Cent explained. “He came, he gave me the money for the eight shows, right? We did four of them. He said, ‘Aw man, something happened we gonna have to take a break. We’ll just come back and do the other four later.’ When I came back to do the other four, I had already sold two million records. He had already paid me so I had to do the shows. He knew! He was like, ‘This muthaf****’s on fire! This is gonna go off.’”
Fans are begging Ashanti and Nelly to get back together after their steamy performance earlier this month, and she addressed the situation head-on on ‘WWHL.’
Ashanti appeared on the Dec. 13 episode of Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and discussed her reunion with ex, Nelly, at a concert in Arizona earlier this month. A fan called in and asked how Ashanti felt about the reaction to the steamy performance, where the two sang their 2008 hit, “Body On Me.” The caller also pointed out that fans are hoping Ashanti and Nelly will be the next Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, who recently got married following a nearly 20 year split.
Ashanti couldn’t help but crack up over the question. “Oh my gosh,” she said. “I saw a lot of comments. My reaction was…wow. It was a lot of comments and a lot of people wanting that.” She then confirmed where her relationship with Nelly stands today. “What I will say is, we’re in a better place,” Ashanti explained. “Because before it was like [*punching*]. We have some conversations [now]. So it was cool.” When Andy Cohen flat-out asked, “But you’re not getting back together?”, Ashanti didn’t shut down the possibility, either. “I mean, I don’t….” she said, before trailing off in laughter.
Nelly and Ashanti met at the beginning of 2003 and eventually began dating. They were together for ten years before they split. Back in Sept. 2021, the two reunited after not seeing each other for several years when they both appeared onstage at Ja Rule and Fat Joe’s Verzuz battle. Nelly ran over and gave Ashanti a hug during the performance. “When I saw him kind of coming across the stage, I was just like, oh. And it was so weird because we haven’t seen or spoken to each other for over six years. So it was a weird feeling,” Ashanti admitted on The Tamron Hall Show. “It had been so long, I didn’t know how to feel or what I was going to feel when I did see him.”
In a subsequent interview, Ashanti shared that she had no idea Nelly was going to be at the Verzuz when she agreed to attend. She admitted that it was “a little awkward” and “very unexpected” to see her ex at the event.
The tragic and untimely murder of Migos’ rapper, Takeoff, has sent mournful shockwaves throughout the urban community, touching the lives of fellow emcees, actors, athletes, politicians, news pundits, and hip-hop fans all over the world. One of the celebrities who was deeply impacted by the tragic loss of Takeoff was fellow Atlanta native Shawty Shawty. The comedian from Wildin’ Out claims to have had conversations over the phone with some of Takeoff and Quavo’s relatives following the incident, during which time the events leading up to the shooting were discussed in detail.
In a recent interview on Ugly Money TV, the 41-year-old shared a little about what he learned from his previous conversations with Takeoff’s extended family about what caused the heated argument involving Quavo and how it may have resulted in Takeoff’s murder.
“I have to say ‘alleged’ because I was told this over the phone from a reliable source…They say Quavo dominates in a whole lot of different things — basketball, all of this,” Shawty said. “So they say that they had been shooting basketball earlier, and then they got to the bowling alley, and they said it was a dice game.”
He continued, “They say that Quavo noticed that the dice were not right, and that’s where the argument started. Everybody know Quavo got a mouth on him, everybody know Quavo would talk junk. I don’t think that was the atmosphere to talk shit in. I think they were on somebody’s tab, and you gotta respect [that].”
Chedda Boy Films is set to premiere its latest film, OFF THE PORCH, on Saturday, December 10, 2022. Executive produced by Kwende “Streetlord Rook” Ried, and written and directed by Ronnie Kirk, the film stars Jamal Ward, Glen “Looze” Cannon, Sysko “Lavon” Green, Darnell “Lil Blade” Lindsay, Crystal “The Doll” Hughes, Overlord Scooch, Snap Dogg, Streetlord Rook and Streetlord Juan.
The thriller/dark comedy is a cautionary tale of how dire circumstances can lead to desperate choices. In the course of one chaotic summer, the lives of an emerging rap artist, an established rap artist and a music video director are dramatically transformed by their involvement in the drug and gang wars of Detroit. Glizzy (Ward) is the hottest newcomer in the streets, and he is also a high school kid enticed by the street life romanticized in hip hop music. Dope dealer and number street gangster turned rap superstar, HOAX (Cannon), taunts his enemies through his hit music, which has made his career and put a huge target on his back.
Randolph “Ralph” Blue (Green), a former marine, is trying to make his way in the music industry through his videography and photography. There’s no line he won’t cross to provide for his family as he struggles to make ends meet in a neighborhood ravaged by drug dealers and gangs. Profound self-awareness from the characters is a key element of the film’s unconventional structure as they face faith vs. doubt, human vs human, sacrifices for love, disillusionment, hypocrisy, and greed as a down fall.
“Off the porch, commonly known as “jumping off the porch,” is another way to say loss of innocence,” explains Kirk. “For most people from inner cities, it’s associated with the day they started building their name in the streets. We are telling multiple stories of layered characters that intersect. What connects them is their desire to escape their circumstances and they learn that doing whatever it takes to make it out, should come with limitations.”
“It’s 10 times harder for Black males to survive the harsh realities of the streets because hood life comes with so many pressures,” adds Ried. “Pressure to get money for girls, pressure to get money so they can get out of the streets, pressure to leave behind the messed up circumstances they come from. A lot of people succumb to the harsh realities in some shape or form, whether it’s sex, drugs or money.”
The OFF THE PORCH soundtrack features Lil Blade, Snap Dogg, Sada Baby, Streetlord Rook, and Streetlord Juan. OFF THE PORCH premieres Saturday, December 10, 2022, 7:30 p.m., at the AMC Livonia 20 located at 19500 Haggerty Livonia, MI 48152.
About Chedda Boy Films Chedda Boy Films is a global independent film company that offers a unique combination of film distribution, commercial production, music video production and film production. Founder and CEO, Kwende Ried launched Chedda Boy Films 15 years ago, after his release from prison. He has become an eminent filmmaker after living a lucrative street life during his teens and early adulthood. Ried is one of the original members of the pioneering Detroit hip hop group, Streetlordz. Ronnie Kirk, the COO of Chedda Boy films, also serves as the head writer and director. His writing credits include One More Flip, Chedda Boys and the award-winning short film, Incline. Ried and Kirk aim to tell stories from authentic perspectives while providing others with opportunities for success. Chedda Boy Films’ 2021 release, One More Flip, has over 1M views on Tubi.
Crystal Willis Crystal Willis is an Entrepreneur, Author, Speaker, Entertainment Publicist and CEO of The Omni Firm. She is also a Transformational Life Coach and Founder of The Crysalis. Her personal story has been seen by millions of people on media outlets like Marie Claire Magazine, PBS, Blaze TV, Daily Signal and more.
Tamika Scott, Kandi Burruss, Tameka Cottle, and LaTocha Scott of the group Xscape during the 2022 Soul Train Music Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada.
At this year’s BET Soul Train Awards, the ladies of Xscape looked flawless as they accepted the Lady of Soul Award. It was presented to them by So So Def founder and producer Jermaine Dupri.
The legendary group—consisting of Kandi Buruss, Tameka “Tiny” Harris and sisters LaTocha and Tameka Scott—also performed a medley of hits including “Who Do I Run To?,” “My Little Secret” and “Just Kickin It.” Tameka “Tiny” Harris later told Entertainment Tonight: “We’ve been watching Soul Train pretty much all our lives and to get the Lady of Soul Award, to be recognized years after we [started] all our hard work, it’s an amazing honor.”
It’s literally always one of them DAMN sisters. Why would LaTocha not be in dress code?! pic.twitter.com/F4RFxe24s3
What was even more amazing is the composure the group managed to keep onstage despite a wardrobe mishap that happened earlier that evening. There seemed to be some confusion about why LaTocha wore an outfit that was completely out of sync with her bandmates on the Soul Train Awards red carpet.
She took to Instagram to share that “they didn’t tell [her] anything” and “there’s more to this than people know.” Buruss quickly replied to her claim saying she “chose to have a separate stylist from the rest of the group” and asked her to stop spreading “false narratives.”
Scott then revealed that Buruss apparently blocked her on Instagram. Though Xscape kicked off the R&B Music Experience tour on November 19, Scott refused to be a part of it. She said it’s because the promoter for it allegedly threatened her husband’s life, but the rest of the girls still chose to participate.
“The reason I am not doing the tour is because the promoter the girls are on tour with threatened my husbands life. The promoter was initially brought to the table by my husband for a few shows…the deal went left over a situation that could have been resolved!! The promoter then reference getting my husband’s ‘head touched’ and me being a widow. Would you have gone on tour with him?????”
None of the women of Xscape have publicly responded to these claims, though LaTocha is now dealing with rumors that her husband is having a baby with another woman. Hopefully, things will get less chaotic for this brilliant singer very soon.
