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Cardi B, Offset and their two children are ready to take their talents to the big screen with voice roles in the upcoming animated film Baby Shark's Big Movie.

The cast for the film was announced by Nickelodeon and Cardi B via social media on Thursday (March 30) with a graphic promoting the forthcoming flick. Alongside Cardi, Offset and their kids Kulture and Wave, the film will also feature actors Lance Bass, Ashley Tisdale, Ego Nwodim, Aparna Nancherla, Chloe Fineman and South Korean boy band ENHYPEN.

The hip-hop couple will be reprising their guest roles from the television series Baby Shark's Big Show! The show based on the wildly popular kids song launched in 2021 and is currently in its second season on Paramount+. Cardi B and Offset will appear as the characters Sharki B and Offshark. The couple's 4-year-old son will once again voice Kulture Sharki and their 18-month old, Wave Set, will make his debut as Wavey Shark.

Baby Shark's Big Movie is slated to be released during the holiday season of 2023.

This will be Offset's second time doing voice work, though he has acted in an episode of NCIS: Los Angeles and had a cameo as himself on the popular TV series Atlanta. Cardi B has had multiple roles in TV and film including a cameo on the television series Being Mary Jane and the films F9 and Hustlers.

See Cardi B's Post Announcing Her, Offset, Kulture and Wave's Roles in Baby Shark's Big Movie BelowSee 7 Movie Roles That Rappers Turned DownFiled Under: Cardi B, OffsetCategories: News


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6ix9ine has taken his talents to Cuba where he is apparently preparing to resurrect his rap career after being badly beaten in a gym bathroom recently.

On Wednesday (March 29), video surfaced of 6ix9ine apparently recording a new music video in Cuba. In the clip (below), Tekashi is shrouded in a huge Cuban flag while surrounded by dozens of people. He raps in Spanish while a cameraman walks back and forth getting footage for the upcoming visual. The track has an inspirational sound to it, unlike any of the rapper's previous records, which were filled with blaring trap beats and over-the-top explicit lyrics. At one point, he points to the sky as if talking to God.

6ix9ine resurfaced in Cuba earlier this week after being discharged from the hospital as the result of being brutally assaulted in a Lake Worth, Fla. LA Fitness bathroom by three men with bad intentions. Videos first surfaced on March 21 that showed 6ix9ine being jumped by three attackers. The security-less rapper had no means of defending himself and was punched and kicked on for well over a minute in one video. Following the beating, police and EMS were called for the bruised and bloodied rapper. He was then transported to a local hospital for non life-threatening injuries. He has yet to make a statement since the assault.

It is unclear if 6ix9ine plans on making Cuba his permanent residence or if he is just laying low for a few.

See Video of 6ix9ine Recording a Music Video in Cuba BelowSee Rappers’ Confusing LyricsFiled Under: 6ix9ineCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/trentfitzgerald/” rel=”author”>Trent FitzgeraldUpdated: March 30, 2023NicoElNino/iStock/Getty Images Plus/(inset) Mark Blinch/Larry Busacca/Bennett Raglin/Paras Griffin/Michael Loccisano/Rich Polk/Getty Images (6)

Rappers say the darnedest things in their songs. Some of their lyrics are so confusing that fans don't know what they are rapping about.

For example, on Rich Gang's 2013 track "Lifestyle," Young Thug raps, "Nelivliflikabegittldisondbeggining." Huh, what? After careful translation, Thugger actually says: "N***a livin' life like a beginner and this is only beginnin'."

Another rapper sometimes known for his confusing lyrics is Ghostface Killah. The Wu-Tang Clan member's 2000 song "Nutmeg" is completely indecipherable. In one verse, Ghostdini spits, "Scientific, my hand kissed it/Robotic, let's think optimistic/You probably missed it, watch me Dolly d**k it/Scotty Wotty copper tipped me, big microphone hippie."

What does that even mean?

Then, we have Jay-Z. In one of the very few times Hov's masterful bars couldn't be interpreted clearly and concisely, fans of the Brooklyn billionaire have been famously confused for years over one punchline in particular from Jay's 2001 opus, The Blueprint. In the fourth verse of "U Don't Know," does Jay-Z say "whale" or "well?"

"I sell ice in the winter, I sell fire in Hell," Jigga raps. "I'm a hustler, baby, I'll sell water to a whale [well]/I was born to get cake, move on and switch states/Cop the coupe with the roof gone and switch plates."

 

So with that, XXL decided to compile a list of rappers who have delivered some confusing lyrics in their songs that made fans scratch their heads. Check them out below.

See Rappers’ Confusing LyricsFiled Under: biggie smalls, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Camp Lo, Drake, Feature, Future, Galleries, Gallery, ghostface killah, Gucci Mane, Jaden Smith, Jay-Z, jeezy, LL Cool J, Missy Elliott, Nas, Rick Ross, The Notorious B.I.G, Tyler The Creator, Young ThugCategories: News


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Flo Rida's 6-year-old son is reportedly recovering in the ICU after falling from a fifth-floor apartment window and the child's mother has filed a lawsuit over the incident.

On Wednesday (March 29), local New Jersey news outlet News 12 New Jersey reported Flo Rida's son fell out of a window of the fifth-floor of his mom's Jersey City, N.J. apartment three weeks ago, severely injuring the young child. His injuries include multiple pelvis fractures, left metatarsal fractures, grade three liver laceration, internal bleeding and collapsed lungs, according to the outlet.

The child's mother, Alexis Adams, has since reportedly filed a lawsuit against the apartment complex, accusing them of using windows that "posed a hazardous condition," which led to the fall.

"As a single mom to a special needs child, this feels like a nightmare," Adams told News 12 in a statement about the tragic incident. "My heart is broken into a million pieces. I am devastated, angry and struggling to come to terms with the fact that my only child has suffered severe injuries due to willful negligence of our landlord and others involved in failing to take necessary safety measures."

XXL has reached out to Flo Rida's team for comment.

Flo Rida recently made the news for winning a $82 million lawsuit against fitness drink company Celsius back in January whom he sued for breach of contract back in May of 2021. In February, he revealed he would be giving some of the money to charity efforts.

See Rappers’ Real NamesFiled Under: Flo-RidaCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 30, 2023WMurphyNew/Twitter/Prince Williams/Getty Images

A shooting outside Yo Gotti's Memphis restaurant has left two people dead and five others injured.

The incident occurred last night (March 29) outside the CMG boss' Prive eating establishment, with shots ringing out shortly after the restaurant closed at 11 p.m. On Thursday morning (March 30), the Memphis Police Department released a statement about the deadly shooting.

"On March 29, 2023 at 11:17 p.m. officers responded to a shooting outside 6980 Winchester," the statement reads. "Two male victims were located. One was pronounced deceased on the scene and one was transported to [Regional One Health] critical where he was later pronounced deceased. Five additional victims, four males and a female, arrived at area hospitals by [personally owned vehicles]. Prelim information indicates that the shooting stemmed from an altercation that started inside the club."

Gotti's attorney Arthur Horne has released the following statement to local Memphis news outlet WREG about the tragic incident.

"On behalf of Prive, they’ve been in business for ten years, and nothing like this has ever happened at their establishment," he said. "It happened out in the parking lot, and it ended up in a shootout. Nothing happened inside the restaurant. Despite any conflicting reports, they were closing, and this happened at the end of the evening in the parking lot."

XXL has reached out to the Memphis Police Department and Yo Gotti's team for comment.

The incident comes eight months after Memphis Police thwarted a potential mass shooting at a Yo Gotti concert after a man threatened to kill people because his girlfriend broke up with him.

See Rappers Named After Notorious Crime FiguresFiled Under: Yo GottiCategories: News


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Ice Spice and her producer RIOTUSA have a winning formula, with her writing her raps and him producing all her records. But the Bronx, N.Y. rhymer is not opposed to changing things down the road.

On Wednesday (March 29), Ice Spice was featured in Harper’s Bazaar’s April 2023 Music Director story where she offered up a playlist of songs from artists who've inspired her career and also spoke on her meteoric rise to fame. So far, she's been penning all her lyrics. But that could change down the road.

"I’m open to working with writers at some point when the time is right, but right now, I’m sticking to what got me here in the first place," Ice Spice tells HB. "That’s me being creative in the studio with Riot. We just cook up bops, we make vibes; I try not to think too hard and just really have fun."

"I feel like I’m bringing a new sound to people that they haven’t really heard before, being one of the few girls to bring drill to a mainstream level,” Spice says of her sound. "It’s refreshing and fun—I’m really enjoying it."

For now, the original play is working. Ice Spice's rising popularity is undeniable at this point, which she capitalized on with the January release of her debut EP Like..? She now has a top five single under her belt with her collab with PinkPantheress, "Boy's a Liar Part 2," peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Ice Spice recently made headlines after a man came forward claiming he snatched the "Gangsta Boo" rapper's chain, which sent her fans into a frenzy.

See 50 of the Most Clever Hip-Hop LyricsFiled Under: Ice SpiceCategories: News


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Tory Lanez has reportedly filed an appeal of the guilty verdict in the Megan Thee Stallion shooting trial, two weeks ahead of being sentenced for shooting the Houston rapper.

On Wednesday (March 29), TMZ reported that Tory Lanez's new defense team has officially filed paperwork in the hopes of getting a new trial for the Canadian rapper-crooner. According to the celebrity news site, Tory's team has pointed out multiple instances that could have tainted the jury, unfairly leading to the guilty verdict. For one, jurors were shown a shirtless photo of Tory that displayed the rapper's tattoo of an AK-47. Tory's team reportedly believes that was done on purpose by the prosecution to show Tory likes guns.

Additionally, Tory's camp is reportedly claiming it was unfair for the prosecution to threaten to use song lyrics in the case. They are also calling into question the audio prosecutors played from their interview with Kelsey Harris, which featured statements that she recanted on the stand. They are also reportedly calling foul on an Instagram post that was admitted into evidence along with a statement that was used from Megan stating Tory told her "Please don't say anything because I'm on probation" right after the shooting.

This is Tory Lanez's last-ditch effort to change the verdict in the case after he was convicted of one felony count of assault with a semiautomatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle and discharging a firearm in a grossly negligent manner to cause bodily injury back on Dec. 23, 2022.

Tory Lanez was initially scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 27. A judge has since allowed two delays to the sentencing as Tory's team prepares to fight for an appeal. Tory is now set to be sentenced on April 10, barring a judge throws out the verdict and grants Tory a new trial. He faces up to 22 years in prison.

XXL has reached out to Tory Lanez's attorney and the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office for comment.

See 44 of the Longest Prison Bids in Hip-Hop HistoryC-Murder, Max B, B.G. and more.Filed Under: Megan Thee Stallion, Tory LanezCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 29, 2023theneighborhoodtalk/Instagram/Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

UPDATE (March 30):

It appears the whole Ice Spice chain-snatching video was a hoax. The TikTok user who posted the original video has since come forward claiming the video was a joke.

ORIGINAL STORY (March 29):

A recently surfaced video of a man claiming to have snatched Ice Spice's chain has gone viral and has fans in an outrage.

On Wednesday (March 29), a video surfaced on social media that shows a man bragging about swiping Ice Spice's jewelry. In the clip, the hooded self-proclaimed thief holds up what he purports to be a necklace that belongs to the Bronx, N.Y. rapper.

"Ayo, listen, we got Ice Spice chain. Stop playing with me. Pull up. Y'all know where we at," the man says to the camera while dangling the chain in the video below. The man then mocks Ice's rhyme pattern before the clip ends.

Fans of the "Munch (Feelin U)" rapper have been going off about the alleged robbery on Twitter.

"So you’re tough because you snatched Ice Spice’s chain? Or are you cool now? Does it make you gangsta? Trying to figure out what bragging about it on camera does for you exactly," one person questioned.

"They saying they snatched ice spice’s chain we gotta handle this," another person tweeted.

Them n***as that’s acting like they snatched Ice Spice chain is by far the weirdest shit ever….. Why do a lot of you n***a be so pressed to make us men look bad fam?" another post reads.

If the far-fetched claim is true, the thieves definitely did not get Ice's new $100,000 chain.

See More Reactions to a Video of a Man Claiming He Snatched Ice Spice's Chain BelowSee the Definitive List of Bizarre Tweets From RappersFiled Under: Ice SpiceCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 29, 2023Prince Williams/Getty Images (2)

Fredo Bang is shooting his shot at GloRilla and he doesn't care who sees.

On Wednesday (March 29), Fredo Bang went on Twitter and raised a raunchy reflection about the Memphis rapper.

"I Wonder How @GloTheofficial Taste…" he posted.

The Baton Rouge, La. rapper lusting over the "Tomorrow 2" rapper didn't stop there. Fredo entered the comment section of a recent GloRilla Instagram Live and tried to get Glo's attention with multiple comments.

"Lick your lips again I like dat sh*t," he posted while GloRilla was conversing with fans.

"I'll be crazy bout u," he added in a follow-up post. "I'll never hold you [back]."

It is unclear if Glo saw Fredo's three-point attempts.

This isn't the first time a rapper has publicly tried to woo GloRilla on social media. Last October, Kodak Black flirted with GloRilla on Instagram. Yak tried the same ploy of falling into GloRilla's comment section on IG Live.

“You prolly aint my girl today but that’s why I love tomorrow,” Kodak commented along with a smiling face with sunglasses emoji. The South Florida rapper's pickup line is a reference to the chorus of Glo’s singles "Tomorrow" and "Tomorrow 2" featuring Cardi B where Glo raps, "Every day the sun won't shine, but that's why I love tomorrows."

Earlier this week, GloRilla made headlines when she reacted to being name-dropped in a different way. On the new Money Man song "Saweetie," he mentions Glo in a way that the CMG rapper did not particularly appreciate.

See Fredo Bang Shooting His Shot at GloRilla BelowSee the Definitive List of Bizarre Tweets From RappersFiled Under: Fredo Bang, GloRillaCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 29, 2023Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Jermaine Dupri is spilling the beans on how he pulled Janet Jackson whom he dated for seven years in the 2000s.

On Sunday (March 26), the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast aired their latest episode with Curren$y and Jermaine Dupri who are promoting their upcoming For Motivational Use Only album, which is dropping in April. During the lengthy sit-down, cohost Wallo asked JD how he pulled a woman the caliber of Janet Jackson.

"It wasn't about [that]," JD said around the 48-minute mark of the interview below when Gillie implied the producer tried to woo the pop star with beats. "I wasn't with no music sh*t. I was just on some like hang out."

"I never wanted to produce her," JD added. "We got in an argument about me not producing her because she was around me watching everybody else get hit records. I never wanted her to think that's what my agenda was. ’Cause so many people was saying that…When Janet met me she got picked up from the airport in a [Bentley] Continental T."

Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson began dating in 2002 until finally calling it quits in 2009. Back in 2017, there were reports that they might be getting back together, which turned out to be false. Last January, Jermaine admitted during the Janet Jackson docu-series that aired on Lifetime and A&E, him "being reckless" ultimately led to the end of their almost decade-long relationship.

See Jermaine Dupri Explaining How He Pulled Janet Jackson on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game Podcast BelowSee 50 Hip-Hop Albums That Share the Same Title as Other AlbumsFiled Under: janet jackson, Jermaine DupriCategories: News


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Bhad Bhabie celebrated her 20th birthday by giving her mother a lap dance during the rapper's birthday pool party.

Bhad Bhabie turned the big 2-0 on Sunday (March 26) and celebrated the big day with a pool party attended by friends and family. TMZ captured video of the soiree that shows Bhad Bhabie turning up while giving her mother Barbara a vigorous lap dance poolside. The video shows Bhad Bhabie in a pink and black bikini throwing it in a circle right in front of her amazed mother.

"She didn't learn this from me ’cause I don't know how to do it," the rapper's mom says as she gestures rubbing Bhad Bhadie's butt.

Bhad Bhabie is surely still counting her blessing that she made it to two decades. Earlier this year, she made headlines after getting into a car accident and totaling her new Bentley just days after showing the vehicle off on social media.

"I'm beyond devastated… my first car totaled and over with," she shared on Instagram along with a photo of the mangled vehicle. "If the car wasn't so heavy tilan would probably b dead. This was my first car accident I'm still shook up and don't even wanna get in a car ever again. This experience sure showed me who really give af and who don't! Thank god I wasn't driving bc I wouldn't have knew what tf to do."

Luckily, she made it out unscathed.

See Video of Bhabie Bhabie Giving Her Mom a Lap Dance BelowSee Rappers’ BirthdaysFiled Under: Bhad BhabieCategories: News


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Lil Nas X is opening up a bit about his love life and in doing so, the rapper-pop star explains why he doesn't like dating celebrities anymore.

On Monday (March 27), Lil Nas X was a featured guest on the nightly CBS TV program, The Late Late Show With James Corden. Lil Nas X was the subject of the show's most popular segment, "Carpool Karaoke," which typically finds host James Corden driving to "work" in a car as some of the most famous musicians in the industry serve as his travel companions while they sing said artists' songs together.

After belting out wildly successful Lil Nas X tunes such as "Old Town Road" and "Industry Baby" complete with some live trumpet playing from right within the car, the Georgia-bred rap-crooner and James Corden began a conversation about dating. Nas X explained that while he was once accustomed to using Raya as a means of connecting with other famous people on a romantic level, the "Star Walkin’" rhymer is done with the celebrity dating app and is all set regarding hooking up with celebs in general.

"I used to use Raya," Lil Nas X told Corden when asked how he links up with potential suitors around the 3:36-minute mark in the video below. "I think I stopped using Raya [because] it just like fell off for me. I just started to meet people in person and Raya is just very famous. Everyone's famous on there. I've met quite a few famous guys. I think I've come to know that I don't like dating famous people."

While it can be presumed that Lil Nas X swearing off any romantic involvement with famous people will leave plenty of high-profile individuals disappointed, perhaps there will be none more upset than Saweetie. Just last week, the "My Type" spitter told E! News that Lil Nas X is her "celebrity guy crush" and that she thinks he "is so fine."

In response, Lil Nas X accepted the compliment and jokingly said "goodbye" to the LGBTQ+ community implying that Saweetie now has him on the hook. It apparently wasn't long before the "That's What I Want" artist changed his mind.

Watch Lil Nas X Tell James Corden Why He Doesn't Like Dating Celebrities Anymore in the Carpool Karaoke Video BelowSee Hip-Hop Artists Who Embrace Being Gay, Lesbian or BisexualFiled Under: Lil Nas XCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIUpdated: March 29, 2023thatboijily/TikTok/Barry Brecheisen/Getty Images

Someone's dad was lit at a recent Yeat show, with video surfacing of a bald older gentleman crowd-surfing during a concert in New York.

Yeat performed at Terminal 5 in NYC back on March 13.  TikTok user thatboijily captured footage of the crowd turning up while the rapper performs his single "Poppin." In the clip, a man clearly outside of Yeat's age demographic is having the time of his life as he crowd-surfs on top of concertgoers. The possible AARP members is passed from hand-to-hand while he smiles from ear-to-ear.

"Whose father is this?" the TikTok user wrote over the video.

Apparently, older man's daughter ran across the video and was amazed by the clip.

"THAT'S MY DAD OMF!" someone wrote in the comment section of the video.

Yeat is one of the most buzzing young artists out. In February of 2022, he dropped his sophomore album 2 Alive, which peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 chart. Last month, he released his follow-up album Afterlyfe, which debuted at No. 4 on the chart, spearheaded by the single "Shmunk" featuring YoungBoy Never Broke Again.

Yeat is currently on his North American tour, which started on March 1 and includes 27 stops in cities like Atlanta, New Orleans, Houston, Las Vegas and Los Angeles before closing out on April 12 in Morrison, Colo.

Last week, Yeat made the headlines after photos surfaced of the Washington rapper without his balaclava mask on. Fans were surprised at what the buzzing rhymer actually looks like.

See Video of Someone's Dad Crowd-Surfing at a Yeat Concert BelowRead 10 Wild Stories That Took Place During Hip-Hop ToursFiled Under: YeatCategories: News


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Danny Brown revealed he is going to seek help at a rehab facility.

On Tuesday (March 28), the Detroit rapper shared the update on Twitter after fans responded to him recently claiming his album has been shelved for two years during a recent episode of The Danny Brown Show.

"Aye chill out with all the #FreeDanny sh*t I was drunk and talking sh*t and that’s why my dumb a*s is checking into treatment tomorrow got nothing but love for dart and warp so chill out the album is mastered," Danny tweeted.

When a fan reminded the rapper of how he was wildin' on the show, Danny doubled down.

"That’s why alcohol is something I need to be done with cause it makes me hurt the people that care the most," he added.

Earlier this month, Danny teased his rehab stint during a show at SXSW.

“At the end of the day, I’m 42 years old, sitting around smoking blunts all day, and getting drunk is getting old," he explained to concertgoers in a moment of vulnerability. "Y’all have y’all fun but sh*t could get dark. I’m going to get help. Honestly, my dumba*s supposed to been gone, but I’m broke so I gotta do shows to take my a*s in, so shoutout to Dr. Martens."

"Ima go do my lil time," he added. "But I will say this, I made so many songs about doing drugs … sometimes I feel bad about that shit … if I fu**ed your life up, I’m sorry."

Danny Brown is on the heels of dropping his joint project with JPEGMAFIA, Scaring the H*es, on March 24.

See Danny Brown Revealing He Is Heading to Rehab Today BelowSee the Definitive List of Bizarre Tweets From RappersFiled Under: Danny BrownCategories: News


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Jay-Z missed out on a chance to be on one of the biggest songs in streaming history, Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You," after Hov "respectfully" declined the request.

On Tuesday (March 28), Rolling Stone shared its latest cover story interview with the British singer-songwriter who spilled the tea on his ill-fated attempt to get Hov on his 2017 hit song.

"We were in touch," Sheeran told RS of his pursuit of a Jay-Z 16. "I sent him the song, and he said, 'I don’t think the song needs a rap verse.' He was probably right. He’s got a very, very good ear. He usually gets things right. It was a very natural, respectful pass."

Jigga may have been correct. "Shape of You," which was on Ed's 2017 ÷ album, went on to peak at No. 1 in 34 countries including the Billboard Hot 100 chart, where it stayed for 12 non-consecutive weeks. It became the first song to hit 2 billion streams on Spotify. The single won the Grammy award for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 2018 Grammy Awards. The music video has nearly 6 billion streams on YouTube.

This isn't the first time Ed Sheeran missed out on an opportunity to be on a record with Jay-Z. Back in 2019, Stormzy revealed he turned down a Jay-Z verse on his collab track with Ed Sheeran, "Take Me Back to London."

Getting a Jay-Z verse is not an easy task, especially these days. Jay-Z only appeared on a few songs in 2022 including Pusha-T's "Neck and Wrist" and DJ Khaled's "God Did."

See 50 of the Most Clever Hip-Hop LyricsFiled Under: Ed Sheeran, Jay-ZCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 28, 2023Prince Williams/ Scott Dudelson/Getty Images (2)

Metro Boomin is teasing a new joint album with Dreamville's JID.

Metro Boomin has been riding high off the release of his second No. 1 album Heroes & Villains and reports of a new project with Future coming soon. Now, it looks like Young Metro has another joint effort in the works. The Atlanta-based super producer revealed the news via his Instagram Story on Tuesday (March 28). Sharing a photo of himself and JID cooking up in the studio, Metro dropped the bombshell in what he wrote over the picture.

"Me and [JID] album incredible," he wrote along with four fire emojis and a dizzy face emoji.

Metro doubled down on Twitter, posting the same photo and writing, "Got a lot of new music coming but when me and @JIDsv drop [four fire emojis, dizzy emoji]."

JID concurred on Instagram, posting the same photo on his Instagram Story with the caption, "Bruh," along with flex and palm to face emojis.

JID's manager Barry Johnson commented on the news on his own Instagram post of the studio photo, adding it to JID's list of recent accomplishments.

"@jidsv has been busy!" Johnson wrote. "Coming off 39 sold out tour dates around the US. Adding more show dates to our Euro run with @earthgang features on the UK leg. A #MarchMadness show appearance along side of @theestallion @omar.apollo for the #FinalFour in Houston. A platinum single 'Surround Sound' with @21savage @imbabytate. A Gold single 'Options' with @dojacat. To yesterday winning our first @iheartradio award for 'Alternative song of the year' with @imaginedragons. To @metroboomin teases the fans about @jidsv x @metroboomin collabo project. I’ll say been an amazing month and a great start to the year for @jidsv @zekest80s."

Earlier this month, Metro confirmed his joint album with Future will be coming out this year during an interview with FLAUNT magazine after teasing the project previously. The project could follow up the producer's Heroes & Villains album, which dropped last December. JID released his critically acclaimed The Forever Story album last summer.

See Metro Boomin's Post Teasing a Joint Album With JID BelowSee 50 of the Most Clever Hip-Hop LyricsFiled Under: JID, Metro BoominCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 28, 2023Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

Kanye West saying he likes Jewish people again after seeing Jewish actor Jonah Hill perform in the film 21 Jump Street isn't sitting right with at least one watchdog group who is calling the rapper out.

On Tuesday (March 28), TMZ spoke with watchdog group StopAntisemitism executive director Liora Rez who blasted Ye's assertions that all is well because the rapper liked a movie starring a Jewish actor.

"Joking about a movie with Jonah Hill is not the apology that the Jewish people deserve from Kanye, particularly when his antisemitic tirades continue to have a dangerous trickle-down effect of hatred against Jews," Rez told TMZ.

Rez's retort comes after Kanye West implied he no longer has hate toward Jewish people because seeing Jonah Hill in the 2012 film 21 Jump Street made him see a new light.

"Watching Jonah Hill in 21 Jump Street made me like Jewish people again," Kanye wrote on Instagram on March 25. "No one should take anger against one or two individuals and transform that into hatred towards millions of innocent people."

"No Christian can be labeled antisemite knowing Jesus is Jew," he continued, before closing with, "Thank you Jonah Hill I love you."

StopAntisemitism has called out Ye before. Last year, the group named Ye Anti-Semite of the Year following months of anti-Semitic rants.

"Congratulations to Kanye West, disgraced rapper and fashion mogul, for being voted 2022 Antisemite of the Year," the group announced on Twitter in a video montage. "Kanye West's threats of violence, hateful conduct and hate speech all led to him winning this year's title. Mazel Tov Kanye West for propagating the most Jew hatred in 2022 and winning this year's dishonor," the video concluded.

Kanye has been keeping a relatively lower profile in 2023 after a chaotic fourth quarter of 2022. In January, he reportedly married Yeezy designer Bianca Censori.

See the Definitive List of Bizarre Tweets From RappersFiled Under: Kanye WestCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/joeyech/” rel=”author”>Joey EchPublished: March 28, 2023Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

Another posthumous Mac Miller album is apparently on the way.

On Monday (March 27), Brooklyn rappers Talib Kweli and Amani Fela joined renowned producer Madlib for an interview on Shade 45's Sway in the Morning to chat music and drop some bars in the cypher. 

During an in-depth discussion about Talib Kweli and Madlib's recently released joint album, Liberation 2, the California-bred musician-beatmaker made a revelation that is sure to excite Mac Miller's legion of loyal fans. Madlib announced that he is currently putting the final touches on an upcoming collab project with the late member of the 2011 XXL Freshman Class, an offering that the Bandana producer says has been given the go-ahead from Mac's estate.

"Right now, I'm finishing up the Mac Miller album, Planet Asia album, Erykah Badu album, different stuff," Madlib told Sway when running down what he's got cooking post-Liberation 2.

From there, the conversation stayed on the topic of Mac Miller and the forthcoming posthumous collaboration. Sway asked Madlib to expound on the details.

"Is that the same [Mac Miller] project that was mentioned years ago after he passed that was never released?" Sway asked around the 5:27-mark in the video below as Madlib confirmed the news. "So the estate is down now?"

As everyone in the room clapped and cheered in excitement, Madlib replied, "Yeah, they're down."

From there, Sway connected the dots by pointing out the fact that an unreleased Mac Miller verse was actually featured on Talib Kweli and Madlib's Liberation 2 album, to which point Talib shed some light on how the song "Right to Love Us" all came together.

"Me and Mac Miller both rhymed to the same Madlib beat at the same time at different places," Talib Kweli explained. "When we found that out, we were like, 'Well now it's a song together.'"

Talk of the upcoming Mac Miller and Madlib album in question first came to light back in 2019, about five months after the Swimming MC tragically died of a drug overdose in September of 2018. In an interview with DJ Booth at the time, Mac Miller's dear friend, producer Thelonius Martin, let it slip that Malcolm and Madlib made an album called Maclib together that was yet to be released.

However, about one month later, Madlib confirmed that Maclib did in fact exist only to explain in a statement that there were no set plans to drop the project as of March of 2019. According to Fader, Madlib's official statement has since been deleted from the producer's website.

While it hasn't been determined as to whether or not the upcoming album will remain with the title Maclib, the joint effort with Madlib will mark Mac Miller's second posthumous LP following Circles, which was released by Mac's estate in January of 2020.

See Madlib Announce That a New Mac Miller Album Is on the Way in the Sway in the Morning Video BelowSee 50 of the Greatest Hip-Hop Album CoversFiled Under: Mac Miller, MadlibCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 28, 2023Oakland County Jail

42 Dugg has released a statement in the wake of news coming out that he is facing up to five more years in prison after pleading guilty to failure to surrender.

On Tuesday (March 28), 42 Dugg shared a message with his 2 million Instagram followers, giving an update on his thoughts about facing more prison time.

"A lot of these n***as got get out of jail free cards, I guess cause I'm turnt I gotta go through the worst!!!" he wrote in his Instagram Story.

He added, "Death before dishonor. #FREEDEMBOYZ."

42 Dugg, born Dion Hayes, is currently serving time at the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta. As previously reported, last week, news broke that the rapper and his attorneys had pleaded guilty in his failure to surrender case back in February. He is now facing up to five years in prison. However, the court is recommending six additional months in prison for the transgression. In addition, he may be under up to three years of supervised release and will have to pay a maximum fine of $250,000. 42 Dugg's sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 10.

The case stems from Dugg originally being arrested in a federal gun probe in March of 2020. Later that year, he was convicted of being a felon in possession of a firearm and sentenced to six months at a federal West Virginia prison camp. He was scheduled to begin his sentence on April 12, 2022 but didn't show up. He was arrested the following month by federal agents at an airport in Detroit for failure to surrender.

He initially pleaded not guilty and claimed he is a sovereign citizen and does not have to comply with federal law. With the excuse not cutting it in court, Dugg has now pleaded guilty and will be accepting his penalty.

See 42 Doug's Instagram Statement From Prison Below42 Dugg release statement from prison.42_dugggg/Instagramloading…See Rappers Named After Notorious Crime FiguresFiled Under: 42 DuggCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 28, 2023Keystone-France/Kevin Mazur/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images (2)

Over the past few months, Ice Spice fans have been absurdly connecting the Bronx, N.Y. rapper to civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. in memes about the March on Washington.

The odd trend appears to have started back in December of 2022. In one tweet on the topic, a Twitter user posted a photoshopped image of Ice Spice at the 1963 March on Washington where MLK gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech.

"If the party still segregated then why would I go?" the photo is captioned, semi-quoting a lyric from Ice Spice's "Bikini Bottom."

The Ice Spice-MLK mashup memes and comments immediately drew questions.

"I’m sorry I’m not understanding the analogy and/or the joking comparison between ice spice and Martin Luther King.,,,do I gotta listen to her music to understand? cuz I’m more of a glorilla k carbon type of girl!!!" a Twitter user responded to the trend. 

The strange trend has continued. One meme shows Ice Spice backing it up on MLK at The March along with the caption, "How can I dream when I already drome? Like…"

Yesterday (March 27), another meme went viral showing a black-and-white image of Ice Spice with the caption, "A picture of my great grandma who marched with martin luther king."

 

While the memes seem to be light-hearted in nature, the world-renowned civil rights leader who was assassinated at the age of 39 on April 4, 1968 is a sensitive topic. Last September, DDG faced backlash for making a joke about Martin Luther King Jr. where the rapper commented that he thought racism was gone because MLK canceled it.

Ice Spice fans have been known to go all out in their support of the rapper. Back in February, a fan ran down and tried to give the rapper a bouquet of flowers outside an afterparty. During Ice's Rolling Loud California set earlier this month, a hysterical fan attempted to jump on stage and was manhandled by event security.

See Ice Spice-Martin Luther King Jr. Memes and Reactions BelowSee the Definitive List of Bizarre Tweets From RappersFiled Under: Ice Spice, Martin Luther King Jr.Categories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/joeyech/” rel=”author”>Joey EchPublished: March 28, 2023richforever/Instagram

Rick Ross has been on a whole mission to improve his combat skills and is now displaying the results in the form of a hilarious training video.

On Monday (March 27), Rick Ross hit up his famous Instagram Story to show off the work he's been putting in both on the mat and in the ring. The biggest boss wants the world to know that when it comes time to throw down, Rozay is ready and willing with the fists, the feet and of course, the words.

"You see, when I go wild, ’cause I don't want to train just to be training in the streets, ain't no… all that tap s**t," Rick Ross said in the video below seemingly in reference to the Muay Thai kickboxing pads his trainer is wielding. "I go buck wild. So if you don't know me, when I nut up on you, it's what I'ma say, which is gon' be horrendous. Then, I'ma jump with the punch—hiyah!"

After hitting the person holding the camera with a fierce and apparently effective jumping front kick, the video demonstration continues and this time, Rick Ross puts his punching power and in-ring footwork to the test all the while, talking his smack.

"So when I start training at this intensity level, I take my shows off, so I don't kick my homie like that," continued Rozay. "Another n***a, I ain't gon’ spare you, I'ma kick you. I'ma kick you and punch you in the head. So come on, n***a."

After an impressive display of the hands with his trainer, the Maybach Music Group rapper-exec finishes off the comical sparring session with a swift low kick in his sensei's general direction as he declares, "You don't want none of me."

This isn't the first time Rick Ross and his hand-to-hand combat techniques have been on display. Back in April of 2022, Unified Welterweight World Champion boxer Errol Spence Jr. made note of Ricky's punching power while ranking rappers who have the best hands.

"I seen Rozay do his stuff," said Errol Spence Jr. in an interview with XXL. "He had a whole bunch of clips of him doing that. His one-two seems solid, too. Like, if he hits you, he'll put you down. Especially [in] other clips. It looks like he's kinda tired in this one. But them other ones when he be throwing that one-two, them boys be hard. He's sounding off. He be going. His footwork needs improvement and he needs to calm down a little bit. He's a little bit too hype. But yeah I definitely see some improvement."

The hysterical footage below of Rick Ross' training session comes just about a week after the Teflon Don MC took it upon himself to explain to his angry neighbors that the roaming buffaloes Rozay has on his Promise Land property are "peaceful" and they have nothing to worry about.

Watch Rick Ross Show Off His Kickboxing Skills in the Hilarious Training Video BelowSee Rappers Named After Notorious Crime FiguresFiled Under: Rick RossCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 28, 2023Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

Flavor Flav is a big Taylor Swift fan and the Public Enemy rapper finally fulfilled his wish to meet the pop star.

On Monday (March 27), Flavor Flav attended the 2023 iHeartRadio Music Awards at Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, Calif., where he made it clear on multiple occasions that one of his objectives was to finally meet Taylor at the event.

"I love me some Taylor Swift, man. Always did, you know what I'm saying. Word up," Flavor Flav told one Billboard reporter on the red carpet for the event while wearing a shirt that read "I come back harder than a '90s trend," a lyric from Taylor's song "Willow." "Yo, check this out. I heard Taylor Swift keeps her clock on 12. Just like mines. And the reason I keep my clock on 12, is because 12 o'clock points straight up. Everyday, I'm straight up with you."

In a second red carpet interview, Flav doubled down on his excitement to meet Taylor.

"I always loved Taylor Swift's music. I'm here to support her. I'm here to support my girl," Flav added. "I got 'good blood,'" he continued, referencing the Taylor track "Bad Blood." "I ain't got no bad blood, today. I got the good blood, you know what I'm saying. Word up. On the strength. But I want to meet her, too, one day…I hope to meet her. I just want to shake her hand. I just want to shake her hand, take a picture with her. Let her know I'm from Long Island just like you. I love all of her music, man."

Flav got his chance to meet Taylor at the event. Inside the award show, Flav ran into Taylor and the duo took a selfie.

"FLAVOR FLAV::: I come back stronger than a 90s trend," Flav captioned the photo on Instagram, which shows him grinning from ear-to-ear with Taylor Swift at his side.

Twitter users have been weighing in on the revelation that Flavor Flav is a Swiftie.

"I didn’t have Flavor Flav being a swiftie, wearing a Taylor Swift lyric inspired shirt to the iHeartRadio Award, and getting a picture with her on my 2023 bingo card," one Twitter user posted.

"Flavor flav fangirling over taylor swift at the i heart radio music awards, wearing a shirt with lyrics from willow, and having his clock necklace set to midnight is just …. everything," another person posted. "And i am happy he got to meet her. if one of us got to, im glad it was him."

Taylor Swift took home multiple trophies at the award show including Song of the Year, Best Lyrics, TikTok Bop of the Year and Favorite Use of a Sample.

See More Reactions to Flavor Flav Being a Swiftie BelowSee 20 of the Best-Selling Hip-Hop Albums of All TimeFiled Under: Flavor Flav, taylor swiftCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 28, 2023dkakademiks/Instagram

6ix9ine is back outside. However, he's reportedly in a whole other country.

On Monday (March 27), video surfaced of 6ix9ine in Cuba. In the clip, the Brooklyn, N.Y. rapper-federal informant is in a rural area in the city of Pinar del Rio. He is walking up an embankment wearing a large hat and an unbuttoned shirt. He is greeted warmly by multiple people once he reaches the top.

"6ix9ine again in Cuba but with a different style," the words on the video read, according to Google translate.

The last time 6ix9ine was spotted on camera, he was being jumped in a LA Fitness bathroom. As previously reported, back on March 21, videos surfaced of Tekashi being assaulted by three men who beat on the security-less rapper for well over a minute, leaving him hospitalized.

The beating was the talk of the internet all last week, with many people, including Boosie BadAzz, seeing the incident as 6ix9ine's comeuppance for snitching on his former associates in the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods gang.

The motive for the beating is unclear, however. Police have released a statement about the assault and asked for the pubic's assistance in catching those responsible. In the days since the assault, people like Wack 100 and Jim Jones have weighed in on the incident. 6ix9ine has also been offered tips on how to avoid further bathroom beatings.

There is some speculation that the beating had something to do with 6ix9ine getting into an argument at a baseball game just days prior. There has been radio silence from the normally vocal rapper since the assault.

See Video of 6ix9ine Resurfacing in Cuba BelowSee Rappers Named After Notorious Crime FiguresFiled Under: 6ix9ineCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 27, 2023Jeff Hahne/Kim Hairston/Getty Images (2)

Meek Mill reportedly has the inside scoop on what Lamar Jackson is thinking about his current contract woes with the Baltimore Ravens and Meek's spilling the beans to his good pal, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft.

On Monday (March 27), Meek Mill started trending on Twitter after a tweet from NBC Boston senior NFL reporter Albert Breer went viral. The tweet reported that the Patriots owner revealed Meek told Kraft that Lamar told Meek personally that he wants to play for the storied franchise.

"Patriots owner Robert Kraft said Meek Mill texted him three or four days ago saying Lamar Jackson wanted to come to New England," Breer's tweet reads. "Kraft responded that would be Bill Belichick’s decision."

People on Twitter have been commenting on Meek's middle-man move.

"Do we really think Lamar wants to play here? The source is meek mill guys… meek mill," one person wrote.

"Robert Kraft and Meek Mill are close," another post reads. "He did a wedding for Kraft and Kraft even tried to get him released from prison. Kraft has told multiple reporters that Lamar wanted to come to New England. Can you blame him? I lived in Baltimore for 15 years. It's a slum!"

"He did not say he wants to be here. This is here say," someone else commented on the subject. "'Meek mill said it' did lamar actually say this? Nope. Haven't seen it come from his own mouth. Lmao."

Lamar Jackson has been in ongoing contract negotiations with the Ravens that have yet to be fully resolved. Earlier this month, the team designated the former MVP quarterback with a non-exclusive franchise tag. In doing so, the team is allowing him to negotiate with other teams. If the Ravens don't match the offer, another team can sign him for two first-round draft picks. The Meek Mill news comes on the heels of reports that Lamar recently requested a trade from Baltimore.

See Reactions to Meek Mill's Alleged Text to Robert Kraft About Lamar Jackson BelowSee Hip-Hop Album Cover Art Fans Hated Over the Last Few YearsFiled Under: Lamar Jackson, Meek Mill, robert kraftCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 27, 2023Thaddaeus McAdams/Getty Images/Druski/Instagram

50 Cent is clowning Druski after seeing a viral video of the comedian falling on stage during a recent show.

Over the weekend, video of Druski performing at a comedy show went viral due to the funnyman falling while performing in front of a crowd. In the clip, Dru is walking down a set of steps when the last one gives way and sends the comedian falling backward awkwardly on his leg. Druski crawls around on the stage before the video cuts off.

Druski joked the moment on Twitter on March 25.

"Broke my damn Ankle chasing that White Chocolate," Druski tweeted, referencing him walking after a White woman when the incident happened. "Idk who im Suing yet but THEY'RE FUCKED."

He also shared a photo of himself being pushed in a wheelchair with his foot in a medical boot. He also posted a picture of his head photoshopped on Drake's character from Degrassi who was wheelchair-bound after being shot.

On Sunday (March 26), 50 Cent caught wind of the video and reposted it on his Twitter page.

"Nobody told me Druski died, i send my condolences to his family and loved ones," 50 joked. "Boy WTF happens here? who put that last step there like that? LOL Somebody gotta die!"

50 Cent wasn't the only one who had jokes for Druski for the viral video. Twitter had a field day.

"His fall funny asf but his leg dead almost split in half, ya can see if his leg was a big more bent it would’ve snapped," one person tweeted.

"Damm broke his back ankles in one fall dammmmmmmmmm," another person wrote.

"Why druski fall in slow motion like that," another Twitter user added with several crying laughing emojis.

See Video of Druski Falling and Reactions BelowSee the Definitive List of Bizarre Tweets From RappersFiled Under: 50 Cent, DruskiCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 27, 2023Cole Burston/Thaddaeus McAdams/Getty Images (2)

Drake is catching heat after he canceled his set at 2023 Lollapalooza Brasil but was spotted partying with 50 Cent in Miami the night before.

Drake was set to headline the annual showcase in São Paulo, Brazil on Sunday (March 26). However, that day, the festival released a statement announcing Aubrey would not be showing up and would be replaced by Skillrex.

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, Drake is without members of his sound and production team, essential for the realization of the Lallapalooza show in Sao Paulo," the statement reads, according to Google translate. "Drake was excited to perform for his fans in Brazil. Unfortunately, this is out of his control. Sorry."

The festival also announced it will be giving out refunds.

The night prior, Drake was captured on video partying with 50 Cent for his birthday celebration at Booby Trap on the River in Miami, leaving some fans pissed off that Drake could party the night away at a strip club but not show up to perform.

"DRAKE CANCELLED HIS HEADLINING SLOT AT LOLLAPALOOZA BRAZIL SO HE COULD GO TO THE CLUB IN MIAMI WITH 50 CENT," one person posted on Twitter. "GRINGOS IN FUCKING LATIN AMERICA. I HATE Y'ALL."

"The flight that left Bogotá to take Drake to São Paulo was suddenly diverted to Miami. Logistical problems were alleged to be able to perform in Brazil and now this video of him partying with 50 Cent is coming out," another person posted with a side-eye emoji.

"Drake canceled his show at lolla brasil to GO TO 50 CENT'S BIRTHDAY I can't believe it," someone else commented.

XXL has reached out to Drake's team for comment.

Drake is prepping for his It's All a Blur Tour with 21 Savage, which is set to start in June.

See Video of Drake Partying With 50 Cent in Miami and Reactions BelowRead 10 Wild Stories That Took Place During Hip-Hop ToursFiled Under: 50 Cent, DrakeCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/joeyech/” rel=”author”>Joey EchPublished: March 27, 2023UMG Recordings/Interscope/Never Broke Again LLC/Motown Records/NLE Choppa Entertainment/Warner Records

With the first quarter of 2023 already in the books, things are heating up all across the rap game when it comes to new music releases. The celebration of hip-hop's 50th year carries on in April with drops from all facets of the industry.

In a practice that he refers to as a "disease," YoungBoy Never Broke Again looks to continue along his impressive path of consistently hitting fans with release after release this April in the form of his upcoming album, Don't Try This At Home. On March 21, the Louisiana-bred spitter hit up his discreet personal Twitter page to unveil the release date and cover art for his next LP.

"Album: Don't Try This At Home," tweeted NBA YoungBoy. "Tracks: 33. Release Date: April 21, 2023."

Don't Try This At Home's April 21 release follows YoungBoy Never Broke Again's most recent full-length album, I Rest My Case, which dropped in January right at the onset of 2023. In speaking on the forthcoming 33-track album back in February, YB explained what his rabid fan base can expect with the new sounds.

"I'ma talk crazy on there [Don't Try This At Home]," NBA YoungBoy told the Rap Radar podcast on Feb. 16. "I'ma show you Murda Man. I'ma talk crazy on there, but I'm letting you know though, don't try this at home. It's all entertainment, bruh. I'ma talk my s**t and everything I'm talking, letting you know, don't try this at home."

After delaying the release of his next studio LP twice since it was first announced last fall, Chief Keef is finally slated to come through on April 14 with Almighty So 2. The Chicago drill icon's fifth full-length album will serve as the sequel to his classic 2013 album, Almighty So, which DJ Scream hosted.

Almighty So 2 has been previewed by two singles that are expected to be included on the album, "Racks Stuffed Inna Couch" and "Tony Montana Flow." While Chief Keef hasn't dropped a new album since, 4NEM, which dropped back in December of 2021, the upcoming 17-track LP follows the complete edition of 2012's Finally Rich from December of last year. To celebrate the 10-year anniversary of his highly regarded debut project, Chief Keef added seven new joints to round out Finally Rich (Complete Edition) including "Kush With Them Beans," "OB4L" and "Rider" featuring Wiz Khalifa.

NLE Choppa returns with the release of his second album, Cottonwood 2, which is the sequel to his original project of the same name, which dropped in 2019. Leading up to the release, the Memphis rapper delivered a bevy of singles. Songs like "Slut Me Out," "Champions," and his viral hit "Do It Again," featuring 2 Rare, all appear on the LP. Choppa's latest single, "Mo Up Front," features the 20-year-old rapper boasting effortlessly about getting money.

Another track, the Lil Wayne-assisted "Ain't Gonna Answer" flips Weezy's 2006 song "Stuntin' Like My Daddy" (with Baby) and Juvenile's classic 1998 booty anthem "Back That Azz Up." Wayne also appears in the accompanying music video, which pays homage to the Cash Money era and his Tha Carter II album.

While shooting the video, NLE Choppa gave Lil Wayne his flowers at the set. See below.

Check out all the April 2023 new hip-hop album releases including drops from Rae Sremmurd, Jermaine Dupri and Curren$y, Yung Bleu, Black Thought and more below.

See April 2023 New Music ReleasesFiled Under: black thought, Chief Keef, Curren$y, currensy, DJ Drama, DJ Muggs, Fivio Foreign, Ill Bill, Jermaine Dupri, Madlib, mayhem lauren, NBA YoungBoy, NF, NLE Choppa, Prof, Rae Sremmurd, Rittz, They., YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Yung Bleu, Yungmorpheus, zombie juiceCategories: Music, New Music, News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/trentfitzgerald/” rel=”author”>Trent FitzgeraldPublished: March 27, 2023Paras Griffin/Getty Images

Pras Michel's conspiracy trial begins today in Washington, D.C.

Jury selection in Pras Michel's conspiracy trial began on Monday (March 27) in Washington, D.C. The former Fugees member faces several charges including conspiracy, witness tampering and failing to register as an agent of China, according to an NPR report.

Prosecutors alleged that Pras was the middleman for two sets of alleged crimes. The first involved an illegal plan to invite people to attend a fundraiser for Barack Obama during the 2012 presidential campaign and reimburse them $40,000 apiece using foreign sources of money for the cost of the tickets. The embattled musician is accused of threatening people if they report the scheme to authorities.

The second alleged wrongdoing Pras is accused of consists of him creating a secret lobbying campaign to help Malaysian billionaire Jho Low put pressure on American justice officials and White House officials when his fraud scheme unraveled and to help the Chinese government "secure the return" of a dissident who was living inside the U.S. and developing close ties with former Trump adviser Steve Bannon.

"The defendant, Prakazrel Michel, received over $100 million from Jho Low, a foreign fugitive responsible for one of the largest embezzlement schemes in history, to use backchannel influence to convince the then-President of the United States to drop a federal investigation into Low and to agree to the extrajudicial removal of a Chinese exile living in the United States," wrote prosecutors John Keller, Sean Mulryne and Nicole Lockhart.

Low is reportedly a fugitive from justice and believed to be living in China with his family, so the 50-year-old rhymer is standing trial on his own.

According to his defense, Pras believed he was acting in the interests of the United States when he met with a Chinese minister at the Four Seasons hotel in New York in 2017.

"Defendant continues to deny he was acting as an agent for China and denies he willfully and knowingly acted as a secret agent under the direction and control of China when he approached the FBI," defense lawyers David Kenner and Charles Haskell stated in court documents this month.

XXL has reached out to Pras' attorney David Kenner for comment.

The New York Post reports that in 2019, the feds offered Pras a plea deal. This consisted of him pleading guilty, and authorities returning a small amount of the $74 million they seized from his bank accounts in 2018. However, Pras declined the offer.

If convicted on all charges, Pras Michel faces 22 years in prison.

See 44 of the Longest Prison Bids in Hip-Hop HistoryC-Murder, Max B, B.G. and more.Filed Under: pras, Pras MichelCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/cvernoncoleman/” rel=”author”>C. Vernon Coleman IIPublished: March 27, 2023Johnny Nunez/Getty Images

Blueface is facing a civil lawsuit from a woman who claims she was injured at a Las Vegas strip club on the night the rapper is accused of firing shots outside the venue.

On March 23, local Las Vegas news channel CBS 8 News reported Jasmine Brooks is suing the rapper and the now defunct Euphoric Gentlemen’s Club over the incident, which occurred on Oct. 8, 2022. According to the lawsuit obtained by the outlet, Brooks claims she "sustained injuries to her body, specifically her face as a result of defendants’ inadequate, unreasonable and egregiously deficient security of the property."

The lawsuit reportedly does not specify how Brooks was injured but adds Blueface "breached his duty of reasonable care by carrying and firing a firearm into a crowded room of people."

"At all relevant times, [the gentlemen’s club] allowed defendant Blueface to be a guest on their premises while in possession of an unidentified firearm," her lawsuit continues.

Brooks is reportedly seeking a jury trial and more than $15,000 in damages.

As previously reported, Blueface was arrested on Nov. 15, 2022 and charged with attempted murder for the October incident where a patron of the club claimed he was jumped by the rapper's crew after making a joke about their car. Things allegedly escalated outside when the alleged victim reportedly approached the rapper and his crew in his truck as they were leaving and asked "Who hit me?" When someone ran up to the truck, the driver sped off. That's when Blueface is accused of firing shots in the truck's direction.

Later video surfaced that appeared to showmBlueface and his crew leaving the club and a truck swerving near them. A man in the video identified as Blueface then appears to shoot at the vehicle as it speeds off.

The club's license was revoked a week after the shooting and they were shut down. They have since also reportedly sued Blueface, blaming their license revocation on Blueface's actions that night.

XXL has reached out to Blueface's team for comment.

See Rappers Named After Notorious Crime FiguresFiled Under: BluefaceCategories: News


href=”//www.xxlmag.com/author/joeyech/” rel=”author”>Joey EchPublished: March 27, 2023Jeff Kravitz/Getty Images

Doja Cat is responding to claims that she is "encouraging" young fans to change their bodies with plastic surgery.

On Sunday (March 26), Doja Cat hit up Twitter to continue along her recently established escapade in which the Planet Her rapper has been intentionally doing "weird" things on social media and leaning into the fact that people often accuse her of being part of the Illuminati.

After tweeting out a video created by Loudwire back in 2020 regarding the subject of Satanism in heavy metal music, Doja Cat's apparent trolling session was met with a request based on the decision she made last week to surgically enhance her breasts.

"Haha c:," Doja Cat tweeted on Sunday seemingly highlighting Loudwire's video titled "The Truth About Satanism in Metal."

To that, one Doja Cat fan replied: "We want to see your new boobies."

With Doja Cat only just having had plastic surgery within the past couple of weeks, the Grammy award-winning "Woman" artist explained that she and her newly augmented body are still in recovery mode.

"They're swollen," casually replied Doja Cat in response to the request.

At that point, the interaction between Doja Cat and her inquisitive admirer took a contentions turn when another Twitter user, who goes by Selenallah, entered the conversation.

"Stop encouraging your young and impressionable fans to change their bodies," wrote the disgruntled social media user in the tweet below.

Never one to be out-trolled, the Los Angeles-born artist swiftly clapped back at the implication that she's a poor role model in true "Doja Cat" fashion.

Doja Cat replied: "Eat my long quiet and warm farts."

Doja's very unique yet effective shutdown comes about one week after revealing to her 5.5 million Twitter followers that the "Kiss Me More" rapper-singer had recently gone under the knife for surgery on her breasts as well as some liposuction.

"Got my t****es done and my cl*t bedazzled," Doja Cat announced in a series of tweets on March 20. "Feels ok. I got lipo so my thighs hurt a lot if I move too much. But I'm healing really fast."

Prior to receiving plastic surgery and liposuction, Doja Cat opened up on her philosophy behind always being ready and willing to engage in keyboard battles with her detractors online.

"A lot of people think I’m not good at handling trolls because I respond to them," said Doja Cat in an interview with Variety back in February. "But that’s the art of it: I love to go to f*****g war with trolls. That’s just what I’ve grown up with; I’ve been on the internet for 1,000 f*****g years and it’s just part of me: that I need to respond."

The insight into why she consistently engages with negative comments from social media users follows a long history of Doja Cat clap backs. In August of 2022, she denied having any sort of mental illness after shaving her head and eyebrows. Earlier this year, Doja Cat put together an elaborate ensemble at Paris Fashion Week that included applying a number of fake eyelashes to represent faux facial hair in response to being clowned for her eyebrows.

See Doja Cat's Response to Claims She's Encouraging Young Fans to Change Their Bodies With Plastic Surgery in the Tweet BelowSee the Definitive List of Bizarre Tweets From RappersFiled Under: Doja CatCategories: News