In a new spread for the North Kern State Prison, where he was transferred to earlier this week, Tory Lanez gave us this new…look.
Is that a perm?
Anyway, the Canadian will be serving 10 years in the pen. Mind you, he’d be serving four if he accepted the plea deal he was offered.
Let’s file this one under Unforced Errors.
Nicki Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty (a.k.a. Zoo Bang), has been placed on house arrest for up to 120 days after threatening Offset in a video posted online last week. It’s not sure why the threats were made, but there have been rumblings about an incident that took place at the MTV Video Music Awards last week, where Cardi B (Offset’s wife) and Nicki were both present. As you all know, Nicki and Cardi have had beef for years and almost came to blows in 2018.
Kenneth’s threats are a violation of his three-year probation, which began in July 2022 after he failed to register as a sex offender. In the official court documents, he is said to have made the threats “while in the company of someone with a criminal record.”
Amy Winehouse would’ve been 40 years old today. Not only does she share a birthday with Nas, she was a friend and a fan, and one of her most notable songs is a one about missing a Nas concert.
“Me & Mr. Jones” was inspired by the singer missing a Nas concert that took place in March 2005 in Brixton. At the time, she was working on what would become her breakthrough and final album, Back to Black. The song, written by Amy and produced by Salaam Remi, was originally titled “Fuckery.” It never became a single, but it is one of Amy’s best-known songs and was one of her favorite to perform live.
Long live Amy!
Today, just weeks after hip-hop turned 50, one of its greatest talents, Nasir Jones, also turns 50.
In June of ’96, Nas released “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” (featuring Lauryn Hill) as the lead single from his sophomore set, It Was Written. The song samples Kurtis Blow’s “If I Ruled the World,” taking the hook in a more conscious direction.
The greatness of Nas’ “If I Ruled the World” is that it manages to be somewhat of a club banger while being deeply political. While some of what Nas raps about is progressive, some of it is, err, a bit questionable, but it wouldn’t be Nas if there wasn’t a whiff of hotep garbage. All of that being said, “If I Ruled the World” is a solid track and one of the best to come of the genre. It’s also one of the greatest blends of hip-hop and R&B we have ever seen.
What’s better than one “it” girl? Two.
Three years after the chart-topping “WAP,” Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion are back at it with “Bongos.” And this time, Meg is credited the right way — as a co-lead.
“Bongos” doesn’t quite jump at you right away, but as the reggaeton-ish beat gets thicker, it starts to make sense. Also, Bardi and Meg are talking cash shit from start to finish, so even as you warm up to the beat, you’ll be entertained by their bars.
If you’re not impressed by the beat nor lyrics of “Bongos,” you will at least be impressed by the video. It is flush with colors, and if not for the bouncing asses, you might think it was a Fanta commercial (and I say that with love). Also, the general consensus is that one of the dance scenes looks similar to a scene in Beyoncé’s “Baby Boy” video.
The video has been watched more than 1.5 million times in the 12 hours since its release, so a top-five debut on next week’s Billboard Hot 100 is almost a guarantee. Press play.
Earlier today, an official statement was posted to the Love & Hip-Hop Instagram page regarding Erica Mena calling Spice a monkey.
While multiple outlets are reporting that Erica has been fired, it’s important to note that that’s not quite what they said. The statement says she will not appear on the next season of Love & Hip-Hop: Atlanta, which leaves the door open for her to returning after next season. It also leaves the door open for her going to another city in the Love & Hip-Hop franchise.
Nicki Minaj just dropped a new single — or the first single, depending on who you ask — from Pink Friday 2. “Last Time That I Saw You,” which feels like a song from the early 2010s, was written solely by the rapper, who is actually singing on most of the track.
The song doesn’t quite jump at you immediately — even after a half-dozen listens — but to be quite honest, neither did “Barbie World” and that has gone on to be a major hit.
Pink Friday 2, Nicki’s fifth LP, drops on November 17.
In 1995, Patra & Aaron Hall joined forces on the title track and third single from the former’s sophomore set, Scent of Attraction, and the end-product was an R&B/dancehall blend that makes you wanna see someone inna yuh bedroom tonight.
Based on a sample of Tom Scott’s “Shadows,” “Scent of Attraction” is a baby-making song with just enough beat to be played in a club. Aaron Hall is sangin’ down per usual while Patra rides the beat as only she can.
The song, much like its performers, never got the recognition it deserved, only managing to peak at No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100. However, as we all know, audiences sometimes get it wrong.
While performing last night on the LA stop of his Final Lap tour, an enraged 50 Cent (who was onstage with YG) tossed not one but two microphones because they were faulty. The second time, he actually launched the mic into the production area, and unfortunately, it hit Power 106 host Bryhana Monegain right in the forehead, leaving her bloodied.
She ended up being taken to the hospital. TMZ obtained photos of her injuries.
The radio host has since filed a police report and 50 Cent is now being investigated for criminal battery. She claims he looked right at her when he threw the mic.
The Miseduction of Lauryn Hill turns 25 years old tomorrow, so in honor of the classic, let’s revisit what has turned out to be its most iconic single, “Ex-Factor.”
Yes, “Doo Wop (That Thing)” was the album’s biggest hit by far, but in the two-and-a-half decades since its release, “Ex-Factor” has become the foremost track from Miseducation.
Written and produced — at least officially — by Lauryn Hill, the song is said to be about her relationship with ex-boyfriend and ex-bandmate, Wyclef Jean. It samples Wu-Tang Clan’s “Can It Be All So Simple,” which samples Gladys Knight & the Pips’ cover of Barbra Streisand’s “The Way We Were.”
It’s hard to listen to “Ex-Factor” without feeling like you’re going through a troubled relationship yourself. The lyrics are laced with pain and Ms. Hill’s vocal delivery is packed with emotion. If there was a Mount Rushmore of breakup songs, one spot would have to be reserved for “Ex-Factor.”
Though it only peaked at No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100, it has had an outsized impact over the years, sampled by everyone from Drake to Cardi B, and covered by everyone from Kelly Clarkson to Beyoncé. As we approach the 25th anniversary of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, we can safely crown “Ex-Factor” as Lauryn Hill’s signature hit.