Meek Mill is determined to join the fight against extreme violence both out in the real world and in his music. The Maybach Music Group rapper took to social media to let his fans know that he intends to stop discussing physical brutality in his lyrics once his nearly-finished project, Dreamchasers 4, is released.
“Don’t question my raps because it’s a life we lived and suffered from, I have a right to express my myself!” Meek is adamant that he will not rap about extreme violence once DC4 drops but says he will remain as committed as ever “to let my people know in these terrible environments to adapt and survive at any cost because US BLACK PEOPLE ARE STILL AT WAR WITH OURSELVES AND THE SYSTEM IN REAL LIFE!”
The country’s tragic explosion of violence over the last few weeks, including the deaths of Alton Sterling, Philando Castile, and several officers at a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, Texas, has inspired Meek to join many other artists in speaking out. He has been vocal in supporting the Black Lives Matter movement on social media, most recently sharing a post on Instagram encouraging his fans to hold other black celebrities accountable. “Stop focusing on non important shit and use your platform to bring attention to these foul ways some people believe we should b treated!” he captioned the post. “I seen a few celebs say 1 thing about it…This the most intense it has been in years don’t let up!!!! Pay attention to these people y’all look up to too! And jump on they ass and let them know we ‘see em’ THIS SHIT IS NOT A GAME!”
More than anything, it’s clear Meek is more than ready to make his comeback to music after a rough year in which he was sentenced to house arrest and six months of probation for violating the travel restrictions that were laid as part of his ongoing probation. Meek was ordered to stay in Philadelphia and was banned from performing, but a judge cleared Meek to release new music for free while finishing out his house arrest sentence. It sounds like he’s fully prepared to help foster change at a time when artists are stepping up to help heal this country through protest, rallies, and music.
Kevin Gates has once taken shots at the Black Lives Matter movement, calling it “bullshit” because of black on black crime.
“We kill each other,” he states in a video, which you can watch above. “But as soon as a white boy kill one of us, everybody going hooping and howling and all that stupid ass shit.” He then imitated people who ask him why he doesn’t support the movement, since he has been asked so many times why he feels the way he does. “When you stand for something, you gotta stand for it all the way, not halfway.”
The rapper doesn’t hold back in the video where he also goes on to say if blacks were not killed by whites, they would be killed by each other anyway. “Niggers hate on niggers. Niggers steal from niggers. Niggers kill niggers. Come on, man. Help yo brother, don’t hurt yo brother.”
At least 70 people are dead and an unknown number injured after a truck crashed into a large crowd at a Bastille Day celebration in Nice, France, according to Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi. The vehicle, a large box truck, rammed into a crowd watching the Bastille Day parade from the Promenade des Anglaisin, a famous Nice landmark. Authorities are reportedly calling it a terrorist attack, although it’s not immediately clear who is responsible.
Gunshots were also reported, but have not been confirmed. A Nice man named Wassim Bouhlel told the Associated Press that he saw the driver slam into the crowd and emerge shooting. Reports indicate that the driver was shot dead by police. According to ABC News, the city is currently on lockdown.
50 Cent stopped by Conan Wednesday night to promote season 3 of his Starz show, Power, which provided a perfect lead into a discussion about this year’s race for the White House.
Conan lead into the subject by mentioning Kanye West’s now infamous declaration that he will be running for president in 2020 on a platform that will be based on listening to the kids, bro. “Do you like the idea of Kanye being president?” Conan asked, which garnered an almost immediate response from 50 who noted, “I like the idea of him running,” before quickly putting his hand over his lip to prevent any facial giveaway of his other emotions.
The late night host couldn’t resist pressing further and asked 50 point blank if he thinks Kanye would make a good president. 50 showed his own gift for politics with a very diplomatic and perfectly vague answer. “I just…That’s a lot of responsibility” before making the immediate connection to his non-traditional style with that of the presumptive Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump.
Singer Christina Milian started trending on Twitter early Thursday morning, but not for the reasons she might have hoped.
Late Wednesday night, Milian let off a series of tweets that seemed to be about recent police shootings, given the references to “cell phone videos” and “injustice.”
The performance featured Chance the Rapper singing a tribute to the late boxer, accompanied by the band and singer Jamila Woods. Woods previously collaborated with Chance on the song “Sunday Candy.” The song was introduced by basketball legend Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The heartfelt ballad’s refrain said of Ali, “Ain’t no one prettier/ Ain’t no one wiser/ Ain’t no one better.”
The greatest mystery of our time, i.e. the real story behind Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo centerpiece “Famous,” rages on. In a fresh clip from this Sunday’s Keeping Up With the Kardashians, Kim Kardashian opens up a bit more about Taylor Swift’s alleged reluctance to admit the truth. Speaking with her sister Kourtney whilst resting on a couch you likely can’t find at IKEA, Kim also expressed her outrage at those who have blindly criticized Kanye’s every move since that whole VMAs thing.
“I never talk shit about anyone publicly, especially in interviews,” Kim said in the clip. “But I was just, like, I had so had it. I just felt like I wanted to defend him in it because it’s like, she legitimately quote says, ‘As soon as I get on that Grammy red carpet I’m gonna tell all the press. Like I was in on it.'” According to Kim, Taylor actually had very different plans in mind.
In 2015, Chicago’s hip hop duo The Cool Kids dropped a bomb on their loyal fanbase: Their highly anticipated Shark Week album was never going to drop. Why? Because The Cool Kids were “never coming back.”
But apparently, they’ve had a change of heart.
Chuck Inglish, one half of the duo, went on Twitter Wednesday night to announce he and Sir Michael Rocks would reunite under The Cool Kids moniker—and that this time, it’s for real. The Subvert Agency has also confirmed the news.
Though Chuck and Rocks have been working as solo artists over the last few years, the two decided to come back together after the slew of tragic events that took place this month. And they said they hope new music will help alleviate some of the pain.
Chuck said the duo will begin working on music once his new album releases. This should be exciting news for fans, as The Cool Kids haven’t dropped an album since 2011’s When Fish Ride Bicycles.
Beyoncé, Chance The Rapper, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, and More Star in Anti-Police Violence Video
Beyoncé, Chance The Rapper, Rihanna, A$AP Rocky, Janelle Monae, Common, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, and more are speaking out against police violence in America.
In a new video presented by Mic in collaboration with Alicia Keys and the We Are Here Movement, the artists and celebrities list the “23 Ways You Could Be Killed If You Are Black in America.” In a somber black and white visual, each person explains a way that you can be killed in America before showing the growing list of individuals who have been during routine traffic stops or just by going about your day.
“Failing to signal a lane change,” says Keys before the screen shows an image of Sandra Bland. “Riding in your girlfriend’s car with a child in the back,” explains Beyoncé before a picture of Philando Castile is shown. “Running in your bathroom to your own apartment,” “selling cigarettes outside of a corner store,” “walking home with a friend.” The deeply troubling, but very truthful list continues as each individual lends their voice to the simple, but emotionally disturbing visual.
The powerful video arrives at a crucial time for our country who is up in arms over the senseless and continual killings of blacks in America a week after Alton Sterling and Philando Castile were both shot and killed. Days later, a Black Lives Matter protest in Dallas, Texas erupted into pandemonium with several officers being shot and killed in the line of duty and other officers and civilians being injured.
In the past few weeks, artists have been utilizing their platform to speak up and mobilize support to create change. Drake penned an important note about the strained relationship between police and the black and brown communities. Jay Z, Miguel, Swizz Beatz, Mistah Fab, and and others released protest songs as a way to cope and inspire in the wake of tragedy. Snoop Dogg and The Game organized a peaceful protest to LAPD headquarters. Undoubtedly, this new video of artists explaining the urgent need to take action and heal America’s history of systemic racism will also help to fuel change.
Rappers always dream of getting randomly discovered on the street by a big name artist, getting plucked from obscurity to kick it with the hip-hop elite. Well, for Isa Muhammad, that’s exactly what happened. A few weeks back, a video of Isa rapping for none other than Rick Ross made the rounds on social media, with Isa spitting dense bars for the MMG boss. Ross seemed impressed in the video, and as it turned out, decided to bring Isa into the MMG crew off the strength of his freestyle.
Since then, Isa has been seen kicking it with MMG. He showed up at Ross’ pool party in Atlanta over 4th of July weekend, and has been making the rounds with some of MMG’s other members as well. During MMG Weekend, we spoke with Isa, who explained to us that he was actually homeless before he freestyled for Ross and they brought him into the crew.
It seems like Isa is living the street rapper dream. Pulled out of obscurity by a single impressive performance for an influential music mogul, he now has a big opportunity to make a name for himself in the industry. Clearly he’s someone to keep an eye out for.