On Wednesday, October 2nd, Locksmith, Demrick, and Jarren Benton performed at the Virgil, kicking off their Barcode tour. Locksmith delivered an impactful performance, showcasing hits from Ali, Lock Sessions, and his latest project, No Atheists in Foxholes. He made the night memorable by connecting with the audience. Demrick also brought the crowd together, emceeing the night and performing tracks from Came a Long Way, The Plot, and Payday
Jarren Benton electrified the night with his performances of “My Grandma’s Basement,” “Slow Motion,” and “Yuck Fou.” The evening also featured J. Lately, Oshea Boyd, and El Prez, making for a night filled with talented spitters.
Producer crew Team Demo enlist the talents of NY rap vets G. Dep and Kurious for a tough new single, “Adaptive,” that’s low-key been in the works since 2012.
The story behind this track is that it began to take shape more than a decade ago when G. Dep and Kurious had met at one of Tony Touch’s Funkbox events in NYC. The two chopped it up, hit it off, and decided to collaborate on a track, which led to G. Dep sending over his verse. The problem was that this was shortly before he turned himself in for a botched robbery attempt that turned deadly in 1993, which would mark the start of an 11 year bid that was commuted in December 2023.
“I wasn’t sure about releasing it like that, when he was gone,”Kurious said about the verse. “So when he came back, we had to let it out!” This led to the emcee sharing the record with Team Demo, who linked with frequent collaborator Yogi to add a hook and flesh it out into a full song.
The result is a dope bit of hip-hop history—and a hell of a single as well. “Adaptive” is available now through all major digital retailers and streaming platforms. The track is a loosie and not affiliated with a larger body of work, but be sure to check out Team Demo’s 2023 release, It’s a Demo.
Born on this date in 1971 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania as Tariq Luqmaan Trotter, Black Thought, the lead emcee of the legendary Hip Hop band The Roots, has created his key to success with simply one word; longevity.
Thought has always been regarded as one of the most lyrical post-Golden Era emcees, yet received very little recognition for his prowess outside of his work with the entire Roots band, which is now a staple of ‘The Tonight Show.’ This summer’s Streams Of Thought: Vol. 1 just further proves his “staying power” in any circles where rhymes are being spit.
Growing up in a Nation Of Islam household, Trotter’s family life was very cultured, leading him to seek knowledge among the Five Percent Nation in high school. There is where he met The Roots’ co-founder Amhir Thompson, whom they originally named the group The Square Roots.
Throughout the two-decade span of his illustrious career since The Roots debut in 1993, Thought has earned a Grammy win, appeared in two blockbuster films(Bamboozled, Brooklyn Babylon), and appeared on several groundbreaking albums.
On this day, The Source Magazine would like to salute Mr. Trotter on his Birthday, wishing him an enjoyable day and many more to come!
Don’t ask Rihanna if she was involved in one of Diddy’s freak-offs. While out on the town, paparazzi caught up to the Fenty Queen and asked if she had attended any of Diddy’s infamous parties. After not receiving a reply, the man asked, “Were you involved in any of the freak offs?”
Rihanna’s reply: “That’s crazy.”
Rihanna laughed and said “that’s crazy”after she was asked if she attended Diddy’s freak offs pic.twitter.com/8zlqwWF1u2
Kendrick Lamar has reached another major milestone as “Not Like Us,” ties the record for the longest-running No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Chart. According to Genius, the track has now spent 20 weeks at the top, equaling the previous record set by Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ smash hit “Old Town Road.”
In related news, Drake’s representatives have reportedly denied allegations that he sent Kendrick Lamar a cease-and-desist order to prevent him from performing the song “Not Like Us” at the 2024 Super Bowl halftime show.
These rumors surfaced after Wack 100 suggested that Drake attempted to prevent Lamar’s performance. Wack stated, “He’s trying to get the NFL to restrict Kendrick.”
Wack later clarified his remarks, explaining that he was merely repeating information he had come across. “I read a fcking clip,” Wack said. “I wouldn’t know if Drake sent a cease and desist. Why? Because I don’t represent Kendrick in business or Drake in business, so I wouldn’t know if a cease and desist happened. All I did was read a fcking clip.”
Moreover, a rep for Drake reportedly responded to the claims, saying they are “not true.” The source added, “There was never any intention or plan to send a cease and desist to anyone.”
ICYMI, Kendrick Lamar, who is set to perform at the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show, shared the news with fans earlier, introducing himself in a video: “What the deal everybody, my name is Kendrick Lamar… I’ll be performing at Super Bowl 59. Will you be pulling up?”
He continued and rather sarcastically, “I hope so. You know it’s only one opportunity to win a championship, right? No round twos. I wouldn’t want you to miss it. Meet me in New Orleans [on] February 9, 2025. Wear your best dress too, even if you’re watching from home. Let’s go.”
Lamar also captioned the announcement with, “Super Bowl LIX. New Orleans. February 2025. #AppleMusicHalftime.”
Beyoncé’s latest album, Cowboy Carter, is set to compete for Best Country Album at the upcoming Grammy Awards. The Recording Academy’s screening committee decided last week, a significant moment for the 43-year-old icon.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, this submission marks a new chapter in Beyoncé’s career, seven years after her 2016 track “Daddy Lessons” was rejected by the Academy’s country committee.
Cowboy Carter and its chart-topping single, “Texas Hold ‘Em,” received no nominations at last month’s CMA Awards and saw similar snubs at the People’s Choice Country Awards. Despite this, if Beyoncé receives a Best Country Album nod, it will be her first in the genre and add to her extensive record of Grammy nominations across multiple categories.
Beyoncé, the most decorated artist in Grammy history with 32 wins, has triumphed in R&B, rap, dance, and pop fields. Her potential competition in the Best Country Album category includes Post Malone, Chris Stapleton, Lainey Wilson, and Kacey Musgraves.
BlocBoy JB, born James Baker, was arrested on Tuesday after being found passed out behind the wheel of an SUV at a stoplight, according to police records. The 28-year-old artist faces multiple charges, including unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of a controlled substance.
Authorities say a state trooper spotted a red Mazda SUV stopped at a traffic light on North Germantown Parkway and Chickering Lane. According to Fox-13 Memphis, the vehicle remained unmoved through two full cycles of the signal, prompting the trooper to investigate. Court documents reveal that Baker was found unconscious in the driver’s seat with his foot on the brake and the car in drive. A handgun was discovered on his lap, and a plastic bag of marijuana was found nearby.
Baker was removed from the vehicle and taken into custody. He was later booked into the Shelby County jail with a $7,500 bond.
BlocBoy JB has a criminal history that includes a DUI conviction in 2018 and a marijuana-related conviction in 2020.
A past interaction between Diddy and Denzel Washington reportedly went wrong. According to an insider, Washington attended a party with his wife, Pauletta Washington, which led to a shouting match between the two.
According to an insider, this event happened in 2003, and Washington screamed, “You don’t respect anyone.”
“[He and Pauletta] had been partying until dawn, and they had seen something and stormed out,” the insider added.
A rep for neither star responded to Page Six, who initially reported.
While announcing forthcoming lawsuits of over 100 people who claim to be victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs, attorney Tony Buzbee stated there will be additional enablers to go down with the mogul.
“We will expose the enablers who enabled this conduct behind closed doors. We will pursue this matter no matter who the evidence implicates,” Buzbee said. “The day will come when we will name names other than Sean Combs, and there’s a lot of names. It’s a long list already, but because of the nature of this case, we are going to make damn sure — damn sure – that we’re right before we do that.”
He added, “The names will shock you.”
The lawsuits are expected to roll out across various states within the next 30 days and highlight those who were bystanders or encouraged the behavior. “I would imagine that as we speak here, there are a myriad of people who are very nervous. You can’t hide skeletons in the closet forever. I would expect there are many people out there right now who are desperately searching their memories as they delete their texts and data.”
Victims are allegedly as young as minors, including someone who was 9 years old.
Photo by ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock (10320795f)
Charles Barkley has officially launched Round Mound Media, according to a report from Variety on Tuesday. The new production company, created in partnership with EverWonder Studio and supported by Jeff Zucker’s RedBird IMI, aims to explore scripted, documentary, and live programming.
Barkley’s longtime manager, Marc Perman, will serve as President of Round Mound Media, which already has 10 projects in development, including a feature about Barkley’s life.
Despite the new venture, Barkley will continue his exclusive work with TNT Sports. However, per the report, Round Mound Media will “have a first look at all of Barkley’s sports-related projects developed with the company.”
With an ambitious lineup and Barkley’s larger-than-life personality, Round Mound Media is set to make a splash in the entertainment industry.
Shannon Amos, the daughter of late actor John Amos, states she found out about the death of her father online like the general public. Amos passed away in August.
Shannon Amos shared a message on Instagram: “We are devastated and left with many questions about how this happened 45 days ago, learning about it through the media like so many of you.”
“This should be a time of honoring and celebrating his life, yet we are struggling to navigate the wave of emotions and uncertainties surrounding his passing. Still, there is some semblance of peace in knowing my father is finally free. My family and I deeply appreciate the outpouring of love, calls, and texts. Please continue to hold our family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you.”
John Amos died at age 84. According to his son, K.C. Amos, he died on Aug. 21 in Los Angeles of natural causes.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share with you that my father has transitioned,” K.C. Amos said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. “He was a man with the kindest heart and a heart of gold… and he was loved the world over. Many fans consider him their TV father. He lived a good life. His legacy will live on in his outstanding works in television and film as an actor.”
John Amos built a career that spanned over five decades. Born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1939, Amos was best remembered for portraying James Evans Sr. on the groundbreaking TV series Good Times (1974–1976). As the strong, no-nonsense father in the first African American two-parent family on prime-time TV, Amos earned acclaim for his authentic depiction of a working-class father navigating life in a Chicago housing project.
Before Good Times, Amos starred as the beloved weatherman Gordy Howard on The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970–1973), showcasing his range in comedic roles. In 1977, he delivered a memorable performance in Roots, the Emmy Award-winning miniseries based on Alex Haley’s book. His portrayal of Kunta Kinte’s older self cemented his place in television history and earned him an Emmy nomination.
Amos also enjoyed success in film, with notable roles in movies like Coming to America (1988), where he played Cleo McDowell, the owner of McDowell’s restaurant. He reprised the role in the sequel Coming 2 America (2021).
Amos worked steadily in dramatic and comedic roles throughout his career, appearing in shows like The West Wing, Two and a Half Men, and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. His commanding presence and versatile talent earned him respect as one of Hollywood’s most enduring actors.
