Tag Archives: News Exclusives

Today in Hip Hop History: Kris Kross Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Totally Krossed Out’ 31 Years Ago

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On this day in Hip Hop history, Atlanta based tag-team Kriss Kross released their ridiculously successful debut album, Totally Krossed Out.

The album was the follow up to the mega-hit single Jump released in February of the same year. Largely written and produced by Jermaine Dupri, it took two years to produce the album after the musical concept for the group was conceptualized.

Totally Krossed Out was as successful as anyone could ask their debut album to be. The album claimed the #1 spot on both the Billboard 200 chart and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop chart and sold over four million copies in the year of its release. Two of the four singles released from the album, “Jump” and “Warm It Up” were both #1 Hot Rap Singles.

“Jump” is one of the biggest singles of its era. It claimed the #1 spot on the Eurochart Hot 100 as well as the top music charts in Australia, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, and Switzerland. It was a Top 10 hit all over Europe. The single went double platinum in the United States and Silver in France (125,000 copies sold) all in 1992.

At the time of this release, Kris Kross members Mac Daddy and Daddy Mac were only 12 and 13 years old. Jump was the fasting selling single in fifteen years and the two rose instantly to be among the ranks of child stars in the entertainment industry.

The critical reception for the album was much better than one would expect for a rap album by two children. Publications praised Jermaine Dupri for his creation and Kriss Kross for their iconic swagger and style. They received high ratings from a plethora of magazines and media outlets with little negative feedback.  The success of this album landed the duo a spot opening on Michael Jackson’s 1992 European Dangerous World Tour and a cameo in Michael Jackson’s “Jam” music video.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Kris Kross Dropped Their Debut Album ‘Totally Krossed Out’ 31 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

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[WATCH] Chlöe Bailey Addresses Rumors Of Dating Quavo On Latto’s “777 Radio”

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After being spotted at the same Miami hotel last year, Migos rapper Quavo and Chloe Bailey have been rumored to be an item, but Bailey refuted the speculation while speaking to Latto on her new Apple “777 Radio” podcast. 

Latto asked Chlöe, “The tea was that you was talking to Quavo,” and Chlöe replied, “Uh oh, well, we’re doing a movie together.” Chlöe is referring to the Praise This movie, which just released a promo trailer. 

Latto was persistent with her questioning, asking if their relationship was strictly business to which Bailey replied, ,“Yes, working. He’s a really nice guy. Yeah, he’s nice… I like his locs.” 

See interview clip below.

Chloe just recently revealed in an interview with Big Boy that she still is in contact with Gunna, who was released from Fulton County Jail after taking an Alford Plea in the YSL RICO case.

The post [WATCH] Chlöe Bailey Addresses Rumors Of Dating Quavo On Latto’s “777 Radio” appeared first on The Source.

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Flo Rida’s Son In ICU After Fall From 5th Floor In NJ

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According to several confirmed reports, Zohar Dillard, the son of rap star Flo Rida, is in critical condition after falling from the 5th floor of an apartment building in New Jersey.

Alexis Adams, Zohar’s mother, filed a civil suit this week against the building’s owners, with documents stating that the incident occurred on March 4. Adams said that Zohar was left with fractures to his pelvis and feet, collapsed lungs, a lacerated liver and internal bleeding from the fall.

Adams stated in the suit that the building’s windows “posed a hazardous condition” that allowed her son to fall “to the concrete pavement below.”

Adams spoke to News12 New Jersey, stating, “As a single mom to a special-needs child, this feels like a nightmare. 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.” 

Flo Rida and Alexis have been publicly battling for custody and child support for years, so Zohar’s father has yet to comment on his on’s fall. Since 2018, Adams and Flo Rida have had a child support agreement in place, where Flo Rida was ordered to pay $9,000 a month plus insurance and education costs. 

Zohar was born with ventriculomegaly, a brain condition that can lead to neurological and learning disabilities, which is why Adams enrolled him in a specialty school for children with neurological disabilities. It has been alleged by Adams that Flo Rida had stopped paying their son’s tuition, in which an unpaid tab of $200K was left on his tuition.

The post Flo Rida’s Son In ICU After Fall From 5th Floor In NJ appeared first on The Source.

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BET to Air ‘The Breakfast Club’ Starting April 17

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Today, BET announced a partnership with iHeartMedia that will bring the award-winning hit morning show The Breakfast Club starring DJ Envy and Charlamagne Tha God from iHeartMedia New York’s Power 105.1 to BET’s 2023 programming lineup.

BET will televise a one-hour special edition of “The Breakfast Club” daily, Monday through Friday. These specials will feature unrivaled interviews and conversations with celebrities, artists, and thought leaders, along with entertainment news and conversations punctuated with The Breakfast Club’s signature blend of honesty and humor. The wildly popular, culture-shifting morning show will be available weekdays to millions of fans starting Monday, April 17 at 9 AM ET on BET and VH1. Episodes from the week will all be available to stream every Sunday on BET+.

“The Breakfast Club on BET” marks the brand’s return to producing daily programming for the first time since “106 & Park” in 2014. It also marks the brand’s noteworthy and exciting introduction to daytime television.

“We’re thrilled to partner with iHeartMedia to bring The Breakfast Club and their unique brand of entertainment and cultural commentary to our audiences,” said BET CEO and President Scott Mills. “We recognize the show’s influence and popularity, and we are confident that the partnership will be meaningful to our viewers and our partners. Hosts Charlamagne and DJ Envy are long-time members of the BET and Paramount family, so we couldn’t be more excited to welcome The Breakfast Club home to BET.”

“BET and iHeartMedia have a shared mission in engaging and entertaining lovers of hip-hop culture, so this partnership couldn’t be a better fit,” said Brian Rikuda, EVP, Enterprise Growth Strategy, Business Operations, and Programming Strategy, BET. “This addition to BET’s programming lineup will superserve our loyal audiences with fresh content from the celebrities they love and expand our reach to new daytime audiences.”

Each episode of “The Breakfast Club on BET” will feature the A-list celebrity interviews that are a mainstay of the broadcast radio edition, as well as the signature segments audiences have come to know and love, like Front Page News, the Rumor Report, and Charlemagne’s Donkey of the Day.

The post BET to Air ‘The Breakfast Club’ Starting April 17 appeared first on The Source.

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Afrika Bambaataa’s Ties to Universal Hip-Hop Museum Sparks Protest

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Hip Hop co-founder Afrika Bambaataa and his role as the co-founder of the Unversal Hip Hop Museum has sparked some controversy, with an advocacy group demanding the defunding of the recently built museum because of the Hip Hop pioneer’s sexual abuse allegations.

This week, a group called Hip Hop Stands With Survivors put out a letter calling NYC Mayor Eric Adams to halt all taxpayer funding that has been funneled into the UHHM, as well as fire the organization’s Executive Director Rocky Bucano. The letter also calls for all companies such as Microsoft to end their financial relationship with the UHHM.

The letter says, “We expect his resignation or for the board to vote him out of the museum’s leadership and for the museum to sever all ties with Bucano, Bambaataa, and the Zulu Nation.”

n 2019, the State of New York donated a $3.5million grant to the museum. It’s scheduled to open some time in 2023 or 2024 in celebration of Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary.

The protest has been taken to the streets, with an immediate response coming from Mayor Adams.

“The Universal Hip Hop Museum assured the administration that they cut ties with the Universal Zulu Nation and that Afrika Bambaataa has not had a role at the Universal Hip Hop Museum since 2016,” Adams said in a statement.

Executive Director Bucano also released a statement, denying that Bambaataa was ever a board member of the museum and that he was never a member of the Zulu Nation.

His statement says, “The Universal Hip Hop Museum and Mr. Bucano condemn all acts of acts of violence and abuse. I would like to make it clear that Afrika Bambaataa has not had a role at the Universal Hip Hop Museum since 2016. I and the Universal Hip Hop Museum are not party to any activities affiliated with the Universal Zulu Nation I affirm that the Universal Hip Hop Museum is committed to its mission to empower, educate, and uplift communities.” It goes on saying, “While it is true that Afrika Bambaataa was a founding member of the museum, he was removed from any involvement with the museum as soon as the allegations surfaced. He has never been a board member, advisory board member or volunteer. I have never been a member of the Universal Zulu Nation nor am I an agent of the organization or Afrika Bambaataa. The assertion that UHHM is a financial front for the Universal Zulu Nation, Afrika Bambaataa, or other Universal Zulu Nation members, is irresponsible, false, and misdirected.”

Bambaataa was hit with several sexual abuse allegations going back to the 1970s, but has maintained his innocence.

His attorney, Vivian K. Tozaki, issued a statement in 2016 saying, “Recently, defamatory statements were published seeking to harm my client’s reputation so as to lower him in the estimation of the community while deterring others from associating or dealing with him. The statements show a reckless disregard for the truth, were published with knowledge of their falsity, and are being made by a lesser-known person seeking publicity. Valuable cultural resources, such as Afrika Bambaataa’s good name and time, should never be used to assist a mediocre person’s asinine quest for social media popularity and superficial gain.”

The post Afrika Bambaataa’s Ties to Universal Hip-Hop Museum Sparks Protest appeared first on The Source.

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Today in Hip Hop History: Onyx’s Debut Album ‘Bacdafucup’ Turns 30 Years Old!

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On March 30, 1993, cousins Fredro Starr and Sticky Fingaz and their partners Sonny Seeza and Big DS put out their debut album, Bacdafucup, on the newly created Rush Associated Labels.

Primarily produced by the group’s founder Jam Master Jay, other production credits include The Afros’ Kool Tee, Chryskillz, and a then young producer named Jeff Harris; Bacdafucup was by far Onyx’s best studio LP, becoming certified platinum by the RIAA in just a little over seven months after its debut.

The album’s sure-shot singles include the riot-causing “Throw Ya Gunz,” the horn-propelled “Shiftee,” and, of course, the mainstream favorite of all, “Slam.”

Onyx made their claim to fame with their trademark “mad face,” bald heads, and all-black everything. Many copycats came after these guys, but their mark on the game is unparalleled. Salute to Fredro, Sticky, Seez, and a big RIP to DS.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: Onyx’s Debut Album ‘Bacdafucup’ Turns 30 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

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[WATCH] Chlöe Bailey Reveals She’s Talked to Gunna Since Copping Plea In YSL Case

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About two years ago, Chloe Bailey and estranged YSL member Gunna sparked dating rumors after sitting next to each other at a Hawks game, but confirmed that they were an item when she revealed her song “For the Night,” featuring Latto, was about Gunna. Now, it’s revealed that Chloe has spoken to the former YSL member since he copped an Alford Plea in YSL’s RICO case.

In a recent appearance on Big Boy’s Neighborhood, Bailey was asked if she had spoken to Gunna since he was released from Fulton County Jail, to which she answered, “I always wish him the best. He’s always been a dear friend of mine, so I want to make sure he’s okay.” Bailey revealed that she had spoken to Gunna, but she added that they hadn’t seen one another.

See the entire interview below.

The post [WATCH] Chlöe Bailey Reveals She’s Talked to Gunna Since Copping Plea In YSL Case appeared first on The Source.

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[WATCH] DJ Drama Recreates Tupac’s Role In ‘Juice’ With Latifah, Original Cast

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Gangsta Grillz creator DJ Drama is using his all-time favorite movie to promote his new album, I’m Really Like That, and nails his impersonation of the late Tupac Shakur, which could possibly land the legendary DJ/producer some roles on the silver screen himself!

Today, Drama unveiled his new Jim Jones-directed visual to the I’m Really Like That LP promo, recreating a very important plot twist in the movie Juice, where a couple from the quartet narrowly escaped becoming victims of a robbery gone bad.

Drama plays the memorable role of “Bishop” alongside the original cast; Omar Epps, Khalil Kain, and Jermaine Hopkins, who reprise all of their original, iconic roles. He even credits Epps’ portrayal of DJ Q for inspiring his real-life career as a legendary DJ!

The post [WATCH] DJ Drama Recreates Tupac’s Role In ‘Juice’ With Latifah, Original Cast appeared first on The Source.

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Today In Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Second Album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ Turns 35 Years Old!

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On this day in Hip Hop history, the rapper-turned-actor Will Smith and DJ Jazzy Jeff released their second LP, He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper. This was the first double album in Hip Hop in its original vinyl state and is certified platinum by the RIAA.

It can be said that without this album, Will Smith would not be where he is today. The success this album provided for Smith gave him the exposure to take his talents from music to the screen. This was also a breakthrough album for the career of DJ Jazzy Jeff. Critics and consumers alike cited Jeff as the more musically inclined of the duo, although Smith was the obvious crowd favorite and frontman. Jeff’s ability on the turntables and the boards allowed him to be the unsung hero of the album and gain a lot of respect in the Hip Hop community.

The album received positive reviews from critics of countless publications. The Source even selected this album as one of the 100 Best Rap Albums list in 1998. The album peaked at #4 on the Billboard 200 chart and #5 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop chart. Overseas it peaked at #68 on the UK Album chart. The album’s most famous single, “Parents Just Don’t Understand,” won the first-ever Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Second Album ‘He’s The DJ, I’m The Rapper’ Turns 35 Years Old! appeared first on The Source.

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42 Dugg Speaks From Jail Following Prison Evasion Guilty Plea

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After failing to complete a six-month sentence for illegally carrying a firearm, 42 Dugg faces five more years behind bars and now speaks from jail after pleading guilty to prison evasion.

In one of his more recent Instagram stories, Dugg, whose real name is Dion Hayes, said, “A lot of these n****s got ‘get out of jail free’ cards.” He continued saying, “I guess ’cause I’m turnt I gotta go through the worst!!!!” The rapper concluded by saying, “Death before dishonor.”

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Back in 2021, Dugg’s lawyers managed to get him a deal in which the rapper would avoid jail time for firing a gun in an Atlanta gun range in 2020, but the judge revoked the plea deal and sentenced him to six months behind bars. When Dugg refused to turn himself in to do his time, he was charged with evasion and is scheduled for sentencing on May 10.

The post 42 Dugg Speaks From Jail Following Prison Evasion Guilty Plea appeared first on The Source.

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