Dating back to the end of 2023, DJ Premier has been on a prolific run, releasing singles with Common, Russ, Snoop Dogg, Chance The Rapper and Nas. When Premier and Nas released “Define My Name,” in April, they also revealed that their long-awaited and landmark collaborative album would be released later this year.
Now, DJ Premier has brought more legends and icons together, or as Rick Ross asserts “It’s the biggest in the game”, as Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, and Big Sean join him on “Ya Don’t Stop.” Premier’s cyclone of strings sets the stage for Ross, Sean and Wayne’s distinctive styles and vivid storytelling from three of the genre’s most influential artists.
“I’ve been on a run, and releasing singles more consistently. I had an idea and wanted to initially get Wayne and Ross on the same track”DJ Premier recalled. “I reached out to Rozay first and he sent me back vocals the same day. I sent two tracks to Wayne to choose from and he sent both back the same night and told me to keep them both. Big Sean called me to do a scratch hook for him. In return, he hopped on as well. Cipher complete!”
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Grammy® Award-winning Hip-Hop icon, LL COOL J, has announced his 14th studio album, The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy). Set for release on September 6th via Def Jam Recordings / Virgin Music Group, the highly anticipated 14-track album features an impressive lineup of guest artists, including Nas, Eminem, Rick Ross, Fat Joe, Busta Rhymes, Saweetie, Snoop Dogg, Don Pablito, J-S.A.N.D., Mad Squablz, and Sona Jobarteh.
The FORCE, LL’s first new album in over a decade, is a powerful testament to his enduring influence in the music industry. Produced entirely by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, the album showcases LL’s renewed vigor and lyrical prowess. The Queens emcee describes the creation process as “learning how to rap again,” resulting in a record that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in Hip-Hop tradition.
“It’s like a director going back to film school after he’s had blockbusters,” LL says, or “Denzel going back to acting class.”
This album explores various themes, from racial injustice and law enforcement abuses to the effects of the pandemic, isolation, and LL’s legacy in the Hip-Hop canon. With sharp writing and dynamic vocals, “The The FORCE blends serious topical content and energetic, fun tracks, demonstrating LL COOL J’s continued relevance and creativity.
“We’re talking 14 tracks of straight fire, all crafted by myself and the one and only Q-Tip,” LL said. “When you listen to this album, you’re not just hearing music, you’re experiencing a whole new vibe, a whole new level of artistic passion.”
The FORCE is set to inspire and challenge the genre, offering a new direction for Hip-Hop while celebrating its rich history. Fans can look forward to a modern, thought-provoking album that reaffirms LL COOL J’s place as a Hip-Hop legend.
Previously, LL COOL J triumphantly returned to music with his new single “Saturday Night Special” featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe. Released via Def Jam Recordings and Virgin Music Group, the track marks LL’s comeback after a decade-long hiatus.
The new single, produced by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Q-Tip, kicks off with an innovative sonic approach. LL COOL J, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe navigate the track with lyrical finesse, depicting life’s harsh realities, intricate dynamics, and the code of ethics governing it. Named after the revolver class “Saturday Night Special,” the song explores key players in the hustle, such as the “greedy killer” who reacts violently to disrespect and the “daredevil type” who seeks attention. Emphasizing self-preservation and strategic interaction, the song’s core message revolves around trust and reciprocity in the hustle.
The minimalist, black-and-white music video, directed by JakeTheShooter with creative direction from HiHat, brings the hustler anthem to life. Shot in Miami, Florida, the video features LL, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross performing together.
“‘Saturday Night Special’ is just the beginning,” LL said. “There’s a lot more where this came from, and I’m hype for y’all to hear this new record. We’re doing this for the fans and for Hip-Hop culture.”
Rick Ross isn’t sweating the scuffle he was engaged in after a recent show in Vancouver. Hitting Instagram, Rozay smiled and delivered an explanation.
“I’m thinking about the event that happened over there,” Ross said. “When the first dude stepped up to Rozay, the lil’ short fat one that looked like Bam Bam Bigelow from wrestling. When he stepped up, I squatted down and his eyes had told him what I said.
“Basically, ‘Boy, if I hit you, I’ma see everything you ate for the last two days.’ His balls dropped out of his ass. He never said another word, he did never did nothing. He was a straight busta.”
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 4, 2024
You may not want to blast “Not Like Us” in Canada at a public appearance, but Rick Ross found out the hard way. Rozay was in Canada and got into a brawl after the Kendrick Banger was played. Ross’s team could be seen getting jumped and pummeled, with a punch getting in on Ross, too. One even says, “You are in our city.”
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 1, 2024
Rick Ross got jumped by the OVO goons and one of his entourage was left unconscious after they pulled up to Canada trying to play not like us pic.twitter.com/s49a4S9jt0
You may not want to blast “Not Like Us” in Canada at a public appearance, but Rick Ross found out the hard way. Rozay was in Canada and got into a brawl after the Kendrick Banger was played. Ross’s team could be seen getting jumped and pummeled, with a punch getting in on Ross, too. One even says, “You are in our city.”
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 1, 2024
Rick Ross got jumped by the OVO goons and one of his entourage was left unconscious after they pulled up to Canada trying to play not like us pic.twitter.com/s49a4S9jt0
Making its debut at Nashville Municipal Auditorium this weekend, Blavity House Party was designed as an immersive music and culture experience. A celebration of Black joy, the kickoff event for Black Music Month balanced big onstage moments with the small joys that turn a group of strangers into a community. Hosted by Zack Fox and Bridget Kelly, the party kicked off in Nashville, bringing great performances, food, vibes, and more to Music City.
The first-ever music experience presented by Blavity Media Group, the two-day, multi-stage House Party featured a cross-generational array of talented performers who have defined the sound of R&B and hip-hop for the past three decades. Monica stunned with renditions of her biggest hits like “So Gone” and “Love All Over Me” during her headlining performance. At the same time, Rick Ross brought his iconic braggadocious raps to one of Nashville’s most storied venues. Baltimore’s favorite R&B group Dru Hill played a standout performance, bringing the crowd to its feet, singing along with their hits like “Tell Me” and “These Are the Times.” Lead singer Sisqó didn’t leave the stage without a provocative performance of his iconic, platinum-selling hit “Thong Song.”
Throughout the weekend, Big Freedia brought the bounce from New Orleans, Blxst proved to be one of LA’s finest, and GRAMMY-award-winning heartthrob Leon Thomas swooned the crowd with his hypnotic, guitar-driven hits. R&B stalwarts K. Michelle, Ryan Leslie, and Lil’ Mo serenaded audiences with their pristine vocals and lush melodies. Southern hip-hop legend Lil Scrappy delivered one of the most hype moments of the weekend, as fans vigorously rapped along to his crunk hit singles “No Problem” and “Knuck If You Buck.” Rising star Reyna Roberts brought the country flair with her cherry red hair and electrifying performance of hits including “Raised Right,” and performances from The Sainted Trap Choir, Domani, and DJ Sophia Rocks proved the future is bright.
Taking place just days before Juneteenth, Blavity House Party also shined a spotlight on Nashville’s vibrant Black community with an assortment of over 20 Black-owned vendors, restaurants, and activities for fans to engage and enjoy. Fans enjoyed Nashville favorites like Slim & Husky’s, Slutty Vegan, and Down N The Bayou, and shopped at the “Off The Shelves” marketplace. They also had a blast during double dutch and line dancing sessions on the patio in their custom Tito’s cowboy hats. Those who dared rode the mechanical bull, as Nash Feels brought some of the most memorable dance party moments of the weekend.
From cowboy chic fits and southern cuisine to the Black-owned marketplace and a vast selection of house party music, the inaugural Blavity House Party was one for the books, celebrating the Nashville community in style.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and two-time Grammy® Award-winning hip-hop icon LL COOL J triumphantly returns to music with his new single “Saturday Night Special” featuring Rick Ross and Fat Joe. Released via Def Jam Recordings and Virgin Music Group, the track marks LL’s comeback after a decade-long hiatus.
The new single, produced by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Q-Tip, kicks off with an innovative sonic approach. LL COOL J, Rick Ross, and Fat Joe navigate the track with lyrical finesse, depicting life’s harsh realities and intricate dynamics and the code of ethics that governs it. Named after the revolver class “Saturday Night Special,” the song explores key players in the hustle, such as the “greedy killer” who reacts violently to disrespect and the “daredevil type” who seeks attention. Emphasizing self-preservation and strategic interaction, the song’s core message revolves around trust and reciprocity in the hustle.
The minimalist, black-and-white music video, directed by JakeTheShooter with creative direction from HiHat, brings the hustler anthem to life. Shot in Miami, Florida, the video features LL, Fat Joe, and Rick Ross performing together.
“‘Saturday Night Special’ is just the beginning,” LL said. “There’s a lot more where this came from, and I’m hype for y’all to hear this new record. We’re doing this for the fans and for Hip-Hop culture.”
The single is the first release from LL’s highly anticipated 14th studio album, The FORCE (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), set for release this fall. Executive produced by Q-Tip of A Tribe Called Quest, the album celebrates the 40th anniversary of Def Jam Recordings, the label that first launched LL’s career.
In 2015, “The Bawse” Ricky Rozay was pulled over in his Bentley in metro Atlanta for a window tint violation, but Atlanta Police smelled the odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and later discovered some weed from inside of the vehicle, resulting in his arrest.
The Maybach Music founder was processed in the Fayette County Jail before he was released on bail later that day, similar to his arrest for marijuana possession just a year earlier in Greensboro, North Carolina for failure to appear in court for another marijuana charge.
Fortunately for Ross, the marijuana laws have loosened up extensively around the country, allowing many misdemeanor marijuana charges to be automatically vacated or offenders have been given dramatically reduced sentences.
Rick Ross is keeping the shots toward Drake going. Reigniting the “Champagne Moments” single, Rozay has delivered a video. Representing The Untouchable Maybach Empire, Rozay looks lavish in emerald green with the matching old-school ride.
With a bottle of Bumbu and Bel-Air next to his side, Rozay gets his bars off while iced out in an airplane hanger. You can see it below.
Meanwhile, on Friday, April 19th, fellow rapper Rick Ross graced the LIV stage, delivering an energetic performance of his newest single, “Champagne Moments.” The track has stirred controversy, as it’s perceived as a diss aimed at Drake amidst their ongoing public feud.
Rick Ross’s retaliation comes in response to Drake’s alleged diss track “Push Ups (Drop & Give Me 50).” As tensions between the two artists escalate, fans eagerly await the next move in this rap saga.
Rapper Sexyy Redd lit up LIV Miami on Sunday, April 21st, donning an all-red ensemble to celebrate her 26th birthday in style. The “Skee Yee” artist treated fans to electrifying renditions of her hits, including “Pound Town,” “Shake Yo Dreads,” and her latest single “FTCU (Sleeze Mix)” featuring Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, and Chris Brown.
Meanwhile, on Friday, April 19th, fellow rapper Rick Ross graced the LIV stage, delivering an energetic performance of his newest single, “Champagne Moments.” The track has stirred controversy, as it’s perceived as a diss aimed at Drake amidst their ongoing public feud.
Rick Ross’s retaliation comes in response to Drake’s alleged diss track “Push Ups (Drop & Give Me 50).” As tensions between the two artists escalate, fans eagerly await the next move in this rap saga.
Drake was having a bit of fun with his current beef, highlighting how the numbers aren’t in his favor with disses coming from everywhere.
Hitting Instagram, Drake shared an image of Uma Thurman from Kill Bill with one sword out and aurrounded by many attackers. Seeing the post, Thurman shared an image of the actual yellow suit she wore in the film: She wrote, “@Need this? @Champagnepapi.”
Drake dropped off “Push Ups,” but he says that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In an Instagram conversation with Ernest Baker, Drake says the red button is “not even close” to having been pressed.
It’s officially up. Drake has responded to shots fired at him from all angles with the new diss track “Push Ups.” The single heavily targets Kendrick Lamar following the “Like That” diss verse but also takes aim at Metro Boomin, The Weeknd, Future, Rick Ross, and one that nobody saw coming, Ja Morant.
Throughout “Push Ups,” Drake shades Kendrick Lamar over his size and being an “extortion baby” losing 50% of his income to Top Dawg Entertainment. Additionally, Drake calls out being forced to drop verses for Maroon 5, Taylor Swift, and more.
Drake also addresses bars specifically from “Like That”:
“You won’t ever take no chain off of us How the fuck you big steppin’ with a size seven men’s on?”
and
“Just to have this talk with yo’ ass, I had to hike down Big difference between Mike then and Mike now What the fuck is this, a twenty-V-one, nigga? What’s a prince to a king? He a son, nigga”
“Y’all nigga manager was Chubbs lil’ blunt runner Claim the 6ix, and you boys ain’t even come from it And when you boys got rich, you had to run from it Cash blowin’ Abel bread, out here trickin’ (Out here trickin’) Shit we do for bitches he doin’ for niggas”
He swiftly had a bar for Metro: “Metro, shut your ho ass up and make some drums, nigga”
He even got back into the “Officer Ricky” association to RIck Ross, while jabbing Ja Morant:
“Niggas really got me out here talkin’ like I’m 50, ayy Niggas really got me out here rappin’ what I’m livin’ I might take your latest girl and cuff her like I’m Ricky Can’t believe he jumpin’ in, this nigga turnin’ fifty Every song that made it on the chart, he got from Drizzy Spend that lil’ check you got and stay up out my business Worry ’bout whatever goin’ on with you and (Uh) Ayy, shoutout to the hooper that be bustin’ out the griddy We know why you mad, nigga, I ain’t even trippin’ All that lil’ heartbroken Twitter shit for bitches”
