Playing today's Hip-Hop and R&B
The hazing death of Southern University student Caleb Wilson earlier this year has stoked so many emotions, among them disappointment in the culture that surrounds fraternities. Comedian Rickey Smiley took aim at that during a recent appearance on the Spolitics podcast with Jemele Hill, speaking from his experience as a member of Omega Psi Phi, the same fraternity Wilson was pledging.
“I don’t think Bishop Edgar A. Love would have punched anybody in the chest,” Smiley said.… Read more
Lil Wayne is set to bless us with his highly anticipated album “Tha Carter VI” this Friday, June 6, and to mark the occasion, he’s launching a nationwide tour.
The tour will kick off in dramatic fashion with a release-day performance at New York’s legendary Madison Square Garden. After that, the rapper will take a short break before hitting the road again at the end of July, with dates running through early October.
In addition to promoting Tha Carter VI, the tour will serve as a celebration of Wayne’s entire *Carter* series, a defining body of work in hip-hop that includes fan-favorite albums like Tha Carter III and Tha Carter V.… Read more
Sharay “Pun” Hayes, an author and exotic male dancer, recently took the stand in the Sean “Diddy” Combs sex trafficking and racketeering trial. In a new interview with Cam’Ron, Hayes shared that for a full year, he didn’t know he was engaging in so-called “freak-offs” with Diddy and then-girlfriend Cassie.
Hayes joined Cam’Ron’s Talk With Flee program to discuss his past encounters with Diddy, including joining the beleaguered mogul and his former girlfriend as a third sexual partner in paid, scheduled meetups.… Read more
When it comes to health, early detection often means the difference between life and death. For Black men in particular, routine checkups and annual screenings are more than just good practice—they are critical. Despite ongoing advancements in medicine, Black men continue to face some of the highest rates of chronic illness and early mortality in the United States. Regular health screenings can play a crucial role in closing that gap.… Read more
Jamie Foxx didn’t hold back when it came to Diddy, unleashing a savage roast that made it clear he wants no association with him.
During a Comedy Store appearance, Foxx fired shots at Diddy, who’s currently at the center of a federal sex trafficking and racketeering case, with biting commentary that quickly went viral. In video footage obtained by Urban Hollywood, Foxx delivered a pointed verbal jab: “HE’S A NASTY MOTHERF***ER!” The crowd erupted as Foxx leaned into the moment, using humor to call out what many in the public have been whispering behind closed doors.… Read more
T-Pain emerged as a major force in the music scene during the 2000s, leaving an undeniable mark on Hip-Hop.
Known for his unique style and innovative sound, he played a key role in shaping the pop-rap genre. Perhaps his most lasting contribution was the creative use of autotune, not just as a pitch-correction tool, but as a distinctive artistic effect. Though initially divisive, his approach soon became widely accepted and highly influential, helping to spark a wave of artists who followed in his footsteps.… Read more
The Roots Picnic concluded on Sunday, June 1, and social media was inundated with live accounts from attendees on the ground, who pointed out several issues that dampened the spirit of the large gathering. Hip-Hop Wired was at this year’s Roots Picnic, and we too experienced some of those well-reported issues, but we can say that the second half was an improvement.
The Roots Picnic was held at The Mann Center in Fairmount Park, kicking off on Saturday, March 31.… Read more
Even while behind bars Suge Knight is not the one to hold his tongue. He has now weighed in on Diddy’s ongoing federal trial.
The Deathrow Records founder recently conducted several in depth interviews spanning several hours with ABC News. During the conversations Suge Knight made it clear that while he still has his issues with Diddy, he believes that many of the problems within the Rap industry are systemic issues. “If you’re going to make Puffy answer, make everyone answer,” Suge explained. … Read more
Last Thursday (May 30), the Department of Labor announced that they were beginning a “phased pause” of operations at all Job Corps locations nationwide, stating that it would be “an orderly transition for students, staff, and local communities.” In a statement, Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeReamer claimed that the program no longer produces “the intended outcomes that students deserve,” adding that “a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis.” The announcement caused an immediate uproar, and has led some to wonder why the government wants to shut Job Corps down.… Read more
Cardi B has taken her rumored romance with NFL star Stefon Diggs public, officially confirming the relationship via Instagram.
