Kanye West's name has been in the news this year for pretty much everything except his music. That trend for the rapper broke in a cover story with GQ, where he talked about his plans for a follow up to Yeezus as early as September. Kanye also talked about Drake being the most popular rapper right now. That's right: One of the most ego-centric artists in rap had to give props where props were due.
Meek Mill's legal troubles continued when he was denied a court hearing concerning a probation violation that has the Philly rapper locked up until September. Meanwhile, Lil Wayne revealed plans to join the sports world as a manager, while Busta Rhymes announced his split with Birdman and Cash Money Records. Check out all that and more on What The Hell Just Happened In Music This Week?
Kanye West's name has been in the news this year for pretty much everything except his music. That trend for the rapper broke in a cover story with GQ, where he talked about his plans for a follow up to Yeezus as early as September. Kanye also talked about Drake being the most popular rapper right now. That's right: One of the most ego-centric artists in rap had to give props where props were due.
Meek Mill's legal troubles continued when he was denied a court hearing concerning a probation violation that has the Philly rapper locked up until September. Meanwhile, Lil Wayne revealed plans to join the sports world as a manager, while Busta Rhymes announced his split with Birdman and Cash Money Records. Check out all that and more on What The Hell Just Happened In Music This Week?
Meek Mill and his legal team were denied a hearing in court, which puts his album release date in jeopardy.
Date: 7/20/2014
Meek Mill will not be released from jail until at least September, according to Philly.com. Meek's legal team requested an immediate hearing, but the request was ultimately denied by the judge. Meek was sentenced to three to six months in jail on July 11 for a probation violation.
"All I'm asking for is a hearing to learn why [his jailing] is constitutional and they won't even give me that," said Christopher Warren, one of Meek's attorneys on the case.
The judge not only denied the request for an immediate hearing, but ruled that no such hearing will take place before September. Meek's legal team will now try and go around the judge and seek a new hearing with a higher court, according to the report.
Meek's new album, Dreams Worth More Than Money, is scheduled to be released on September 9, but that date now seems to be up in the air due to Meek's legal issues. —Zach Frydenlund
Related: Meek Mill Will Reportedly Remain In Jail Until September
Kanye West revealed plans for his upcoming album, as well as praised Drake.
Date: 7/21/2014
Kanye West's latest GQ cover was recently revealed; he graces the August 2014 issue, where he styled himself in his new A.P.C. collaboration. The full cover story is now also available, which touches on everything from Kanye talking about protecting North West to detailing his forthcoming album—and a new single reportedly called "All Day."
In the cover story Q&A with staff writer Zach Baron, Kanye kicks things off by admitting that Drake has claimed his throne, and is the most popular rapper out right now. "Let's be honest—he got last summer." He goes on to question whether he wants the top spot back, and that he would have never "given it up" until last summer. —Lauren Nostro
Related: Kanye West Admits Drake Is the Most Popular Rapper, Details New Album, and Talks Marriage In GQ
J Dilla's mother honored the late-great producer by donating his equipment to the Smithsonian.
Date: 7/21/2014
Two of J. Dilla's most prized musical instruments are being donated by his mother to The Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. As part of the museum's new "Musical Crossroads" exhibit launching in 2016, Dilla's mom donated his custom-built Minimoog Voyager synth as well as his Akai MIDI Production Center 3000 to the exhibit. Along with Dilla, collections from Chuck D, George Clinton, Louis Armstrong, and more will be included in the display. "I feel it’s necessary to raise the level of art appreciation in the hip-hop sector and honor my son James DewittYancey, one of the most influential individuals in the history of hip-hop," said Dilla's mom, Maureen Yancey, in a press statement. —Zach Frydenlund
Related: J. Dilla's Mom Is Donating His Equipment To The Smithsonian
Ray J was reportedly charged with 10 crimes stemming from an incident this past May.
Date: 7/21/2014
TMZ is reporting that R&B singer Ray J has been charged with 10 crimes stemming from a May arrest. One of the charges from the drunken incident alleges that Ray committed sexual battery—a claim that the Los Angeles Police Department disagrees with.
The police subdued and arrested a drunken and rowdy Ray J after he was told to leave after brushing up against a woman at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. He started to go on a rampage outside the hotel where he was arrested; he kicked through the window of a cop car and spit on an officer during the arrest. Ray J reportedly told TMZ that he kicked the window out because he is "claustrophobic."
The LAPD is disputing the sexual battery charge because the contact between Ray and the woman in question was incidental and reportedly not intentional. The D.A. has stood firm in his ruling of the misdemeanor battery charge along with charging him with four counts of resisting arrest, three counts of assault and battery and two counts of vandalism.—Justin Davis
Related: Ray J Has Been Charged With 10 Crimes In Connection With a Drunken Incident In May
A disgruntled fan at a Lauryn Hill concert received a verbal lashing from the veteran artist.
Date: 7/23/2014
Lauryn Hill gave one of her fans quite a lesson in respect during her show at the House of Blues in Chicago last week. According to TMZ, the fan flipped Ms. Lauryn Hill off as she hit the stage; fans were reportedly pretty angry that she was about an hour late to the show. This didn't sit well with Lauryn, who went on a mini-rant to the crowd about respect and not owing them anything before she eventually had the fan removed from the building. —Zach Frydenlund
Related: Don't Mess With Lauryn Hill On Stage
Busta Rhymes announced his split with Cash Money Records.
Date: 7/23/2014
There may be many people who don't remember the announcement but Busta Rhymes is now formerly a member of Cash Money Records. While he didn't release an album in his three years there, Busta has quietly departed from the label and announced it on "Sway In The Morning" today. He says there's bad blood between him and Birdman, but he needed more focus on his new album:
If I feel like if, in the slightest way we ain’t facilitating everything necessary for the vision to be seen and executed in the way I’m envisioning this s–t for the last five years, let me live and die in my own own inequity, homie. After I see this through, if there’s other opportunities for us to explore as businessmen together, let’s continue to do it."
Busta is currently pushing his single "Calm Down" with Eminem and preparing to release his album E.L.E. II. —Justin Davis
Related: Busta Rhymes Speaks On His Departure From Cash Money
Justin Bieber shared a bunch of new music on Instagram.
Date: 7/23/2014
No captions, just music. Justin Bieber took to Instagram to tease a ton of tracks he's working on in the studio. There's obviously a new project coming, and after the Migos-featured "Looking For You," we can only hope for some A-list features, too. —Lauren Nostro
Related: Justin Bieber Just Teased Some New Music on Instagram
J. Cole shut down Los Angeles with two sold-out shows that included guest appearances from Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
Date: 7/24/2014
J. Cole wrapped up his "Dollar & a Dream" tour in Los Angeles with two sold-out shows. Cole, of course, had surprises lined up for his fans, which included bringing out Drake for the first show, and then Kendrick Lamar to wrap up the second. Drake tore down his mini-set at the show with performances of his hit songs "0-100," "Worst Behavior," and "Trophies," before turning things back over to Cole. Kendrick did just as much damage to the crowd with his surprise set, which included a fired up performance of "Backseat Freestyle" that sent fans into a frenzy. —Zach Frydenlund
Related: J. Cole Brought Out Drake and Kendrick Lamar at His Show In Los Angeles Last Night
French Montana and Khloe Kardashian gave their first interview together on Power 105, and it was pretty damn entertaining.
Date: 7/24/2014
Hip-hop's new favorite couple French Montana and KhloeKardashian hit a milestone when they stopped by the Power 105 studio for an interview with Angie Martinez, which was their first ever together. During the nearly 30-minute conversation, the couple talked about how they first met, which actually happened because of Diddy, and how they don't care what other people think about their relationship.
“People are gonna comment no matter what. If I dated the most clean cut perfect guy, they’re gonna comment. That’s just the way it is. If I’m having fun and if I like this kid, no one else should care, they’re not fucking him. Or maybe they are, I don’t know," Khloe said of her relationship with French.
French talked about his recent studio sessions with Kanye West, and said that there is a possibility that Ye will executive produce his next album along with Harry Fraud. French also touched on how he is dealing with the added exposure that comes with dating a Kardashian and what it's like to appear on Keeping Up With The Kardashians. —Zach Frydenlund
Related: Watch French Montana and Khloe Kardashian's First Interview Together With Angie Martinez
Lil Wayne reportedly began his own sports management company.
Date: 7/24/2014
Lil Wayne has always been a diehard sports fan, but soon he will have a more vested interest in games. According to TMZ, he's launching a sports management company in partnership with PolarisSports, which is affiliated with CAA, and GestiFute. His first client will be soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo, whose agent, Jorge Mendes, operates GestiFute. Wayne's company will oversee Ronaldo's branding, marketing, and endorsement deals in the United States. It is worth noting that last year, Forbes reported that Cash Money Records filed a trademark application for the name "Visionaire Sports Group," a move that was seen as the precursor to starting a sports management company.
Apparently, Wayne and Ronaldo are close friends, to the point where Ronaldo made the Prime Minister of Japan throw up the Young Money symbol during a recent visit. "Young Muulah baby!" Wayne said about the picture. —Dharmic X
Related: Lil Wayne Is Reportedly Starting a Sports Management Company
