Image via Complex Original
Drake and Puff Daddy have hit a rough patch in their friendship after the two rappers got into a physical altercation during DJ Khaled's birthday party at Club LIV in Miami. As it goes, the two were given the same beat from Toronto producer, Boi-1da, and while Puffy was under the impression it was for him only, Drake released his own song over the production. The two crossed paths at the birthday celebration, where Puffy let his hands do the talking.
Plus, J. Cole dropped his third studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Nicki Minaj shared the video for her all-star record "Only," and Cam'ron talked about retiring from music. Check out all that and more in What the Hell Just Happened in Music This Week?
Puff Daddy and Drake got into a physical confrontation at a club in Miami.
Date: December 8
Though details are scarce, there are reports that Drake and Diddy engaged in an altercation at DJ Khaled's birthday party at Club LIV in Miami. Both Charlemagne Tha God and MTV are reporting that some sort of fight between the two did take place, though no concrete reason for the fight has been offered at this time. According to MMG member, DJ Sam Sneaker, Drake was sent to the hospital following the altercation, though that hasn't been confirmed at this point.
It's worth noting that Sam Sneaker and comedian Lil Duval were joking about the fight on Twitter before Sneak said that Drake was in the hospital. Duval says he made up that Cassie was the reason behind the fight, and Sneak replied that people already fell for it.
According to TMZ, the fight was sparked over the beat that Drake used for "0 to 100," as both Diddy and Drake received it from producer Boi-1da. Both Diddy and Drake reportedly had the song for about eight months, but when Diddy did nothing with it, Drake recorded his version and put it out. It's worth noting that “0-100” was recently nominated for a Grammy in the “Best Rap Performance” category. TMZ also reports Drake did indeed make a trip to the ER for treatment on his shoulder, which was hit in the fight and rehashed a prior injury. —Zach Frydenlund
Related: Did Drake and Diddy Get Into a Fight In Miami Earlier This Week?
Jay Electonica railed against the controvesial history of America.
Date: December 8
Jay Electronica understands the value of silence, but he's whole-heartedly unafraid to speak up when controversial topics intersect with his own world view. In a lengthy speech on Twitter, he pointed out the flaws and hypocrisies that America was built upon and continues to thrive to this day. “We live in a criminal nation, founded by rapists, mass murderers and robbers. so don't tell me about 'black on black' crime,” he tweeted. —Justin Block
Related: Jay Electronica Uncorks Twitter Rant on Race in America: “We Live in a Criminal Nation”
Rapper Earl Hayes and his wife Stephanie Moseley were found dead in a murder-suicide.
Date: December 8
Earl Hayes, the son of Isaac Hayes and one Floyd Mayweather's friends who was once signed to his label, Philthy Rich Records, was found dead. According to TMZ, neighbors in an L.A. apartment complex heard gunshots and a woman screaming. A SWAT team was called in, and upon arriving on the scene, found two bodies: Hayes' and his wife Stephanie Moseley. Moseley was a star of the VH1 show “Hit the Floor,” and has done backup dancing for Chris Brown and Britney Spears.
Hayes' life coach, Burrel L. Wilks III, spoke to NBC Los Angeles regarding the incident. “I've had sit downs with both of them so whatever happened behind those doors we'll never know, but I heard out of her own mouth, he never raised a hand on her so this is kind of stunning,” Wilks said.
TMZ reports that Floyd Mayweather Jr. was on FaceTime with Hayes during the tragic incident. Hayes reportedly told Floyd what he was planning to do while Floyd pleaded with him to not go through with it. Floyd would not reveal how much he saw, but did confirm that he was a witness and heard everything. —Justin Block
Related: Rapper Earl Hayes and VH1 Star Stephanie Moseley Found Dead In Apparent Murder-Suicide
Jay Z and Beyoncé mingled with Prince William and Kate Middleton at a Brooklyn Nets game.
Date: December 8
Rap royalty and “real” royalty had their worlds collide during the Cavaliers-Nets game at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. During a timeout, Jay Z and Beyoncé got up from their courtside seats to greet Prince William and Kate Middleton, who were also in attendance courtside. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge exchanged royal pleasantries with Hov and Bey, who looked equally as thrilled to come face-to-face with fellow royals. —Justin Block
J. Cole dropped “2014 Forest Hills Drive” and delivered a powerful performance of “Be Free” on Letterman.
Date: December 9
One of the bigger surprises for hip-hop this year was the release plan for J. Cole's third studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Cole kept his album plans close to his chest for most of the year while he worked on the 13-song project that doesn't include any featured artists, and has additional production from DJ Dahi, Illmind, Cardiak, and more.
Following his album release, J.Cole visited the Late Show with David Letterman to perform "Be Free," while also adding a brand new verse to the record. Cole gave a moving performance of the deeply personal song, which relates to the current turmoil happening in Ferguson, Mo., even managing to get a reaction of approval from Letterman himself. Cole has gained a large amount of praise for his support of the protests in Ferguson and New York City, and his choice to perform "Be Free" (which isn't on the album) with a completely new verse added is a huge statement. —Zach Frydenlund
Cam'ron revealed Purple Haze 2 would be his last album.
Date: December 11
Cam'ron posted a heartfelt video on his Instagram where he visited the grave of his late friend, Hud 6. The caption of the emotional video revealed some major news, as he announced that he will be releasing Purple Haze 2 this summer, which will be his last album:
Fresh off da flight.. To see my brother.. HUD 6 told me lastnite.. AChangeGoneCome ..my last album.. PurpleHaze2 this summer.. It's been fun.. But HUD said we got other things to do. Hud6.
Fans recently celebrated the 10-year anniversary of his Purple Haze album but Cam has stayed busy for the majority of this year with the monthly releases of his First of the Month EP series. Miss Info was able to get a statement from Cam on his future retirement and what he plans to do after his music career is over.
Info: Are you really going to retire from rap? Cam: Yeah. It’s a wrap. Time to move on. pours out a little sizzurp Info: Well, you made yourself a legend, and the music will last forever. So what will you focus on next? Cam: Thanks, Min. Movies and clothing are doing really well for me right now. I’m helping Mendeecees [Yandy’s husband from Love and Hip Hop NY] with his album. And…I’m building a club in Vegas.
Dr. Dre took the crown for highest-paid musician in 2014.
Date: December 11
Given the publicity around the $3 billion sale of Beats to Apple, it was safe to assume that Dr. Dre made bank this year. What may not have been previously known is exactly how much. In 2014, Dre is projected to make $620 million, according to Forbes, making him this year's highest-paid musician. His competition isn't particularly close: At second place, Beyoncé pulled in an impressive $115 million, placing her just over half a billion below Dre. Even Jay Z “only” raked in $60 million this year, and tied with Diddy. Justin Bieber sits pretty at sixth on the list with $80 million, Drake and Lady Gaga are tied at 30th, with $33 million), and Taylor Swift, who rode a new album to 11th, with $64 million.
That's a lot of money, but after the 2014 he had, it must all feel like pocket change for Dr. Dre, whose year qualifies as the biggest, single-year earning period for any musician. Ever. —Luis-Paez Pumar
Beyoncé shared a short film to celebrate the one-year anniversary of her self-titled album.
Date: December 12
To celebrate the one-year anniversary of her surprise, self-titled, visual album, Beyoncé drops the short film, “Yours and Mine.” Throughout the near 12-minute video, Bey reflects on how fame has impacted her life, pursuing her creative passions, and the idea of feminism.
“I sometimes wish I could just be anonymous and walk down a street, just like everyone else,” Beyoncé narrates. “Now that I’m famous, it's really, really difficult to do very simple things."
She touches on her marriage and the role Jay Z has assumed in her life. “My escape was always music, and I’m so lucky that that’s my job,” she says. “But if I accomplished all of these things and had no one to share it with, it would be worth nothing."
Beyoncé recently became the most nominated female artist in Grammy history, with 48 all-time nominations. She recently released the Platinum Edition of her 2013 LP, BEYONCÉ, with an additional six tracks and accompanying DVD. —Lauren Nostro
Related: Beyoncé Drops “Yours and Mine” Short Film and Reflects on Fame, Feminism, and Family
Nicki Minaj dropped the racy visuals for “Only.”
Date: December 12
With the near arrival of her new album, The Pinkprint, Nicki Minaj is the boss in her new video for “Only,” which features Drake, Lil Wayne, and Chris Brown. The holy trinity and Brown met up down in Miami and linked with director Hannah Lux Davis for over five minutes of steamy, sexy visuals.
But let's get real. Nicki is in charge of all the tortured, bloodied men in this video while Drake and Lil Wayne compete for her attention, and Brown lingers in the shadows with the creepiest eyes. —Lauren Nostro
Related: Watch Nicki Minaj's “Only” Video f/ Lil Wayne, Drake, and Chris Brown
