Image via Complex Original
Bobby Shmurda hit a very serious and unfortunate roadblock in his blossoming career this week as the 20-year-old Brooklyn rapper was arrested and charged for conspiracy in the second degree, among several other charges. Members of his GS9 crew, including Rowdy Rebel, were also arrested and charged with various crimes as part of a sting operation targeting drug trafficking and street violence that was conducted by the NYPD and a Brooklyn task force. If convicted on the conspiracy charges, Shmurda could be going away for a long time.
Plus, J. Cole hits number one with 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Nicki Minaj and D'Angelo release new albums, and YG calls out the Grammys for getting snubbed. Check out all that and more in What the Hell Just Happened in Music This Week?
D'Angelo dropped his first album in over 14 years.
Date: December 14
In an event rarer than the blooming of the corpse flower and nearly on the same level as Halley's Comet, D'Angelo has dropped a new album. D'Angelo explained the title's meaning in a lyric pamphlet distributed at an album listening party in New York prior to its release.
“For me, the title is about all of us,” he wrote. “It's about the world. It's about an idea we can all aspire to. We should all aspire to be a Black Messiah. … Not every song on this album is politically charged (though many are), but calling this album Black Messiah creates a landscape where these songs can live to the fullest."
With that description it almost seems inappropriate to get freaky to this album. But we know that's exactly what a lot of you will do. —Ian Servantes
Related: D'Angelo and the Vanguard's “Black Messiah” Album Is Finally Here
Nicki Minaj released The Pinkprint and opened up about her breakup with longtime boyfriend, Safaree.
Date: December 14
Monster singles, cover stories, and high-profile performances have all led up to this: Nicki Minaj's The Pinkprint is finally out for the world to hear. The 17-track album (20 deluxe) is stacked with guest spots from Beyoncé, Lil Wayne, Drake, Chris Brown, Ariana Grande, Meek Mill, Jeremih, and Skylar Grey.
But what we're most excited about is Nicki's own personal growth. “I’ve never stopped doing remixes and features,” she said in her Complex cover story. “I’ve never stopped raising the bar lyrically. I understand and respect people’s opinions when they hear me do certain things and say she’s 'going back,' but I haven’t gone back, I’ve moved forward. I’ve always been evolving."
Following the release of her album, Nicki paid a visit to Power 105 and radio host Angie Martinez's and gave one of her most personal interviews yet. The rapper opened up about a lot of topics during including her love life and friendship with Beyoncé. While she remained vague about her rumored relationship with Meek Mill (who appears on the album twice), she compared him to DMX and said the rap game needs a rapper like him that represents the harder side of life. Nicki slyly put her labelmate Drake further into the friend zone by saying she definitely “doesn't want to kiss him in the mouth,” too. Ouch.
Perhaps the most compelling part of the interview is when she opened up about her breakup with Safaree “SB” Samuels, which even caused her to break down in tears. The relationship is a major theme on Pinkprint and Nicki delved into the reasons that she keeps her private life under wraps saying “relationships aren't sacred” in the world we live in. The most heartbreaking quote is when she said that if she wasn’t a rapper, she would live “happily ever after” with Samuels, a rare moment of vulnerability from the acclaimed rapper. —Ian Servantes
News of a Wiz Khalifa sex tape surfaced.
Date: December 15
It appears that a Wiz Khalifa sex tape may in fact exist, but he's not interested in selling it. How does a sentence like that even get written though? Let's take a look at the brief history between Wiz and the tape's alleged co-star, Playboy model Carla Howe (pictured to Wiz's left above—the girl to the right is Carla's twin sister). Photos show that the pair met at the video shoot for Fat Joe's “Ballin,” which Wiz featured was in.
Carla is now reportedly trying to sell the “movie,” but hasn't been able to because 1) Wiz allegedly had no idea he was being filmed, and 2) He has no interest in releasing a public sex tape. TMZ is reporting that Carla has been talking to Steve Hirsch at Vivid Entertainment over a possible sale. Hirsch has done similar deals in the past for a few familiar names: Kim Kardashian, Pamela Anderson, Tommy Lee and Kendra Wilkinson. —Justin Block
Related: Supposedly, There's a Wiz Khalifa Sex Tape That's Being Shopped Around
Toronto rapper Derek Wise was arrested for human trafficking.
Date: December 16
Derek Bissue, a 22-year-old Toronto rapper who performs under the name Derek Wise, was arrested and charged by Toronto police in an ongoing human trafficking case. Vice broke the story after allegations were brought forward by a 21-year-old woman who claims that Bissue forced her into the sex trade. He was reportedly arrested after “an attempt to take her money resulted in police intervention.” Investigators believe that there may be more victims.
Bissue, who is part of Toronto's Get Home Safe crew and has also been affiliated with XO (as Vice reports, up until yesterday afternoon, he had XO and Get Home Safe in his Twitter bio), garnered buzz this year. Bissue has released a slew of singles and videos over the last year, including his video for “Kenzo,” which has over 30,000 views.
He has reportedly been charged with 12 crimes including trafficking in persons and for material benefit, to uttering threats, possession of a firearm knowing its possession is unauthorized, and robbery, among others. According to the Toronto Police website, Bissue has already made his first court appearance and is now awaiting trail. We confirmed with the Toronto Police that he has been formally charged, as well. Back in June, the Alliance Against Modern Slavery published a 50-page report in which they named Toronto as the “Most Common Destination” for human trafficking in all of Ontario.
Bissue's management released a statement on the matter to Vice, which you can read in its entirety below.
Quincy Nanatakyi: “The investigation against Derek is both shocking and offensive. These accusations, which we take very seriously were brought to the police after Derek attempted to end an unhealthy relationship with a mentally unstable individual. Derek's character would not allow him to commit any of the allegations he is facing. Unfortunately, the mental health of his accuser is in question as well. During their relationship Derek was a victim of physical abuse, slanderous accusations, and was threatened that his career would be ruined by the same person who has now made these erroneous allegations. Having had to deal with these abuses before the investigation, Derek would never put anyone through the same pain he was forced to experience. Derek would like everyone to please understand that all slanderous accusations against him are completely untrue and he empathizes with ALL victims of any and every form of abuse. GHS also known as get home safe members and affiliates of Derek Bissue also known as Derek Wise do not promote any of the negative and horrendous claims brought against Derek. As a young man raised by a single mother who Derek found love and endless inspiration, he would never put himself into a situation that would cause harm to a woman. It hurts me to see my best friend and business partner in this situation. People change when they see someone close to them elevating their mindset and focusing on positive routes to success. I want all of his fans, friends and loved ones to send positive energy for this tiresome, somber, and ridiculous situation. Lastly, I want to state that due to the legal process I cannot disclose any more information at this time. Also please understand that there are two sides to every story.”
YG talked about being snubbed by the Grammys.
Date: December 16
YG isn't happy with next year's Grammy nominations, and he voiced his displeasure during an interview on Big Boy's Neighborhood. His debut album My Krazy Life received a lot of critical acclaim this year, yet it was suspiciously missing from the nominees for Best Rap Album and he seems to think it's because he's from the streets.
“I think it has to do with me being from the streets, and representing what I represent,” he says before listing off the positive things he does in his community. Calling himself the “people's champ,” he goes on to say that he feels that his album was better than the other nominees on the list, which include ScHoolboy Q, Eminem and Iggy Azalea. His confidence in the quality of My Krazy Life is clear in the video, and he even compares how he feels to Kanye West's frustration that caused him to interrupt Taylor Swift at the MTV Video Music Awards years ago.—Justin Davis
Related: YG Says He Was Snubbed By The Grammys Because He's “From The Streets”
Kendrick Lamar debuted a new song on “The Colbert Report.”
Date: December 16
Stephen Colbert's satirical and hilarious look at America The Colbert Report has ended, but not before Kendrick Lamar stopped by to close out one the last shows with a performance of his unreleased song called “Untitled.” As the final musical guest on the show, he does not disappoint as he is backed by a full band during the performance.
Starting off with a story about a girl, Kendrick touches on many different topics including the cost of fame. He raps at a slow pace, and towards the end begins rapping at a fever pitch, displaying his outrageous technical skill. The song, which is produced by French producer Astronote, is jazzy and gives off a Section.80 feel which is sure to make fans who were put off by “i” very relieved. Part of what made the performance so impactful was the incredible work of the band behind Kendrick, which included work from Thundercat, Terrace Martin and Bilal. —Justin Davis
Related: Kendrick Lamar Premieres “Untitled” on “The Colbert Report”
Bobby Shmurda was arrested and charged with conspiracy in the second degree.
Date: December 17
Bobby Shmurda and his GS9 crew were arrested at Quad Studios in NYC. A numerous amount of weapons were taken from the studio following the incident. Epic Records EVP of Urban A&R, Sha Money XL, who originally signed Shmurda and the crew to the label, was also present, but was not arrested. The arrest of Shmurda and GS9 was part of a large narcotics investigation that had been conducted by the NYPD and a Brooklyn task force
Shmurda, whose government name is Ackquille Pollard, rose to fame this past summer when his single, “Hot Nigga,” went viral, largely due to a single Vine video, and soon brought him almost instant stardom.
Pollard was arrested on conspiracy, reckless endangerment and gun possession, and he is now facing the following charges: conspiracy in the second degree, three counts of conspiracy in the third degree, reckless endangerment in the second degree, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and one count of criminal possession of drug paraphernalia (Description in court as intent to sell and possession of narcotics). He faces 8 1/3 to 25 years if convicted on conspiracy charges, and a maximum of 15 years on each weapons charge (Pollard was found in possession of three weapons on two separate occasions). His bail was set at a New York City court at $2 million; his attorney Howard Greenberg told Complex that Epic Records is securing his bail on insurance money. —Zach Frydenlund
Related: Bobby Shmurda and the GS9 Crew Were Reportedly Arrested at Quad Studios Last Night
J. Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive debuted at No. 1.
Date: December 17
J. Cole's third studio album, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, tops the Billboard 200 chart, selling 353,538 copies in its first week and knocking Taylor Swift's 1989 out of the top stop. His final tally rises to 371,228 thanks to Billboard's new initiative to include streaming services into the mix. Cole's album also sets the highest mark for Spotify streams in a first week, with 15.7 million recorded.
Cole's success is especially sweet given his unorthodox rollout for 2014 Forest Hills Drive. He initially announced the project three weeks before it would be released, sharing no singles to radio. His first live television performance took place a day after the album dropped, and Cole chose to perform a new version of “Be Free” rather than a song off the project.
This marks Cole's third consecutive album to reach No. 1, with his 2011 release, Cole World: The Sideline Story, debuting at the top of the charts with 218,000 copies sold. His sophomore album, Born Sinner, debuted last year in the No. 2 spot behind Kanye West's Yeezus with 297,000 copies sold. It would later reach No. 1 in its third week.
Prior to Cole's 2014 Forest Hills Drive being released, Rick Ross held the crown in 2014 for highest first week sales for a hip-hop act with Mastermind, which sold 179,000 copies. Cole's sales clearly dwarf that number, and with the year nearly over, only Nicki Minaj could come close to knocking off Cole with her third studio album, The Pinkprint. —Edwin Ortiz
Related: J. Cole's “2014 Forest Hills Drive” Debuts at No. 1
Azealia Banks delivered a powerful statement on the treatment of black women in music.
Date: December 19
Azealia Banks is lately hip-hop's foremost defender against cultural appropriation and the likes of Iggy Azalea. Hot 97 hosts Ebro Darden, Peter Rosenberg, and Laura Stylez recently hosted Banks, who once again slandered Iggy, called T.I. “a shoe-shining coon,” and spoke that real about not needing Interscope or Top 40 radio play to make and promote her music. (Interscope dropped Banks in July, with Banks releasing her long-delayed studio debut, Broke With Expensive Taste, independently.)
At two points in the Hot 97 team's discussion, Banks cries, clearly frustrated with the disparities in popular culture's treatment of black and white musicians who make black music. “At the very fucking least,” Banks says, “y'all owe me the right to my identity. That's all we're holding on to in hip-hop and rap."
“We need you,” Ebro tells Banks. “Your passion is needed."
“It's just upsetting given the deepness of the blackness that's gone,” Banks says.
Iggy Azalea lazily responded to Banks' statement on Twitter without fully understanding the issue at hand. This is your weekly reminder that Iggy Azalea, a blonde Australian who raps as if she's a black woman from Atlanta, doesn't give a shit about black women or black transcendence in general. —Justin Charity
Related: Azealia Banks Gives Amazing Interview to Hot 97, Iggy Azalea Responds With Absolute Nonsense
