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By 2004, The Alchemist had already established himself as one of Hip Hop’s premier producers, crafting unforgettable records for Mobb Deep, Dilated Peoples, Nas, Jadakiss, and countless others. But on this date 22 years ago, Alan Maman proved he was more than just the man behind the boards with the release of his debut solo album, 1st Infantry. Released on June 29, 2004, through ALC Records and Koch Records, 1st Infantry served as The Alchemist’s formal introduction as a solo artist, while still showcasing the gritty, sample-heavy production that had made him one of the most sought-after beatmakers in the game. Every track…

Twista could be facing prison time after pleading guilty to five counts of willfully failing to pay income tax.According to documents obtained by XXL on Monday (June 29), Twista, born Carl Mitchell,  pleaded guilty in May to not paying taxes from 2019 to 2023, despite making money from multiple sources of income, including shows, streaming royalties, album sales and music licensing.The docs allege the Chicago rapper received plenty of warnings from both the IRS and his accountant, but instead of handling it, he made deals with a third-party company to get advances on his future royalties. Prosecutors say this was his…

More than three decades after helping shatter barriers for Latino artists in Hip Hop, Cypress Hill is returning to its roots with a landmark new project. The legendary Los Angeles trio has announced Dios Bendiga, their first studio album in more than four years and the group’s first-ever full-length album recorded entirely in Spanish. Scheduled for release on July 24, the project celebrates Latino culture, heritage, and resilience while bringing together some of the biggest names in Latin Hip Hop alongside a new generation of rising stars. The album features acclaimed artists Alemán and Trueno, while also shining a spotlight on…

RnskReko is stepping into a bigger spotlight as one of the rising names coming out of the Midwest rap scene. With a sound that blends raw regional energy, confident delivery, and an ear for records that move crowds, the Warren, Ohio artist is building momentum at the right time. His recent featured performance on the Rap Snacks “One Mic” platform gave listeners another reason to pay attention. The platform has become a space for emerging talent to show personality, presence, and hunger, and RnskReko used the moment to make his energy felt. For artists trying to break through in today’s…

Bankroll Freddie is speaking out over what he says is “cruel and unusual punishment” at the prison he is being housed in.On Sunday (June 28), the Arkansas native shared a lengthy post to his Instagram account calling out FCI Yazoo City Low in Mississippi, where he’s been serving the 150-month sentence he was handed down in 2024 for gun and drug charges.In the post, Freddie claimed he has been kept in the Special Housing Unit (SHU), commonly known as “the hole,” since April 16 for 23 hours a day following a phone-related disciplinary incident that he says was ultimately dismissed.”My…

Tay-K’s legal team is making another push to overturn his murder conviction, this time asking a Texas appeals court to temporarily pause the appellate process while they seek additional clarification from the trial judge. According to newly filed court documents, the rapper’s attorneys are requesting that the trial court issue formal findings of fact and conclusions of law regarding its decision to deny a motion to suppress evidence obtained from an iPhone recovered during the investigation into the 2017 killing of San Antonio photographer Mark Saldivar. During the original trial, Tay-K’s defense argued that investigators lacked probable cause to obtain…

50 Cent takes shots at Jussie Smollett’s Pride performance, reviving their “Power” versus “Empire” rivalry as the month winds down. 50 Cent couldn’t resist taking another shot at his longtime rival when the opportunity presented itself at Harlem Pride this past weekend. The rapper’s latest jab came as Pride Month wound down on June 27-28, with celebrations reaching their peak across New York City and beyond. Smollett’s return to performing after years away from the spotlight became the perfect target for 50 Cent’s social media commentary, reigniting a feud that traces back to the competitive days of television’s “Power” versus…

Teyana Taylor had a momentous night at the 2026 BET Awards on Sunday. The multifaceted entertainer took home four awards — the most of the evening — including the inaugural Icon of the Year Award. According to BET, the award “celebrates the artist who is defining this moment. This distinction belongs to the creative force whose work, presence, and vision are setting the tone right now – someone whose impact isn’t measured in years but in the undeniable weight they carry in every room, every conversation, and every corner of the culture they touch.” Music icon Janet Jackson surprised Taylor with…

If the Boston Red Sox were looking for a statement series, they couldn’t have picked a better opponent. Boston completed a four-game sweep of the first-place New York Yankees at Fenway Park, capping the series with a dramatic 5-4 extra-inning victory Sunday night. The Red Sox outscored their longtime rivals 21-9 over the four games, holding the Yankees to just one run in each of the first three contests before surviving a late rally in the finale. The sweep couldn’t have come at a better time. Entering the series, Boston was just 6-17 against AL East opponents, 12-25 at Fenway…

The gold carpet at the 2026 BET Awards was a who’s who in entertainment, featuring hip-hop stars among the likes of Baby Keem, Latto, Doechii, 2026 XXL Freshmen Miles Minnick and Trap Dickey and more.On Sunday (June 28), comedian Druski hosted the annual awards show at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, spotlighting Black excellence across music, film and culture. On top of some major performances, the night also featured powerful tribute segments honoring Ms. Lauryn Hill, who received the Living Legend Icon Award, and Teyana Taylor, who received the Icon of the Year award.Before hitting the stage to perform as part of the…