Author: user

Kendrick Lamar returns to his former high school for a groundbreaking ceremony along with Dr. Dre and Will.i.am.On Thursday (May 7), Kendrick Lamar returned to his high school alma mater Centennial High School in Compton, Calif., to help celebrate a new construction project on the campus. Also in attendance was veteran hitmakers Dr. Dre and Will.i.am, who are also supporting the school’s new transformation.K-Dot graduated from CHS in 2005, while Dre attended the school during his freshman year in 1979, but transferred to Fremont High School in South Central Los Angeles due to poor grades. This will be the school’s…

Source: Alexi Rosenfeld / Getty Another piece of Hip-Hop’s foundation is fading into history, this time from the retail side of the culture. As per The New York Times, H&R Hosiery, a low-key South Bronx shop that quietly helped define early Hip-Hop fashion, has officially closed its doors after six decades in business. If you know, you know. The store didn’t rely on ads, marketing, or even a proper storefront presence. It lived off word of mouth, moving like an open secret among those tapped into the culture. For heads in the Bronx and beyond, it was less a store and…

Detective Trey McCulla testified that murdered rapper Julio Foolio was a documented member of the Six Block gang since its official recognition in 2019. Detective Trey McCulla testified that murdered rapper Julio Foolio was a well-known member of the Six Block gang and one of the original documented members when the group was officially recognized as a criminal organization in August 2019. McCulla, a gang detective with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office for over four and a half years, explained that Six Block operates as a neighborhood hybrid gang rather than a nationally organized structure like the Bloods or Crips. “It’s…

Prince released his third studio album, Dirty Mind, in 1980, almost exactly a year after his self-titled sophomore album of 1979. Though Dirty Mind charted lower, it was a clear artistic advancement on its predecessors, exploring adult themes in a daring way and fusing a number of different genres including funk, rock, new wave and punk into a completely unique concoction. The stripped-down, minimal arrangements gave the album an extra punch, and the catchy hooks made it clear that Prince was on his way to crossover success.Other than one keyboard solo courtesy of Dr. Fink, and some vocals by Lisa…

Source: Gregg DeGuire / Getty One of Ye aka Kanye West’s early infamous moments popped back into the spotlight, thanks to a recent interview of his ex-girlfriend, Amber Rose. The model shared that she might’ve had something to do with his blowup during the 2009 VMAs. In her appearance on the Ball In The Family podcast hosted by Lonzo and LiAngelo Ball, Amber Rose spoke about how she amped the superstar rapper up before they attended the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards. “We need to be on the carpet … taking shots of Henny,” Rose recalled at the five-minute mark,…

Image Image Credit NBC / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Don Toliver on Episode 2246 of “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” airing on Jan. 26, 2026 Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Don Toliver delivered a high-energy medley of “E85” and “Long Way To Calabasas” on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” The performance previewed tracks from his forthcoming album, OCTANE, which is set to drop on Friday (Jan. 30). Toliver’s TV appearance builds anticipation following earlier singles like “Tiramisu” and “ATM.” With his forthcoming album, OCTANE, just days away, Don Toliver gave fans a taste of what’s to…

Billboard Hip Hop Exclusive FeatureThe industry has officially been put on notice: K-Town is entering a new era — and he’s doing it under two of the most influential banners in modern music. With his recent dual signing to Empire and Roc Nation, the rising star is proving that independent artists can build their own momentum, then partner with the giants on their own terms.Within just a few years, K-Town has evolved from underground phenom to a name circulating through label meetings, A&R circles, and executive boardrooms. His unmatched authenticity, high-voltage storytelling, and poetic street lyricism have carved out a…

Rap legends Salt-N-Pepa and Naughty By Nature have joined New Kids on the Block for a special tour that celebrates the pop grandeur of the ‘80s.”The Mixtape Tour” will feature acts from the ‘80s including pop sensations Tiffany and Debbie Gibson. In addition, NKOTB released a new track called “80s Baby” (see below) that features all the “MixTape Tour” acts.Salt-N-Pepa (with DJ Spinderella) started in the rap game in 1985 and garnered their first big hit in 1986 with the club anthem “Push It.” They are the first female rap group to go platinum, courtesy of their 1986 debut album…

Grammy-winning R&B titan Chris Brown has teamed up with singer-songwriter Leon Thomas for his latest single, “Fallin’,” released today via Chris Brown Entertainment/RCA Records. The track serves as the final lead-in to Brown’s 12th solo studio album, titled BROWN, which is scheduled to arrive on May 8. The upcoming project includes the Bryson Tiller-assisted, Grammy-nominated hit “It Depends” and the previously released single “Obvious.” The album announcement coincides with the unveiling of The R&B Tour (Raymond & Brown), a joint North American stadium trek featuring Chris Brown and Usher. The duo recently confirmed the tour via a collaborative commercial on…

Image Image Credit Rich Fury/VF20 / Contributor via Getty Images Image Alt Kanye West attends the 2020 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones Image Size landscape-medium Key Takeaways: Ye says his apology for antisemitic remarks was driven by remorse, not commercial gain. He denies using the statement to gain public favor ahead of his forthcoming album, BULLY, or to revive his brands. The advertisement and interview aim to reshape public perception and address past harm. Kanye West says his apology for past antisemitic comments wasn’t just some calculated “PR move” meant to clear the runway for BULLY or…