World News

Jussie Smollett released from jail pending appeal

Published

1 year ago

March 17, 2022

US actor Jussie Smollett has been released on bond from jail in Chicago pending an appeal against his conviction for falsely claiming he was the victim of a hate crime.

Last week the former Empire star, 39, was found guilty of lying to police and sentenced to 150 days in prison.

Following his sentencing, his lawyers launched an appeal.

Smollett has always maintained the hoax incident, which took place in Chicago in 2019, was real.

Jussie Smollett: From 2019 hoax attack to jail time

He had to sign a $150,000 (£114,000) recognizance bond prior to his release and made no comment as he left Cook County jail surrounded by security.

But his defence team said they were “very, very happy” with the appeal justices’ ruling and said Smollett was the target of a racist justice system, CBS News reports.

His team argued his imprisonment – for what was described as a low-level, non-violent crime – was excessive and that his health and safety were in danger while he remained in prison. They also questioned why he had been imprisoned after a previous prosecutor dropped the charges against him in 2019.

“Regardless of what you think about this case… the real question is, should black men be walked into jail for a Class 4 felony? Shame on you if you think they should, that’s a disgrace,” his defence attorney Nenye Uche is quoted as saying in The Chicago Tribune.

The prosecuting office said the claim that his health and safety were at risk was incorrect as he had been in protective custody while in prison.

The ruling stemmed from an incident three years ago when Smollett said he was attacked by two assailants.

The actor, who is black and gay, said the attackers had shouted slurs and a Trump slogan, dumped a “chemical substance” on him and tied a noose around his neck while he was walking late at night in January 2019.

Police opened an investigation into the incident but later charged Smollett with filing a false police report, saying he had staged the assault.

SOURCE: BBC

World News

Q DA FOOL SHARES NEW VIDEO SINGLE “HEISMAN”

Published

1 day ago

May 27, 2023

Ameyaw Debrah

Q DA FOOL SHARES NEW VIDEO SINGLE "HEISMAN"

Maryland rapper Q Da Fool has just shared his homecoming single “Heisman” ahead of the release of his comeback mixtape Home Detention, out 6/2. Hailing from the small town of Largo, Q Da Fool has long been a clear-cut DMV standout, carving out his own distinct lane in which he shares detailed stories of his lived experiences and the street life in Maryland – showcased on hit singles like “Win” (9.4M streams) and a momentous collaboration with Shoreline Mafia. Having released a slew of countless dynamic street anthems and projects with the likes of Kenny Beats and Grammy award-winning producer Zaytoven, he’s distinctly chosen not to follow in the footsteps of his area’s go-go wave – an artistic decision that has allowed him to fully flex his gritty lyricism and energetic flows. Fresh off the release of his I’ll Be Back project to kick off his year, “Heisman” serves as Q Da Fool’s first release since being free, after serving 18 months in jail – and he has a lot to get off his chest.

As Q Da Fool continues to keep his foot on the gas, he’s working to capitalize on his built-up momentum. On “Heisman”, Q Da Fool is expanding upon his dynamic street-heavy sound by asserting his authority through his unwavering delivery and rapid-fire flows – “Stayed in my lane and I steady was risin’”, he raps with force towards the end of the chorus. Named after the trophy awarded to the most outstanding player in college football each year, “Heisman” finds Q Da Fool using the track’s menacing hook to creatively mimic the trophy’s stance, hitting his haters with the stiff arm in the process. With his signature street flair on full display, as he swiftly tells candid tales and riddles off his cannon of no-nonsense bars, Q Da Fool is using the release of “Heisman” to further cement himself as an essential artist and storyteller in the Hip-Hop game.

Please find links below to watch and stream “Heisman”, and stay tuned for more announcements to come:

HOME DETENTION – OUT 6/2

“HEISMAN” – OUT NOW
WATCH | LISTEN

World News

Lil Durk Drops Anxiously Awaited New Album, ‘Almost Healed’

Published

1 day ago

May 27, 2023

Ameyaw Debrah

After increasing excitement to a boiling point, Chicago hip-hop trailblazer and multiplatinum superstar Lil Durk unleashes his anxiously awaited eighth full-length offering and one of the year’s most anticipated albums, Almost Healed, out now. Stream Almost Healed on all DSPs HERE.

Superstar icon Alicia Keys notably stars in the music video for “Therapy Session/Pelle Coat,” which just premiered. Watch it HERE. The visual features her in emotionally charged and thought-provoking moments alongside Lil Durk. It marks their first collaboration together.

Tense production underlines his reflective rhymes as the accompanying visual explores his relationship with the streets and faith through a series of arresting vignettes. It instantly captivates—like everything he does.

Almost Healed pops off as his most personal, engaging, and enigmatic project to date. Laced with bold bangers and introspective anthems alike, it highlights his undeniable melodies and incisive bars at the forefront. He not only shines solo on the likes of “Never Again,” but he also distinguishes himself as the rare chameleonic force who can collaborate with country superstar Morgan Wallen on “Stand By Me” or the late Juice WRLD on “Cross The Globe.”

He may be Almost Healed, but he still takes no prisoners lyrically…

Check out the full tracklisting below.

Fittingly, he set the stage for the project with the single “All My Life” [feat. J. Cole]. Upon arrival, it bowed at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, arriving his first Top 5! It has already reeled in over 80 million worldwide streams and over 20 million YouTube views on the accompanying music video in just under three weeks!

In support of Almost Healed, Durk launches one of the year’s most anticipated jaunts—the Sorry For The Drought Tour. He will be joined by special guests Kodak Black, NLE Choppa, and DD Osama in select cities. Produced by Live Nation, the 27-city tour kicks off on July 28 at MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater in Tampa making stops across the U.S. in Brooklyn, Chicago, Los Angeles and more before wrapping up in Phoenix at Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre on September 7.

The 2023 tour run comes after his successful ‘The 7220 Tour’ which hit North America in 2022 featuring special guests Doodie Lo & Booka600. Last year, Lil Durk owned the charts with the platinum-certified 7220, which crashed the Billboard 200 as his first #1 debut on the chart and boasted “AHHH HA,” “What Happened To Virgil” [feat. Gunna], and the cross-genre smash “Broadway Girls” [feat. Morgan Wallen].

Get tickets for the Sorry For The Drought Tour at Ticketmaster.com and Almost-Healed.com

Experience Almost Healed now! It’s Durk’s year…

TRACKLISTING:

1. Therapy Session

2. Pelle Coat

3. All My Life (feat. J. Cole)

4. Never Again

5. Put Em On Ice

6. Big Dawg (feat. Chief Wuk)

7. Never Imagined (feat. Future)

8. Sad Songs

9. Before Fajr

10. War Bout It (feat. 21 Savage)

11. You Got Em

12. Grandson (feat. Kodak Black)

13. 300 Urus

14. Same Side (feat. Rob49)

15. B12

16. At This Point We Stuck

17. Cross The Globe (feat. Juice WRLD)

18. Dru Hill

19. Belt 2 Ass

20. Stand By Me (feat. Morgan Wallen)

21. Moment of Truth

SORRY FOR THE DROUGHT 2023 TOUR DATES:

Fri Jul 28 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheater

Sat Jul 29 – Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre ^&

Sun Jul 30 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

Tue Aug 01 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater at Virginia Beach

Thu Aug 03 – Camden, NJ – Freedom Mortgage Pavilion

Fri Aug 04 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena ^

Sat Aug 05 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center

Sun Aug 06 – Boston, MA – Xfinity Center

Tue Aug 08 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center

Wed Aug 09 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage ^

Fri Aug 11 – Chicago, IL – United Center

Sun Aug 13 – Indianapolis, IN – Ruoff Music Center

Tue Aug 15 – Detroit, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre

Wed Aug 16 – Cleveland, OH – Blossom Music Center

Fri Aug 18 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre

Sat Aug 19 – Kansas City, MO – T-Mobile Center

Mon Aug 21 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center

Tue Aug 22 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center

Wed Aug 23 – Austin, TX – Moody Center

Fri Aug 25 – Albuquerque, NM – Isleta Amphitheater

Sat Aug 26 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena ^&

Tue Aug 29 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena

Wed Aug 30 – Portland, OR – RV Inn Styles Resort Amphitheater

Fri Sep 01 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena

Sat Sep 02 – San Diego, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre ^&

Wed Sep 06 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum

Thu Sep 07 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre

World News

Rising Atlanta Star Destroy Lonely Releases Gripping Music Video For “If Looks Could Kill”

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2023

Ameyaw Debrah

Opium Sensation Destroy Lonely shares a captivating music video for, “If Looks Could Kill,” the first single off his highly anticipated debut album of the same name, which dropped earlier this month. The visuals show the 21-year-old artist leading a group of expressionless villagers through a journey of self-reflection and transformation. Dressed in beige, they are introduced to Lonely as he pulls up in an off-road vehicle filled with new attire. He stands in contrast to the bleak backdrop, sporting all black, dark shades and embodying a mysterious aura. Through Lonely’s guidance the individuals grasp they will no longer be forced to all dress the same. He guides them from creative oppression by giving them a sense of power and individuality. Watch “If Looks Could Kill” HERE.

Destroy Lonely is currently hot on the heels of the success of his debut album, If Looks Could Kill. The well praised project features 26 songs that ooze casual confidence and irrepressible style. It proceeded to reach No. 1 on Apple Music just 24 hours after it dropped. He also debuted No. 1 and earned his biggest streaming day of all-time on Spotify with nearly 10 million streams as well as charted Top 20 on the Billboard 200. Alongside the album Lonely also shared an original horror film titled, “Look Killa,” which trended No. 3 on YouTube. Watch HERE.

This year Lonely also took the stage at several festivals including Rolling Loud LA, and Thailand. This followed his lengthy North American “NO STYLIST” headline tour. From there, beginning with a Berlin stop on March 9, Lonely performed his international run to crowds in Europe and the United Kingdom. This Summer he’s also set to perform at Rolling Loud Miami, Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Wireless Festival, and more.

The Opium Records artist began generating serious momentum after unloading NO STYLIST, a project coated in splashes of luminous warbles, dexterous flows and all the energy of a blossoming superstar. The project, and its follow up, this past fall’s NS+ (ULTRA), have earned him spots on 2023 artist to watch lists like Complex, Billboard, Pigeons & Planes, Alt Press, HipHopDX, The CFDA, Zane Lowe, Spotify, Genius, and more.

World News

Celine Dion cancels world tour due to health issues

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2023

VJ Scaro

Celine Dion’s “Courage World Tour” dates through 2024 have been canceled as she continues to battle a rare neurological disorder, it was announced Friday. (more…)

World News

Man accused of killing Migos rapper Takeoff indicted on murder charge

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2023

VJ Scaro

Patrick Xavier Clark Takeoff 052623 f68f02e5f253447a825d29f9a5328300

Last December, a man named Patrick Xavier Clark was arrested for the murder of Migos rapper Takeoff, who was shot and killed on November 1 in Houston, Texas. (more…)

World News

Rapper Fetty Wap sentenced to 6 years in prison for drug trafficking conspiracy

Published

3 days ago

May 25, 2023

VJ Scaro

Rapper Fetty Wap was sentenced to six years in prison Wednesday for his role in a large-scale drug trafficking scheme that saw narcotics shipped from the West Coast and sold in New Jersey and Long Island. (more…)