Apr 14

Meek Mill Hopes His Incarceration Will "Open Up Eyes"

The story of Meek Mill’s incarceration is continuing to make news outside the realms of Hip Hop.

On Thursday (April 12), a segment on Meek aired on NBC Nightly News With Lester Holt. As part of the feature, both the rapper and the Philadelphia District Attorney were interviewed.

While speaking with Holt, Meek revealed that he always suspected that a decade’s worth of probation would eventually land him back behind bars.

“It was always a thought in the back of my head that 10 years probation would bring me back to prison,” he said.

Recent developments in the case have given Meek’s team hope for a potential early release, including the information that Meek’s arresting officer was flagged on a list of allegedly corrupt cops.

“We now have information that was not available to the judge at the beginning … indicating that there are questions about the integrity of the conviction. And those questions are substantial,” District Attorney Larry Krasner said.

Krasner added that he’s aware that “African Americans are ending up with worse sentences over and over than white people.”

Later in the interview, Meek made it clear that he’s not here for pity and instead wants to open up the world’s eyes to the plight of other young black men.

“I think God delivered me a job to helping people,” Meek said. “Helping minorities that come from these situations like myself. I say don’t show me no pity because this is my life. This is what I’ve been going through. And I think God put me in this position to be able to do a show with Lester Holt and open up eyes for other young black men.”

Meek Mill will appear back in court on Monday (April 16) for a hearing.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46496/title.meek-mill-hopes-his-incarceration-will-open-up-eyes

Apr 14

#DXHitList: Kid Cudi, Young Thug & Swae Lee Top This Week’s Spotify Playlist

Spotify – Kid Cudi dropped some exhilarating new music this week. So, naturally it tops this week’s #DXHitList on Spotify. Titled “The Rage,” the song is taken from the motion picture soundtrack for Rampage.

Meanwhile, Young Thug dropped off his three-song mixtape, Hear No Evil, at the stroke of midnight on Friday (April 13) in honor of his deaf brother. The project features “Anybody” with Nicki Minaj, which was accompanied by a music video that was in all sign language. It slides in at the #3 spot on the list.

Swae Lee also dropped the tropical bop titled “Guatemala” featuring Rae Sremmurd partner-in-crime Slim Jxmmi, which also tops the #DXHitList this week. The track comes from Lee’s half of the upcoming SR3MM.

More songs to look out for on this week’s #DXHitList include Nicki Minaj’s “Chun-Li,” Freddie Gibb’s new single “Colors” with Mozzy and G. Perico, and #DXLive’s Litness Test winner E.J. Carter’s fire cut “Propane.”

Press play and follow the #DXHitList on Spotify below.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46497/title.dxhitlist-kid-cudi-young-thug-swae-lee-top-this-weeks-spotify-playlist

Apr 13

#DXCLUSIVE: Derek Minor Captures Hood Pride Pitfalls In "Decisions" Video

Ever the wordsmith and serene storyteller, Derek Minor is impacting the Hip Hip political scene this year with his “Decisions” video.

The animated mini-movie — directed by Johnnie Hxllywxxd — follows the path of a young and embarrassed black youth who thinks retorting back with gun violence is the answer. As we’ve seen time and time again in these United States, there are consequences. Or this case, we’ll say “decisions.”

Minor exclusively revealed the inspiration to HipHopDX to coincide with the premiere saying he drew it from “multiple stories that I’ve either personally been close to or I’ve seen in the media.”

He continued: “Often times in our media-driven culture we boil complex situations down to a headline, We want clear-cut lines that are easily digestible for our perspective platforms. When I wrote ‘Decisions’ I wanted to show how messy life really is. I wanted to capture how one decision can change everything. Unfortunately, for a song like ‘Decisions, there is plenty of content to draw inspiration from.”

derek minor decisions artworkderek minor decisions artwork

The powerful messages contained in the short film aside, the record also possesses a massive display of storytelling and lyrical outlines, something that has since become an afterthought in newer age rap music. Which makes the song that much more deep for the artist who created it.

“This song is very personal to me because I have had family and friends suffer devastating loses because of decisions they’ve made. I’ve also seen first hand how other’s people’s decisions or biases can cause extreme hurt. I’ve personally sat in the back of police cars, handcuffed and had guns pointed at me simply because I looked ‘suspicious.’

“What I’d love people to walk away with in this song is one decision can change everything. If those kids wouldn’t have beat up the main character, there would be no reason for his anger. If the main character listened to his brother, there would be no encounter with the police. If the police would have been more levelheaded and sought to understand, everyone would be alive. My hope is this visual will create healthy conversation and inspire us all to chose life-giving decisions.”

This new song will serve as the first single from Minor’s upcoming album. His last project, Reflection was released near the end of 2016.

Check out the HipHopDX-premiered “Decisions” video up above and follow Derek Minor @thederekminor on Instagram.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46491/title.dxclusive-derek-minor-captures-hood-pride-pitfalls-in-decisions-video

Apr 13

Tekashi 6ix9ine Flaunts His Freedom Amid $4.9M Sponsorship Deal

Given the legal issues Tekashi 6ix9ine started the week with, the combative New York City rapper is ending the week with some good news.

First off, he’s definitely not behind bars, as initial reports and his Twitter account suggested. 6ix9ine switched the narrative his team had been pushing on his social media accounts that he’d been locked up, taunting anyone who was waiting on his downfall.

“Y’all wish I was in jail, right? You big dummy,” he said mid-swim.

Seems like #tekashi69 was trolling like he was arrested. His court case was postponed .

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akadmiks) on Apr 12, 2018 at 4:43pm PDT

And the controversy from his guilty plea over the use of child in a sexual performance hasn’t stopped one brand from wanting him as a spokesperson.

According to TMZ, the controversial rhymer will receive $4.9 million and his own line of headphones in a new sponsorship deal. The deal is through TUNES headphones, with Tekashi getting his own exclusive color for his personal line. Despite his penchant for rainbow-heavy hues, the rapper has opted for red.

Additionally, a percentage of sales from the headphones will go to the Kids In Need Foundation. The organization provides free school supplies to under-resourced children.

The audio company was reportedly drawn to Tekashi by his recent “King of New York” proclamations.

TUNES headphones, which features wireless headphones and speakers, previously recruited model Blac Chyna as a spokesperson.

TUNES Headphones “Say Less and TUNE OUT” ?? Thank you @blacchyna for all the support ?

A post shared by TUNES (@tunesaudio) on Apr 7, 2018 at 12:08pm PDT

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46492/title.tekashi-6ix9ine-flaunts-his-freedom-amid-sponsorship-deal

Apr 13

Action Bronson Announces Major Label Depature & "White Bronco" Mixtape

Action Bronson signed to Atlantic Records’ imprint, Vice Records, back in 2013 and released two studio albums with the label — 2015’s Mr. Wonderful and last year’s Blue Chips 7000.

But according to a tweet from the Fuck That’s Delicious host, he’s flying solo. On Friday (April 13), Bronson announced he’s not only independent but also dropping a new mixtape called White Bronco. 

“FREE AGENT,” he wrote. “NO MORE LABEL. INDEPENDENCE DAY. WHITE BRONCO TAPE COMING SOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL SUPPORT FOR SO MANY YEARS.”

Bronson hit Twitter last year to vent about his frustrations with Atlantic/Vice Records, and claimed they were holding Blue Chips 7000 hostage. During his tirade, he implored people to remain independent.

But that’s all behind him now.

In addition to the White Bronco announcement, the weed-loving rapper also revealed he’s working on his next cookbook, Stoned Beyond Belief. 

Last but not least, Bronson shared The Alchemist-produced track called “The Hopeless Romantic,” which is taken from the veteran producer’s Lunch Meat EP.

“NEW HEATER ALERT,” he wrote on Instagram. “FREE AGENT ALERT. “THE HOPELESS ROMANTIC” PRODUCED BY THE ONE AND ONLY LIVING LEGENDA @alanthechemist#fuckthatsdelicious.”

Listen to “The Hopeless Romantic” below.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46493/title.action-bronson-announces-major-label-depature-white-bronco-mixtape