Michael Jackson’s Nephew Disapproves Of Drake’s "Don’t Matter To Me"

At least one member of Michael Jackson’s family isn’t happy about the late singer’s surprising appearance on Drake’s Scorpion album.

Austin Brown, the nephew of Jackson, voiced his disapproval when asked about Drizzy’s song “Don’t Matter To Me.”

“I mean, I’m not OK with it,” Brown told a paparazzo. “I mean, but Drake’s talented.”

Brown, the son of Jackon’s eldest sister Rebbie, felt the previously unreleased work of his uncle should’ve never seen the light of day. Although he didn’t express any ill will towards Drake, the nephew of the pop icon disliked the idea of MJ’s unfinished work being repurposed.

“I just feel like, if he didn’t finish it, you shouldn’t use it,” he said. “He’s an artist. Everything he made … [I] respect the artist, I just don’t feel like it’s OK to use someone’s vocals and change them. It’s music at the end of the day. It’s art. I’m not gonna say [it’s] taking advantage [of Jackson]. [But] I wouldn’t do it.”

“Don’t Matter To Me” features some slightly altered vocals by Jackson on its hook. The vocals reportedly came from a 1983 recording session with Canadian singer Paul Anka, who is credited as a co-writer on Drake’s track.

Check out what Jackson’s nephew had to say below, courtesy of TMZ.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47489/title.michael-jacksons-nephew-disapproves-of-drakes-dont-matter-to-me

Rapper Smoke Dawg Killed In Toronto Shooting

Toronto, ON – Just a few weeks after the deaths of XXXTENTACION and Jimmy Wopo, another rapper has been killed in a shooting.

Toronto’s Smoke Dawg was shot and killed in his hometown on Saturday (June 30) in a shooting that took the life of another man and seriously injured a woman. According to The Star, police were still working on confirming the identities of the slain men, but multiple Toronto artists have confirmed one of them was Smoke on social media.

“Smokey is gone, may our prayers follow him to heaven,” fellow artist Mustafa The Poet tweeted on Saturday.

CP24 reports the shooting occurred in Toronto’s Entertainment District. Shots were fired outside Cube Nightclub, with bullets striking two men and one woman. All three were taken to a local trauma center where the men succumbed to their injuries.

Smoke first gained wider recognition in 2015 for his collaboration “Still” with Mo-G. The song racked up 2.4 million views on YouTube and 1.37 million streams on SoundCloud. More recently, his track “Trap” House earned 3.4 million views on YouTube and sparked a remix featuring French Montana.

Drake was among those mourning the loss of Smoke, sharing some thoughts on his death in an Instagram post.

“All these gifts and inner lights being extinguished lately is devastating,” he wrote. “I wish peace would wash over our city. So much talent and so many stories we never get to see play out. Rest up Smoke.”

Screen Shot 2018-07-01 at 11.12.40 AMScreen Shot 2018-07-01 at 11.12.40 AM

HipHopDX expresses our condolences to the family and friends of Smoke Dawg at this difficult time.

View more reactions to his death below.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47490/title.rapper-smoke-dawg-killed-in-toronto-shooting

Kodak Black Says He Received His High School Diploma

Fort Lauderdale, FL – Although Kodak Black is behind bars, he’s staying productive. Just a few days after declaring he passed his practice test for the GED, the incarcerated rapper announced he’d received a high school diploma on Saturday (June 30).

“I just received my high school diploma today and although it is a big accomplishment for me I am yearning for more,” he wrote. “I appreciate my teachers Mr. Williams and Mr. Ward for those times when I would get frustrated you worked diligently to make sure I had the right materials and was ready for this big day. Those Saturday classes and putting in over time studying paid of.

He added, “Momma I know I’m late but I got it. #ThatsHowYouStep #CapAndGownPicsComingSoon.”

I just received my high school diploma today and although it is a big accomplishment for me I am yearning for more. I appreciate my teachers Mr. Williams and Mr. Ward for those times when I would get frustrated you worked diligently to make sure I had the right materials and was ready for this big day. Those Saturday classes and putting in over time studying paid of. Momma I know I’m late but I got it. #ThatsHowYouStep #CapAndGownPicsComingSoon

A post shared by The Big Stepper (@kodakblack) on Jun 29, 2018 at 6:07pm PDT

It’s unclear if Kodak actually meant he earned his high school equivalency diploma, but it appears likely. In May, the “Tunnel Vision” rhymer said he’d be taking his GED test on June 28 and 29.

Kodak is currently serving a year-long prison sentence for violating his probation. According to the Sun Sentinel, he’ll be released in September.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47491/title.kodak-black-says-he-received-his-high-school-diploma

Wifisfuneral Mocks Stitches’ Tattoos & Calls Him A "Coke Head" Amid Brewing Beef

Wifisfuneral and Stitches are apparently embroiled in a battle over who’s Florida’s “underground king.” After the controversial rapper saw a video of XXXTENTACION saying Stitches ran Florida’s underground Hip Hop scene, Wifi allegedly disputed that claim.

Consequently, on Friday (June 29), Stitches issued a stern warning to Wifi via Instagram, saying he’d “snap him like a Kit-Kat.”

“You 140-pound salamander faggot-ass muthafucka,” he says in the clip. “Who the fuck do you think you’re talkin’ to?

#Stitches had some words for #WifisFuneral over who’s running the underground scene in Florida.

A post shared by VladTV (@vladtv) on Jun 29, 2018 at 4:57pm PDT

A mere hour later, Wifi fired back with an Instagram video of his own, mocking not only Stitches’ face tattoos but also his entire persona.

While imitating Stitches — additional face-tats and all — Wifi says, “Muthafucka I’ll break you like a twig nigga. I will break you like a twig. Don’t you know that I throw fake cocaine into a fucking a crowd? I started this Florida shit. I’m a fucking coke head. I want smoke with a 21-year-old because I’m not fucking relevant. Yeah, brother!”

#WifisFuneral responds to #Stitches

A post shared by VladTV (@vladtv) on Jun 29, 2018 at 4:59pm PDT

Stitches replied to Wifi’s comments in yet another Instagram video and says he got “intel” that Wifi wants to play him in a game of Smackdown vs. Raw.

In the caption, he wrote, “I’ll take you up on your bet. And Stop using the excuse that you’re 21 years old I’m 23 you fool.”

I’ll take you up on your bet. And Stop using the excuse that you’re 21 years old I’m 23 you fool

A post shared by #FUCKAJOB (@stitches) on Jun 29, 2018 at 2:52pm PDT

Wifi has yet to respond to Stitches’ latest video. He’s been busy promoting his latest album, Ethernet Vol. 1, which he released earlier this month.

Meanwhile, Stitches just dropped his “Dope Boy” single last week. 

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47481/title.wifisfuneral-mocks-stitches-tattoos-calls-him-a-coke-head-amid-brewing-beef

XXXTENTACION’s Mother Reveals Burial Site For Slain Son

In the aftermath of XXXTENTACION’s shooting death earlier this month, hoards of people have paid tribute to the slain 20-year-old. The controversial rapper was laid to rest this weekend following a public open-casket funeral held at the BBT Center in Sunrise, Florida on Wednesday (June 27).

On Saturday (June 30), X’s mother, Cleopatra Bernard, shared an Instagram photo revealing his final resting place. The large, grey mausoleum is surrounded by red, black and white roses with a big “XXXTENTACION” at the top and his birth name, Jahseh D. Onfroy, written underneath.

“My guardian angel,” she wrote in the caption.

My guardian angel ??

A post shared by @ cleo_ohsojazzy on Jun 30, 2018 at 1:59pm PDT

The funeral was attended by thousands of fans who wanted to say their goodbyes. In another Instagram photo dedicated to her son, Bernard wrote, “Goodbye my love, until we meet again.”

Goodbye my love, until we meet again ??

A post shared by @ cleo_ohsojazzy on Jun 28, 2018 at 2:16pm PDT

A suspect in X’s shooting death, Dedrick D. Williams, was arrested on June 20 and police are looking at another person of interest. Three men, including Williams, are believed to be involved in the incident. 

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.47482/title.xxxtentacions-mother-reveals-burial-site-for-slain-son