Apr 24

Kehlani Clarifies Sexuality Following On-Stage Demi Lovato Kiss

As Kehlani rang in her 23rd birthday on Tuesday (April 24), the Oakland-bred singer had already spent some time clarifying her sexual preferences (and doing some damage control) on Twitter over the weekend.

Following an on-stage kiss with pop princess Demi Lovato earlier this month, many fans were evidently curious about Kehlani’s sexuality. So, she took to the social media platform to clear things up.

Demi Lovato and Kehlani at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ – April 2nd #demilovato #ddlovato #demi #lovato #TellMeYouLoveMeTour

A post shared by Sarah ツ (@demilovatopicz2.0) on Apr 2, 2018 at 8:09pm PDT

According to MSN, in a series of since-deleted tweets, Kehlani explained, “Cuz I keep geddin asked… I’m queer,” she initially tweeted. “No bi, not straight. I’m attracted to women, men, REALLY attracted to queer men, non binary people, intersex people, trans people. Lil poly pansexual papa hello good morning. Does that answer your questions?”

Kehlani reportedly added she’s “least attracted” to straight men and referred to bisexual men as “little gifts from god.”

Soon, she found herself addressing her use of the term “queer” after someone pointed out it’s sometimes used as a derogatory slur.

“Damn, I didn’t know that!!” Kehlani responded. “If there’s anyone out there I’ve ever offended with the word, I’m sorry! I’m with the reclaiming of the word but if there’s anyone day loves me dat isn’t, I sorry I lurvvv u.”

She later continued, “(repetitive so it’s suuuper clear) my indentifying as queer wasn’t the issue, it was the singling out of trans intersex which sounded transphobic, ignorant and to some, sounding like fetishization. which is completely wrong, not my intention, and something to say sorry about.”

The Atlantic Records signee also laughed off reports her on-stage kiss was a public confession she was gay.

“so many blogs reported it as my coming out i am dead,” she wrote.

Kehlani wrapped up her Twitter spree by addressing some of her fans who applauded her for tackling a tough subject.

“i understand how hard it is to feel hurt and really embarrassed when you’re attacked/ harshly corrected for something you thought was right that u said w good intention,” she wrote. “still gotta learn tho!!! still gotta own up, change it, and grow.

“always hold us accountable. never stop. as crazy as twitter is, this is a part i believe is necessary. hold. eachother. accountable… and teach.”

She also showed off a new neck tattoo that reads “fluid.”

life path 7 the meaning of life. thank you @tessemilytattoos you’re a gem ?

A post shared by ARTIVIST 333 (@kehlani) on Apr 23, 2018 at 9:49am PDT

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46599/title.kehlani-clarifies-sexuality-following-on-stage-demi-lovato-kiss

Apr 24

Black Star Feeds Reunion Frenzy With Another Show Announcement

Brooklyn, NY – Yasiin Bey (formerly Mos Def) and Talib Kweli — collectively known as Black Star — have announced they’ll be closing out 2018’s Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival on July 14.

The performance comes with a panel on “The Making of the Black Star Album,” which will detail the behind-the-scenes of the duo’s seminal (and only) album, Mos Def Talib Kweli Are Black Star, which turns 20 in September.

The veteran MCs have been dangling a full-fledged reunion in their fans’ faces since February when Bey declared a Madlib-produced Black Star album was on the way during a Denver tour stop.

#BHFC Celebrates the Return of Black Star: @talibkweli + Yasiin Bey will be back home headlining this year’s finale concert of the festival week. • Early Bird Tix now available. •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• @talibkweli #yasiinbey #brooklyn #blackstar #festival #hiphop

A post shared by Brooklyn Hip-Hop Festival (@bkhiphopfest) on Apr 24, 2018 at 6:18am PDT

Kweli clarified the situation in an exclusive interview with HipHopDX during a show in Boulder, Colorado later that month.

“It looks like it might happen,” Kweli told HipHopDX. “I found out on the internet the same way y’all did. We’ve been talking about doing an album with Madlib for years. That’s been an idea we’ve had for so long, but for him to make that announcement … I didn’t know he was going to make the announcement.”

He added, “He went to a Madlib show and he got hype. It’s not like we discussed it and said, ‘Ok, we’re going to announce it.’ I got off the plane, I landed and was like, ‘Oh ok.’ It’s an idea we have been discussing for a long time, now we just gotta make it happen.”

Black Star has also confirmed a co-headlining spot with Nas at the historic Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado on July 31, where they’ll join openers Pusha T and Brother Ali.

The Brooklyn Hip Hop Festival goes down from July 9 to 14. Tickets are available here.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46600/title.black-star-feeds-reunion-frenzy-with-another-show-announcement

Apr 24

Royce Da 5’9 Responds To KXNG Crooked Leaving Slaughterhouse

KXNG Crooked raised some eyebrows over the weekend, announcing he was no longer a part of Slaughterhouse. HipHopDX happened to be taping an episode of Soulful Sundays with Royce Da 5’9 on April 22 and got his raw reaction to the development.

DX’s Editor-In-Chief Trent Clark asked Nickel Nine if Slaughterhouse was already disbanded prior to Crooked’s announcement since the group hadn’t released an album since 2012.

“No, not officially,” Royce said with a laugh. “I guess we are now.”

Slaughterhouse fans are the best fans in Hip Hop I salute you! Thanks for the support! ?

A post shared by GOD BLESS THE KXNG (@kxngcrooked) on Apr 20, 2018 at 4:16pm PDT

The respected lyricist proclaimed he’s completely supportive of Crooked and considers his fellow Slaughterhouse members to be family. Royce even sounded optimistic about them coming back together as a unit in the future.

“Crooked’s my brother, man,” he said. “I support anything that he wants to do. It’s the same with all the other members. They’re not just guys, they’re family. Anything that they wanna do, I’ll support it. I support Joe [Budden] with his podcast. I support Joell [Ortiz] with the shit that he doing with Fred The Godson. I support Crook with whatever it is that he wants to do. That’s just how friends are ‘posed to do … If it’s meant for us to do anything in the future, it’ll happen.”

Look out for Royce’s full appearance on DX’s Soulful Sundays in the near future.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46591/title.royce-da-59-responds-to-kxng-crooked-leaving-slaughterhouse

Apr 24

#BossUp: Rick Ross Unveils RICH By Rick Ross Collection

Since Rick Ross’ inception in the rap game, he has prided himself on being the flyest of them all — on some mirror mirror on the wall ish. So, it was only logical the superstar rapper put his fans onto game, especially those aspiring to be part of the “Beard Gang.”

For his next business venture, Rozay is introducing the RICH by Rick Ross Collection; a nine-piece grooming line consisting of luxury beard oil, shampoo, conditioner, hair and body wash, styling gel, shaving cream, aftershave balm, classic pomade and strong styling wax.

Dreams come true.I️ Thank my entire @richbyrickross team for executing as we discussed.Now let’s hustle harder than we ever have.Seeing this come to fruition inspires me in a whole new way.Pls follow both @richbyrickross @therichhaircare

A post shared by The Boss Rick Ross (@richforever) on Apr 22, 2018 at 6:58pm PDT

“I always get asked what I use to keep my beard so fly and real bosses help other bosses stay blessed, so I knew I needed to bring the people what they wanted!” Ross says in a press release. “From the shower to styling, the RICH by Rick Ross collection has something for every guy out there, and at a price that won’t knock your hustle. I promise you, with RICH by Rick Ross, your style will be ‘untouchable.’”

Respecting the hustle appears to be accurate. The RICH products all retail for $12.99 to $15.99. Users looking further into the fine print will pinpoint the entire collection is sulfate and paraben free and contains the ingredients hemp seed oil, Kona coffee, vitamins (D, A, E, B12), champagne and caviar extracts.

RICH by Rick Ross Collection currently has a VIP briefcase pre-order on the official website and limited quantities of individual products will become available in May. The national rollout will begin in, with select Sally Beauty Supply Stores being a viable source to “gloss like a boss.”

#rp @richbyrickross ?

A post shared by The Boss Rick Ross (@richforever) on Apr 22, 2018 at 9:30am PDT

This BOSS shaving cream takes your game to the next level. Expect the smoothest shave ever. Period. #BossUp #RICHbyRickRoss

A post shared by RICH by Rick Ross (@richbyrickross) on Apr 10, 2018 at 8:41am PDT

Every day you hustlin’, use this classic gel to hold you tight. Hold, shine, perfect for glossy-look styles or blow drying #BossUp #RICHbyRickRoss

A post shared by RICH by Rick Ross (@richbyrickross) on Apr 6, 2018 at 7:05am PDT

All #RICHbyRickRoss products contain ultra-moisturizing Hemp Seed Oil. The only thing it won’t do is get you high. #BossUp #420

A post shared by RICH by Rick Ross (@richbyrickross) on Apr 20, 2018 at 7:20am PDT

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46592/title.bossup-rick-ross-unveils-rich-by-rick-ross-collection

Apr 24

Daz Dillinger Talks Independence, Crips In Hip Hop & "The Chronic" Vs. "Doggystyle"

Coming off the release of the 30-song Dazamataz LP, Daz Dillinger stopped by the HipHopDX office to talk to Editor-In-Chief Trent Clark about the rapper/producer’s storied career.

The legendary West Coast artist discussed the benefits of true independence, the shift from Crips to Bloods in mainstream Hip Hop and his pick in the argument of Dr. Dre’s debut The Chronic vs. Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle.

Daz has mostly remained independent since the release of his sophomore solo LP, R.A.W, in 2000. As he explained, the death of physical CDs has presented a great opportunity for independent artists to sell their music.

“I sold 10,000 CDs on the first day through my website — and other channels — for $25 a piece,” he told DX. “I make 20G’s off 1,000 CDs.”

When asked what keeps him motivated to continue making music as opposed to taking up a role as an executive, he said, “I don’t want to deal with other people’s problems … I tried that before.”

The veteran artist also spoke on the decline of “blue dominance” in Hip Hop.

“It’s just all Bloods right now,” he noted. “It went from the east to the west to the south, and now everybody’s getting it … it’s just about can withstand … this depression of gangbangers.”

He does acknowledge artists like Nipsey Hussle and G Perico who are still carrying the blue torch though.

“They are representing, doing what they are doing … it shows in their music and the neighborhood and the community work,” he said. “When I’m riding through the streets, I see them all.”

The iconic producer also spilled a little tea, revealing that “Pimp of the Year” rapper Dru Down was almost the rightful owner of the “2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted” instrumental. Unfortunately for Dru, he wasn’t able to pay the $5000 fee. The rest, of course, is history as it became a classic 2Pac and Snoop collab.

During the conversation with DX, Daz also weighed in on the persistent The Chronic vs. Doggystyle debate.

“Everything is better on Doggystyle,” he declared. “On The Chronic, we just helped [Dre] put it together … we were just learning. On Doggystyle, that’s when I started producing everything.”

Check out the more of the interview with Daz below.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46593/title.daz-dillinger-talks-independence-crips-in-hip-hop-the-chronic-vs-doggystyle