Apr 17

J. Cole’s "KOD" Album Is Dropping This Week

New York City, NY – J. Cole fans were right to be excited. After performing a surprise concert on Monday (April 16), the Dreamville founder upped the ante by announcing he’s dropping a new album titled KOD on Friday (April 20).

“New album. KOD 4/20,” he tweeted.

Rap Radar’s Brian “B.Dot” Miller, who was at the show, reports the album was recorded in just two weeks. The title, KOD, has three different meanings: Kidz On Drugz, King Overdose and Kill Our Demonz.

No phones were allowed at the concert but that didn’t stop snippets of the album from leaking. Listen to a brief clip below.

Here’s a snippet from the new album #jcole #kod #newalbum

A post shared by @ acxd.rap on Apr 16, 2018 at 6:38pm PDT

This will be Cole’s first full project since 2016’s 4 Your Eyez Only, although he’s kept busy working with artists on Dreamville and directing a recent Royce Da 5’9 video.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46520/title.j-coles-kod-album-is-dropping-this-week

Apr 17

Kendrick Lamar Makes History With Pulitzer Prize For "DAMN."

Kendrick Lamar has become the first Hip Hop artist to ever receive the Pulitzer Prize in Music. K. Dot earned the highly-sought after accolade for his Grammy Award-winning album, DAMN. 

The Pulitzer Prize in Music is typically awarded to classical artists and jazz musicians. The significance of Lamar’s critically-acclaimed album granted his work to be among the likes of MacArthur Fellow Julia Wolfe and last year’s winner, Chinese composer Du Yun.

Pulitzer describes DAMN. as a “virtuosic song collection unified by its vernacular authenticity and rhythmic dynamism that offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern African-American life.” In HipHopDX’s original review of the album, we noted that “In all, DAMN. makes baseless any claims that Kendrick Lamar isn’t an all-time great.”

The LP was awarded a 4.9 out of 5 rating.

DAMN. was released in April 2017 and closed out the year as the #1 album of the year on the Billboard charts. It was also named as DX’s Rap Album of the Year and helped Lamar secure Rapper of the Year in our 2017 Year-End Awards.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46517/title.kendrick-lamar-makes-history-with-pulitzer-prize-for-damn

Apr 17

Vince Staples Calls R. Kelly "A Piece Of Fucking Shit"

Indio, CA – During a conversation with Everyday Struggle’s Nadeska Alexis, Vince Staples didn’t mince words after bringing up R. Kelly’s sordid history. Staples ranted about Kelly when talking about how gangster rappers are the only black entertainers who get incarcerated.

“R. Kelly never went to jail and he’s a fucking child molester,” he said. “He’s a child molester. But I’m just saying, he’s a child molester, and he pees on people, and he can’t read and write, and he didn’t go to jail. I’m a good person. R. Kelly’s a piece of fucking shit. So, piece of fucking shit R. Kelly didn’t go to jail for being a child molester and peeing on people and having a human trafficking ring in Atlanta, then I’ll be all right.”

Alexis tried her best to get Staples off the topic, but he wouldn’t relent. When she referenced possibly getting fired over the discussion, the unapologetic MC took aim at Coachella.

“They shoulda booked R. Kelly if they like R. Kelly so much,” Staples retorted. “He would’ve pissed on somebody in the crowd because he pees on children.”

Kelly was indicted on 21 counts of child pornography in 2002 but was eventually found not guilty at trial in 2008. Last year, the controversial singer was accused of running a “sex cult” and holding women against their will.

More recently, he’s faced allegations of grooming a 14-year-old girl as a “sex pet” and been accused of sexually assaulting a Dallas woman, who says she was being groomed for his cult. The woman also claimed Kelly “knowingly and intentionally infected her with a sexually transmitted disease without her knowledge.”

Check out Staples’ entire interview for his thoughts on his infamous GoFundMe campaign and claims of Def Jam dropping Lil Durk, which contradicts Durk’s story about leaving the label on his own.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46518/title.vince-staples-calls-r-kelly-a-piece-of-fucking-shit

Apr 17

Too $hort Won’t Face Rape Charges

The Los Angeles County District Attorney won’t proceed with criminal charges against Too $hort, who was accused of sexually assaulting a woman multiple times between June and October of 2016. According to TMZ, the D.A.’s office determined there wasn’t enough evidence to move forward with the case.

In January, Teana Louis filed a lawsuit against the Bay Area Hip Hop legend alleging he raped her on multiple occasions in 2016. Her suit claimed she was the victim of forced vaginal sex, oral sex and sodomy over a five-month period.

Too $hort denied the allegations, claiming Louis was trying to extort him. The veteran MC’s lawyers, Rob Reichman and Sean Macia, filed documents they believed debunked her allegations in March. The documents included text messages from Louis, who reportedly said she loved Too $hort and referred to herself as his wife.

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46519/title.too-hort-wont-face-rape-charges

Apr 16

Beyoncé Reunites With Destiny’s Child At Coachella 2018

Indio, CA – Reports of Destiny’s Child reunion came true during Beyoncé’s widely acclaimed performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music Arts Festival on Saturday night (April 14). The pop music powerhouse teamed up with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams, reuniting in concert for the first time since 2013.

Naturally, Twitter has been overflowing with Beyhive members in euphoria over the reunion. Some fans are already calling for the trio to tour.

Check out some of the reactions below and watch Destiny’s Child in action above.

(The original version of this article was published on April 14, 2018 and can be found below.)

Destiny’s Child is reportedly reuniting at Coachella Valley Music Arts Festival in Indio, California on Saturday night (April 14).

According to Page Six, an inside source said, “Beyoncé and Destiny’s Child are reuniting. It was teased, rumored, squashed, so nothing much else was said … But it’s happening.”

The source also added, “[It’s] to make up for the fact she was unable to perform last year [when pregnant]. The girls really wanted it and felt they owed it to the fans.”

Destiny’s Child — Beyoncé, Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland — formally disbanded in 2006 after they wrapped up the Destiny Fulfilled… and Lovin’ It Tour.

Formed in 1997, the RB trio released five albums, culminating with 2004’s Destiny Fulfilled. 

The group’s third album, 2001’s Survivor, spawned the massive singles”Independent Women,” Survivor” and “Bootylicious.”

In 2013, Destiny’s Child reunited for Super Bowl XLVII Halftime Show at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Coachella’s organizers have confirmed fans are able to livestream Beyoncé’s headlining performance on YouTube. The Lemonade singer hits the stage at 11:10 p.m. PST on Channel 1 of the YouTube streams. 

Article source: http://hiphopdx.com/news/id.46500/title.destinys-child-reportedly-reuniting-at-coachella-tonight