The visionary rapper, DJ and producer (real name Lance Taylor) died on Thursday (April 9) in Pennsylvania, according to TMZ. Bambaataa’s lawyer confirmed to the Associated Press that his cause of death was prostate cancer.

“Today, we acknowledge the transition of a foundational architect of Hip Hop culture, Afrika Bambaataa,” Kurtis Blow said in a statement as executive director of the Hip Hop Alliance. “[He] helped shape the early identity of Hip Hop as a global movement rooted in peace, unity, love, and having fun.

“His vision transformed the Bronx into the birthplace of a culture that now reaches every corner of the world … At the same time, we recognize that his legacy is complex and has been the subject of serious conversations within our community.”

Born in the South Bronx, New York, Afrika Bambaataa rose to prominence as a member of the Black Spades street gang before establishing himself as a popular local DJ. In the 1970s, Bambaataa launched the art collective the Universal Zulu Nation, helping to define the four elements of hip-hop culture: DJing, graffiti, breakdancing and MCing.

As a recording artist, he is best known for the 1982 hit “Planet Rock” with the Soulsonic Force, which cracked the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 and inspired a wave of electro-rap and dance-pop records, owing to its futuristic, Kraftwerk-sampling sound.

Alongside DJ Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa is widely considered a founding father of hip-hop, helping to lay the foundation for the genre to grow into arguably the most culturally influential movement of the last 50 years.

However, Bambaataa leaves behind a complicated legacy tarnished by disturbing allegations.

In 2016, he was accused by a man named Ronald Savage of sexually abusing him in the 1980s when he was a young teen. Bambaataa denied the allegations, while Savage later retracted his claims.

“Bambaataa is not a pedophile and, in my eyes, he was doing something that was consensual with someone that he thought was of age,” he told AllHipHop in 2024.

After Savage initially came forward with his accusations, several other men subsequently accused Bambaataa of sexually abusing them as teenagers.

In 2021, Bambaataa was sued by an anonymous man who claimed that he had sexually abused and trafficked him for four years, beginning in 1991, when he was 12 and Bambaataa in his 30s.

The “Planet Rock” hitmaker never responded to the lawsuit and lost the civil case in 2025 after failing to show up in court. The alleged victim was awarded a default judgement.

The post Afrika Bambaataa Dies At 68 appeared first on HipHopDX.

After a five-year hiatus, Isaiah Rashad returns to kickstart the rollout for his new album with “Same Sh!t,” a southern-fried trunk-rattler that captures the feeling of being stuck in Groundhog Day. The TDE rapper’s third LP It’s Been Awful drops May 1.

Also ending a lengthy break between albums, DJ Khaled revives his usual formula by tapping trap titans Future and Lil Baby for “One of Them,” the lead single from his long-delayed 14th album Aalam of God. Whether this is really one of them ones is up for debate.

Extending his prolific streak since purchasing Death Row Records, Snoop Dogg reunites with a few familiar faces — Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, Erick Sermon, Rick Rock and Soopafly — on his new album Ten ‘Til Midnight, which accompanies his recently-released movie of the same name.

By far the most explosive release this week is Gucci Mane‘s “Crash Dummy,” a defiant diss song aimed at Pooh Shiesty and Big30, who are facing federal charges for allegedly kidnapping and robbing the 1017 boss earlier this year.

Elsewhere, Yasiin Bey (fka Mos Def) delivers a rare freestyle over Future, Metro Boomin and Kendrick Lamar’s “Like That” (via his Substack channel, but a snippet can be heard below), BossMan Dlow and Joyner Lucas both drop star-studded projects, and there are surprise link-ups between Doechii and Lady Gaga, and Kehlani and Missy Elliott.

Check out the best new rap albums and songs below.

Isaiah Rashad — “Same Sh!t”

Produced By: Don Oskar, Mario Luciano & Nate Hobden

Gucci Mane — “Crash Dummy” (Pooh Shiesty & Big30 Diss)

Produced By: Zaytoven

DJ Khaled feat. Future & Lil Baby — “One of Them”

Produced By: DJ Khaled, TM88, Rozay Knockin, Marko Lenz & Concentracia

Snoop Dogg — 10 Til’ Midnight

Featuring: Pharrell, Swizz Beatz, Erick Sermon, Nottz, Soopafly, Rick Rock, October London, Peezy, Trindad James, MyGuyMars

Doechii feat. Lady Gaga — “Runway” (From The Devil Wears Prada 2 Soundtrack)

Produced By: Bruno Mars, Andrew Watt, Cirkut & D’Mile

Yasiin Bey — “LikeZ” (“Like That” Freestyle)

Produced By: Metro Boomin

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BossMan Dlow — Chicken Talkin Bastard

Featuring: G Herbo, DaBaby, Trey Songz, OJ Da Juiceman, YKNIECE, BossMan Pac, Goldenboy Countup

Joyner Lucas — ADHD 2 Reloaded

Featuring: Big Sean, Chris Brown, NBA YoungBoy, Kodak Black, Ty Dolla $ign, T-Pain, DaBaby, Fireboy DML, Ava Max

Kehlani feat. Missy Elliott — “Back and Forth”

Produced By: Khris Riddick-Tynes & The Stereotypes

Lupe Fiasco — “Crash Out”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Fergie Baby feat. Cam’ron — “Harlem River Drive (Remix)”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Marco Plus — “Windows 98”

Produced By: Marco Plus, Wulf Morpheus and IK-EY

Buddy — Simmie Sims III

Featuring: Jay Rock, Kalan.FrFr, Guapdad 4000, KEY!, CUZZOS, Huey Briss, Kent Jamz, Indigo Boys, Faucet

Nelly Furtado & Boi-1da — “Electric Circus” (Canada Soccer 2026 World Cup Anthem)

Produced By: Boi-1da & ZALE

Lil Tjay — “First Time”

Produced By: whywhiteshine & rigasbeats

Ovrkast. feat. Niontay — “Wata”

Produced By: Ovrkast.

Skrilla feat. NBA YoungBoy — “Free 40”

Produced By: Solo Wolf Beats UK

AZ fest. Mume Fresh — “So High”

Produced By: Bink!

REASON feat. CUZZOS — “Humble’Em_PINK”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Blxst & Big Sad 1900 feat. Lori Perry — “Day After Day”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Your Old Droog & Tha God Fahim — “MESHUGENA”

Produced By: J-Es

BunnaB — “We Back Outside”

Produced By: 10kjake & Sammy Haig

Sir Michael Rocks feat. Valee — “In Solace”

Produced By: Geeohhs

H3adband & DaBaby — “She Can Get It”

Produced By: SayyDuke

Tink — Fuck, Marry, Kill

Featuring: G Herbo, Tee Grizzley, Bryson Tiller, Rob49

DJ Muggs & T.F. — Don’t Call Me Lucky

Featuring: Ghostface Killah, Roc Marciano, Boldy James, Rome Streetz, Meyhem Lauren, OT The Real, HeartBreak JC

Serial Killers (Xzibit, B-Real & Demrick) — This Thing of Ours

Featuring: Chuck D, Scoop Deville

Blade Brown & Benny The Butcher — “Blue Marlin”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Jason Derulo feat. Kevin Gates — “Sexy For Me (Remix)”

Produced By: Phil Greiss

Fetty P Franklin — “Zelle Money”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Deante’ Hitchcock — “Electric Revival”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

El Costeau — “F U”

Produced By: twelveAM & Coco Costeau

The post New Music Friday: Isaiah Rashad, Gucci Mane, Doechii, Snoop Dogg, DJ Khaled & More appeared first on HipHopDX.

The 1017 boss released a hard-hitting new song on Friday (April 10) called “Crash Dummy,” which finds him addressing the Memphis rappers ambushing him at gunpoint earlier this year.

“Tell the truth, you went out like a real crash dummy / And after all that, boy, you still signed to me? / I’m like Birdman and n*gga, this my Cash Money / And your fat-ass flunkie, he a stone-cold junkie,” he raps over signature trap production from Zaytoven that sounds straight from Guwop’s mid-2000s prime.

Gucci then recalls the January 10 meeting at a Dallas recording studio during which Pooh Shiesty allegedly pulled a gun on him and forced him to sign paperwork releasing him from his 1017 contract.

“I thought it was a business meeting, but it was a set up / I walk in the room, you can feel the pressure building / N*gga dapped me up, the whole time they plotting against me,” he spits, before adding: “Pressure on my chest, but I still ain’t pressed / Pen to the paper, but it’s under duress.”

He also reminds Shiesty, who was only released from prison in October 2025 after spending several years behind bars on separate gun charges: “You learn from your daddy, so I guess that it’s hereditary / I’m that same n*gga that put money on your commissary.”

Despite the humiliation of being ambushed by his own artist and facing questions over Shiesty and Big30’s arrests, Gucci’s tone is defiant throughout the track as he declares: “This 1017 the label, I built this shit from the ground / And I be damned if I let a n*gga take my shit down.”

He closes out “Crash Dummy” by repeating the refrain: “I done been betrayed, now my heart turned cold.”

Pooh Shiesty and Big30 were two of nine people arrested last week on kidnapping and robbery charges in connection with the alleged incident. Shiesty’s father, Lontrell Williams Sr., was also taken into federal custody.

In addition to forcing Gucci Mane to sign contract termination paperwork at gunpoint, Shiesty and his crew are accused of robbing Gucci and two of his associates, who are described as music industry professionals.

One of the victims was even allegedly choked to near unconsciousness during the ambush.

Shiesty has since been denied bond, with the judge citing the fact that he was on home confinement in his aforementioned gun case at the time of the incident.

“I can’t find any conditions to offer that haven’t already been granted to you,” Judge Renee Harries Toliver told the “Back in Blood” hitmaker during a court hearing earlier this week, per XXL.

Big30, who is accused of barricading the studio door with his body to prevent Gucci Mane and co. from leaving, was granted $100,000 bond but it was immediately stayed at prosecutors’ request.

Both rappers face up to life in prison if convicted.

Gucci Mane, meanwhile, came under more scrutiny this week when an FBI agent testified that he cooperated with police about the alleged robbery and kidnapping.

During Shiesty’s court hearing, FBI Special Agent Pamela Hanson revealed that investigators relied on statements that Gucci and the other alleged victims told cops after being called to the studio by a member of the rapper’s security on the night of the incident.

The post Gucci Mane Disses Pooh Shiesty & Big30 On “Crash Dummy”: Listen appeared first on HipHopDX.

The Chicago rap icon made a surprise appearance at Deon Cole’s comedy show at Hollywood Improv on Tuesday (April 7), where he hung out on stage and loosely interacted with Cole and fellow comedian Ocean Glapion throughout the night.

When asked if by Glapion if there is any artist out there that he views as a worthy Verzuz oopponent, Ye shook his head and replied: “Nobody” before flashing his signature smirk.

Backing up his argument, Yeezy then pointed out that despite running through dozens of hits during his recent sold-out shows at Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium, there were still several huge songs that he didn’t perform including “Gold Digger” and “Touch the Sky.”

While on stage, Ye also briefly spoke about the upcoming deluxe edition of Bully, revealing it is still in the process of being finished.

He also (jokingly) agreed to let Deon Cole record an interlude for the project, à la DeRay Davis’ (who also popped up at Cole’s show) comedic skits on The College Dropout and Late Registration.

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The prospect of Kanye West participating in a Verzuz battle has fueled fan debates for years, with fellow heavyweights such as Drake, Lil Wayne, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, 50 Cent and Future floated as potential opponents.

Swizz Beatz revealed in 2021 that Ye was actually “ready” to face off against Drizzy in the popular soundclash series that he co-founded with Timbaland, but it never materialized due to their ongoing feud at the time.

However, many believe that the only catalog that could stand toe-to-toe with Yeezy’s belongs to his former mentor, labelmate and collaborator JAY-Z.

During a recent episode of his eponymous podcast, Joe Budden and his co-hosts debated who would win between the Watch the Throne duo, with all of them agreeing that it would make for a tantalizing showdown.

Antwan “Ish” Marby ultimately backed Yeezy to take the W, saying: “I still think Hov is the greatest rapper ever, but when you getting up there with 20 bangers, hits… yes, Kanye can get him out of there.”

Brian “B.Dot” Miller, however, was adamant that Hov would edge it, saying: “If we’re talking about lead songs, I don’t think that JAY-Z loses to Kanye West.”

“I don’t either,” Budden concurred.

The post Kanye West Claims Nobody Can Beat Him In A Verzuz Battle appeared first on HipHopDX.

Offset was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries on Monday evening (April 6) after being shot outside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Police said that Tjay, who has been feuding with the “Ric Flair Drip” rapper in recent years, was arrested and “charged in connection with the incident,” according to NBC News.

He is accused of instigating a fight with Offset that led to his shooting.

Jail records show that Tjay was booked on a disorderly conduct charge and released on bond on Tuesday (April 7).

While leaving the jail, the 24-year-old spoke with reporters and lashed out at Offset, calling him a “rat.”

“The last thing I seen was Offset looking at me like this, ‘Yo, that n*gga shot me! That n*gga shot me!’ That n*gga is a rat,” he said. “I didn’t do no damn fighting … Did I shoot Offset? That shit is crazy.”

When asked if Offset put hands on him, the Bronx native snapped: “I’ll smack the shit out of Offset. He would never play with me like that in his life.”

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According to a probable cause affadavit, Lil Tjay “directed members of his [entourage] to start a fight with another group of males” in the valet area of the casino.

Surveillance footage showed Tjay pointing at Offset and then approaching him along with his associates, cops claim. During the altercation, one of Tjay’s associates allegedly pulled out a gun and fired, injuring Offset.

“Sworn statements were taken from the victims who stated that they were caring for their wounded friend [Offset], when the defendant [Lil Tjay] approached them in an aggressive manner with fists clenched and taking swings at them,” the affadavit reads.

Tjay is also accused of filming the confrontation on his phone.

The rapper’s attorney Dawn M. Florio previously denied his involvement in the shooting, saying in a statement: “Lil Tjay has not been shot nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting. Any reporting to the contrary is false.”

A second person detained at the scene has not been charged, according to police, who added: “The investigation to identify one or more additional persons involved in the incident is ongoing.”

Offset, meanwhile, is still recovering at Memorial Regional Hospital. He was captured on Tuesday outside the hospital smoking a cigarette in a wheelchair.

BREAKING: Rapper Offset was spotted smoking in a hospital gown after being shot Monday near the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. pic.twitter.com/33EfUWgkx3

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) April 7, 2026

The two rappers began feuding last year when Lil Tjay claimed that Offset was “broke” and owed him money due to his “gambling addiction.”

During a Twitch stream in January 2025, the “Calling My Phone” rapper claimed that he once lent Offset $5,000 at a casino and was owed upwards of $10,000 from the former Migo.

He also shared alleged screenshots of him threatening to “smack the whole shit” out of Offset if he didn’t get his money back.

After further taunts from Lil Tjay months later, Offset challenged the 24-year-old to a fight, writing on Instagram: “let’s hit on live I’ll fly to you this ain’t gone stop ya fell off allegations.”

The post Lil Tjay Calls Offset A “Rat” After Being Arrested Over Casino Shooting appeared first on HipHopDX.

The Tennessee native has announced his new album It’s Been Awful, which will be released on May 1 via Top Dawg Entertainment and Warner Records.

Along with a cinematic trailer for the project, which depicts Rashad limping across a field after a vicious attack, the TDE MC has launched pre-saves for the lead single “Same Sh!t,” set to drop soon.

It also appears that Zaywop is plotting an accompanying tour, with his new interactive website displaying an It’s Been Awful Tour poster. Fans can also hear a snippet of an unreleased instrumental, presumably from his upcoming album, when they visit the site.

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Isaiah Rashad began teasing his new album earlier this week, posting a cryptic card on his Instagram Stories that read: “Everybody wanna see you crash out, fall off, and burn out all for their entertainment. I just wanna see you smile.”

The back of the card featured the phrase “it’s been awful,” which fans now know is the name of his next project.

Fellow TDE artists Doechii, ScHoolboy Q, SiR and others also lent their support to Rashad’s rollout by tweeting out his album title on their respective social media pages.

Zay previously discussed the direction of his third studio album in an interview with VICE last year, naming OutKast, Prince and Fousheé as inspirations.

“The biggest inspiration for me was Fousheé,” he said. “Prince, I’ve been having ‘If I Was Your Girlfriend’ on repeat for 2-3 months. Then, for this tail-end part of my project, this girl PLUTO from Atlanta. She’s been inspiring me and this other girl BunnaB.”

He added: “I’m touching more [OutKast’s] Stankonia and The Love Below more than anything else. I would say Top [Dawg] made compromises for the creativity on this one, so I appreciate it.”

The 34-year-old also described the album’s sound as a “sultry southern mix mixed with a deep sense of intimacy. Everything from twangy rock and psychedelia to tender intimacy to the kind of trunk-rattling you’d only hear down south,” according to the publication.

It’s Been Awful serves as the follow-up to Isaiah Rashad’s 2021 album The House is Burning, which itself came after a half-decade hiatus from music following his fan-favorite effort The Sun’s Tirade.

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The post Isaiah Rashad Announces New Album ‘It’s Been Awful’ appeared first on HipHopDX.

The London-based rap and R&B festival announced in a statement on Tuesday (April 7): “As a result of the Home Office banning YE from entering the United Kingdom, Wireless Festival has been forced to cancel. All ticket holders will recieve an automatic full refund.”

The shock move follows mounting pressure from major sponsors, campaign groups and even UK leaders over the festival’s decision to book the controversial rapper as its sole headliner, despite his antisemitic and pro-Nazi comments in recent years.

Pepsi, Paypal and Diageo, among other brands, all pulled out of sponsoring the festival in recent days in protest of Ye’s booking, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called it “deeply concerning.”

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According to the BBC, Kanye made an application to travel to the UK on Monday (April 6) via an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). The Home Office rejected his application on the grounds that his presence in the country would not be conducive to the public good.

Earlier on Tuesday, Kanye issued a statement addressing the backlash to his planned Wireless Festival performances, promising that his “only goal is to present a show of change” and “bring unity, peace and love through my music.”

He also offered to meet with “members of the Jewish community in the UK in person, to listen.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews responded to Ye’s statement by saying: “We are willing to meet Kanye West as part of his journey of healing, but only after he agrees not to play the Wireless Festival this year.”

In a surprise turn of events, Kanye had been defended by the managing director of Festival Republic, the company behind Wireless Festival, prior to his UK ban and the festival’s cancelation.

“What Ye has said in the past about Jews and Hitler is as abhorrent to me,” said Melvin Benn in a statement. “Ye’s music is played on commercial radio stations in this country. It is available via live streams and downloads in this country without comment or vitriol from anyone and he has a legal right to come into the country and to perform in this country.

“We are not giving him a platform to extol opinion of whatever nature, only to perform the songs that are currently played on the radio stations in our country and the streaming platforms in our country and listened to and enjoyed by millions.”

Benn added: “Forgiveness and giving people a second chance are becoming a lost virtue in this ever-increasing divisive world and I would ask people to reflect on their instant comments of disgust at the likelihood of him performing (as was mine) and offer some forgiveness and hope to him as I have decided to do.”

Kanye West was scheduled to healine all three nights of Wireless Festival on July 10, 11 and 12.

The Chicago native has not faced similar backlash on home soil having recently performed two sold-out shows at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium in support of his new album Bully.

Ye was joined by a number of special guests over the two concerts including Lauryn Hill, Travis Scott and Don Toliver.

The post Kanye West Banned From UK, Forcing Wireless Festival To Cancel appeared first on HipHopDX.

The attack occured on Monday evening (April 6) in the valet area of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, according to the Seminole Police Department. The former Migos rapper suffered non-life-threatening injuries and is currently in a stable condition.

“We can confirm Offset was shot and is currently at the hospital receiving medical care,” a spokesperson for Offset said in a statement to the press. “He is stable and being closely monitored.”

Two people have been detained in connection with the shooting, police said, but their identities have yet to be made public. An investigation is ongoing.

Shortly after news of the shooting broke, Offset’s former groupmate Quavo appeared to send his support by posting a praying hands emoji on his Instagram Stories.

Unsubstantiated rumors began circulating that Lil Tjay, who has been embroiled in a feud with Offset in recent years over an alleged gambling debt, was involved in the shooting.

However, his lawyer Dawn M. Florio quickly shut down the “false rumors,” writing in a statement shared online: “Lil Tjay has not been shot, nor has Lil Tjay been charged with any shooting. Any reporting to the contrary is false.”

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In January 2025, Tjay ruffled Offset’s feathers by claiming that he was “broke” and “must have a gambling addiction.”

“Why I diss Offset? Offset is broke,” the Bronx native said on a Twitch stream. “I’ll tell y’all a true story … I seen the n*gga in the casino. He was popped, he was panicking.”

Tjay further claimed that he lent Offset $5,000 at the casino and is owed upwards of $10,000 from the “Ric Flair Drip” hitmaker. He also shared alleged screenshots of him threatening to “smack the whole shit” out of Offset if he didn’t get his money back.

After facing further taunts from Lil Tjay on social media months later, Offset challenged the 24-year-old to a fight, writing on Instagram: “let’s hit on live I’ll fly to you this ain’t gone stop ya fell off allegations.”

The post Offset Shot Outside Florida Casino appeared first on HipHopDX.

The Roc Nation rapper’s concert at The Compound on Saturday (April 4) went south when some attendees began booing him for performing “Exhibit C” acapella instead of over the Just Blaze beat.

Footage from the concert posted on social media showed Jay halting his set and taking issue with the crowd’s response, saying: “If you fuck with me, shut the fuck up and listen to the bars!”

He added: “Whoever boos, we know you the enemy, n*gga, and you a coward! ‘Cause you won’t boo in my face.”

Jay Electronica responds to boos after they wanted him to play the beat through for Exhibit C at The Compound in LA pic.twitter.com/bWTnfqeAxu

— Eric Diep (@E_Diep) April 5, 2026

An angry Jay Electronica then jumped into the crowd and reiterated his message as he walked through the sea of fans, daring his hecklers to boo him to his face.

“See how they shut the fuck up! They pussy!” he yelled, before clarifying: “My fans know I ain’t talking to them. We on the same team … I came here to swing my sword at the enemy. If you want to boo, that’s fine; I’ve been booed at concerts before. But grow some nuts and boo in my face.”

One clip showed the New Orleans native squaring up to a male attendee with his mic in hand and reprimanding him — in rhyme form.

“Ms. Dorothy raised me up on the psalms of David / Plus worked her whole life, day and night on grave shift / So just know Jay Electronica ain’t to be played with!” he snaps, reciting his verse from “Abracadabra (A Written Testimony: Leaflets).”

Jay Electronica confronts a fan at The compound part 1 #jayelectronica #losangeles #concert #hiphop pic.twitter.com/LjARZJ96S7

— JoethePoet (@MusicByThePoet) April 5, 2026

Part 2 #jayelectronica confronts the fans in Los Angeles #concert #hiphop #rap pic.twitter.com/dzdH0nXLJf

— JoethePoet (@MusicByThePoet) April 6, 2026

Jay Electronica is currently in the midst of his Nineteen Day Reconnaissance Tour, which kicked off last month in Toronto.

Having already performed in Seattle, Portland, several Canadian cities and, of course, Los Angeles, the enigmatic MC heads to Las Vegas on Wednesday (April 8) before traveling to Orlando, Miami, Austin, Dallas, Houston and Virginia Beach.

The North American trek eventually wraps up on May 9 in Richmond, Virginia.

Jay Elec is on the road promoting his spree of surprise projects that he dropped last year: A Written Testimony: Leaflets, A Written Testimony: Power At The Rate of My Dreams and A Written Testimony: Mars, The Inhabited Planet.

On the song “Four Billion, Four Hundred Million 4,400,000,000 / The Worst Is Yet To Come,” he revealed that he “gave [JAY-Z] nineteen albums in one day and he ain’t have to pay me,” although it’s unclear if any further Jay Electronica projects are set for release.

The post Jay Electronica Jumps Into Crowd & Confronts Fans For Booing Him At L.A. Show: “They P*ssy!” appeared first on HipHopDX.

The album has debuted at number two on the chart after earning 152,000 equivalent units in its first week, according to Billboard. Of that figure, 96,000 came from streaming (98.43 million on-demand official streams) while 56,000 comprised of traditional sales.

Ye was denied the top spot by K-Pop sensation BTS, whose 10th album ARIRANG earned 187,000 equivalent units in its second week following its blockbuster debut atop the Billboard 200 with 641,000 units.

Bully ends Kanye’s 21-year streak of number one solo albums, becoming just his second solo LP to miss out on the Billboard 200 top spot since his 2004 debut The College Dropout, which also peaked at number two.

At least this is one interpretation of the numbers.

Gamma., the company founded by former Apple Music exec. Larry Jackson that distributed Bully, has claimed that the album actually earned over 200,000 equivalent units in its first week, which would be enough to dethrone BTS and secure the number one spot.

On its Instagram Stories, Gamma. posted a “full seven-day sales and consumption” breakdown claiming that Bully generated a total of 200,997 units.

Neither Billboard nor Luminate, the data company that powers the Billboard charts, have yet responded to Gamma.’s claims.

Despite the album already featuring a generous 18 songs, there may be more where Bully came from.

In a separate Instagram Story, Gamma. teased an upcoming expanded edition, writing: “Bully deluxe on the way.”

Further details, such as a release date or number of bonus songs, have yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, Kanye West’s recently-announced headlining sets at London’s Wireless Festival in July are drawing plenty of scrutiny due to his past antisemitic behavior.

In recent days, a number of major sponsors have pulled out of the festival, including Pepsi, Paypal and drinks giant Diageo.

Even Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and London mayor Sadiq Khan have protested the move, with the former saying it is “deeply concerning” that the controversial rapper has been booked to perform “despite his previous antisemitic remarks and celebration of Nazism.”

Ye, who recently performed two sold-out shows at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium in support of Bully, is due to headline all three nights of Wireless Festival.

The post Kanye West’s ‘Bully’ First-Week Sales Are In As Deluxe Edition Nears appeared first on HipHopDX.

Shiesty (real name Lontrell Williams. Jr.) is one of eight defendants who were taken into custody by federal authorities this week in connection with the incident. A ninth suspect remains at large.

According to the Department of Justice, Shiesty arranged a meeting with Gucci Mane and two other music industry professionals (referred to by the initials M.M. and B.P.) on January 10 at a Dallas recording studio to discuss the terms of his contract with 1017 Records.

When the three men entered the studio, Shiesty and his crew “executed a coordinated armed takeover,” the DOJ claims. Shiesty allegedly pulled out an AK-style pistol and forced Gucci to sign contract termination paperwork releasing him from his deal.

The “Back In Blood” rapper is also accused of stealing Gucci’s wedding ring, watch, earrings and cash.

The remaining defendants allegedly brandished firearms and robbed the other victims of Rolex watches, jewelry, cash, and other high-value items as Big30 barricaded the studio door with his body to prevent them from leaving.

The victim referred to as M.M. was even choked to near unconsciousness during the incident, according to authorities.

Pooh Shiesty was on home confinement at the time of the incident for a previous firearms conspiracy conviction in Florida. He had only been released from prison in October 2025 after spending four years behind bars.

Investigators used various pieces of evidence to charge Shiesty and his crew, including fingerprints, rental car records and social media posts shared displaying the allegedly stolen items, which were shared just hours after the incident.

If convicted, each defendant faces a sentence of up to life imprisonment.

Neither Pooh Shiesty, Big30 nor Gucci Mane have yet addressed the charges.

The post Pooh Shiesty Arrested For Allegedy Robbing & Kidnapping Gucci Mane At Gunpoint appeared first on HipHopDX.

Building on their chemistry from past collabs, Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE make their case as hip-hop’s newest great lyrical tag-team with their joint album POMPEII // UTILITY, soundtracked entirely by the forward-thinking sounds of Surf Gang.

Longtime buddies Wiz Khalifa and Curren$y continue to grow their potent partnership with their latest weed-laced project Roofless Records For Drop Tops: Disc 1, which arrives in plenty of time before 4/20.

On the singles front, 2 Chainz reunites with Statik Selektah for what he’s calling “the most meaningful song I ever wrote.” A heartfelt tribute to his late father, “Pops” is another reminder that we still need that full-length project from Tity Boi and Statik.

Meanwhile, Don Toliver taps Lil Baby for the official remix to his OCTANE track “Tuition,” YG and Ty Dolla $ign team up for another West Coast bop with the “Teach Me How to Dougie”-inspired “Teach You How to Luh Me,” and Trippie Redd and Young Thug bring the rage rap energy on the frantic yet infectious “Paperbag Boy.”

Check out all the best new rap albums and songs below.

Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE & Surf Gang — POMPEII // UTILITY

Featuring: Na-Kel Smith, Jadasea, Niontay, Anysia Kym, Lerado Khalil

2 Chainz & Statik Selektah — “Pops”

Produced By: Statik Selektah, Larrance Dopson & Khirye Tyler Music

Don Toliver feat. Lil Baby — “Tuition (Remix)”

Produced By: BNYX, 206DEREK, Rio Leyva & Sir Dylan

Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y — Roofless Records For Drop Tops: Disc 1

Featuring: N/A

Swae Lee — Same Difference

Featuring: French Montana, Post Malone, Slim Jxmmi, NAV, Jhené Aiko, Rich The Kid, Mike WiLL Made-It, Turbo, Mally Mall

YG feat. Ty Dolla $ign — “Teach You How to Luh Me”

Produced By: Bankroll Got It

Meek Mill — “600 Racks”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Trippie Redd feat. Young Thug — “Paperbag Boy”

Produced By: J-Bone, southboy, Trist & rprpxrprp

Thundercat — Distracted

Featuring: Mac Miller, A$AP Rocky, Lil Yachty, Flying Lotus, Tame Impala, Willow Smith, Channel Tres, The Lemon Twigs

Juicy J — The Trippy Tapes Vol. 1

Featuring: Wiz Khalifa, La Reezy, BeatKing, Babyfxce E, DJ Scream, Lil Wyte, G9ngstaB9by, rjtheweirdo

Tory Lanez — LOL: Slutty Bass

Featuring: Play Picasso, Roselilah, Smash David, Digital Jet, 2one2, King Midas,

Key Glock — “Loco”

Produced By: King Wonka

BossMan Dlow — “Nothin Like Me”

Produced By: Baker Yung & Blvck Uzi

Mary J. Blige — “Want Love”

Produced By: Camper & Mary J. Blige

Lil Peep — “Don’t Panic”

Produced By: IIVI & Smokeasac

DDG feat. Polo G — “Not Friendly”

Produced By: Jahk & 1204

Ski Mask the Slump God — “BreakTheRules!”

Produced By: Boohmii & Alexis Martin

Ravyn Lenae — “Reputation” (feat. Dominic Fike) + “Bobby”

Produced By: DJ Dahi & Ely Rise / DJ Dahi, Saya Gray & Lucian Gray

Marlon Craft — The Internet Killed the Neighborhood

Featuring: Havoc (Mobb Deep), Dan Edinburg, Kevin Theodore, The Kount, River Tiber, Sly5thAve, Numonics

Paul Wall — “RIP Old Me”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Tony Shhnow — Flood

Featuring: DRAM, Luh Tyler, ManMan Savage, Jose Guapo, Dreek Jones, YoDogg, Ebo Sosa, Heartless Kid

Red Cafe feat. Max B — “Wish Me Well”

Produced By: Cartune Beatz

Rosco P. Coldchain & Nicholas Craven feat. Ab-Liva & Jimmie D — “Play With Something Safe”

Produced By: Nicholas Craven

Nick Grant — “Money Problems”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

Miles Minnick — Somersville (EP)

Featuring: Lul DreDay, Tommy Zuko, Sam Rivera, Aha Gazelle

Phil Adé feat. The Amours — “Still in Love”

Produced By: Credits unavailable

The post New Music Friday: Earl Sweatshirt, 2 Chainz, Wiz Khalifa & Curren$y, Don Toliver & More appeared first on HipHopDX.

During the latest episode of his REVOLT series Talk With Flee, Killa Cam revealed that Hov quietly got at him on the Watch the Throne hit in response to him dissing Kanye West — a fact that had gone unnoticed by even the most diehard of Jigga fans.

“We had said some slick shit about Kanye one time,” he began, referencing his and Jim Jones‘ 2010 freestyle over Ye’s “Runaway” on which Cam rapped: “Kanye, you a sucka n*gga / Dissed Dame, so my attitude is fuck a n*gga / Suckin’ Jigga, how you gon’ live with that? / Took your beat, now come get it back.”

The Harlem rap legend then broke down the hidden meaning in Jay’s rhymes, making the link between his distribution deal with Asylum Records at the time and the “asylum” taunt in Hov’s second verse.

“[‘Otis’] came out probably a few months after we said something about Kanye,” Cam continued. “He said, ‘Live from the Mercer, run up on Yeezy the wrong way I might murk ya / Flee in the G450, I might surface / Political refugee, asylum can be purchased.’.”

(Sidebar: “Political refugee” could also be a subtle reference to the departure of Cam’ron’s Diplomats crew from Roc-A-Fella Records.)

Cam and his co-host Sen City couldn’t help but laugh at the cleverness of Jay’s bars, with both agreeing that he’s incredibly “slick.”

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JAY-Z has been firmly back in the headlines of late thanks to what many fans are interpreting as a soft-launch for his long-awaited musical comeback.

In recent months, the Roc Nation mogul has rereleased a number of rare gems in his catalog including the original version of “Dead Presidents”; announced a string of shows at New York’s Yankee Stadium to celebrate the anniversaries of Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint; and been confirmed as the headliner of the 2026 Roots Picnic festival in Philadelphia.

He also recently sat down for a rare and lengthy interview with GQ in which he discussed the Kendrick Lamar vs. Drake battle, the backlash to Kendrick’s Super Bowl halftime show and his relationship with J. Cole.

In addition to revealing he was “close” to appearing on the Clipse‘s Grammy-nominated album Let God Sort Em Out, Hov addressed the speculation surrounding his potential return to music.

“I have a lot of scratch ideas and they’re all bad [laughs],” he joked. “I got to be honest … I don’t know what I need to create currently that’s going to fulfil me and make me happy, because that’s most important. I know I just got to be honest about what I feel and where I am. Maybe I’m overthinking it. Maybe I’m stopping myself from just creating.”

He added: “Whatever it is, it just needs to be a true representation of how I feel. Trying to create something that people like is where I think a lot of artists get jammed up. And people can feel that because it’s not authentic. I just got to make something timeless that I really love and that’s really honest and true to who I am.”

The post JAY-Z Was Dissing Cam’ron On “Otis” This Entire Time appeared first on HipHopDX.

“Last night was a real wake-up call for me. I’ve been pushing myself past my limits lately, running on empty, and my body finally said enough,” she wrote on Instagram. “It honestly scared me. I thought I was gonna faint on stage, I really tried to push through my performance but I just couldn’t.

“Hotties I wanna be real with y’all because you mean everything to me and I hate letting yall down. I just need one day to rest, reset, and take care of myself the way I should have been.. I’ll be right back on that stage Thursday, stronger, clearer, and ready to give you 100% the way you deserve. Thank you for always riding with me and loving me through everything.”

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The original article continues below.

Megan Thee Stallion has been hospitalized after falling ill during the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical.

According to Complex, the Houston rapper and budding actor was rushed to hospital in New York City on Tuesday night (March 31) after becoming “very ill” during the show.

TMZ additionally reported that emergency services responded to a call from the Al Hirschfeld Theatre for a person who was having trouble breathing, although the exact nature of Megan’s health issue is unclear.

The Breakfast Club co-host Loren LoRosa, who was in attendance, added that the Broadway show was halted and Megan was subsequently removed due to her health issue.

“Came to see Meg The stallion on broadway and that was short lived,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “The few opening scenes I saw her in she was great on stage! I was excited BUT… They just stopped moulin rouge mid show apologized to the audience and said ..’stay inside and seated’ I asked security if we’re safe .. they told us ‘for now, we’ll update you if anything changes.'”

LoRosa later tweeted: “Milan rouge on Broadway has removed Meg the stallion for the night (no explanation as to why) … Announcement just came on in the theatre .. they have removed Meg Thee Stallion from the show as Zidler for the rest of the night.

“Her part was replaced by a black male actor I’ll get his info bc he’s amazing. We are safe .. show is continuing on without Megan thee stallion.”

Megan’s hairstylist Kellon Deryck also confirmed the incident, asking his social media followers to “say a prayer for Megan, we are all at the hospital.”

Came to see Meg The stallion on broadway and that was short lived.

The few opening scenes I saw her in she was great on stage! I was excited BUT…

They just stopped moulin rouge mid show apologized to the audience and said ..”stay inside and seated” I asked security if we’re… pic.twitter.com/rlqHTveHhc

— BROWN GIRL GRINDING (@LorenLorosa) April 1, 2026

Everyone say a prayer for Megan, we are all at the hospital

— Kellon Deryck (@KellonDeryck) April 1, 2026

It’s unclear if Megan Thee Stallion will return to the stage for Moulin Rouge! The Musical. She made her debut in the production on March 24 and was expected to perform as Zidler until May 17.

Despite the setback, the Houston Hottie has been on a hot streak in recent months, racking up a number of major wins outside of music.

Earlier this year, she opened her first Popeyes franchise in Miami before being unveiled as the face of True Religion’s Spring 2026 campaign alongside fellow rapper Key Glock.

Adding to her already impressive acting resume, the 31-year-old also landed a guest-starring role in the NBC sitcom The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, led by Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe.

The post Megan Thee Stallion Shares Health Update After Hospitalization: “It Honestly Scared Me” appeared first on HipHopDX.

Ye, who is fresh off releasing his new album Bully, will perform at the Finsbury Park-based festival on July 10, 11 and 12 — incidentally, the same time that his Watch the Throne collaborator JAY-Z will return to the stage at NYC’s Yankee Stadium to celebrate the anniversaries of Reasonable Doubt and The Blueprint.

Adding to the buzz around these shows is the fact that Yeezy has not performed across the pond since his widely-praised headlining set at Glastonbury in 2015, more than a decade ago.

He is also the second North American rapper in as many years to headline Wireless Festival on his own following Drake, who paid tribute to R&B, hip-hop and UK rap/grime, and dancehall and afrobeats across three star-studded performances in 2025.

It’s unclear if Kanye, who is so far the only confirmed act at 2026 Wireless Festival, plans to bring out any special guests of his own or how he will structure his three sets.

Pre-sale begins next Tuesday, April 7, while general tickets go on sale Wednesday, April 8, at 12pm BST / 5pm ET.

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Wireless Festival is just one of several international stops that Kanye West is scheduled to make in the coming months to promote Bully, which finally hit streaming services last week after numerous delays.

The Chicago native has also announced two shows at Los Angeles’ SoFi Stadium on April 1 and 3, followed by a string of arena concerts in Turkey, the Netherlands, France, Italy and Spain between May 30 and July 30.

Ye will be hoping to repair some of the damage caused by his series of increasingly inflammatory statements made in recent years aimed at Jewish people and expressing admiration for Adolf Hitler — comments that cost him his lucrative and influential Yeezy partnership with adidas, among other business deals.

The 48-year-old issued a lengthy apology in The Wall Street Journal in January, clarifying that he is “not a Nazi” and blaming his offensive behavior on undiagnosed brain injuries from his 2002 car accident.

“I regret and am deeply mortified by my actions in that [fractured] state, and am committed to accountability, treatment, and meaningful change. It does not excuse what I did though. I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people,” he wrote.

The post Kanye West Expands ‘Bully’ Tour With Wireless Festival Takeover appeared first on HipHopDX.

During an interview with the YouTube channel Lost In Vegas as part of his press run to promote The Fall-Off, the Dreamville rapper waxed poetic about longtime Wu-Tang Clan affiliate Killah Priest.

When asked which MC(s) outside of the usual Mount Rushmore candidates (JAY-Z, Nas, 2Pac, Biggie etc) that he’s currently listening to, Cole replied: “The first answer that comes to my mind is somebody that I’ve been playing the last month — this one song in particular. And it made me dive back into some of the shit he’s been releasing over the years. It’s gonna be hella left-field… but Killah Priest.”

The North Carolina native admitted that until recently he wasn’t intimately familiar with Priest’s catalog outside of his “vicious” solo track “B.I.B.L.E. (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth)” on GZA‘s classic 1995 album Liquid Swords.

However, he was left in awe by the Brooklyn veteran’s lyrical talent when he stumbled upon on his song “NASA Case” during his recent Trunk Sale Tour.

“I played this song and this shit … it’s crazy. I didn’t know what the fuck to expect; I just clicked [on it]. It’s nine and a half minutes,” he said. “It’s not a style that’s normally the one I gravitate to. It’s super dense, it’s super — I’m not even going to say poetic. It’s prose. It’s like a book, damn near. And he’s telling this story.

“Bro, I shit you not, I’m listening to it and I’m like, ‘I can’t exactly follow what he’s talking about.’ I’m getting enough, though, to keep me hooked.”

It wasn’t until he sat with and studied the track that Cole fully grasped Killah Priest’s rhymes, instantly converting him into a fan.

“I listened to that song, I shit you not, like nine times in a row because every time I listened to it again, the story got clearer and clearer,” he continued. “And I’m like, ‘Oh my God! Is this n*gga an alien?!’

“By the time I’m done with my ninth listen and I see the concept he’s playing with, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, is this n*gga from another dimension and he knows some shit we don’t know?!'”

He added: “It’s one of the only songs outside of my album that I’m playing ’cause it’s so enjoyable and I’m so amazed with what this dude did … Shout out to Killah Priest, man.”

Looking back on some of his favorite rappers from his childhood, J. Cole named Canibus and Royce Da 5’9″ as two MCs he had particular reverence for as a lyrics-obsessed teenager.

Watch the entire segment at the 1:19:30 mark below.

The post J. Cole Reveals His Current Favorite Rapper: “This N*gga’s An Alien” appeared first on HipHopDX.