Source: NEW YORK, NY – JULY 19: Rapper Young M.A performs onstage during Pandora Sounds Like You NYC featuring Nas, Young M.A, Dave East and Biz Markie DJ Set at Brooklyn Steel on July 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for Pandora) Seems like just yesterday Young M.A was the toast of the town when she had everyone going “Oooouu!” and though she’s since cooled off but today she returns with some hard hitting work to remind everyone she’s a problem with the pen. In her clip to “Bleed” the Brooklyn rapper takes her talents – and her drink – from the parking lot to her apartment where she drops bars so hard her shorties can use ‘em to pleasure themselves. From the east to the south, Kevin Gates takes Donald Trump’s bullshi*t phrase and makes it his own as he comes through with a red hat we can all get behind in his visual to “M.A.T.A” (Make America Trap Again). Check out the rest of today’s drops and some joints you might’ve missed over the weekend including work from Young Buck, Birdman and Jacquees featuring FYB and King Issa, and more. YOUNG M.A – “BLEED” KEVIN GATES – “M.A.T.A.” YOUNG BUCK – “BOX OF BULLETS” BIRDMAN & JACQUEES FT. FYB & KING ISSA – “DEPEND” RAVYN LENAE – “THE NIGHT SONG” ILHAM FT. ARIN RAY – “CYCLE OF GAMES” KEY! – “BOSS” YUNG BABY TATE – “THAT GIRL” DENZEL CURRY – “SUMO” VALEE FT. MATT OX – “AWESOME”
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty The Global Citizens Festival: Mandela 100 event is underway in Johannesburg, South Africa, with performances from the likes of Pharrell, Usher, Wizkid, plus Beyonce and Jay-Z. The free event is also available to stream a number of other ways on Global Citizen’s official website . Before the festival kicked off, Beyoncé wrote a letter detailing what Nelson Mandela meant to her. “I first met you in 2004 for the 46664 AIDS Benefit Concert in Cape Town, and the impact you have had on my life resonates with me today and every day,” the singer opened her letter. “Your kindness and gratitude for every experience, and your ability to forgive are lessons I have learned and will pass on to my three children.” The festival is celebrating what would have been the former South African president’s 100th birthday. It’s aim is to raise $1 billion for poor women and children across the world. Read Bey’s full letter below. https://www.pscp.tv/w/1yoKMjgpdPWGQ https://www.pscp.tv/w/1MYxNyeXNeyJw Dear Madiba, I first met you in 2004 for the 46664 AIDS Benefit Concert in Cape Town, and the impact you have had on my life resonates with me today and every day. Your kindness and gratitude for every experience, and your ability to forgive are lessons I have learned and will pass on to my three children. My entire family holds you in high regard. It is an honor for me to travel to South Africa this week in celebration of you and your efforts to right so many wrongs. You were a strategic warrior, a bold activist, and charismatic and well-loved leader. Your vision for dignity, for human rights, for peace and a South Africa free of racism and apartheid, allows us all to turn dreams into reality. I remember taking that walk with you back to the prison on Robben Island where you spent 18 of those imprisoned 27 years. I recall your measured but focused steps in as you recounted the stories of the struggles, the sacrifices and your resilience. You smiled as you talked to a crowd of artists and their guests, including my mother, who first told my sister and me about the great Nelson Mandela. In that moment I truly understood your heart and humility. You made it possible for so many people like me to reject impossibilities and understand our capabilities in making lasting change in the world. The smallest efforts could change the trajectory for so many living in extreme poverty, facing injustices, the indecency of racism and fighting for their rights as humans. As we celebrate the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100, honoring your centennial year, I promise you that we have made your dreams our own. Your work and your sacrifices were not in vain. I will cherish every moment shared in your presence and use the lessons learned from you as fuel to stir positive ideas and solutions. Beyoncé Knowles-Carter
Source: svetikd / Getty We’re officially right smack in the middle of holiday season. The leaves are changing, the Christmas music is playing, the lights are up, and it’s time to check some things off your Christmas lists. You’ve already gotten things for all of the kids in your family and you’ve made sure that your parents are straight. But when it comes to the (nearly impossible to shop for) millennials in your life, what do you get them? Don’t worry, help is on the way! Global Grind has you covered. We’ve got the ultimate holiday gift guide for millennials, by millennials. Never worry about what gift you should get your favorite millennial because we’ve taken out all the guesswork and done the work for you. Check out our list below (in no particular order) Amazon Echo/Dot Source: T3 Magazine / Getty You’ve been seeing an influx of “Alexa, play ____” memes and comments so why not get the millennial in your life their own Amazon Echo or Amazon Dot. They’re affordable, have a multitude of uses and when you say “Alexa, play _____”, it actually plays what you ask for. Think of Amazon Echo/Dot as Siri outside of your phone. It is available to answer whatever question you need and can do almost anything you program it to do. It handles voice commands and with the help of a few little add-ons, it can control your television, house lights, alarm clock and more. Hit the flip for more gift ideas.
Source: MCT / Getty George H.W. Bush, the 41st president of the United States has died at the age of 94. His death, was announced by his office. See their statement below: Statement by the Office of George H. W. Bush on the passing of the 41st President of the United States of America this evening at 10:10pm CT at the age of 94. pic.twitter.com/XUPgha2aUW — Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 1, 2018 Bush served as the 41st president from 1989 to 1993, following two terms as vice president under Ronald Reagan and the father of the 43rd president, George W. Bush. Bush was also a World War II naval pilot who survived being shot down over the Pacific, led the CIA and spent eight years as vice president before taking the Oval Office. Bush’s death comes less than eight months after that of his wife of 73 years, Barbara Bush.
Source: Earl Gibson III / Getty DJ Akademiks got hit with the snitch tag by the Internets. However, the Everyday Struggle co-host insists he is not the confidential informant in the federal case against Tekashi69 and his now former Treyway affiliates. Akademiks was accused by a Hip-Hop blog of being the loose-lipped informant, which went as far as saying Tekashi’s former manager and co-defendant Kifano “Shotti” Jordan’s lawyer is who fingered him as the snitch. Worth noting, Shotti is one of the voices heard allegedly plotting to harm his former client on a federal wiretap . However, TMZ heard from the lawyer , Scott Leemon, who claims he never said such a thing. Akademiks also spoke to TMZ, and vehemently denied the claim. Akademiks told TMZ he has “zero connection to this criminal case against Daniel Hernandez & other co-defendants. I view them as good people to me.” He added, “All these charges are a shock to me and do not involve me. I have never been questioned or much less cooperated in this. I am just a news reporter.” Also, no, he’s a not a news reporter. But what Akademiks did do is recklessly bring up Casanova’s name on Twitch. This, despite the Brooklyn rapper squashing his beef with Tekashi69 months ago. hes on Twitch… pic.twitter.com/6MzQAlqTHK — Mig-L (@M1guelCh1nes) November 28, 2018 Sometimes it’s best to say nothing at all. That’s probably something Tekashi69 is thinking about as he sits in a cell thinking about what went wrong as he faces life in prison. Addressing all the lies https://t.co/5Amti8hmQr — DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) November 29, 2018
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty Meek Mill’s comeback is REAL. The Maybach Music Group artist has dropped Championships , his first album since his release from prison in April. With 19-tracks featuring a collaboration between Meek and his former rival Drake. The song, “Going Bad,” marks the first time the two have worked together in three years. JAY-Z, Rick Ross, Future, Young Thug, 21 Savage and Kodak Black are among the other guests on Meek’s latest album. Production is handled by Tay Keith, Bangladesh, Papamitrou and more. Check out Meek’s Championships stream, cover art and tracklist below. [ione_media_gallery src=”https://zhiphopcleveland.com” id=”4757282″ overlay=”true”]
Source: Global Grind / Global Grind Another episode of The Rewind is here and we are more than happy to give you your much-needed dose of recap reality. Every week we revisit some of the pop culture trends, movies, viral moments and music from the week before and give our hot takes. Our experts Landon Lavarius and DJ Franchise share their opinions, sprinkle in some facts and then when it’s all over and done with, provide a rating of 1 to 10. We listen to the songs, watch the movies, scour the internet, and do the hard work so you don’t have to. On today’s episode, we’re getting into the new Robin Hood film. Unless you’ve lived under a rock your entire life, you probably know the story of Robin Hood pretty well. He was a well-meaning thief that robbed the rich to give to the poor. There have been a ton of movies based on the story of Robin Hood but this particular one came out on November 21, 2018 and stars Taron Egerton, Jamie Foxx, Ben Mendelsohn and others. It was produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Davisson Killoran, and Basil Iwanyk. The story is a classic and other Robin Hood movies (and cartoons) have seemingly been received well. However, this one? Not so much. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 16% on the Tomatometer and with a production budget of $100 million, the film only brought in a total gross of $25.9 million worldwide. To say it flopped would be an understatement. The new Robin Hood was a box office bomb. But was it really bad or was it overshadowed by the release of Creed II, which did amazing in the box office? DJ Franchise and Landon Levarius give their take. We also break down last week’s rap battle between Joyner Lucas and Tory Lanez. The two exchanged some friendly fire after Tory Lanez got a little cocky on Instagram Live and said that Joyner Lucas couldn’t see him lyrically. Joyner challenged him to a bar for bar battle that resulted in several diss tracks between the two. It’s cool though, they are both still fans of one another and did it all for the love of hip hop. Did you get to listen for yourself? DJ Franchise and Landon Levarius give us a break down, and of course a rating, of the freestyles on today’s episode of The Rewind . Watch the full episode at the top of the page and let us know how you feel!
Source: Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Hot 107.9s very own chatted up with Keke Palmer to discuss a number of topics including the upcoming Annual Bratz Doll Drive. Check out the interview with Keke Palmer, as she speaks on her music & message from, “Better to Be Loved”, on Inspiring Girls during Holiday Season with the HOT 107.9 & Saving Our Daughters Family! “
Source: Scott Dudelson / Getty “If you gone put in the work, you have to do it when nobody is watching” LA’s own Dom Kennedy recently spoke to Lalaa Shepard of The Progress Report following his Win Or Lose concert in Atlanta about knowing his purpose, Mac Miller’s contributions to Hip Hop, reading list, favorite Anita Baker & Bobby Womack records, upcoming OPM compilation album, Young Nation Part 2, & more! Social Media: Watch us live Wednesdays 9-11 PM Live Hip Hop Daily TV: https://theprogressreportmediagroup.com/ Instagram @Dopeitsdom @TheProgressReport101 @LalaaShep @Bossbritt__@DJexel Twitter @TheProgressRPT @LalaaShep @Bossbritt__ @DJ_exel Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theprogressreport101/?ref=settings Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/TheProgressReport Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/theprogressreport Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ouKXpcCPdWPDAhQCUUMBv?si=CadWTd98Rz–UVELuX8F1g Website & Shop Merch: https://theprogressreportmediagroup.com/
Source: FatCamera / Getty Kaylen Respress thought fifth grade was going to bring fun and games at her new school, but she found making friends was going to be harder than she thought. She felt like an outcast in her new fifth-grade class. According to CNN introverts make up a third to half of the population. Repress’ introverted personality made it hard for her to develop friendships with others and interact with the students, but a new local program changed everything for her. Respress is one of many young girls growing up and trying to find herself. These early years of life are some that will help her develop into the young woman she wants to become. Making friends in school can be hard especially for girls. Many girls at Repress’ age do not even understand how hurtful some of their words can be, but Girls on the Run is a new program for inner-city girls to stand together as one. “I want to have friends like everyone else and not have to worry about any dumb boys bothering me while I’m playing.,” Respress said. ” Being in this program helped me meet new friends at school, and the best part is we even get snacks and new shoes for free!” Respress attends Girls on the Run at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreational Center here in Atlanta, Georgia. The programs director Tahj Richardson has been a key player in making sure the girls have fun and build long lasting friendships with each other all while getting their exercise in. “I want these girls to grow into to something bigger than what they came from, but in order to do that they need to learn that working together will make life easier than tearing each other down.” Richardson says that she wants the girls to develop not only a healthy relationship with each other, but with their selves as well. The program endorses a lifestyle plan that promotes healthy living by encouraging healthy eating and exercise habits. Richardson says that her and the girls go over healthy eating options that will help make the transition to healthy eating easier for some of the girls. Richardson also makes sure the girls know why it is so important for them to exercise at least 30 minutes every day. She says that the early development for a healthy lifestyle will promote a longtime healthy life overall. RELATED: What’s The Best Places To Run In Atlanta? The program is free for girls to join and even gives the girls transportation to the recreational center from school. The program even supplies the girls with the general supplies you would need to kickstart a healthy lifestyle for free. Tennis shoes, sports bras, socks, shorts and t-shirts are just a few of the materials provided by the organization. Richardson says Girls on the Run wants all the girls to feel equal and to make sure that happens the organization goes out its way to make sure the girls all have everything they need. “Not everyone comes from a family that can buy them sneakers and sports bras. A lot of our girls here don’t have that type of financial security at home.” Richardson says. While the girls are having fun and building good lifestyle habits during the program’s practice time, they are also preparing for the Girls on the Run 5k race hosted at the Georgia State Stadium on November 10, 2018. Richardson says that girls are very excited and have been very dedicated to practicing their drills so that they all will be prepared together. “If one of the girls is having a rough day we as a team make it a point to uplift and push her so that no one is left out or behind. We want everyone to be equally prepared for the race. All of the girls started together, and they will finish as one as well.” Respress is so excited about the race that she has told all her family and they even plan to get shirts made to support her for the event. “I can’t wait for my mommy to see me cross the finish line with my friends! We’re going to take cool pictures at the finish line and my mom said I could have a sleepover after to celebrate with my friends!” Respress’ excitement shows how this program lightens the hearts of young girls all around the city. Individuals like Richardson are some of the people who make everything possible by believing in and having patience with the girls. Girls on the Run provides a positive outlet for inner-city girls to turn to. The actions of these leaders in the community have changed the lives of many young girls and have created friendships that will last forever. “I just want each girl to push themselves to the limit so that they know they can achieve anything they set out to do. None of these girls have ever ran a 5k but by the end of this program they will have done something they never had before, and that alone at their age will give them motivation to attempt whatever they desire and not give up.” Richardson says. Growing up can be hard, but with inner-city programs like Girls on the Run, the process can be much easier than it seems. words by: Sydnee Evans
