Author: Antoinette Ford

A southern charmer from Georgia who loves hip hop culture and the change it brings to the world. I want to capture what lies beneath the surface of every action and lyric and express it through the eyes of the originator.

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Beyond Women’s History Month: IB Majekodunmi Helping to Shape the Future of Women and Diverse Communities

IB Majekodunmi
IB Majekodunmi Toasts to Women's History Month at Planet Her with Ketel One in Chicago-Courtesy of IB's team

Women’s History Month has passed. However, IB Majekodunmi seizes the chance to advance women daily. This young mogul founded Refine Collective, a digital community that makes it easy to identify and support minority-owned businesses and freelancers. 

With its mission to funnel purchasing power into the hands of the underrepresented, IB’s Refine Collective initiative is spearheading a lane to mission accomplishment. Making Forbes as one of today’s highlighted innovative leaders is just a token of her successful accomplishments.

IB Majekodunmi, Founder of Refine Collective
IB Majekodumni, Founder of Refine Collective

A Mogul in the Making

Coming from a non-traditional background in a “niche tech space,” eProcurement, IB encountered purchasing power and buying power topics. She was also then introduced to the knowledge of dealing with vendors. While women in tech were considered “sexy” at the time, she quickly realized it was a heavily white-male-dominated space. 

Outside of work, she was heavily involved in community organizations.  Heading a young professionals board for a non-profit organization and even helping to start an organization called Healthy in Chicago which is growing increasingly successful, was just a taste of her community involvement.

Supporting diverse communities has always been home to IB. What started as a hobby would grow into something much greater. Her work experience and growing network of women and minority-owned businesses prompted a thought. The Chicago community and its small businesses that she loved and supported should be more pronounced. 

“Across the street from me, where I lived in the city, it was a new coffee shop. It was black-owned, it was veteran-owned; the coffee was way better than anything you’d get at Starbucks and the guy who started it literally lived in our community. I would see him walking around all the time. Caddy cornered from that was a Starbucks and I would get so annoyed when I would see people walk by the coffee shop with Starbucks cups, and it made me really curious about why we make the buying decisions we do.”

The Birth of Refine Collective

A quick survey sent to her community-curated network revealed a problem. The majority of the survey takers said minority-owned small businesses were hard to find and identify. Putting her project management skills to good use, she built a directory of these hidden-in-plain-sight companies, so Refine Collective was born. Like many, the pandemic allowed the time to really hone in on entrepreneurship opportunities and shifted her business mindset as a whole. IB had already set out to create a solution to an evolving community issue.

Refine Collective Presents: Planet Her-“Makin Herstory at the Conservatory”

IB Majekodunmi continues to trailblaze the lane of inclusivity with Refine City. This directory of women and minority-owned businesses channels the purchasing power of small businesses and presents pop-up market experiences in the Chicago community. 

Refine City’s 2nd Annual, Planet Her honored and celebrated over 50 Chicago-based women’s creative curators. In partnership with DIAGEO and its brands such as Bulleit, DeLeon Tequila, and Ketel One, this event set the tone for what’s to come in partnership with supporting Chicago’s local culture.

This event was packed with live art performances by diverse women creators such as  Alyssa Low, Barderies Hampton, and a live musical performance by Nyla XO.

Kirsten Corley Celebrates Women's History Month at Planet HER Presented by DIAGEO and its brands with event founder, IB Majekodunmi.jpg
Kirsten Corley Celebrates Women’s History Month at Planet HER Presented by DIAGEO and its brands with event founder IB Majekodunmi.(Courtesy photo)

 

Nyla XO Performing at Planet HER Presented by DIAGEO and its brands, Johnnie Walker, Ketel One and Seedlip.jpg
Nyla XO Performing at Planet HER Presented by DIAGEO and its brands, Johnnie Walker, Ketel One and Seedlip.jpg

 

DIAGEO and its brands, Ketel One, Seedlip, and Johnnie Walker Honor Women's History Month at Planet HER in Chicago.jpg
DIAGEO and its brands, Ketel One, Seedlip, and Johnnie Walker Honor Women’s History Month at Planet HER in Chicago.

Passion Meets Purpose

Since beginning pop-up markets in 2021, there has been a balance of fresh talent and building a great community with OG’s that they’ve worked with at every market. The passion for her purpose is also something that helps her to identify the brands showcased in her markets.

IB shared her thought process when searching social media for brands in the e-commerce community. The small-big city of Chicago is known for its creative talents. How do you foster diversity in your own world, work, and your everyday life?

“You can create quality things but what does this stuff mean at the end of the day, what does it mean to you? So I try to be really thoughtful about who we partner with.”

The Future of Planet Her

She also has plans to bring in young girls who foster the entrepreneurial spirit. Partnering with non-profit organizations that are youth-focused is how she plans to propel young women in Chicago.

She also plans to nurture the great partnerships accumulated in her amazing journey to solidifying entrepreneur greatness.

I really hope Planet Her will continue to grow every year along with DIAGEO and its brands, our other partners to be able to scale and invite more women-owned businesses and align different brands who want to align their mission to support different women in their causes and their businesses.

Written by Antoinette Ford

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FM Interviews Trending

FM Interviews: HitPiece Talks NFT’s And Collaboration With Rick Ross

HitPiece Talks NFT's and Rick Ross Collaboration

Rick Ross is launching his first VIP Exclusive Collection of NFTs in collaboration with HitPiece. In Big Boss fashion, Rozay is bringing the metacommunity together in a big way. Collectors will benefit from perks like access to Ross’ Rozay World: The Promised Land. This will allow them to get exclusive gifts from his personal collection. The VIP experience will give fans an exclusive experience by enabling them to tour Ross’s mansion and even be him in the metaverse. 

Rick Ross calls NFTs the “new receipts” because of their representation and exclusivity of actual items.

Check out the teaser video below:

The NFT space is still a huge source of marketing and inclusivity since its rise to popularity. FM spoke with HitPiece, the company, and got the low down on The Boss himself and how they curated the NFT collaboration.

HitPiece: Bridging Artists and Fans Through NFTs

Navigating the NFT space may seem lightyears ahead of time. However, HitPiece has mastered the art of creating inclusivity across all genres for the most loyal fans.

FMHipHop: There has been a rise in the use of crypto over the past couple of years. While I don’t want to say it’s untapped, has this always been a part of the HitPiece business venture, or did you see an opportunity and was it something you decided to take on because it was so new?

HitPiece: Great question. So my background is in the record business. I actually bought bitcoin in 2014, and I was always very curious about blockchains. Blockchains can provide other valuable services as well by ownership of digital assets. That’s why NFTs have taken off in the art world, and more specifically, they’re a way to make X number of copies. Those are verified and authenticated by the blockchain, so the fans or the collector know that they are authentic from the artist or one of the few that exist. They inherently have value because they’re connected with the artist.

FMHipHop: NFTs and crypto have seen more hype but may have died down. Do you think it’s because of a crypto-literacy issue of not knowing how to break into the space, or do you feel the demand is high and only a select few survive?

HitPiece: I think with any influx of technology, you do see a lot of projects that don’t have any long-term value, and they eventually just get weeded out. So if you are watching an NFT collection or some sort of Web3 community, you have to be providing value to your collectors and interest in your collection long term. That’s why some artists like Rick Ross, we think, are really going about it the right way by not launching a huge collection.

So for him, it’s about wanting to engage his hardcore fans and an opportunity to connect with him in a new and exciting way, both in the real world and in the metaverse. He’s allowing them to receive items from his personal collection or items he may have worn in a music video, limited merchandise, and all sorts of things both in the real world and the metaverse. We think this is really the right way to engage your community, to engage them and keep them excited and give them a sense of ownership in what you’re building.

FMHipHop: What more can you expect from Rick Ross? We know that he is an extravagant, larger-than-life thinker. I’d love to hear more about the creative process between you guys. Did he pitch his ideas, and you all execute them, or did HitPiece have some reign in the creative space?

HitPiece: He was definitely a pleasure to work with and a complete professional. And on top of it, it’s been a really great experience so far. Rick was kind enough to open up his home one day, and we were invited to shoot some content there. Just a fun anecdote, when we were there to view the collection, he happened to be having all of his clothes taken out of his closet, and he was going live on Instagram talking about how is he a hoarder or is he a collector because he has all these amazing clothes. Then I was like, “you’re not a hoarder; you’re a collector.” He started using these sorts of adlibs I gave him on his Instagram Live.

I thought it was funny, I didn’t think anything of it but then 2 hours later, the phones were buzzing because it had been picked up by People magazine. I only cite that as a surreal experience. Rick’s life is a larger-than-life experience and so much fun.

We actually came up with avatars of Rick that people will actually be able to be him and hang out with him in a virtual world at his home. And again, because they’re super rare, they will be able to inherit value. Rick actually loved that idea, that idea that, um, we were creating this world that people could actually be him, so it’s cool to be able to do something like that. One of the things we’re looking into is including his car collection. We are really hoping to do something amazing with that.

FMHipHop: Yes, he definitely has an impressive car collection. What are some other collaborations fans can expect within the Rozay collaboration with HitPiece?

HitPiece: Definitely, there’s Belaire, the champagne company, and their associated spirits. Also, with Wing Stop, which everyone knows he’s a franchise owner of. There are no official partnerships with any of the brands yet, but look out for some brands to possibly want to collaborate.

As far as HitPiece, we have some things coming up with Lil Gotit, 808 Mafia, and a lot of developing artists who are using the Web3 community as a way to build up their community prior to taking the next step in their career if that makes sense.

FMHipHop: That’s awesome, and we will definitely be on the lookout for these upcoming collabs. This has been great, and before we go, I would like to know what advice you would give anyone who is trying to invade the NFT space and build longevity? How can they take full advantage of what the crypto space has to offer?

HitPiece: I would definitely say you’d have to be long-term-minded here. You can’t just launch and bring it about, or else it will not work. The community will not support it. Two, invite the community into the decisions about what you want to do. That is a really exciting way to invite them in and give them a sense of ownership and a say in what you’re doing and how you’re maintaining.

One of the strategies we’re actually implementing is inviting everyone who’s signed up for updates on the Rick Ross collection. We’re asking them how they want this collection to be released. In Web3, you have these outlets which can gage certain wallets and allow you to buy an NFT before other people. There’s a mixed sentiment, so we’re actually asking the community if they would prefer that. So that’s a way we’re engaging that community. For artists, I will say be creative. This is a whole new world, it can be something super simple. It doesn’t have to be something super complex. It can be as complex as they want. The complexity around these collections. It’s actually rather interesting to collectors.

The last thing I’d say is collaboration. I always tell other genres to look at what Hip-Hop does and is doing. Everyone always collaborates with each other. It’s working. You’re starting to see it in the Web3 community. They’re flowing together and constantly building each other up. I think that as a world, we have a lot to learn from that. It’s a beautiful thing that I will say hip hop has actually taught and set the essence of collaborations.

The Future of Marketing

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, have become a hot commodity since the rise in the popularity of cryptocurrency. Whether you are crypto-literate or just looking for a piece of the pie, NFTs bridge the gap of VIP status in the meta world.

The NFT space is still a huge source of marketing and inclusivity since its rise to popularity. We look forward to the ever-expanding knowledge and opportunities of the Meta space.

Written by Antoinette Ford

Follow and like FMHipHop on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, Facebook, and YouTube! 

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FM News Trending

Ye Is At The Center of a Battery Investigation For Throwing A Woman’s Phone

Ye Hitler Admiration Allegedly Took Place For Years
Ye. Image source: Stephane Cardinale, Getty Images.

Ye, formerly Kanye West, has been in the media non-stop lately. He has managed to stay relevant, whether it’s exposing the celebrity’s inner courts or his recent “secret” marriage. While many may have argued that his fall from grace would lead to him going into hiding, the opposite has happened.

Ye Is Fed Up

Some recent encounters the superstar has had yielded great conversations and advice to the fan or reporter recording. However, a young lady just experienced the wrath of a fed-up Ye. According to TMZ, a young woman recorded West while driving and ended up getting her phone thrown by the “Donda” rapper.

An aggravated Ye engages in a brief back and forth as he expresses discomfort with the cameras. The artist says, “If I wanna go see my son at a game, ya’ll ain’t gonna run up on me like that.” The woman states that she wasn’t running and implies his celebrity status is why he can be filmed. Ye then snatches her phone and tosses it. The entire account was captured by a passenger in the same vehicle.

Ventura County Sheriff’s deputies were called to the scene after the incident. Ye is now named a suspect in the now battery investigation.

Make Celebrities Human…Again?

It is arguable that recording comes with the celebrity’s territory. Fans come to Ye’s defense as he was seen more politely and logically, unlike in the rapper’s past encounters. West’s famous irrational behavior has been traded for a more somber tone. It is quite apparent that the issue wasn’t him being recorded but that he was with his children engaging in family activities. 

Nonetheless, this may be a cut-and-dry case of rules are rules. With the recording being used as evidence, speculation arises that Ye can be charged with battery.

Written by Antoinette Ford | Facebook: Antoinette Ford | Instagram: iamtonimonique_ | Twitter: @mizzford9

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FM News Trending

Lunar New Year Mass Shooting Suspect Found Dead Possibly By Suicide

Lunar New Year Homicide Suspect Found Dead
Police at the scene of Monterey Park mass shooting. Image source: Raul Roa, Los Angeles Times.

Saturday, Jan. 21., the Lunar New Year festivities began in Los Angeles to commemorate the Chinese new year. The highly anticipated eve of the celebration abruptly then turned to tragedy.

Unfortunately, gunfire interrupted the night and claimed the lives of 10 people.

Just outside Star Dance Studio in Monterey Park, a gunman fired several rounds that claimed the lives of 10 people, with another 10 injured. 

While many are mourning, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department may have identified a suspect.

Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna shared that witnesses gave an account of an Asian man and a white van as “a van of interest. 

https://twitter.com/LACoSheriff/status/1617241146710962178

On Saturday evening, an attempt to identify the suspect occurred at 10:22 pm as surveillance captured the Asian male wearing a black printed hat, a black jacket, and glasses.

L.A. County Sheriff Luna also shared that before the suspect retreated to his van, he escaped to another location in a nearby suburb. Some individuals then overtook the shooter and “wrestled the firearm” from him.

Death by Suicide

Sunday, Jan. 22, authorities closed in on the white van allegedly connected to the horrific homicide. The SWAT team could see someone inside the vehicle just near Sepulveda Boulevard and Hawthorne. Incidentally, the person was deceased with 2 gunshot wounds coinciding with a possible suicide.

The driver of a white van appears slumped over the wheel.
Police say this white van is connected to Saturday night’s mass shooting in Monterey Park. During a standoff Sunday in Torrance, the driver appears slumped over the wheel. Image source: Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times.

Los Angeles Times reported that Robert Luna the Sheriff on the case was brief in sharing any motives. “We’re not only looking at that situation or scenario, but we’re making sure that we’re looking at any and every possibility,” he said.

Following the tragic shooting, the Monterey Park Lunar New Year has ceased the celebration which originally would have concluded on Sunday.

While details of the night continue to pour in, many condolences go out to all of those involved.

Written by Antoinette Ford

Follow and like FMHipHop on Twitter, Instagram, Spotify, Facebook, and YouTube!

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FM Community FM Culture

212 & Co., Presents “The Haunted Villie.” Brownsville’s First Haunted Storefront

The Haunted Ville
"The Haunted Ville" presented by The Pitkin Ave. BID and 212 & Co./Brownsville. Brooklyn

Halloween is right around the corner and if you are a Halloween enthusiast and in the mood for some scares then “The Haunted Villie” is where you want to be.

As a community effort,  212 & Company, collaborated with The Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) for a season of fun, games, and entertainment for those located in the Brownsville, Brooklyn area.

The Haunted Villie

212 & Co.’s community collaboration

“The Haunted Villie” is Brownsville’s first haunted storefront. This event is funded by the state of New York and is projected to continue efforts of community engagement.

212 & Co. is a media production company based in Brooklyn, New York. This company took on the task of developing and designing this spectacular Halloween event to ensure participants have a lasting experience.

Our goal is to give back to the community. We have been giving back to the community for 3 years plus with several free events. Activities for children, performances for the city of Brooklyn from major artists, programs for summer youth etc.”

-Josue Pierre Louis/212&Co.

The Pitkin Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) focuses solely on commercial estates and promotes opportunities for business and the development of the community. The BID has worked with property owners, local residents, and community organizations to develop opportunities for new business owners.

Continuing the community festivities

This initiative presents many chances to enjoy “The Haunted Villie”  haunted house. The fun-fright experience is open now and every Thursday thru Sunday, until Nov. 13. Furthermore, each ticket will aide in the production of future events. Christmas is around the corner so expect the festivities to continue.

You can experience “The Haunted Villie” at 399 Rockaway Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11212. Click the link to purchase tickets.

Written by Antoinette Ford | Facebook: Antoinette Ford | Instagram: iamtonimonique_ | Twitter: @mizzford9

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FM Culture Trending

Yara Shahidi’s Day Off: ‘Making Kicks and Hits’ With Swae Lee

Yara Shahidi; Swae Lee
Yara Shahidi and Swae Lee in Facebook Watch Series, 'Yara Shahidi's Day Off' (Facebook)

Yara Shahidi gets creative with Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Swae Lee. The new generation pioneers create custom kicks and talk success on this week’s Yara Shahidi’s Day Off.

Swae Lee: The Multi-talented designer

Swae Lee invites Yara into his world of sneaker design at Majorwavez Lab; a class that focuses on industrial sewing machines and hands-on expertise. An obvious connoisseur of design, Swae Lee dives in with confidence and knowledge of the makings of an eye-catching shoe. In true Rockstar fashion, he goes directly for the attention; getting platinum glitter fabric.

Yara kicked off the experience by asking Swae, “If you could make anything, like If you could design absolutely anything what’s the first thing?”

I want to design the new body of a car, like a new style.” Swae Lee replied.

As a true innovator, his talents know no end.  He even eluded to designing one of the racer’s outfits.

Watch the full episode below.

Designing for Italian designer Giuseppe Zanotti

In 2020, Swae Lee collaborated with world-renowned Italian shoe designer, Giuseppe Zanotti. This pronounced collection of floral accented loafers, boots, and sneakers

 “When you designed for Giuseppe, what was that like? Did you already know walking in, this is what I want? Is this something that took time,” Yara asked.

“I had a show in Italy or something. So Giuseppe came through. He was just telling me, like, he vibed with all the music and stuff. We were chopping it up. He gave me the base model he wanted me to design. Going back, next time I do it, I’ma really be in tune with it and really change stuff. But he gave me a base model. He just told me [to] go crazy with it. I drew it up on, actually, a notepad.”

Swae Lee Shoe Gallery Exclusive: Giuseppe Zanotti Collab, Photos – Footwear News
Swae Lee and Giuseppe Zanotti shot exclusively for FN in Miami. CREDIT: MARY BETH KOETH

The “Black Beatles” rapper/singer has dominated the music industry since he emerged in the rap duo, Rae Sremmurd. He has shattered the status-quo ceiling in hip hop and the same can be said for his striking take on the modern-day shoe style.

Lee credits his out-of-the-box thinking to his creative success.

Swae Lee, In Beyoncé’s formation

Yara got the scoop on the famous creation of Beyoncé’s single, “Formation. This hit single-handedly sparked a force of women empowerment amongst the ladies. It’s powerful yet fun lyrics had all the women taking their man to Red Lobster. What was Swae Lee’s role in this feministic gem?

“Right. So, okay. Can you tell me the organic story of ‘Formation’? For you to come up with that line,” Shahidi asked.

“Formation… You know, I be on my topics. I’ll be on my turn-up stuff. I’m staying for me, like, okay, lady, let’s get in formation. Like all the ladies, you know what I’m saying? I was working with Mike Will, we cooked that song up, ‘Freestyle.’ Jimmy got on there freestyle, we both did it. Mike Will had a session with Beyoncé. And so he played her that, and she was feeling that. I remember the first time I met her, it was crazy. Her energy is unmatched. She just got in and did her thing, and it ended up being like one the biggest songs in the world. Whole tour,” Lee shared.

Yara Shahidi’s Day Off

Swae maintains that music is his main focus. He shared with Yara that he keeps his center and balances the industry life by not switching. It’s no secret, being a driving force in the industry requires a lot of time and focus. Artists are known to go days on end giving high energy performances amongst other things.

“We machines,” Swae says. “But you stay grounded. You stay aware. You stay observant. And you stay consistent,” he continued.

Swae Lee vs. Khalif

Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown adopted the stage name Swae Lee. As with most celebrity entertainers, adopting an alter-ego gives way to express a persona outside of what is expected. Yara captured the true essence of Swae’s authenticity and probed the contrast between Swae and Khalif.

  “Knowing that your process is based on authenticity and being you, would you feel like there’s a distinction when you’re Khalif or when you’re Swae Lee? Is there a distinction?” –

“There is technically. But, Swae Lee is, he’s so big. It consumed my life. Of course underneath, I’m still Khalif. But, the brand got so big, Khalif is my real life, but–”

Be sure to catch Yara Shahidi’s Day Off every Thursday at 9amPT/12pmET on Facebook Watch and Instagram.

 

Written by Antoinette Ford | Facebook: Antoinette Ford | Instagram: iamtonimonique_ | Twitter: @mizzford9

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FM Culture Trending

David Mann Opens Up About His 2-Year Battle With Depression

David Mann Opens Up About Battling Depression
David Mann. Image source: Tamron Hall.

David Mann and his wife, Tamela Mann, sat down with Tamron Hall on the Tamron Hall Show this Wednesday (Oct 12). Widely known for bringing laughter to the world, David opens up about secretly battling depression and how he has dealt with his encounter with mental health issues. 

“Pray For Your Strong Friends”

David Mann gave insight into his two-year battle with depression. Mann referred to himself as a “fixer.” 

“I’m a fixer; I’ll fix everything,” Mann shared. “As the male figure and head of the family, he takes the lead on many decisions of his household…As long as everybody else is good, I’ll figure it out in my own later.” 

David also shared the driving force behind now being forthcoming about his battles. He specifically highlighted the stigma in the black community as it relates to mental health and therapy. 

“Quite honestly, I was embarrassed. I was ashamed because, ya know, I’m David Mann. I make the world laugh,” Mann said. 

“It’s like I was drowning, but nobody knew I was drowning,” Mann continued with tears in his eyes. “The only way people were going to realize I was drowning was if I completely drowned.”

While there’s much to say about this sensitive topic, David shares how he just knew “something didn’t feel right.” Tamela chimed in on noticing signs but admitted depression was not something she considered. The two agreed prayer was at the forefront but seeking professional help ultimately brought comfort and healing in conjunction. 

The Mann Duo

The famous Mann-duo sang to the hearts of many through gospel music while a part of Kirk Franklin’s gospel group in the early 1990s. This stint in their musical career earned them many accolades.  

David Mann Tamela Mann Pictures, Photos & Images - Zimbio
David Mann with his wife. Image source: Getty Images.

David and Tamela Mann took the world by storm with their roles in Tyler Perry’s productions. With Tamela as Cora Simmons and David as Mr. Brown, the Manns brought an organic edge to comedy that’s impossible to duplicate. 

The two have been together for over 34 years and have raised 5 children together. Though they have achieved much success, mental health still became a trial their family had to overcome. 

Written by Antoinette Ford | Facebook: Antoinette Ford | Instagram: iamtonimonique_ | Twitter: @mizzford9

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Cherry Juice FM Culture

Gucci Mane Expresses Regret For Name Dropping Jeezy’s Dead Friend

Gucci Mane and Jeezy
Source: Getty Images

Gucci Mane and Jeezy’s feud has raised a wave of emotion from both sides over the years. The long-awaited Verzuz battle between the considerably elite trap stars set the stage for a moment that is now regretful on Gucci Mane’s part. Guwop set the record straight during a sit down with Rap Radar Live during the 2022 Revolt Summit. He provided clarification on the infamous moment he spoke on Jeezy’s deceased friend, Henry “Pookie Loc” Clark during their Verzuz battle.

While it was immediately interpreted as a personal dig at Jeezy, Gucci combats these ideals by saying, “I didn’t know when i got on stage that was gonna happen. I didn’t go up there thinkin like you know, I’m bringing negative energy.”

The Verzuz Battle

This particular battle was a defining moment for any trap music lover as the crowd watched the two hit the stage. The battle went off without a hitch as the anticipation was high, yet there was hope that the feud wouldn’t erupt as tensions rose.

The defining moment came when Gucci Mane played his diss track to Jeezy, “The Truth.” Putting salt on the wound, Gucci says, “Damn! Put that n***a’s a** in the dirt. Smoking on Pookie Loc tonight,” Gucci exclaimed.

The track was released in 2012 at the height of both rappers careers and with the mention of Jeezy’s late friend, “Pookie Loc.”

https://youtu.be/K5MSngvraEY

 

Jeezy speaks on the Verzuz battle

Jeezy spoke with Ebro of Hot 97 the day after the battle and addressed the moment that left many speechless. He let on that he wasn’t expecting Gucci to play the song, but he knew it was a possibility. “I didn’t feel that in the air,” he said.

“I’m not about to let a situation take me back 20 years because somebody’s antagonizing me. I’m not doing that.”

While the “Thug Motivation” rapper showcased a calm demeanor, it appeared he had more going through his mind than everyone could see.

Watch the Hot 97 interview below.

Gucci Mane: Stop “Dissin The Dead”

Gucci Mane has clearly been apologetic and regretful for some time now as he dropped single, “Dissing The Dead” just months ago. In the song, he raps,

“I’m the one put your boy name on a stone. I dissed the dead and I knew it was wrong.”

The sympathetic steamboat didn’t take too long to come around as his diss track with Lil Durk, “Rumors” still rang fresh. Pookie Loc, Jeezy’s deceased friend, made another cameo as Gucci mentioned him yet again. Much like Jeezy, there seems to be growth in the area of change once children and family enter the picture.

Gucci is fresh off a baby high as he and wife Keyshia Ka’oir are expecting their second child together. One thing is for certain, fans aren’t opposed to hearing the “So Icy” duo on another track together.

 

Written by Antoinette Ford 

Facebook: Antoinette Ford | Instagram: iamtonimonique_ | Twitter: @mizzford9

 

Related articles:

Gucci Mane Name Drops Jeezy’s Deceased Friend…Again

Gucci Mane Tells Rappers Stop Dissin The Dead On New Song

 

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FM News Trending

Kanye West Hires Melinda Gates’ Divorce Lawyer In Divorce From Kim Kardashian

Ye Hires Lawyer Of Melinda Gates
Kim Kardashian and Kanye West. Image source: BBC.

Ye, formerly Kanye West, has made yet another big play in his divorce from Kim Kardashian. Ye has now hired Malinda Gates’ lawyer. This power play may render successful as Melinda is the ex-wife of tech pioneer Bill Gates. 

According to TMZ, West has obtained council in New York with Robert Stephan Cohen.

Another One Bites The Dust

In August of 2022, West’s previous lawyer, Samantha Spector, filed a motion in court to step down as his lawyer. Spector cited an “irreconcilable breakdown” of their relationship. Spector is a well-known and respected divorce attorney. 

While we know West’s demands and antics can wear down relationships, the fact that his lawyer made this obscene request may have scared off many others.

Robert Stephan Cohen, a notorious lawyer for dealing with billionaires’ splits, has been added to Ye’s list of attorneys. The New York-based attorney is known for being brutally honest and has adopted references such as “killer,” a “Doberman,” and “your worst nightmare.” 

Business Insider gave intel on some of Cohen’s wealthiest clients, such as Donald Trump’s ex-wives and Uma Thurman.

Kanye, Enough Is Enough

Hiring this new lawyer will make the 6th lawyer handle Ye’s divorce case. Since Kim and Ye’s public announcement to split a year ago, the public has had a front-row seat to the shenanigans this case produced. Both have dated “seriously,” unfortunately opening the door to another pile-on of the issue for the once power couple.

The KKW cosmetics curator wasn’t as vocal as Ye during the divorce. However, she has made it clear that his outbursts and rants on social media played a significant part in wanting to be declared legally single immediately.

Collateral damage

While stormy judgment clouds this case, the West children also catch shrapnel from this nasty split. A once united household is now a zone for bad parenting claims and back and forth between parents. The oldest West child, North, hasn’t displayed much disdain for the divorce. Apparently, Kim and Ye were already living separately before announcing the divorce, a source shared with Hollywood Life.

Standing on his ’til death do us part” vows, Ye maintains that he wants his Queen and his family back. His stance that his kids want their parents together may be a heart-tugger, but Kim has yet to budge.

Written by Antoinette Ford | Facebook: Antoinette Ford | Instagram: iamtonimonique_ | Twitter: @mizzford9

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Coolio, Legendary “Gangsta’s Paradise” Rapper Dead at 59

Coolio Passes Away at the Age of 59
Coolio. Image source: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images.

The City of Angels takes another hit as reports arrive, claiming Coolio suddenly passed away at age 59. It is unclear the cause of death. 

However, TMZ spoke with Coolio’s manager, who confirmed his death. Coolio’s manager, Jerez, shared with TMZ’s source that the “Fantastic Voyage” rapper was visiting a friend at the time of the incident.

On Wednesday afternoon (Sep 28), Coolio reportedly went into the bathroom and never returned. The Los Angeles Police Department shared that they got a call from a home in Los Angeles for medical attention. The medical emergency turned out to be Coolio, who unfortunately died when the paramedics arrived.

Law enforcement has dispersed that no foul play is expected, and no drugs were found at the scene. After an autopsy and toxicology report, the specialists will determine the cause of death.

The late, Great Coolio

Born Artis Leon Ivey Jr., Coolio was a legend on the Compton, CA rap scene. In 1995, his smash hit, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” soured up the Billboard charts. That single also scored him his first Grammy for Best Rap Performance.

While many are in shock, a wave of emotional support and remembrance spread across the internet.

Since his emergence in hip hop in the 1980s, Coolio has become a rapper, philanthropist, television star, and producer. Though he hadn’t made much news lately, his notable contributions to hip hop created a lasting impression.

Check back with FM Hip Hop as we capture more details of this developing story.

Written by Antoinette Ford | Facebook: Antoinette Ford | Instagram: iamtonimonique_ | Twitter: @mizzford9

Follow and like FMHipHop on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook!

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