Author: J.J. Braden

Jymyaka (pronounced Juh-me-uh-kuh) Joi Braden, is an enthusiastic reader and an animated storyteller who believes strongly in the written word to create bridges across worlds, cultures, and timelines.
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, her 15-year career as a communications specialist and journalist for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Navy Reserves guides her people-first approach. Time spent interviewing subjects taught Jymyaka to carefully coax her messages while ensuring her subjects felt comfortable opening up to her. Similarly, she captains her clients through intimate discourse that brings out the best in their written works. With quick wit and an even quicker laugh, Jymyaka is a fearless partner who brings a renewing levity to the most difficult subject matters.

Though being the attentive mother of three intuitive young girls doesn’t leave too much free time, this mompreneur likes to write short fiction stories, narrative poems, contributes to blogs, writes book reviews; she is happier behind a camera rather than in front of one; and, she enjoys blasting trap music while cleaning.

Jymyaka resides in North Little Rock, Arkansas with her wife and daughters.

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Romeo’s a Father, Female Fans Furious

Romeo is a Father, Female Fans Furious

Percy “Romeo” Miller is a hip-hop influencer, entrepreneur, and, thanks to girlfriend Drew Sangster, a new dad. However, not all of the audience celebrated the couple’s new addition. Romeo recently shared he lost a lot of female fans following the birth announcement of his first child. The 32-year-old former “Growing Up Hip Hop” recently revealed how disillusioned women sent him hate mail and unfollowed him on social media because he was “supposed to be with them.”

Lil’ Romeo Has Literally Grown Up Hip Hop

Significantly,  Romeo grew up in the limelight thanks to his famous father, southern hip hop legend Master P. He emerged as a star in his own right in the early 2000s as the dazzling dribbling elementary rapper Lil Romeo. Now he’s evolved into an actor, producer, and co-owner of Rap Snacks and other businesses.

“As crazy as it sounds I felt that type of pressure growing up,” he said to Page Six. “Being a child star, your fans really are a part of your life,” he told podcast Page Six.

Romeo Continues to Live Authentically

Consequently, he took his time dating and choosing a public partner.

“It’s not just a moment that happened by accident, but it has to be with somebody who is truly deserving because it’s gonna break a lot of hearts out there,” he said. 

Moreover, the heartthrob expressed appreciation for the fans who stayed loyal. Fortunately, his diverse work has earned him 2 million followers authentically.

“I’ve been successful for over 20 years because I’m living my life. I still think about those people that support me, [but]

But I got to live my life, y’all,” he said.

Watch Romeo continue to shine alongside former Destiny’s Child star and award-winning gospel singer Michelle Williams in Lifetime Original limited series: Seven Deadly Sins.

 

FM Hip Hop Story by: J.J. Braden at https://www.instagram.com/thebookmd/

For more other stories about Romeo, his legendary family, and other hip-hop news, follow and like FMHipHop on Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram!

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Tory Lanez Sued For An Unauthorized Sample of George Michael Hit

Tory Lanez sued for 80s sample

R&B crooner/rhymer Torey Lanez sued for an unauthorized sample of George Michael’s iconic hit, Careless Whisper. 

The ’80s Tory Lanez, They Want Their Hits Back

Michael’s estate and his co-writer Andrew Ridgeley, claim Lanez’s request to use a sample of their song was denied in June 2021. Lanez borrowed from the song for his “Enchanted Waterfalls” track on the 80s infused album, Alone at Prom. Previously, Madonna accused Lanez of plagiarizing her 1985 billboard hit, “Into the Groove”.  Lanez allegedly sampled Madonna for the same 2021 album.

The Estate Issues An Official Response

Lanez nor his publicity team has issued an official response to the current allegations. However, the song is noticeably absent from the artist’s website and taken from Spotify earlier this year. Still, the track can be streamed on Apple Music and YouTube at this time.

In 2019, Tory released a 2000s themed album, which continued the mixtape series, Chixtape 5.  The album made news because of its notable features of fan favorites such as Ashanti and Jagged Edge. It also made business headlines as samples were being cleared seemingly up to the minute of the release.  Sascha Stone Guttfreund, a member of Lanez’s legal team said, “We cleared 17 samples, there was a total of 19 different lawyers we had to clear things through. Ironically, the artists that performed did not get paid feature fees.”

She added that there were some obvious expenses associated with clearances, but no direct feature fee.

“I have to say thank you to Todd Douglas and Todd Johnson at Interscope, who we worked with, and we called many, many times per day. There were also 29 songwriters, not including the sample writers,” she explained.

Tory Called Copy Cat Before

Fellow Canadian producer Boi-1da called him out on poorly mimicking dancehall culture in 2016. The same year Drake dropped a not-so-subtle snub saying, “all the boys in the New Toronto want to be me a little.” Singer and songwriter Eric Bellinger has also called Tory out for using his adlibs and general ‘swagger jacking’. In a 2018 diss track directed at Tory Lanez he said, your only talent mimicking other people’s talent.”

Check out the videos below to compare them both.

Sampling has been a theme in Hip Hop since its inception. Yet, legally and creatively Tory may have crossed the thin line between inspired and intercepted.

What’s the latest on Tory Lanez? Check out more stories here.

Written by J J Braden

IG: @thebookmd

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New Music Trending

Pusha T Confirms Jay-Z Collab

Pusha T Confirms Jay-Z Collab
Jay-Z, Pusha T. Image source: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation.

Pusha T announced a Jay-Z collab on his tentatively titled album, “It’s Not Dry Yet.” The street-appointed “King Push” discussed sharing a mic and a throne with Jigga in an interview with “Million Dollars Worth of Game” Sunday night. 

Pusha T Jay-Z Collab Is Confirmed

Gillie Da Kid and Wallo covered details of Pusha’s history and catalog. Pusha T mentioned Kanye and The Neptunes produced the latest project. The hosts questioned Push’s most incredible collabs. Hov enters the conversation, which then leads to a smooth confession.

Details on Pusha T’s and Jay-Z’s Collab

“I got three songs with him now,” Pusha T mentioned. The crew counted the duo’s delightful dueling on 2010’s “So Appalled” from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and then “Drug Dealer’s Anonymous” in 2016. Finally, the third arrives on the tentatively titled album It’s Not Dry Yet.

“I don’t know if I was supposed to say that, but I’m up with y’all, though, we here.” He went on to add,” Oh, he got busy,” he said with a grin. “I send him stuff ’cause I know he gonna say stuff that I just can’t say. To me, that’s what be wild impressive.”

The Virginia native and the Brooklyn hailed Jay-Hova are quite a match. Both Pusha T and Jay-Z collab on eloquent reminiscence of dark drug-dealing pasts. The past, infused with irreverent religious rhymes. 

Despite this, Push has stated that this next album would be less cocaine talk and more conscious via social media. These rap giants can definitely dominate both.

Consequently, Pusha T’s manager posted a snippet on Instagram Live shortly after the episode. 

Pusha T delivers album details a gram at a time. Push kept fans waiting for three years since his last project “Daytona.” However, the “Millions in the Ceiling” MC boasted that this would be the album of the year.

Meanwhile, FMHipHop will continue to look out for updates on Jay-Z and Pusha T.

Check out the full episode of Million Dollaz Worth Of Game with Push below:

 FMHipHop story by J.J. Braden | Instagram

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Big K.R.I.T. Delivers “Digital Roses”

"Digital Roses Don't Die" Album By Big K.R.I.T. Is Out
Photo by LeXander Bryant @orgnzd.visuals

Big K.R.I.T. delivered floral flows for fans with the new album “Digital Roses Don’t Die” (“DRDD“), released Feb. 18. The Mississippi native is called a “Southern Rap Purist” among hip-hop fans. Yet, this album is also sonically a sharp pivot. It seems the witty lyricist caught a love jones that flavored the vibe of this release.

K.R.I.T., which stands for King Remembered In Time, surprised and divided listeners with 17-tracks of melodic croons. Some listeners find the new age funk refreshing, while others long for the typical bass-heavy gritty southern sound. Regardless, K.R.I.T. went live on Instagram to express his renewed love for music and the mature sound.

Big K.R.I.T. Gives More “Digital Roses” Details

“Making music is about maturing; it’s about evolution,” Big K.R.I.T. also explained. “I can just be as creative as I want to be. A lot of the pressure that I put on myself back in the day to try to constantly prove myself wasn’t necessary.”

Affinity is apparent throughout the “Digital Roses Don’t Die,” reminiscent of fellow southerner Andre 3000’s “The Love Below.” The MC turned crooner stayed comfortably in key as he explored the range of his voice. While the MC hasn’t confirmed a beau, songs like “Just 4 You” or “Cum Out to Play” chronicles an unfolding infatuation. 

“Digital Roses Don’t Die” sounds like he took the three years between projects to slow stir a well-lived life into a solid presentation of mature love- love for life, his craft, and possibly a partner as well.

K.R.I.T. will launch on “Digital Roses Tour” on Apr. 21 in Raleigh, N.C. The tour will hit up to 33 locations, including New York, Detroit, Las Vegas, Dallas, Houston, Boston, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Memphis, New Orleans, and more, before closing out on Jun. 10 in Atlanta. “Digital Roses Don’t Die” arrives after his last LP, 2019’s “K.R.I.T Iz Here.”

Written by J.J. Braden

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Eminem Kneels at Superbowl LVI

Eminem Kneels at Superbowl LVI
Creator: Kevin C. Cox | Credit: Getty Images Copyright: 2022 Getty Images

Eminem kneels on stage at the 2022 Super Bowl Halftime Show, following his performance of “Lose Yourself.” He left the audience at L.A.’s SoFi Stadium in an uproar where the Los Angeles Rams took on the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday (Feb. 13th).

NFL Reports Conflict On Eminem Kneeling

The gesture caused an uproar amongst commentators. Eriq Gardner of Puck News led the charge. According to Gardner, Eminem planned to kneel in support of Colin Kaepernick. Supposedly, the league told him no because they wanted to avoid a “divisive culture war moment.”

Gardner added the NFL went back and forth with Dr. Dre and his camp concerning Dr. Dre and Kendrick’s anti-police lyrics. Snoop’s signature left pocket bandana apparently also raised some eyebrows. While the league denied any grievance with Eminem, fans lauded the act as one of many ways the performing rappers snubbed the NFL’s imposed censorship.  

“We watched all elements of the show during multiple performances this week,” Brian McCarthy, an NFL spokesperson, explained. “[We] were aware that Eminem was going to do that.”

Em Remained Silent

Eminem has not yet made a public statement about why he knelt. However, kneeling first began making a political statement when Kaepernick took the knee during the national anthem in 2016. Kaepernick aimed to raise awareness and support for the #BlackLivesMatter movement, police brutality, and racial injustice. Ultimately, the peaceful protest led the NFL to terminate Kaepernick’s contract. But the bold stance became a trend. Activists adapted the pose in solidarity with victims and survivors of racial violence. 

Slim’s Shade History

Kneeling isn’t the first time Eminem has been publicly politically polarizing. Remember when the real Slim Shady’s sly remarks on Sway in the Morning seemed to shade Hilary Clinton’s alleged email hack? He also praised Obama in 2012. But, he expressed open disdain for Donald Trump on BET Freestyle in 2017. Then, the 8-Mile rapper pulled a career-first when he licensed Lose Yourself to the Biden/Harris 2020 Campaign.

The real Slim Shady is not shy about letting his views be known. FMHipHop will look for Eminem’s official response via social media or an interview. 

Written by J.J. Braden

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2 Chainz Opens L.A. Dispensary Super Bowl Sunday

Rapper and entrepreneur 2 Chainz set to open a marijuana dispensary called Pineapple Express in L.A. on Super Bowl Sunday Feb.12. The move is on-brand for the Dope Don’t Sell Itself rapper who dared Snoop Dogg, another famous toker and marijuana businessman, to blaze on stage at Super Bowl LVI telling TMZ, “it would be legendary.” 2 Chainz, formerly known as Tity Boi, joins a legion of rappers who have formally invested in the marijuana market as more states legalize medical and recreational use.

The “trappa turnt rappa”, whose real name is Tauheed Epps, stays vocal about the role cannabis has played in his life.

“All I’ve ever known since I touched down on this Earth was drugs or drug dealing,” 2 Chainz said to Matt Barnes in an interview for a YouTube web series called, Same Energy. “I stay true to myself.”

2 Chainz advocates for marijuana legalization

He also advocated for marijuana legalization in an interview with Nancy Grace in 2015. Later, he founded premium marijuana brand, Gas Cannabis Co., in 2018—the same year California legalized recreational use. He has since aligned himself with brands such as Vice, High Times and Green Street Agency. 2 Chainz monetization of his love for cannabis is arguably legendary as well.

2 Chainz affirms that whatever path he chose would lead to success because he always believed he would be great.

“I surrounded myself with great people and I always thought it could happen for me too,” he said. “You take God given talent plus work ethic then you combine them and you get people like Lil’ Wayne, Kobe, Jordan. That’s what I aim for.”

The flagship Pineapple Express Dispensary is located on the corner of Hollywood and Vine. It monumentalizes the transition from dark disenfranchisement to wealth and financial freedom—making a bold statement. FM Hip Hop is watching to see if Snoop will blaze to that.

J.J. Braden