You win two NBA Championships, one with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, the other with the Toronto Raptors in 2019. You lead the Raptors to their first title ever, and win the Finals MVP for both championships, putting yourself in league with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and LeBron James. You’re a five-time All Star. A two time Defensive Player of the Year. You’ve just been selected as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history. Your next move? Being Kawhi “Klaw” Leonard, you make a talent-titan of an album.

Welcome to Culture Jam, Vol. 1. The fusion of hip hop and basketball starts streaming today (October 22). Yesterday, the YouTube page for Culture Jam dropped the “Official Announcement” trailer. Included on list featured artist were Lil Uzi Vert, Youngboy NBA, A Boggie Wit Da Hoodie, Polo G, Rod Wave, Gunna, Ty Dolla $ign, Yung Bleu, “and more”. Though this is the “official announcement”, Leonard spoke on the project at a post-game press conference back in May.

“It merges basketball and music together. It’s always been something on my mind I wanted to do. It’s something that can uplift our community.” – Kawhi Leonard, May 5, 2021

Leonard’s Lead-Off

Last July, Leonard released “Waves” and “Everything Different”, the two lead off single from the project. “Waves” sees Gunna and Polo G unite to deliver a straight-forward head bouncer. On “Everything Different”, Youngboy NBA and Rod Wave pay homage to the process of coming up in the world and the struggles in life that seem to never go away.

Last Wednesday (October 19) saw another track drop, this time from A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie and Capella Grey entitled “Bestie.”. Shorter than the other tracks, but no less for quality, “Bestie.” takes a look at being more than friends, from the basketball court to the Bentley.

At the aforementioned press conference, Leonard also announced that all proceeds from the album will go to charity. He chose for his charity the Mamba and Mamacita Sports Foundation. Founded in the memory of Kobe and Gigi Bryant, this charity strives to create a “positive impact for underserved athletes and young women in sports.”

Garrett C. Owen

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Judge Genece Brinkley Denies Meek Mill from Visiting Toronto.

When I first saw the news of Meek Mill being denied from visiting Canada I was shocked. I visited Canada in 2017 via cruise and the Canadian authorities weren’t having some people get off the boat. In my mind, I was thinking it was Canada telling Meek no instead of the judge. Canada recently let reformed and skinny Gucci Mane in with no issues. Meek is also an ambassador to the Philadelphia 76ers. His hometown team is battling the Toronto Raptors in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Meek Mill and Judge Genece Brinkley have a history. He has accused the judge of unfair treatment over his probation.

Judge Brinkley vs. Meek Mill

Judge Brinkley had sentenced Meek Mill for 2 to 4 years in 2017 for his probation violation. The prosecutor in his case did not recommend jail time. Meek has been on probation since 2008 for drug and gun charges. As part of his probation, Meek must obtain approval from Brinkley before traveling outside of Pennsylvania. Recently the rapper was denied $450k payday for a show in Dubai because of the judge. He submitted a request in early March to leave in April. The deadline was on the 15th of March but Judge Brinkley is alleged to purposely miss the deadline and filed it by the 19th.

Final Thoughts

76ers Owner Michael Rubin called out Judge Brinkley. He accused her of having a vendetta against Meek Mill. There is proof. Meek Mill isn’t a threat to society. He speaks on criminal justice reform and is icon of this culture and his city. The judge denied him a chance to better his livelihood by blocking his show in Dubai and blocking him from watching his 76ers in Canada for the playoffs is just petty.

Sources: Complex/Rap Radar

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