On Thursday September 22nd a private listening session took place at IMI Studios in New York City in anticipation for the release of “ The Realness 2” by Cormega. Cormega, a emcee, entrepreneur and New York Native( Brooklyn born and Queens raised) hit the mainstream when he was featured on Nas song “ Affirmative Action” featuring AZ and Foxy Brown. 27 years later with a catalogue under his belt he is still making waves sonically.

The Realness 2,( a continuation of “ The Realness” which dropped in 2001 )highlights Cormega's word play, rawness and story telling ability that vividly paints a picture for the listeners. The private event was hosted by Ralph McDaniels, another vet in the industry and creator of Video Music Box who was able to ask key points about the making of the album and his journey as an artist thus far. Cormega stated “When I came back to industry rather when I was going to the studio things were different, there were hooks and choruses suppose to how it use to be and one of the guys who were showing me, schooling me on choruses was Havoc” he went on to say “ As a person of integrity you have to look back at the people who were essential in your life contributors not just takers and when I looked at it damn and one day it just hit me ..Havoc was on more Cormega albums than any artist in the world”. Present in the room was Viper Records who most recently signed a partnership with the emcee in addition to notable producers such as Havoc(Mobb Deep), Sha Money XL, J.Love, Buckwild and others. “ The Realness 2” will be released Friday October 7th, 2022.

Cardi B’s first big hit as lead her to a historical feat! 

Tuesday, March 9th, Cardi B’s Bodak Yellow has sold more than 10 million copies, making her the first female rapper to get a diamond-certified song.

Bodak Yellow was released in the summer of 2017 and ultimately made its way to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 list, where it sat for three weeks.

In 2018, she was also the first female rapper to have three songs on the Billboard Hot 100 at the same time. Bodak Yellow along with her hit I Like It and her collaboration with Maroon 5for Girls Like You made the coveted chart simultaneously.

This probably will not be the last time we hear of Cardi reaching diamond status as her songs, I Like It has gone platinum nine times and Girls Like You has made the accomplishment eight times.

Written by: Lehlieh Zion

Tobe Nwigwe is a rare breed and has aligned with one of the most incredible female hip hop icons, Erykah Badu. On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, Badu also known as 'Badulla Oblongata,' also known as "SheiLL," collaborated with purpose rapper Tobe Nwigwe in a courageous song called "Give It Back."

The duo, along with Tobe's wife, 'Fat,' producer Nell, and drummer Frank Mocha were dripped in sophisticated mint aesthetics while staying true to their infamous "Get Twisted Sundays." apparel. Tobe's inspiration for this song came from a conversation he had with Erykah Badu, who recently celebrated her 50th birthday, on how 'Black Culture' defines and redefines music today and in the future. It is clear with lyrics like,

"Pay us what you owe us

For all the years y'all know that y'all hold us

We bought some stocks
But Game Stop done showed us
The systems sick as tuberculosis
But we all know this
Who is we kiddin'?"

Tobe continues to be an advocate for equality and healing for transitional justice. The Breonna Taylor activist artist continues to win the hearts of over a million fans now with his clever rhymes and "in your face" lyrics and authentically remains true to his love for hip hop and his native culture.

As Tobe glides into a native Igbo dance chanting "Igbo Kwenu" to the world with his family plastered on his blazer; we wait for more music from the artist gone activist.

To hear more of Tobe's music here.

​On Thursday, February 18, rapper Meek Mill enraged the internet with his leaked verse on a song he and Lil' Baby collaborated on called "Don't Worry (RIP Kobe)”, The infamous verse "I'm goin out with my chopper, it be another Kobe" rightfully has every Kobe fan known to mankind pissed. January 26 marked the 1st anniversary of the late Kobe Bryant, daughter Gianna, and seven other passengers' death. Gianna Maria-Onore Bryant would've turned 13 this year. Regretfully, the world lost not one but two Bryant's in a helicopter crash, leaving no survivors. It's clear this tragedy is still a sensitive topic to relive, and Meek Mill just shot an arrow through our hearts with his careless lyrics. Unfortunately, the main heart he attacked was Vanessa Bryant.
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After a week of Vanessa's silence in response to rapper Meek's offensive verse, the widowed wife has finally taken to Instagram to respond. Vanessa responded today in her Instagram story tagging, the well-known Philly street rapper himself.

Mrs. Bryant found his lyrics disrespectful and a horrible way to remember her late husband. But Why do fans despise these lyrics so much? Is it because the beloved Kobe is mentioned in the unreleased song? Or is it because most fans are confused about what the lyrics mean? The honest answer is that Kobe fans hate these lyrics because it glorifies Kobe Bryant's death. Using someone's death in a derogatory way is insensitive and tacky, as Bryant’s wife expressed.

After awaiting Meek's long overdue apology to Bryant and fans, he finally took to Twitter to respond to what he considered an apology. Meek tweeted earlier today that he apologized to Vanessa in private and he was over it.

​Unfortunately, someone on Meek's PR team isn't doing their job and might need to be fired. He appears to be shifting the blame from his ruthless lyrics to the fans continuously bringing it up. In my opinion, Meek needs to send out a proper public apology addressing Vanessa and all the Kobe Bryant fans, respectfully. There seems to be a little too much cockiness in his tweet's tone, and the fans are not here for it. What are your thoughts? Do you think Meek owes Vanessa a
public apology?

BTS will be dropping the 'BE (Essential Edition)' this Friday. Kicking off the month with new content releases every day, the septet gave a peek into the making of their chart-topping album. An ARMY room was created by BTS and the illustration had a similar vibe to their rooms that were created by members back in November 2020. Suga kicked off the illustration and, it was followed by RM, Jungkook, Jimin, V, J-Hope who made some additions to it, and now it's time for Jin to complete the ARMY room with his beautiful additions.

"My eyes spy a cute little friend in ARMY's room. Just looking at a cute puppy, just the existence of a puppy is therapeutic. I hope this puppy can give a little bit of comfort and consolation in ARMY's daily life. How about 'Bangtani' for its name? If you had a tough day, let it all out to Bangtani like you are talking to us. I am sure Bangtani will be by your side in no time to comfort," says Jin in his voiceover!

"I am taking a break now but I used to play the piano so that I could have a hobby. It's an instrument I want to have a go at again, so that's why I put it in ARMY's room. The piano is an instrument that resonates with many people, and someday I can play a song that can resonate in ARMY's hearts. I think of our 'I Need U' days, whenever I think about the piano. I don't really know why. I think a piano tune makes you recall fond memories. Think back and reminisce about your fond memories with us with this piano," he adds.

Paris Hilton just released a music video for her song “Heartbeat,” featured on her self-titled 2006 album, on Friday (February 12), which features her real-life boyfriend Carter Reum.

“I’ve been listening to [Paris] so much with my boyfriend. In 2006, I didn’t even know what love was, but the words to ['Heartbeat'] finally have meaning. It describes the way I feel for him so much that I was like, ‘I have to do a music video.’ I thought it’d be perfect to release around Valentine’s Day, just as a celebration of finally having true love,” she told Paper.

Taylor Swift just started the process of releasing the re-recorded versions of her albums, and she’s explaining why she’s starting with her 2008 album, Fearless.

After dropping her first re-recorded song, “Love Story (Taylor’s Version),” on Friday (February 12), Taylor opened up in an interview for Republic Records / MCA Nashville.

“Deciding on what album to re-record first was pretty easy for me,” she revealed.

“I always gravitated towards Fearless because I think that, as an album, it was a real coming-of-age. And I look back on that album and it fills me with such pride, and it was an album about hope, and lessons learned, and the effervescence of teenage youth and all that. What more fun than to go back and explore that?” she said.
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“I think that I tried to keep it as close to the original as possible, and the additional songs that I’ve added are songs that I think add insight into what the album almost was, because every time you make an album, you leave some songs off, and I think it’s really cool that the fans will get to have the full picture this time around,” she added.

'BE (Essential Edition)'. will be dropping on February 19, the septet has been dropping new content every day since the month began. Kicking off the ARMY room illustration with Suga, the group's leader RM has made some addition to it.

"I remember saying that something in porcelain would be nice for RM's room but I've actually been saving it for ARMY's room. I thought the moon jar would suit ARMY's room really nicely. A moon jar is made by combining two halves that are made separately, so each piece is unique. I'd say just like people, each different and unique. Just as all of these different jars are called 'moon jars', so are all our ARMY who are different but stand by BTS as one ARMY. Looking at the moon jar in the room brings a certain tranquility to my mind. I hope through this beautiful piece, my full moon wish is to gift you a warm day that will be felt by all ARMY," RM says in the video.

Adding a four-way case, the most traditional type of Korean furniture, and a jar on the top to the right corner of the room, RM says in his voiceover, "I also thought a Korean "four-way-case" sabangtakja would be a good addition to ARMY's room. I make good use of this item to display figures. The four-way case is open all around to make it extra useful and the open sides imbue an expansive feeling to the entire space around it, bringing out comfort. It's antique furniture with many modern aesthetics. I hope the harmonious balance created by the gentle curves of the moon jar and the lines and angles of the sabangtakja can bring lots of comfort and relaxation from every direction."

Dua Lipa just released lead single “We’re Good” on Thursday (February 11),  from the expanded Moonlight Edition of her critically hailed 2020 studio album