HipHop DX News

Diddy’s Projected Prison Release Date Revealed

Andy Bustard (28/10/2025)

Diddy‘s projected prison release date has been revealed — and the disgraced mogul could get out sooner than you think. According to the Bureau of Prisons website, the Bad Boy Records boss (real name Sean Combs) is scheduled be a free man on May 8, 2028. However, it’s worth noting that this date is not...

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Diddy‘s projected prison release date has been revealed — and the disgraced mogul could get out sooner than you think.

According to the Bureau of Prisons website, the Bad Boy Records boss (real name Sean Combs) is scheduled be a free man on May 8, 2028.

However, it’s worth noting that this date is not set in stone and there are various factors that could change this, either moving it forward or pushing it back.

He will also be credited with roughly a year of time served having remained in jail since his arrest in September 2024.

Diddy was sentenced to 50 months (just over four years) behind bars earlier this month after being convicted of transportation to engage in prostitution.

He was acquitted of the more serious charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, avoiding a much heftier prison sentence.

Diddy has already been attempting to fight his legal fate, with his lawyers indicating they will appeal Judge Arun Subramanian’s decision.

It has also been reported that Puffy has reached out to his old acquaintance President Donald Trump in hopes of receiving a commutation, although this has been contested by the White House.

Where Diddy will serve his time is also a point of contention. The 55-year-old recently petitioned to be moved to FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in New Jersey that he claims is the best place for him to “address [his] drug abuse issues” and “maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts.”

However, Judge Subramanian disagreed with this and argued that Diddy should do his hard time as close to the New York metropolitan area as possible.

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Busta Rhymes Pays Tribute To D’Angelo With Heartfelt New Song “Magic”

Andy Bustard (28/10/2025)

Busta Rhymes has taxen to wax to honor the memory of D’Angelo, releasing a touching new tribute song called “Magic.” Premiered by Okayplayer, the track finds Bus-a-Bus spitting over D’Angelo’s “One Mo’ Gin” instrumental and celebrating the late singer’s talent, impact and legacy. After recalling how he first met the Voodoo virtuoso at a Tribe...

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Busta Rhymes has taxen to wax to honor the memory of D’Angelo, releasing a touching new tribute song called “Magic.”

Premiered by Okayplayer, the track finds Bus-a-Bus spitting over D’Angelo’s “One Mo’ Gin” instrumental and celebrating the late singer’s talent, impact and legacy.

After recalling how he first met the Voodoo virtuoso at a Tribe Called Quest studio session in the early ’90s, Busta spits in a spoken word flow:  “The shit he did cut deep in the soul, hit the center of your core / Oh yes, we wanted more! Damn right, we wanted more! / We could not get enough of the god, damn, he was so charismatic / Every body of work he contributed to culture ended up being a classic / Type of shit that made a n*gga romantic together with his woman, climactic / Thank God He gave you to us as a gift that kept giving us this magic.”

Listen to “Magic” below.

Busta Rhymes also shared some of his fondest memories of D’Angelo with Okayplayer, saying: “When I met him, it was just a good, beautiful energy with the bro. D’Angelo’s personality speaks volumes because of how reserved he was. When it was time for him to actually speak — when you heard him sing or play the keyboard — it magnified the polar opposite of how quiet he was.”

Reflecting on their decades-long friendship, the Flipmode Squad founder said: “The entire 34 years of knowing D has been an incredible experience … I feel like the Earth shifted when D came to do music. He was the embodiment of some shit that was a complete balance of what our ancestors created, to where he took it.”

Busta also vowed to keep D’Angelo’s music and memory alive, adding: “The shit that he did decide to share with us — when people discover it, now or years from now, [it] is going to still shift the way of thinking. For whoever can appreciate real music. People think that it ends because of his physical transition, but it needed to be made clear that there’s nothing about him that’s going to end anytime soon.”

D’Angelo passed away on October 14 following a private battle with pancreatic cancer. He was just 51 years old.

In a statement, his family said: “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life … We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind.

“We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

The post Busta Rhymes Pays Tribute To D’Angelo With Heartfelt New Song “Magic” appeared first on HipHopDX.

New Music Friday: The Alchemist & Hit-Boy, Mac Miller, Lil Baby & More

Andy Bustard (24/10/2025)

New Music Friday is back with a bang! This week is a loaded one thanks to new albums from two of the best producers (and rappers) in the game today, The Alchemist and Hit-Boy, R&B crooners Leon Thomas and Daniel Caesar, UK rap kingpin Dave, multi-platinum hitmaker BNYX and a 10th anniversary re-up of Mac...

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New Music Friday is back with a bang!

This week is a loaded one thanks to new albums from two of the best producers (and rappers) in the game today, The Alchemist and Hit-Boy, R&B crooners Leon Thomas and Daniel Caesar, UK rap kingpin Dave, multi-platinum hitmaker BNYX and a 10th anniversary re-up of Mac Miller‘s GO:OD AM featuring three previously unreleased songs.

On the singles front, a boo’d up Megan Thee Stallion enters her “Lover Girl” era (word to Klay Thompson), Tee Grizzley and Rod Wave join forces on “Voicemail” and G Herbo extends his 2025 hot streak by linking up with Lil Baby (“All On Me”) and Moneybagg Yo (“Feet On Land”).

Check out all the new drops below. Which one are you tapping in with first?

The Alchemist & Hit-Boy — Goldfish

Featuring: Conway The Machine, Havoc, Boldy James, Jay Worthy, Big Hit

Mac Miller — GO:OD AM (10th Anniversary Edition)

Featuring: Vinny Radio

Lil Baby feat. G Herbo — “All On Me”

Produced By: JTBeatz & EgonBeUp

Megan Thee Stallion — “Lover Girl”

Produced By: JacobDior

Leon Thomas — Pholks (EP)

Featuring: 4Batz

Dave — The Boy Who Played the Harp

Featuring: Tems, James Blake, Kano, Jim Legxacy, Nicole Blakk

Moneybagg Yo feat. G Herbo — “Feet On Land”

Produced By: KrazyMob

Tee Grizzley feat. Rod Wave — “Voicemail”

Produced By: J Wavy, Kaigoincrazy, LondnBlue, Sean Momberger & TntXD

Daniel Caesar — Son of Spergy

Featuring: Sampha, Bon Iver, Yebba, Blood Orange, 646yf4t, Norwill Simmonds

BNYX — Loading… (EP)

Featuring: Earl Sweatshirt, Yeat, Johnny Yukon, Uhmeer, Jahvor, Zukenee

Polo G — “Quality Over Quantity”

Produced By: 1204, Hermes, David Elijaa & Jahk

Monte Booker — noise ( meaning )

Featuring: Smino, Ravyn Lenae, reggie, Mereba, Young Pink, VITA, Planet Giza

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Black Thought Hypes New Album ‘Streams Of Thought Vol. 4’: “It’s My Opus”

Andy Bustard (23/10/2025)

Black Thought‘s Streams of Thought Vol. 4 is an album you don’t want to sleep on — according to the man himself, anyway. During a sit-down with Redman for Rolling Stone‘s “Musicians On Musicians” series, the legendary Roots lyricist shed light on his upcoming solo project and did little to dampen excitement for it, crowning...

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Black Thought‘s Streams of Thought Vol. 4 is an album you don’t want to sleep on — according to the man himself, anyway.

During a sit-down with Redman for Rolling Stone‘s “Musicians On Musicians” series, the legendary Roots lyricist shed light on his upcoming solo project and did little to dampen excitement for it, crowning it his “opus.”

“In many ways, I feel like it’s my opus. It has the most features, the most elaborate beats, crazy samples,” he declared.

Black Thought also explained the lengthy delay behind the album, which is part of the series of solo efforts he began dropping in 2018. (The most recent one, Streams of Thought Vol. 3, arrived in 2020.)

“Part of that is the problem, trying to get all this stuff cleared,” he said of the seemingly complicated sample clearance process.

The Philly native has been teasing Streams of Thought Vol. 4 for years and previously revealed some of the tantalazing features that fans can look forward to.

“I have features with the usual suspects like Pharoahe Monch and Yasiin Bey. I even have Redman and Fabolous on there for the East Coast sensibilities. But then I have Tobe Nwigwe, Big K.R.I.T., Curren$y, Rick Ross and JID,” he told LEVEL in 2020.

“Everyone ain’t gonna get an opportunity to jump on a joint with me. You have to be able to hold your own, and it has to feel seamless. That’s what Streams of Thought, Vol. 4 is. I listened to it this morning. It’s only 30 minutes, but it’s crazy.”

Black Thought is especially excited about his collaboration with Yasiin Bey (f.k.a. Mos Def), with whom he’s formed undeniable chemistry on the mic over the years (see: The Roots “Double Trouble” and “Rising Down,” Black Star “Freequency” and “Respiration [Pete Rock Remix],” Freddie Gibbs and Madlib “Education”).

“‘Blaaaaack!’ became the first song I recorded, me and Yasiin Bey,” he told The FADER in 2023. “It’s a timeless classic. It’s been in my vault for a couple years already. It could come out at any point in time, and it’ll still represent a seismic shift in the game just because of how powerful it is and what it speaks to.”

Where the first three Streams of Thought projects were produced by 9th Wonder, Salaam Remi and Sean C, this upcoming fourth installment is helmed entirely by 14KT, the Detroit-bred producer best known for his work with Jay Electronica, Skyzoo, Elzhi and others.

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The Alchemist & Hit-Boy Share Tracklist & Features For ‘Goldfish’ Album

Andy Bustard (22/10/2025)

The Alchemist and Hit-Boy have called on a few friends for their Goldfish album. The dynamic duo have revealed the cover art, tracklist and features for their upcoming joint album, which is set to drop this Friday (October 24). Clocking in at 15 songs, Goldfish boasts appearances from Havoc, Conway The Machine, Boldy James, Jay...

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The Alchemist and Hit-Boy have called on a few friends for their Goldfish album.

The dynamic duo have revealed the cover art, tracklist and features for their upcoming joint album, which is set to drop this Friday (October 24).

Clocking in at 15 songs, Goldfish boasts appearances from Havoc, Conway The Machine, Boldy James, Jay Worthy, Hit-Boy’s father Big Hit and multi-instrumentalist Johnathan Hulett.

Fans have already been treated to two tracks from the project in the form of “Business Merger” and the Havoc-assisted “Celebration Moments.”

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Goldfish is not just a joining of forces between two of the best producers (and rappers) in the game today, though.

The album is accompanied by a short film of the same name starring both The Alchemist and Hit-Boy, as well as a host of accomplished actors such as Danny Trejo, Simon Rex, Rory Culkin, Blake Anderson and Gerald “Slink” Johnson.

The movie also marks the acting debuts of Conway The Machine, Lefty Gunplay and Big Twins, with Abteen Bagheri-Fard (A$AP Rocky “Peso”) in the director’s seat.

According to a press release, Goldfish follows “a squad of hit men disguised as carpet cleaners attempting to leave a life of crime in a chaotic flurry of events.”

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The ambitious project adds to what’s already been a busy year for both The Alchemist and Hit-Boy.

The former has so far dropped two highly acclaimed projects with Freddie Gibbs (Alfredo 2) and Larry June and 2 Chainz (Life Is Beautiful), and has others with Erykah Badu (Abi & Alan), Yasiin Bey (Forensics) and Armand Hammer (Mercy) on the way.

Uncle Al has also lent his midas touch to Mobb Deep‘s comeback album Infinite — the duo’s first posthumous effort following the death of Prodigy in 2017 — as well as Jay Worthy‘s Once Upon a Time, Evidence‘s Unlearning Vol. 2 and billy woods‘ GOLLIWOG.

Hit-Boy, meanwhile, has been heating up in recent months thanks to collaborations with the likes of Jay Electronica, AzChike, 03 Greedo, Lefty Gunplay, TiaCorine and BabyTron.

Better yet, the “N*ggas In Paris” hitmaker is finally able to fully reap the rewards of his hard work after recently getting out of the predatory publishing deal he was locked in for almost 20 years — with the help of JAY-Z and Roc Nation co-founder Desiree Perez.

“Today … he helped secure my freedom from an 18 year publishing deal I was stuck in and I can’t thank him enough for pushing that thru,” Hit-Boy wrote on Instagram in July. “Much appreciation to Desiree Perez for also making this happen the love and respect on my end runs deep and I appreciate all the help frr.”

He added: “Today I am a free man, I feel like I just got out the pen after an 18 year sentence and have a chance to start over with more knowledge than I ever had. my best has yet to be seen God is Great!”

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JAY-Z’s Advice To Kendrick Lamar Revealed By TDE’s Punch: ‘That Stuck With Me’

Andy Bustard (21/10/2025)

JAY-Z once gave Top Dawg Entertainment President Terrence “Punch” Henderson some sage advice concerning Kendrick Lamar‘s career, and those words have “stuck” with him to this day. During an in-depth sit-down with Elise Not Elise, the record executive was asked if he and the TDE crew had any hesitations about releasing To Pimp a Butterfly...

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JAY-Z once gave Top Dawg Entertainment President Terrence “Punch” Henderson some sage advice concerning Kendrick Lamar‘s career, and those words have “stuck” with him to this day.

During an in-depth sit-down with Elise Not Elise, the record executive was asked if he and the TDE crew had any hesitations about releasing To Pimp a Butterfly given how left-field it was compared to Kendrick’s previous projects.

Punch answered by recalling a particularly impactful conversation he had with Hov during a studio session between SZA (who he also manages) and Beyoncé.

“While we were working on To Pimp a Butterfly, me and SZA would go to Beyoncé’s sessions — [SZA] was writing for her,” he said. “JAY-Z was there every night so I had a chance to talk to him and I told him, ‘Yo, we’re about to drop this album that’s gonna piss off the whole fanbase.’

“His response was, ‘Good, do it n0w so they can’t never put you in a box.’ That stuck with me, for sure. It gave me more confidence like, Yeah, we’re on the right track, for sure … There are rules that are set, but geniuses know when to break those rules.”

JAY-Z has been a longtime supporter of both Kendrick Lamar and TDE, and even blessed the Compton rapper with a coveted guest verse early on his career.

A few months after the release of good kid, m.A.A.d city back in 2012 — a moment that signaled the birth of a modern-day hip-hop icon — Kendrick and Hov joined forces on a remix of the hit single “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.”

“That was definitely [on my wishlist],” Dot told Sway in the Morning shortly after its release. “That’s the G.O.A.T. Jay is somebody with that much longevity and still can have that skill, and what he put down on there was ridiculous.”

The Aftermath signee also recalled a conversation he had with Jigga at the time: “He said he sees me, in so many words … He said he really appreciated [good kid, m.A.A.d city] and what I’m doing for the culture, as far as continuing the legacy of putting together a full body of work.

“That blew me away because I came up listening to Reasonable Doubt — that’s where I got the antiques of making an album like that from. For him to give me props and say, ‘I’m in the studio [because of] your work,’ that’s a great thing.”

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Trump Reportedly Considering Commuting Diddy’s Prison Sentence

Andy Bustard (21/10/2025)

Diddy could be a free man as early as this week with the help of President Donald Trump. According to TMZ, Trump is considering commuting the Bad Boy mogul’s four-year prison sentence on prostitution-related charges. A high-ranking White House official told the publication that the president, who has rubbed shoulders with Puffy numerous times over...

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Diddy could be a free man as early as this week with the help of President Donald Trump.

According to TMZ, Trump is considering commuting the Bad Boy mogul’s four-year prison sentence on prostitution-related charges.

A high-ranking White House official told the publication that the president, who has rubbed shoulders with Puffy numerous times over the years, is “vacillating” on a commutation.

“We’re told some of the W.H. staff are urging Trump not to commute the sentence,” TMZ reports. “But, our source states the obvious — “Trump will do what he wants,” and we’re told Trump could set Diddy free as early as this week.”

Diddy was sentenced earlier this month to 50 months behind bars after being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution this past summer.

Days later, Diddy’s legal team reached out to the president in hopes of securing a commutation or pardon. Trump himself confirmed this on October 6, telling reporters inside the Oval Office: “A lot of people have asked me for pardons. I call him Puff Daddy, [he] has asked me for a pardon.”

The mogul’s attorneys are also exploring an appeal to his sentence, which they have called unfairly lengthy and improperly based on the more serious racketeering and sex trafficking allegations of which he was acquitted.

Diddy is additionally campaigning to serve his sentence at FCI Fort Dix, a low-security prison in New Jersey, which he claims is the best place for him to “address [his] drug abuse issues” and “maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts.”

However, the judge who oversaw his high-profile trial argued that the disgraced mogul should do his hard time as close to the New York metropolitan area as possible.

Federal prosecutors have taken “no position” on where the 55-year-old should be shipped off to. Ultimately, the decision belongs to the Bureau of Prisons.

All this could be irrelevant, of course, if Trump intervenes in Diddy’s favor. And what a bombshell moment it would be if he does.

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50 Cent Defends Using AI To Remix His Own Music: ‘I Really Like Those Songs!’

Andy Bustard (20/10/2025)

50 Cent‘s AI remixes aren’t just light-hearted fun (the type his 35 million Instagram followers have become accustomed to) — they help to showcase his musical genius in a new light, according to the man himself. The G-Unit boss recently dabbled in the artificial intelligence trend by posting computer-generated renditions of “21 Questions”and “God Gave...

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50 Cent‘s AI remixes aren’t just light-hearted fun (the type his 35 million Instagram followers have become accustomed to) — they help to showcase his musical genius in a new light, according to the man himself.

The G-Unit boss recently dabbled in the artificial intelligence trend by posting computer-generated renditions of “21 Questions”and “God Gave Me Style” that reimagined them as 1960s Motown-inspired anthems.

The move may have ruffled a few feathers given how controversial the topic of AI is in music, but if you ask 50, he’ll tell you there’s a lesser-known benefit to giving rap songs the AI remix treatment.

“I really like those songs!” he told Complex. “Look, it will reach someone that I missed. Someone who couldn’t hear what I was trying to say to them in the writing can hear it now that it’s in that format. They’ll go, ‘Oh, yo! Play that again!'”

Fif added: “I don’t know where AI get these voices from, but these are some good voices! If these guys came out in that time period, they would have been competition for the guys that were there.”

Pressed for his thoughts on the growing concerns over AI, the Power mogul — ever the entrepeneur — said: “I don’t like fighting fights that I can’t win. I don’t think you can beat AI; I think you need to go with it.

“I think we need to look at how we create businesses that work well with it and performs faster and progresses as [AI] progresses because it’s not gonna stop progress.”

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50 Cent’s argument about his AI remixes making his songs more accessible to a wider audience checks out. Do a quick scan of his Instagram posts and you’ll see dozens of comments praising his songwriting ability and melodic sensibilities.

“This proves how great of a song writer 50 is. Great writing works no matter the melody,” one fan commented, while another said: “Proof that every timeline still finds a way to make him iconic.”

There were also plenty of jokes, too, with one aspiring comedian writing: “Curtis Jackson & The Units.” Someone else quipped: “Nat King Curt.”

50 hinted that there might be more where these came from, captioning one of his posts: “Now this shit is hot [fire emoji] I’m a use AI on all my unreleased songs and see what I got for ya!”

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Playboi Carti Charged With Assault For Allegedly Punching Limo Driver

Andy Bustard (20/10/2025)

Playboi Carti was arrested earlier this month after allegedly attacking his limousine driver while on tour in Utah. According to TMZ, the MUSIC star (real name Jordan Carter) was charged with assault on October 2 for allegedly punching the driver, Carl Reynolds, in the face. Carti is also accused of physically abusing his girlfriend during...

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Playboi Carti was arrested earlier this month after allegedly attacking his limousine driver while on tour in Utah.

According to TMZ, the MUSIC star (real name Jordan Carter) was charged with assault on October 2 for allegedly punching the driver, Carl Reynolds, in the face.

Carti is also accused of physically abusing his girlfriend during the dispute.

Reynolds, who was hired to drive Carti and his entourage around during their stop in Salt Lake City, says he picked up the rapper and his girlfriend to take them to a rehearsal for Carti’s show the following night.

During the journey an argument broke out in the backseat between Carti and his girlfriend, according to Reynolds, leading the driver to stop the vehicle in an attempt to diffuse the situation.

Carti then “got upset and hit [his] girlfriend,” according to the police report. However, Reynolds told police that he didn’t actually see Carti hit the woman, but noticed that she was “hunched over holding near her chest.”

The driver claims that Carti then “hit him on the left side of his face when he was not looking,” leaving visible redness and signs of injury on his jaw, the report states.

Carti’s girlfriend and security guard, who closely behind the rapper’s SUV in a separate car at the time, both attempted to take the blame for the attack. But Carti actually owned up to the crime, telling police he “punched [Reynolds] for stopping in a weird place and dropping them off.”

Wasatch County police are currently investigating the incident further, while Reynolds is “preparing to lawyer up but says he mainly wants to ensure that Carti doesn’t hurt anyone else — including his GF,” according to TMZ.

Playboi Carti’s Antagonist 2.0 Tour has continued as scheduled, with the Opium leader performing shows in cities such as Portland, Seattle and Los Angeles since being charged with assault.

This is not Carti’s first brush with the law for alleged violent conduct. In February 2023, the “Magnolia” hitmaker was arrested over claims that he had choked his pregnant girlfriend following an argument over a paternity test months earlier.

The woman, who was 14 weeks pregnant at the time, told cops that Carti had grabbed her by her throat and pushed her, holding her neck until she could barely breathe.

In a statement to TMZ, the rapper’s attorney Brian Steel said that his client was “falsely accused” and the case would be “dismissed without any prosecution or litigation.”

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Nas Talks Potential Kendrick Lamar Collaboration: ‘I’d Love To Work With Him’

Andy Bustard (16/10/2025)

Will hip-hop fans ever get to hear Nas and Kendrick Lamar on the same song? The former is not ruling it out. Sitting down with Complex ahead of his appearance at New York Comic Con to promote Mass Appeal and Marvel’s new Legend Has It comic book collaboration, the Queensbridge rap legend was asked about...

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Will hip-hop fans ever get to hear Nas and Kendrick Lamar on the same song? The former is not ruling it out.

Sitting down with Complex ahead of his appearance at New York Comic Con to promote Mass Appeal and Marvel’s new Legend Has It comic book collaboration, the Queensbridge rap legend was asked about the prospect of jumping on a track with King Kenny.

“Oh, man. It’s just all about the artist,” he answered. “When you get the chance to record and work together, for me it should feel really natural. That would be great, I’d love to work with him.

“But I feel like it would have to be smooth the way it connects. Anything I do with anybody, especially someone like [Kendrick], I just want to take my time with it. So we’ll see. Hopefully.”

Nas then modestly joked: “All you MCs out there, give me a call, man! I got some verses here and there. They’re hit or miss.”

Though Nas and Kendrick Lamar have yet to work together on music, the mutual respect between the MCs runs deep.

After Kendrick was announced as the headliner of the 2025 Super Bowl halftime show last year, Esco saluted him by writing on his Instagram Stories: “Congratulations to my brotha. Can’t wait to watch the party die!!!!!”

K. Dot, of course, referenced this post on his GNX opener “Wacced Out Murals,” ferociosly rapping: “Won the Super Bowl and Nas the only one congratulate me / All these n*ggas agitated, I’m just glad they showin’ they faces / Quite frankly, plenty artists, but they outdated / Old-ass flows, tryna convince me that you they favorite.”

The Compton native also appeared to pay homage to Nas on that album, with his “Man at the Garden” beat sounding eerily reminiscent of Nas’ equally introspective Stillmatic classic “One Mic.”

More recently, Nas heaped high praise onto Kendrick in an interview with Rolling Stone, crowning him hip-hop’s “North Star” for his ability to speak up when hip-hop needs it, as evidenced on last year’s “Watch the Party Die.’

“Kendrick is one of the brightest stars we’ve ever seen, and I don’t only mean superstar, I mean like the North Star — I think he’s one of those,” he said. “Out of all of the artists in this business, there’s some that’s not here for the art. When we see those people that are not here for the art damaging it, you’re hurting the future of the art. So I think artists like Kendrick are going to speak out.”

Nas continued: “There’s a couple of ’em out there, younger, older that say what they say. I think there was an OutKast video, one of those guys wore a “Hip Hop Is Dead” shirt even before I said it, I didn’t see that until later. It’s just been in the conversation naturally, like any sport you want to thrive. You don’t want the NBA to start slowing down. You want it to thrive. The ball players want it to thrive. We’re going to call out anytime we see it. Sometimes the rest of us won’t see it. Sometimes it’ll take Kendrick to remind us where we are lacking.

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D’Angelo Has Died Aged 51

Andy Bustard (14/10/2025)

D’Angelo, the legendary soul and R&B musician, has passed away at the age of 51. The singer (real name Michael Eugene Archer) died on Tuesday (October 14) following a private battle with pancreatic cancer, according to TMZ. UPDATE: D’Angelo’s family have released the following statement: “The shining star of our family has dimmed his light...

The post D’Angelo Has Died Aged 51 appeared first on HipHopDX.

D’Angelo, the legendary soul and R&B musician, has passed away at the age of 51.

The singer (real name Michael Eugene Archer) died on Tuesday (October 14) following a private battle with pancreatic cancer, according to TMZ.

UPDATE: D’Angelo’s family have released the following statement:

“The shining star of our family has dimmed his light for us in this life… After a prolonged and courageous battle with cancer, we are heartbroken to announce that Michael D’Angelo Archer, known to his fans around the world as D’Angelo, has been called home, departing this life today, October 14th, 2025.

“We are saddened that he can only leave dear memories with his family, but we are eternally grateful for the legacy of extraordinarily moving music he leaves behind. We ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time but invite you all join us in mourning his passing while also celebrating the gift of song that he has left for the world.”

Tributes have already begun pouring in for the celebrated crooner, with DJ Premier writing on X (formerly Twitter): “@Such a sad loss to the passing of D’angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D. Love You KING.”

Journalist and cultural critic Marc Lamont Hill added: “My sources tell me that D’Angelo has passed. Wow. I have no words. May he rest in perfect peace.”

The Alchemist also wrote: “Man. Rest in peace D’ Angelo,” while Tyler, The Creator paid tribute by simply posting a picture of the late singer.

Such a sad loss to the passing of D'angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep Peacefully D'
Love You KING

— DJ Premier (@REALDJPREMIER) October 14, 2025

My sources tell me that D’Angelo has passed. Wow. I have no words. May he rest in perfect peace.

— Marc Lamont Hill (@marclamonthill) October 14, 2025

Man. Rest in peace D’ Angelo.

— Alchemist Type Beat (@Alchemist) October 14, 2025

pic.twitter.com/PXzwxp7DbN

— T (@tylerthecreator) October 14, 2025

Born in Richmond, Virginia on February 11, 1974, D’Angelo rose to fame in the mid 1990s with his debut album Brown Sugar, which spawned the hits “Lady,” “Cruisin’,” “Me and Those Dreamin’ Eyes of Mine” and “Brown Sugar.”

The project was both a critical and commercial success, earning a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Album as well as a platinum plaque from the RIAA (Recording Industry Assocation of America).

D’Angelo’s magnum opus came five years later with Voodoo, a chart-topping masterpiece that remains the crown jewel of the “Soulquarians” era — the so-called neo-soul movement that he spearheaded in the late ’90s and early ’00s alongside Questlove, J Dilla, Erykah Badu and Common.

The iconic album would prove to be a gift and a curse for D’Angelo, though, who largely retreated from the spotlight after his sultry “Untitled (How Does It Feel?)” music video earned him unwanted sex symbol status.

The singer and producer eventually returned 14 years later with Black Messiah, another career-defining effort that notched him two Grammys for Best R&B Album and Best R&B Song (“Really Love”).

Away from music, D’Angelo welcomed three children, including a son with fellow R&B singer Angie Stone whom he dated in the 1990s. Stone was tragically killed in a car accident aged 63 earlier this year.

HipHopDX sends its condolences to D’Angelo’s family, friends and fans.

The post D’Angelo Has Died Aged 51 appeared first on HipHopDX.

Killer Mike & JID To Help Induct OutKast Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame

Andy Bustard (13/10/2025)

OutKast will be joined by a few famous friends when they’re inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next month. Killer Mike, JID and Sleepy Brown will take the stage at the induction ceremony on November 8 in Los Angeles to help induct the legendary duo of André 3000 and Big Boi into...

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OutKast will be joined by a few famous friends when they’re inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame next month.

Killer Mike, JID and Sleepy Brown will take the stage at the induction ceremony on November 8 in Los Angeles to help induct the legendary duo of André 3000 and Big Boi into the prestigious club.

All three men are intimately familiar with the indelible impact that OutKast made on hip-hop, fashion and music as a whole during their game-changing run in the ’90s and ’00s.

Before joining forces with El-P as Run The Jewels, Mike got his start as a second generation member of the Dungeon Family and delivered standout verses on OutKast’s Stankonia and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.

One-third of the production team Organized Noize, Sleepy Brown was instrumental in OutKast’s rise to stardom, helping to produce (and occasionally appearing on) the majority of the group’s albums.

Fellow ATLien JID, meanwhile, has often cited OutKast as one of his biggest influences and even worked with Big Boi on Masego’s 2021 song “Garden Party.” More recently, he has been teasing an André 3000 flute feature on the upcoming deluxe edition of God Does Like Ugly.

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OutKast will become the 13th hip-hop act to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame following the likes of JAY-Z, Eminem, 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Missy Elliott and A Tribe Called Quest.

The Class of 2025 also includes pioneers from the worlds of rock, pop and blues including The White Stripes, Cyndi Lauper, Soundgarden, Joe Cocker, Chubby Checker and Bad Company.

This year’s induction ceremony will be held at the Peacock Theater and streamed live on Disney Plus. Tickets are available here.

The post Killer Mike & JID To Help Induct OutKast Into Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame appeared first on HipHopDX.

De La Soul’s New Album Title Is A Tribute To Trugoy The Dove

Andy Bustard (13/10/2025)

De La Soul have revealed the title of their new album — and it commemorates their fallen member, Trugoy The Dove. Posdnuos and Maseo appeared at a New York Comic Con panel on Friday (October 10) alongside Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, DJ Premier and Slick Rick to promote Mass Appeal and Marvel’s new Legend Has...

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De La Soul have revealed the title of their new album — and it commemorates their fallen member, Trugoy The Dove.

Posdnuos and Maseo appeared at a New York Comic Con panel on Friday (October 10) alongside Nas, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, DJ Premier and Slick Rick to promote Mass Appeal and Marvel’s new Legend Has It comic book collaboration.

While discussing the group’s upcoming ninth LP, which is due out in November via Mass Appeal Records, Pos reflected on Trugoy’s 2023 passing and how it impacted the recording process.

“When we lost him … I came and got [Maseo] out of the hole. We were all broken, but I kinda took on that role in Beat Street where I was like, ‘Yo, man, we gotta treat Dave like Ramon — we gotta keep him alive, we gotta celebrate him,'” he said.

“Of course, we have songs with Dave on it but — yo, for me, and I’m sure there are people here who are spiritual and understand what I’m saying, it feels like, ‘Dave’s here for me. He’s here.’ There are times where I’m writing rhymes and I’m getting goosebumps ’cause I feel like Dave would be saying, ‘Yo, that’s dope!'”

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Posdnuos then revealed that De La’s forthcoming album is titled Cabin in the Sky, a nod to the 1943 all-Black musical film starring Ethel Waters, Eddie “Rochester” Anderson, Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington.

“We’re working and working [on the album], and I come across this movie. And I’m like, ‘Yo, this title is crazy!’ Cabin in the Sky. Immediately, I felt Dave,” he shared.

Cabin in the Sky will serve as De La Soul’s first album in almost a decade following 2016’s And the Anonymous Nobody…, which earned a Best Rap Album nomination at the 2017 Grammys.

The project will also extend Mass Appeal’s Legend Has It…, a year-long series of releases from some of New York hip-hop’s most iconic names, helmed by Nas.

Slick Rick‘s comeback album Victory kicked things off in June before Raekwon (The Emperor’s New Clothes), Ghostface Killah (Supreme Clientele 2) and Mobb Deep (Infinite) also added to their respective legacies with well-received records.

Also on the horizon are Big L‘s posthumous LP Harlem’s Finest: Return of the King (out October 31) and Nas and DJ Premier’s long-awaited joint album, which is set to arrive sometime in December (and the title of which has yet to be announced).

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Diddy Dealt Blow In Bid To Serve Sentence At Low-Security Prison

Andy Bustard (09/10/2025)

Diddy‘s hopes of serving his 50-month prison sentence at a low-security facility have suffered a setback. The Bad Boy Records founder, who was convicted earlier this year of prostitution-related charges, had filed a request to be sent to FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, claiming it’s the best place for him to “address [his] drug...

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Diddy‘s hopes of serving his 50-month prison sentence at a low-security facility have suffered a setback.

The Bad Boy Records founder, who was convicted earlier this year of prostitution-related charges, had filed a request to be sent to FCI Fort Dix in New Jersey, claiming it’s the best place for him to “address [his] drug abuse issues” and “maximize family visitation and rehabilitative efforts.”

However, Judge Arun Subramanian — who oversaw Puffy’s high-profile trial and handed down his four-year sentence — strongly disagrees and is adamant that the disgraced mogul should do his hard time as close to the New York metropolitan area as possible.

According to TMZ, the judge argued in a legal filing that Diddy should be shipped off to a detention center with “any available substance abuse program, including the Bureau of Prisons’ Residential Drug Abuse Program (RDAP), for which he qualifies.”

Federal prosecutors, meanwhile, have taken “no position” on where the 55-year-old should be shipped off to. Ultimately, the decision belongs to the Bureau of Prisons — it’s unclear when this will be exactly.

Diddy was found guilty this past summer of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, although he was acquitted on the more serious charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.

Prosecutors had accused the No Way Out hitmaker of abusing, threatening and coercing women to “fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct.”

He “relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlled — creating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice,” the indictment read.

Diddy pleaded not guilty to the charges and has frequently denied the allegations, although his lawyers admitted during the trial that he was physically abusive towards his ex-girlfriend (and state witness) Cassie.

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Verzuz Announces Return With Epic Cash Money Vs. No Limit Battle

Andy Bustard (08/10/2025)

Swizz Beatz and Timbaland‘s Verzuz battle series is finally set to return this month — and there’s a heavyweight clash on the cards. The legendary producers announced on Tuesday that Verzuz will make its comeback on October 25 at ComplexCon in Las Vegas, where fans will get to see Cash Money Records face off against...

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Swizz Beatz and Timbaland‘s Verzuz battle series is finally set to return this month — and there’s a heavyweight clash on the cards.

The legendary producers announced on Tuesday that Verzuz will make its comeback on October 25 at ComplexCon in Las Vegas, where fans will get to see Cash Money Records face off against No Limit Records.

“IT’S OFFICIAL. Verzuz is BACK — live at #ComplexCon Las Vegas. Cash Money VERZUZ No Limit Celebration,” read the official announcement on social media.

“One stage. Two legendary iconic Labels . History is about to be made !! October 25. Live Streaming details coming soon !!!!!! Stay tuned for more info.”

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It’s currently unclear who exactly will be gracing the stage for this showdown between the two iconics Southern rap labels, who together have produced numerous superstars, made countless classic records and sold a shit ton of albums.

Birdman and Slim’s Cash Money empire is, of course, responsible for the success of Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, Juvenile, B.G., Mannie Fresh and Tyga, to name just a few.

The house that Master P built, meanwhile, turned the likes of Mystikal, Silkk The Shocker, Mia X, C-Murda, TRU and Soulja Slim into cult stars.

Snoop Dogg also spent a few years on the powerhouse label in the late ’90s following his departure from Death Row, dropping hits like “Down For My N’s,” “Bitch Please” and “Lay Low.”

Cash Money vs. No Limit will mark the first Verzuz battle in over three years, with the last showdown taking place in June 2022 between Omarion and Mario.

A planned third season of the series was delayed after a legal battle broke out between Swizz Beatz and Timbaland and Triller over the 2021 sale of Verzuz to the streaming service.

Swizz and Tim sued Triller for $28 million in August 2022, accusing the company of failing to make agreed-upon payments to the two producers.

The suit was settled for an undisclosed sum the following month, with the deal reportedly “increasing the ownership stake given to the artists that Timbaland and Swizz Beatz brought to Triller as part of the original [sale].”

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