“My baby was my baby,” Dudley wrote in a new message addressing the criticism. She did not pretend Q50 was above provoking people, acknowledging that he had made comments about the dead himself. Still, she thanked the fans who reached out with genuine support and pushed back on people reducing her son to his online reputation.

“Y’all didn’t know the boy I knew,” she wrote. The statement follows an emotional post Dudley shared shortly after her son was killed Sunday. According to Complex, she warned people celebrating his death that they would now “have to fear his mother.” The comments drew backlash of their own, with critics arguing that Q50’s public behavior had contributed to the harsh response surrounding his killing.

The rapper, born Mikquale Cooper, was 22. Chicago police said a man was sitting in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in Fuller Park early Sunday when two vehicles pulled alongside him and multiple people opened fire. Cooper was struck in the chest and shoulder and pronounced dead at the scene. The Cook County Medical Examiner later confirmed his identity, according to reports citing the office. No arrests have been announced.

Read More: BloodHound Q50 Reportedly Shot & Killed In Chicago

BloodHound Q50’s Mother Says Fans Didn’t Know The Son She Raised

Dudley also used her latest post to fill in parts of her son’s life that did not make it into drill records or viral clips. She described him as caring and said he made sure his siblings and family knew that he loved them. Further, she rejected assumptions about his upbringing. Dudley said Q50 was “raised right no matter the background me or his family had” and noted that he graduated early with additional credits.

“He was very smart,” she stated. Dudley admitted she did not agree with every decision her son made, but said that never changed her responsibility to support him. She also corrected people who apparently believed the family was from Indiana, insisting that narrative was false.

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Read More: BloodHound Q50’s Mother Addresses Trolls After His Death

Her grief became angrier as the message continued. Dudley warned that she was prepared to defend her children regardless of how people judged her response, writing, “I’ll die for mines” and “I’ll kill for them.” She described herself as a mother who had changed for her children but said Q50’s death had awakened the person she used to be. “Y’all gone feel a mother wrath.”

Q50 had released Get Back or Die Trying in August, shortly after turning 22. The project included an appearance from his late collaborator BloodHound Lil Jeff, who was killed in 2024. Chicago police continue investigating Q50’s killing. No motive has been publicly shared.

The post BloodHound Q50’s Mom Responds To Backlash After Rapper’s Killing appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Born Anthony Douglas Gilmour in Berkeley and raised in North Oakland, Capone started out DJing while attending Berkeley High School before moving into production. By the 1990s, his sound had become part of the DNA of the Bay Area Rap scene, especially the Funk-heavy records coming out of Oakland and its surrounding cities.

Further, “I Got 5 On It” became his signature in 1995. Capone built the beat around Club Nouveau’s “Why You Treat Me So Bad,” while Michael Marshall helped round out the hook. Luniz took it from there, turning what started as a local weed anthem into a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. The song never really left. It resurfaced in clubs, movies, commercials, and endless samples before Jordan Peele gave it a darker second life in Us nearly 25 years later.

Read More: Luniz’ “I Got 5 On It” Kept “The La La” Blowing On The West Coast

Tone Capone’s Catalog Went Far Beyond One Classic

Moreover, Capone’s name sits across records by E-40, Mac Dre, Celly Cel, Dru Down, 3XKrazy and The Jacka. He produced Celly Cel’s “It’s Goin’ Down,” 3XKrazy’s “Keep It on the Real,” and worked with Mac Dre on songs including “Fire” and “Not My Job.”

His reach also spread well outside Northern California. Work with Seagram connected him with Mike Dean and eventually Scarface, leading to contributions on The Untouchable. Capone was part of the production behind “Smile,” Scarface’s collaboration with Tupac Shakur, one of the biggest records of Scarface’s career.

Scarface later named Capone among his favorite producers, putting him alongside Dr. Dre and Timbaland. Capone kept working long after the era that made his name. Last year, he joined Yukmouth and Marshall for SPIN’s oral history of “I Got 5 On It,” revisiting how a neighborhood record became something people were still playing three decades later.

No public memorial arrangements have been announced. Check out a few tributes to Tone Capone below.

The post Tone Capone, Producer Behind “I Got 5 On It,” Dies At 59 appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

According to TMZ, court documents show Jacobs was awarded $40,105,000 in compensatory damages and another $10 million in exemplary damages, bringing the total to $50,105,000. More than $8 million of the compensatory award covers past medical expenses, pain and suffering, physical impairment, lost earning capacity, and disfigurement. Another $32 million was awarded for future damages in those areas. The judge also found that Mayweather’s conduct involved an “extreme degree of risk” and constituted aggravated assault with a deadly weapon when awarding the additional exemplary damages.

Jacobs previously alleged that the stabbing caused lasting damage to her arm, including permanent loss of function. She underwent surgery after the April 2020 incident and later spoke publicly about struggling with the recovery.

Read More: Yaya Mayweather’s Stab Victim Lapattra Jacobs Still Riding For NBA Youngboy

Iyanna Mayweather Previously Pleaded Guilty In The Stabbing

The confrontation reportedly happened at NBA YoungBoy’s home in Cypress, Texas, while Mayweather and Jacobs were both involved with the rapper. Prosecutors said an argument between the women moved inside the home before Mayweather retrieved knives and stabbed Jacobs multiple times in the arm.

Mayweather pleaded guilty in 2022 to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. She received six years of deferred adjudication, allowing her to avoid prison and a formal felony conviction if she satisfies the terms imposed by the court. Jacobs pursued a separate civil case seeking damages for her medical costs, physical impairment, lost earnings, and other injuries. NBA YoungBoy was initially named in the lawsuit, but TMZ reports that the claims against him did not make it to trial.

Mayweather’s attorney, Kent Schaffer, previously dismissed concerns about the civil case after her guilty plea, telling reporters in 2022 that she had no “meaningful assets” and arguing that any judgment against her would be difficult to collect. TMZ did not report whether Mayweather intends to appeal the award.

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The post Yaya Mayweather Ordered To Pay More Than $50 Million Over 2020 Stabbing appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

According to Complex, prosecutors filed a No Information Notice on Friday, Sept. 11. Court records reviewed by WFTV state there was not enough evidence to establish that Kodak, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, possessed the contraband.

The case stemmed from a November 2025 encounter in Orlando. Police responded to reports of gunfire and searched several vehicles in the area, including a Lamborghini SUV associated with Kodak. Officers said they found a pink bag containing 25.34 grams of MDMA, approximately $37,000 in cash, and paperwork bearing his name. The amount of MDMA was above Florida’s threshold for the trafficking charge he later faced.

Kodak denied that the bag belonged to him but told investigators the cash inside was his and was connected to his business. He was not arrested that night. Authorities continued investigating before taking him into custody on May 6, 2026. Kodak pleaded not guilty and was released after posting bond.

Read More: Kodak Black Cleared After Fleeing Charge Dismissed In Court

Kodak Black’s Attorney Says The Arrest Should Never Have Happened

Attorney Bradford Cohen welcomed the state’s decision and argued that the evidence never supported charging his client. “Myself and my co counsel David Bigney are grateful that we had a state attorney who read our case law and made the right decision to drop all charges,” Cohen told Complex. “As I said from the beginning, this was an arrest that should not have happened.”

The decision follows another legal win for Kodak in Florida. Days earlier, a Broward County judge dismissed a separate felony charge of fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement with prejudice, meaning prosecutors cannot refile that case. That charge came from a February traffic stop in which deputies alleged Kodak drove away despite being ordered to remain at the scene.

Cohen celebrated that dismissal as well, writing on Instagram, “They asked me what would happen if you lose? I guess we will never know.”

Read More: Kodak Black Keeps Circling The Same Cycle Of Controversy

The post Kodak Black Scores Another Legal Win As Florida Drug Case Closes appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The offers totaled over $50 million. Brown said no to all of it. Instead he built his own brand from scratch, self-funded the whole thing, and wore it on an NBA court from day one of the 2024-25 season. Here’s the full story of how 741 came to be:

Read More: The Air Jordan 14 “Ferrari” Concept Goes Blue

The $50 Million He Walked Away From

Brown had been a sneaker free agent since 2021. For three seasons, he mostly rocked Nike on court without a formal deal in place, which meant the brand was getting exposure without cutting him a check. Major companies were watching.

By the time the Celtics won the title in 2024 and Brown took Finals MVP, the real offers started coming in. More than $50 million across multiple established sneaker companies, according to Brown’s own press release.

He turned every single one of them down. At 27 years old and at the peak of his earning potential, that’s not a small decision. Most players at his level take the guaranteed money and build from there. Brown flipped the script entirely, and the sneaker world took notice almost immediately.

The Kobe Bryant Inspiration

The idea didn’t come out of nothing. Brown has talked about this in a few interviews. Before his passing, Kobe Bryant had been quietly putting together plans to launch his own independent shoe brand.

The concept was to sign athletes directly, cut out the traditional endorsement middleman, and give players a bigger piece of the business. Brown heard about that plan and it stayed with him.

“Honestly, I got the idea from Kobe, rest in peace,” he said. “I remember reading an article about that, and I thought it was dope.” That one interview planted a seed. From there, the idea of building something of his own started taking real shape, and by 2024 he was ready to actually do it.

What 741 Actually Means

The brand name isn’t random at all either. Throughout his life, the numbers 7, 4, and 1 kept showing up for Brown in ways that felt meaningful.

In numerology, 7 represents spiritual awakening, wisdom, and understanding. 4 stands for hard work, stability, and practicality. 1 means new beginnings, creativity, and independence. Put them together and you get a name that doubles as a mission statement.

He announced the brand on X in September 2024 with a single caption: “Who’s ready?” Brown also said the brand is “more than just a sneaker brand. It’s a statement about independence, creativity, and ownership.” For a guy who had just turned down $50 million, that statement was different.

The Rover

741’s first shoe, The Rover, debuted at Celtics Media Day and went on sale October 2024, the same day as Boston’s season opener against the Knicks. Pricing came in at $200 for adults and $70 for kids, which was a deliberate call to keep the brand within reach rather than going full luxury from the jump.

The shoe itself looks like nothing else on an NBA court right now. It’s futuristic without being costumey, with a space-age silhouette, bold iridescent details, and a knit upper that feels more high-concept than standard basketball shoe.

Brown launched it in the “Black Moon” colorway and kept building from there, dropping “Dark Grey,” “Grey Nebula,” and “White Noise” throughout the season before previewing a full Winter 2026 collection with space-inspired names.

He wore a different colorway almost every game, which turned every broadcast into a free ad for the brand. Every drop has been limited, but the demand has followed.

What It Means For The Sneaker Industry

Brown is the 9th player in NBA history to release a signature shoe under a personal or family-founded brand. He joins Patrick Ewing, Shaquille O’Neal, and Stephon Marbury among others. But the scale of what he walked away from makes his situation different from all of them.

Ewing Athletics launched in 1989 when the endorsement landscape looked nothing like today. Marbury’s Starbury was built around affordability, not ownership. Brown said no to over $50 million in 2024, at the absolute peak of the Nike and Adidas era, when deals for players at his level are routinely guaranteed and life-changing.

Beyond his own shoe, he has said he plans to sign other athletes to 741 and give them ownership stakes and better financial terms than the traditional model allows. That’s the Kobe blueprint in action. Brown is building it in real time, and other players are watching closely.

741 In Philadelphia

The trade to the Philadelphia 76ers in 2026 put 741 on one of the most watched rosters in the East. Brown now shares a locker room with LeBron James on Nike, Tyrese Maxey on New Balance, Joel Embiid on Skechers, and Paul George rotating through the Kobe Protro line.

5 starters, with 5 different brands. 741 is the only independently owned option in that mix, which makes it stand out even in a room full of major label deals. Brown is wearing his own shoe alongside some of the biggest sneaker partnerships in the game right now, and the Sixers are going to be on national TV constantly this season.

The brand is still in its early stages. But the stage it is on right now could not be any bigger and Brown seems to be just getting started.

Read More: The Air Jordan 2 NY “Knicks” Joins A Bigger Knicks Push

The post Why Jaylen Brown Turned Down $50 Million To Build His Own Sneaker Brand appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Speaking with Extra at the New York premiere of his upcoming HBO series JAY-Z IN 8, Jay described Beyoncé as a “phenomenal producer and writer” whose willingness to experiment separates her in the studio. He pointed specifically to how freely she tries melodies and other ideas without worrying about whether every attempt makes the final record.

“She’s fearless,” Jay said. He admitted that he can become self-conscious while creating, while Beyoncé is more willing to follow an idea immediately and decide later whether it works.

Her production credits suggest Jay isn’t simply handing out a husband’s compliment. Beyoncé has been involved in creating records behind the boards since her Destiny’s Child years, earning producer and vocal producer credits on songs including “Bills, Bills, Bills.” By the group’s final album, Destiny Fulfilled, she was credited as an executive producer in addition to producing and handling vocal production.

Read More: Beyoncé Cuts JAŸ-Z’s Hair, And Now Everyone Thinks An Album Is Imminent

Beyoncé’s Production Credits Stretch Across Her Career

That involvement carried directly into her solo work. Beyoncé received producer, executive producer and vocal producer credits on 2003’s Dangerously in Love, including a production credit on “Crazy in Love.” She later served as an executive producer, producer and vocal producer on B’Day, working alongside producers including Rich Harrison, Swizz Beatz, Rodney Jerkins and The Neptunes.

For Jay, that history helps explain why reducing Beyoncé’s studio contribution to her vocals misses a substantial piece of how her records are made. He described her recall as exceptional and said the constant experimentation he witnesses while working beside her is part of what makes her an “amazing producer.”

His comments arrive as both artists revisit major anniversaries in their catalogs. Beyoncé recently marked 20 years of B’Day, while Jay is celebrating 25 years of The Blueprint as JAY-Z IN 8 prepares to premiere Sept. 18 on HBO.

Read More: JAŸ-Z Teams Up With Rick Rubin For Eight-Part Docuseries, “JAŸ-Z In 8”

The post Jay-Z Says Beyoncé’s Production Skills Deserve More Credit appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The authorities have no choice but to take the call seriously. This subsequently leads to armed men on your doorstep, looking to investigate the premises, all while holding you at gunpoint and detaining you until the coast is clear.

Previously, Blueface had dealt with swatting at his homes in California. Now, he is dealing with it in Miami. In fact, this time around, the rapper was interviewed on CBS Miami. It was here that he said this just comes with the territory when you are a famous streamer.

Read More: “Slime Language 3” Demands The Reconstruction Of YSL Post-RICO

Blueface Swatted Again

“Comes with the game,” Blueface explained. “You get swatted. That’s what it’s called. It’s called being swatted. So, when you live-stream, everything’s live. So, sometimes the people watching want to feel like they have some type of effect on the stream. What happens? People it happens to. And uh This is what they do. They call the police. They make false reports. Waste everyone’s time.”

His comments about people wanting to have an effect on the stream ring true to the day and age we live in. However, that does not make it any sadder or more worrisome.

This kind of parasocial behavior is incredibly toxic and can have truly adverse effects on those in the public eye. Blueface has been swatted upwards of four times now, and one has to wonder how many more times it has to happen for him to reconsider this line of work.

Read More: Are Ye & Jay-Z’s Concerts Redemptions Or Ruses?

The post Blueface Speaks Out After Being Swatted Again, This Time In Miami appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

These shows were completely sold out and created an appetite for new JAŸ-Z music. There is this sense that a new album is on the horizon, although Hov has kept things under wraps. At this point, it is impossible to tell if a new project truly is in development, or if it is all just social media hearsay.

What we do know is that on Friday, JAŸ-Z and Rick Rubin will be releasing an eight-part docuseries about the rapper’s creative process. This will be released through HBO Max, and it is called JAŸ-Z In 8.

On Sunday, Hov and Rubin were at the Lincoln Center’s Metropolitan Opera House, where they got to premiere the docuseries. According to Hot97, numerous big stars came out for the occasion.

Read More: Are Ye & Jay-Z’s Concerts Redemptions Or Ruses?

JAŸ-Z In 8 Drops This Week

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Leonardo DiCaprio, Fat Joe, SZA, DJ Khaled, Robert Kraft, Michael Rubin, Yo Gotti, and even Daniel Kaluuya were in the building. It just goes to show that JAŸ-Z is incredibly well respected by his peers.

Overall, if you are a fan of all things JAŸ-Z, this new docuseries is going to be a lot of fun. It is a docuseries that will take fans through the making of some of his biggest projects. Typically, it is rare that an artist of Hov’s magnitude offers that kind of access. Therefore, this docuseries is shaping up to be a special one.

Following the release of the docuseries, Hov’s next performance will take place in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium. Only time will tell if the energy on the West Coast can match what we saw at Yankee Stadium.

Read More: “Slime Language 3” Demands The Reconstruction Of YSL Post-RICO

The post JAŸ-Z Brings Out All The Stars At Premiere For “JAŸ-Z In 8” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“As the concert promoter for Ed Sheeran’s U.S. Loop Tour, we have been notified by venues on the upcoming U.S. tour dates that they will not allow a concert to take place with Macklemore on the lineup, which would result in the cancellation of the tour and impact hundreds of thousands of fans. After discussions with stakeholders, Macklemore will not be performing on the remaining support dates,” the statement reads.

The rapper’s ongoing support for the Palestinian cause, both in Gaza and the West Bank, have created headlines after P!nk condemned his performance where he performed his song “Hind’s Hall.” 

Read More: Are Ye & Jay-Z’s Concerts Redemptions Or Ruses?

Robert Kraft Allegedly Bans Macklemore

In response to the news, he issued a statement in which he plainly pointed to Robert Kraft as the reason why he was dropped from the tour. He accused Kraft, who owns Gillette Stadium and the New England Patriots, of pressuring other venue owners to join him in banning Macklemore.

“Ed told me that Kraft said I would not be allowed to perform in his stadium,” Macklemore wrote. “Ed also told me that Kraft had rallied some of the other stadium owners and collectively they gave him an ultimatum: if Macklemore stays on the tour, you will not be allowed to play in our venues.”

Check out Macklemore’s full statement above. We will keep you posted on any further updates surrounding the tour. 

Read More: “Slime Language 3” Demands The Reconstruction Of YSL Post-RICO

The post Macklemore Says Robert Kraft Got Him Kicked Off Ed Sheeran Tour appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

In fact, Cam’ron has earned his very own co-hosting gig on ESPN thanks to his relationship with Stephen A. Smith. He is sometimes featured on the First Take panel talking about football and basketball. This has proven to be a major opportunity, although it has not come at the expense of Ma$e and It Is What It Is.

Over the summer, in the aftermath of the New York Knicks’ championship win, Cam’ron and Ma$e have been taking some time off. The show has been on hiatus, and fans have been patiently waiting for new episodes.

Well, today, the show officially returned with Season 9, Episode 1. The duo talked about the first weekend of the NFL season, among other stories. Cam’ron also celebrated the occasion with a new freestyle.

Read More: Are Ye & Jay-Z’s Concerts Redemptions Or Ruses?

Cam’ron & Ma$e Are Back

Overall, this is an exciting time to be a Cam’ron and Ma$e fan. Sports are finally back on the menu, and with the NFL in full swing, there is no doubt that we are going to get some truly iconic commentary from the two artists.

Cam’ron and Ma$e seem to go viral weekly when sports are on, and it’s why the show has been able to grow so fast. Stat Baby also makes the show truly click, and her presence has only made the dynamic that much more fun and relaxed.

In just a few hours, the episode has already amassed over 100K views, proving that the show is still growing and reaching new heights.

Read More: “Slime Language 3” Demands The Reconstruction Of YSL Post-RICO

The post Cam’ron Announces The Return Of “It Is What It Is” And Drops A Freestyle In The Process appeared first on HotNewHipHop.