The futuristic model stands out immediately, pairing aggressive shaping with a sleek, performance-driven look that feels ahead of the curve. The GT Future represents Nike Basketball’s push toward innovation, both visually and technically.

Its sculpted upper and streamlined construction break away from traditional hoops design, leaning into something more experimental. Seeing Wale in the “Lightning” colorway adds cultural weight to the silhouette, especially as the model continues carving out its identity beyond the court.

Wale has always treated sneakers as an extension of personal expression rather than simple accessories. His history of championing performance models in lifestyle settings makes this appearance feel natural.

The “Lightning” colorway, in particular, matches his style, bold, energetic, and impossible to ignore. As Nike continues expanding the GT Future line, moments like this help define its place in modern sneaker culture.

Wale wearing the “Lightning” is less about hype and more about visibility. It signals confidence in Nike’s future-facing direction and reinforces his role as a tastemaker who consistently stays ahead of the conversation.

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “Lakers” Receives Official GS Images

Wale’s Sneakers

The Nike GT Future “Lightning” features a smooth molded upper that looks fast even when standing still. Its bold blue finish flows across the shell with sculpted ridges catching the light.

Black accents line the collar and outsole, adding contrast and balance. A small metallic Swoosh sits subtly along the side. The low-cut opening gives the shoe a sleek, almost slip-on feel. The sculpted sole flares slightly for stability and visual impact.

Overall, the design feels futuristic, aggressive, and built to stand apart from traditional basketball silhouettes.

Read More: The Story Behind The Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” Release

The post Wale Wears Nike GT Future “Lightning” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Sneaker News reports the Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” is releasing in the spring of 2026.

Zach is a survivor of sudden cardiac arrest caused by CPVT, a rare genetic heart condition. He spent 38 days recovering at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, and that experience shaped every part of this design.

The number 38 appears throughout the shoe, serving as a constant reminder of the days that changed his life. Rather than leaning into nostalgia alone, Zach reimagined the Air Jordan 17 as a mechanical, luxury-inspired statement.

The sneaker pulls heavily from automotive design, blending carbon fiber textures, metallic finishes, and structured paneling that feels closer to a concept car than a basketball shoe.

That direction also nods to Michael Jordan’s long-standing love for motorsports. Personal symbols are layered throughout, turning the shoe into a visual autobiography rather than a simple colorway.

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “Lakers” Receives Official GS Images

Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” Official Images

The Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” features a sleek, futuristic build that feels more like a luxury vehicle than a basketball shoe. The upper uses a deep purple finish that subtly shifts depending on the light.

Carbon fiber-style panels wrap the sides, adding texture and a high-performance feel. A wide midfoot strap locks everything down and gives the shoe a bold, armored look. Metallic details along the heel and collar bring a premium edge.

The sculpted midsole looks aggressive but balanced, with a soft glow outsole underneath. Inside, the padded collar and layered materials give it a plush, almost cockpit-like feel. Every angle feels intentional and refined.

Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” Retail Price

As part of the Doernbecher Freestyle collection, proceeds will support pediatric care and research. The Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” is not just a rare retro.

It is a reminder of resilience, survival, and how sneakers can carry real stories. Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $230 when they are released.

Read More: Steph Curry Wears Penny Foamposites And Sparks Nike Rumors

The post The Story Behind The Air Jordan 17 “Doernbecher” Release appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Air Jordan 4 Retro “Lakers” will be released in February 2026.

Jordan Brand leans heavily into rich purple tones, paired with gold accents that nod directly to the franchise’s iconic palette. It’s a look that feels bold without crossing into costume territory.

This release continues Jordan Brand’s recent run of team-inspired Air Jordan 4s that feel wearable beyond game day. The silhouette remains untouched, sticking to the classic AJ4 shape that continues to age well across generations.

What makes this pair interesting is how confident the color blocking feels. Purple dominates the upper, while black, grey, and sail tones help ground the design and keep it versatile.

Read More: Steph Curry Wears Penny Foamposites And Sparks Nike Rumors

Air Jordan 4 “Lakers” Official Images

The sneaker features a deep purple upper that immediately stands out without feeling overwhelming. Black mesh panels and wings add contrast and structure across the midfoot.

Grey accents appear on the eyelets and outsole, balancing the brighter tones nicely. A sail midsole softens the look and gives it a slightly vintage feel. Gold Jumpman branding pops on the tongue and heel, tying everything back to the Lakers theme.

Black laces keep the color blocking clean and wearable. The materials look smooth and consistent throughout, with a premium finish across the upper. It feels bold, sporty, and unmistakably rooted in Jordan Brand DNA.

Air Jordan 4 “Lakers” Retail Price

So far, only GS images have surfaced, leaving adult sizing details and additional looks still up in the air. That hasn’t stopped early buzz, especially among fans who missed out on past Lakers-themed Jordans.

If the adult pairs mirror what we’re seeing here, this could be one of the more memorable Air Jordan 4 drops of the year. Expect more images and official confirmation soon as February approaches.

Also, the retail price of the sneakers will be $220 when they are released.

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “Pink Thunder” First Look Surfaces

The post Air Jordan 4 “Lakers” Receives Official GS Images appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Specifically, per Kurrco, he’s at war with subreddit moderators who control the popular r/hiphopheads forum. For some reason they are deleting any of the comments he leaves under users’ posts. From what we know, they haven’t been harmless.

Rocky obviously doesn’t think so either as he gave the mods a piece of his mind a couple of times. This war started after the creative worked his way onto the hiphopheads account with his VINYLS 4 SALE DUMMIES forum.

However, the message he shared there was removed. The notice read, “Sorry, this post has been removed by the moderators of r/hiphopheads.”

This puzzled Rocky prompting him to question the forum’s rules. “Artists have to check in with the mods to push they music 4 the fans? Don’t Be Dumb.”

However, this response was also deleted. That sent him off the rails completely.

Read More: HNHH Holidays: 15 Festive Films Starring Your Favorite Rappers & R&B Icons

A$AP Rocky Don’t Be Dumb Details

“MODS STOP DELETING MY COMMENTS. MODS STOP DELETING AND HIDING MY COMMENTS. I’M HERE 4 THE FANS. DON’T BE DUMB.”

We are sure this post from him was removed as well. For now, Rocky may need to find another social platform (Discord?) to continue this part of the rollout.

As we alluded to earlier, he did have some success in engaging with fans on Reddit. He replied to one fan who asked that he put a rumored Playboi Carti collab on Don’t Be Dumb. He replied, “BET,” suggesting that we may hear them reunite on January 16.

That’s the release date we have been given as of last week. While it’s hard to ignore all of the past delays, we should be listening to it that day. As for the tracklist, all we know is that there are 17 songs, with two essentially being B-sides.

Features (perhaps outside of Carti) are unknown. Although there are rumors of Rihanna making an appearance. Other inclusions could be folks like J. Cole, Jessica Pratt, and KayCyy who were all features on singles from Rocky in the last year.

Read More: Drake Laughs Off BenDaDonnn’s Warning About Memphis

The post A$AP Rocky Slams Reddit Moderators For Deleting His Comments Amid Album Hype appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The friction has been developing for several years at this point, but this year, it’s been a recurring headline in the hip-hop media cycle and perhaps one of the most notable beefs to have occurred. The chances of it turning into something where two vet trade diss songs seems highly unlikely as the lion’s share of sh*t talking has occurred via social media. So, whether it’s linking up with Cam’ron, exposing the Let’s Rap About It podcast’s alleged debt to the studio landlord, or featuring footage of Jones and Diddy together before Puff’s arrest, 50 Cent has worked overtime to try and get under Jim Jones’ skin. But below, we’ll be exploring the brief history of how things ultimately hit the fan between the two. 

Early Friction: G-Unit, Dipset, And Opportunistic Alliances

The earliest fault lines appeared during the mid-2000s, when G-Unit and Dipset were two of New York’s most visible forces. In 2007, 50 Cent openly feuded with Cam’ron, criticizing Dipset’s affiliation with Koch Records and questioning their commercial relevance. Amid that tension, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana appeared onstage with 50 at a concert.

At the time, the moment was widely viewed as a betrayal within Dipset. Years later, 50 openly admitted the move was calculated. In a 2024 interview, he revealed that he intentionally pulled Jones into the performance to destabilize Cam’ron’s position. Jones has since minimized the incident, but it crystallized a recurring theme: in 50’s world, alliances are temporary tools.

The Social Media Era: The Digital Skirmish

Even a decade after that whole incident, the two remained rather cordial, even if there was a bit of online friction. Jim Jones posted a video on Instagram showing himself weightlifting in the gym, challenging 50 Cent to a competition. Dismissing Jim Jones, 50 Cent quickly responded on Instagram, writing, “He don’t want none of this,”  paired with workout photos of his own. It was a light-hearted exchange. In a 2018 interview with HotNewHipHop, Jones revealed that they have a “great relationship.” 

However, things quickly turned bitter between the two. Fif continued heckling Jim Jones to the point where the Dipset rapper proposed settling the score in a boxing ring. Nothing really came out of that challenge but 50 and Jim continued throwing petty shots at each other.

An Escalation Of Beef & Tekashi 6ix9ne Trial

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Among the new generation of artists, Jim Jones and 50 Cent both shared ties to Tekashi 6ix9ine in his ascension to stardom. During 6ix9ine’s federal RICO trial, he testified that Jim Jones, whom he described as a “retired rapper,” was a member of the Nine Trey Gangster Bloods. The prosecutors also played a recorded phone call where Jim Jones and Mel Murda discussed 6ix9ine, and calling for someone to “violate shorty”–a comment that was interpreted as some sort of authorization to commit a violent act against Tekashi.

Of course, as this quickly went viral, 50 Cent chimed in. And while he found all of this to be wildly funny, he also made some pretty major accusations, namely suggesting that Jones may have cooperated with authorities. In subsequent interviews, Jim Jones addressed their beef and fired back over claims that he was an informant in any capacity, and that particular claim from 50 created the type of tension that’s difficult to simply laugh off. “You have to watch out for these so call real ones thts routing for rats to come home and And wanna see real n*ghas go to jail. Any n*gha th needs to try n tarnish another mans name for personal gain has to b a hoe why else would he have my d*ck so far down his throat lol pause,” Jones later wrote on an Instagram post. 

Mixtape Pioneers & Airport Scraps

Though things were rather calm between them in subsequent years after the trial, the topic of Dipset vs. G-Unit’s mixtape reign became widely debated. Jim Jones, in particular, suggested that Dipset “started the mixtape movement. “We put the Dipset mixtape out first before G-Unit put their mixtape out. Now go Google it,” he said. Fif didn’t necessarily feel offended but he did call out Jones, writing, “he lying. LOL.” Fast forward a year later, 50 Cent continued to troll Jim Jones after Jones went viral for an airport brawl. 

2025: Lingering Shade Reaches Boiling Point

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The tension between the two remained under the radar until December 2024, when 50 Cent appeared on Cam’ron’s You’re Welcome network. The two artists patched out whatever differences they had in the past, yet it seemed to return to the underlying theme in 50 Cent’s approach to beef: alliances are leveraged for war. It’s here where 50 Cent and Cam’ron discussed the moment where Jim Jones joined Fif on stage in the 2000s. Though the two laughed it off, it turned into a moment where two of Jim Jones’ current foes began piling on, and Jones made it clear that his decision to join Fif on stage was because he didn’t feel Cam’ron was steering his career on the right path.

It didn’t take long for 50 to fire back by resurfacing allegations of snitching while referencing the Nine Trey RICO case. Jones broke his silence shortly after, and once again, denied that he ever cooperated with the law while calling for Mel Matrix’s freedom.

The two continued to sling mud at each other in various capacities. 50 went off on Jones during a Breakfast Club interview while Jones previewed a potential diss track against the GRODT MC. Eventually, Cam and 50 Cent’s relationship seemed to grow stronger as they performed together, and Jim Jones started poking at Tony Yayo.

The most recent escalation unfolded in December 2025, centered on 50 Cent’s Netflix documentary on Diddy, which, interestingly enough, contains footage of Jones with the disgraced mogul just days before his arrest. As the media hyped up the documentary, Jim Jones dismissed it as a “mockumentary” on his podcast with Maino, Dave East, and Fabolous. Of course, this led 50 Cent to go beast mode on Jim Jones. Even while Maino tried to chime in, 50 got the last laugh. He leaked alleged audio from Jones’ landlord claiming unpaid rent for the podcast studio, accusing Jones and his co-hosts of financial troubles and even offering to buy the podcast himself. Jones apparently didn’t respond to Fif but the unpaid rent was eventually paid after his stunt. 

The post 50 Cent & Jim Jones Beef: A Brief History Of Tension appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Fans on social media have been having mixed reactions to the news. “Don’t mess with me, in MJ’s time the internet as we know it didn’t exist, MJ was the closest thing to a perfect human being,” one user replied on X (formerly Twitter). Another wrote: “I can’t do it anymore man im blocking every f*cking song I get on shuffle on sight, why is Spotify pushing him so hard.”

The news comes after EsDeeKid teamed up with actor Timothée Chalamet for the song, “4 Raws.” He dropped that remix amid rumors that he and EsDeeKid were the same person. Chalamet played into the idea while promoting his latest film, Marty Supreme. “I’ve no comment on that. I’ve got no comment. All will be revealed in due time,” he said during one radio interview.

Read More: Drake Nearly Spits Out His Drink After BenDaDonnn Warns Him About Memphis

Who Is EsDeeKid?

Part of the reason for the speculation around EsDeeKid and Timothée Chalamet came from the mystery surrounding the British rapper. He always sports a mask to hide his true identity and shies away from interviews. Despite the anonymity, he’s already put out several massive songs, including “4 Raws,” “Phantom,” and “LV Sandals.”

He’s even gotten cosigns from Fimiguerrero and Fakemink. Following the release of the Timothée Chalamet-assisted version of “4 Raws,” Drake showed him love on social media. He dropped several ice emojis in response to the track.

“Since 2017, I’m livin’ the dream / Gettin’ the cream, I’m livin’ on theme / Doin’ ’em things, It’s Marty Supreme,” Chalamet raps on the song. Directed by Josh Safdie, the film arrives in theaters on December 25. It marks his first film since 2019’s Uncut Gems. In addition to Chalamet, it stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Odessa A’zion, Kevin O’Leary, Tyler the Creator, and more.

Read More: HNHH Holidays: 15 Festive Films Starring Your Favorite Rappers & R&B Icons

The post EsDeeKid Passes Michael Jackson In Daily Streams On Spotify appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

It’s hard to argue that though right now as the 30-year-old is currently on a nice run of singles. The latest in this now four-song run is “What You Saying,” which they put out on DSPs yesterday, December 22. It’s a fun song that takes cues from the Jersey club banger “Just Wanna Rock” and mixes in a captivating French sample.

According to Billboard, the vocals come from Indila’s “Love Story.” On the track, Lil Uzi Vert incorporates the non-native sample into the mini story they’re rapping about. That being they are trying win over a woman who doesn’t speak English.

But on top of the song’s attention-grabbing qualities, Uzi Vert went ahead and put together an elegant but quirky visual for “What You Saying.”

It works in their other major passion, fashion. Icons in the space such as Marc Jacobs and Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima, for example, make appearances.

Read More: HNHH Holidays: 15 Festive Films Starring Your Favorite Rappers & R&B Icons

Is Lil Uzi Vert Dropping An Album?

The music video follows the eccentric MC as a fashioner designer, putting together jaw-dropping pieces for their models to wear on the runway. Speaking of which, he has Adriana be their top model to show off the fictional (at least maybe for now) fashion house, UZI.

Uzi hinted that the visual would go in this direction on his Instagram. While teasing it they wrote, “Remember, this is just the beginning. You are all invited to my fashion show. Thank you for your attention and patience.”

After receiving applause and comments from fashion snobs, Uzi takes part in an interview where he explains where their fashion inspiration comes from. “I feel like Prince would not even care, that’s why he’s my inspiration. If he was alive and saw this he’d be like, ‘Who the f*ck is this?”

Overall, this song is a hit with fans and have many eager to see what’s to come for the now independent talent. Given this prolific run as of late, one could wonder if an album under this new regime is coming sometime in 2026.

That’s merely speculation but it sounds like their supporters want them to go all the way.

Read More: Drake Shows Off Ridiculous 1-of-1 NASCAR Spec Rolls-Royce

The post Lil Uzi Vert Shows Love To Fashion Icons In Visual For “What You Saying” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“I haven’t talked to him in a while. I don’t have any problems with Joe,” Charlamagne began. “I actually got a lot of love for Joe. Me and Joe, when we are mad at each other, we go bad at each other. I’ll run into him somewhere, and we’ll pick up like we always have, I’m sure. But that’s all it is. When we go bad, we go bad on each other. When I hear why he’s upset with me, I’m like, ‘Oh I can understand why he felt that way.'”

He continued: “Like this last one, I’m like, ‘Alright, I get it.’ I didn’t mean it in the way that he received it, but I can understand why he felt that way.” As for why they both “go bad” on one another, Charlamagne joked that they’re both just “mad men.”

Read More: Drake Nearly Spits Out His Drink After BenDaDonnn Warns Him About Memphis

Are Ebro Darden & Charlamagne Tha God Beefing?

While Charlamagne Tha God says that his relationship with Joe Budden will be fine, his relationship with another popular voice in hip-hop media may be in a bad spot. Following his departure from Hot 97, Ebro Darden took a shot at Charlamagne during an episode of The Ebro Laura Rosenberg Show. He argued that he isn’t willing to sacrifice his beliefs to try to get a major payday from companies like iHeartRadio, Disney, and more, unlike Charlamagne.

“There were things that Charlamagne was willing to do that I would’ve never done. Never,” Ebro said. “And, that’s how you get to those big bags. It’s the same with Stephen A. Smith. When Disney wants to give you money like that, you gotta do a dance I ain’t willing to do.”

Read More: HNHH Holidays: 15 Festive Films Starring Your Favorite Rappers & R&B Icons

The post Charlamagne Tha God Reveals Where He And Joe Budden Stand appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

So, to celebrate their hard work, the mastermind behind LGSEO, Pharrell, decided to send Pusha an incredible thank you gift. Or with Christmas just two days away, it could be viewed as such. Either way, it’s nice to see these two still love each other like siblings.

King Push showed off his brand-new Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge with his social media followers yesterday (Dec. 22). For those who aren’t versed, it’s the British car manufacturer’s first-ever all-electric model.

The Black Badge, though, takes it to a whole other level, upping the performance while earning some extra styling points. It allows for darker accents and bespoke customization for customers.

Pharrell decided to get Pusha T a murdered-out Spectre, blacking everything out from the wheels to the interior. It’s a stunning spec and one that has the Virginia rapper just as mind blown.

Read More: HNHH Holidays: 15 Festive Films Starring Your Favorite Rappers & R&B Icons

Clipse Grammy Nominations

“Aye @pharrell [four pleading face emojis] i love you man,” he captioned the video. He also had fun with P, making jokes that he got his new car all dirty. “Aye P… She dirty P. I’ma clean that in a minute,” he said while chuckling.

He hilariously busted out a mini rap about the floor mats, which Rolls-Royce makes out of high-quality lamb’s wool.

“The Rolls got floor mats that look like they took four cats and made door mats / I rub my feet in ’em.”

After hearing his off-the-cuff bars, fans in the comments section believe another album is already in the making. “they gonna make another album,” one fan predicts. “Already thinking of bars,” says another.

But while Clipse did promise they are indeed far from done, they deserve to celebrate and relax until the Grammys roll around.

Speaking of that award show, him and Malice are up for four categories in February. They include Best Music Video, Rap Album, Rap Performance, and Album of the Year. “So Be It,” LGSEO, and “Chains & Whips” have granted these opportunities for them.

Read More: Drake Laughs Off BenDaDonnn’s Warning About Memphis

The post Pharrell Gifts Pusha T A Murdered-Out Rolls-Royce Spectre Black Badge appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Despite collaborating on the iconic Starz series, BMF, 50 Cent and Big Meech had a major falling out earlier this year. 50 complained about Meech and his son, Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory Jr., linking up with his longtime rival, Rick Ross. While Lil Meech tried to de-escalate the situation, 50 doubled down, labeling Big Meech a “rat” in numerous posts online.

50 Cent even criticized Big Meech for not being more supportive of Lil Meech’s acting career. “Why old boy didn’t look out for Me Me and send him to acting school BIG SCREECH?” he wrote in one post caught by AllHipHop. “All your people that was out did nothing for him. You come home thinking you the black Pablo Escobar and f*cked him up. I helped your family make over 5 million legit dollars it’s not my fault it’s all gone. You think people don’t want to see you shine so bad you wearing the baby’s jewelry. B*tch give the baby back his jewelry!”

Read More: Drake Shows Off Ridiculous 1-of-1 NASCAR Spec Rolls-Royce

50 Cent’s Beefs

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Big Meech and Lil Meech are far from the only people 50 Cent has been feuding with on social media as of late. Following the release of his new Netflix documentary, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, he’s been trading shots with tons of critics of the project. These have included Ja Rule, Marlon Wayans, and many more.

The documentary details numerous allegations against Diddy, which the Bad Boy mogul has already denied. He is currently residing behind bars after being convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution earlier this year.

Read More: HNHH Holidays: 15 Festive Films Starring Your Favorite Rappers & R&B Icons

The post 50 Cent Clowns Big Meech For Reaching Out To Him Over DMs appeared first on HotNewHipHop.