During a recent livestream caught by CY Chels on Twitter, he spoke with What’s The Dirt about various Drizzy-related topics, including his new album ICEMAN. Ak thinks this will set hip-hop back on a proper course, as he thinks K.Dot wanted to “Watch The Party Die” instead of leading the culture forward after beating the Toronto artist.

“After Kendrick did his thing in the battle and dropped GNX, he basically says ‘Watch The Party Die,’ and nobody acknowledged that was probably the worst ideology to exist,” he remarked. “‘Watch The Party Die’ was actually watching the culture of hip-hop die, watching music that existed in all facets and forms die. You can’t kill something without giving an alternative, and all he wanted to do was kill it.

Read More: Drake Dominated 2016 Ten Years Ago & Hasn’t Let Up

When Is Drake Dropping ICEMAN?

“I get it,” Ak acknowledged. “There’s a lot of people saying we rock with people like Kendrick, we rock with some of the woke stuff, the ‘He’s super cultural’ thing, whatever you want to say that’s defined as… What do we do now? ‘I didn’t think that far.’ That’s the problem… They kept d**k-riding, ‘Dot era.’ There’s no Dot era… What’s the next step? […] He don’t give a goddamn f**k, he’s just doing whatever the f**k he wants. He’s left the people in shambles.”

“We’re looking for Drake to give us a bridge to a f***ing time machine to literally three to four years ago, when we felt it was a little nicer,” Akademiks continued. “The f***ing Grinch came through, destroyed Christmas, told us we’re watching the party die. Where is the next iteration of this? […] I understand there’s different perspectives on hip-hop. There’s always going to be a counter. I’m not knocking that. My thing is… There’s no instructions coming. There’s nothing left. If we’re waiting on Kendrick, it’s not going to happen. So the entire music form is waiting to see if Drake can kind of restore the feeling.”

Drake is dropping ICEMAN on May 15. We’ll see if he “restores the feeling,” whatever you think that might mean as a fan or hater.

Read More: The Top 50 Best Drake Songs Of All-Time

The post DJ Akademiks Says Kendrick Lamar Left Hip-Hop Directionless After Drake Beef appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

TMZ reports that these attorneys have been receiving violent, antisemitic, and abundant hate mail in the form of a flurry of emails. The outlet obtained one example, which is reportedly one of many letters the legal team has received so far.

“With the recent shocking news about the crimes D4VD committed on a 12 year old girl, It sickens me that your law firm would pick up this case and defend such a filthy human,” the alleged email reportedly read. “I’m not surprised you are all JEWS! the only race that puts money above all morals and will go to the pits of hell for a dollar. I’m also not surprised your law firm also defended Prince ANDREWS another Hollywood pedo! I pray someday you find your kids slaughtered in the trunk of a car, see how it feels. The world deserves less JEWS and your monsters clients like D4VD and Prince Andrews!”

Read More: D4vd Charged With First-Degree Murder In Celeste Rivas Hernandez Case: Everything We Know

D4vd’s Charges

D4vd pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. These include first-degree murder and unlawful mutilation of human remains. There’s another charge related to prosecutors’ allegations that he had a sexual relationship with Celeste Rivas Hernandez, which she threatened to expose. This allegedly led the singer to murder her. As such, he also faces a charge of continuous sexual abuse of a child under the age of 14.

D4vd’s other associates are also causing conversation. His brother recently condemned sexual predators and said they should all die, but he didn’t confirm if the message has anything to do with his brother. An actress from an old music video also spoke out and called the artist a “monster,” and various artists pulled their collaborations with him from streaming services.

It’s a horrifying and complex situation to navigate. But the lawyers, like many others, are just doing their job.

Read More: Drake Dominated 2016 Ten Years Ago & Hasn’t Let Up

The post D4vd’s Defense Lawyers Are Allegedly Receiving Antisemitic Death Threats appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The connection between Will Smith and the Air Jordan 5 runs deep. Throughout the first season of “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Will Smith wore the Air Jordan 5 in several colorways without laces. Jordan Brand turned that cultural moment into an intentional design detail years later.

Inspired by the laceless AJ5 model Smith was known for, the construction seals up the lace loops entirely. Furthermore, internal bands lock down the tongue to make up for the lack of laces. The result is a shoe that connects right back to the show.

The Black Metallic colorway holds a particularly special place in Fresh Prince history. There was one shoe Will Smith wore every episode, and that was the Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic“, featured in the show’s opening credits and inaugural episode.

This sample is not expected to release publicly. However, its emergence adds another remarkable chapter to Jordan Brand’s ongoing relationship with 90s TV nostalgia. For collectors and Fresh Prince fans, this is one of the more exciting samples we’ve ever seen.

Read More: Travis Scott Brings Cactus Jack To Soccer Pitch With Nike Phantom 6 Collab

“Fresh Prince” Air Jordan 5 Black Metallic Sample

The Air Jordan 5 “Black Metallic” is one of the most culturally loaded colorways in sneaker history. The shoe features a black nubuck upper with silver reflective tongue and shark-tooth midsole accents, creating an instantly recognizable silhouette.

The laceless construction closes off the eyelets entirely, giving the shoe a cleaner, more lifestyle-ready profile. A teal and pink tongue tab references the Fresh Prince branding seen on earlier samples. The tongue includes “West Philadelphia” branding, a direct reference to the opening line of the show’s theme song.

Inside, colorful striped insoles add a playful, show-inspired touch. Nike Air branding sits on the heel, keeping the OG details fully intact throughout.

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “Black Laser” Also Finally Returning After 20 Years

The post Rare “Fresh Prince” Air Jordan 5 Black Metallic Laceless Sample Surfaces appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Via Twitter, he let off a series of tweets mocking Megan Thee Stallion and Klay Thompson’s relationship. The commentator justified the Dallas Maverick cheating, suggested the whole relationship was false and meaningless, and even predicted he’ll have his best season ever next year.

Also, he posted an old clip of him from a few months ago in which he predicted the split. “Good, she’s running up that check, doing her thing, but I’ma keep it a bean with you,” Akademiks had said. “By the time the postseason hits, this gon’ be post-relationship, okay? Trust me, trust me. This s**t really over already.”

As caught by joebuddenclips/fanpage on Twitter, he elaborated on his thoughts during his livestream last night. DJ Akademiks said Meg’s ruined the careers of every man who she’s been with.

Read More: Drake Dominated 2016 Ten Years Ago & Hasn’t Let Up

Did Klay Thompson Cheat?

At press time, Klay Thompson doesn’t seem to have responded to his ex girlfriend’s allegations. While many fans are digging up old cheating allegations, previous partners, social media gossip, and much more, they won’t have a clear idea of what’s going on until the parties involved elaborate further. We’ll see how this goes down and if other salacious details emerge about this breakup.

Given DJ Akademiks’ animosity towards Megan Thee Stallion, and vice versa, this celebration and cheating justification is unsurprising from Ak. They have even clashed in court before during the Milagro Gramz case, so it’s not your typical artist/media dynamic.

We will see if Meg or Klay respond to the public discourse about their relationship, as unlikely of a possibility that may sound like. Akademiks and many others are bringing up their old grudges against Megan, whereas others are just sad this high-profile romance wasn’t as strong as they thought. Amid these cheating debates, there will always be two sides to the story.

Read More: Megan Thee Stallion & Klay Thompson Relationship Timeline

The post DJ Akademiks Applauds Klay Thompson Allegedly Cheating On Megan Thee Stallion appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

This manifests as an extension of the lifestyle version previewed at Nike’s TOMA El Juego events. Furthermore, Travis Scott was confirmed wearing the Phantom 6 Indoor boots at the Nike Football TOMA event recently.

Technically, the pair retains the full features of the Phantom 6, including a Tuned Gripknit upper for precise ball control and a Cyclone 360 sole optimized for quick direction changes. So this is a genuine performance boot, not just a lifestyle crossover.

Design details include a vibrant green upper with sparkling gold accents, the “Cactus Jack” wordmark on the medial side, and the brand’s iconic stitched face logo on the heel. Additionally, an iridescent soleplate adds serious visual punch from below.

The Travis Scott x Nike Phantom 6 Low Elite is currently expected to release in Summer 2026. Exact pricing and retail details remain unconfirmed. Expect this to be extremely limited and highly competitive at drop time.

Read More: Blake Griffin Is Finally Giving McLovin His Air Jordan 35 “McLovin” PE

Travis Scott x Nike Phantom 6 Low

The Travis Scott x Nike Phantom 6 Low Elite IC SE is one of the most visually striking football boots in recent memory. The boot features a vibrant green upper, earthy brown accents, and a wild iridescent soleplate.

Yellow laces cut sharply against the dark brown collar, while gold Swoosh branding adds luxury to the overall look. Cactus Jack meets fittingly cactus-like green overtones, with bronze spikes and a brown insole linking back to Scott’s established design vibe.

The heel panel features an iridescent snakeskin texture that shifts color depending on the light. “Cactus Jack” script runs across the side in bold graffiti lettering.

The combination of performance engineering and streetwear identity makes this one of the most interesting football releases tied to the World Cup.

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “Black Laser” Also Finally Returning After 20 Years

The post Travis Scott Brings Cactus Jack To Soccer Pitch With Nike Phantom 6 Collab appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As caught by Livebitez on Instagram, he changed his profile picture to Pooh’s latest mugshot in the Guwop case. This is very interesting because, as far as fans can tell, Yano is still with 1017. Perhaps he doesn’t mean to outwardly diss the 1017 boss with this change, but it’s hard to interpret this otherwise. In any case, the support for Shiesty and his freedom is very clear amid that case’s complicated developments.

We will have to see if any of these artist speak further about this matter online, through representatives, or perhaps in court. Foogiano just wrapped up a five-year bid for allegedly removing his ankle monitor during bond for a gun possession charge as a person with a felony history.

Read More: Did Gucci Mane Snitch? Everything We Know About Pooh Shiesty’s Arrest

Is Pooh Shiesty Still Signed To Gucci Mane?

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Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano are still on Gucci Mane’s 1017 Records at press time. However, this is a bit of a technicality. Shiesty is still technically under 1017, although their alleged contract dispute and legal case regarding the alleged Guwop kidnapping gets in the way of that. As for the latter, he just got out of prison, and thus hasn’t had a chance to follow up on his career yet.

What makes all of this more interesting is how Gucci Mane previously axed his roster, except for Pooh Shiesty and Foogiano. He claimed those would be the only two artists to stay under 1017. Now, that rings as an ironic decision.

Gucci Mane’s no longer cool with Pooh Shiesty, and it seems like Foogiano might not be getting much sympathy either if he sees this profile pic change as a slight. This year, things have been very rough for 1017 Records. But we’ll see if this has another explanation or if things are not what they seem to be in this controversial scandal.

Read More: Drake Dominated 2016 Ten Years Ago & Hasn’t Let Up

The post Gucci Mane’s Artist Foogiano Flips And Declares His Support For Pooh Shiesty appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

According to Hollywood Unlocked on Instagram, she took to her TikTok page to share a video of her face in a car, which was moments after news of the shooting broke. The Trinidadian superstar captioned the post with a U.S. flag emoji and a prayer hands emoji. Several social media reports purportedly confirmed she was running late and never made it to the event, which was at Washington, D.C.’s Hilton Hotel.

Nicki hasn’t said anything else about this situation at press time, so we’ll see if that changes in the near future. It looks like officials rescheduled the event, so perhaps she will get to attend the White House Correspondents’ Dinner eventually.

Read More: Drake Dominated 2016 Ten Years Ago & Hasn’t Let Up

White House Correspondents’ Dinner Shooting

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Reportedly, Secret Service agents rushed Donald Trump and his cabinet off stage at the dinner after a suspected gunman fired shots outside the ballroom. The suspect reportedly rushed the lobby’s security checkpoint and fired at security agents, whom later took him into custody. This was the first time Trump attended this event as president.

Authorities have since identified the suspect as a 31-year-old man named Cole Allen. He allegedly had a shotgun, a handgun, and multiple knives when he rushed security. Allen faces charges of using a gun during a violent crime and assault on a federal officer with a dangerous weapon, with more charges reportedly set to follow after his arraignment tomorrow (Monday, April 27).

Elsewhere, Nicki Minaj has other issues to handle. Her former manager recently accused her of discovery abuse in his assault case, whereas her political stances and feuds continue to generate headlines. But throughout it all, the Young Money alum is standing tall against opposition.

After this scary situation, we’ll see what Minaj might have to say.

Read More: Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” Is 10 Years Old & Still Feels Like A Cultural Reset

The post Nicki Minaj Reacts After Narrowly Missing Shooting At White House Dinner appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The “Black Laser” drops alongside its sibling, the “White Laser,” as a full pack. Both are set to release in February 2027, at select retailers and online via SNKRS. Retail pricing has not yet been confirmed for either pair.

The “Black Laser” is considered the more sought-after of the two “Laser” colorways. Furthermore, unlike the “White Laser,” the original “Black Laser” did not come with a shirt and hat but retailed for $25 less at $175.

For collectors, the timing could not be better. Original 2005 pairs are no longer wearable due to midsole degradation. The 2027 retro gives fans a fresh, wearable version of a shoe many never had a chance to own.

The pair is expected to be on the limited side, so securing one will likely require planning well in advance. Additionally, demand for both “Laser” colorways together will create serious competition at retail. This is one of the more exciting early 2027 announcements so far.

Read More: Blake Griffin Is Finally Giving McLovin His Air Jordan 35 “McLovin” PE

Air Jordan 4 “Black Laser”

The Air Jordan 4 “Black Laser” is one of the most visually striking colorways in the entire Jordan 4 catalog. The shoe comes dressed in black leather across the upper, joined by intricate laser print featuring different Air Jordan models throughout.

Varsity Red hits land on the laces, lining, and Jumpman branding, giving the shoe a “Bred”-adjacent energy. Medium grey adorns the heels and part of the midsole, while the eyelets are given a translucent finish. The laser etching itself is incredibly detailed and dense, making the shoe look almost textured from a distance.

On a black base, the engraving reads more subtly than on the white version, giving it a sleeker, more wearable everyday look that collectors have always preferred.

Read More: Jordan Creates Air Jordan 4 “LA” PE For Jordan Brand Classic Athletes

The post Air Jordan 4 “Black Laser” Also Finally Returning After 20 Years appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As caught by DJ Akademiks TV on Instagram, here are some of the highlights. One picture causing a lot of commotion features Dre at the Grammys last year high-fiving none other than Lucian Grainge, the CEO of Universal Music Group (UMG), after some “Not Like Us” wins. Over Grainge’s head, there’s an image of the following message from the Seattle First Baptist church: “Remember you are dust.”

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Considering Drake’s UMG lawsuit, many fans see this as a reference to his Kendrick Lamar battle. Another possible allusion to it is a photo showing lots of images of Tupac and Biggie, given “Taylor Made Freestyle.”

Elsewhere, another interesting inclusion is a picture of DJ Khaled with Drizzy. In it, Khaled holds up a sign that says “I have 2 Drake songs on my new album, coming 2024.” For those unaware, he had teased features from the 6ix God last year, but had to take the post down after the Toronto superstar denied his involvement.

Notably, there’s also a red button in one image. OVO die-hards think he could have a bomb to drop on this new album, but we’ll have to wait and see if this is true.

Read More: Drake Dominated 2016 Ten Years Ago & Hasn’t Let Up

ICEMAN Website’s Zine

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Other pictures on the website are more related to visual inspiration, research, experimentation, and something of a vision board for Drake’s upcoming ICEMAN, set for May 15. We can’t wait to hear how these visual teases and representations will manifest musically on the long-awaited LP.

But these images also raise questions about the upcoming release’s thematic depth. Are these just sly attacks at past events or will there be new allegations, disses, and revelations? No one knows, but with so much anticipation building up between both fans and haters, we’ll soon see.

Read More: The Top 50 Best Drake Songs Of All-Time

The post Drake Drops Full “ICEMAN” Zine With Dr. Dre, DJ Khaled, And More Teases appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The shoe was originally designed back in 2019 during an annual team trip when Griffin was still playing for the Detroit Pistons. The idea was initially planned for the Air Jordan 34 but carried over to the Air Jordan 35.

Jordan color designer Kelsey Amy and the team created a Hawaii driver’s license graphic based on the 2007 movie “Superbad” and the character Fogell’s iconic fake ID scene. The execution was immediately one of the most creative Jordan PEs ever made.

The tongue’s license details include Griffin’s birthday, height, weight, and hair and eye colors. Additionally, the toe of each shoe is accented with “Chikka Chikka,” a line from the film when Fogell reveals the license.

The shoe was initially made only for Griffin and never released publicly. Now, the man who played McLovin is finally getting his pair. Furthermore, the moment was captured on NBA on Prime, giving the handoff a fitting stage. For sneakerheads and Superbad fans alike, this is genuinely great content.

Read More: Jordan Creates Air Jordan 4 “LA” PE For Jordan Brand Classic Athletes

Blake Griffin’s “McLovin” Air Jordan 35

The Air Jordan 35 “McLovin” PE is one of the most creative player exclusives Jordan Brand has ever produced. The shoe comes in a predominantly white color scheme contrasted by light blue overlay panels at the front and heel.

Rainbow accents print across the tongue pull tab and heel hangtag, mimicking the rainbow stripe from McLovin’s celebrated Hawaii driver’s license. The tongue itself features a replica of the fake ID, complete with personal details.

It is playful, detailed, and completely unexpected for a Jordan PE. The blue and white palette also happens to match the Nets’ classic edition uniforms Griffin wore when he first debuted the shoe back in 2021. Overall, it is a perfect example of what makes Jordan PEs so special.

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “White Laser” Set To Return For The First Time Ever

The post Blake Griffin Is Finally Giving McLovin His Air Jordan 35 “McLovin” PE appeared first on HotNewHipHop.