“He put me on a diss song? I thought it was going to be a regular, a hot record,” Whoo Kid said. “But then he [dropped] ‘Drop and Give Me 50,’ he did the whole G-Unit, like the whole aura, the whole energy, and then he leaked it. I’m like, yo, why is like Lucian Grainge calling my phone? Like, that’s when I was like, ‘Woah, woah.’ Nah, no Illuminati’s going to be calling me. I don’t know how they got my number. I was like ‘bruh, I did not leak this sh*t.’“

What’s interesting is that various pro-Drake X accounts highlighted a particular part of Lucian Grainge’s alleged response to Drake’s lawsuit, where he said that his focus at UMG is on creating a global strategy to shape UMG’s future. “In light of this responsibility, the proposition that I am in the weeds as to the release and promotion of any particular sound recording, from the thousands of UMG releases throughout the world, is farcical,” it reads. It should be noted that whatever DJ Whoo Kid said in this particular interview hasn’t been vetted or verified.

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Whoo Kid Claims Hip-Hop Is Suffering On The Charts Without Drake

Elsewhere in the interview, Whoo Kid explained how he felt that Kendrick only had a “moment” during the rap beef, from the success of “Not Like Us” and the Super Bowl while Drake’s absence has harmed hip-hop’s dominance on the charts. With ICEMAN on the way, it will be the ultimate test to see whether Drake’s commercial presence stands as strong as it once as before the beef. Check out Whoo Kid’s comments above. 

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The post DJ Whoo Kid Says Lucian Grainge Mysteriously Called Him After Drake’s “Push Ups” Dropped appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The V.A.A. x Air Jordan 1 dropped globally on April 3rd, 2026 for $230, marking the first worldwide release drawn from the Virgil Abloh Archive. It’s one of the most significant Jordan releases of the year and Jay-Z wore it courtside at MSG while the Knicks went up 2-0 in the series. The timing was right on all fronts.

The shoe carries all of Abloh’s signature design language with exposed foam tongue, orange tab on the Swoosh, “AIR” lettering on the midsole, and “V.A.A. for Nike” stamped on the side panel where “Off-White for Nike” used to read. It’s a nearly all-white colorway with subtle blue tints on the synthetic panels, keeping the whole look icy.

Jay-Z was courtside in a full black tracksuit and beanie. Low-key outfit, high-key sneaker choice. At this point his courtside footwear is its own conversation every single playoff round.

The Knicks are rolling and Jay-Z is showing up with the right shoes every time. Add the fact Jay-Z is coming off a great night at the Met Gala, wearing an out-of-this-world watch, it just keeps getting better and better.

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Jay-Z Rocks The V.A.A Air Jordan 1 “Alaska”

The V.A.A. x Air Jordan 1 “Alaska” is the first global product release from the Virgil Abloh Archive. It’s a collection of over 20,000 objects documenting Abloh’s creative practice.

The shoe revisits the 2018 European-exclusive “Euro” colorway but updates the branding from “Off-White for Nike” to “V.A.A. for Nike,” marking the estate’s new direction post-Off-White. The packaging is just as considered as the shoe. It has a box with circular cutouts, a transparent inner case, and a booklet stamped “MODERNISM IS NOT NEW.”

The zip-tie returns in light blue and multiple lace colors come with the shoes included. It retailed for $230 and is already trading well above that on the resell market.

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The post Jay-Z Wore The V.A.A. Air Jordan 1 “Alaska” Courtside At Knicks Win appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

It makes sense that Melly would apply for a bond, given the fact that he has been locked up since 2019. In 2023, his murder case ended in a mistrial, which subsequently led to the scheduling of his retrial. Throughout this process, Melly has applied for a bond on multiple occasions; however, he has been denied every single time.

According to Hot97’s Bryson “Boom” Paul, Melly was denied bond yet again. On May 6, Judge Martin S. Fein filed his decision with the courts. It was a 39-page filing, which included Fein’s opinions on the case, and the evidence the prosecution had presented thus far.

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Judge Martin S. Fein Rules On YNW Melly’s Bond

 “The State’s evidence is arguably sufficient to convict; it is not contradicted in a material respect such that there is a substantial question of fact as to the guilt or innocence of the Defendant,” Judge Fein wrote.

This is an unfortunate legal development for Melly, who has not been given a speedy trial. It took four years before he sat in front of a jury. Now, it has taken another four years for the retrial to take place. By the time a verdict is presented, it will have been eight years since he’s been locked up.

Overall, this trial remains at the forefront of people’s minds. Some feel as though this entire ordeal has been a great injustice to Melly. Given the circumstances, it is easy to see why, regardless of whether or not he might be guilty.

This is a story we will continue to follow as it develops.

Read More: The 10 Most Iconic Air Jordan 1 Moments In Hip Hop History

The post YNW Melly Denied Bond Ahead Of 2027 Retrial appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

However, both Boosie and Spears have been looking for a raise. Vlad has been paying them an interview fee, and in their minds, it isn’t enough. While Vlad has explained his logic behind not giving a raise, Boosie and Spears have continued to force the issue.

Now, it appears as though Spears and Boosie are no longer welcome on VladTV. Neither side has given an inch, and that’s where things have been left off. On Wednesday, 6ix9ine got involved in the conversation with a new interview on VladTV.

During Part One of their conversation, 6ix9ine revealed that he took a $35K paycut to appear on the show. Instead of being paid $50K, he now gets paid $15K. Why? Because he believes it’s a fair price for being paid to talk.

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6ix9ine Takes a Paycut

“I took a 35K paycut… You can’t be greedy all your life. You gotta understand the business side. At the end of the day, you’re getting paid to talk,” 6ix9ine explained.

Of course, this is all a gambit for 6ix9ine to troll Spears and Boosie. It also helps Vlad in negotiations. For instance, in a follow-up video on social media, Vlad made it clear that 6ix9ine’s numbers are better than anyone else’s, and he’s making less money.

Whether or not this actually convinces Boosie and Spears to abandon their pay demands remains to be seen. It’s clear what is happening here, and we’re sure some fans can see through it. Having said that, there is no denying that a 6ix9ine interview is always going to draw big numbers, regardless of what he’s saying.

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The post 6ix9ine Reveals How Much DJ Vlad Is Paying Him For Interviews appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Next Thursday, ICEMAN Episode 4 is going to be released to the masses, and this promises to be a major step forward for Drizzy. It will give fans an idea of what kind of era he is jumping into.

One person who couldn’t be more excited is none other than DJ Akademiks. Akademiks has always prided himself on being a Drake insider of sorts. Recently, he went on VladTV to give his take on the upcoming project.

It was here that he gave a warning of sorts to Kendrick Lamar. In his mind, it would be a grave error to drop something on the same day. “It would only cement that he’s competing with Drake,” Akademiks stated.

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DJ Akademiks Gives Kendrick Lamar A Heads Up

Akademiks believes Kendrick has already had his fun with a “two-year victory lap.” In Ak’s mind, he just needs to let Drizzy have his release date and leave it at that.

If Kendrick were to drop a surprise album on May 15, there would be all sorts of commotion. Furthermore, fans would start comparing sales. This poses a risk to Lamar, as Drake likely has the edge when it comes to these metrics. While numbers are by no means an indicator of quality, they do lend themselves to narratives and public opinion on social media.

Regardless, it is highly unlikely that Lamar drops anything next Friday. To say otherwise is pure fantasy. While it might be nice to think about, it seems outlandish to believe K. Dot would actually do it.

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The post Kendrick Lamar Receives A Warning From DJ Akademiks About Interfering With Drake’s “ICEMAN” Release appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Yachty isn’t just a celebrity guest at these things. He’s a real partner in the Run Fast Racing app alongside Lil Wayne and Rauw Alejandro, and he personally owns 16 horses. The chain was a celebration of the Derby, the app, and the ownership. A $90K racehorse pendant is a very specific way to announce that you’re serious about something.

The piece itself is exactly what you’d expect from a custom Derby commission. Diamonds throughout, a racehorse pendant front and center, built specifically for the occasion. Barnett reportedly delivered it in person, which adds to the moment.

Also as VIBE reported, Yachty has been vocal about wanting to bring a new crowd into horse racing. The chain is part of that, it’s a visual statement that connects hip-hop culture to a sport that hasn’t always felt accessible. A $90K piece around your neck at the Derby does the talking for you.

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Lil Yachty Kentucky Derby Chain

Custom jewelry commissions for major sporting events have become their own cultural moment in recent years. Athletes and artists increasingly treat events like the Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl, and the NBA Finals as occasions to debut one-of-a-kind pieces.

Erin Barnett specializes in exactly this kind of high-profile custom work, pieces built around a specific moment rather than generic luxury. A racehorse pendant at $90,000 puts it firmly in collector territory.

The diamonds, the craftsmanship, and the specificity of the design all contribute to the price. Overall, it’s an extravagant and luxurious chain that only Yachty could pull off at the Derby.

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The post Lil Yachty Pulls Up To Kentucky Derby In Extravagant Diamond Chain appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

While the Kill The King release date has not yet been announced, we do have a release date for the artist’s next single, “Mr. Him.” Just like his previous single, “Let ‘Em Know,” this upcoming single is produced by Pharrell and will drop on Wednesday, May 13.

The music video will be directed by Hype Williams, making this a can’t-miss event for hip-hop. A teaser for the track was posted on social media, and it is already garnering hundreds of thousands of views, as well as some strong reactions.

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T.I. Gears Up To Drop “Mr. Him”

Whenever a new song is released, you can be sure that X users are going to have an opinion. This is especially true when big-name artists like T.I. and Pharrell are involved. In this instance, however, the reactions were quite polarized.

There were some who felt as though the song sounded like something out of a cheesy TV show, while others believed this is a certified hit. Clearly, no one can come to a consensus on anything these days.

X Reacts

Below, you can find some of the aforementioned reactions to the track. Here you will find a mix of positive and negative reactions. The song isn’t even out yet, so fans might want to reserve some judgment, at least for right now.

These reactions just reinforce the notion that the excitement for T.I.’s final album is palpable. He is a well-beloved figure in rap, and his projects generate conversation. Hopefully, the artist feels professionally satisfied by this closing chapter of his career.

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The post T.I.’s Pharrell-Produced Song “Mr. Him” Garners Strong Reactions On Social Media appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The artist is being accused of trafficking a drug called METHYLE.-METH (MDMA). For those who may not know, this is a synthetic drug that is considered to be a stimulant.

Kodak Black’s attorney, Bradford Cohen, has already leveled a response against the allegations. In a statement to TMZ, Cohen revealed what this arrest stemmed from. In November of 2025, a vehicle was searched containing one passenger. The passenger involved was not Kodak. However, the police allegedly found a bag with various items, including prescription cough syrup. The bottle allegedly had Kodak’s fingerprints on it.

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Kodak Black Surrenders

Cohen subsequently went on to say that the case has a “weak legal basis.” The attorney believes Kodak has been unfairly targeted throughout his career, and that this is yet another example of that. Ultimately, Cohen is eager to fight the charge and get the case over with.

“We look forward to yet another fruitful resolution to another case that should have never been filed,” he explained. At this time, Kodak remains in jail.

This is certainly a sad update involving Kodak Black. The artist has elicited quite a few concerns from fans over the past few months. Videos posted to social media show Kodak in an inebriated state, and many have prayed for Kodak’s safety and sobriety.

Overall, this remains a developing story, and we will be sure to keep you informed on all of the latest updates.

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The post Kodak Black Hit With Drug Trafficking Charges In Florida appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

On May 14, Drake will officially release ICEMAN Episode 4. Fans have been waiting for Episode 4 for quite some time. It has been months since Episode 3, which some fans found to be quite disappointing. Since that time, the artist has had some time to regroup, re-record, and re-strategize.

Throughout all of this, DJ Akademiks has been offering some commentary regarding the album. He is a huge Drake fan, and he also has a direct line to the Canadian megastar. With that being said, it should come as no surprise that he is dropping ICEMAN updates on his streams.

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Drake Is Dropping ICEMAN Next Week

On Wednesday night, Akademiks was on stream, where he offered up a prediction that will serve as a warning to some of Drake’s biggest enemies. As Ak explains, if you think you might get dissed on ICEMAN, then you probably will be. The commentator doesn’t believe anyone is going to be spared on this album.

Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether or not Drake is going to stoke any fires. There are some who feel as though he needs to move on from the Kendrick Lamar beef. Others are happy to see him engage with those who have disparaged him in the past.

It is simply a matter of personal preference. That said, Drake has always been one to include a plethora of subliminal bars in his songs. It would be unrealistic to believe he would stop all of a sudden.

As of today, ICEMAN is officially eight days away, and there is still a lot we don’t know. Be sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news from the hip-hop world.

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The post DJ Akademiks’ Latest “ICEMAN” Prediction Is A Direct Warning For Drake’s Enemies appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Furthermore, A$AP Rocky and Rihanna were at the event. Later in the evening, the two were caught having what appeared to be an argument. Yesterday, a source close to the situation told TMZ they were just tired. However, this was not the only awkward situation Rihanna found herself in.

A video started to go viral of Tyla interacting with Rihanna outside the event. Tyla was trying to have a conversation with the singer, but in the end, Riri appeared to be preoccupied with something else. The clip felt a bit “off” to some people, leading to speculation that Rihanna doesn’t like Tyla.

The narrative was hard to ignore, and Tyla decided to speak out on social media. In the video below, she says that Rihanna had to dip out of the conversation as Rocky was calling for her.

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Tyla Speaks on Rihanna Video

“I met her, but I think she was occupied. I went up to her and was like, ‘Oh hey, you know,’ and she was like, ‘Hey, um… my baby daddy’s calling me,’ and then she left. I was like, Oop!” Tyla explained.

Some fans on social media felt as though it was a bit of a mistake for Tyla to address this. After all, people are making up narratives all the time. That doesn’t necessarily mean they absolutely need to be addressed.

Having said that, Tyla remains someone who garners widespread criticism online. Everything she does is scrutinized, and this is simply another example of that.

Even Rihanna and Rocky can sympathize with this. After all, the post-Met Gala autopsy on their relationship is enough to never want to go out in public ever again.

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The post Tyla Addresses Awkward Moment With Rihanna At The Met Gala appeared first on HotNewHipHop.