Ahead of the big release, North has decided to unveil some new merch, which can be purchased at n0rth4evr.shop. The merch includes t-shirts, jewelry, and even a faux fur hat. She’s also selling a few brightly-colored vinyl editions of the new EP.

North is really leaning into the black metal-inspired aesthetic here, which doesn’t come as a huge surprise. During an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show back in 2021, her mother Kim Kardashian discussed her eldest daughter’s style, noting how different it is from her other kids’.

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Kanye West Canceled Shows

“All my kids are so different,” she explained at the time. “North is like goth. She’s into Hot Topic and she puts like fake tattoos on her face and she listens to Black Sabbath. And she’s just like a full goth girl.”

North’s career may just be getting started, but her father Kanye West is currently trying to turn his around. Earlier this year, he took out a full-page ad in The Wall Street Journal to apologize for his antisemitic behavior and hateful comments. While he has managed to book quite a few shows since, he’s still facing some serious pushback.

He was supposed to headline Wireless Festival in London this summer, for example, but the festival was canceled after the UK government banned him from entering the country. He’s also set to perform at Northern Italy’s Hellwat Festival in July, but the booking has sparked public outcry. The Jewish community, politicians, and more are demanding that the performance be canceled.

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Per a report from the Albanian Post, Ye is orchestrating construction of one called “Eagle Stadium,” which will have a capacity of 60,000. It will be located along the Tirana-Durres axis and with the aforementioned figure, it’s slated to be one of the biggest musical events the country has seen.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Sports confirmed this development through a Facebook post. Blendi Gonxhja believes this will be a crucial event for the country at large, especially for tourism purposes.

He didn’t seem to address anything regarding Ye’s anti-Semitic past and the optics of this decision to welcome the controversial superstar. As most of you know, numerous countries have turned him away. France, the U.K., Poland, and Switzerland have all backed out.

It’s worth noting that Italy, who’s still set to have Ye be a headliner for their Hellwatt Festival in July, is on the fence.

Read More: Trap Dickey Talks “The Ville,” TDE Compilation & More

Kanye West’s Global Tour

Vice President of the European Parliament and senior member of Italy’s Democratic Party, Pina Picierno, expressed that government officials should follow suit with the others that have said no.

“The United Kingdom denied the visa. France effectively prevented the Marseille concert. Italy, meanwhile, is just staying idle with 68,000 tickets sold, as if nothing had happened.”

But in the midst of these cancellations, Kanye West has managed to book more shows like the one in Albania. That is set to take place on July 11.

Prague is also set to welcome him for his global tour on July 25. He will play at the Chuchle Arena racecourse, per the venue’s director, Zuzana Rambova. Other upcoming shows for Ye include New Delhi, Istanbul, Spain, and Portugal.

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Needless to say, his supporters are thrilled to see him doing so well. “Anybody can have a comeback; pray for this man ,” one Instagram user comments. “Proud of him Wishing him nothing but blessings ,” another writes. Someone else says, “God is GREAT!!!!”

On top of addiction, West has battled homelessness and mental health issues. He also ran into some legal trouble earlier this year, when he was arrested for alleged robbery.

In January, officials received a call from someone who alleged that they’d been assaulted and robbed in Belle Haven. When they got there, the caller alleged that West was the perpetrator. Shortly after his arrest, he was released on a $1K bond. Allegedly, he took just $23.

Before that, West was arrested in November for alleged public intoxication. Authorities said it was “for his own safety.”

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Delonte West Sobriety

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Over the years, loved ones have tried to help West change his life for the better. Until now, however, nothing stuck. During an appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast in 2024, for example, Mark Cuban recalled sending him to rehab.

“I thought we had him,” he explained at the time. “I thought we had him turned around. We sent him down to Jayson’s place down in Florida. It’s like a farm, Jayson Williams.’”

“It’s like he’s making progress, sending pictures,” he added. “Donte’s e-mailing me, and I’m like, ‘Oh yeah, we getting this,’ and then Donte throws the sh** over the fence, and disappears. We bring him back again, making progress, this is it, same sh**… Only so much you can do. Mental illness is real. It is real, and you just don’t wish it away.”

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In an interview with the BagFuel podcast per Page Six, the “One Wish” artist told the show, “Here’s what’s crazy. I just did the big celebration. They did the whole confetti at Booby Trap. I was celebrating 10,000 bodies.”

He added, “It’s probably like 11,900… I don’t know if that’s for sure, but I know it reached 10 once I got all the way there.”

Given that, Cam Newton wanted to make sure he heard that claim correctly. Ray J reiterated for him that he didn’t stutter. “10,000 different people,” he reaffirmed before bumping that total to 12,500.

But just because he’s allegedly gotten this far, that doesn’t mean he won’t hit a ceiling. He states, “I can only f*ck a thousand more b*tches. I can’t do any more.”

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Ray J & Kim Kardashian’s Lawsuit

Newton, who still couldn’t believe what he was hearing, did some quick math. If this is true, than he says that Ray J has slept with over one and a half women a day for 30 years.

But according to the singer, it’s probably more than that. “Yeah, the math is different ’cause when we’re on tour, we’re thinking five to ten a day.”

This wild claim surfaces following some recent updates to the ongoing and complex lawsuit between Ray J and Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian. It revolves around their infamous sex tape and the latter duo’s efforts to keep details of a 2023 settlement agreement sealed.

A judge ruled against it and as a result, the details of it are more than likely to come to light. The 2023 agreement centers around Ray J being paid $6 million to never speak about the tape ever again. Ray J countersued in November 2025, claiming that Kim and Kris violated the terms of it by speaking on it themselves on their Hulu reality show.

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The post Ray J Claims He’s Slept With 12,500 Women, But He Has A Limit appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

She’s already denied her involvement, doing so with a concise public statement. She wrote, “I’ve seen what’s being said online, and I want to be clear, none of it is true, and I have no involvement in this situation. This week marks the start of an important and exciting new season for me, and my focus is fully on that.”

But Brown doesn’t understand why she’s been the only one to speak out when she had nothing to do with the situation. As caught by Complex, in an interview with Fox News Digital, she called out Klay and Megan for keeping a tight lip instead of coming to her defense.

Brown tells the outlet that her and her family have been facing an overwhelming amount of death threats. Because of this, the 31-year-old has enlisted heightened security.

Read More: Trap Dickey Talks “The Ville,” TDE Compilation & More

Megan Thee Stallion Says Klay Thompson Cheated

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Towards the end of Brown’s response, she asks Klay and Megan do something on her behalf and ASAP. “… For them to just allow me to get dragged for a lot of people to allow me to get dragged through the mud for, it seems like three, three, four days now, knowing one hundred percent what was being said was false, that surely somebody would step in and say, ‘No, this is a lie. Please point your fingers somewhere else or don’t point them at all, but don’t point them at Lexi.'”

To this point, Klay Thompson has indeed said nothing as this story continues to develop. He has yet to address Megan Thee Stallion’s claims as well.

As for the Houston artist, she’s been vocal but not in the way Lexie Brown needs. She’s focused on publicly declaring the Dallas Mavericks guard as a cheater.  “Trust, fidelity and respect are non-negotiable for me in a relationship, and when those values are compromised, there’s no real path forward. I’m taking this time to prioritize myself and move ahead with peace and clarity.”

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The post Lexie Brown Calls For Klay Thompson Or Megan Thee Stallion To Speak Out Amid Death Threats appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The Baton Rouge Police Department claims the attack was carried out by two men in masks. They believe Cleezy5 was targeted. Reportedly, the two suspects fled in a vehicle.

“It was a targeted attack. The victim was out there working out, we know those two suspects walked up and fired upon the victim multiple times killing him at the scene,” Lt. L’Jean McKneely, a BRPD public information officer, said. “We know it was two persons they walked up, they were masked, had masks on their face prior to doing the shooting, while doing the shooting.”

“We know it was a vehicle somewhere close that they got into,” he continued, “We see and feel that there is some association involving certain groups here in Baton Rouge, but it’s nothing we can openly say at this time because it is an ongoing investigation.”

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Cleezy5 Shooting

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“We know there’s a lot of social media chatter about this particular shooting, and we’re asking if anybody knows anything, please call us,” McKneely added. “We’re following up on all the leads that we have. We’re reviewing information and evidence that we have, but we need the public’s assistance. […] The community wants to know.”

Cleezy5 was the CEO of the Top Boy Gorilla collective and worked closely with artists like Fredo Bang. Since his passing, countless fans and peers have taken to social media to share their condolences.

“Dawg been holding it down for a min, rest in peace,” one Twitter/X user writes. “Well there goes the future of rap music,” another claims. Someone else says, “I hate that for fredo he been pushing peace.”

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Over the following four decades, the AJ1 has appeared on fashion week front rows, Super Bowl stages, social media feeds, and collaborative releases that generated some of the highest resale prices ever recorded. Here are the ten most iconic hip-hop moments…

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10. Teyana Taylor x Air Jordan 1 Zoom CMFT 2 “A Rose From Harlem”

Teyana Taylor has been a credible voice in sneaker culture since well before most people were paying attention. She built a reputation as a serious collector long before brands started calling.

Her collab history with Reebok and Adidas only added to that credibility. So when Jordan Brand finally came calling, it felt earned rather than manufactured. The “A Rose From Harlem” AJ1 is a direct reflection of who she is: a Harlem native with a deep connection to New York street culture and a love for the shoe.

Furthermore, it made her one of a very small group of women to ever collaborate on the Air Jordan 1. That alone makes it significant.

9. Just Don x Air Jordan 1 “BHM”

Don C is one of the most respected figures in the intersection of hip hop and fashion. A longtime member of Kanye West’s inner circle and a co-founder of the Donda creative agency, he built his reputation in Chicago before becoming one of the most sought-after collaborators in the sneaker industry.

The “BHM” AJ1 arrived during Black History Month and carried cultural weight behind it. It was not a celebrity vanity project. Moreover, it came from someone who had earned his place at the table through years of legitimate creative work within the culture.

For many collectors, this collab signaled that Jordan Brand was finally taking hip hop’s creative community seriously as design partners rather than just brand ambassadors.

8. J. Balvin x Air Jordan 1 OG High “Colores Y Vibras”

J. Balvin’s collaboration with Jordan Brand was a landmark moment for Latin representation in sneaker culture. He became the first Latino artist to collaborate on the Air Jordan 1, which in itself is a significant footnote in the shoe’s history.

The timing added another layer as the pair was unveiled during his Super Bowl LIV halftime performance alongside Jennifer Lopez in February 2020, one of the most-watched stages in the world. Beyond the visibility, the shoe reflected Balvin’s identity directly.

The multicolor tie-dye canvas upper and layered graphic design are an extension of the aesthetic he had built across his music and his brand. It was a personal collaboration rather than a straightforward licensing deal.

7. A Tribe Called Quest x Air Jordan 1 High Strap

A Tribe Called Quest is one of the most critically respected groups in hip hop history. Their influence on the culture extends well beyond their discography. This collaboration arrived in 2017 alongside the release of their final album, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, which was also Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Jarobi White’s first album in nearly two decades.

The fact that Jordan Brand chose to commemorate that moment with an AJ1 collab speaks to how seriously the group is regarded within sneaker culture.

Additionally, the red, black, and green colorway carries Pan-African associations that gave the shoe a layer of meaning beyond the standard collab. It remains one of the more culturally specific AJ1 collaborations ever produced.

6. Drake Off-White Air Jordan 1s

Drake has one of the most well-documented relationships with Jordan Brand of any hip-hop artist. He has had an official deal with the Jumpman since 2013, producing OVO collaborations across multiple silhouettes over more than a decade.

So when he took to social media to show off both the Off-White x AJ1 “Chicago” and the Off-White x AJ1 “White” shortly after “The Ten” dropped in 2017, it carried real weight. Drake was already one of the most followed people on the internet.

His co-sign of the Off-White AJ1s at that specific moment helped introduce the collaboration to an audience well beyond the traditional sneaker community. It was an organic endorsement from someone with credibility in both worlds.

5. A$AP Rocky Various Air Jordan 1s

A$AP Rocky occupies a unique space in hip hop. He is as well known for his fashion sensibility as he is for his music. Over the years, he has been documented in multiple Air Jordan 1 colorways: the Off-White x AJ1 “Chicago,” the “Bred,” the “New Love,” and several others.

Rocky’s relationship with the AJ1 is notable because it sits within a broader wardrobe that pulls from luxury fashion, vintage archive pieces, and streetwear simultaneously. The fact that the AJ1 holds its own in that context says something about the shoe’s versatility.

Furthermore, Rocky’s consistent reach for the AJ1 across different eras and colorways reflects a real love rather than a one-off styling choice. Few rappers have worn the silhouette with as much range.

4. Jay-Z Wears Off-White x Air Jordan 1 “Chicago”

Jay-Z spent years as a Puma creative director, which made this sighting particularly significant. He was spotted courtside at an NBA game in the Off-White x Air Jordan 1 “Chicago” one of the most coveted and expensive sneakers in the world at the time.

For someone of his stature to step out in these shoes, unprompted and without any commercial arrangement attached, was a co-sign. Additionally, Jay-Z’s history with sneaker culture runs deep.

He built the S. Carter line with Reebok into one of the fastest-selling shoes in the brand’s history. When someone with that kind of credibility and that kind of brand independence chooses to wear a specific shoe courtside at an NBA game, the sneaker community notices.

It remains one of the most high-profile AJ1 sightings in recent memory.

3. Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 High “Mocha”

The “Mocha” is the most commercially significant rapper and Air Jordan 1 collaboration ever produced. Travis Scott’s relationship with Jordan Brand had been building for several years before this dropped in 2019, but this was the shoe that defined it.

The reverse Swoosh was unprecedented on the AJ1 silhouette and immediately became his signature design detail. It also changed how Jordan Brand approached rapper collaborations going forward giving artists creative input rather than surface-level branding.

Resale prices reflected the demand immediately and have remained elevated ever since. Additionally, the “Mocha” introduced a new generation of consumers to the AJ1 who had no prior connection to the shoe’s basketball or retro history.

2. Kanye West At Fashion Week

This image is one of the most referenced photos in sneaker culture. Kanye West sitting front row at Burberry’s Spring/Summer 2012 show in London wearing the Air Jordan 1 “Bred” is a moment that crystallized the shoe’s crossover into high fashion.

Fashion week front rows in 2011 were not yet a common place to see Air Jordans. Kanye changed that simply by showing up. His presence in that world was already significant at that point, and the choice to wear the “Bred” AJ1 in that specific context sent a clear message about where the shoe stood culturally.

It helped establish the Air Jordan 1 as a legitimate fashion object rather than just a basketball shoe or a streetwear staple. That shift had lasting consequences for the entire sneaker industry.

1. LL Cool J Wears The Air Jordan 1 “Bred” On The Back Cover Of Radio

This is where it started. In 1985, LL Cool J appeared on the back cover of his debut album Radio wearing the Air Jordan 1 “Bred.” Michael Jordan was still a rookie. Nobody in hip hop was wearing Jordans yet. Everyone was in Adidas and Puma.

LL has said himself that he was never paid by Nike and never had a deal. He simply liked the shoe. That organic, uncommercial quality is exactly what makes this moment so significant. It was the first documented instance of a rapper putting the Air Jordan 1 on a hip hop record.

Furthermore, it predates every collab, every co-sign, and every resale record on this list. Without this moment, the relationship between the Air Jordan 1 and hip hop culture looks very different.

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The post The 10 Most Iconic Air Jordan 1 Moments In Hip Hop History appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

UMG owned nearly 6.5 million shares in Spotify as of 2025, per the company’s 2025 yearly report. This is worth 3.16 percent of the company.

“We delivered a solid quarter of growth in our core businesses, complemented by our strategic development and investment in fast-growing areas of the industry, UMG’s Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge, stated. “We continue to build the most successful music company in history by attracting the world’s top talent, engaging fans globally, and delivering long-term value for stakeholders.”

“Central to that mission is fostering an environment that protects artists and songwriters, champions human creativity, and embraces innovation at a pivotal moment for our industry,” he also added.

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Taylor Swift’s Spotify Clause

CFO of UMG, Matt Ellis, explained: “Against the backdrop of a healthy industry, we are consistently driving sustained revenue growth through our multi-faceted strategy, while continuing to expand EBITDA and reinvest for the future.”

“In addition, the important steps we are announcing today to increase our share buyback authorization and monetize a portion of our equity stake in Spotify will lead to enhanced shareholder value while maintaining the flexibility the Company requires to drive further success,” Ellis also said.

All artists signed to UMG will benefit from the sale, all thanks to Taylor Swift. As part of a record deal she signed in 2018, she asked that any sale of the label’s Spotify shares result in a distribution of money to their artists, non-recoupable. Artists that will benefit as a result include Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Sabrina Carpenter, and many more.

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The post Kendrick Lamar, SZA & More To Benefit From UMG’s Spotify Stake Sale appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Per the outlet, he’s going to be youngest host in the program’s 25-year history. He’s going to narrowly eclipse fellow comedic star Kevin Hart, who was also 31, but closer to 32 than Druski was when he took the role in 2011.

Hart was born on July 6 whereas Druski was born on September 12.

Given that the Coulda Been Records creator is going to be following in the footsteps of greats like Hart and at such a young age, he’s incredibly thankful for the opportunity. In statement he said, “It’s an honor to be the youngest host EVER for the BET Awards. I grew up watching the BET Awards and, to know the comedic legends that hosted before me set the bar so high, I’m just grateful to be a part of the history.”

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Druski Erika Kirk Skit

He added, “BUT I’m still bringing my brand of comedy to the stage, so expect a little chaos, a lot of laughs and some of your favorite Druski characters to pop out along the way.”

You’ll be able to catch Druski’s hosting chops on a national stage this summer. The 2026 BET Awards will take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, California. The broadcast is on Sunday, June 28, at 8 p.m. ET.

It’s going to be interesting to see how far Druski pushes the envelope in a setting like this. His skits online have certainly done that, with his most recent mocking Erika Kirk causing tons of controversy.

Erika, the widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, has been under a lot of scrutiny. Specifically, she’s faced it for the way she’s moved past her husband’s death late last year. Everyone grieves in different ways, but the way it’s looked hasn’t been great.

So, naturally, Druski went ahead and made a skit called “How Conservative Women in America act.” It’s also been divisive as his makeup and prosthetics made him look like a white woman. Erika Kirk was not amused by the post in the slightest.

“Every morning, I wake up to a new headline lying about me. I have comedians dressing up in whiteface. I have people saying I’m not fit to be CEO, and I have Candace Owens claiming I murdered my husband, and the list goes on and on and on.” 

Read More: Trap Dickey Talks “The Ville,” TDE Compilation & More

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Recently, that is exactly what she did as it pertains to Ice Spice. The artist recently posted a thirst trap in which she had appeared to gain some weight. The thirst trap went viral, with many praising Ice Spice for her current looks. However, Saffold took a much different approach that probably won’t be well-received by Ice Spice or anyone with a similar body type.

“That booty look like my grandma booty,” Saffold wrote. The internet personality then went on to make more comments about cellulite and how she could get rid of it. It all felt mean-spirited, and as you can imagine, the comments were subsequently amplified.

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Karlissa Saffold Has Harsh Words For Ice Spice

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There have been two very different reactions to all of this. Of course, there are those who are haters who want to agree with Saffold’s sentiments. Meanwhile, there are those like Jack Harlow, who can’t help but express how good Ice Spice looks.

Quite frankly, it feels like a conversation that doesn’t serve anyone any good. Women are already under immense pressure to perform and to look a certain way. Ice Spice has changed her looks a couple of times over the years, and it’s her business as to why that is.

One has to wonder why Saffold felt the need to comment on this. Ice Spice has not been associated with her son, nor anyone in her immediate vicinity. With that being said, it really does feel as though these comments are uncalled for, and completely out of pocket.

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