Even though it was bumped up slightly to April, it seems Durk’s legal team’s efforts to argue for more time was something the court could get behind. Drew Findling, the head attorney for the rapper, told Rolling Stone on January 7, “We would have been ready to try the case (in two weeks), but the court appropriately decided that with everybody together, we still aren’t there yet. It’s a complex case. These are the stepping stones towards a trial.”

Similarly, the California judge who gave the green light to a continuance said, “The case is so unusual and so complex, due to the nature of the prosecution and the number of defendants that it is unreasonable to expect preparation for pre-trial proceedings or for the trial itself within the time limits established by the Speedy Trial Act.”

Read More: A$AP Rocky Reveals Tracklist For New Album “Don’t Be Dumb”

What Is Lil Durk Being Accused Of?

Lil Durk’s case, as we mentioned, centers around an alleged murder-for-hire plot to kill Quando Rondo. An affiliate of Louisiana’s NBA YoungBoy, Rondo was reportedly involved in an altercation with one of the Chicago native’s now late friends, King Von.

Durk and his crew allegedly wanted to exact revenge. However, instead of murdering Rondo, their alleged attack fatally wounded 24-year-old cousin Saviay’a Robinson. This shooting took place in 2022.

The “All My Life” MC has been in custody since October 2024 and has allegedly been in solitary confinement over the last four months. What allegedly led to this severe punishment was the possession of an Apple Watch.

His team’s filing arguing how unjust this is says, “[Lil Durk] is confined to a very small jail cell, just large enough for a single bed, a toilet, and a sink, for 23 hours a day. He does not have access to commissary. He is permitted one phone call a month, and no in-person social visits.”

Read More: J. Cole Reveals The Release Date For “The Fall Off”

The post Lil Durk’s Murder-For-Hire Trial Date Has Been Revealed appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

“Popular Rapper ‘Chief Keef’ has reportedly been shot 6x in the face after returning to O’block after 15 years to film a music video, he is currently on life support,” a tweet shared yesterday (January 14) reads. “Pray for Chief Keef.”

The tweet was seen by more than 2.3 million people and racked up over 13,000 likes. It also sparked some serious panic among fans, as many assumed there was some truth to the rumor. Fortunately, that’s not the case.

Read More: 6ix9ine Gets Ripped To Shreds For Claiming He Was Bigger Than Chief Keef

TommyGoBraazy’s History Of Misinformation

Sosa’s manager, Idris Dykes, recently shut down the rumor during a chat with Fox 32 Chicago. “No, this is false,” he told the outlet. “Keef has not been to Chicago since he did Summer Smash two years ago.” Fans are glad to hear that the rapper is alive in well, but the ordeal has sparked some discourse about the online dissemination of dubious rumors. Many point out that rumors like this can be incredibly harmful, with some even arguing that accounts like @TommyGoBraazy’s should be banned.

This is far from the first time a situation like this has unfolded. In fact, it’s not even the first time this week. On Tuesday, Charleston White took to his Instagram Story to address a rumor that he’d been shot in Fort Worth. This rumor also appears to have been started by @TommyGoBraazy.

“Somebody said I got shot in Fort Worth?” he asked. “I don’t live in Fort Worth. I ain’t live in Fort Worth in years, I stay in Miami.” Lul Timm, Lil Skies, and many more have also fallen victim to unfounded rumors in recent weeks.

Read More: Ari Melber Leaves Social Media In Shambles After Quoting Chief Keef On MSNBC

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Unfortunately, there are currently no plans for a retail drop of this exclusive design. The all-white Air Force 1 Low features premium Chrome Hearts detailing throughout the shoe.

Custom silver Chrome Hearts jewelry accents replace traditional lace dubrae adding luxury branding elements. Sterling silver charms and chains run through the lacing system creating an clean aesthetic.

Drake’s OVO branding appears subtly on the insoles connecting his label to the collaboration. Chrome Hearts’ signature gothic crosses and detailing elevate this beyond a standard Air Force 1. The combination of Nike, Drake, and Chrome Hearts represents the ultimate luxury sneaker partnership.

These appear to be friends and family pairs made exclusively for Drake’s inner circle. Chrome Hearts rarely does mass production sneaker collaborations making this even more special.

The craftsmanship and materials used reflect Chrome Hearts’ jewelry-level quality standards throughout every detail. Sneaker fans on social media are desperately hoping Nike reconsiders and releases these publicly.

The comments are filled with people begging to see even a limited retail drop. However, given the ultra-exclusive nature, this will likely remain a grail-only.

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “London” Mockup Images Surface

Drake x Chrome Hearts x Nike Air Force 1

The Drake x Chrome Hearts x Nike Air Force 1 is all white leather with these really luxurious Chrome Hearts silver jewelry pieces woven through the lacing system. You can see ornate sterling silver charms and chains running through the eyelets instead of regular lace dubraes which looks incredibly high-end.

The Chrome Hearts gothic cross detailing and signature jewelry craftsmanship is visible in those metal accents creating a luxury aesthetic. White laces thread through the silver hardware while the rest of the shoe maintains that classic clean Air Force 1 silhouette we all know.

The OVO branding apparently hits the insoles connecting Drake’s label to this exclusive collaboration between three major names in fashion and footwear.

Read More: In-Hand Look At The Upcoming Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 “Black Denim”

The post Drake’s Chrome Hearts x Nike Air Force 1 Has Sneakerheads Begging For Release appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

The post Reminders – Song by Deante Hitchcock featuring 6lack, Childish Major & Anna Field appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: January 14, 2026

Genre: R&B

Album: Do You Still Love Me?

Quotable Lyrics from 100

And when it’s bad, come through
I’ll be on your waist just like a holster do
Hold me like the sky holds stars, I ain’t never too far
Always holdin’ it down for you

The post 100 – Song by Ella Mai appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: January 15, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: Slime Cry

Quotable Lyrics from Baby Boo

If you love me, you’re never gon’ leave
In the streets, you know where I be
You hear it on my voice, codeine
And I be doin’ shit, ain’t cool to you, I know it, but I’m Baby Boo

The post Baby Boo – Song by NBA YoungBoy appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: January 15, 2016

Genre: Hip-Hop, R&B, Neo-Soul

Tracklist for Malibu

1. The Birds
2. Heart Don’t Stand a Chance
3. The Waters Ft. BJ the Chicago Kid
4. Strawberry Season / Carry Me
5. Put Me Thru
6. Am I Wrong Ft. Schoolboy Q
7. Without You Ft. Rapsody
8. Parking Lot
9. Light Weight Ft. the Free Nationals
10. Room in Here Ft. the Game & Sonyae Elise
11. Your Prime
12. Come Down
13. Silicon Valley
14. Celebrate
15. Dreamer 5000 Ft. Talib Kweli & Timon Family Choir

Read More: Doechii & Adin Ross Beef, Explained

Awards & Critical Reception

Malibu was a critical darling upon its release. HotNewHipHop’s review of the album was quite favorable, and the same can be said of other publications. It received an 8.6 out of 10 from Pitchfork, as well as an A- from Consequence of Sound. On Metacritic, the album has an aggregate score of 85 out of 100, making it one of the best albums from 2016.

As for its awards potential, Malibu was sadly snubbed from any major awards. At the Grammys, it was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album. In the end, it ultimately lost.

Read More: Drake Hit With A RICO? Everything You Need To Know About The Latest Lawsuit Against Stake, Drake & Adin Ross

What Did HotNewHipHop Commenters Think?

Back in 2016, our commenters could be pretty harsh when it came to new records. However, the reception on HotNewHipHop was overwhelmingly positive. “Wow… 2016 and already my opinion best rnb album. Extremely creative,” one commenter wrote. “His voice is so unique, definitely one of my new favorite artist. The whole album is a creative masterpiece, but look out for The Waters, Put Me Thru, Silicon Valley, and The Dreamer,” said another.

There were some criticisms of the artist, with one of our users stating, “I respect his come up but his voice just annoys me after awhile.” Needless to say, Anderson’s talent was clear to everyone listening. Sure, the album wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but most could see the vision.

The post Malibu – Album by Anderson .Paak appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

As protests spread and questions mounted, Smith chose a familiar lane. From his national platform, he described the shooting as “completely justified” from a legal standpoint. He acknowledged alternatives, disabling the vehicle, de-escalation, and restraint, but ultimately sided with the authority that pulled the trigger. The comment landed hard, not because it was provocative, but because it fit so neatly into a routine viewers have learned to expect.

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Read More: Stephen A Smith’s Beef With LeBron James Is His Final Step To Becoming A Right-Wing Grifter

This was not Stephen A. Smith misspeaking. It was Stephen A. Smith doing what he has increasingly done over the last decade by aligning himself with institutional power at moments when communities are demanding accountability and care. Again and again, when history pauses and asks a question, Smith answers from the safest possible distance, often cloaked in the language of realism, legality, or “both sides.” While the effect seems balanced, it’s erosion.

Kaepernick, Crockett, Kamala: The Respectability Lane

When Colin Kaepernick knelt during the national anthem in 2016, the backlash arrived fast. The pushback came from fans and owners, as well as politicians. Of course, it also came from Stephen A. Smith.

Rather than frame the protest as a response to police violence and systemic racism, which Kaepernick had plainly stated, Smith turned his attention to Kaepernick’s methods. He questioned the quarterback’s decision to kneel and later questioned his decision to opt out of a contract. He called Kaepernick a “flaming hypocrite” for not voting in the 2016 presidential election. At nearly every turn, Smith redirected the conversation away from the protest’s purpose and toward its packaging. Rather than ask why a Black man might kneel in protest of the state, he asked why that same man wouldn’t adjust his tactics to make power more comfortable.

He did the same when Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett responded bluntly to Republican attacks during a televised committee hearing. Her comments, which many Black viewers applauded, were dismissed by Smith as “for the streets.” The phrase was condescending and coded. Crockett is a Black woman from Texas, legally trained and politically sharp, and Smith’s assessment carried the weight of respectability politics dressed as critique. He apologized days later, but the sting had already registered.

Read More: Stephen A Smith Slams Those Celebrating Charlie Kirk’s “Horrific” Murder

Vice President Kamala Harris has received similar treatment. When she released a memoir detailing her first 107 days as president, Smith didn’t engage with its content. He simply shrugged it off. “Who cares what she has to say?” he asked, rhetorically. What gets lost in these dismissals is not just the role she holds, but the historical and symbolic weight of her presence as the first Black, South Asian, and woman vice president in U.S. history. Her politics are fair game, but her existence shouldn’t be.

Siding With The System

After the world watched security footage of Ray Rice knocking his then-fiancée unconscious in an elevator back in 2014, the conversation turned toward domestic violence in professional sports. Smith went in a different direction. On air, he suggested that women should “make sure we don’t do anything to provoke wrong actions.” Reactions were swift, and ESPN suspended him. Michelle Beadle called him out publicly. Viewers condemned his framing. Once again, an apology arrived days later, with Smith calling it “the most egregious error” of his career. Even then, the focus of his commentary was not the violence itself but the response to it. It wasn’t about the harm, but how it might be avoided.

Read More: Stephen A Smith Claims LeBron James Tried To Sabotage His Career

Years later, when Serena Williams made a surprise appearance at the Super Bowl halftime show with Kendrick Lamar, Smith offered a critique so loaded it barely needed translation. He questioned her timing and challenged her presence. “If I’m married and my wife is going to join trolling her ex, go back to his ass,” Smith said of Serena, mentioning her previous romance with Drake. “Cause clearly you don’t belong with me. What you worried about him for and you’re with me? Bye. Bye.”

The same tone surfaced when he criticized NBA player J.R. Smith for wearing a hoodie on the bench. “I don’t know why the hell Nike made these damn uniforms that had hoods attached to it, by the way,” Stephen said at the time. “You got a lot of white folks in the audience that are gonna think this is Trayvon Martin being revisited, and I’m not joking about it. The bench is no place for someone to be wearing hoodies.” J.R. responded by calling Smith an “Uncle Tom.” Smith’s commentary seemed more interested in how Blackness is perceived than in the systems that punish it.

Read More: Joy Reid Claims Stephen A. Smith Is Paid To Criticize Black People

Even outside Black American culture, Smith has found ways to amplify power through analysis. In 2021, he commented on baseball star Shohei Ohtani’s use of an interpreter. “I understand that baseball is an international sport itself in terms of participation, but when you talk about an audience gravitating to the tube or to the ballpark, to actually watch you, I don’t think it helps that the number one face is a dude that needs an interpreter, so you can understand what the hell he’s saying in this country,” said Smith. The response was immediate, and he was accused of being xenophobic and outdated. Smith apologized, but his larger point, that language difference was a barrier to leadership in a sport, revealed a narrow view of who gets to be celebrated, and why.

Click Culture Over Community

He’s always been loud, but Stephen A. Smith’s volume isn’t the problem. The issue is what happens when performance overtakes principle, and when the currency of a take becomes its virality rather than its value.

In recent years, Smith has expanded far beyond ESPN. He hosts a podcast, books high-profile guests, trends weekly on social media, and reportedly earns an eight-figure salary as the most recognizable voice in sports media. He knows what controversy generates attention. Over time, his commentary has leaned into that equation.

This change became especially observable in his political commentary. On Real Time with Bill Maher, Smith criticized Democrats for being too “woke,” a term increasingly weaponized by far-right politicians to dismiss progressive ideals. He praised Donald Trump’s communication style as “closer to normal than what we’re seeing on the left.” These aren’t casual observations but cultural cues, the kind conservative media uses to signal alignment without fully committing to the politics behind them.

Read More: Stephen A Smith Admits He Was “Misinformed” When He Voted Against Donald Trump

Smith has said he’s not a fan of Trump. Yet, when he speaks the language of the right, even in jest or frustration, he gives weight to narratives that harm the very communities he claims to represent. In the current climate, where words are weaponized and language travels faster than truth, this matters. His comments don’t exist in a vacuum. They get clipped, shared, and used to validate systems that are actively working against marginalized groups.

This is where the argument about diversity of thought within Black communities enters the frame. Because yes, Black people are not a monolith. We do not owe ideological loyalty to any party or movement. We are allowed to span the full political spectrum. There are Black conservatives, nationalists, abolitionists, centrists, moderates, and anarchists. That complexity is part of our power, but it also comes with a cost.

Read More: Stephen A. Smith Claps Back At Monica McNutt, Takes Credit For Her Success

The Consequences Of Being Loud & Wrong

There is a difference between being controversial and being careless. Over time, Stephen A. Smith has blurred that line so thoroughly that it’s hard to tell where the takes end, and the harm begins. His words don’t stay on set. They give cover to policies and institutions already built on control.

When Smith calls the ICE shooting of Renee Good “justified,” it’s not just an opinion. It’s a signal to viewers who already believe that force against civilians is acceptable. When he questions Kamala Harris’s legitimacy, minimizes Jasmine Crockett’s voice, or mocks Serena Williams’s visibility, it lands differently because of who he is and who they are.

Read More: Terrell Owens To Stephen A Smith: “Max Kellerman Seems Blacker Than You”

History has receipts for this. The voices who policed protest in real time have rarely aged well. Those who questioned the tone of civil rights leaders, who dismissed Black resistance as too radical, too emotional, or too disruptive, are not remembered as truth-tellers. They are remembered as distractions.

Smith doesn’t have to agree with every movement. He doesn’t have to support every figure. However, he does have a responsibility to understand the weight of his voice. That responsibility doesn’t vanish just because he yells or because he’s good at his job or because he gets laughs. Being a cultural commentator, especially one who occupies this much space, is more than just speaking one’s mind.

The Wrong Side Of History Is A Choice

Saying what others won’t is not the same as saying what needs to be said. In moments that require moral clarity, Smith has too often chosen volume over vision.

He is not alone in this. Plenty of media figures shift with the wind, build careers on controversy, or mistake platform for insight. Few sit at the intersection Smith occupies as a Black man with a national platform. Smith doesn’t need to be an activist. He doesn’t have to lead movements or write manifestos. Yet, if he’s going to keep speaking, he should at least consider the historical company he’s keeping, because history will remember who stood with the people when power came knocking. It will remember who questioned authority, and who reinforced it. Moreover, it will remember who simply made noise while others put their voices to use for the betterment of their communities.

Read More: Serena Williams’ Husband Addresses The Backlash She’s Received For Dissing Drake At Kendrick Lamar’s Halftime Show

The post Stephen A. Smith Loves Being On The Wrong Side Of History appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The single arrived alongside a message to fans about the process of creating the album as a whole.

“For the past 10 years, this album has been hand crafted with one intention: a personal challenge to myself to create my best work,” it begins. “To do on my last what I was unable to do on my first. I had no way of knowing how much time, focus and energy it would eventually take to achieve this, but despite the countless challenges along the way, I knew in my heart I would one day get to the finish line. I owed it first and foremost to myself. And secondly, I owed it to hip hop.”

Read More: Drake Collaborator Sparks Speculation After Sharing J. Cole’s “The Fall-Off” Trailer

When Is J. Cole Dropping The Fall-Off?

In the song, Cole tells his life story in reverse, a concept mirrored by the accompanying music video. Social media users have a lot to say about the track, and it looks like most are far from disappointed.

“Mannn the imagery and rapping on this song Then the nerve for this to be a two disc album??? This may f*ck around and be the greatest album of the 2020s,” one fan writes. “Bro is so good at rap he has to tell his life story backwards The way the video also rewinds in time… damn,” another says. Someone else simply asks, “THE FALL OFF IS A DOUBLE ALBUM?”

Hip-Hop Fans React to Disc 2 Track 2

Read More: J. Cole Announces Exclusive Vinyl Release For “The Fall-Off”

The post J. Cole Has Hip-Hop Fans Stunned With New Single “Disc 2 Track 2” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Davis’ ex-girlfriend, Courtney Rossel, previously accused him of attacking her at a gentlemen’s club in Miami Gardens. She detailed the alleged incident in a lawsuit at the time, claiming he grabbed her by the back of her head and neck and dragged her into a parking garage, where he physically assaulted her.

Miami Gardens Police Department executive officer Emmanuel Jeanty confirmed news of the warrant at a press conference on Wednesday. He said that the MGPD is working alongside the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force to find the WBA lightweight champion.

“At this time, the Miami Gardens Police Department is actively working with the United States Marshal’s fugitive task force to locate and apprehend Mr. Davis,” Jeanty said. “Domestic violence is a serious crime, and the Miami Gardens Police Department remains committed to holding offenders accountable and protecting victims.”

He added that police have been investigating the incident since Rossel filed her lawsuit. “The investigation determined that Mr. Davis used force to restrain in an attempt to remove the victim from the location against her will,” Jeanty said.

Read More: Jake Paul To Fight Anthony Joshua After Canceling Match With Gervonta Davis

Courtney Rossel’s Gervonta Davis Lawsuit

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Rossel originally filed her lawsuit against Davis back in October. In her filing, she accused him of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Responding to the arrest warrant, Rossel’s attorney, Jeff Chukwuma, told ESPN: “What the police said is exactly in line with our lawsuit. So whatever investigation they did, they determined it was enough to get a judge to sign off on an arrest warrant. The state attorney had to make the determination before, which coincides exactly with our civil complaint.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, Gervonta Davis has yet to turn himself in to authorities.

Read More: Blueface Challenges Jake Paul To A Boxing Match Following Gervonta Davis Fallout

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