As caught by Kurrco on Instagram, Uzi’s new EP hit the number one spot on US Apple Music’s top Hip-Hop/Rap albums chart, surpassing Drake’s ICEMAN, Future’s The Real Me, and Rylo Rodriguez’s S.K.A.T.E. Also, Maverick “Almost Forever” hit the number two spot of US Apple Music’s all-genre albums chart, with Ariana Grande’s petal claiming the top spot at press time.

As this is just a surprise EP that follows a pretty disappointing full-length in 2024’s Eternal Atake 2, this commercial success must be heartening for Uzi to see. Many fans have been praising the effort as a return to form, and eagerly anticipating what’s next.

However, we will see if they sustain this success moving forward. After all, albums like ICEMAN are still getting major play. But depending on how fans connect to the new material and how it resonates with a general audience with time, Maverick “Almost Forever” could stay near the top. In fact, it helps boost the interest in whatever full-length album is on the way, which will likely be even more successful.

Read More: Is AI Killing Creativity In Hip-Hop?

Lil Uzi Vert’s New Album Cover

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On the cover art of Maverick “Almost Forever,” there’s text in one of the kids’ eyes that reads, “Album after this.” Fans caught it quick, and they hope they get an announcement soon. It seems like a 2026 LP is in the cards, although Uzi projects have faced delays and push-backs before.

In any case, Lil Uzi Vert is working hard on their next move, for which this new EP was likely a feeler. With praiseful reception dominating conversations and commercial success driving interest, it seems like it all panned out. Now, we just need to see if the album lives up to the hype.

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Artist Medasin recently took to Twitter to accuse the rapper and his team of using artificial intelligence for this new project. For those unaware, Medasin is the artist who allegedly exposed “RUBBERZ,” the viral track from Fenix Flexin, as an AI fabrication.

These accusations against $TARFACE also rest on the AI software program Treblo, him linking up with Fenix recently, and the financial connection to EMPIRE. However, they are not as detailed or wide-ranging as the ones against Flexin, and still require further confirmation.

Medasin claimed he verified $TARFACE‘s use of Treblo by using his friend Rashan’s AI detection model on Instagram, which goes by @humanstandard_. Basically, you DM the page, it scans a song, and it supposedly tells you if it’s AI or not. It’s allegedly trained on Treblo’s output, as well as other generative AI music programs like Suno and Udio. The track he used to verify this was “AFFECTION, and the model said it was “likely AI” from Treblo.

Medasin also brought up EMPIRE’s distribution of $TARFACE and how they released “RUBBERZ” as well, wondering if there’s a financial tie between the label and Treblo. He pointed to other AI music detection models becoming popular, prevalent, and more effective, such as Tidal’s efforts. As such, Medasin warned artists that it will be much harder for them to obfuscate this information moving forward, saying their credibility is at risk if they don’t come clean from jump.

Read More: Is AI Killing Creativity In Hip-Hop?

Tyga’s AI Accusations

Neither Tyga himself nor his team have responded to these allegations at press time. We will see if that changes, especially as tracks like “GAVE U RACKS” continue to gain momentum.

This was the West Coast MC’s first full-length project since NSFW last February. Before it came out, there was a lot of conversation about this shift in sound and a new era. But these AI accusations tainted that excitement, and we’ll see if he addresses them.

Read More: 38 Spesh Chose Violence: Breaking Down His Beef With Jadakiss, Jim Jones & Fat Joe

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The pair was initially scheduled for August 8th. That date came and went without release, leaving fans wondering when it would actually land. Nike has now pushed things back roughly six weeks, giving collectors a good timeline to plan around.

It’ll be available through Nike, Foot Locker, Hibbett, DSG, Shiekh, and DTLR. That’s a wide spread of retailers for a Kobe Protro release, suggesting Nike expects strong demand once it finally hits shelves.

This marks the first-ever Protro version of the “Mambacurial” colorway. The original released back in 2013 and quickly became one of the most memorable pairs in the entire Kobe 8 lineup.

For fans who missed out over a decade ago, this is their first real shot at it. Overall given how long collectors have waited for this one, the confirmed date alone is enough to generate buzz.

Read More: Kobe’s “Lord of the Rings” Air Force 1 Is Finally Here

Nike Kobe 8 Protro “Mambacurial”

The design connects directly to Kobe’s lifelong love for soccer. Growing up in Italy, he developed a deep appreciation for the sport that carried into his entire Nike sneaker line. That influence shows up clearly here.

The colorway borrows straight from Nike’s Mercurial Vapor 9 cleat, which released the same year back in 2013. Also a pink-to-purple gradient runs across the upper, getting deeper in tone from toe to heel. An oversized Electric Green Swoosh covers the toe box, with matching green detailing continuing onto the outsole.

Bold “NIKE” branding runs along the medial side in Futura text, another detail lifted straight from the Mercurial’s original look. As a Protro release, the shoe also swaps out the original Lunarlon cushioning for a more modern React setup underfoot.

With the World Cup having just wrapped up, the timing still feels fitting for a release built around Kobe’s connection to the sport.

Read More: Jalen Hurts Laces Up Rare Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 Cleats For Training Camp

The post The Kobe 8 “Mambacurial” Finally Receives A Release Date appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The story behind this one goes back to July 2002. Kobe Bryant made a surprise appearance at Harlem’s Rucker Park for the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic. He was fresh off winning his third straight championship with the Lakers, and his adidas deal had just ended days earlier.

Kobe reportedly showed up without proper shoes to play in. He ended up borrowing a white and orange Nike Air Force 1 Mid from someone at the park. Wearing borrowed sneakers, he dropped 31 points in front of one of basketball’s toughest streetball crowds.

That performance earned him a new nickname. Legendary Rucker Park announcer Hannibal dubbed him “Lord of the Rings,” a nod to his three straight titles. The moment became one of the more memorable stories in Kobe’s pre-Nike career, well before he officially signed with the brand.

Read More: Jalen Hurts Laces Up Rare Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 Cleats For Training Camp

Nike Kobe Air Force 1 Low Protro “Lord Of The Rings”

This release brings that exact moment back to life. It’s dressed in the same White and Safety Orange colorway Kobe wore that day at Rucker Park. Orange detailing hits the outsole, lining, and stitching throughout the shoe.

“NYC” lettering appears on the heel alongside a small Mamba logo, tying the design directly back to that Harlem court. It’s a subtle way of honoring both the location and the nickname in one release.

This marks the latest addition to Nike’s growing Kobe Air Force 1 Protro line, joining past releases like “Mamba Mentality” and “Forever.” The shoe will also come in grade school sizing for $105.

Given how much history is packed into this one, it’s shaping up to be one of the more meaningful Kobe releases of the year. Overall, Nike is honoring Kobe’s legacy in the best way possible. These releases are tapping into nostalgia while resulting in clean sneakers.

Read More: Wizkid Rocks The Upcoming Free The Youth Air Jordan 16

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The design leans heavily into denim styling. A washed light blue suede covers the base of the shoe, mimicking the look of faded jeans.

Cream detailing wraps the toe and heel, keeping things grounded in classic Air Jordan 3 territory. A small tag hangs from the laces, echoing the kind of branding patch you’d find stitched onto an actual pair of Levi’s.

This isn’t Hurts’ first time debuting this exact pair either. He previously wore the Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 cleat during Pro Bowl Games earlier this year, alongside Rams receiver Puka Nacua.

Bringing it back for training camp shows just how much he liked the look. It’s rare for a player-exclusive cleat to resurface months later outside of an actual game.

Read More: Wizkid Rocks The Upcoming Free The Youth Air Jordan 16

Jalen Hurts’ Levi’s x Air Jordan 3 Cleat

Hurts has become one of the NFL’s most reliable sources of Jordan cleat content. He’s cycled through Air Jordan 1s, 3s, 5s, 6s, 10s, and 11s over the past two seasons alone, often switching pairs multiple times within a single game.

Some of his cleats have carried personal meaning too, including his “Jawn Air” Jordan 11s built around Philly slang, and his “Love, Hurts” pair released after his Super Bowl MVP run. Given that history, the Levi’s 3 fits right into a rotation that rarely repeats itself twice.

With the season still ahead, expect plenty more cleat reveals from Hurts before Week 1 even arrives. Fans have already started speculating about which colorway he might debut once the games actually start counting. If training camp is any indication, this season’s rotation should be just as deep as the last one.

Read More: Nigel Sylvester Replaces Fan’s Sneakers After He Sold Them For Engagement Ring

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Release Date: July 31, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

Quotable Lyrics from No Effort 2

Only thing I can learn from the opps is how bein’ homeless work
Everything fallin’, when we strike, you know how bowlin’ work
I remember drinkin’ out the water hose, watchin’ CatDog
Now if you ain’t on the money route, you won’t catch dog

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Release Date: July 31, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

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Release Date: July 31, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

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Release Date: July 24, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

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Release Date: July 31, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: THE DON & EYE 3: THE TRILOGY

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