“I feel like I always wanted to do this type music, and then I feel like rap is in a weird space right now,” he explained, as seen in a clip shared by @big_business_ on Twitter/X. “Because it just seems like everybody’s beefing. … Two of the biggest artists in the world clash, and a lot of f*cking ripple effect came out after that. Weird. I feel like it’s time. I feel like we gotta take it to the next level. We gotta level up. Like, AI. It’s just so much. Everything in the world leveling up except hip-hop.”

“I feel like we need this type of sh*t,” he added. “I would be so happy if hip-hop turned into pop.”

Read More: Young Thug Proposes To Mariah The Scientist During Beautiful Moment At His Atlanta Show

Did Young Thug Support Drake Or Kendrick Lamar?

While Young Thug may not be a fan of the effect Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s feud has had on hip-hop, he has shown his support for the Toronto rapper several times in recent years. During a stream in October, he even said that Drake has made a bigger impact than Kendrick.

Young Thug isn’t the only artist to weigh in on rap beef recently, either. In a resurfaced clip that made its rounds online earlier this month, 21 Savage shared his thoughts on the concept as a whole, revealing that he can’t get behind it.

“I don’t really believe in rap beef,” he shared. “I don’t come from that world though. I feel like it depends what world you come from. […] If you say certain sh*t about me in a song, I’mma slap the f*ck out you when I see you. You’re gonna have to stand on that sh*t when you see me, I don’t really believe in certain sh*t.”

Read More: Young Thug’s Father Shows Support For Gunna At Sold-Out Atlanta Show

The post Young Thug Claims Hip-Hop Is In A “Weird” Place After Kendrick Lamar & Drake Beef appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

In an announcement on Tuesday, Billboard wrote that the move will “better reflect an increase in streaming revenue and changing consumer behaviors.” The outlet further explained: “The change means that it will take 33.3% fewer ad-supported on-demand streams of songs from an album, and 20% fewer paid/subscription on-demand streams of songs from an album, to equal an album unit. The ratio between paid/subscription and ad-supported on-demand streaming tiers will additionally be adjusted to 1:2.5 for the Billboard Hot 100, along with corresponding streaming and song consumption charts.”

When Chart Data shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), fans had mixed reactions. “Billboard finally admitting streams run the game now, charts about to look very different, argue with the results,” one user wrote. Another countered: “To make this rule fair you gotta work out a deal with Spotify to ban autoplay. It creates fake numbers.”

Read More: Lil Baby’s “The Leaks” Shoots Up Billboard Charts After First Full Week Of Sales

Billboard’s Top Hip-Hop Artist

In other news, Billboard recently named Kendrick Lamar its Top R&B/Hip-Hop Artist of the Year for 2025. The selection was determined by activity from the weekly Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs charts dated Oct. 26, 2024, through Oct. 18, 2025.

Lamar’s 2024 project, GNX, played a major role in helping him stay atop the charts throughout the year. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and only fell outside of the top 10 once, which occurred during the week marked Oct. 11, 2025. His collaboration with SZA, “luther,” ended the year as the most popular rap song.

Read More: Lil Baby Claps Back At An NBA YoungBoy Fan With A Key Clarification About “The Leaks”

The post Billboard Announces Major Rule Change That Could Shake Up Hip-Hop Sales appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

This marks a notable decline in commercial performance, and according to DJ Akademiks, there could be a good reason for that. During a recent stream, he weighed in on the projected sales, claiming that they’re simply a reflection of the current state of streaming.

“It’s not looking too good, even with the Drake stimulus package,” he said, as seen in a clip shared by joebuddenclips/fanpage on Twitter/X. “I think it’s a tough year for streaming. […] I do believe this was the moment for Savage to probably realize, ‘Hey, in this particular year, hip-hop is a little bit down. You probably need a rollout.’ The music isn’t bad, you needed a rollout.”

Read More: 21 Savage “WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS?” Review

21 Savage What Happened To The Streets? Features

While Drake’s appearance on “MR RECOUP” is certainly a standout moment on the album, not everyone is a fan. Joe Budden, for example, recently revealed that he thinks the duo could have done much better.

“I don’t have anything positive to say about that song,” he admitted on his podcast. “But I do think it was important for Drake to be featured on this project. And I think in sequencing, if you just letting it rock, then maybe you won’t be mad at it. The beat, it fits. It’s not my particular favorite on there. I thought that Drake probably… It’s time for the heat, man. Enough of this.”

Aside from Drake, 21 Savage’s new album includes features from the likes of Lil Baby, GloRilla, Young Nudy, and more. He even recruited his boo Latto for the song “Pop It,” on which the Atlanta femcee boasts about their relationship. “F*ckin’ on this British man / Crib look like the Buckingham,” she raps.

Read More: 6ix9ine Calls Out 21 Savage For Being Friends With “Snitch” Young Thug

The post 21 Savage’s “What Happened To The Streets?” Receives Disappointing First-Week Sales Projections appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

In the video, Ebro explains: “I told 50 he ruined New York hip-hop. He spun it back around on me, talking about I ruined New York hip-hop, and then all of his fans and fanatics ran with that. But first, it was 50 Cent who ruined New York hip-hop. Y’all know nobody wanted to work together. People who was already popping in the city, everybody was hemming and hawing and soft-shoeing because nobody wanted to work together because 50 Cent was so popping. That’s where that narrative comes from.”

50 responded to the accusation in the caption, writing: “That’s why I put a word in to have your show taken off the air, you can’t just go around saying Nasty things about people.”

Read More: DJ Akademiks Continues Roasting Ebro Over Canceled Hot 97 Show

What Happened To “Ebro In The Morning?”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DJ Akademiks (@akademiks)

Ebro Darden confirmed the end of his morning talk show in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday. “It’s done. More to come,” he wrote in a brief statement. 

It’s unclear exactly why the show came to an end, but Ebro claimed in a later video on social media that the bosses at Hot 97 wanted to silence him. “Bro’s a casino owner. You know the three licenses they got in NY for the casino? The guy that owns the sh*t owns one of the casino licenses,” Darden said, as caught by Complex. “He gotta raise half a billion dollars. They need my sh*t talking, anti-Netanyahu, anti-government, progressive sh*t out of the way, bro. They need me out of the way.”

On the other hand, DJ Akademiks claimed he spoke with the company during a recent livestream and alleged that they said he and his co-hosts had gotten “lazy.”

Read More: DJ Akademiks Claims Hot 97 Told Him “Ebro In The Morning” Was “Mailing It In” For Years

The post 50 Cent Claims He Got “Ebro In The Morning” Canceled appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: December 17, 2025

Genre: Hip-Hop

Tracklist for Pup Pack: 2nd Shift

1. Diamonds
2. Gorgeous
3. 4

The post Pup Pack: 2nd Shift – EP by Kenny Mason appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: December 15, 2025

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

The post Bad Terms – Song by YTB Fatt appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: December 16, 2025

Genre: Hip-Hop

Tracklist for Already Legend (Gifted Edition)

1. Fading Heart
2. Outta Mind ft. T-Pain & Bigga Rankin
3. Real N**** Diary ft. Jeezy
4. Wrong Time
5. Marni ft. Hurricane Wisdom
6. Tell Me ft. Lil Baby & 42 Dugg

The post Already Legend (Gifted Edition) – Album by YFN Lucci appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Unfortunately, not long after his release, a plethora of jail calls leaked in which he disparaged his girlfriend. However, the two were able to get through it and ultimately stayed together. Now, it appears as though their relationship is stronger than ever.

We say this because on Tuesday night, during Thug’s Atlanta benefit concert, he stopped the proceedings to get on one knee. The artist proposed to Mariah The Scientist in what was a truly beautiful moment on stage. There was also a huge projection on the screen, saying “Will You Marry Me?”

Mariah The Scientist was quick to say yes, and the two shared a tender moment on stage while fans cheered them on. It was a nice moment, and one that neither will ever forget.

Read More: Young Thug & Gunna Timeline: YSL Records, RICO Case & Beef

How long have Young Thug & Mariah The Scientist been together?

Young Thug and Mariah The Scientist were first seen together in November of 2021, months before Thugger was eventually arrested on RICO charges. Since coming home, their relationship has been rocky at times, with breakup rumors plaguing the couple. However, their engagement proves that everything else around them is just noise.

For Young Thug and Mariah The Scientist, 2026 should prove to be an interesting year. They can choose to get married and officially tie the knot. Meanwhile, we expect to hear new music from the two artists. Following the release of the recent project, fans have been hoping for more Thugger.

As for Mariah The Scientist, she is one of the biggest names in contemporary R&B right now, and fans are going to want to hear about her relationship through the art. Whatever the case may be, we extend our congratulations to the couple on this amazing occasion.

Read More: Young Thug & Mariah The Scientist Relationship Timeline

The post Young Thug Proposes To Mariah The Scientist During Beautiful Moment At His Atlanta Show appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Well, fans got the surprise of a lifetime on Tuesday night as Rocky took to X with the cover art for his new project. “SORRY 4 THE WAIT DON’T BE DUMB FINALLY HERE! THANKS TIM BURTON FOR HELPING ME MAKE THIS MOVIE!” Rocky wrote. Yes, you read that correctly. Tim Burton is the man behind the cover art, and presumably, he will also be directing some music videos.

This was a huge surprise on social media, and fans reacted to the news accordingly. There was a lot of disbelief on the internet last night, and it is easy to see why. After all, this is an album that was announced years ago. Now, it feels like it’s closer than ever to being released.

Read More: 21 Savage “WHAT HAPPENED TO THE STREETS?” Review

When is Don’t Be Dumb Dropping?

Unfortunately, A$AP Rocky did not give fans a release date. Instead, he simply said that the album is here. Fans on social media noted that the pre-save links for the project are now available.

Based on a recent festival performance, the theory is that this is dropping on Friday, January 16th, although there is no confirmation for this right now, so fans should take that into consideration.

Regardless of the fact that there is no release date right now, the emergence of cover art is very good news for Rocky’s supporters. They have had to endure a lot over the past couple of years, and soon, they will get an album.

The last Rocky album came out in 2018, with Testing. At the time, it was a polarizing project, and as a result, the hip-hop world is buzzing with anticipation over what kind of sound Rocky will show up with. No matter what, it is shaping up to be a litmus test for what hip-hop will sound like in 2026.

Read More: Ebro Darden’s Firing Brought His Grudges Back To The Surface

The post A$AP Rocky Finally Unveils Cover Art & Pre-Save Links For “Don’t Be Dumb” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Moreover, he wasn’t easy to categorize. He could be sharp and informed, but also dismissive. He challenged artists in ways that sometimes felt necessary, and sometimes felt like ego. Depending on who you ask, he was a real-time editor of Hip Hop culture or just someone with a mic who got too comfortable telling people what Hip Hop should be. That tension followed him for years, and it followed him out the door.

Read More: Ebro Darden Thinks His Politics Got “In The Morning” Hot 97 Show Canceled

What’s evident is that Ebro’s exit didn’t happen in a vacuum. It happened at a moment when legacy Black radio is shrinking. There are arguments that political commentary is being reined in and media power is being reshuffled. Still, Darden’s departure won’t be the last. It’s just the latest sign that even the loudest voices aren’t untouchable anymore.

From Calling Shots To Catching Heat

There was a time when the voice on your radio was driving conversations. Hip Hop radio once sat at the center of the culture, and it wasn’t limited to music. It carried gossip, political debates, accountability, breaking news, and more, all happening live, unscripted, and without a safety net.

Ebro Darden came up in that world. He wasn’t the most magnetic or the most liked, but he was consistent and understood the weight of the microphone. Before Ebro in the Morning, he was behind the scenes at Hot 97, giving weight to the station’s voice.

Read More: Laura Stylez Claims Roaches & Homeless People Caused Recording Issues At “Ebro In The Morning”

Then, his show was abruptly dropped in December 2025. It didn’t read like a programming update, and many said they saw this coming. Darden returned with an explanation, claiming his political ideologies didn’t align with the powers that be. He further stated that the big boss of the radio station was also a casino owner who needed to raise money, and they didn’t have a problem with cutting Hip Hop.

“You look around at all the major media outlets… they all gotta fold up because they’re all trying to renew their deals and their licenses,” Darden said. “They don’t give a f*ck about Hip Hop or Black music or Black community—they give a f*ck about access. They give a f*ck about going with their little nerdy friends to the concerts because that helps them raise money. They’ve been trying to get to me for years, bro.”

Read More: Ebro Darden Says Hot 97 Owners Are Pitting Hosts Against Each Other

The Controversy Of Ebro Vs. Everyone

Ebro’s legacy isn’t clean. For every artist who thanked him for support, there were two who called him out. Some accused him of gatekeeping, and others accused him of hiding behind the culture he claimed to protect. Yet, the friction was never background noise but part of the brand.

Here, we once again revisit some moments that have become controversial staples in Darden’s legacy, but it is not an extensive list of the pushback he’s received throughout his career.

Kodak Black Walks Out Of Interview

Darden clashed with Kodak Black in 2018 during an interview that turned tense after Ebro brought up the rapper’s sexual assault charges. Kodak walked out. Later, when the rapper sat down with The Breakfast Club, he was questioned about the tense moment.

“Listen, I knew y’all were going to bring that sh*t up,” Kodak said. “I would’ve curved that sh*t and say, ‘F*ck that. I don’t wanna talk about that, f*ck n*gga’, but at the same time, this is an interview. That sh*t was going so good. I feel like people don’t want to see this happy-go-lucky Kodak just vibin’ and coolin’ and sh*t.”

He added, “The interview was about to end so good and sh*t, but he was like ‘Nah, I wanna see him react,’ you know what I’m talking about? ‘I want him to spit in my face or tear this whole radio station apart,’ you feel me? I felt like that, but at the same time, I’m over here sitting down with all these people talking money and stuff like that. If I would’ve showed out and sh*t, I would’ve scared my money away again.”

Read More: HOT 97’s “Ebro In The Morning” Is Officially Over

Fellow Florida rapper and Hip Hop icon Trick Daddy called out Ebro following the controversy. He said Darden’s question was “disrespectful” while telling Kodak Black to stay focused. Ebro later said he didn’t intend for his interview with Kodak to go in that direction.

Eminem Has To Work 5x Harder In Black Music

Ebro’s tweet comparing Eminem’s place in Rap to the Black experience set off a firestorm. “Eminem treats Rap how Black folks have had to treat life,” he wrote. “Be 5x better, work 5x harder than everyone and still not necessarily get respect.”

The hot take was quickly discussed in Hip Hop circles and beyond. People ridiculed him for equating the Black experience to a white artist succeeding in Black music. He doubled down on his radio show, telling his audience that success and respect are not the same.

“There are people who will fix their lips to say that Eminem is a wack rapper,” said Darden. He also admitted that Em has a “privileged” space in the genre. “You may not like what he talks about, you may not like the sound of his voice, you may not like his music, which I would debate is probably because he’s white and it’s racial anyway, but let’s assume that it’s not.”

Had Choice Words For Lil Uzi Vert

One of the most talked-about Ebro interviews was his 2016 sit-down with Lil Uzi Vert. He said Uzi wouldn’t sell out arenas and was critical about the then-rising rapper reaching “rockstar” status. Later, Uzi reacted, clarifying, “Ebro is a good guy, that’s my mans. I got a different respect for people that’s in Hip Hop and anybody who’s my elder.”

“So he has the right, and is entitled to his opinion because he’s definitely a staple in music no matter what…When I say rockstar, he’s looking at the fireworks, he looking at all that stuff. Not the lifestyle, and I understand that. And I wasn’t, especially me being younger, I wasn’t able to explain exactly what I meant.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by No Jumper (@nojumper)

Read More: Wale Calls Out Ebro For Past Criticism Of Lil Uzi Vert’s Career

However, other, including Wale, weren’t as gracious. When Wale visited Darden’s show years later, he explained that the way Hip Hop chooses its rockstars isn’t like that of other genres. He also argued that Uzi has proven his status, while Darden pushed back lightly, saying that SoundCloud rappers aren’t held to the same rigorous standard as other artists.

Beef With 6ix9ine

It seems that just about everyone has had something to say about Tekashi 6ix9ine since he stepped into the Rap game. Darden hasn’t bitten his tongue, calling out the rapper’s gang ties, allegations of abuse, and plainly saying he didn’t like 6ix9ine’s music. The two would go back and forth on social media, causing an explosive reaction from Hip Hop fans.

Then, on his track “STOOPID,” 6ix9ine took lyrical aim. “That n*gga Ebro a b*tch / Another old n*gga on a young n*gga d*ck.” When he was back on his mic, Ebro playfully-ish responded with rhymes of his own. “Clown hair you ain’t ready for war / You don’t want it with the old / Off the dome with the freestyle, you don’t want that / I come with the brrrrt-at ka-kat ka-kat.”

The two reportedly squashed their beef, per Ebro, but it is still one of Darden’s unforgettable back-and-forths.

Akademiks Accuses Him Of Blackballing DaBaby

When Darden questioned DaBaby’s relevance after the public backlash, Akademiks later blamed him for tanking DaBaby’s rollout via Apple Music. “Da Baby’s last project in 2020, Blame it on Baby, sold 124K first week. His new project after being blackballed by Ebro, Apple Music is scheduled to do less than 20K,” Ak tweeted. “Now yall understand my Ebro convo… DSPs control who is hot and who is not. Fall out of favor with them… UR DONE.”

Now, Darden didn’t take the accusation lying down. “Funny sh*t when artists get hot it is always how they built this themselves and the fans,” he responded on X. “When sh*t slows down it is radio, DJs, platforms, and the label. #BlameEbro is back for a whole new generation.”

Hot 97 Vs. Power 105

Read More: Drake Cheekily Responds To “Ebro In The Morning” Cancelation On Hot 97

If you’ve been tuned in to Hip Hop radio, then you know that over the years, two of the culture’s prominent stations have often teasingly been at each other’s throats. The Breakfast Club‘s Charlamagne Tha God told Joe Budden that Ebro once asked him for a photo, which Charlamagne rejected. Apparently, the Power 105 host wasn’t happy with Darden previously saying he was “coonin'” for his station.

 “Me and that dude don’t have a personal problem… a personal relationship,” Ebro said of their interactions. “It’s radio… He talks greasy about people that work at Hot [97], I talk greasy about people that work over there (Power 105).” He also clarified the photo moment. “I said, ‘Hey, Nessa would like us to take a photo together.” However, Charlamagne wasn’t having it. “He says, ‘Nah, I’m not takin’ a photo with you.”

Ebro & Drake: A Long‑Running Clash

Whew, boy. Ebro’s tension with Drake didn’t begin or end with the cancellation of Ebro in the Morning. It stretches back years and continued with the announcement that Hot 97 was making some changes.

In the comments on an Instagram post about the cancellation, Drake dropped a single axe emoji, interpreted as a trolling celebration. That emoji lit up timelines because of what it represented as a major artist openly reveling in the decline of a once‑powerful media voice.

Read More: DJ Akademiks Prescribes Ayahuasca For Ebro & Peter Rosenberg After They Label Drake “Right-Wing”

Ebro and his longtime co‑host Peter Rosenberg didn’t let it slide. Rosenberg responded on X with a pointed message about Drake’s behavior. Ebro himself called Drake “right wing,” an ideological jab that extended a quarrel rooted as much in cultural criticism as personal feud.

Going back to the mid‑2010s, Ebro has routinely questioned Drake’s place in Hip Hop’s political and cultural conversations. He has openly criticized Drake for not speaking out on Black social issues, arguing that the rapper had repeatedly avoided engaging with topics impacting Black communities beyond his own career narratives.

Read More: Ebro & Peter Rosenberg React To Drake Celebrating “In The Morning” Cancelation

Amid the most recent feud, Ebro shared a series of direct messages he says Drake sent, including one that read, “Die slower p*ssy. We got some sh*t for you.” Drake hasn’t reacted to his alleged DMs being shared, but he certainly doesn’t mince words when it comes to his foe.

What Follows The Exit

Losing a polarizing figure doesn’t always feel like a loss, but it often leaves a gap. What happens when even the imperfect voices get pushed out? When there’s no one left on corporate radio willing to argue, or question, or contradict? The culture doesn’t always go silent, but it sometimes moves to places with less accountability and fewer standards. Ebro’s time at Hot 97 is over. That part of Hip Hop media might be, too—depending on who you ask, and who’s behind the mic demanding attention.

[via][via][via][via][via][via][via][via]

The post Ebro Darden’s Firing Brought His Grudges Back To The Surface appeared first on HotNewHipHop.