“It’s a great moment for us right now,” he remarked. “The feeling is just… I’m just bursting with joy right now. Can’t contain it, almost, right now. This is a beautiful thing for us. The family is on a high right now. [Durk’s] always been strong, focused, and prideful. He knew that this day was coming right here. He used to keep me smiling. ‘Cause every time I talked to him, he always got a smile on his face. He always happy. Always looking at this as ‘My day gon’ come, and they gon’ give me the verdict which I deserve: not guilty.'”

Big Durk clarified he hadn’t spoken to his son since the verdict. “I just seen him in the court, waved at him… Thank God for what just happened, and then we’ll talk later on tonight. When he walk out of there, we gon’ do a big celebration. Alhamdulillah… [I was] nervous, anxious. My emotions were out of control.”

Read More: Are Ye & Jay-Z’s Concerts Redemptions Or Ruses?

What’s Next For Lil Durk?

Many others have celebrated Lil Durk’s verdict, including many of his hip-hop peers. Young Thug, Meek Mill, Drake, Ye, G Herbo, 21 Savage, and many others were among the collaborators and friends who took to social media to support the Chicago MC and praise his not guilty verdict.

Lil Durk’s father commented on the trial as it developed, showing his support in court and discussing the latest developments. He was particularly distraught by OTF Jam’s testimony against Durk for the prosecution, but he has more reason to celebrate now.

Next, The Voice will face trial for racketeering-related charges on October 5 of this year, if everything goes according to the current schedule at press time. Prosecutors are accusing him of participating in or planning violent crimes in Chicago and Atlanta in 2022 and 2019, respectively. Both sides of the court will make their cases for why Durk should stay behind bars or get bond ahead of the next trial.

Read More: “Slime Language 3” Demands The Reconstruction Of YSL Post-RICO

The post Lil Durk’s Father Reveals Family’s Reaction To Not Guilty Verdict appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

First, Aron and I spoke about how Ye and Hov’s legacies are unquestionable at this point. However, we lamented how these legends have used that goodwill to dismiss criticism against them, whether for Kanye’s bigotries or Jay downplaying what many in hip-hop and the Black community see as corporate betrayals. In Ye’s case in particular, we spoke about how he should be more proactive and open with his beef-squashing and apologies, arguing the Roc Nation mogul is already too well-entrenched into his mindset in ways Kanye risks falling into.

Later on, we discussed 50 Cent’s trolling of Mark Curry after Curry called his Sean Combs: The Reckoning deal worse than a Bad Boy contract. Among all the sad and curious ironies in this situation, what Aron and I lament the most is how 50 made light of assault victims’ experience to shrug off Curry’s grievances.

Read More: “Slime Language 3” Demands The Reconstruction Of YSL Post-RICO

HNHH Live

Also, Aron seems a bit more confident than I am in the Snoop Dogg biopic, although we both acknowledged hip-hop biopics’ tendency to rewrite history in the favorable light of their subject. We’re excited to check it out, especially if it’s a focused look at the early parts of Snoop’s career.

Then, we drafted our songs of the summer. You can find the full playlist of our picks below. Aron enlisted Drake, Isaiah Rashad, Mike Shabb, and others, whereas I picked Baby Keem, Yung Miami, FANTA ROSARIO, and more.

Finally, we wrapped things up by shouting out Teller Bank$ and Liim’s excellent projects for our On The Come Up segment. Aron showed love to D-Block Europe and French Montana’s new album for First Liste, whereas I had so-so feelings about the new Jhené Aiko LP and its divisive Kendrick Lamar feature. To look back on hip-hop history, we went full circle on Jay-Z and Kanye West to talk about the 25 and 19-year anniversaries of The Blueprint and Graduation, respectively.

Stay tuned into HNHH for our next stream or podcast discussion, and make sure to rate new songs and albums on the website. We hope to see you again soon for more compelling hip-hop conversations.

Read More: Breaking Down Cardi B’s Beef With Plus-Size Fashion Influencer Samyra

The post Are Ye & Jay-Z’s Concerts Redemptions Or Ruses? appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Jouranlist Meghann Cuniff reported via Twitter that Durk will remain in jail due to the upcoming trial. Complex also reported on the charges themselves and what arguments prosecutors and defense attorneys will use to either keep him behind bars for the trial or secure bond ahead of these proceedings.

Two incidents the Chicago rapper allegedly planned or participated in, per prosecutors, are at the root of these charges: one in 2022 and one in 2019. The two counts accuse him and his OTF colleagues of being a criminal enterprise that engaged in racketeering crimes. One of the counts focuses on two separate crimes: conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and attempted murder allegations, along with drug trafficking accusations. These elements make up allegations of violating the VICAR statute (Violent Crimes in Aid of Racketeering).

The second count involves the Quando Rondo hit that killed Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson. Its difference to the Los Angeles case is that prosecutors framed this as “murder in aid of racketeering.”

Read More: “Slime Language 3” Demands The Reconstruction Of YSL Post-RICO

When Is Lil Durk’s Next Trial?

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These counts point to the 2019 Atlanta shooting of Anthony Weatherspoon, which already led to Lil Durk’s arrest and the dropping of these charges in 2022. They also point to the 2022 Chicago murder of Stephon Mack. Prosecutors are accusing Durk of planning or participating in both incidents.

As for whether or not The Voice will be free after the murder-for-hire verdict, that depends on how a judge will respond to both sides’ arguments. Prosecutors will likely seek to keep Durk in custody over flight risk and witness intimidation allegations, whereas defense attorneys may use the acquittal to strengthen their case for bail.

Elsewhere, Lil Durk’s hip-hop peers are celebrating the not guilty verdict. In the short hours since the jury announced their decision, folks like Ye, Drake, Young Thug, G Herbo, Doodie Lo, and many more have reacted gleefully. Durk’s trial over these remaining charges is reportedly scheduled for October 5 of this year.

In addition to all this, journalist @youvegtMEL on Twitter shared a statement from the family of Lul Pab. They will move forward with civil court proceedings to hold Durk accountable, as they believe he is allegedly responsible for his death.

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Meanwhile, Durk’s codefentants in this case, Deandre “OTF Dede” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey were found guilty of conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking involving a dangerous weapon, and stalking resulting in death in the murder-for-hire trial. The jury found them not guilty of murder-for-hire conspiracy resulting in death and murder-for-hire resulting in death. Their sentencing will be after the VICAR trial, according to journalist Michael Blackshire on Twitter.

Read More: Breaking Down Cardi B’s Beef With Plus-Size Fashion Influencer Samyra

The post Lil Durk Will Remain In Custody After Not Guilty Murder-For-Hire Verdict appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Now, we have a better idea of what this media project will be like. As described by Drizzy himself on Instagram, “FOMO” is “a not so short film directed and scored by the family.” The trailer footage on IG shows him on a bright green yacht on the water, and features a woman speaking in the background. “What if I told you there were two versions of your life?” she expresses in the clip. “In one, you avoid risk and withhold love. You feel like you’ve gone missing from yourself. You look for something you can’t find. In the other version of your life, you find it.”

The trailer ends with “FEAR OF MISSING OUT” text. We will still have to wait a bit to find out exactly what this entails, which is very exciting for fans.

Read More: “Slime Language 3” Demands The Reconstruction Of YSL Post-RICO

When Will Drake’s “FOMO” Drop?

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Fortunately, that wait will not be long. “FOMO” will premiere via YouTube on Tuesday, September 15 at 9PM EST. Beyond this trailer clip and a few other teases, we don’t have any other information on the drop. Whether or not it’s a conventionally narrative short film or a collection of potential new Drake music videos of unspecified material remains to be seen.

But given how much the ICEMAN trilogy rollout was a visual one, as the premiere livestream held many music videos, maybe this will be something new entirely. Either way, the hip-hop world is locked in for what’s next.

Elsewhere, Drake is celebrating his peers’ success, as he recently took to Instagram to share a picture of him and Lil Durk. The Chicago rapper just received a not guilty verdict on all counts related to his murder-for-hire case. Many other of his rap peers are also celebrating.

Read More: Breaking Down Cardi B’s Beef With Plus-Size Fashion Influencer Samyra

The post Drake Shares Trailer For New “Not So Short” Film “FOMO” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Release Date: September 10, 2026

Genre: Hip-Hop

Album: N/A

The post Be Like Me – Song by Soulja Boy appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Khalifa picked up running earlier this summer, and it’s clearly stuck. He first mentioned it in late July after knocking out five miles on vacation, then three the day before. Since then, his mileage has climbed fast.

The Vaporfly 4 is Nike’s top-tier racing shoe, built for serious mileage. It runs on ZoomX foam paired with a full-length carbon fiber Flyplate. That combination is designed to return energy with every stride, making it a popular pick among competitive marathoners.

At 190 grams for a men’s size 10, it’s the lightest Vaporfly Nike has released yet. A 35mm heel and 29mm forefoot stack keep things cushioned without adding bulk. Retail runs $260, putting it in performance racing territory rather than casual training shoe range.

Khalifa running a hot-weather session in a shoe built for race day says a lot about how far he’s already taken this new hobby.

Read More: Air Jordan 4 “Spotlight” Gets Confirmed Release Date

Wiz Khalifa’s Running Shoes

Khalifa’s running posts have become something of a moment online. His captions mix genuine running stats with his usual sense of humor, including one post joking about ripping a bong before ripping off five miles. That combination has made his journey easy to follow and hard to ignore.

His times have improved fast too. Brands have taken notice, with Nike Running, Coros, and Strava all showing up in his comments within days of his first running post.

He’s not alone in this shift either because Gunna has also built out his own Wunna Run 5K series. Hip-hop’s relationship with running has quietly grown over the past couple of years.

Khalifa hasn’t announced any race plans yet, but the numbers suggest something bigger could be coming. Overall given how quickly he’s progressed, a marathon doesn’t feel far off.

Read More: Lil Durk Not Guilty: Ye, Drake, G Herbo, Meek Mill, Young Thug, & More React

The post Wiz Khalifa’s New Running Habit Is Getting Serious appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

The style code is HV0823-002. The colorway comes listed as Black, Metallic Silver, Metallic Silver, and Black. It’s a blacked-out build that leans on texture instead of loud color blocking. It’s a minimal shoe, but the details do the talking.

Black leatber covers most of the upper and the signature Air Jordan 4 mesh panels stay intact underneath. Also that combination keeps the shoe rooted in the model’s classic silhouette.

Fake alligator overlays wrap the toe box and wing eyelets. That style texture gives the shoe a more premium feel than a standard colorway. Metallic silver accents show up around the eyelets, tongue branding, heel Jumpman, and midsole plate.

The overall look draws comparisons to the 1989 “White Thunder” colorway. Jordan Brand has clearly leaned into that same black-and-light contrast here. Finally a black outsole finishes things off, letting the texture and silver hits stand out.

Read More: Pink Addresses Israel-Palestine Backlash After Calling Out Macklemore

Air Jordan 4 “Spotlight”

The “Spotlight” name fits the shoe’s whole presentation well. Between the gator texture and the shine of the accents, it’s built to stand out under bright lights. That kind of stage-ready look brings to mind Michael Jackson’s own flair for shine during his performances.

The Air Jordan 4 continues to dominate Jordan Brand’s release calendar regardless of the name. “Spotlight” joins an already packed 2027 lineup that includes “Tour Yellow,” “Fire Red,” and Nigel Sylvester’s “Brick After Brick.” Very few models see this much attention release after release.

Women’s-exclusive Air Jordan 4 colorways have become a bigger focus in recent years. Some fans have even argued Jordan Brand saves its best textures and finishes for these releases specifically. The gator detailing here fits right into that pattern.

This colorway also follows the buzz created by the “Black Cat” Air Jordan 4 line. Given how well that theme has performed, “Spotlight” looks positioned to do the same.

With release date and pricing now locked in, all that’s left is seeing official images once Jordan Brand makes things official.

Read More: Lil Durk Found Not Guilty On All Counts

The post Air Jordan 4 “Spotlight” Gets Confirmed Release Date appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Journalist Meghann Cuniff, who has been covering the trial from the courtroom, reported that the jury acquitted Durk on every count. His co-defendants Deandre “OTF DeDe” Wilson and David “Browneyez” Lindsey were convicted of stalking and stalking conspiracy but found not guilty of murder-for-hire.

Durk, whose legal name is Durk Banks, had maintained his innocence as prosecutors accused him of financing and directing a 2022 plot to kill Quando Rondo. Rondo survived the Los Angeles shooting, while his cousin Saviay’a “Lul Pab” Robinson was killed. Additionally, while this is a celebratory moment for Durk and his supporters, the rapper will reportedly remain incarcerated as he fights a racketeering case. Prosecutors allege OTF operated as a criminal enterprise tied to violence and other illegal activity, allegations Durk has denied. That case was severed from the murder-for-hire trial and will reportedly make its way to court on October 5.

Read More: Lil Durk Found Not Guilty On All Counts

Hip Hop Reacts To Lil Durk’s Acquittal

DJ Akademiks was livestreaming as the verdict came down and appeared stunned when he learned Durk had beaten every charge. Akademiks became an unexpected part of the trial itself after prosecutors used a clip from his 2023 interview with Durk during closing arguments, making his live reaction one of the more fitting responses to the news.

G Herbo and Doe Boy both shared videos celebrating the acquittal, joining a wave of Durk’s peers who had followed the trial as deliberations stretched into a third day. Drake kept his response simple, sharing a selfie with Durk to his Instagram Story. 21 Savage did the same with a photo of the two rappers together. Ye reposted news of the not-guilty verdict, while Meek Mill, who publicly defended Durk during the trial, reacted with a string of praying hands emojis.

Young Thug offered one of the more cryptic responses, writing, “Thank me later.” Cordae turned his attention toward Durk’s defense team by comparing attorney Brian Steel to famed defense lawyer Johnnie Cochran. 50 Cent also praised Durk’s attorney Drew Findling following the verdict.

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The acquittal closes the murder-for-hire case against Durk after prosecutors spent weeks arguing that he financed and directed the 2022 attack targeting Quando Rondo. His legal situation is not completely over, however. Separate racketeering charges added earlier this year were severed from this trial in July and remain pending. (Complex)

For Friday evening, though, the response throughout Hip Hop was centered on the five words Durk’s supporters had been waiting to hear: not guilty on all counts.

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The controversy began after Macklemore used his opening set on Ed Sheeran’s tour at MetLife Stadium to call for a “Free Palestine” and perform “Hind’s Hall” as images from Gaza appeared behind him. His remarks drew criticism from several Jewish advocacy groups, including StopAntisemitism, which accused him of turning the concert into an anti-Israel political event. Pink later reposted the organization’s message to her Instagram Stories without adding her own explanation.

Critics quickly read the repost as an endorsement of everything StopAntisemitism had written, including its objections to Macklemore’s use of “Free Palestine” and his accusations against Israel. Pink then responded to some of the blowback with a string of memes rather than clarifying her position. She now says that only made the situation worse.

“I did what I do when I’m hurt, which is post snarky memes and act like I’m fine,” she wrote Friday (Sept. 11). “That’s on me. A repost isn’t a statement, and a meme isn’t a spine.” Pink acknowledged that she would not have chosen all of the language in the original post. She also said she would rather face disagreement over her own beliefs than continue having someone else’s words treated as hers.

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Read More: Macklemore Responds After Petition Calls For His Removal From Ed Sheeran Tour

Pink Says Supporting Palestinians And Condemning Hamas Are Not In Conflict

Much of Pink’s statement dealt with the assumptions she believes people made after learning or being reminded that she is Jewish. “I was born a Jew. I didn’t pick it, and I’ve never hidden it,” she wrote. “And this week a whole lot of people decided what I believe without asking me, without checking a single thing I’ve ever said or done.”

She then returned to the position she says she has held since October 2023. Pink called Hamas a terrorist organization while also stating that “Palestinians deserve a future that honors their humanity and their aspirations.” She added that protecting innocent people should come before political allegiance and condemned celebrating the death of children on either side.

Her comments are consistent with the humanitarian work she cited in the statement. Pink has served as a UNICEF ambassador since 2015 after traveling with the organization to Haiti, where she visited programs addressing childhood malnutrition. UNICEF continues to list her as an ambassador focused on children’s health and nutrition.

She stopped short of adopting the language Macklemore used from the stage, however. “I’m not going to litigate a complex war in an Instagram caption, and I’m not going to recite anybody’s slogan to earn back a follower,” Pink wrote. Moreover, Macklemore has stood by his own comments. After an Israeli-American Council petition called for his removal from Sheeran’s tour, he said his message was about equal treatment and clarified that his criticism of the Israeli government was not criticism of Jewish people.

“Of course I don’t speak for Israel, or for any government,” Pink wrote. “I never have.” She ended by saying she plans to continue speaking publicly, but in her own words rather than through reposts that leave her position open to interpretation.

The post Pink Addresses Israel-Palestine Backlash After Calling Out Macklemore appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Durk and his co-defendants were facing five charges, including conspiracy to commit stalking, stalking using a dangerous weapon, stalking causing death, conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in a murder-for-hire resulting in death, and use of interstate commerce facilities in a murder for hire resulting in death.

According to Meghann Cuniff, it was a complete acquittal for Durk. However, his codefendants OTF Dede (Deandre Wilson) and David Lindsey were convicted on all three stalking counts. They were found not guilty of murder-for-hire.

This is a major legal victory for Lil Durk, who was facing life in prison if convicted. As Blackshire reports, there was hugging and crying outside of the courtroom when the verdict came in.

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Lil Durk Verdict Is In

Now that Lil Durk has been found not guilty, it is expected that he will face another trial, this time involving racketeering charges that the prosecution wanted to tack onto this most recent case. However, the judge eventually shot that motion down and severed the charges. The racketeering case will be fought in Chicago.

Of course, this is a battle that will be fought in the future. Right now, there is elation in the courtroom as Durk beat all five of the charges against him. Unfortunately for Durk and his family, he will remain behind bars until his RICO case. That trial will begin on October 5, according to Trap Lore Ross.

Wilson and Lindsey still need to be sentenced for their stalking convictions, although that will take place at a later time.

This remains a developing story, so stay tuned to HNHH for updates, as we will be sure to bring them to you.

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The post Lil Durk Found Not Guilty On All Counts appeared first on HotNewHipHop.