Symph of the Rochester, NY rap collective Da Cloth drops a music video off for "Foreign Crack Pipes," featuring Curtis Coke. The Hobgoblin-produced heater is the lead single off of Symph's forthcoming "Cloth Ties" album.
ATLANTA (AP) — Rapper YFN Lucci is among a dozen people charged in a wide-ranging indictment in Atlanta targeting alleged members of the Bloods gang.
A Fulton County grand jury on Friday handed up the 105-count indictment that resulted from a six-month investigation, Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton said at a news conference Tuesday. It includes racketeering, aggravated assault, murder, gun, armed robbery, property damage, theft & gang-related charges.
The indictment alleges that each of the 12 people charged is associated with sub-groups of the national Bloods gang. It says they had connections & relationships to each other & accuses them of committing a wide variety of crimes to protect & enhance the gang’s reputation & to gain & maintain control of territory.
YFN Lucci, whose given name is Rayshawn Bennett, is charged with racketeering, violating the state’s anti-gang law, felony murder, aggravated assault & possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Atlanta police previously announced murder charges against Bennett in January, saying he was the driver in a December gang-related drive-by shooting that left one man dead. The felony murder charge in last week’s indictment is based on that incident.
“He’s not guilty of any crime that’s referenced in the previous charge & now in this indictment,” Bennett’s lawyer Drew Findling said in a phone interview.
The indictment says one of the Atlanta gang sub-groups of the Bloods, known by the initials YFN, was “centered around” Bennett.
“He’s absolutely not a gang member, & this indictment — neglectfully or purposely — fails to say that Mr. Bennett is a nationally & internationally recognized musical artist,” Findling said.
The indictment also cites social media postings by Bennett & others, as well as song lyrics, alleging they are proof of gang involvement & other criminal activity.
“To sit & analyze somebody’s social media account & to try to somehow find some evidence of a crime is ridiculous when people are just really expressing themselves through social media,” Findling said.
ATLANTA (AP) — Rapper YFN Lucci is among a dozen people charged in a wide-ranging indictment in Atlanta targeting alleged members of the Bloods gang.
A Fulton County grand jury on Friday handed up the 105-count indictment that resulted from a six-month investigation, Atlanta Police Deputy Chief Charles Hampton said at a news conference Tuesday. It includes racketeering, aggravated assault, murder, gun, armed robbery, property damage, theft & gang-related charges.
The indictment alleges that each of the 12 people charged is associated with sub-groups of the national Bloods gang. It says they had connections & relationships to each other & accuses them of committing a wide variety of crimes to protect & enhance the gang’s reputation & to gain & maintain control of territory.
YFN Lucci, whose given name is Rayshawn Bennett, is charged with racketeering, violating the state’s anti-gang law, felony murder, aggravated assault & possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Atlanta police previously announced murder charges against Bennett in January, saying he was the driver in a December gang-related drive-by shooting that left one man dead. The felony murder charge in last week’s indictment is based on that incident.
“He’s not guilty of any crime that’s referenced in the previous charge & now in this indictment,” Bennett’s lawyer Drew Findling said in a phone interview.
The indictment says one of the Atlanta gang sub-groups of the Bloods, known by the initials YFN, was “centered around” Bennett.
“He’s absolutely not a gang member, & this indictment — neglectfully or purposely — fails to say that Mr. Bennett is a nationally & internationally recognized musical artist,” Findling said.
The indictment also cites social media postings by Bennett & others, as well as song lyrics, alleging they are proof of gang involvement & other criminal activity.
“To sit & analyze somebody’s social media account & to try to somehow find some evidence of a crime is ridiculous when people are just really expressing themselves through social media,” Findling said.
Body camera footage from a California traffic stop shows a woman harassing a deputy and telling him that he’ll “never be white” and repeatedly calls him a “murderer.”
In the video, which was posted on Twitter Monday, a woman is heard telling a Los Angeles County sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop: “You’re always going to be a Mexican. You’ll never be white, you know that right? You’ll never be white, which is what you really want to be.”
The comments were made after the deputy pulled over the woman for apparently using her phone while driving, Newsweek reported.
The officer can be seen approaching the car and saying, “I pulled you over because...” before the woman cuts him off, saying “because you’re a murderer.”
Another deputy then arrives and after the woman signs the citation, she tells the deputy, “Here you go Mexican racist,” as she returns his pen.
In this clip, Chris "Kid" Reid spoke about LeBron James acquiring the rights to 'House Party' and the new spin he's adding to the franchise. Kid said that LeBron is bringing the writers from 'Atlanta' on board and has already selected the two leads. While he and Play aren't involved with the film at the moment, Kid said he's anticipating an excellent film, nonetheless.
In this clip, TK Kirkland weighed in on Soulja Boy operating as a new TK of sorts by taking credit for most things like people joke about TK doing all the time. He said that people have to be there to believe things or have a white man confirm the story for them to take it as the truth. Later, TK talked about all the money that's available for people through the PPP Loan which he says is an acronym for "Playa, Playa, Playa."
A man with an intellectual disability who was enslaved by a restaurant owner in South Carolina for five years should be awarded $546,000, a court ruled.
In 2019, Bobby Paul Edwards, who owned the J&J Cafeteria in Conway, South Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of forced labor for "coercing an African-American man with an intellectual disability to work extensive hours at a restaurant for no pay," & was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the Justice Department said in a press release at the time.
As part of the settlement, Edwards was also ordered to pay John Christopher Smith $273,000 in unpaid wages & overtime compensation.
Edwards forced Smith to work over 100 hours a week without pay. He would also beat him with a belt, fists & pots & pans.
On April 21, the Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled that Smith was entitled to double that amount, which would be $546,000.
The court said the district court did not properly account for federal labor laws when it made the decision on compensation.
"Minimum wages & overtime compensation must be paid on a current basis as work is done, such that an employee receives the prescribed compensation without delay. When an employer fails to pay those amounts, the employee suffers losses, which includes the loss of the use of that money during the period of delay," the court said in its filing.
A man with an intellectual disability who was enslaved by a restaurant owner in South Carolina for five years should be awarded $546,000, a court ruled.
In 2019, Bobby Paul Edwards, who owned the J&J Cafeteria in Conway, South Carolina, pleaded guilty to one count of forced labor for "coercing an African-American man with an intellectual disability to work extensive hours at a restaurant for no pay," & was sentenced to 10 years in prison, the Justice Department said in a press release at the time.
As part of the settlement, Edwards was also ordered to pay John Christopher Smith $273,000 in unpaid wages & overtime compensation.
Edwards forced Smith to work over 100 hours a week without pay. He would also beat him with a belt, fists & pots & pans.
On April 21, the Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled that Smith was entitled to double that amount, which would be $546,000.
The court said the district court did not properly account for federal labor laws when it made the decision on compensation.
"Minimum wages & overtime compensation must be paid on a current basis as work is done, such that an employee receives the prescribed compensation without delay. When an employer fails to pay those amounts, the employee suffers losses, which includes the loss of the use of that money during the period of delay," the court said in its filing.
The Royalty Door Presents The Playhitz “Royalty In Miami” starring CreoleKang. With production from @deedotjones, @ericksenbeats & @kay_looz, it’s hits you can never miss. The tracklist also features upcoming artists @GrewwyMontana, veteran @Gigs510 and @G3ezy. The Kang wants to make sure you have fun listening to The Playhitz because he had fun making it. Every listen is appreciated. Thank you for your time.
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MEXICO CITY (AP) — An elevated section of the Mexico City metro collapsed & sent a subway car plunging toward a busy boulevard late Monday, killing at least 23 people & injuring about 70, city officials said. Rescuers initially searched a car left dangling from the overpass for anyone who might be trapped.
Those efforts were suspended early Tuesday, however, because of safety concerns for those working near the precariously dangling car. A crane was brought in to help shore it up.
“We don’t know if they are alive,” Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum said of the people possibly trapped inside the car following one of the deadliest accidents for the city’s subway system, which is among the busiest in the world.
Earlier Sheinbaum said someone had been pulled alive from a car that was trapped on the road below. She said 49 of the injured were hospitalized, & that seven were in serious condition & undergoing surgery.
“There are unfortunately children among the dead,” Sheinbaum said, without specifying how many.
The overpass was about 16 feet above the road in the borough of Tlahuac, but the train ran above a concrete median strip, which apparently lessened the casualties among motorists on the road below.
“A support beam gave way” just as the train passed over it, Sheinbaum said.
Ex-NFL superstar Chad Ochocinco has signed a deal to fight in an exhibition boxing match on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Logan Paul undercard -- the very first fight of his career.
In other words, Chad is making his boxing debut at 43 YEARS OLD!
The former Cincinnati Bengals WR has been training his ass off in boxing gyms for years -- but never really expressed serious interest in taking a fight.
But Chad says he was approached by Mayweather Promotions CEO Leonard Ellerbe recently ... and offered a spot on the undercard for the big June 6 event at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Chad says he immediately asked his family for their thoughts -- and when they gave their blessing, Ochocinco told Ellerbe he would do it!
Ochocinco -- formally known as Chad Johnson -- broke the news on the "I AM ATHLETE" podcast.
So far, no opponent has been locked in -- but we're hearing promoters are looking to match Chad up against another former non-boxing athlete.
The obvious choice would be ex-NFL wide out Brandon Marshall, who's been putting in serious work in the boxing gym for years ... and has openly talked about wanting a big time fight.
In fact, Brandon spent some time training with Evander Holyfield who compared Marshall to heavyweight knockout artist Deontay Wilder.
As for Chad, he's already got a new nickname -- calling himself, "Sweet Feet Johnson!"
Chicago artist Monty drops off a brand new visual titled "Rio Flow." The track was produced by BeatsBySav and the video was directed by Exqlusive. Watch below via YouTube.
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Lightweight Michael Chandler introduced himself to UFC fans in dramatic fashion with a quick finish of Dan Hooker in the co-main event at UFC 257 earlier this year. Hooker will face Charles Oliveira for the UFC lightweight title at UFC 262 on Saturday, May 15.
BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana’s Workforce Commission improperly paid out almost $6.2 million in unemployment benefits to nearly 1,200 people in jails & prisons in 2020, according to a report by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor.
People who are incarcerated are prevented from receiving unemployment because they are unable to obtain employment, a requirement to receive the benefit.
The report found that 92 of those incarcerated people were only given a single payment before the error was caught, but nearly 1,100 people received more than one payment, with some getting payments from March 2020 through November 2020.
The audit said that the LWC is supposed to match lists of people set to receive unemployment benefits with lists of people who are incarcerated to prevent such mistakes.
According to the audit, 80 percent of those who received the payments, obtained them through the COVID-related program designed for contractors and gig workers, who do not have an employer.
"As a result, LWC does not have electronic wage data to use for eligibility purposes and instead must rely upon the amount of income reported by the applicant on their app."
In this episode of "People's Party With Talib Kweli," Kweli and Jasmin Leigh sit down with Bronx born rapper and actor:
Don Cartagena, Joey Crack, The Gangsta...
FAT JOE
Here's what we got into with the man who Talib thinks may be our most hip-hop guest on the show yet.
• Meeting Biggie and Puff for the first time at the Lyricist Lounge. • Being raised in the Bronx by parents of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent. • Coming up deeply immersed in the fast life of the Bronx street hustle. • How Diamond D and Chris Lighty saved Joe's life. • Witnessing the birth of Big Daddy Kane, Jay-Z, Eminem, and Big L. • Convincing Big Pun to include one of his most iconic bars on 'Twinz.' • Needing the blessing from D.I.T.C. to get on LL's 'I Shot Ya Remix.' • How Joe got over his fear of flying. • The energy of DJ Khaled and his early fame made in Jamaica. • Falling into depression after losing his sister, his grandfather, and Big Pun. • How Joe and 50 Cent squashed their longstanding beef through their shared love of Chris Lighty. • Why Joe felt compelled to give the South their due respect. • The brother/sister-like relationship Joe shares with rapper Remy Ma. • If Joe thinks the broken relationship of him and Pun's family will ever be mended.
TIME STAMPS:
3:22 -- Joe speaks on meeting Biggie and Puff Daddy for the first time at New York's Lyricist Lounge event in the early 90's. He also digs into his family background, being raised in the Bronx borough of NYC by parents of Puerto Rican and Cuban descent and living in the Forest Houses projects. Joe illustrates what it was like for him growing up in the mecca of hip hop and the things that compelled him to take part in the culture. Including his brother carrying crates for Grandmaster Flash, watching the early graffiti writers and b-boys and seeing members of the Furious Five play ball on the streets he grew up on.
15:29 -- Joe gives his take on the N-Word commonly used as a term of endearment by latinos like himself who grew up in predominantly black neighborhoods their whole life. He speaks on the frequent backlash from people on social media that don't approve, he points to the cultural disconnect of those that just don't understand how mixed communities like his, especially in New York have always been and he touches on the criticism of his reference to the "Wuhan virus" in a recent song with Benny the Butcher.
24:22 -- Joe speaks of coming up deeply immersed in the Bronx street life and being grateful for the Five Percenter presence there while he was hustling. He explains how his good friend producer/rapper Diamond D saved his life while they were coming up in the streets together, the significance of a particular light pole in his projects, getting the 'Sh*t Is Real Remix' from DJ Premier, Onyx teaching Joe he could say whatever he wanted on his records and answers if he still ever attempts to breakdance.
31:39 -- Joe goes on to tell his stories of being present for Biz Markie introducing Big Daddy Kane to New York, Big Daddy Kane bringing Jay-Z out for the first time at Studio 54, The Outsidaz introducing Eminem, Joe bringing out Big Pun as well as Lord Finesse putting on Big L and the audience's similar reactions as they knew they were all seeing something special at the time. They go on to discuss how Chris Lighty also had a huge hand in saving Joe's life and his question to Joe after getting shot right after his first single dropped.
36:05 -- Joe talks about being urged by Chris Lighty as well as others to keep his music street even though he had ambitions of making hits. He tells about convincing Big Pun to make some records that would do well on the radio similar to what Biggie did and Joe going on to make some real money with 'What's Luv?'. Joe also touches on things Big Pun taught him during the hundreds of hours of writing together and they discuss the different ways that hits can be made, the thug love phenomenon and Method Man doing big things.
42:35 -- Joe touches on happiness being the most valuable currency when it comes to hip hop culture, he speaks on the Diggin' In The Crates crew never having an argument during all their years together and needing to receive the blessing from them to get on LL Cool J's 'I Shot Ya Remix.' They also discuss the strength and courage of women as protectors and historically always put themselves on the front lines when it comes to activism and forcing social change.
46:33 -- Joe is asked about him having to convince Big Pun to add his iconic bar "Dead in the middle of Little Italy little did we know That we riddled some middlemen who didn't do diddly" to their song 'Twinz.' Joe also speaks on his long-time fear of flying, when he was able to finally board a plane to visit DJ Khaled in Miami, talks about finally making a trip to Asia where DITC fans were shocked to see him in their country and they discuss the undeniable energy of DJ Khaled and his early fame made in Jamaica.
55:16 -- Joe details falling into a deep level of depression following this loss of his sister, his grandfather and Big Pun all around the same time. He tells the story of the night he finally snapped out of it, goes on to talk about wanting to leave New York to live in Miami after Dipset started beefing with Nas, his disappointment when money and egos got in the way of unity within the culture, as well as Miami feeling like the good old days when everyone was supportive of one another.
1:05:11 -- Joe is asked about his long-time past beef with 50 Cent and how they came together as peers and friends through their shared friendship with Chris Lighty. He tells the story of showing up for the BET Awards' tribute to Chris' legacy and what 50 Cent said to Joe putting the beef to rest. They also discuss Joe's time in jail forcing him to do some self reflection and why Joe felt it was important to give the South their due props after years of being blamed for ruining the culture.
1:11:58 -- Joe talks about his experience dealing with a shady accountant and they discuss the long history of hip hop artists being taken advantage of by vultures in the industry. Joe also talks about rapper Remy Ma being like a little sister to him and the pact they made to always being there for each other. Joe is also asked if he thinks the hard feelings shared amongst him and Cuban Link as well as Big Pun's family will ever be mended. He also speaks on Jim Jones' Quarantine Studios.
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