Author: hhns

Travis Scott is stepping up in the wake of the tragedy at Astroworld.

The rapper has announced that he will cover any and all funeral costs for the eight people who lost their lives at his Houston music festival over the weekend.

According to TMZ, Travis will personally pay any associated costs and there will be no questions asked as it pertains to what the victims’ families might need in their time of mourning.

Additionally, Travis is partnering with BetterHelp to offer free mental health services to anyone who attended Astroworld, including one-on-one virtual therapy sessions with trained, licensed professionals. BetterHelp will also team up with the National Alliance of Mental Illness for those who need more than virtual services, and a hotline has been set up for attendees, which Travis will oversee.

About 50,000 people were at the sold-out festival at NRG Park, so it will take time and money to make sure those who want help can get it.

In an on-camera statement Saturday, Scott said he was “devastated” by the tragic events. “I could never imagine anything like this happening,” he said. “I just want to send out prayers to the ones that was lost last night… My fans really mean the world to me and I always just want to leave them with a positive experience.”

Several lawsuits have already been filed on behalf of concertgoers who say they were injured after a crowd surge occurred during the festival. Eight people died, ranging from ages 14 to 27, and hundreds more were injured. Two of the suits are seeking $1 million in damages.

Travis Scott is speaking out in the wake of the tragedy at Astroworld.

For the first time since at least eight people died and hundreds were injured during the festival in Houston on Friday night, the rapper released an on-camera statement via his Instagram Stories.

“I just want to send out prayers to the ones that was lost last night,” a distraught Scott said as he rubbed his face. “We’re actually working right now to identify the families so we can help assist them through this tough time. My fans really mean the world to me and I always just want to leave them with a positive experience.”

Scott was criticized by some concertgoers for not responding as people were being given CPR and carried away. One video from the live stream shows Scott pausing his performance and looking on as an ambulance pulled into the crowd.

However, he says he was unaware of the severity of the situation. “Any time I could make out, you know, anything that’s going on, you know, I just stop my show and, you know, helped them get the help they need. I could just never imagine the severity of the situation.”

He said that he’s been “working closely with everyone to just try to get to the bottom of this,” including the city of Houston and the Houston Police Department.

“I’m honestly just devastated,” added Scott. “I could never imagine anything like this happening.”

Kylie Jenner, who was in attendance with the couple’s 3-year-old daughter Stormi, also shared a statement on Instagram.

“Travis and I are broken and devastated. My thoughts and prayers are with all who lost their lives, were injured or affected in anyway by yesterday’s events,” she wrote. “And also for Travis who I know cares deeply for his fans and the Houston community.”

She responded to the criticism that Travis stayed on stage and performed despite the tragedy unfolding. “I want to make it clear we weren’t aware of any fatalities until the news came out after the show and in no world would have continued filming or performing,” she continued. “I am sending my deepest condolences to all the families during this difficult time and will be praying for the healing of everyone who has been impacted.”

Authorities are investigating whether someone may have injected fans with some sort of drug that could have triggered cardiac arrest.

During a press conference, Houston Police Chief Troy Finner said that a security officer working the event “felt a prick in his neck” by an unknown assailant while he was trying to restrain a citizen. He fell unconscious and was revived using Narcan.

Other deaths and injuries may have been as a result of people being trampled. According to TMZ, one of the eight dead is a 14-year-old, who was reportedly crushed in the stampede.

The festival is being criticized for not stopping the concert despite the mass casualty. One video shows concertgoers climbing on the camera rig and telling a camera operator that someone was dying in the crowd.

Roddy Ricch, who performed at the festival on Friday, has announced that he will be donating the net proceeds from his Astroworld set to the victims’ families.

“Please have the families of those who we lost yesterday reach out to @shawnholiday,” said “The Box” rapper, while directing them to his management team. “I’ll b donating my net compensation to the families of this incident #Pray4Houston.”

Big Sean claims Kanye West still owes him millions of dollars.

Following Kanye’s explosive interview with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN on “Drink Champs,” in which Ye said signing Sean to G.O.O.D. Music was the “worst thing I’ve ever done,” Sean has responded to his former label boss.

“Was just wit this man, he ain’t say none of that!!! And this was after the interview! I’m dying laughing at you @kanyewest,” Sean tweeted after Ye’s comments aired on the Revolt podcast.

Sean, who has since ended his relationship with G.O.O.D. Music and launched his own label, also suggested that Ye still owes him around $6 million from his record deal.

“Kanye owes Big Sean $3M and said he’d give Sean his masters too which he never ended up doing, and Sean never complained about either publicly. He’s just too nice,” tweeted one fan.

In a since-deleted tweet, obtained by XXL, Sean said the $3 million figure is inaccurate. “Not 3, more like 6,” he replied.

During his “Drink Champs” interview, Kanye held up a tombstone prop and expressed regret over signing Sean. “I already decided that when I die, on my tombstone, it’s gonna say, ‘I deserve to be here ’cause I signed Big Sean,’” said Ye, who was upset that Sean and John Legend did not support him during his bid for president.

“I know this man mama, bro. I’ve changed this man’s family and both John Legend and Big Sean, when I ran for office, got used quick by the Democrats to come at they boy that actually changed their life,” he added. “And that’s some sell-out shit. And I don’t rock with neither of them.”

But Sean brushed off Ye’s claims about his politics. “The dems? No I didn’t,” he tweeted. “I didn’t get used by anybody or endorse anyone publicly at all. Cause I’m not political. That’s what’s hilarious, none of it’s true n he doesn’t even know what he talking about. I’m rollin.”

Last year, Kanye announced that he was giving back the 50 percent share he owned of his G.O.O.D. Music artists’ masters. At the time, Sean responded by thanking Ye, however, it’s unclear if he followed through with his promise.

Ye sat down with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN for the latest episode of Revolt’s “Drink Champs” podcast.

During the explosive interview, his first since the release of DONDA, the artist formerly known as Kanye West opened up about everything from his divorce from Kim Kardashian to his beef with Drake.

But he really dropped a bombshell when he took shots at his former G.O.O.D. Music signee Big Sean, saying he regrets signing him to his label.

When asked by N.O.R.E. to pick between Pusha T or Big Sean, Kanye got up from his seat and grabbed a tombstone prop that said “RIP.”

“I already decided that when I die, on my tombstone, it’s gonna say, ‘I deserve to be here ’cause I signed Big Sean,’” said Ye.

“The worst thing I’ve ever done is sign Big Sean,” he added, leaving N.O.R.E. in disbelief.

Ye took credit for putting on Sean, but was disappointed that he and John Legend didn’t vote for him when he ran for president.

“I know this man mama, bro. I’ve changed this man’s family and both John Legend and Big Sean, when I ran for office, got used quick by the Democrats to come at they boy that actually changed their life. And that’s some sell-out shit. And I don’t rock with neither of them.”

He demanded an apology. “I need my apologies,” added Ye. “I ain’t saying they gon’ change, but ni**as is scared.”

After the interview aired, Sean took to Twitter to react to the comments, revealing that he recently saw Ye and he never mentioned any issues to him. “Was just wit this man, he ain’t say none of that!!! And this was after the interview! I’m dying laughing at you @kanyewest,” he tweeted.

Sean has already been asked to be a guest on “Drink Champs” and he plans to tell his side of the story. “I can’t wait to go on drink champs now!!!” he added.

Last month, Big Sean announced that he is no longer signed to G.O.O.D. Music. He released his first project, What You Expect, under his newly-launched independent label, FF to Def Entertainment.

Watch the full interview below.

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While fans patiently await new music from Kendrick Lamar, Rolling Stone is delving into his discography and celebrating his greatness.

The magazine has ranked the 50 greatest songs from the Compton kingpin, who it calls the “most important and groundbreaking rapper of the last 15 years.” The list spans across his entire catalog, including his mixtapes released prior to his first album, Section.80.

Topping the list is 2012’s “Money Trees” with Jay Rock with its lingering refrain “Ya bish,” described as “one of the most enduring turns-of-phrases in modern pop culture.” 2015’s “Alright” takes the runner-up spot, with the magazine calling it an “anthem for the emerging Black Lives Matter movement.”

The top 10 also includes “Backseat Freestyle” at No. 3, followed by “Swimming Pools (Drank),” hailed as “one of the greatest songs of the past decade.”

“Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” comes in at No. 5, while the top 20 includes “A.D.H.D.” (No. 6), “HUMBLE.” (No. 8), “Loyalty” featuring Rihanna (No. 14), and “King Kunta” (No. 16), as well as lesser known tracks like “Ronald Reagan Era (His Evils)” (No. 9) and “Rigamortis” (No. 10).

The Pulitzer Prize-winning rapper is now readying his final TDE album and will join Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Mary J. Blige at next year’s Super Bowl Halftime Show.

See which K-Dot cuts made the top 20 and view the full list here.

Kendrick Lamar’s Greatest Songs

1. “Money Trees,” feat. Jay Rock (2012)
2. “Alright” (2015)
3. “Backseat Freestyle” (2012)
4. “Swimming Pools (Drank)” (2012)
5. “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe” (2012)
6. “A.D.H.D.” (2011)
7. “Untitled 05 09.21.2014” (2016)
8. “HUMBLE.” (2017)
9. “Ronald Reagan Era (His Evils),” feat. RZA (2011)
10. “Rigamortis” (2011)
11. “Sing About Me (I’m Dying of Thirst)” (2012)
12. “The Blacker the Berry” (2015)
13. “Untitled 02 06.23.2014” (2016)
14. “Loyalty,” feat. Rihanna (2017)
15. “Cartoon & Cereal,” feat. Gunplay (2013)
16. “King Kunta” (2015)
17. “m.A.A.d City,” feat. MC Eiht (2012)
18. “Untitled 07 2014-2016” (2017)
19. “Element” (2017)
20. “FEEL.” (2017)

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The man who supplied the deadly pills that killed Mac Miller has accepted a plea deal.

According to court documents, obtained by TMZ, Stephen Walter pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl. Prosecutors agreed to drop the second drug-related charge, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

Walter is accused of indirectly giving Mac’s alleged dealer, Cameron James Pettit, deadly Percocet tablets that ended up causing him to overdose. Pettit contacted Walter, who sent a runner, Ryan Reavis, to drop them off at Miller’s house on Sept. 5, 2018.

The pills Miller received were counterfeit and contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid 50 times more powerful than heroin. By pleading guilty, Walter acknowledges that he was aware that he was distributing counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl.

Walter faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and the potential for life without parole, plus a $1 million fine. Prosecutors are recommending 17 years in prison and five years supervised release. He was already on supervised release after being convicted of a previous drug distribution charge.

Walker is one of three defendants charged in Miller’s death. Pettit and Reavis have also been charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, and distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.

Miller was discovered unresponsive in his Studio City, Calif. home on Sept. 7, 2018. The Coroner ruled his death as an accidental overdose due to mixed drug toxicity of cocaine, alcohol, and fentanyl.

Kanye West continues to inspire Kim Kardashian.

Speaking with WSJ. Magazine, the billionaire beauty mogul opened up about her relationship with her estranged husband. Despite their impending divorce, they remain close and are also business partners in Kim’s shapewear brand Skims.

“He has a piece of Skims himself and gives [the team] inspiration but also information,” said Kim, who was named 2021 Brand Innovator by the magazine. “I think he enjoys the process.”

She bestowed praise on her ex, adding, “Kanye will always be the most inspirational person to me.”

Kim is now working on simplifying her brands, a move inspired by West. “He expressed that there were too many branding situations. He’s always super simple,” she said. “I really wanted to condense my beauty brands. I wanted one place, one website, where everything can live.”

Kim has collaborated with Fendi on a capsule collection, which launches Nov. 9, and is gearing up to relaunch her beauty brand, KKW Beauty, in order to give it a more “modern, elevated, sustainable” feel.

Back in February, the mother of four filed for divorce from her husband after nearly seven years of marriage. But the former couple continues to support each other. Kanye was by Kim’s side when she hosted “SNL” earlier this month and she was in attendance at his DONDA listening parties.

However, they are seemingly moving forward with their divorce. Kim was recently awarded the couple’s $60 million Hidden Hills home, and reportedly paid Kanye $20 million in cash to even out the property’s value.

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Adele is sharing her favorite Beyoncé albums.

While answering Vogue’s “73 Questions” at her home in L.A., the “Easy On Me” singer was given the tough task of ranking Queen Bey’s top three albums.

“That could be controversial. The Hive might come and kill me,” Adele joked before sharing her “personal favorites.”

At the top of her list is Bey’s third studio album I Am… Sasha Fierce. The “sublime double album” was followed by 2016’s Lemonade.

Her third choice was a toss up, but she ultimately went with B’Day. “I’m gonna go with my gut and my heart and I’m gonna say B’Day,” she said of Bey’s 2016 sophomore project.

Adele’s love for Beyoncé is no secret. She paid tribute to her during her 2017 Grammys acceptance speech. After winning Album of the Year over Lemonade, Adele went to Beyoncé’s dressing room.

“I just said to her, like, the way that the Grammys works, and the people who control it at the very, very top-they don’t know what a visual album is,” she said during her Vogue interview. “They don’t want to support the way that she’s moving things forward with her releases and the things that she’s talking about.”

Adele also revealed her three favorite songs from her own catalog, including “Someone Like You” and “When We Were Young.”

On Nov. 19, Adele is set to release her new album 30. The first single, “Easy On Me,” has become the most-added song in the history of Mediabase across five different formats including Top 40, AC (adult contemporary), Hot AC, AAA (adult album alternative), and R&B.

R. Kelly was on suicide watch following his conviction on racketeering charges.

In the first court hearing since a Brooklyn federal jury found the R&B singer guilty, Kelly’s attorney Steve Greenberg said the U.S. Bureau of Prisons placed his client on suicide watch but that has since been lifted.

According to the Chicago Tribune, monitoring a recently convicted inmate is common practice in the federal prison system. Greenberg did not say whether Kelly had actually expressed a desire to harm himself.

Kelly appeared via video from a federal jail in Brooklyn during the hearing, but did not speak because no one could figure out how to unmute him.

Last month, the 54-year-old was convicted on all nine counts by a federal jury in New York, including racketeering, sex trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of a child. He faces anywhere from 10 years to life in prison when he’s sentenced on May 4.

Following the guilty verdict, he shared a message with his followers on Facebook, in which he said he was disappointed and proclaimed his innocence.

“To all my fans and supporters I love you all and thank you for all the support,” he wrote in the statement. “Today’s verdict was disappointing and I will continue to prove my innocence and fight for my freedom. #notguilty.”

Kelly is still facing charges of child pornography and obstruction in Chicago. The jury trial is slated to start Aug. 1, 2022 and is expected to last three to four weeks.

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Tyga is breaking his silence in the wake of domestic violence allegations against him.

On Tuesday, the rapper turned himself in to the Los Angeles Police Department after his ex-girlfriend Camaryn Swanson accused him of physically assaulting her during a dispute.

The L.A. Country Sheriff’s inmate record shows that the 31-year-old, whose real name is Michael Stevenson, was booked for a felony on Oct. 12 at 9:10 a.m. and released several hours later on $50,000 bond.

However, Tyga denies that he was arrested or charged, and says that he voluntarily took himself to the LAPD’s Hollywood station and cooperated with authorities.

“I want everyone to know that the allegations against me are false. I was not arrested,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “I took myself into the police station and cooperated. I have not been charged with any crime.”

According to TMZ, Swanson showed up at Tyga’s home around 3 a.m. on Monday and was acting belligerent at the door. He let her inside where the screaming continued. Swanson claims Tyga put his hands on her during their dispute, and shared images of the injuries to her face.

“I’m so embarrassed and ashamed it had to get to this but I have to stand up for myself,” she wrote on Instagram.

She also posted her alleged text conversation with Tyga, who she started dating early this year. “I can’t believe this is how it has to end,” she wrote in one text. “Honestly I’m so heart broken and didn’t think you were capable to ever do this to me.”

Tyga’s next court date is scheduled for Feb. 8, 2022.