Deluxe Editions have always been around, but never have they been quite so prevalent as they are today. And while the releases of yore tended to feature three or four new tracks, these days Deluxe Editions have become full-fledged albums. Albums that artists have occasionally touted as superior to the original version, leaving us wondering — why didn’t they just release the Deluxe first? In any case, fans are arguably benefitting from the trend, receiving twice the music, even if it can feel slightly rushed.

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Now, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie has taken to Instagram to announce Artist 2.0 Deluxe Edition (does that technically make it Artist 2.0 2.0?), penning a lengthy dedication to his loyal fanbase. “To the best fans in the world: Thanks for being patient and always supporting everything I do,” he begins. “It took a while to bring you this Deluxe because I wanted to make sure it dropped at a time that felt right.”

Confirming that the album will be arriving on June 19th, A Boogie also revealed that he’d be doing his part to help the young people of his community. “I am donating $100k worth of tablets/laptops to my old elementary school, PS 126, in the Bronx, so that they can do their remote learning in the safest way,” he continues. “With everything going on in the world, I believe it’s important to invest in the youth because by doing so, we are investing in a better future. I can’t wait to see y’all soon but until then, stay safe and take care of each other!”

Check out the album cover and announcement below, and look for Artist 2.0 Deluxe to drop on June 19th.

This weekend, Lil Tjay not-so-quietly tried to assert himself as the King of New York but, in the process, he tore down a few other contenders.

“ALL THAT OTHER NA NA NA SHIT ND SNITCH RAINBOW HAIR SHIT GOING ON IN MY CITY A DUBB,” wrote the 19-year-old on social media.

Fans of the rapper assumed that by “na na na shit”, he was speaking to A Boogie wit da Hoodie, who has been celebrated as one of the best melodic forces in New York. A war of words ensued between Lil Tjay and A Boogie’s Highbridge crew, including Trap Manny and Don Q, before the “Drowning” rapper claimed to have lost all respect for the up-and-comer.

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Since then, Lil Tjay has issued an apology, which was not accepted by Don Q and Trap Manny. After that, it looked like the rising star felt a need to rub salt in their wounds, filming a music video inside their hood.

It’s worth it to note that Lil Tjay also hails from the Bronx. However, by tagging Highbridge as a location on Instagram Stories, which is typically associated with A Boogie wit da Hoodie and his label, some are seeing this as a shot against the rapper.

“I’m outside, n***a. Fuck you talkin’ ’bout,” said Lil Tjay in a video uploaded to social media, possibly taunting A Boogie. Throughout the apparent shoot, the artist was surrounded by a police presence.

Do you think Lil Tjay was sending shots?

With a new project on the way this week, New York rapper Lil Tjay may have attempted to get some attention the 6ix9ine way, starting beef with a number of other stars in his city. It all started when he flew out Rubi Rose to spend a few nights with him for his birthday, apparently refusing to book her return flight and getting the cops called on him as a result. Then, he called out A Boogie wit da Hoodie and 6ix9ine before saying that he is the proper King of New York. 

Not even twenty-four hours after the feud kicked off, Lil Tjay ended up getting his hands on a Highbridge chain, claiming that he snagged it from one of A Boogie’s boys. However, the rapper threw away those allegations, claiming that the chain was lost a long time ago.

Lil Tjay realized that the trolling and beefing may not be a ble move for him in the long run, deciding that he wanted to call it quits and quietly bow out but it looks like Trap Manny and Don Q, two of A Boogie’s friends, aren’t letting that happen.

“U GOTTA STAND ON CERTAIN SHIT U SAY,” wrote Don Q on Instagram Stories, responding directly to Lil Tjay’s attempts to squash the beef. “NOT ACCEPTED.”

As for Trap Manny, he was a little more direct in his response, tagging the “F.N” rapper and demanding a public apology.

“WAT HAPPEN TO DAT ENERGY,” he says, walking by all of his and A Boogie’s plaques. “GET YA MONEY N STAY OUT DA WAY. @liltjay LIKE I SAID WE NEED A PUBLIC APOLOGY FUCK U MEAN‼️‼️‼️”

There’s a reason we have implemented an “Antics” category into the mix, especially considering the role social media plays within the hip-hop landscape. Beefs are ignited and intensified, relationships are developed and aired out, even “likes” are placed under a microscope. Over the weekend, rising rapper Lil Tjay spent some time engaging in some pretty hefty antics, embroiling himself into a beef with Don Q and — though inadvertently— A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.

 Prince Williams/Wireimage/Getty Images

It all seemed to stem from a chain-snatching that allegedly saw Tjay nabbing a Highbridge chain from one of Don Q’s associates, though A Boogie later claimed the chain had been lost a “long ass time ago” in an unrelated incident. Perhaps A Boogie’s disappointed tone was enough to open Tjay’s eyes to the error of his ways, as the young rapper recently took to Instagram to issue an apology for his behavior — while he didn’t exactly offer up specifics or name names, he did appear to be sincere for the time being. 

“Today’s a new day man, I’m chillin’,” he admits. “I don’t feel like arguing with anybody today. Real shit though, I swear I’m going back to the old Lil Tjay. This is why I’m not posting a lot, cause I can’t control myself. Start getting out of hand and shit. My fault for getting out of composure. May 8th, State Of Emergency Mixtape be dropping.”

Check out Tjay’s apology below, and sound off – should rappers prioritize music over antics at all times? Or do you quietly appreciate the extra-curricular activities that tend to transpire on social media? 

This was one of the most media-heavy weekends in the short career of New York rapper Lil Tjay, who was trending on social media for much of Saturday and Sunday. Previously referring to himself as the Prince of New York, the 19-year-old is taking a step up and calling himself the King now, throwing people like A Boogie wit da Hoodie and Tekashi 6ix9ine under the bus.

It all started after Lil Tjay flew out rapper Rubi Rose to spend his birthday with him before seemingly refusing to book her a flight back home. This kicked off a myriad of feuds between Tjay and other New York veterans, including A Boogie and his crew, including Don Q, Trap Manny, and others. The “F.N” rapper threatened to snatch a Highbridge chain, which represents A Boogie’s label, and he actually ended up getting his hands on one, which caused his new rival to respond on Instagram.

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Flexing with a Highbridge chain and bragging that it took him less than 24 hours to grab it, Lil Tjay was deemed a clown by A Boogie who explained what actually went down.

“One of the Bro’s DROPPED/LOST his chain a long ass time ago while we dragged a n***a and that’s word to Melody,” said A Boogie wit da Hoodie, putting his word on his daughter’s life. “N***a got the audacity to buy it off a random n***a, shoot a vid with it and front like he did something. Lost all my respect for you smh.”

Both Lil Tjay and A Boogie wit da Hoodie are huge names in New York so it’s upsetting to see them on opposing sides. 

Who are you riding for?

It has been a busy weekend for Lil Tjay who recently celebrated his birthday. Even though he’s still two years shy of the legal drinking age, he’s been feeling himself and that’s come along with some drama. Now, the timeline was flooded with his lady drama after flying out Rubi Rose for his birthday without paying for her return flight. Shortly after, Chinese Kitty chimed in and Tjay was left defending himself on the timeline.

That wasn’t all, though. Shortly after all the drama blew over, the rapper hit the ‘Gram where he declared himself the King Of New York. Now, we all know that there are very few rappers who can claim that title without facing disagreement from the public (Jay-Z, Biggie, Diddy etc.). However, Don Q, who also quickly fired back at 6ix9ine’s claim of being the King Of NY, fired off at Tjay. “Next time n***as see n***as, n***as gettin’ stripped out of everything, respectfully,” Don Q said.

Lil Tjay replied with the quintessential New York City, “suck my d*ck” before putting Don Q on blast. “Don, you mad because you fuckin’ dead. You fuckin’ dead. You givin’ n***as features for like three bands right now, n***a. You’re broke, n***a. Tell Boogie put some bread in your pockets,” Tjay taunted. The disrespect trickled down to the entire Highbridge crew as well as A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie‘s baby mama who Tjay brought up.

“Fuck me? NEVER. I kno we around the same age but I wouldn’t even talk to that little boy I got Fuckn morals don’t play w me & don’t use me for clout,” A Boogie’s baby mama Ella said. 

Despite Lil Tjay’s success, it appears that the Highbridge Crew works diligently at protecting their own. TrapManny for Highbridge The Label hit the ‘Gram with a video what apparently shows Tjay having different energy. Check out the videos below. 

In mere hours we’re set to receive the brand new batch of music from DaBaby, gift-wrapped and appropriately packaged as Blame It On Baby. And while we’ve already seen confirmation that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, NBA YoungBoy, Future, Roddy Ricch, Megan Thee Stallion, and Ashanti will be hopping on board, DaBaby and company have been gradually previewing a few of the project’s bangers prior to the full release.

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Now, A Boogie has taken it upon himself to highlight his own guest appearance, hitting Instagram with a teaser of the upcoming “Drop.” “@dababy bout to drop that shit go listen to bro new heat,” he captions, alongside a few hockey-stick emojis…no doubt lamenting the ongoing stoppage of the NHL. DaBaby made sure to return the kindness, commenting back with a heartfelt “Preciate always my g.” 

As for the song itself, “Drop” appears to be well-suited to A Boogie’s strength, which is to say the alternation between melody and rapping. “Look I ain’t drippin I already got more money than my opps, I’m just trying to get more money than that yeah,” sings A Boogie, before dropping his cadence and kicking up the pace of his flow. “Had to stack my bread up I was sick of feeling regular.” 

Check it out for yourself below, and stay tuned for the full release of DaBaby’s brand new studio album Blame It On Baby, hitting streaming platforms at midnight. 

If there’s anything positive to take away from the current social distancing measures enforced, it’s the fact that rappers have been blessing us with tons of new music over the past few weeks. Lil Uzi Vert dropped off back-to-back projects, The Weeknd’s After Hours arrived just as things began to get serious, and let’s be real, you’ve been occupying your time by practicing the Toosie Slide. 

DaBaby has confirmed that he has a new album on the way titled, Blame It On Baby. Serving as the official follow-up to KIRK, the rapper revealed that his new project would be dropping this Friday and shared the cover art which included him donning a facemask — a reflection of the times we’re in. 

Just a few hours ago, the rapper hit the ‘Gram to preview two of the tracks off the project and now, he’s shared the artists that will feature on the project. Future, Quavo, Roddy Ricch, Megan Thee Stallion, NBA Youngboy, and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie all make appearances on the tracklist. It shouldn’t be too shocking because he’s been spotted in the studio with the majority of these artists. The one feature that does stand out is Ashanti. Perhaps, DaBaby gives us some “Always On Time” vibes on his new project.

Peep the Instagram post below.

A Boogie wit da Hoodie and his girlfriend, Ella Rodriguez, took to Instagram live to reveal the gender of their unborn baby on Tuesday. It was revealed back in January that Boogie and the social media influencer, better known as Ella Bands, were expecting their second child together, and now, they've invited us all to watch as they find out if it's going to be a girl or a boy.

The two of them shared the results  Instagram live on Tuesday night, and it looks like (drumroll please): it's a boy!

Rona season has put the world at a standstill but fortunately, we have enough music to get us through these tough times. Hip-hop has continued to thrive, even though many labels and artists have held off releasing new albums until the pandemic dies down. Even still, artists like The Weeknd, Lil Uzi Vert, PartyNextDoor, and many others have used this time to make sure that there fans have something to keep their spirits high.

Of course, even though we’re all in quarantine, we continue to keep our Spotify Fire Emoji playlist up to date with some of the hottest records that you need to hear. This week, we got a few cuts from Tory Lanez’ latest project, New Toronto 3. One of the many highlights, “STUPID AGAIN” became an instant highlight off of the project as well as the Lil Tjay-assisted, “Accidents Happen.” We also included Polo G’s latest drop, “DND.”

A few other picks for this week include Yella Beezy’s latest drop, “Headlocc” with Young Thug as well as Phresher’s “Point E Out” with A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie.

Make sure you check out the Fire Emoji playlist on Spotify.

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