After a successful season in which the Kansas City Chiefs won the Super Bowl, the NFL is looking into some massive structural changes for next season. Over the past few months, the idea of a 17-game season has been brought to the table. While many players have opposed this idea, it seems like negotiations are inching closer towards approval, according to Adam Schefter. The 17-game season would see a decrease in pre-season games which would be capped off at just three.

Perhaps the biggest changes come in the form of the playoffs. The NFL is proposing a 14-team playoff field. In this model, there would be three wild card teams and only one team from each conference would get a buy, as opposed to two. This means Wild Card weekend would feature a total of six games with three on Saturday and three on Sunday. 

Youngoy Never Broke Again is all set to drop off his brand new album Still Flexin Still Steppin tomorrow, having recently shared the full tracklist. And while his new music video for “Bad Bad” might ultimately land the rapper in some hot water, all signs point to an otherwise fruitful run for the New Orleans rapper – at least where his music is concerned. Prolific as they come, few can say that NBA hasn’t been putting in studio hours, sometimes even allowing his fans a glimpse behind the curtain.

During a recent vocal session, YoungBoy actually went live on Instagram while laying down some ad-libs, providing an interesting perspective on his creative process. In essence it’s a stripped-down ad-lib track being performed in real-time, providing a surreal and at times amusing effect. But given that this is only an ad-lib track, it’s likely that the final product will come together in harmonious fashion – such is the beauty of a savvy engineer. 

Whether this one ultimately appears on Still Flexin Still Steppin remains to be seen, it’s clear that YoungBoy has no intention of slowing his output. How many albums do you think he’s got in the tank for 2020? 

Black Ink Crew: Chicago star Phor got the Maury treatment on the season finale of the tattoo industry reality show, as he revealed the results of his paternity test to determine whether he was the father of his former fling's teenage daughter, Iyanah. At the beginning of the season, viewers watched as a woman approached Phor about allegedly impregnating her sister when they hooked up around 2002. The woman sent Phor a DM claiming that he was the father of her 17-year-old niece, Iyanah, who had begun asking questions about who her dad was. Phor didn't flat out deny that he could be Iyanah's dad, but he did request that a paternity test be done to confirm. Now, after Phor previously met with the woman and Iyanah, the results are in.

The tale of Tauheed Epps, famously known as 2 Chainz and formerly known as Tity Boi – is a rebranding success story rarely witnessed in any genre, let alone hip-hop. Originally signed to Ludacris’ Disturbing Tha Peace label as one half of the duo Playaz Circle, Epps’ career reached its high as Tity Boi in 2007 with the Lil Wayne-featuring hit single “Duffle Bag Boy.” Yet by 2011, Epps was no longer with Disturbing Tha Peace, and in an effort to appear more family friendly as hip-hop began to take over the pop charts, Tity Boi became 2 Chainz overnight.

By the release of Kanye West’s “Mercy” in April of 2012, 2 Chainz had become bigger than Playaz Circle/Tity Boi could have ever imagined. Since his arrival into the rap game, 2 Chainz has released 5 albums, 5 mixtapes, 4 EPs, 10 platinum singles, and countless guest features all solidifying his dominance within mainstream hip-hop. Below you can find what we believe to be the 25 Best 2 Chainz songs. Let us know how we did in the comments.

Disclaimer: This list comprises 2 Chainz’s solo discography and songs where he appears as the main act. As such, it does not include songs where he is a featured artist.

Kevin Winter/Getty Images 

25) “It’s a Vibe” feat. Ty Dolla Sign, Trey Songz & Jhene Aiko (2017)

Producer: Murda Beatz & G Koop
Album:Pretty Girls Like Trap Music        

The third single off Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, “It’s a Vibe,” features three of R&B’s biggest hitters in Ty Dolla $ign, Trey Songz, and Jhene Aiko. Ty Dolla Sign’s verse is incredibly basic, essentially just repeating, “It’s a vibe,” while Trey Songz goes for a similar, yet more graphic direction. Meanwhile, 2 Chainz brings some bars, rapping, “My ego is enormous like my crib in California; If you ain’t got no heart, man you gonna need a donor;” later adding, “Carbon copies get declined, I’m the pioneer, Beat that pussy up, I need riot gear.” Lastly, we hear from the oft-sultry, Jhene Aiko, who opts for a similar route to the one taken by Ty Dolla Sign. In the end, “It’s a Vibe” isn’t exactly 2 Chainz’s finest lyrical work, but rather… it’s a vibe. 

24) “I Feel Like” feat. Kevin Gates (2015)

Producer: Hitmaka & Arch The Boss
Album:Trapavelli Tre           

2 Chainz’s 2015 mixtape track, “I Feel Like” featuring Kevin Gates, finds the two southern rappers exactly where they should be: reflecting on the game at the top of their game. To go from the bottom to the top must be a unique experience to share with another artist, as Chainz and Gates relate with one another over the highs and lows of success. 2 Chainz raps, “I bought my momma a crib before I got my own place; Picked my pop us from prison and gave ‘em places to stay; See I am handpicked by God, I defied all the odds; I need a sign that say foreigns only in my garage.” “I Feel Like” stands as one of 2 Chainz’s strongest mixtape songs since becoming a mainstream name in hip-hop.

23) “Crack” (2012)

Producer: Southside
Album:Based on a T.R.U. Story

2 Chainz’s 2012 song “Crack” lays out its thesis statement from the jump – “Started from the trap, now I rap; No matter where I’m at, I got crack.” Produced by 808 Mafia co-founder, Southside, “Crack” sets a nice street rap tone to his debut album, before hitting listeners over the head with all the radio hits. Chainz and Southside have a great chemistry that has been surprisingly unutilized outside of “Crack” and the 2011 mixtape track, “Undastatement.” One can only hope the two hit the studio again in the near future. Meanwhile, the turntable scratches added by DJ Jaycee make for a nice touch throughout the drug talk banger, particularly the scratch outro.

 Taylor Hill/Getty Images

22)“Kilo” (2016)

Producer: DJ Spinz
Album:Daniel Son; Necklace Don           

2 Chainz’s 2016 mixtape track, “Kilo,” is about selling drugs – kind of. Compare the confident way with which he walks to the way a major drug dealer would if he were carrying a kilo of coke; Chainz glamorizes the illegal act on the song, rapping, “Got the trap house rockin’, you ain’t get that shit; I got me a half, that’s a split when I flip it; And whip it ‘til I get me 36s; I get it, I got it, I’m slangin’ narcotics.” Included on Chainz’s Daniel Son; Necklace Don mixtape, alongside other hits like “Big Amount” and “1 Yeezy Boot” – “Kilo” is a classic mixtape track that 2 Chainz would continue to deliver with ease.

21) “4AM” feat. Travis Scott (2017)

Producer: Murda Beatz & CuBeatz
Album:Pretty Girls Like Trap Music           

“4 AM, I’m just getting’ started; For my birthday I threw me a surprise party; Reminiscin’ ‘bout the trap, playin’ the first Carter; My life changed when I had my first daughter,” begins the 2 Chainz and Travis Scott collaboration, “4 AM.” Produced by Canadian hitmaker Murda Beatz and German twins, CuBeatz – like most Travis Scott features over the past few years, “4 AM” cruises ib the identity of him more so than the actual artist himself (“Okay, you popped up on me by surprise; You see I never took you for the poppin’ type, Straight up!; Damn, it’s 4AM so please believe the hype, It’s lit!”). While that’s not necessarily a negative, ultimately “4 AM” sounds much more like a Travis Scott song than a 2 Chainz record… straight up! Still, the infectious single helped propel Pretty Girls Like Trap Music into the spotlight, rounding the album out with a hypnotic, after-hours experience. 

20) “Threat 2 Society” (2019)

Producer: 9^th Wonder
Album:Rap Or Go To The League 

9^th Wonder really blessed 2 Chainz with a gem on “Threat 2 Society.” Flipping “So Good to Be Alive” by The Truthettes – the instrumental contrasts with Chainz’s hook as he boasts, “You know I’m a threat, I’m a threat, threat, threat,” while the sample proclaims “It’s so good just to be alive!” Throughout the verses, 2 Chainz reflects on seeing friends and family killed, basketball coaches who helped shape him, and his beautiful, growing family. The confidence of Chainz paired with the soulfulness of the beat makes for a great start to his fantastic new album, Rap Or Go To The League.

19) “Riverdale Rd” (2017)

Producer: Mike Dean & Mano
Album:Pretty Girls Like Trap Music 

With a beat fitting for the Geto Boys, appropriately produced by Mike Dean, “Riverdale Rd” follows 2 Chainz down the College Park street on which he was born and raised. Bragging about the elegance his recent life has afforded him (“My pocket pregnant, don’t want no abortion; My draws got them horses, my car got them horses”); Chainz looks back on where he came from, contrasting the differences in lifestyle (“Okay, from grams to Grammys; Okay, from fans to family; I went from trips we tryna plan; To cribs in South Miami”). In addition to Mike Dean, Kanye West’s former DJ Mano, also contributed to the beat, making “Riverdale Rd” an unofficial mini-G.O.O.D. Music reunion. Now where’s Cruel Winter?

18) “Proud” feat. YG & Offset (2018)

Producer: T-Minus & Vaiyeh
Album:The Play Don’t Care Who Makes It [EP] 

“Yeah, I’m just tryna make my momma proud; I ain’t tryna let my momma down,” goes the chorus to “Proud” – the perfect Mother’s Day anthem. 2 Chainz lays it all out, sharing that he “and momma used to trap out the same house; Used to eat and go to sleep on the same couch; Me and momma got busted at the same time; Went to court and told judge the damn same lies.” Then YG reassures his mother that “When I leave the house it’s for them dollars; You are the reason I bought that choppa; ‘Cause I know you wanna see me come home proper; Soon as I get right I said I gotcha then I gotcha.” Finally, Offset preaches some life lessons his mother’s taught him, such as, “Every n**** not cha partner, son, when you come up; All them bitches in your face, son, they are piranhas.” It’s kind of beautiful that when an LA street rapper got together in the studio with two Atlanta trap hitmakers, they decided to make a song for their moms.  

17) “NCAA” (2019)

Producer: Da Honorable C.N.O.T.E.
Album:Rap Or Go To The League 

One of the more pivotal and thematic tracks on Rap Or Go To The League, “NCAA” preaches the hypocrisy of the National Collegiate Athletic Association – a “non-profit” organization that blatantly profits off the labor of student-athletes. 2 Chainz draws from experience, as he was once a scholarship basketball player for Alabama State University in the mid-90s. The song’s chorus goes, “NCAA, yeah, we the young and dangerous, yeah; We be ballin’ hard, yeah, I just want some paper,” while the overall album serves the purpose of “celebrating black excellence and focusing on the power of education and entrepreneurship” while “challeng[ing] the notion that the only way out of the inner city is either to become a rapper or a ball player.”

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

16) “MFN Right” (2016)

Producer: Mike Will Made-It & Zaytoven
Album:Felt Like Cappin / ColleGrove 

Originally featured on 2 Chainz’s 2016 EP Felt Like Cappin, “MFN Right” was so well received it was later added, along with a new Lil Wayne verse, to the ColleGrove tracklist. Throughout the song Chainz flexes about women, jewelry, and cars over a laidback, flute and piano-driven beat courtesy of two of Atlanta’s biggest producers, Mike Will Made-It and Zaytoven. A simple, yet undeniably successful formula. 

15) “Blue C-Note” feat. Lil Wayne (2016)

Producer: Mr. 2-17
Album:ColleGrove 

“Blue C-Notes, All of ‘em singin; Blue C-Notes, All of ‘em Franklins; Blue C-Notes, Spend without thinkin’,” goes the chorus on “Blue C-Note” – an ode to the new $100 bill over a funky bass and hi-hat driven beat. A common slang term along with “blue faces,” Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz devote this entire song off their 2016 collaborative album, ColleGrove, to the hundred-dollar bill. Because as everyone knows, “it’s all about the Benjamins.” 

14) “Money in the Way” (2019)

Producer: Buddah Bless and Jabz
Album: Rap Or Go To The League 

One of the catchiest songs 2 Chainz has released since his monster run in 2012 with “Mercy”, “No Lie”, “Birthday Song”, and “I’m Different” – “Money in the Way” flips a soulful The Three Degrees sample to instant swag success. Produced by Buddah Bless, who also produced 2 Chainz’s 2016 single, “Big Amount” – the track continues in the popular rap trope of “mo money, mo problems.” For 2 Chainz however, he articulates the struggle as “The money in the way, fuck what they got to say; I throw it up, it’s fallin’ down, it’s definitely in the way.” 

Earl Gibson/BET/Getty Images

13) “Used 2” (2013)

Producer:Mannie Fresh
Album:B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time 

2 Chainz pays respect to the original Cash Money era on “Used 2,” the second single off his sophomore album, B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. Produced by southern hip-hop legend and one half of the Big Tymers, Mannie Fresh – the collaboration takes it back to the sound of a bygone era. The song both samples and pays homage to the 1999 Juvenile, Lil Wayne, and Mannie Fresh classic, “Back That Azz Up.” In fact, outside of the blatant YouTube reference in the chorus, many music fans might have been convinced this song was released ten years earlier than it was. On “Used 2,” 2 Chainz, a native Georgian, pays the utmost respect to all that New Orleans has given the culture. 

12) “Big Amount” feat. Drake (2016)

Producer: Buddah Bless
Album:Daniel Son; Necklace Don / Pretty Girls Like Trap Music 

Buddah Bless’ second appearance on this list, “Big Amount” is a pan-flute beat that gives off a beach vibe ideal for 2 Chainz and Drake’s luxury rap verses. A rare Drake feature with no hook, “Big Amount” showcases Drizzy and Chainz going the classic route of one long verse apiece. The song originally appeared on 2 Chainz’s 2016 mixtape Daniel Son; Necklace Don, however, nine months later it was also included on Pretty Girls Like Trap Music. The song ultimately makes more sense as a mixtape track, but when Drake calls, you answer and put it on the album.

11) “2 Dollar Bill” feat. Lil Wayne & E-40 (2019)

Producer: DJ Mustard, Terrace Martin, and GYLTTRYP
Album:Rap Or Go To The League 

 The Rap Or Go To The League track takes the west-coast funk and jazz production styling of DJ Mustard and Terrace Martin, pairs it with the southern raps of 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, and binds the two regional vibes with that of Bay Area legend, E-40. In the end, the three unite for a banger about how they’re as rare as a $2 bill. A concept that shouldn’t work the length of an entire song somehow does, by utilizing the right amount of silly (“I’m rare like Mr. Clean with hair”) and swag (“I chill where it’s hot, Brazil, backdrop, I’m real; Her ass not, I’m rare”). 

Thaddaeus McAdams/Getty Images

10) “Feds Watching” feat. Pharrell (2013)

Producer: Pharrell Williams
Album:B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time 

One Grammy night in 2013, Pharrell and 2 Chainz linked up and recorded their song, “Feds Watching.” Now, simply receiving a beat from Pharrell is quite the victory in itself, but a beat and a feature makes for a guaranteed single. And that’s exactly what it became for 2 Chainz’s sophomore album, B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time. The guitar and horn-based beat gives the song a tropical, summertime vibe perfect for Chainz and Williams’ memorable hook/mantra – “I’ma be fresh as hell if the Feds watching; Drop top, head bopping.”

9) “Forgiven” feat. Marsha Ambrosius (2019)

Producer: Dem Jointz
Album: Rap Or Go To The League 

2 Chainz’s most recent album, Rap Or Go To The League, opens with a high school basketball announcer introducing number 21, Tauheed Epps. 2 Chainz raps about how his dreams turned to nightmares when he was arrested on a first offense drug charge. He pleaded with the judge about being a high school basketball player and working toward a scholarship, but in the end, there would be no ACC or SEC for Epps. Instead, he wound up playing at Alabama State. But as the beautifully sung Marsha Ambrosius chorus goes, with a little help from a classic Jay-Z “Lucifer” sample – “Just let it all be forgiven (Lord forgive him).” Featuring turntable scratches courtesy of Statik Selektah, “Forgiven” starts 2 Chainz’s best album to date off with an elegant and appropriate tone. 

8) “Good Drank” feat. Gucci Mane & Quavo (2017)

Producer: Mike Dean
Album:Hibachi for Lunch / Pretty Girls Like Trap Music 

“Good Drank” featuring Gucci Mane and Quavo is one of 2 Chainz’s strongest collaborations in recent memory. Chainz and Gucci handle the bars (“Today I’m in the Maybach; And that car came with some drapes; You know I look like a safe, I put you back in your place; I look you right in your face, sing to your bitch like I’m Drake”), while Quavo takes on hook duty, and Mike Dean delivers a spacey, synth-trap beat. Originally released in 2016 on 2 Chainz’s Hibachi for Lunch EP, the song was later re-released as the first single off Pretty Girls Like Trap Music, where it eventually went platinum. The song closes with Chainz shouting out his collaborators, saying: “Ayy, Mike Dean. This shit hard as fuck, bruh. You a living legend. I appreciate that. Ayy, Guwop. I’m glad you home, cuz. Quavo, you already know man. You got next on these n*****, double salute man.”

7) “Watch Out” (2015)

Producer: FKi
Album:Trap-A-Velli Tre / ColleGrove 

“Watch Out” features the classic 2 Chainz staple of a simple piano beat with heavy trap drums and a comical first couplet: “Pulled up in a Phantom; Pull off with a dancer; Got a pocket full of money; Kinda hard to keep my pants up”. Following the breakout success of “I’m Different” and other DJ Mustard hits, it’s no surprise that producers likely began to flood the Hair Weave Killer with more piano-driven beats. However, FKi’s “Watch Out” didn’t simply rise to the top as a standout track off 2 Chainz’s mixtape Trap-A-Velli Tre, but also went platinum after being included on the Lil Wayne-assisted collaborative album, ColleGrove.

6) “Where U Been?” feat. Cap. 1 (2013)

Producer: Mike Will Made-It and Marz
Album: B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time 

Yet another batch of swag-brag raps, “Where U Been?” is arguably one of 2 Chainz’s most underrated songs. Now six years removed from its release, the track still bangs, thanks largely in part to Mike Will Made-It’s trap & rock production. While the song finds 2 Chainz once again boasting about making money. However, following the massive success of his debut album, Based on a T.R.U. Story, the lyrics this time around are all very much warranted. Appropriately capped off with a verse from 2 Chainz affiliate, Cap. 1, “Where U Been?” was released as a promotional single for his second album, B.O.A.T.S. II: Me Time, but tragically never got the acclaim seen by some of his bigger singles.

5) “No Lie feat. Drake” (2012)

Producer: Mike Will Made-It
Album:Based on a T.R.U. Story 

“Me and Chainz go way back, we don’t talk shit, we just state facts.” As the second Drake-featured song on this list, “No Lie” should come as no surprise considering it served as 2 Chainz’s lead single from his debut studio album. With a Drake feature and a Mike Will Made-It beat in tow – “No Lie” was too big to fail the mainstream rap industrial complex. Beginning with a memorably goofy line from 2 Chainz (“I am smokin’ on that gas, life should be on Cinemax, Movie, bought my boo bigger tits and a bigger ass”), the song at times feels more like a Drake song featuring the former Playaz Circle member. But in 2012, that was clearly a formula for success, as the song has since been certified 2x Platinum.

4) “Spend It” (2011)

Producer: Drumma Boy
Album:Codeine Cowboy 

As the first song many rap fans ever heard by the then-rebranded 2 Chainz, “Spend It” marked a pivotal transition and new beginning in the Georgia native’s career. You have to remember, early 2011 was nearly four years removed from the success of “Duffel Bag Boy” and still over a year before the release of “Mercy.” But “Spend It” truly signifies the hard work 2 Chainz has put in throughout his entire career. He could have easily hung it up, but instead he changed his name, went into mixtape mode, and started cranking out what would become known as the 2 Chainz model – a street rapper with a sense of humor, unafraid to mix some pop elements with his genuine brand of trap: a formula made for the charts in today’s music industry. Because whether it’s 1997, 2007, 2011, or 2019 – 2 Chainz will always be “ridin’ round and… gettin’ it.”

3) “Saturday Night” (2017)

Producer: Mike Will Made-It & Ducko McFli
Album:Pretty Girls Like Trap Music 

Of 2 Chainz’s five solo albums, “Saturday Night” is his strongest intro song to date. The wailing guitar beat begins Pretty Girls Like Trap Music with a southern, lyrical punch reminiscent of Lil Wayne’s “Tha Mobb” on Tha Carter II, Ludacris’ “Southern Fried Intro” on Chicken-n-Beer, or UGK’s “One Day” on Ridin’ Dirty. Mike Will Made-It and Ducko McFli pair up for a simple, but deeply emotional instrumental that 2 Chainz verbally tap dances over like the veteran emcee he’s developed into. The powerful opener preaches the mantra/mission statement for the Pretty Girls Like Trap Music album – “I hit the trap today, I’m gon’ hit the club tonight, yeah; Treat every night like it’s Saturday night.” 

2) “I’m Different” (2012)

Producer: DJ Mustard
Album:Based on a T.R.U. Story 

Produced by DJ Mustard in the throes of his radio single hot streak (“Rack City,” “R.I.P.” “Paranoid”) – “I’m Different” was released as the third single off Based on a T.R.U. Story, following the back-to-back successes of “No Lie” and “Birthday Song.” Based around a simple, yet addictive piano line, “I’m Different” serves as a classic swag & brag rap track. In the track, 2 Chainz shows off how different he is by explaining how he’ll arrive in a convertible wearing thousand dollar sneakers, and like that, he’ll take your girl. In a very self-aware bar, he states: “Hair long, money long; Me and broke n*****, we don’t get along.”

Timothy Norris/Getty Images

1) “Birthday Song” feat. Kanye West (2012)

Producer: Sonny Digital, Kanye West, BWheezy, Anthony Kilhoffer, Lifted, and Mike Dean
Album:Based on a T.R.U. Story 

Released as the second single off 2 Chainz’s 2012 debut album, Based on a T.R.U. Story – “Birthday Song” went double platinum in four mere months and has held up so well, it’s nearly commandeered the unofficial title of best alternative birthday song from the Beatles’ “Birthday” and Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday.” So now, thanks to 2 Chainz – whenever you’re indignant to singing the nursery rhyme birthday song we’ve all been raised on, instead we can all erupt with a rousing chant of, “When I die, bury me inside that Gucci store; When I die, bury me inside that Louis store; All I want for my birthday is a big booty ho; All I want for my birthday is a big booty ho!”

Zion Williamson came into the NBA with the weight of the world on his shoulders. After a successful season at Duke, Williamson quickly became the most hyped up player since LeBron James back in 2003. The New Orleans Pelicans were lucky enough to draft him first overall this past summer and so far, their investment has paid off. Zion missed the first half of the season with a knee injury but now, he’s healthy and in just a few short games, he had made a huge impact.

In a recent interview with Rachel Nichols of ESPN, Williamson spoke about his rookie season and what he’s learned thus far. He also got to talk about some of the surprises he has faced. One of the things that have shocked Zion the most is how his teammates have so much faith in him, despite only being an unproven rookie.

“The thing that surprised me the most is how much my teammates looked to me to try and make an impact,” Williamson said. “I thought they would kind of let me feel the game out before they started giving me the ball. But nah, they trusted me.”

While the Pelicans may not make the playoffs, Williamson’s presence is certainly encouraging. If this young core continues to get better and Zion stays healthy, they could very well become a problem for years to come.

Russ doesn’t understand why Jay-Z’s lifestyle and career trajectory is not referenced as the framework to which the newer generation’s rappers aspire to model themselves after. Russ recently stopped by The Rap Pack podcast to promote his new album, Shake The Snow Globe, and got into a discussion about the differences between a rock star and a rap star with hosts Carl Chery, Trent Clark and Jon Tanners.

As the conversation started veering towards drug abuse in the hip hop community, Russ suggested that a major factor is that rappers are more attracted to rock star ideals, which heavily involves drug use. Rappers today have begun modelling themselves and their careers after the rock star image and lifestyle, which seeps into their sound. “The rap star archetype was not a drug user,” he notes. “It was a drug dealer.”

Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Revolt

“[There’s] no real rapping. It’s just screaming, and it’s more about the intensity,” he notes. “Which is turnt, I love some of this shit. But a lot of the rap now has been modelled off of those rock archetypes as opposed to the rap star archetypes.” Russ brings up Jay-Z as a primary example of a true rap star, who doesn’t promote indulging in those harmful lifestyles. “I don’t know how many young kids in their 20s…that are modelling their lifestyle and their rap career off of Jay-Z, which is sad,” he says. “It’s unspoken, but I think [he] is probably the goal for everyone who starts to rap…If you want the most money, how are you not trying to model [your career] after Jay-Z?” he asks.

Brian Ach/Getty Images for Something in the Water

Russ acknowledges that a common critique of Jay’s music today is that fans think he’s “out of touch.” “He supposed to be the one running over the hill before all of us because he’s further along and telling us, ‘Nah, this isn’t it anymore,'” he explains. “Why do you want Jay-Z to be on what you’re on? I’ve never understood this…it should feel not relatable. Like, I can’t relate to a lot of shit Jay talking about. But I love that. I’m like, ‘Oh there’s room to grow here.'”

“More people are concerned with being rock stars than rap stars,” he declares. “We’re losing the essence that made it rap.”

Tyson Fury has been up front about his addictive personality over the course of his professional boxing career, specifically his battles with drug and alcohol abuse, which nearly cost him his career, as well as his life. Ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with WBC Heavyweight Champion Deontay Wilder this Saturday, Fury shed some light on another addiction he recently had to kick – Diet Coke.

Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

During an interview with ESPN’s Max Kellerman, Tyson explained how he had to cut out Diet Coke entirely in preparation for Saturday’s title fight. Just how many Diet Cokes are we talking? According to Fury, anywhere from 20 to 30 A DAY.

“It’s just something, a little sacrifice more. I love me Diet Cokes. And I was having, I don’t know, 20, 30 in a day sometimes…. It is a little ridiculous, but you know, whatever. So I cut them out. I took them away from myself. I took everything that I held dear, everything that I like, I took it out of my life.”

“I’ve been away in Las Vegas for 10 weeks by the time the fight comes around. I’ve not had my wife here, my kids, I’ve not had no drinks, I’ve not had nothing. I’ve not put a single object in my mouth that shouldn’t have been there. The only thing I put in is what the nutritionist wrote on a piece of paper.”

Fury’s first clash with Wilder in December 2018 ended in a draw, but he has picked up a pair of victories since then and is apparently taking all the steps to ensure he walks out of Vegas with the strap this Saturday. If that is indeed the case, there may not be enough Diet Cokes in the state of Nevada to satisfy the Gypsy King.

Check out his recent interview with Kellerman in the video embedded below.

Brooklyn rapper Pop Smoke tragically lost his life in what appears to have been a targeted hit in the Hollywood Hills. The “Dior” and “Welcome To The Party” star had been in the beginning stages of his career, working with Republic Records and, specifically, through Steven Victor’s imprint at the label. With Victor’s experience in the industry, Pop Smoke was able to shine, truly becoming a break-out star in the first two months of 2020. He was on pace to have a marquee year in his career and Steven Victor, the owner of Victor Victor, is speaking out about the loss of one of his shiniest stars.

Johnny Nunez/WireImage/Getty Images

“This is extremely painful and I won’t ramble on B. Your energy, your passion and the love you gave will be missed so much,” said the executive in a social post. “Regardless of what his rap sheet said.. he was a genuine person with a kind soul, heart full of gold, a good kid with a huge heart who just wanted to win, put on for Canarsie and inspire the world. It’s tragic, devastating and my heart hurts for everyone that knew Pop… rest easy my brother. I love you.”

Victor closes his statement by saying that he will never forget what the rapper told him during a meeting two weeks ago, also promising that he will get started on establishing a foundation in his name. 

Steven Victor moved from Def Jam to Republic Records last summer, signing Pop Smoke as one of his first artists. The two had a very close relationship with Pop even mentioning the man in his music.

Chris Brown‘s daughter, Royalty, showed off her singing skills in a video posted by her mom and Chris’ ex, Nia Guzman, on which Nia wrote that Royalty was destined to be an even bigger star than her daddy. Nia shared the clip of her 5-year-old belting out Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber‘s country pop hit “10,000 hours” to Instagram on Tuesday. In the video, Royalty begins by singing the correct lyrics of the chorus, before switching it up with some lines about her mom asking her to do the dishes.

Nia captioned the post, “I LOVE YOU MY BABY…MY ROYALTY!” The adorable video got plenty of love from Nia’s followers, who praised Royalty’s impressive singing skills at such a young age and encouraged her to keep pursuing her dreams. Nia responded to one user who compared Royalty to her famous father. “She is going to be just like her daddy!” the user wrote. “Royalty is going to be an amazing singer, artist, and dancer.” Nia agreed,  but indicated that, “She is going to be everything he is and MORE!”

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

This is certainly not the first time that Royalty’s artistic leanings have been compared to Chris. She’s been known to bust out her best dance moves, even recently suffering an injury after trying to imitate Chris’ famous “spins.” She also appears to have inherited his affinity for visual art. It looks like Royalty is destined for stardom. 

The Air Jordan 3 "Unite" (aka Red Cement) with special edition "CHI" branding on the heel was initially supposed to release exclusively in Chicago during the NBA All Star Weekend. While the kicks did indeed make their debut as planned, it appears as though they won't be limited to Windy City residents after all.

The sneakers, priced at $200, are scheduled to drop again Nike SNKRS at 10am ET this Saturday, February 22nd.