Category: Hip Hop

Slick Rick received a major career milestone when the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified his legendary track “Children’s Story” as platinum on Tuesday (October 21).

The certification recognizes more than 1,000,000 units sold for the iconic single from his 1988 debut album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. The Def Jam release became one of Hip-Hop’s most influential storytelling tracks and helped establish Rick as a master narrator in the genre.

The Great Adventures of Slick Rick reached the No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and became one of the first Hip-Hop albums to achieve Platinum status. The album showcased Rick’s distinctive British accent and vivid storytelling abilities that would influence countless rappers for decades.

The platinum recognition comes during a banner year for the 60-year-old rapper, who released his first album in 26 years with “Victory” in June 2025. The visual album featured collaborations with Nas and was executive produced by actor Idris Elba through his 7Wallace label in partnership with Mass Appeal Records.

Slick Rick has received multiple honors recently, including recognition at the Hip Hop Museum Gala in September 2025 alongside Fat Joe and the late Andre Harrell. He also celebrated the 40th anniversary of his collaboration with Doug E. Fresh on “La Di Da Di” and “The Show” with a special vinyl release in August.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Slick Rick The Ruler (@therulernyc)

The Library of Congress added “La Di Da Di” to its National Recording Registry in 2024, cementing Rick’s place in American cultural history. His influence on Hip-Hop storytelling continues to resonate with new generations of artists who study his narrative techniques and distinctive delivery style.

“Children’s Story” remains a cornerstone of Hip-Hop education and is frequently cited as one of the greatest rap songs ever recorded. The track’s cinematic approach to storytelling helped establish the template for narrative rap that artists still follow today.

More recently, Slick Rick released his first album in 26 years, Victory, part of Mass Appeal’s album series, Legend Has It. 

​AllHipHop

A North Carolina woman takes matters into her own hands after she is scammed on Facebook Marketplace. Here’s how she recovered her funds.

TikTok user Madeline (@madelinedoingthings) posted a series of videos about the incident last week. “I’m surprised it’s taken me this long to get burned,” Madeline says to start the video.

According to Madeline, she advertised a bag of clothes on Facebook Marketplace for $100. The agreement was that the person buying them would pick the bag up from the front porch and leave the money underneath the mat. However, they did not leave the money underneath the mat and instead blocked Madeline. 

“I don’t really care much about the money,” says Madeline, “It’s the principle of the thing. I’m pretty sure I found this lady’s address. I’m kind of tempted to show up at her house and just be like ‘What the [expletive]?”

Viewers React to the Facebook Marketplace Scam Story

In the comments of the initial video, viewers argued about whether Madeline’s confrontational impulse was a good idea.

“One hundred dollars??? Oh yeah SHOW UP,” says one person. 

“Is it a bad idea to go? Definitely. Would I still go? Absolutely,” wrote another. 

Madeline’s video has over 16,000 likes and 329,900 views. 

How a North Carolina Woman Foiled a Facebook Marketplace Scam

In a follow-up video, Madeline tells viewers she tracked down the scammer’s husband at work and called him. Madeline explained the situation and, after some initial coldness, the husband apologized for his wife’s behavior.

At the end of the conversation, the husband promises he will talk to his wife and send Madeline the money via Zelle or Venmo if needed.

In a final update video, Madeline closes out the story.  

“I did get $100 on Venmo from the husband that I called,” Madeline says. The husband even texted Madeline to make sure she received the money. 

Another viewer explains that Madeline is not alone in the scam. “This happened to me with a chainsaw I was selling. By sheer chance, a few years later, I learned we had mutual friends. I told the friends what he did, and he actually showed up one day with the money! It took three years, but that’s the power of influence,” says another comment. 

How to Avoid Facebook Marketplace Scams

Facebook Marketplace is one of the most used online market places in the world with about 1.2 billion monthly buyers. As a result, scams on the Marketplace are more common than you might think. Unfortunately, about 1 in 8 Marketplace shoppers report getting scammed.

According to Security Keeper, some ways you can avoid scams are by looking at sellers and buyers reviews. This is also a reminder to give reviews after you purchase or sell something on the Marketplace.

The article also recommends being on the lookout for the following types of scams:

• People asking for advancement payment for objects
• People asking to get paid in gift cards
• Overpricing scams
• Fake or stolen items

Madeline got lucky with this scam, but it’s important to be on alert when buying or selling items from strangers on the internet.

All Hip Hop reached out to Madeline for comment via TikTok message and comment.

@madelinedoingthings Facebook Marketplace, the best and worst thing to happen to me #scammed #facebookmarketplace #whatdoido ♬ original sound – madelinedoingthings

​AllHipHop

50 Cent expressed genuine appreciation after Taylor Swift name-dropped him on her latest album, The Life of a Showgirl.

The Hip-Hop mogul discussed the unexpected reference during an exclusive interview with Extra TV.

Swift mentioned the rapper in her track “Ruin the Friendship” with the lyrics: “And it was not an invitation / But as the 50 Cent song played (Song played) / Should’ve kissed you anyway (Anyway).”

“It really is cool ’cause when she makes the reference, if you listen to the song, it’s to what was going on in culture at that time,” 50 Cent explained. “The music, you couldn’t miss it at that point and that’s why it was cool to me… What she was making reference to is the period that no one was more prominent in music at that point.”

The reference appears to connect to 50 Cent’s massive commercial success during the 2000s. His tracks dominated radio airwaves and club scenes nationwide during Swift’s formative years.

The discussion also touched on potential musical collaboration between the two artists. 50 Cent expressed openness to working with Swift under the right circumstances.

“We got to ask her because she’s in the driver [seat]. You know how big Taylor Swift is right now? She has to have a record that sounds like it might sound good with 50,” he explained.

Currently, 50 Cent maintains an extensive media empire spanning multiple entertainment platforms.

He revealed having “40 projects across 12 different networks” with “ten of them going into production now.” Two film projects are also scheduled for completion this year.

​AllHipHop

Rap-A-Lot boss James Prince is parting ways with his grand French-style estate in Heath, Texas, listing the 12,000-square-foot mansion for $4.4 million as he looks to scale down from the sprawling property he’s owned since 2019.

The Houston Hip-Hop trailblazer has placed the home back on the market after several price adjustments over the past year.

Situated about 25 miles east of Dallas, the 5.4-acre property features a dramatic façade with Corinthian columns and a mansard roof. Inside, guests are greeted by a marble-clad foyer with a sweeping staircase and two-story ceilings.

“Words like ‘stunning’ and ‘spectacular’ are often used to describe beautiful homes, but in this case, they hardly capture what makes this estate so exceptional,” realtors Phil Owens and Heather Stevens of The Agency Frisco wrote in the listing, according to Mansion Global.

The 6-bedroom mansion also comes with a billiards room, wine storage, 12-seat theater, two-lane bowling alley, elevator and safe room. A six-car garage and emergency backup generator complete the main structure.

James Prince bought the home five years ago for $2.75 million and J. Prince hopes to make a profit with the $4.4 million asking price.

​AllHipHop

A$AP Rocky celebrated his birthday and Harlem roots in one FaceTime call, linking up with battle rap heavyweights and while out with Rihanna and showing love to their legendary careers.

ASAP Rocky showed love to his Harlem roots this week, checking in with battle rap legends Murda Mook and Loaded Lux in a series of heartwarming gestures.

In a video posted Wednesday morning, Mook shared a screen recording of a FaceTime call with Rocky and Rihanna, where the rapper checked in on the Harlem emcee and gave a brief update on his newborn daughter. “She’s beautiful,” Rocky said when asked about the baby. The call, recorded earlier this month, took place during Rocky’s birthday outing on October 3.

“Happy f###### birthday, man,” Mook said during the call, which he captioned, “When RIRI call…. You answer A$AP!”

Rocky didn’t stop with Mook. He also gave props to fellow Harlem lyricist Loaded Lux, rocking his signature “Grey Hoodie” merch in a series of photos Lux later posted online.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FULLY LOADED (@iamloadedlux)

Both Mook and Lux have remained active in the battle rap circuit, proving they haven’t lost a step.

Mook recently faced off with Hitman Holla on TakeOva Battle League, following high-profile matchups with Tay Roc, Geechi Gotti, Nu Jerzey Twork and Arsonal Da Rebel.

Lux has also been outside, battling Geechi Gotti, Rum Nitty and most recently Nu Jerzey Twork during URL’s Summer Madness event in London last month.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SMACK/URLTV.TV (@urltv)

Meanwhile, Rocky’s long-awaited album Don’t Be Dumb remains in limbo. Originally slated for August 2024, the project hit delays due to sample clearance issues and leaks.

By March 2025, the album had entered mixing and mastering, with a tentative release expected sometime later this year.

Rocky’s FaceTime moment with Mook and nod to Lux was a reminder that no matter how big he gets, Harlem stays close.

​AllHipHop

Chris Brown has pushed back against a housekeeper’s graphic lawsuit, denying allegations that he fled while she lay seriously injured after being mauled by one of his dogs at his Los Angeles home.

The Grammy-winning singer filed a sworn deposition in his civil case, asking a judge to dismiss Maria Avila’s claims of intentional infliction of emotional distress and punitive damages.

Avila filed suit after a December 12, 2020, incident in which she says she was attacked while taking out trash at Brown’s property.

Avila alleges a large brown dog “viciously” bit her as she “screamed in terror and called out for help.”

According to her complaint, Brown walked outside, stood over her while talking on the phone, and then left her “bleeding to death” on the driveway.

She says she later needed emergency surgery and now suffers from permanent disfigurement, nerve damage and partial blindness.

Chris Brown’s version of events differs significantly. In his deposition, the “Under the Influence” artist said he neither heard screams nor saw blood. He claimed he only left the scene after being advised by his manager that paramedics were en route.

“I didn’t touch her. I bent down and I looked. I was making sure she was breathing, and then from there, I ran and put the dogs away and yelled and told the security guard to come over,” Brown testified.

The court has not yet ruled on Brown’s request to strike portions of Avila’s lawsuit. The incident remains part of an ongoing civil dispute stemming from the December 2020 encounter.

​AllHipHop

WTF!?

Canal Street has always been wild, but this right here? This is different. For decades, that Lower Manhattan area has been the beating heart of NYC culture. You could find everything. I will not expound on “everything,” but if you know, you know. The vendors—immigrants, hustlers, dreamers—have been part of New York’s rhythm forever. Every few years/months, police roll through, the sellers scatter like pigeons, and life goes on. But this new ICE thing is not business as usual.

WATCH: A huge group of African illegal immigrants are operating a black market on the corner of Broadway and Canal St in New York City.

The entire sidewalk is filled with illegals who state they are from Senegal and I watched as they fled police.

This corner looks exactly… pic.twitter.com/wdIJO1oVZV

— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) October 19, 2025

Apparently, someone decided to take things up a notch—by calling ICE on the vendors. Instead of a routine “raid,” this was something far more sinister. However, it seems a so-called “concerned citizen,” allegedly a Latina woman who allegedly identifies with the far-right group Turning Point, reportedly tipped off agents. She specifically targeted African and Caribbean street vendors. Everybody is out there, trust me, not just darker hued people. According to the Internet sleuths, this woman presents herself as white and carries the energy of a “Karen.” She looks like she can’t wait to order pumpkin spice latte sprinkled with hate.

NYC: Arrests and Clashes as protesters STAND OFF with ICE agents during a RAID on Canal Street

Video by @FreedomNTV Desk@freedomnews.tv to license pic.twitter.com/UKYsfwM8nT

— Oliya Scootercaster (@ScooterCasterNY) October 21, 2025

Canal Street is subjected to this weird form of vigilante. Videos and posts are flooding social media showing vendors being harassed, their goods trashed, and their livelihoods threatened under the guise of “law and order.” The people doing the calling seem to believe they’re protecting America, but all they’re really doing is undermining the very essence of what makes New York New York. By the way, there are more than enough samples and known markets like this in suburban and rural areas. Trust me, I know this.

But this is bigger than NEW YORK…and you know it. Across the country, immigrant workers—many Latino, many Black—are being targeted by “citizens” emboldened to weaponize the system. Lawn crews, day laborers, street sellers, and farmhands—all just trying to survive—are finding themselves in the crosshairs. These aren’t violent criminals or gang members. They’re the backbone of industries Americans depend on. But ICE isn’t known for being nice. Reports of aggressive questioning, intimidation and violence have surfaced. It happened in New York too.

While people are snitching on hardworking folks, grocery prices are climbing, rent is suffocating, and major corporations are running unchecked. It’s a warped moral compass when calling immigration enforcement on a T-shirt vendor feels like justice while billionaires dodge taxes. I am still waiting for “The Files” to be released!

So, as the Canal Street saga unfolds, why are we turning on the very people who make the city pulse? Out of hate? Let the cops do their thing like they have for years. Canal Street has always been loud, messy, and imperfect but it’s also been a symbol of hustle and multicultural grit. Counterfeit handbags are not disappearing by getting at these dudes and women. Get to the plant, the companies and manufacturers, tough guys! This is insane!

​AllHipHop

Kim Kardashian shut down fabricated statements claiming her 12-year-old daughter, North West, would pick Kanye West over her mother.

The reality star responded swiftly after a social media account posted the bogus interview to their two million Instagram followers.

“This interview never happened, and the quotes are fake,” Kim Kardashian declared in her response. “North loves us both, and it’s harmful and weird to pit a child against either parent for clicks.”

The deleted post falsely attributed statements to North, claiming she chose her father over her mother “a thousand times.” The SKIMS founder moved quickly to correct the record after the manufactured quotes gained traction online.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lovelyti tv (@lovelyti__)

Recent revelations from Kardashian’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast appearance show the complexities of co-parenting with Kanye West. The 45-year-old mother of four admitted that their children haven’t heard from their father in months.

“Whenever he’ll call for them and ask. It’s probably been a couple months since we’ve heard from him,” she said. “There’s been so many times I just want to show all these texts, like what are you talking about?” she said. “I will always let them see their father… I send them to Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan and I’ve never once denied it.”

The former couple finalized their divorce in November 2022 after eight years of marriage.

They maintain joint legal and physical custody of North, Saint, Chicago and Psalm despite ongoing challenges.

Kardashian continues speaking positively about West around their children despite their co-parenting difficulties. The reality star has described raising their four kids essentially full-time while navigating the public aspects of their relationship.

​AllHipHop

50 Cent wasted no time poking fun at Sean “Diddy” Combs after reports surfaced that the Bad Boy mogul narrowly escaped a violent encounter behind bars at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center.

On Wednesday (October 22), the G-Unit boss shared a screenshot of a report about the alleged incident and added his own jab in the caption:

“is he snitching now,” he wrote. “They put a knife to is Neck and said South Side we out side. LOL.”

The post references a late-night scare involving Diddy that reportedly took place while he was sleeping.

According to the Daily Mail, a fellow inmate allegedly held a blade to Diddy’s throat in what appeared to be an intimidation tactic rather than a direct attempt to kill him.

Charlucci Finney, a longtime friend of Diddy, confirmed the incident and told the outlet:

“He woke up with a knife to his throat. I don’t know whether he fought him off or the guards came, I just know that it happened.”

Finney added that the situation could’ve turned deadly in seconds:

“If this guy had wanted to harm him, Sean would have been harmed. It would only take a second to cut his throat with a weapon and kill him.”

“It was probably a way to say: ‘Next time you ain’t gonna be so lucky.’ Everything is intimidation. But with Sean it won’t work. Sean is from Harlem.”

The incident occurred after Diddy’s legal team had already raised concerns about his safety, warning that his high-profile status and the nature of his charges made him a target for violence and harassment from other inmates.

Diddy is currently serving a 50-month sentence after being convicted on two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution. His more serious racketeering and sex-trafficking charges were dismissed.

​AllHipHop

Rick Ross is expanding his business empire with a groundbreaking collaboration that brings luxury cannabis beverages to Miami’s vibrant scene.

The mogul announced his latest venture with South Beach Brewing Company on October 22.

The Miami-based partnership introduces two distinct THC/CBD beverage lines alongside ready-to-drink spirits. South Beach Brewing founder Lorenzo Borghese praised the collaboration’s potential.

“Rick Ross’s energy and vision are a perfect match for us,” Borghese stated. “We want to create bold, authentic drinks that capture the South Beach vibe, and this partnership will make every single sip feel like a moment of luxury and love.”

The wellness-focused beverages feature two non-alcoholic options designed for relaxation. Slack Tide contains 5mg each of THC and CBD with watermelon juice and mint flavoring. High Tide delivers 10mg of both compounds with blueberry and strawberry juices.

Ross brings extensive cannabis industry experience to the partnership. The Grammy-nominated artist previously launched Hemp Hop smokables in 2021 through Green Globe’s Hempacco. He also partnered with Cookies to create the COLLINS AVE cannabis brand in 2020.

The collaboration extends beyond cannabis products. December will see the launch of ready-to-drink spirits, including Party Punch with Caribbean rum and tropical flavors.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Rick Ross (@richforever)

Transfusion offers a modern golf-course cocktail interpretation. Blueberry Jam combines real blueberries with sparkling rosé flavors.

The Miami-based brewery emphasizes craftsmanship and authentic ingredients across all product lines. Each beverage incorporates real fruit juices and maintains the company’s commitment to bold flavors.

South Beach Brewing’s award-winning beer lineup receives renewed attention through the partnership. The collection includes Blood Orange Sunset IPA and Strawberry Orange Mimosa among six core varieties.

Ross’s business portfolio spans multiple industries beyond music. The entrepreneur owns several Wingstop franchise locations and recently partnered with Bitfortune.com as Global Ambassador in October 2025.

“This is about living the Boss life; sipping on something real, bold, and unforgettable,” Ross explained regarding the collaboration.

The partnership represents Ross’s continued expansion into the cannabis and beverage sectors. His Maybach Music Group success provided the foundation for diverse business ventures spanning two decades.

​AllHipHop