(AllHipHop News) Chicago Rapper Fredo Santana has died in Los Angeles, according to multiple reports. His close associates Maxo Kream and Lil Durk confirmed the news via their social media feeds earlier this morning. “Damn man I’m lost for words right now I’m cryin my ass off Fredo I love yu B#### RIP a real Savage,” Maxo Kream wrote. The news of Fredo’s death also prompted a response from Drake, who tapped a young Santana to play a kidnapper in the video for “Hold On, We’re Going Home.” “Rest In Peace Santana,” Drake said alongside a picture of the two in their younger days. Although the cause of death is not known, Fredo had some health scares last year. In March of 2017, he was hospitalized after suffering from seizures, which he claimed was a result of overworked and dehydration. In October of 2017, the rapper was hospitalized for kidney and liver failure. Sources said Fredo died after suffering a seizure. https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKhWs_DTJo/?hl=en&taken-by=maxokream https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKpzH7jhJf/?hl=en&taken-by=champagnepapi

(AllHipHop News) Rae Sremmurd and Lil Yachty have been tapped as part of Reebok’s Spring/Summer 2018 campaign. According to Reps for Reebok, the new campaign will promote the brands Freestyle Hi, Classic Leather, Club C and Workout Plus line of sneakers. “Our brand has a history of pushing boundaries and the Always Classic campaign is no different. It’s a modern celebration of pioneers, darers and authenticators who are reimagining what it means to be Classic on their own terms and are inviting everyone to do the same,” says Todd Krinsky, General Manager Reebok Classics. In addition to Rae Sremmurd and Lil Yachty, Ariana Grande, Gigi Hadid, Sharina Teyana Taylor, graffiti artists Felipe Pantone and Sany and K-pop artist Somi will appear in the Spring/Summer 2018 campaign. Check out some images from the campaign. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​

(AllHipHop News) Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have revealed the name of the newest addition to their family. According to reports, the couple named their child Chicago, who was born on Monday. A surrogate gave birth to Chicago, who weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces upon entering the world. Kim Kardashian chose not to carry her third child after suffering placenta accreta, a potentially life-threatening condition where the placenta remains attached inside the uterus after birth, while she was expecting daughter North and son Saint.

(AllHipHop News) Last summer the residence of three towns in Phoenix, Arizona were in fear of their lives constantly, after a serial killer murdered nine people. According to police in Phoenix, they have collared a suspect, and he happens to be a aspiring rapper. Police have charged Cleophus Cooksey Jr AKA King Playbola with nine murders in connection to a shooting spree that lasted three weeks in Phoenix, as well as Glendale and Avondale. “It should appall every one of us in the room that he managed to kill nine people period, let alone in such a short period of three weeks,” said Phoenix Police spokesman Sgt. Jonathan Howard. Police believe they have the man who killed seven men and two women – including his own mother and stepfather. All of the victims were shot between November 27 and December 17 of last year. According to cops, killing was nothing new to Cleophus Cooksey, who had only been free for 18 months, after serving a 16 years sentence for manslaughter. Cooksey is facing multiple charges, including multiple counts of first-degree murder for the deadly shooting spree. ​ https://soundcloud.com/cosmicsoupaz/king-playbola-if-you-carehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gL96guFaWew

(AllHipHop News) Eminem is apparently holding back a full album, after he was stung by criticism of his album Relapse. G-Unit rapper 50 Cent talked about a full unreleased album of material meant for Relapse 2, which Eminem eventually scrapped. “We had a whole other album when he did Relapse,” 50 Cent explained. “He didn’t like the response so he didn’t even put out the whole Relapse 2. So it’s like if he doesn’t like the response, he can change it.” Take a look at 50 Cent interview on Big Boy’s Neighborhood. https://www.instagram.com/p/BeGOMiRDOfC/

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Tyga and Rob Kardashian are digging deep to help their ex, Blac Chyna, cover her assistant’s medical bills. Lorena “Patty” Hernandez suffered a severe brain hemorrhage at Chyna’s California salon last month and collapsed. Hernandez, who was five months pregnant when she was taken ill, was stabilized at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, but last week she fell into a coma. Blac Chyna helped her assistant’s family set up a GoFundMe page online to help them pay for Patty’s medical bills, and her two famous boyfriends, who each have a child with the model, have donated $15,000 to the cause. Hernandez, who terminated her pregnancy on doctors’ advice, has also suffered a stroke. Medics diagnosed her with an arteriovenous malformation, an abnormal connection between arteries and veins.

(AllHipHop News) Migos rapper Offset has apologized for using the word “queer” in a recent song, insisting he didn’t mean for the lyric to be interpreted as a gay slur. The hip-hop star initially caused a stir last month when “Boss Life,” a track he recorded with Atlanta, Georgia rapper YFN Lucci, was shared online, with some people criticizing Offset for seemingly spitting a homophobic line. On the song, he rhymes, “Pinky ring crystal clear/40k spent on a private Lear/60k solitaire/I cannot vibe with q#####.” The controversy resurfaced earlier this week after the release of the accompanying music video, and on Thursday, Offset, real name Kiari Cephus, took to Instagram to address the backlash. Alongside a definition of the word “queer,” which is described to mean “strange, odd,” the 26-year-old explained he has nothing but love for people from all walks of life. “I have said before since these issues before that I got love for all people he began. “My passion for fashion has lead me to a lot of gay people around me who I have mad respect for and we are very cool so I’m not in a place where I’m hating like that.” Offset went on to reveal he was simply looking for another word to fit in with the rhyme, and was inspired by reading an Internet example for using “queer” in a sentence, which stated, “she had a queer feeling that they were being watched.” He continued, “When I wrote that I was thinking of words that could rhyme with the others (here, lear, solitaire, bear) and I saw this definition… and it fit what I was thinking about a stalker creepy paparazzi situation. To me that ‘queer’ I don’t mean someone who’s gay. I mean lame people who film you, post it and stalk you. Lingo that means strange or odd.” And while he didn’t mean to offend anyone, Cardi B’s fiance ended his post by adding, “I M S O R R Y… I A P O L O G I Z E.” It’s not the first time the members of Migos have been accused of homophobia. Last year they appeared to slam fellow rapper iLoveMakonnen’s decision to come out as gay after expressing their surprise at fans continuing to support him, despite going public with his sexuality. “Damn, Makonnen! They supported him?,” Quavo remarked to Rolling Stone magazine, before Offset quipped, “That’s because the world is f##ked up.” The “Bad and Boujee” hitmakers subsequently backtracked over their comments, issuing a statement which read: “We love all people, gay or straight and we apologize if we offended anyone.” https://www.instagram.com/p/BeGG7tHnjmD/

(AllHipHop News) A Meek Mill fan is suing the rapper after he was shot at one of his gigs. Dylan Thomas was shot in the leg as violence broke out at Meek’s Oakdale Theater concert in Wallingford, Connecticut on 30 December, 2016, and he now claims the hip-hop star is responsible for his injuries, according to TMZ. In his legal papers, Thomas insists the rap star should have hired more security for the show. Two men were killed and another was injured in the shooting incident, which took place in a car park outside the Oakdale Theater after the show. Meek was previously sued by the family of one of the men who died.

(AllHipHop News) Snoop Dogg is the subject of a new Netflix documentary chronicling his charitable activities with the Snoop Youth Football League “Coach Snoop” is an 8 episode series, concentrating on the Long Beach rapper’s time on the field, as he coaches a team of teenagers in the Snoop Youth Football League. “Music gave me the power to create a football league. But football is taking me to places that music could have never taken me to,” Snoop Dogg explained. “Coach Snoop” launches globally on Netflix February 2, 2018.

(AllHipHop News) The NBA continues to tap into the creativity of rapper Pharrell Williams for the 2018 All-Star festivities. Pharrell and N.E.R.D. have been announced as the entertainment for this year’s Halftime Show. Former Black Eyed Peas member Fergie will sing the National Anthem for the United States, while the Barenaked Ladies will vocalize the Canadian National Anthem. The news marks Pharrell second high profile deal with the NBA and All-Star Weekend. Migos hit single “Stir Fry,” which Pharrell produced, has been named the official song of All-Star Weekend.

(AllHipHop News) Rap star Gucci Mane may have a limited filmography, but that is about to change. The rapper, who has bit roles in movies like “Spring Breakers” and “Birds Of A Feather” is about to be the star of his own flick. According to Gucci, his best-selling book “The Autobiography of Gucci Mane” will be turned into a movie. While the Atlanta Trapstar did not reveal any more details, he confirmed the project was underway via Twitter. “The Autobiography of Gucci Mane” was released in September of 2017, to critical acclaim. The autobiography chronicles Gucci’s rise from the streets of Atlanta, his multiple prison stints and his return to the top of the hip-hop charts.

(AllHipHop News) DJ Khaled refused to reveal any details about the rumored Jennifer Lopez and Cardi B collaboration when he was asked about the project. The 42-year-old producer spoke to Entertainment Tonight on the set of his new TV show “The Four” where a reporter pleaded with him to tease some details of the reported duet, which he is said to be involved with. Holding his hands up as he appeared to be fighting with what to say, Khaled eventually replied: “Everything’s top secret!” “But I can tell you this: J.Lo’s got some new music coming,” he added. “I want to thank J.Lo for letting me be one of the producers amongst other great ones, and a feature on the record. I’m grateful.” Cardi is one of the hottest new names in the music industry and is breaking records left, right and center. Her latest record saw her beat Beyonce to become the third act, and first-ever woman, with five of the top 10 hits on America’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in a single week. She has tied Drake and Kendrick Lamar for the most concurrent top 10s in the chart since it began in 1958. And Khaled is more than a little proud of Cardi and what she’s accomplished since bursting onto the music scene. “Cardi B man, she’s doing her thing. God bless her,” he said. “To get in the game, these are the rewards and the accomplishments that we all work hard for, (like) her Hot 100s. I remember getting my first Hot 100 No. 1. I know the feeling. I know how exciting that is. It’s a drive to make you keep going more and more and more and more. “Nothing but love for Cardi B and all the new artists out there doing their thing.” Among Khaled’s upcoming projects is a tour with Demi Lovato, which kicks off next month. Teaming up with the “Confident” singer has been a rewarding process for the producer already, as he explained: “She’s great. I love her story, meaning, it’s inspiring. It’s a blessing that she called me and gave me the opportunity to hit the stage with her.”

(AllHipHop News) Rap star Kendrick Lamar is fielding offers from a number of music publishers, who want to manage his lucrative catalog. Kendrick, who has moved over 9.5 million units since his debut album Section 8.0, is currently winding down a deal with Warner/Chappell Music. According to Billboard, the rapper’s contract is about to expire, and he has been offered as much as $30 million dollars for the rights to administer his music. While the offers have varied, none of them has fallen below $20 million dollars and one publisher is even offering the Compton rapper an $11 million dollar advance. Representatives for Kendrick’s label Top Dawg Entertainment have yet to comment on the reports.

(AllHipHop News) Rapper Soulja Boy is facing legal action from a Las Vegas chauffeur who has objected to the unauthorized use of his image in a recent music video. Kamilah Daily filed suit against the “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” hitmaker, real name DeAndre Way, after discovering the hip-hop star had allegedly filmed footage of the driver during a ride in February 2017 and used it in the promo for his track “Bling,” without the driver’s consent. Daily is seeking unspecified damages for the disruption the video appearance caused to his employment, as well as compensation for the distress and mental anguish he has endured. He also requested an injunction against the further distribution of the footage. According to TheBlast.com, Soulja Boy lost a bid to have the case dismissed earlier this month with the judge overseeing the issue siding with Daily and allowing the dispute to move forward. The MC also appears to be in need of new legal representation, as his lawyers recently asked to be removed from the case, citing a lack of payment so far, and a breakdown in communications with Soulja Boy and his team. The rapper has yet to publicly comment on his legal troubles.

(AllHipHop News) Chicago rap star Common has linked up with award-winning pianist Robert Glasper and drummer Karriem Riggins to form a brand new group called August Greene. The trio realized their chemistry was real, after they collected an Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics, thanks to their song “Letter to the Free” from Ava DuVernay’s documentary 13th. The longtime friends and musical collaborators felt the time was right to release music from August Greene, which has themes of optimism and black excellence. They have found a sound that does not solely fit into one genre but is truly an invigorating hybrid of R&B, hip-hop, and jazz. The group, which bills itself as a hybrid of R&B, hip-hop, and jazz, released their first single today (January 18) titled “Optimistic” featuring Brandy. The track is a remake of The Sounds Of Blackness’ 1991 song of the same name. “August Greene actually formed before we chose a name before we even knew it was a band,” Common explained. “Karriem, Rob and I go back many years. It was something natural. When I started working with them it was like, ‘man, this feels like home,’ and it felt new and fresh. We love working together. The music takes us all to new places and it just feels like, everything I want to be as a musician is within the group of August Greene.”  August Greene will make their performance debut at Robert Glasper’s sixth annual “GRAMMY Joint” on January 26th at The Highline Ballroom during the 60th Annual Grammy Awards week. Take a listen to “Optimistic” featuring Brandy: https://soundcloud.com/amazon-music/optimistic-ft-brandy-august-greene/

(AllHipHop News) Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have turned down millions of dollars for exclusive photos of their newborn daughter. The couple, who is already parents to eldest daughter North, four, and Saint, two, welcomed their third child in the early hours of Monday. Kim and Kanye have already fielded requests worth up to $5 million for photos of their little girl, claiming that such deals would “violate their morals.” The couple, who married in 2014, have rejected money from news outlets vying for the first pictures, having resolved to prioritize “the safety and security” of their family. Their newfound desire for privacy comes in the wake of Kim’s terrifying ordeal at the hand of jewelry thieves in Paris. The reality star was robbed of $10 million worth of bling at gunpoint in 2016. Previously, the superstar parents waited two months before posting the first pictures of both North and Saint, and TMZ reported that they plan to release photos of their newborn “on their own timetable.” Kim, 37, and Kanye, 40, have yet to announce the name of the baby, who was born via a surrogate mother. The mom of three turned to surrogacy after struggling with life-threatening fertility issues throughout her previous pregnancies, and told her followers that she and rapper Kanye “are incredibly grateful to our surrogate who made our dreams come true with the greatest gift one could give.”