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Journalist Bae | BLACK MUSIC MONTH

It’s June! It may feel like one year you woke up and somebody on black twitter said “We’re going to make Black History Month last as many months as possible, SURPRISE – it’s Black Music Month!” The joke would be on you because that is not at all what happened. While the national celebration of Black History began in 1926, we didn’t bring the music celebration on the scene until 1979. Let’s examine how the acknowledgment has evolved and take a look at some of the artists at the forefront of this year’s observation.

Late to the Party

We can thank former President Jimmy Carter for the initial national announcement of the celebration. However, the appreciation month did not become official until a bill was passed in congress only 24 years ago in 2000 (etc.org, 2024). For that, we can give a round of applause for activist Dyana Williams.

Her platform set forth the ideology that music has been a tool of black history preservation since before any official recording. Many share the same sentiment that the colonizations of African [Americans] has watered down the culture. Black Music Month is meant to praise the evolution of black music and its contribution to various genres.

Pioneers

The first ever celebration was held on the White House Lawn and included the likes of Chuck Berry and Billy Eckstine (UCCS). Now let’s take a look at some of at some artists who are literally ones FOR THE HISTORY BOOKS!

  • KING OF RAGTIME: Scott Joplin
  • FATHER OF GOSPEL: Thomas A Dorsey
  • FATHER OF FUNK: James Brown
  • MUSICAL THEATRE FOREFATHERS: Eubie Blake & Noble Sissle (Shuffle Along)
  • MOTHER ROCK ‘N’ ROLL: Sis. Rosetta Thorpe
  • FATHER OF JAZZ: Duke Ellington
  • MOTHER OF BLUES: Gertrude “Ma” Rainey
  • MOTHER OPERA: Marion Anderson

Join the Action

This year, you can join the party in multiple ways. If you’re in Tennessee, you can join on the “Blackest Broadway” on June 16th. NYC can join at the Music & Power Awards on June 12th. In Georgia, you can attend the South GA Gospel Music Fest on June 8th. In Kentucky, there’s a Black Music Month Celebration at the Palm Room in Louisville that takes place on June 14th. And last but not least, if you’re here in the great state of Florida, join us June 9th in Miami Gardens at the Black Music Month Celebration! Search up your city and state to see any and all events going on for the next 21 days.

#GetSOM more music, history, and tea from your girl, @Mochathemack and only on straightofficial.com

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Spinrilla Shuts Down

R.I.P. TO SPINRILLA

SPINRILLA, the popular site that enabled users to create mixtapes of Hip-Hop tracks has shut down after agreeing to pay USD $50 million over copyright infringement.

A group that included record labels from all of the big three recording companies sued Spinrilla in 2017. Alleging that “a substantial amount of content uploaded to the website” belonged to the record companies.

Spinrilla Logo

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

In a judgment issued last Wednesday (May 3). US District Court judge Amy Totenberg, who sits on the bench for the northern district of Georgia, Atlanta division. Ordered Spinrilla and its founder, Jeffrey Copeland, to pay the record companies the $50 million fine. Giving Spinrilla five days to take its services offline.

The ruling also prohibited all employees of Spinrilla. As well as people who worked “in active concert or participation” with Spinrilla. From ever operating a service “that is substantively similar to the Spinrilla Service.”

The plaintiffs in the case were Warner Music Group’s Atlantic Records and Electra Records. Sony Music Entertainment’s LaFace Records. Arista Music, Zomba Records and Sony Music US Latin. As well as Universal Music Group’s Bad Boy Records and Capitol Records, along with Roc-A-Fella Records, Jay-Z’s now-defunct label.

Spinrilla & US Major Recording Companies

In its defense against the lawsuit. Spinrilla argued that it had been “cooperating for years in a variety of ways” with the record companies. “To successfully prevent and remove unauthorized music from Spinrilla.com.”

The company has invoked the “safe harbor” clause of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA).

However, in a 2020, Judge Totenberg rejected that defense, noting that Spinrilla hadn’t met the requirements for safe harbor. The company didn’t have the required policy towards repeat infringers.

WHAT WILL IT COST?

The Judge Totenberg, identified that 4,082 tracks have been uploaded and distributed without permission.

Under the DMCA, each violation carries a penalty of between $750 and $150,000. The ruling exposed Spinrilla and Copeland to a penalty between $3 million and $612 million.

Spinrilla and Copeland submitted an offer of judgment to the court. Under which the defendants agreed to a $50 million fine. Forced to shut down the service permanently.

Spinrilla had millions of users since its launch in 2013. The service’s Android app had more than 10 million downloads on the Google Play Store. Some 195,000 followers on its Twitter feed, which is still live, and a similar amount of followers on Facebook.

Spinrilla

The case has echoes of the fight between music streaming site Grooveshark and Universal Music Group. Which ended in 2015 when Grooveshark’s founders agreed to shutter the site in exchange for avoiding paying financial damages.

Grooveshark’s founders: Josh Greenberg and Sam Tarantino. Agreed they would pay $75 million if they were ever found infringing the majors’ copyrights again. (Greenberg was found dead two months after the settlement with UMG was agreed.)

In December 2015, streaming service Aurous – dubbed “the new Grooveshark”. Shut down and agreed to pay $3 million in damages to the major music companies.

Major DJ organizations like Fleet DJs has Mixtape Divisions which has members who utilize platforms such as Spinrilla. This instant shut-down leaves questions from the mixtape DJ communities.

The major label may have won their infringement case. The question is what about the DJ’s who’ve invested major money into their mixtape and uploaded legitimate projects? What about the independent artist who uses Spinrilla as an alternative distribution outlet? Where’s the music? What about the invested money as subscribers?

#GetSOM via @swag100 & check out more of his content right here.


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Lil Durk calls SZA the GOAT, Wants Her On Upcoming Album

Lil Durk & SZA
Photo Cred: HipHopDX

Lil Durk has taken to his Instagram stories to express how much he’d like for SZA to be on this album. He also told SZA supporters to tag her, to know how much he’s interested in this potential collaboration.

Lil Durk wants SZA on his upcoming album 

Lil Durk continues to be one of the biggest rappers in the game, as he’s working on his upcoming eighth studio album. The Chicago has already revealed an artist that he really wants to be featured on this project.

“@SZA the goat. Y’all bet not sleep or get blind. Every female every car every sale she really her… I need you on my album ASAP. A hit not a regular song. Go tag SZA blow her s**t down. Tell her Smurk need her.”

Durk’s last project came in 2022, which was his “7220” album. That became his first number one solo album on the Billboard 200 chart, and was led by his “Ahh Haa” and “Broadway Girls” featuring Morgan Wallen singles. Durk also collaborated with Future, Gunna, Summer Walker, and more.

SZA also recently scored 10 total weeks at number one, with her new sophomore album, “SOS.” It spent its first seven weeks atop the Billboard 200. She’s also venturing on the second leg of her “SOS” Tour this summer and fall, which

Check out Lil Durk speaking on him wanting SZA on his upcoming album, below.

Lil Durk
REDEYEBLUE

#GetSOM via @2offishall & check out more emerging artists by clicking here.

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38 Spesh Drops “Gunsmoke” EP

38 Spesh

38 SPESH is back in the kitchen.

Spesh, originally known as 38 Special, has been rapping since the early 2000s. In 2006, he appeared on Alive on Arrival, a mixtape by early supporter and fellow Rochester product DJ Green Lantern. By the end of that decade, Spesh had headlined a couple Lantern-presented tapes.

After serving time in prison he returned in 2012 with Time Served. This began a constant dispersal of studio projects that continued through the end of 2010. Along with numerous solo releases, Spesh showcased artists on his TCF Music Group label with the Trust Tape series.

He has blessed mics with Benny the Butcher (Cocaine Cowboys and Stabbed & Shot), Joe Blow (In the Mob We Trust), and Kool G Rap (the cross-generational Son of G Rap). Spesh closed out his second decade of activity with a handful of solo tapes, highlighted by A Bullet for Every Heathen.

38 Spesh

Named after his strain of weed, Spesh comes with that music that will get you high.

GUNSMOKE – 38 SPESH

The 8 track EP has features from RansomChe Noir, the late Fred the GodsonFlee Lord, and Klass Murda. On top of his own production, Spesh is also rocking over beats by Harry FraudRain910TrickyTrippz.

Click the play button below and add Gunsmoke wherever you get music. Stay tuned for a project from Spesh and Conway the Machine in the near future.

BODY OF WORK

Some of the grimmest and lucid street tales from post-2000 New York state underground have been spun by 38 Spesh. A boom-bap disciple with over two dozen solo and collaborative projects. Time Served (2012), Stabbed & Shot (2018), A Bullet for Every Heathen (2019), and 7 Shots (2022).

He’s worked closely with fellow Upstate natives such as Benny the Butcher and Che Noir, and has recorded with influences including Kool G RapGhostface Killah, and DJ Premier.

Especially prolific in 2020, Spesh was behind at least ten titles that year alone, teaming with the likes of Che Noir and Planet Asia for numerous duo projects, and offering solo releases ranging from the instrumental set Speshal Blends to Interstate 38.

Spesh linked again with Benny the Butcher for Trust the Sopranos in 2021, and the next year issued the solo 7 Shots.

FOLLOW 38SPESH ON INSTAGRAM @IAMSPESH

#GetSOM via @2offishall & check out more emerging artists by clicking here.

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Jhené Aiko Releases “Calm & Patient” Single

Jhené Aiko is ushering in a new era with the lush, powerful new single “Calm & patient.” The track is her first new solo song since 2021’s “Wrap Me Up.”

Over beds of synthesizers and minimal percussion, Aiko waxes poetically on the joys of life. She sings, “I’m satisfied with life/ I do not just get by, I thrive/ What a miracle to be up and alive/ Sending love to those who are stuck in the fight.” Listen to the uplifting new anthem below.

Jhené Aiko trended heavily in 2022, after announcing her second pregnancy. She had this child with Big Sean, as she’s been dating him since 2016. As a result, Aiko and Sean announced that this is a son, and went on to be born in November. They also unveiled that his name is Noah.

Aiko has been quiet, last emerging to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her debut mixtape Sailing Soul(s) by releasing the project on streaming services for the first time ever.

“This mixtape was a pivotal moment for me,” Aiko wrote on Twitter. She explained the story of Sailing Soul(s), saying: “When Was 12 I was signed to a label, singing songs I have no real connection to. Besides that, I had no real stories of my own to tell at 12. Then I took a break to focus on school. In my teens, I was signing demo records and taking meetings.

I met with one record exec who told me I needed to do a better job at ‘selling’ myself when I came into meetings. Dressing like myself, singing like myself, talking like myself… wasn’t enough. I thought, why do I have to sell myself? Why do I have to try to convince you of my worth? Of who I am?”

The cover art for Sailing Soul(s) features Aiko standing in the ocean holding onto chains that are wrapped around her wrists and waist. “I wanted the cover to express me breaking free from that narrative of having to “sell” myself. I wanted the broken chains to symbolize that freedom of feeling unanchored… free to be me, going with the flow… going with the wind like a sail boat… freeing my soul… “sailing” my soul instead of “selling” my soul.”

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Headlights is The Worlds FIRST Interactive Hip-Hop Network

HEADLIGHTS is a new platform that allows artists to compete against one another in a LIVE ACTION broadcast. This is NOT SOCIAL MEDIA. This is the new wave for music discovery. Headlights is the worlds FIRST interactive hip-hop network.

Headlights is the worlds FIRST interactive hiphop network. Every two weeks we run a 3-day LIVE ACTION broadcast on our app where we feature the hottest artists from around the country, and let YOU the fan decide who wins.

Winning artists get paid cash ?, get connected with A&R from top labels, elite influencer platforms, and gain entry into exclusive tour and performance events.

This is NOT SOCIAL MEDIA. This is the new wave for music discovery.

Headlights

Our mission is to provide a platform where artists can showcase their talent. We’re not interested in seeing you dance, sing or rap; we want to see what makes you unique.

We believe that anyone can be an artist and anyone can discover new music. Our goal is to make the world a better place through music.

Our app allows users to upload their own content and vote on other user-generated content. This gives people the opportunity to provide their opinions and engage with their favorite artists.

Headlights’ mission is to help aspiring artists reach their goals by providing them with a platform where they can share their music and receive feedback from their peers in an entertaining way.

Let’s get it ?
**
#rap #hiphop #chicago #detroit #miami #atlanta #memohis #toronto #oakland

https://headlightshiphop.com/

#GetSOM via @2offishall and check out more of the lifestyle and culture of Hip-Hop by clicking here.

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Gunna Released After Pleading Guilty to RICO Charge

Gunna is a free man. He was released from jail after pleading guilty to racketeering and conspiracy charges. In a sweeping gang indictment, rapper Young Thug and several other alleged members of the Young Slime Life (YSL) criminal street gang.

The Atlanta rapper entered a negotiated plea. Also known as an Alford plea, it’s when a defendant doesn’t admit they committed the crime, but acknowledges that it’s in their best interest to plead guilty. The charge Gunna faced was one count of conspiracy to violate the Racketeer Influenced and Corruption Act (RICO).

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Gunna was sentenced to five years with one year served in prison. Upon the guilty plea, the one-year was commuted to time served. The four years remaining on his sentence were suspended. He will be subject to special conditions, including 500 hours of community service.

Gunna personally released a statement, saying:

“While I have agreed to always be truthful, Gunna wants to make it perfectly clear that he has NOT made any statements. I have NOT been interviewed. He hasn’t cooperated. He hasn’t agreed to testify or be a witness for or against any party in the case. I have absolutely NO intention of being involved in the trial process in any way.”

Gunna released after pleading guilty to RICO charge

WHAT EVERYONE IS SAYING

Artist and fans took to social media, expressing their ideas and thoughts on Gunna choice to take a plea deal. Some people are saying he has incriminated Young Thug and the YSL camp. He is now being titled a snitch amongst the Hip-Hop community.

Gunna released after pleading guilty to RICO charge
Young Thug – Gunna

Gunna’s lawyers made statements on social media. Regarding his decision they state that Gunna is not snitching or incriminating his label executives or label mates. Let us know what you think in the comments.

SWAG 100

#GetSOM via @swag100 and check out more of the lifestyle and culture of Hip-Hop here.

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PNB Rock Shot At A Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles

Rapper PnB Rock was shot at a Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles restaurant in Los Angeles while dining with his girlfriend on Monday (Sep. 12.)

Law enforcement got a call to the Inglewood location of the restaurant at 1:23 pm for a shooting victim, per TMZ. The outlet obtained video footage of the incident that showed the “Fendi” rapper “fighting for his life.” Restaurant staff was reportedly seen panicking as the rapper lay on the floor. In the video, PnB Rock is still seen moving. His current condition is unknown. Prior to the shooting, the Philly native’s girlfriend Steph posted a photo of their meal on her social media. The shooter is still unknown, but witnesses say that they were trying to rob someone in the restaurant. TMZ also noted that PnB posted a video of himself wearing multiple chains prior.

DJ Akademiks took to Twitter to share a statement on the incident after interviewing the rapper a week ago. “Wow.. this PNB Rock situation crazy.. i just did a interview with him a week ago where he detailed how someone tried to rob him in LA recently while he was out with his girlfriend and daughter. Now.. this.. smh. Pray for PNB Rock,” he wrote.

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Bottega Boyz | The Elite Liquor Ambassadors

BOTTEGA BOYZ ARE THE NEW LIQUOR ELITE

Liquor has become one of the most valuable marketing tools for artists. Some of the highest earning musicians in the industry makes majority of their money from liquor. A new brand has emerged and is determined to get their piece of the industry. That brand is Bottega Liquid Metals.

Bottega Boyz
BOTTEGA LIQUID METALS

WHO ARE THE Bottega Boyz?

The Bottega Boyz have been making their mark all around the country and building the brand awareness. If you are attending a high profile event more than likely it was sponsored by them. We’re talking concerts, private parties, rap battles, tours and clubs. The Bottega Boyz most likely have their hands involved.

Half The Hustler (CEO of Bottega Boyz) sat down with SWAG 100 for an exclusive interview. SWAG 100 is a celebrity podcaster/journalist that is personally sponsored by Half and also the newest member of the ambassador team.

Bottega Boyz CEO
CEO HALF THE HUSTLER aka BOTTEGA BOYZ HALF

Half The Hustler/Straight Official/Goat Vibez Questionnaire

SWAG 100: Tell us about yourself.

HALF THE HUSTLER: I’m Corey Michale, CEO of the BOTTEGA BOYZ. The streets know me as Half The Hustler. I’m a mover and shaker in the entertainment world. A brand ambassador for Bottega Liquid Metals. You could catch me in videos with French Montana, Benny The Butcher, Dave East and Fivio Foriegn to name a few.

Tell us more about the Bottega Boyz and the Bottega Babes.

Bottega Boyz and Bottega Babes is a company that I started to bring awareness to the brand. Sort of like what the Cîroc Boys do for Cîroc. We go out and turn the clubs up. Turn the VIP up, we get the bottles popping and create a buzz to where people start asking questions about the bottles. In return, people ask how can they acquire the bottles or become apart of the team. We are group of club promoters, DJs, photographers, models etc… A puzzle that I put together.

Why did you choose to work with Bottega Liquid Metals?

Because they reached out to me. They believed in me and what I had going on. It didn’t cost me any money. I always tell people if someone tells you they believe in you’ll know by what they’re willing to invest into you from the start. They believe in me invested in to me, told me what I’m worth and showed me what I’m worth. I’m rocking out with them!

GET TO KNOW THE NAME

How did you first hear about Bottega?

One of their reps reached out to me on Instagram and asked me how would I like to work with the brand.

Who were some of the first influencers to embrace you and your product?

Some of the first were Larry Tan, Gillie Da Kid, Eness, Black Ink Crew and Benny The Butcher. They showed love from day one and to this day. French Montana shows me love in all of his videos with the brand. Philadelphia was instrumental, Mikey – O a promoter started letting us come in and do some stuff. A big model from Philly name Desani Dawls show us love from the jump. It has been a long 6 years.

How were you able to put together a team of brand ambassadors from all over?

I’m very vocal and easy to talk to. I began to hold a interview in my head. Like, is this person fit for this brand. I look for artist and models. I look for DJs and photographers. I’m doing events. We have artist & celebs we’ve pushed. Like yourself SWAG. You have a podcast and the product is always present in the public eye when the viewers tune in. Every thing is conducted in-house. We’re able to circulate money within the our unit.

THE NEXT LEVEL FOR BOTTEGA

What’s the overall goal for the Bottega Boyz & Babes brands?

My endgame is to own my own liquor company. My owning branding company. To get get other brands to reach out to me for their needs. I’ve had several companies contact me. They weren’t willing to pay me my worth. I’m professional at staying grounded.

Who are some celebrities that have associated with the product?

From French Montana, Dave East, Black Ink Crew… The list can go on and on. Plenty of people have tasted & loved the product. We were able to get the product in video placements, most recently had the product placed in P Valley. It’s no ceiling to this we already blew the roof of this. Just to add some more Brett Michaels Jim Jones and a bunch of Love and Hip-Hop crew members, salute to you SWAG 100 for getting Mama Jones and the whole Jones clan involved. Shout to SWAG 100, the podcast we see y’all, you know he’s an official Bottega Boy.

Do you have a favorite bottle of Bottega? Which one and why?

That would be Bottega Rose’. I like the tartness of it. When it’s ice cold, served with cut-up strawberries. It releases nodes you need to taste. People drink to get drunk. I drink to taste and actually critique what it is I’m drinking. For me is the Bottega Rose’ Gold.

IN CLOSING

Did anything or anyone inspire you to get in this business?

Nothing really inspired me. A company reached out to me. A hustler in mind, a company offering me 100 cases of each flavor. I was able to sale the bottles and move on. It didn’t workout like that. It became something I loved doing. Being in the clubs popping bottles, to be able to flood a VIP section. I became inspired by the attention. Example my Instagram went from 700 -21k.

Shout to Swag 100 & Straight Official Magazine for having me and big ups to the whole team everyone world wide hustling and grinding providing for their families. This is a lifestyle.

#GetSOM via @swag100 & check out more of his content right here.

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BIG L (Lamont Coleman) True Harlem Legend, Brings Hip-Hop Fans Far & Wide To Celebrate 140th Street Renaming

#GetSOM via @swag100

A HISTORIC DAY IN HIP-HOP

Legendary New York rapper Big L has had a street renamed after him in his hometown of Harlem. Hundreds of his dedicated fans, family members and friends showed up on the street on Saturday to celebrate.

Once known as 140th and Lenox Ave is now officially Lamont “Big L” Coleman Way. This took place after a lengthy petition campaign put together by the producers of the Big L documentary. One spokesperson said, “It took a whole lot of effort and support to get to this great point. We made it happen.”

The team also announced in a statement on Instagram. “The biggest Thank You goes out to the dope 500 plus people who signed the petition so we could get the street renamed. There are entirely tooo many good people that gave their support. With all my heart, I personally want to say THANK YOU!!!!”

Big L is revered as one of the greatest lyricists in Hip-Hop of all time. He has been an influence the careers of countless rappers. 

Big L and Tupac joined forces for “Deadly Combination” from L’s second studio album “The Big Picture.”

FRIENDS & LEGENDS IN HIP-HOP

Funkmaster Flex stated that L was a better lyricist than both Biggie and Jay-Z. His career was cut short in 1999 when he was shot and killed outside of his residence in Harlem. I had a personal invite for the occasion by other Harlem Rap legends Herb Mcgruff and Stan Spit.

From Left To Right – Herb McGruff + Stan Spit

Herb Mcgruff and Stan Spit were both close friends of Lamont Coleman. They grew up on the same blocks as the late great and were a part of Big L’s legacy.

I spent the day with his partner in media Adot-Upt covering exclusive stories and interviews. These are the ones who knows the history and back stories of Big L’s life and rap career. We all know of the Big L – Jay Z story.

There is an unknown story about L that revolves around his insane recording deal. L was the first artist to ever secure a deal where he’d receive $10-$11 from a $12 record. Imagine how far Big L’s career would have went had his life not ended?

Big L would have been one of the biggest rappers in history if it weren’t for his premature death. Big L was murdered back in February 1999. He was just 24 years old. His 1995 project titled Lifestylez Of Da Poor & Dangerous would be his only released studio album.

In just one album, L established himself as the untouchable king of punchlines, delivered in his unmistakably aggressive compound flow.

Big L`s freestyles on The Stretch Armstrong and Bobbito Show (in 1995 with Jay-Z, and in 1998 solo) amassed major cult followings online and live on as the benchmark of the freestyle verse.

ADOT-UPT | SWAG 100 | STAN SPIT | HERB MCGRUFF

Check Out BIG L Official Videos

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