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Jermaine Dupri Confirms So So Def Vs. Bad Boy Records Verzuz

So So Def founder Jermaine Dupri was onstage at the ONE MusicFest in Atlanta over the weekend when he made a big announcement. Speaking to the crowd, Dupri revealed a Verzuz battle between So So Def and Diddy's Bad Boy Records was imminent, although he didn't specify a date. 

As he says in the YouTube clip, "I'm saying this to let y'all know the So So Def Bad Boy Verzuz is happening." Of course, the audience went wild with anticipation and put their enthusiasm front and center. 

Co-founded by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland, Verzuz began as a way to beat the quarantine blues as the concert industry shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. As it became more popular, Triller ended up buying Verzuz and putting it on a much larger platform.

But both Swizz Beatz and Timbo

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Killer Mike Stresses Importance Of Voting During Illuminating "Fallon" Appearance

Killer Mike took his latest solo single "Run" to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" on Friday (October 7). The theatrical performance began with a spoken word intro before the Run The Jewels MC invited New York City to "go to church." 

"Run," Mike's first solo single since 2012's "R.A.P. Music," was initially teased in an ad for Cadillac Escalade starring Killer Mike and his wife Shana Render. It officially arrived on the Fourth of July alongside a video featuring additional vocals from Dave Chappelle and Young Thug. 

Speaking to RAPstation's Kyle Eustice at the time, Mike explained why he wanted to released it on Independence Day. 

"The Fourth of July celebrates the founding of this Republic and the rejection of British tyranny through taxation,” he <

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Spyder D Hospitalized Following Stroke

Hip Hop pioneer Spyder D—mostly known for the 1982 hit "Smerphie's Dance"— has been hospitalized. According to a statement obtained by Rock The Bells, the 62-year-old has been under medical care for nearly two months. 

“Spyder D recently faced a challenge with his health when he suffered a stroke with a bleed to the brain, followed by a bacterial brain infection, which led to infecting his blood stream,” the statement reads. “He is suffering challenges as a result of it all.”

Former collaborator Sparky D, who has two children with Spyder D, told the outlet: "He was my producer, but he was my friend first,” she says. “As a man, he’s the greatest father ever. Spyder D was the first one to ever get any artist at any basketball game. If it wasn’t f

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Wu-Tang Clan, Nas + Busta Rhymes Sell Out Hollywood Bowl With Surprise Guests

Wu-Tang Clan, Nas and Busta Rhymes sold out The Hollywood Bowl on October 4 as part of the N.Y. State of Mind Tour. GZA marked the occasion by sharing a photo of the marquee to his Instagram account with his excitement palpable in the caption. "Showtime in 20 minutes!" he wrote.

The packed crowd likely didn't anticipate a surprise appearance from LL COOL J, who joined his fellow Hip Hop legends on the stage at one point during the show as did Mary J. Blige and Jadakiss.

LL COOL J arrived just as Method Man and Redman were getting ready to perform their collaborative single “4,3,2,1.” As for Blige, she and Method Man did a live rendition of their 1995 Grammy Award-winning single “All I Need." 

The N.Y. State of Mind Tour kicked off in St. Louis, Missouri on

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Criminal Charges In Zumbi's Death May Be Filed After All

The family of Stephen "Zumbi" Gaines and their attorney have spoken out regarding the Zion I rapper's suspicious death at Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley, California last August. Days after The Mercury News reported no criminal charges would be filed—despite the coroner ruling Gaines' death a homicide—Berkeley lawyer Elizabeth Grossman issued a statement refuting the notion. 

"We are not sure who is responsible for the misinformation in the article, but I spoke directly with [District Attorney] Nancy O’Malley today and a final decision has not been made," Grossman said. 

The statement continued, "This comes as a relief to the family and friends of Zumbi, including his mother Carolyn Gaines, who have been waiting for more than a year for the Coroner and Berkeley P

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Kendrick Lamar Sweeps 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards

The 2022 BET Hip Hop Awards took place at the Cobb Energy Center in Atlanta on September 30 and finally aired via BET on Tuesday (October 4) with Fat Joe handling hosting duties. Kendrick Lamar, who was nominated nine times, walked away with six trophies in categories such as Lyricist of the Year, Hip Hop Album of the Year and Hip Hop Artist of the Year for his work on "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers," his fifth studio album and last for Top Dawg Entertainment/Interscope Records. 

He also netted an award alongside his cousin Baby Keem in the Best Hip Hop Video category and Best Director with Dave Free, both for "family ties," as well as Best Live Performer. 

Lamar released "Mr. Morale" in May to widespread acclaim. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 c

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