It's The Boombap

Every single year, sneaker companies around the world celebrate Chinese New Year by coming through with shoe designs that commemorate the occasion. On January 25th, the Year of the Rat was celebrated in China and Jordan Brand was ready with some sneakers to pay homage. One of those shoes was the Air Jordan 13 "Chinese New Year" which we were lucky enough to get our hands on. 
As you can see in our review, we take a look at some of the details found on the upper, as well as the subtle features that reference Chinese culture. This colorway is one of the most unique Air Jordan 13s we have seen in a very long time and will certainly look great on your feet or in your collection.
Be sure to check out the entire unboxing and let us know what you think in the comments below. Meanwhile, if you're in the market for a new pair of shoes, you can scoop up the Air Jordan 13 "Chinese New Year" for $200 USD at Nike.com.

Image via Nike


via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/sneaker-unboxing-air-jordan-13-chinese-new-year-new-video.45952.htm

On a rather unsuspecting Mario remix, Lil Wayne delivered Drake’s favorite Weezy verse of all time. The song, “Crying Out For Me,” was initially released as the second single from Mario’s album Go, which despite mostly favorable reviews, didn’t necessarily do anything exciting on the charts. The single, likewise, peaked at #33 on the Billboard Hot 100 when it dropped in December, 2007. The remix, which featured Lil Wayne and alternately Busta Rhymes, was released a few months later and remains one of those in-between-records that, despite being an “official” release at the time, never truly found a home, whether it be on streaming services or an album. Wayne has plenty of songs like these, especially from the year 2007.

Ben Rose/WireImage for Radio One/Hot 107.9/Getty Images‘07 Wayne was during the peak of his ”Best Rapper Alive” era, which resulted in The Leak EP-- as well as many other leaks which did not receive such a formal release (VIBE did a list of the 77 Best Lil Wayne Songs of 2007)-- and culminated with the release of Tha Carter III in 2008. It was this acclaimed 2007 run that truly helped build Wayne’s reputation, and equally, helped him become such a dominant force on the Internet. He was prolific in a way we had yet to see, and in a way that the Internet, we now know, is made for. That is to say, the Internet requires constant fueling, a constant stream of ‘new,’ and Wayne whether or not he intended, ensured the Internet always had something new from him. A freestyle, a leak, a guest verse. There was also less hip-hop fodder to compete with at the time, too. Becoming a rapper overnight was not yet a thing, Soundcloud was only founded in 2007 and did not have the notoriety it currently does. Generally-speaking, hip-hop had not yet fully taken over pop culture’s dialogue in the same way it has presently, but even so, Wayne was well on his way to pop culture stardom. 

There are many fan-favorite Wayne songs that make up his 2007 run. There’s “I Feel Like Dying,” there’s “Prostitute Flange,” there’s “La La La,” there’s “I’m Me.” His verse on “Crying Out For Me” is not usually among the discourse. However it’s an important marker in Weezy’s style. Wayne’s has a history of lyrics about his sexual exploits, so lyrics about a girl are not necessarily new territory. However, a whole verse detailing a rather mundane if not awkward conversation with a girl, littered with one-word text-responses, is. 
So I met this shawty the other day 
I got her number called her up like: "What ya doin'?" 
She say: "Nuuu'in" 
I say: "What's good?" 
She say: "Not much?" 
I say: "Guess what?" 
She say "What's up?" 
I say: "I think we should hook up"
She say "uh" 
I say: "What?" 
She say: "But.." 
I say: "But, why you stuck?" 
She say: "Fuck!" 
I said: "Who?" 
She say: "Not you"
 I say: "Then who?" 
She say: "You know."
"I know what?" 
"You know who" 
I say: "I do?" 
She said: "You do" 
I said: "I do"
And that’s the end of the transcript. What transpired from there, we can only guess. One thing is for certain, the verse does not end in, or include a, sexual escapade, which would be the norm for most Wayne verses of this variety-- at least the ones that begin in a similar fashion.
Wayne employed this method in future verses, and even tried it out to lesser effect in verses prior to Mario’s remix, but none compared to the length and detail contained within this particular verse. This lyrical template wasn’t usually about Wayne getting shut down-- quite the opposite. 
As early as his debut album, with the song “Kisha,” he was going into the he-say-she-say of relationships in a conversational, story-telling manner:
Got a early call from Kisha, Kisha wanted me to meet her
She said she thought it was time to make the relationship get deeper
Said cool then I'm gon' beep ya
What would be a good time to reach ya
She said what about ten but l thought eleven would be sweeter
Cuz she wanted me to see her, said I needed a teaser
On ‘07 era Tha Carter III leak titled “Lisa Marie,” Wayne reveals another bit of dialogue with a lover:
I told her I would write a rhyme about her and it would be sweet
I said I need the perfect track, she said, "That's deep"
On the 2013 song, “Itchin’” Wayne goes into even more detail of the back-and-forth relationship-centric dialogue, with a hook that’s entirely based around it: 
Yeah, I told her take her drawers off and she says I ain't wearin' none
I asked her, "Who this pussy for?" She said "Ransom"
And when she says "I Love You", I say, "Shut up, take this dick"
She treat me like a God and tell her man she atheist
And then he calls with all that bitchin'
"Who is this?" She busy, call her later
There are plenty of other examples we could cull from the countless songs in Wayne’s career, however they are often found within the context of one or two bars only, collaborating with the rest of the lyrics in whatever strange way Wayne has deemed fit.
She said she eat her vegetables so she stay alive
So she slobbed on my knob
Like corn on the cob 
He raps on “Gettin’ Some Head” off of Dedication 2.
The fact that the verse on “Crying Out For Me” allowed us to see a vulnerable Wayne (for all intents and purposes), a Wayne who could not get the girl (at least not immediately and not to our knowledge) is revealing in itself. Drake is often credited for bringing emotions into the fold of hip-hop, he is a rapper who wears his emotions and his vulnerabilities on his sleeve. Drake’s favorite Wayne verse is essentially the most Drake-y Wayne verse there is. So that may not be surprising in and of itself. However it does tell us something when it comes to influence, as low key as it might be. 
It’s interesting to piece the threads of influence together when it comes to Wayne. Wayne is credited for a lot of things openly: the use of cough syrup and prescription pills, auto-tune (but yes, T-Pain too), odd-ball metaphors & wardrobe choices, an entire generation of artists in the vein of Young Thug; it could even be argued that Wayne influenced the whole idea of prolificness as a means to fame. The blueprint that 2 Chainz used in a lead-up to his own success was the same one Wayne followed circe ‘06/‘07: releasing an insane amount of music and collaborating with any and everyone. It’s a blueprint many young artists still imitate: Russ did it when he dropped a song every week on Soundcloud for two years straight. Wayne addressed his hard-working nature in a 2007 XXL interview as well, shrugging off claims of oversaturation-- around the same time 50 Cent referred to Weezy as an “industry whore” because of all the music he was out there collaborating on. Despite the many credits Wayne has received for his overall influence on hip-hop , he’s not necessarily credited for anything on rap’s emotional spectrum, which is of course becoming more and more woven into the fabric of the music. 
Clearly, this Mario verse is also not very emotional. It’s too brief for that. However it still must springboard from an emotional well, the same one that has created a whole genre of heartbroken-rap-love songs. The verse arrived when rap was still much more focused on bravado and getting the girl rather than stories of the opposite. We can’t claim that this verse is the sole influence and only reason behind Drake’s emo approach, but we can imagine that it’s certainly a factor, especially by his own admission. “You really just rapped about an awkward, confusing conversation with a girl that actually would happen? Just because I’m a conversational artist, so to get that verse off, and tie it off at the end,” Drake says in awe during a VEVO interview discussing the verse.

Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesThings finally came full circle when Drake and Wayne collaborated on “HYFR,” and Drizzy was able to flex his own text exchange in a very-clearly-Wayne inspired manner. Recorded for Drake’s 2012 album Take Care, the song is about romantic entanglements both past and present. Drizzy adopts Wayne’s “Crying Out For Me” blueprint but fills in the missing gaps-- the story itself is more detailed, the text messages are more elaborate.
And we never talk too much after I blew up
Just only "hello" or a "happy belated"
And I think I text her and told her I made it 
And that's when she text me and told me she prayed it 
And that's when I text her and told her I love her 
Then right after texted and told her I'm faded 
She asked what have I learned since getting richer
The song is one that centers around blocking out emotions rather than dealing with them, though, as past trauma from relationships re-surfaces for both artists. “Interviews are like confessions,” in the sense that they are revealing, they are telling-- and right now, neither Drake nor Wayne wants to confess or deal with these emotions beyond a temperate and rather useless “Hell yeah.”
While we cannot credit Wayne as the main force behind the love-scorned-rap movement, we can credit his influence on Heartbreak Drake and we can trace the lines of influence, as faded as they might be. Somehow: it all goes back to Drake.  



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lil-waynes-crying-out-for-me-verse-quietly-influenced-the-game-news.102049.htm

It appears Deion Sanders ain’t too happy with the growing number of NFL players being selecting into the Hall Of Fame. In a recent interview on the Dan Patrick Show, Deion voiced his displeasure for the amount of players being elected into the hall, and he believes its watering down the honor.
“What is a Hall of Famer now? Is it a guy who played a long time?” Sanders said. “It’s so skewed now. Once upon a time, a Hall of Famer was a player who changed the darn game, who made you want to reach in your pocket and pay your admission to see that guy play. That’s not a Hall of Famer anymore. Every Tom, Dick and Harry, you’re a Hall of Famer, you’re a Hall of Famer, you’re a Hall of Famer. They let everybody in this thing. It’s not exclusive anymore. And I don’t like it.”
Sanders added that he doesn’t think there should be a minimum number of new Hall of Famers each year. The Hall has enshrined at least six new members in every class since 2006, and Sanders thinks that’s too many. “It should be based on, ‘Are you that guy?’ Not just because we have to meet a quota,” Sanders added.
Check out his comments below (1:55 mark) and let us know what you think. Is Primetime right here or is he overreacting?



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/deion-sanders-on-nfl-hall-of-fame-it-s-not-exclusive-anymore-and-i-dont-like-it-news.102272.htm

The Top Dawg Entertainment release schedule is looking positively stacked. With expected drops from Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Ab-Soul, Reason, and the off-chance of Isaiah Rashad coming through, it's hard to imagine a timeline whereupon everybody eats. And yet the itinerary continues to pile on. Last night, HHNM confirmed that ScHoolboy Q took to the stage to announce his plans to drop a brand new solo album at some point this year. 

Erik Voake/Getty Images Taking the stage at London's O2 Academy Brixton, Q revealed that his CrasH Talk follow-up was already in development. "I'ma constantly be here bruh, I'm not lying to you, I swear to God," declares Q. "I'ma drop a whole other album this year, I promise you that. I promise you that, I'm not lying this time! And I'm the most lying-ist muthafucka ever! I'll drop next month. Yeah right. N***a, I'm dropping an album this year, I promise you that."
"I've been working on this album since CrasH Talk came out," he continues. "I been working nonstop. I constantly work because I'm hungry and I love to create. And every time when I come out and I see my fans, it makes me appreciate this shit way more than what it is." Check out his passionate vow below, and sound off below -- do you think Q will ultimately prove to be a man of his word?  We hope so, as there's always time for ScHoolboy Q's bleak and unflinching art of storytelling. 



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/schoolboy-q-teases-new-album-coming-this-year-news.102271.htm

Memphis rap is having a moment right now with the success of Moneybagg Yo and his latest album Time Served. Despite the fact that he barely issued any advance warning, Moneybagg Yo was awarded his highest first-week sales numbers ever, topping his 43VA Heartless project and enjoying another step up on the charts. The star has been hustling for a minute but this is looking set to be his best year yet. If you ask Blac Youngsta about the veteran spitter, he'll tell you all about their early struggles. The two aren't freshly connected -- they've been friends for years and they've got the receipts to prove it.

Sharing an old photo of himself and Moneybagg Yo, Blac Youngsta said that the rapper has "been" his brother. The photo shows them from way back in the day, without the hundred-thousand-dollar chains, designer clothing, and with a few extra pounds on their bodies. "I was fat man," laughed Bagg in the comments. He then proceeded to upload the same photo but he cropped out an aspect of the image that would have gotten him clowned in the comments.
"I had to crop them polo boots out," wrote the Time Served rapper, ensuring that nobody sees the shoes he was rocking back then. These days, it's only Dior and Fendi kicks for the big speaker. Peep both versions of the throwback, above and below.



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/moneybagg-yo-hilariously-crops-blac-youngsta-throwback-photo-to-hide-his-shoes-news.102268.htm

The latest in a slew of fantastic interviews on GGN, Snoop Dogg recently hosted T.I. for an extensive conversation on the culture. Finding common ground in their shared experience navigating the dope game, the conversation shifts to the importance of mentorship in hip-hop. "When I first came in I didn't really have anybody to look to for guidance," reflects Tip. "It wasn't until later on in my career when I was introduced to people like you and Jay and Puff. As far as from Atlanta, everybody was so caught up in doing their own thing -- rightfully so-- wasn't no time for turning back and teaching or nothing." 
"I say I take my losses like I take my wins," says Snoop, a few minutes later. "Every loss I took made me better and prepared me for the win. Sometimes when I win it's a loss, because I think I did it right. I think I perfected it. But in every win there's something I did wrong. So you gotta know how to take your losses." 

Mark Davis/Getty ImagesHe proceeds to ask T.I. about the decision to broadcast his "Family Hustle" for the world to see. "You inspire my family to want to stay together, to want to be together," gushes Snoop, prompting a proud laugh from Tip. "I was in prison," recalls Tip. "I was noticing that every time something was reported about me or written about me always reflected back to one or two isolated moments. So I felt like it was because I haven't given them enough. The plan was to show how diverse my lifestyle was. How much of a family man, a businessman I am. I was all these things."
"In doing so, we found out the kids was stars," laughs Tip. "They didn't find their voice until the cameras came on. It's like when you and your old lady in the room they gonna talk to you a certain way. Then when you walk out that room, they gonna be completely different kids. When the camera came on, it gave me the opportunity to see how they are when I'm not around. It was a pleasant surprise, and shit, they took the show over."
Check out the full interview below, and big shout out to both Snoop and Tip for continuously holding it down. 



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/ti-tells-snoop-dogg-why-he-brought-family-life-to-reality-tv-news.102263.htm

Dr. Umar Johnson is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Certified School Psychologist who is best known for spouting outrageous conspiracy theories. In one of his more well-known theories, he proposed that Meek Mill was released from prison in order for Bill Cosby to be convicted. His latest proposition, though, is rubbing people the wrong way, as it deals with the very recent death of Kobe Bryant. On Instagram live, Dr. Johnson explained that he believes that the helicopter crash that killed Kobe did not occur due to fog but rather was the intentional result of a dispute between Kobe and a pharmaceutical company over his signature nickname.

"They did not crash because of the fog—that was an expert pilot. Kobe was sabotaged, he explains in a video taken of the live. "Not to mention, Kobe Bryant was engaged in a legal battle with a big pharmaceutical company over the use of the name, 'Black Mamba.'" After repeating himself many times for dramatic effect, he emphasizes his point that the helicopter was crashed on purpose due to this conflict. "You understand me? Radar can see through the fog, thank you system (?). Radar can see through the fog. They didn't crash because of no damn fog and it wasn't no wind. The propeller was sabotaged."

Dr. Johnson also adds that the unnamed pharmaceutical company is "very powerful." According to Bossip, though, this company in question is not some kind of billion-dollar corporation, but actually is just a gas station brand of pills. While the theory seems pretty outlandish anyway, the fact that such a small company would go so far as to eliminate Kobe from the equation by having him killed is next level absurd. Twitter seems to agree, as the man is getting dragged by many users for his insensitivity and disrespect toward Kobe's tragic passing.



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/dr-umar-johnson-under-fire-for-outrageous-kobe-bryant-death-conspiracy-theory-news.102262.htm

A couple weeks ago rumors were circulating online that media conglomerate Barstool Sports was selling a minority stake of its company to a casino operator called Penn National, and it turns out the reports were true. On Wednesday, it was officially announced that Penn National Gaming and Barstool Sports have agreed on a $450 million dollar deal.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Penn National will first buy a 36 percent stake in Barstool for $163 million in cash and stock, which values the company at $450 million. In 3 years from now, the casino company will then have to pay another $62 million to bring its stake to 50 percent, with the ability to buy controlling ownership for an amount to be determined at the time.
Penn National, which runs & owns dozens of low-profile casinos and hotels around the US, will have exclusive rights to use the Barstool brand in its sports-betting products. They believe they can bring Barstool’s loyal fanbase and traffic to its casinos and upcoming new betting app.
For what its worth, a person briefed on Barstool’s business estimates the company generated between $90 million and $100 million in revenue last year, with the majority coming from podcasts, merchandise sales, and gambling deals. The rich keep getting richer I guess.
 
Check out El Pres’ official announcement of the deal (below).
View this post on InstagramBarstool Sports Is Now Accepting Passengers to The Moon
A post shared by Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) on Jan 29, 2020 at 4:31am PST



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/barstool-sports-sells-minority-stake-to-penn-national-gaming-for-s450-million-news.102266.htm

Here we go. We may be witnessing the inception of the latest A-list power couple. We've got Jay-Z and Beyoncé. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are madly in love. Cardi B and Offset bring that raunch to the red carpet every single time. Now, we may finally be nearing the romantic union of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky.
Earlier this month, Rihanna called things off with her billionaire boyfriend Hassan Jameel, kicking him to the curb and moving onto the bigger and better things. The same day that those reports broke, the multi-talented singer was spotted with A$AP Rocky at Yams Day 2020, honoring the life of the late A$AP Yams. New information suggests that the two musicians actually ended up staying the night together in the same hotel suite, perhaps confirming the fact that they're dating.

Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesNeither of the two has confirmed anything thus far but, according to The Sun, things are casual for the time being. "Rihanna is reluctant to put a label on it as it’s so soon after Hassan," reportedly said a source close to the pop star. "They’re really enjoying each other’s company and taking things easy as it’s still early days. It’s really casual between them and she’s not thinking about whether there’s a future with Rocky. She’s a newly-single girl having fun."
A$AP Rocky and Rihanna have been entangled in dating rumors for the last seven years, beginning when they were spotted kissing off-screen on the set of the music video for "Fashion Killa." It looks like they're finally giving things a try. Do you think they've respectively found "the one?"

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images


via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/rihanna-and-asap-rocky-reportedly-dating-news.102265.htm

NBA players who wear either No. 8 or No. 24 have begun the process of changing their jersey numbers as a way of honoring Kobe Bryant in the aftermath of his death. Additionally, Los Angeles Lakers guard Quinn Cook has announced that he will no longer wear No. 2, the number worn by Kobe's 13-year old daughter Gianna, who was one of nine killed in the tragic helicopter crash on Sunday.
According to Shams Charania, Cook explained to The Athletic, “No. 2 is Gianna’s number. I feel it should be retired. It’s hers.”

Cook grew up in Los Angeles and has been an avid Lakers fan since he was a kid. Like many others, Kobe was Cook's hero, and he was among those who flocked to Staples Center this week to mourn the loss of the Laker legend.
The 26-year old guard also posted an emotional IG post, which reads in part:
"I’m completely crushed. I haven’t cried this much or been in this much pain since I lost my dad in 2008. Yesterday I lost my hero, my idol, & the main reason my love for this game is where it is today. Can’t really process this but we all are devastated and heartbroken about what happened to my hero Kobe & his beautiful daughter Gianna. You taught us all so much on and off the court. Anyone who knows me knows what Kobe means to me and to the entire world."
The Lakers are expected to return to the court on Friday night, as they host the Portland Trail Blazers in a game that will air on ESPN at 10:30pm ET.



via: https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/lakers-quinn-cook-changes-jersey-number-in-honor-of-gianna-bryant-news.102264.htm