Donald Trump recently announced his intention to impose tariffs on China, Mexico and Canada. Trump has proposed a 10% increase on Chinese goods and a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico. He is leveraging border security and drug trafficking to legitimize this move.
Tariffs are taxes imposed on imported goods. Generally, these costs are passed on to the consumer. Car purchases, electronics and everyday items can see price hikes as a result. According to the National Retail Federation, these tariffs could reduce Americans’ spending power by $46 billion to $78 billion annually.
The idea behind Trump’s tariffs is to increase stateside manufacturing. In theory, this would increase production in the U.S. and create more jobs. However, because many items produced in the U.S. require parts from overseas, this could cause shipping delays and higher prices that could actually create job losses. Companies may opt to leave the United States to curb many of these costs.
The countries affected by these tariffs will undoubtedly make it difficult for the United States to do business and could ultimately affect the employment landscape. This strategy is an attempt to flex the economic muscle of the United States and make “Made in the USA” a point of pride while the country works to be more sustainable and independent of foreign interests.
Interest rates could potentially rise and cause strain on U.S. markets and consumer spending. This could potentially slow the economy and lessen middle-class spending power. Analysts warn that middle-income families could see their annual expenses rise by as much as $2,600 if these tariffs are fully implemented.
Trump’s assertions are already causing havoc in the markets as the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso have taken a hit. Depending on who you are and where you fit in with regard to the U.S. economy, these tariffs can be beneficial or hurtful. This has yet to be seen.
Kendrick continues his takeover of 2024. After the surprise release of GNX, he’s dropped the first video from the album for the song “Squabble Up.”
The video is a love letter to the West Coast. Kendrick stands in the middle of a yellowish-green banquet hall, wearing his cropped blue hoodie, while every facet of West Coast urban life is on full display. His understated delivery lets the representation take center stage. Crips, Bloods, low riders, and even odes to Isaac Hayes and Ice-T shine equally under the spotlight of the chandelier that opens the video.
“Squabble Up” is the perfect lead single for GNX and yet another feather in the cap for Kendrick and the West Coast.
Kendrick Lamar has put an exclamation mark on his domination of 2024 with the surprise release of his latest album “GNX.” This release emerges as a seismic cultural moment, quickly becoming the talk of the internet. Inspired by the Buick Grand National he leans on in the cover art, Lamar embraces his “villain era” with unwavering confidence.
The album opener “wacced out murals” sets the tone with production that feels like a stripped-down, bass-driven reimagining of Whodini’s classic “Friends.” Lamar embraces the darker side of that memorable hit and weaponizes the track while highlighting haters, betrayal and self-preservation. “It used to be fuck that nigga, but now it’s plural, fuck everybody,” he raps, sparing no one. He even has a words for Snoop Dogg, whom he called out for sharing Drake’s AI-generated diss track “Taylor Made” during the height of the Drake vs. Kendrick battle.
One of the standout tracks, “reincarnated,” showcases Lamar’s strength as an artist. He demonstrates his keen ability to blend storytelling and introspection. Lyrically, he takes listeners on a journey through three lives experiencing reincarnation. The track is reminiscent of 2Pac’s “All Eyez on Me.” In the first two verses, he adopts Tupac’s cadence before closing the song with his distinctive delivery. The track is layered, as the three people described are reincarnated into different lives, while Lamar’s masterful delivery suggesting that he is the reincarnation of Tupac.
The production across “GNX” captures a minimalist, bass-heavy sound of L.A. and provides space for Lamar’s verses. This is most evident on “tv off,” produced by DJ Mustard and reminiscent of 2024’s culturally relevant anthem “Not Like US.”
The album features Mexican singer Deyra Barrera and rappers, Peyso, AzChike, Dody 6, Hitta J3, Peysoh, Siete, Wallie The Sensei and Young Threat. SZA joined her former TDE labelmate on “Luther” and “Gloria.” SZA’s performance on “Gloria” is hypnotic, her voice floating with ease through the verses before building into a luxuriant guitar solo.
Another standout track, “man at the garden,” evokes the haunting tension of Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight” along with “One Mic” by Nas and delivers an introspective Lamar. He examines his worthiness, boldly stating “I deserve it all” when discussing his accolades, accomplishments and the work behind them.
“GNX” is a statement during a year when Lamar made it his mission to fully separate himself from his peers. He delivers his honesty with a boldness that compels listeners to dig deeper into their own identity.
The Hip-Hop community is reeling after the brutal beating of legendary rapper Buckshot in his hometown of New York.
In an exclusive statement obtained by AllHipHop, Buckshot addressed his supporters and explained what led to the incident.
“To all my friends, fans, and supporters—thank you for reaching out during this difficult time,” he said. “Recently, I was the victim of a violent assault involving multiple individuals armed with weapons, including handguns. This attack stems from ongoing disputes over my property, where I am the rightful owner but have faced issues with unauthorized occupants who escalated the situation to violence.”
Buckshot also expressed his desire to see New York become a safer place. “As someone who’s been an entertainer and part of this community for over 30 years, I am deeply disturbed that such an incident could happen in New York—a city I love and call home. Violence like this has no place here, and I’m calling on everyone to come together to make New York safer and better for all of us.”
“I am currently recovering from my injuries and am working closely with my legal team and law enforcement to ensure this matter is handled properly,” he said. “We are committed to seeing justice served, and I ask for your patience and support as the legal process unfolds. Again, thank you for all the well wishes. Let’s put an end to violence and help rebuild a stronger, safer New York.”
The 49-year-old rapper has been a staple in hip-hop culture for decades, and his call for a safer city echoes the sentiments of many in his community.
Donald Trump has been elected the 47th president of the United States. Trump, a polarizing figure, secured 277 electoral votes and 71 million popular votes to secure this win. Trump’s election is unprecedented; he is a convicted felon, inspired his supporters to storm the Capitol when he lost in 2020 and survived two assassination attempts. The state of Wisconsin delivered the finishing blow, taking his opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, out of contention.
Trump addressed his supporters from his election night watch party in Florida, calling for unity. “It’s time to put the divisions of the past four years behind us,” Trump said. “It’s time to unite.”
“We have to put our country first for at least a period of time,” he added. “We have to fix it.”
Despite Trump’s history of disparaging remarks, he still secured 53% of the Hispanic vote in Florida, a state he won handily. Trump won the support of 45% of Latino voters, a big jump from the 33% he secured in his loss against President Biden. It is the strongest GOP performance among Latinos since the election of George W. Bush in 2004.
Trump gained much of his momentum from Latino men, who backed him over Harris by 10 points. Over the past few months, the spotlight was on Black men and White women as the demographics that would ultimately take Trump over the top. However, Harris actually closed the gap among White women, and 8 in 10 Black men supported Harris.
As the country prepares itself for another four years of Trump, the economy, illegal immigration, the conflict between Israel and Palestine, along with the Russia-Ukraine conflict are on the short list of issues that should be addressed immediately
Tyler, the Creator is having a historic year and continues to carve out his own lane within the music industry. His latest album “CHROMOKOPIA” has secured the top spot on the Billboard 200. Tyler is on a run in the past four years that is unprecedented.
The Odd Future leader’s project earned nearly 300,000 units in its first week after releasing his album on a Monday, disregarding the Friday release that most artists follow. Taking the road less traveled earned “CHROMOKOPIA” the second-highest rap release of 2024 behind Travis Scott. “CHROMOKOPIA” is the sixth-biggest overall debut this year.
The numbers tell the story. “CHROMOKOPIA” generated more than 212 million streams and sold 142,000 units that were driven by physical album sales and merchandise. What stands out with this specific release is that it is Tyler’s fourth release in the last four years that has hit No. 1. This unprecedented achievement separates him from the pack.
Legendary producer Quincy Jones has died at age 91. Jones was a titan in the music industry with a career spanning more than seven decades. His collaborations read like a who’s who of American music.
The South Side of Chicago native, born March 14, 1933 made an impact across multiple musical genres. The 28-time Grammy Award winner remained a mainstay in the entertainment industry.
He began as a jazz musician, touring with Lionel Hampton in 1953 at age 20. After working as a studio musician for Elvis Presley, he toured with Dizzy Gillespie in the Middle East. In 1957, he moved to France and became a music director. He later toured North America and Europe with his 18-person band, the Jones Boys.
In 1961, Jones became the first Black vice president at Mercury Records. Throughout his storied career, Jones worked on nearly 40 major motion picture scores. He produced the iconic “Sanford and Son” theme, and his song “Soul Bossa Nova” became the theme for the blockbuster film “Austin Powers.”
Jones collaborated with Frank Sinatra, Billy Eckstine, Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan. He produced the soundtrack for “The Wiz” in 1978 and Michael Jackson’s record-breaking album “Thriller.” His film “The Color Purple” received 11 Academy Award nominations and introduced Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey to global audiences.
In 1985, he united music’s biggest stars to perform “We Are the World” to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. He leveraged industry relationships to bring artists including Ray Charles, Willie Nelson and Diana Ross together to record the charitable song.
In the 1990s, Quincy Jones Entertainment brought “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” to television, launching Will Smith’s career as one of Hollywood’s most successful stars.
Jones recently partnered with Chance the Rapper and Jennifer Hudson to reopen the Ramova Theatre on Chicago’s South Side.
His extraordinary career achievements are too numerous to list completely. His impact on music and entertainment will resonate for generations.
His family shared a statement below.
“Tonight, with full, but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother, Quincy Jones’ passing,” the statement read. “And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life he lived, and know there will never be another like him. He is truly one of a kind and we will miss him dearly; we take comfort and immense joy in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”
Jones is survived by seven children. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States (Photo source: instagram @kamalaharris)
This election has been historic for all the wrong reasons.
It’s 2024, and Joe Biden is president of the United States, while Vice President Kamala Harris is running to become president. Her opponent, the 45th president and a convicted felon, is believed to have incited supporters to storm the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.
All of that, for lack of a better word, sounds CRAZY! However, what’s crazier is that it’s all true and has created unprecedented political tension in this country. It permeates our computer and cellphone screens. People are choosing sides, many blindly. While Black men have been targeted as a demographic that could prevent Harris’s election, White women actually wield that electoral power. Recent election data shows this clearly: White women have consistently represented 37% of the electorate in presidential elections. In 2020, 53% of White women voted for Trump over Biden, similar to 2016 when 52% supported Trump over Hillary Clinton.
Trump has been hitting the campaign trail, energizing his base with controversial remarks and behavior. The recent rally at Madison Square Garden drew comparisons to Nazi rallies held on Feb. 20, 1939. Comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s comment calling Puerto Rico an “island of garbage” was met with widespread criticism.
These events have overshadowed the truly historic moment before us. Harris is an election away from becoming the first woman to hold the nation’s highest office. If successful, she would accomplish what Hillary Clinton could not. Harris follows in the footsteps of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress and the first Black person and woman to run for president. In 1972, Chisholm’s campaign was considered bold and, to many, improbable. However, its impact reaches 52 years into our present.
Harris, who already made history as the first woman vice president of South Asian and Caribbean heritage, stands on the precipice of changing history. This HBCU graduate, former California attorney general and proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., could become the first Black woman to hold the highest office in the land, representing progress in a country built on the foundation of racism and slavery.
When you go to the polls this week to make your selection, consider what side of history you want to be on and which historic moment matters most to you
Buckshot at African Fest in Chicago (Photo credit: Eddy “Precise” Lamarre)
All Hip-Hop recently reported that Brooklyn rapper Buckshot was severely beaten. A Facebook post by Sista Asia Wildenboar shows a picture of herself with the rapper and text reading “Please pray for Buckshot of Boot Camp Clik was beaten half to death in Flatbush NYC. My heart goes out to him.”
A graphic video circulating on X shows a beaten and bloodied man resembling Buckshot struggling to stand. A man can be heard making jokes in the background as another appears to assist Buckshot.
The rapper, born Kenyatta Blake, was the frontman for Boot Camp Clik and Black Moon. He helped develop a sound that defined hip-hop’s golden age in the 1990s. The remix to “I Got Cha Opin” samples Barry White’s 1977 track “Playing Your Game Baby” and features Buckshot rhyming in a unique, memorable cadence that became his trademark.
In 1994, Buckshot co-founded Duck Down Management with Drew “Dru Ha” Friedman, managing Black Moon and Smif-N-Wessun. Buckshot has collaborated with legends like KRS-One and producer 9th Wonder.
There have been no other reports regarding Buckshot’s status since the attack.
New Orleans vibrates with music and has given the world artists who have changed the soundscape. Lil Wayne stands as one of those artists. As jazz notes float through the French Quarter, Wayne’s Lil WeezyAna Fest, founded in 2015, filled the Smoothie King Center with fans and the sounds of a legend. Wayne is a cultural icon and hometown hero, celebrated as such. However, even though he can pack an arena, Wayne will be found standing outside of the Super Bowl as a performer.
Kendrick Lamar being chosen earlier this year as the 2025 Super Bowl halftime performer has caused a stir in the industry for several reasons. The biggest: The game will be held in New Orleans, and many believe Wayne should have been given that opportunity.
Wayne has been a fixture in hip-hop culture since 1991 when he signed to Cash Money Records at age 9, becoming the label’s youngest artist. His signing was the start of a revolution. His years with the Hot Boys laid the foundation for Cash Money, and his solo career would show the world what Wayne was capable of.
The numbers tell the story.
“Tha Block Is Hot” went platinum. “Tha Carter III” moved 1,005,545 copies in its first week and went octuple platinum. “Tha Carter IV” sold 1,184,103 copies in its first two weeks, and “Tha Carter V” crossed the million-unit threshold in sales and streams.
Wayne has 186 entries on Billboard’s Hot 100 and is a five-time Grammy Award winner. The numbers he has amassed are impressive; however, his greatest impact came through his mixtape run. The “Dedication” and “Da Drought” series changed the game, introducing us to Lil Wayne the MC, who recorded these legendary tapes in hotel rooms and tour buses.
Wayne’s influences are hailed by today’s notable artists like Young Thug, who tapped into Wayne’s melodic offerings to create his own style. Kendrick Lamar hails Lil Wayne as his favorite rapper. We also can’t forget to mention that Wayne built Young Money and provided the world with Drake and Nicki Minaj, fundamentally altering hip-hop’s landscape.
Considering Wayne’s global impact, it’s easy to understand why he and many of his fans feel an opportunity was taken from him. Since Roc Nation has been at the helm of the Super Bowl selection process, it has been more rap-friendly, and Lil Wayne would seem like the perfect fit based on his legacy alone.
Wayne hasn’t been without flaws along his journey. In 2020 he was locked up for a firearms charge for which he received a presidential pardon from Donald Trump and he has had some unfavorable and controversial political stances when it comes to Black people. Even during these challenges he managed to stay consistent and provide music to his fans.
However, on the heels of a fiery battle between Kendrick and Drake, and the smash hit “ Not Like Us” playing at every sporting event and homecoming across the country, one could say Kendrick’s selection was the smart decision.
While many may debate this, one thing that can’t be debated is Lil Wayne’s legacy. On Nov. 2, 2024, at the Smoothie King Center, Mayor LaToya Cantrell and his longtime rival and New Orleans native Master P presented him with a key to the city.
Wayne addressed his thoughts on not performing at the Super Bowl during Lil WeezyAna Fest:
“When the first Super Bowl was here, I made sure I bought tickets at the beginning of the season, and you know I did the same when I moved to Miami. I was wishing my team made it, and guess who made it that year? The Saints,” Wayne said. “I was able to give my mama that suite. She was able to bring my family and other people from New Orleans, and they had a ball. That moment I said to myself, ‘I want to be on stage for the Super Bowl one day in front of my mom.’ And I worked my ass off to get that position, and it was ripped away from me. But this moment right here, they can’t take this away from me.”
