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Drake, Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole: Which New Album Are You Most Excited For?

Though 2020 has gained instant historical notoriety for obvious reasons, hip-hop has done its part in holding it down for the masses. The year has seen the arrival of many strong albums, from Eminem’s Music To Be Murdered By to Freddie Gibbs’ Alfredo, Conway’s From King To A God to Benny The Butcher’s Burden Of Proof, Lil Wayne’s Funeral to Royce Da 5’9’s The Allegory to 21 Savage and Metro Boomin’s Savage Mode 2. The list goes on, and it’s likely the album of the year round-up discussion will be a tough one.

And to think, three of the rap game’s biggest artists — all of whom have been rumored to drop before the year’s end — have yet to deliver their highly anticipated albums. We’re talking about Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and J. Cole. Of the three, only Drizzy has concretely confirmed an album title — Certified Lover Boy. Cole has dropped a few warm-up singles in “The Climb Back” and “Lion King On Ice,” though since then it’s been quiet on the Dreamville front. And Kendrick’s future remains as uncertain as ever, with the lone detail pointing toward a “rock-inspired” sonic direction.

Drake

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While each of the three artists has long earned the right to be judged on their own merit, it’s still hard not to examine them as a trifecta, a “Big Three” of an aging hip-hop generation. For Drake, Certified Lover Boy will mark his sixth studio album. For Cole, his sixth as well. For Kendrick, whatever he lines up will be his fifth. Combined, the number of classics they’ve created is up for debate. Nobody doubts that a new classic remains a distinct possibility — particularly in the case of Kendrick, who has yet to miss with any of his major releases. It’s not to say Drake and Cole have underwhelmed, but Kendrick’s appeal has proven to resonate on a universal level. That, and his elusivity all but guarantee that his new album release will feel like the biggest spectacle.

Of course, Drake’s gargantuan following may very well place him ahead of the pack when it comes to the charts — but he is coming off the rather lackluster release of 2018’s Scorpion. While that may have hampered expectations for some, it can be argued that Drizzy will be coming out swinging when he does decide to release. Though perhaps we’ve already seen a glimpse at what’s to come with “Laugh Now Cry Later,” a Lil Durk-assisted single that seems destined for an album placement. It’s enough to perhaps theorize on a potential creative direction, though some have feared the biggest hurdle Drake may have to overcome is that of complacency; in these times leading up to Certified Lover Boy, it can feel like he simultaneously has nothing and everything to prove.

J. Cole

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Cole’s situation is rather unique, in the sense that he’s effectively spent the last two years effortlessly bodying guest appearances. His feature spree energy transitioned into the Revenge Of The Dreamers III project, where it felt like he was having more fun in the booth than ever before. As such, many have been eager to see where he takes his next album, the glories of his epic run still shining bright. Whether he’ll expand the scope of his guest roster, perhaps including some of those same collaborators he recently blessed, remains a major point of interest. Others have looked to him for guidance in these troubled times, though his recent “Snow On The Bluffs” seemed to indicate a disinterest in being a thought leader. Suffice it to say, there’s plenty of material for Cole to tackle on this go-around, and fans are eager to see what he’s been cooking up.

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That leaves Kendrick Lamar, who has not delivered a full-length album since the Pulitzer Prize-winning DAMN. A heightened bar if ever there was one. Seeing how Kung-Fu Kenny returns to the game has remained one of hip-hop’s most buzzworthy mysteries. Known for his constant artistic innovation and top tier technical prowess, it can be argued that the hype surrounding his untitled project is the highest of the three. And with great hype comes great expectations, the likes of which are difficult to resolve. To his credit, Kendrick has yet to stumble and has for the most part retained the benefit of the doubt. Should Punch’s projection of a “Soon Soon” release date hold true, perhaps further enlightenment will arrive before the year wraps up.

Three hip-hop legends, all of whom have new albums due in the near future. Which one are you most anticipating to be the best?

Kendrick Lamar

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Olivier Martinez Wants Halle Berry to Cover $240K in Legal Fees Amid Custody Dispute.

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French actor Olivier Martinez is asking a Los Angeles judge to make his ex-wife, Halle Berry, pay $240,000 in legal fees as their custody battle continues. Martinez allegedly says he can no longer afford the mounting litigation costs, especially after years without landing an acting role.

The request comes less than a week after the former couple received a mixed ruling on custody of their 13-year-old son, Maceo. The latest legal dispute between them is now about Martinez’s finances, and the actor is asking Berry for help paying bills he says are hard to manage.

Court documents have been obtained, and the $240,000 request is made up of two different amounts. Martinez is seeking $176,522.58 for outstanding legal fees and an additional $63,477.42 for anticipated costs. The figures indicate he is asking the court to consider both the costs he has already incurred and the legal work he anticipates will be necessary as the case progresses.

The documents also detail Martinez’s reported financial situation. He says he makes around $776.34 a month in acting residuals, and his monthly expenses are estimated at $17,555.99. He also reported approximately $43,206 in different financial accounts. Martinez is using these figures to argue that he can no longer fund the custody litigation on his own.

One piece of financial information in the filing is his disclosed residual income, but this does not represent all income sources available to him. The documents as described are a snapshot of the financial information Martinez is relying on to make his request, not a full accounting of all possible earnings.

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The request adds another financial issue to an ongoing custody dispute involving their son, Berry said. The ex-spouses recently received a mixed ruling, and Martinez’s latest filing indicates that legal fees remain a major concern as they work through issues involving Maceo.

That’s $240,000, which is a lot of money, but the request itself is not a court order. Martinez is asking a judge to make Berry pay for the costs, but the information provided does not indicate that the court has approved the request or decided how the fees should be split.

His filing also points to the financial strain that can come with drawn-out family court fights, especially when one party claims their resources are no longer adequate to cover the expenses. Martinez argues that, based on the income and expenses reported, he can’t keep paying the bills without help.

It is not known whether Berry will be asked to contribute. Martinez is now seeking a financial arrangement that will allow him to continue the legal process, and the court is due to consider his request as part of the ongoing legal dispute between the former couple.

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Cardi B Rips NYC Bullying After Death of Bronx Teen Javits Frimpong

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Cardi B is speaking out on bullying in New York City after 15-year-old Bronx student Javits Frimpong was shot and killed. The rapper spoke out against the teen’s death and slammed what she called a bullying culture in the city on a livestream caught by “Hollywood Unlocked.”

Based on the information provided, Frimpong, a 15-year-old student from the Bronx, was shot and killed this week. Cardi B spoke about the case in a social media livestream, using the moment to highlight her concern about the environment young people face. She focused on bullying and what she thinks it does to life in New York City.

The rapper said the situation makes her reluctant to raise her children in the vicinity of a New York public school or in what she called the city’s ‘hoods’. She spoke out of concern about safety and the social pressures young people may feel. The information provided does not give any more details about the circumstances of Frimpong’s death or the investigation into the shooting.

Cardi B’s response also fits into her broader pattern of speaking freely on social media about personal matters and events around her. She is also talking about a tragedy involving a young student and what she sees as a larger issue facing the city. She spoke about bullying, which she said was a concern in the environment.

The account also said that A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie addressed Frimpong’s case. Details of his remarks are not included in the information, but his response adds another Bronx-connected artist to those reacting to the death of the teenager.

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The incident has caught the attention of people in the music community, and Cardi B’s comments have sparked discussion about bullying and concerns for young people’s safety. She spoke emotionally and directly, in response to the death of a teen from her home borough.

The information released does not link bullying to the circumstances of the shooting, nor does it include any information on suspects, charges, or official findings. These are things outside the scope of the account given. Frimpong’s death has sparked public reaction, including Cardi B’s criticism of what she sees as a damaging culture for young people in New York.

The tragedy also prompted Cardi B to express concern about the environments children grow up in. Her comments about public schools and city neighborhoods revealed her fears as a parent. The public reaction to Frimpong’s death continues to attract attention, and her comments have brought wider discussion about bullying into the public response.

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