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The Break Presents: Bankrol Hayden

Becoming a successful artist is difficult, and even more so when you have to face personal tragedy. Enter Modesto, Calif. rapper Bankrol Hayden, who faced a near-death experience before entering the rap game.

Rapping since he was an eighth grader, Hayden dropped his first song at 13 (“Modesto”) and kept working hard. Then in 2017, at 16 years old, Hayden nearly lost his life in a car accident in his hometown. The rapper was a in the backseat of a car when his friend crashed while under the influence of weed. The 16-year-old girl who was driving the car was charged with the murder of a mother and daughter in the other vehicle. The accident left Hayden badly injured, including a broken back, broken ribs and an injury to his small intestine.

Turning a tragedy into triumph, Hayden hit the studio in 2018, and recorded “29,” the title inspired by the date of the crash, Nov. 29, 2017. Though his injuries still hadn’t fully healed, Hayden dropped the song about the incident and started to experience real momentum. The song has 20 million Spotify streams and 7 million SoundCloud plays to date. “We was drivin’ hella fast, I woke up seeing nurses/Happened in a second, mind spinnin’ like a circus nigga/I’m in the back seat, how the fuck it’s my fault?/November 29th, almost died up on that asphalt,” he raps over a piano-driven beat.

Hayden’s true breakout song came out in 2019. “Brothers,” a Luh Kel-assisted track, finds the West Coast rhymer rapping about putting friends over the women that may come between that brotherhood. The subject matter, Hayden’s catchy chorus and sing-song delivery got him tons of streams, over 60 million on Spotify. “Costa Rica” came in 2020, and it’s moving even faster than “Brothers,” amassing 65 million plays on Spotify in considerably less time. He even teamed up with The Kid Laroi on the remix.

With a growing buzz, Hayden dropped his debut project, Pain Is Temporary, last Friday, and he is seeing better days. He’s grasping success after such a traumatic experience. Learn more about Bankrol Hayden in this week’s edition of The Break.

Age: 18

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Hometown: Modesto, Calif.

I grew up listening to: “Kid Cudi was a big inspiration for me on music, and I used to go to record stores, and we would just rap on instrumentals and shit, but Kid Cudi was really who inspired me with my music, and still to this day that I’m here. His melodies, really how he talks about situations in real life and shit inspired me to do shit like that.”

My style’s been compared to: “[People say I look like] Lil Mosey, but when I went on tour with him, it ended all that. We can be locked in, and you feel me? But people who used to say that a lot, really him and then that’s pretty much it. I don’t really look like much artists.”

I’m going to blow up because: “Just, as an artist, it’s hard to always believe in yourself, but you got to, it’s just something that you have to be. As a rapper, you got to always believe that, and that’s something that I believe in strong, that I’m going to blow up, and yeah, just my music. I feel I’m coming different.”

What’s your most slept-on song, and why?: “Maybe ’29’ a little slept-on now, as time goes on and people forget about it and hear ‘Costa Rica’ and ‘Brothers’; but at the time I don’t really got a slept-on record, because I don’t got much records out, but when the project’s out, we’ll be able to tell. I feel like there’s a lot of slept-on records on the project that’s going to be fire, too, there’s a record called ‘School Girl,’ and I feel like a lot of people are going to connect to that could be a slept on record, in a good way.”

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My standout records to date have been: “‘Costa Rica’ could go gold faster than ‘Brothers,’ it’s crazy. It’s picking up more speed every day. ‘Costa Rica’ is really big right now, and did amazing. We didn’t even think it was going to do that good. ‘Brothers’ is doing amazing, and same thing.”

My standout moments to date have been: “Being able to give back to my city was big for me, that’s something that I always wanted to do as a kid. Just being really, or getting just money off music was crazy, bro. Never thinking that. I was just in Malibu for the week, and I woke up and I just looked out the window, and I was playing my old, one of my first songs on YouTube, and I was just like, “Bro, that shit was so bad, how am I here?” So I don’t know, really, it’s all new.”

Most people don’t know: “I used to skateboard when I was little. That’s something I would be doing, but I don’t do it that much no more, and ever since I got hurt from the car crash, I can’t do too much. I don’t want to … Because my back and everything is still healing and messed up a little bit, so I can’t be wilding out like that.”

I’m going to be the next: “I’m going to be a superstar. When we met with a lot of the labels, that’s what I was trying to say, and to be a superstar, you going to have to do a lot of stuff. That’s why I’m putting out so much types of music.”

Follow Bankrol Hayden on SoundCloud and Instagram.

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Standouts:

“Brothers” featuring Luh Kel

“Costa Rica”

“Whatchu On Today” featuring Polo G

Pain Is Temporary

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Lil Nas X Opens Up About Health Scare, Reveals Partial Facial Paralysis

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As fans await “Dreamboy,” Lil Nas X’s just-announced new album, which has already drawn a lot of excitement, the chart-ready artist reminded the world that not even stars are immune to the challenges of real life. In a deeply personal update posted on his social media Monday night, the “Montero” hitmaker announced that the left side of his face is currently paralyzed. The video, which features Lil Nas X lying in a hospital bed in a hospital gown, immediately resonated with fans. Not just because of the visual, his face literally frozen on one side, but because of the bravery it takes to present yourself like that in front of the whole world. “My face is paralyzed on the left side,” he confirmed calmly, a piece of news that rippled concern across the Internet.

Riding high off several surprise single drops in a busy, brewing October that also saw the release of a teaser EP to hold fans over and only fan the flames of excitement for Dreamboy, the announcement’s timing cuts all the more bittersweet. Lil Nas X has always been known for fearless creativity, a genre-bending bounce, and a cheeky sense of humor, but this moment lifted the lid on a far more vulnerable side of the artist. Health scares like this tend to momentarily slow momentum, but knowing Lil Nas X, this chapter may well be part of the journey itself, worked into his music, his visuals, and his continued evolution as an artist. He already endeared himself to fans by being real, and this moment will only cement that.

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Although details of the paralysis’s cause have not been revealed, the video’s tone was one of calm and quiet resilience. Lil Nas X isn’t backing away from this moment, even during what should have been an exciting, jubilant rollout for his next musical chapter. As Dreamboy nears, Lil Nas X’s latest revelation reminds us that beneath the viral videos and hit records is a young man making sense of an unexpected health battle. His strength and transparency cement his status as a voice unafraid to speak the truth even when it’s difficult.

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Jeff Bezos Marries Lauren Sánchez in Star-Studded Ibiza Wedding

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Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has married former news anchor and helicopter pilot Lauren Sánchez in what is said to be the most extravagant celebrity bash in recent memory. The wedding, which took place in the beautiful Spanish Mediterranean paradise of Ibiza, was a star-studded affair, complete with A-list guest appearances, lavish lodgings, and memorable moments. While initial speculation had the wedding in Venice, Italy, the couple decided on the sun-kissed beaches of Ibiza instead.

A Captivating Love Story

Bezos and Sánchez publicly revealed their relationship in 2019 after Bezos divorced MacKenzie Scott. Their relationship made the news from the beginning, thanks to the high-profile status of both parties involved. Sánchez, a seasoned pilot and media personality, and Bezos, one of the world’s richest men, soon emerged as one of the most commonly discussed couples in both the celebrity and the business world.

The couple got engaged in 2023 after dating for several years and making many high-profile appearances together. In the run-up to the wedding, Bezos and Sánchez have shared bits and pieces of their journey with the public, including their romantic connection and areas where their interests align in space, media, and humanitarian pursuits, from the red carpet to philanthropic efforts.

Check out this article: The Business Moves That Made Rihanna a Billionaire

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A Fairytale Wedding in Ibiza

The wedding on the paradise island of Ibiza was magnificent. Famous for its beautiful beaches, luxury resorts, and elite social life, Ibiza was a fitting location for such a high-profile union. The ceremony was held at a private, security-secured villa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, with wide views and beautifully manicured gardens setting a magical scene for the day.

The couple also held several pre-wedding parties aboard the 417-foot vessel, giving attendees a truly unforgettable taste of maritime luxury. Koru, named after the Māori symbol for new beginnings, metaphorically reinforced the couple’s new chapter together. Many thought that the ceremony itself would have taken place on the yacht, and while the final vows took place on land, Koru was still a central feature of the weekend celebrations.

An Elite Guest List

The wedding attracted an impressive roster of celebrities, tech moguls, and close friends. Hollywood A-listers, world business titans, and political stars were among the guests, making the get-together a who’s who of influence and might. While the guest list remained a closely guarded secret, it was confirmed that big names from the entertainment and tech worlds were in attendance.

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It was a private, detailed affair. Invitees were flown in on private jets and transported to the venue in luxury vehicles. Security was tight, guarding the privacy of a thoroughly curated affair.

The Love Story

The ceremony was very personal, where the couple exchanged vows that they each had written for one another. Close friends spoke about the journey of their relationship from friendship into romance and their hopes for the future. The couple’s blended family, most notably their children from previous relationships, was also very much a part of the celebration.

Bezos and Sánchez have frequently been spotted supporting one another’s ambitions, whether it’s Bezos’s goals for space travel with Blue Origin or Sánchez’s philanthropic efforts and media endeavors. Their wedding was the joining of two powerful careers and major public figures.

A Grand Celebration

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The after-party was a lavish affair featuring Michelin-star dining, international music acts, and an extraordinary firework display over the Mediterranean. They injected Ibiza’s famous nightlife with elegance and refinement, making the evening festive yet sophisticated.

Guests mingled well into the night at an event that was said to combine the excitement of Ibiza’s nightlife with the coziness of a family affair. According to many reports, the couple went to great lengths to ensure that every detail of the weekend represented them personally and the importance of the event.

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The New Chapter

Now that their wedding has captured global headlines, Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez will begin their new chapter together as one of the world’s most powerful and visible couples. The Ibiza wedding was an exercise in how two high-profile people can develop a narrative of partnership, growth, and commitment that is personal yet still for public consumption.

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As they sail ahead, some literally on Koru, the world watches with interest. In business, philanthropy, and private enterprises, the newlyweds hold court and spark controversy, making clear that their marriage is not just a celebrity sensation but a history-making collaboration.

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