This week in hip-hop was nothing short of a thriller. The biggest story dominating the culture is the Pooh Shiesty and Gucci Mane situation — Shiesty and eight others were arrested in Memphis for allegedly robbing and kidnapping Gucci Mane, reportedly forcing him at gunpoint to sign a release from his recording contract. Gucci responded by dropping the diss track “Crash Dummy,” igniting reactions from Waka Flocka, Moneybagg Yo, 6ix9ine, and the Joe Budden Podcast. The whole rap internet has an opinion.
The culture also mourned the loss of Afrika Bambaataa, one of hip-hop’s founding fathers, who passed away at 68.
On the awards front, Kendrick Lamar had a dominant Grammy night — sweeping rap categories with GNX, “Luther,” and “TV Off,” while Tyler, the Creator took home Best Album Cover for Chromakopia.
Drake’s ICEMAN is still MIA despite producer OZ’s reassurances, and Pusha T is now facing the very ghostwriting allegations he once weaponized against Drake — the irony is loud. Remy Ma made noise dropping a diss aimed at both Papoose and Claressa Shields on her new single “W.Y.F.L.”
