hoodstarmagazine

Atlanta rapper Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Lamar Williams, is seen on a monitor as he waits for a virtual appearance before a Fulton County magistrate judge on May 10, 2022. (Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP) ATLANTA (CN) — Rap lyrics can be used as evidence by prosecutors in the upcoming racketeering trial against award winning hip-hop artist Young Thug and others, a judge ruled Thursday. During an hourslong hearing on Wednesday, prosecutors argued that the lyrics were "admissions" of criminal activity committed by members of what they claim to be an Atlanta street gang called "Young Slime Life." “The question is not rap lyrics. The question is gang lyrics,” said prosecutor Mike Carlson. “These are party admissions. They happen to come in the form of lyrics.” Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams, has been accused of being the co-founder and leader of YSL, although the artist claims that the acronym only applies to his recor...

vin Durant texts Leo Chang at midnight sometimes. This a fairly normal part of a relationship between signature athlete and sneaker designer—Nike’s Eric Avar has surely been awakened by messages from Kobe Bryant countless times—but Durant and Chang have a unique bond nonetheless. Chang, who joined the Nike Basketball team at the same time as Durant, has designed every one of Durant’s signature shoes. Even Tinker Hatfield and Michael Jordan, as close as they became, didn’t work together from the beginning. They’re comfortable with each other, and it’s readily apparent as they discuss their latest joint project, the KD8. There has been growth on both ends, as Durant has won scoring titles and the MVP award, while Chang has risen to become design director of Nike Basketball. And there have been experiences shared—Chang, on his first visit to Durant’s hometown of Seat Pleasant, Md., ran Hunt’s Hill, one of KD’s workout spots. Image by Andy Hur Other Nike signature athletes like Bryant...