Trump is Pardoning Even More Rappers

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Clipse is dropping a new song produced by Pharrell called “ACE TRUMPETS” on May 30th. In other news: 

• Trump attempts to boost his street cred 👀 

• Bryson Tiller is back outside 🎉

• New Music Friday releases 💿️

• Industry Insights 📈

Trump Just Pardoned More Rappers—Here’s Who Else Made The List

President Trump has been working on boosting his street cred for a minute. After his assassination attempt last year, social media and even 50 Cent himself gave him the “Many Men (Wish Death)” treatment. He is constantly referenced in rap music, from Mac Miller to YG and Nipsey Hussle (who both decided to let the choppa sing on the politician). He even tried to help A$AP Rocky out when he was imprisoned in Sweden back in 2019. 

However, he might have been able to secure new allies thanks to the official pardons that have benefited some of the biggest names in hip-hop. 

It’s pardon season

Trump was once again in a giving mood and decided to officially pardon individuals, including reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley (they were found guilty of bank and tax fraud and were incarcerated since 2022) and NBA Youngboy, on May 28. Youngboy was previously serving a 23-month sentence over a weapon found in his Utah home last year and a gun charge while filming a music video back in 2021. 

"I want to thank President Trump for granting me a pardon and giving me the opportunity to keep building - as a man, as a father, and as an artist. This moment means a lot. It opens the door to a future I've worked hard for and I am fully prepared to step into this,” the rapper posted on IG shortly after the news broke. 

Another headline-making commutation was granted to a name long associated with both controversy and influence: Larry Hoover. If that rings a bell, it’s because Rick Ross shouted him out on his hit song “B.M.F.”, and Drake and Ye even held a benefit concert for him in 2021.

He was serving six life sentences in Colorado after being one of the 39 Gangster Disciples leaders indicted in August 1995 in Operation Headache (AKA the feds’ six-year effort to infiltrate gangs). However, he still has the remainder of a 200-year sentence for the murder of 19-year-old neighborhood drug dealer William "Pooky" Young in 1973. 

Nevertheless, Ye shared how excited he was on X once the news was officially released, thanking President Trump and for some reason…Drake, too.

"The Courts have demonstrated a complete unwillingness to consider Mr. Hoover's considerable growth and complete rehabilitation. Despite the Court's unwillingness to do the right thing, Mr. Hoover has been able to keep his voice alive through the incredible work of many advocates and supporters. Thankfully, Mr. Hoover's pleas were heard by President Trump who took action to deliver justice for Mr. Hoover,” Hoover’s attorneys,  Jennifer Bonjean and Justin Moore, said in an official statement. 

This isn’t Trump’s first time showing love to the rap world. Back in 2021, he granted a full pardon to Lil Wayne, who had pleaded guilty to federal weapons charges and was facing 10 years in prison. He also commuted Kodak Black’s sentence — he had been serving four years for falsifying information to purchase firearms — and cut short the sentence of Death Row Records co-founder Michael “Harry-O” Harris, who was 32 years into a sentence for cocaine trafficking and attempted murder.

With Youngboy about to go on tour and reactions to the pardons flooding the Internet, only time will tell to see if more people end up on Trump’s “nice list.”

Bryson Tiller Has a Double Album Coming Soon

Bryson Tiller is apparently taking a break from working on video games. The Trapsoul crooner is finally stepping back into his music bag — but not just with a regular album. Nah, he’s going double. Yes, you read that right. Tiller is going full ambitious R&B Jedi mode with a two-part album titled Solace and The Vices, because apparently, one mood isn’t enough to contain his emotional complexity.

What Tiller has in store

He first made the announcement on his Instagram on May 27th, also dropping the potential album covers. Based on the visuals, Tiller’s aiming to show two sides of himself: one peaceful, one chaotic. Think: Zen garden with a cup of chamomile tea on one side, and a late-night link-up with your most toxic ex on the other.

“S O L A C E • somber, vulnerable, my own personal therapy session. Saying things I wouldn’t normally say out loud. Inspired by the season, my life changed 4ever, FALL ,” he said in the caption. 

Meanwhile, The Vices will be “Fun, Energetic, Bars on Bars, Summer Vibes, leaning into my ‘other’ side.” 

There’s no official release date yet, but he did say that it was coming soon and thanked the fans “who never left my side.” Hopefully, the project will drop shortly after he gets off tour with Chris Brown and Summer Walker for the Breezy Bowl XX Stadium World Tour  (which can now go on with Brown freed on bail). 

This will be Tiller’s latest full-length project since dropping his self-titled album last April.

New Music Friday

Here’s all the music you can listen to now—categorized by 💿️ for albums and 🎶 for singles:

• 💿️ FIVEFOREVER by PlaqueBoyMax

• 💿️ Out The Blue by Benji Blue Bills, BNYX

• 💿️ Florida Boy by Luh Tyler

• 💿️ ENOCH by Goldlink

• 🎶 “whoa (mind in awe) [Remix]” by XXXTENTACION, Juice WRLD

• 🎶 “OWA OWA” by Lil Tecca

• 🎶 “ACE TRUMPETS” by Clipse

• 🎶 “Diamond Stitching” by LUCKI

• 🎶 “just have PATIENCE” by $NOT

• 🎶 “Bad Motherf*cker” by Logic

• 🎶 “I Luv All The Opps” by AB, Kodak Black

• 🎶 “Wanted More” by Tory Lanez

• 🎶 “Survivor’s Guilt” by Meek Mill

• 🎶 “Bail Bonds” by TisaKorean

• 🎶 “HUNNIT” by Icewear Vezzo

• Drake has broken another major record. He officially has the most RIAA Diamond songs of any artist with 10 certifications. 

• Fivio Foreign’s legal woes continue. He has pleaded guilty to charges including terroristic threats and aggravated assault in order to hopefully secure probation.

• Welcome home, YFN Lucci. The rapper announced his first concert following his prison release, scheduled to take place in his hometown of Atlanta.