JAY-Z is officially a billionaire. Forbes reports that the entertainer/mogul fortune has now totalled the one billion mark, becoming for first Hip-Hop figure to accomplish this feat. The 49-year-old’s empire was built thanks to his music catalogue, business ventures in liquor (Armand de Brignac and D’Ussé), his art collection, real estate, TIDAL, Roc Nation music and sports company, and cash investments like Uber.

“It’s bigger than hip-hop… it’s the blueprint for our culture,” Swizz Beatz tells Forbes, speaking about his close friend and long-time collaborator. “A guy that looks like us, sounds like us, loves us, made it to something that we always felt that was above us. If he’s a billionaire now, imagine what he’s about to be. Because he’s only just starting.”

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As if his impact isn’t already felt in his neighborhood, Nipsey Hussle’s name will forever live on in Los Angeles. Yesterday, South Los Angeles City Councilman Marqueece Harris-Dawson announced that the intersection of Crenshaw Boulevard and West Slauson Avenue will be renamed Ermias “Nipsey Hussle” Asghedom Square, in honor of the late rapper and entrepreneur.

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A memorial service for the late Nipsey Hussle has been announced. The Celebration of Life memorial is set to take place this Thursday (Apr. 11) at the Staples Center in Los Angeles from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m PST. The news was announced in a post on the slain rapper’s Instagram account. The memorial will be open to the public, as tickets will be available to Californian residents only starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday (Apr. 9) via axs.com. Due to the outpouring from the greater Los Angeles community and Nipsey’s impact as an activist and entrepreneur, organizers has to scramble to secure a bigger capacity venue.

A four-ticket limit per household has been implemented, and are non-transferrable. Cameras and recording devices will not be allowed inside the 21,000 capacity venue during the memorial. More details and information can be found by clicking here. The 33-year-old was gunned down outside of his clothing store The Marathon one week ago. 29-year-old Eric Holder has been charged with murder and has been held on $5 million bail.

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Meek Mill is one step closer to securing the criminal justice reform he’s been fighting for. Yesterday, Meek appeared outside the Philadelphia Municipal Services Building to unveil new legislation aimed at reforming Pennsylvania’s probation and parole system.

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In addition to appearing on Good Morning America, 21 Savage sat down with The New York Times shortly after his release on bond from ICE custody. In a much more candid and reflective conversation than the one he had on TV, 21 speaks with Jon Caramanica about moving from London to Atlanta as a kid, growing up in the U.S. without a VISA, and the nightmare of facing deportation from the country he’s called home for the last 20 years.

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Tekashi 6ix9ine has plead guilty to nine federal counts in his criminal case, according to court documents obtained by TMZ.

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Hip-Hop icon Snoop Dogg received his just due on Monday afternoon (Nov. 19), as the Long Beach native was the 2651st honoree to be enshrined on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony took place in front of the El Capitan Entertainment Center on Hollywood Boulevard, where Jimmy Kimmel Live! is taped weekly.

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The comic world is in mourning today as Marvel’s co-creator Stan Lee has passed away. TMZ was notified of his death by Stan’s daughter. They were told Stan was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center from his Hollywood Hills home and shortly after was presumed dead. He was 95 years old.

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Sean “Diddy” Combs has pledged $1 million to the renowned Capitol Preparatory Schools network to open a third location of in the Bronx. This network provides inner city communities with with high quality education. The third location, slated to open in September 2019, will serve 160 students in the 6th/7th grade, and will grow to help as many as 650 in the 6th to 11th grade during it’s initial 5-year term. Already having locations in Harlem and Bridgeport, CT, Capital Prep Bronx will expand the network in helping over 2100 students to a higher affirming curriculum.

The announcement represents an expansion in the partnership between Diddy and renowned educator, Dr. Steve Perry, who is also the founder of Capital Prep Schools.

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Last night, a vigil for Mac Miller was held at the Blue Slide Park section of Frick Park in his hometown of Pittsburgh, PA. Fans gathered in their thousands to mourn the 26-year-old rapper, who tragically passed away from a suspected overdose last Friday (September 7). Music was played, weed was burned and candles were lit in memory of the beloved MC.

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