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Video: Drake Presents Rihanna With Her Video Vanguard Award at the 2016 MTV VMAs

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As the recipient of this year’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, Rihanna graced the stage four times, performing various hits from her 10 year career; and when it was time to be presented the Vanguard award, it was to everyone’s surprise that the presenter was Rihanna’s on again-off again [rumored] boyfriend, Drake. Commenting on her work ethic and fashion throughout the years, Drake couldn’t help but mention that he’s been in love with the 28-year-old songstress since he was 22 years old.

Drake’s Speech Transcript:

The first time I met Robyn Fenty was 2005. She was shooting a music video at a Restaurant called Avocado in Toronto. The song was “Pon de Replay” and the director of that video was Little X. I was introduced to her as a kid who played background music at the restaurant as people ate their dinner. It’s hard to believe that 11 years later all three of us would come together to create the visual for a song called “Work.”

Today, the world knows Little X as Director X, they know me as Drake and not the kid singing while you order pasta. But 11 years later, they still all know Rihanna as the one-and-only, Rihanna.

Captivating from day one, the iconic being that is Rihanna was already at a place where most artists only dream of going. For them, that’s often the peak, but for her, that was the starting point, and she has kept ascending to an untouchable level ever since. When it comes to music, she relentlessly takes over the charts with every release. When it comes to performance, they swarm in masses just to be in her presence … obviously. And, when it comes to fashion and style, she makes it seem so effortless until you try and do it yourself, which is when it gets a little awkward.

What’s most impressive isn’t the endless list of stats, awards and accomplishments. What’s most impressive is the person. Some artists need to play a character to achieve success. Some need to downplay their own natural instincts to blend in. She succeeds by doing something that no one in this music industry does, which is being herself.

This woman has surpassed all competition while still being the same girl from Barbados, surrounded by the same friends, speaking with the same accent, and never missing a Crop Over unless it’s to come perform at the OVO fest.

We love the music, which can change styles from out in the album. We love the videos, which change their artistic vision from year to year, but most of all, we love the woman who hasn’t changed since day one.

She’s someone I’ve been in love with since I was 22 years old. She’s one of my best friends in the world. All my adult life I’ve looked up to her even though she’s younger than me. She’s a living, breathing legend in our industry.

Ladies and gentleman, the recipient of the Michael Jackson Vanguard Award for 2016, Rihanna.

Albums

Eric Bellinger Drops ‘The Rebirth 3 Remixes & More’ Featuring New Collaborations

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Eric Bellinger Drops The Rebirth 3 Remixes More Featuring New Collaborations miixtapechiick

Eric Bellinger has returned with The Rebirth 3 Remixes & More, a fresh take on his album The Rebirth 3: The Party & The Bedroom.

The nine-track EP includes three bonus songs, including a collaboration with Jastin Martin on the track “Chase,” as well as updated versions of records from the original album, such as “La Perla (Remix)” featuring Vedo, “Backstage (Remix)” with J. Valentine, and “Your Mind (Remix)” with Ye Ali, among others.

The Rebirth 3: The Party & The Bedroom is the third installment in Bellinger’s The Rebirth series, which began in 2014 with The Rebirth.

Originally released on March 1, The Rebirth 3 featured contributions from Ne-Yo, Tone Stith, Queen Naija, Zae France, K Camp, Mozzy, and more. Earlier this year, Bellinger supported the album on The Rebirth Tour, with special guest Zae France.


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Audio

Kilynda Releases 2-Pack, “Deserved Better”

After releasing her “Heart Strings” visual in April, Kilynda returns to streaming platforms with an exciting new two-pack featuring her latest tracks, “Ever Since” and “Chains.”

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Kilynda Releases 2-Pack, "Deserved Better"
@mellowvier/Instagram

After releasing her “Heart Strings” visual in April, Kilynda returns to streaming platforms with an exciting new two-pack featuring her latest tracks, “Ever Since” and “Chains.”

“I’ll never stop screaming THANK YOU to the people who continuously support me, even after I take long breaks. I spent a lot of time trying to make sure everything was perfect,” Kilynda wrote in an Instagram caption. “Come to find out, not everything needs to be perfect. You’ll be hearing more from me soon, but for now, here’s a two-pack you can enjoy for a while. All love.”

Kilynda consistently delivers, blending transparency and relatability with each release. Her music always seems to arrive just when we need it most. Stream the two-pack below and let her words resonate.

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Culture

8 Zipp, Heffna Don and More Charged in Federal Sweep

Dominique Carpenter-Grad, known as 8 Zipp, and Trea Lankford, known as Heffna Don, are among ten individuals charged with drug conspiracy, linked to the alleged street gang H Block.

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8 Zipp Heffna Don and More Charged in Federal Sweep miixtapechiick

On Thursday, August 28, Boston-based rappers 8 Zipp and Heffna Don, along with 17 others, were arrested according to documents unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts.

Dominique Carpenter-Grady, known as 8 Zipp, and Trea Lankford, known as Heffna Don, are among ten individuals charged with drug conspiracy, linked to the alleged street gang H Block (Appendix A). Separately, nine members and associates of the Mission Hill Gang, including rapper Big Body Benz, born Tyrone Brimage, and (Appendix B) face charges related to financial fraud.

The arrests result from extensive, multi-year investigations into gang violence in Boston, which follow the February 2024 takedown of over 40 Heath Street Gang members and associates. That investigation led to the indictment of Boston-based rappers Trottie Y Gizzle, Trottie Moula, Ricky Mazarati, BDE Keko and others, with charges ranging from racketeering conspiracy to drug trafficking, firearms offenses, wire fraud, and various forms of financial fraud, including COVID-related schemes.

Six H Block members were arrested on Aug. 29, 2024, in connection with drug dealing in Boston and surrounding areas. During the arrests, additional drugs and four firearms were seized. Four other H Block members are already in state custody. Additionally, three H Block associates are charged with conspiring to smuggle illegal drugs into a Massachusetts prison, where there has been a significant increase in the smuggling of synthetic cannabinoids, also known as “K2,” and other dangerous substances.

Seperately, charges were filed against members and associates of the Mission Hill street gang for their roles in a mail theft and financial fraud scheme known as “card cracking.” According to court documents, this scheme involves the theft and laundering of money through bank accounts set up under various names controlled by the primary offenders. Six members and associates were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 29, and charged with financial crimes, while three others, already in custody, were also implicated.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts notes, “The charge of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance (cocaine) provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, not less than three years of supervised release, up to life, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (cocaine, cocaine base, fentanyl, PCP, and controlled substance analogues, i.e. K2) provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, not less than three years of supervised release, up to life, and a fine of up to $1 million. The charges of theft of government property provides for a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of conspiracy to commit wire and bank fraud provides for a sentence of up to 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $1 million. The charge of conspiracy to steal or possess stolen mail provides for a sentence of up to five years in prison, three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.”

APPENDIX A

  1. Trea Lankford, a/k/a “Heff,” a/k/a “Hefna Don,” a/k/a “Montana,” a/k/a “Tre Cain,” 33, of Boston;
  2. Dennis Wilson, a/k/a “Deuce,” a/k/a “Deep Jhonenson,” 36 of Boston;
  3. Avery Lewis, a/k/a “Wave,” 32 of Dorchester;
  4. Mark Linnehan,25, of West Roxbury;
  5. Eric Celestino,30, of Boston;
  6. Timothy Hearns, a/k/a “King Kill,” a/k/a “Tool Man,” a/k/a “Tooly,” 34;
  7. Dominique Carpenter-Grady, a/k/a “8-Zipp” a/k/a “Eighty,” a/k/a “Cindy Surin,” 35;
  8. Robert Heckstall, a/k/a “Ribbs,” a/k/a “Buck,” a/k/a “Buck Corleone,” 41, of Roxbury;
  9. Jason Bly, 44, of Quincy; and
  10. Jerry Gray, 28, of Dorchester.


APPENDIX B

  1. Imanol Rios-Franco, 24, of Brookline;
  2. Jairo Cabral-Santos, 22, of Boston;
  3. Brandon Baez, 22, of Framingham;
  4. Jiovanny Matos, 25, of Boston;
  5. Josman Romero Delgado, 22, of Boston;
  6. Jonathan Martinez, 25, of Roslindale;
  7. Anthony Worthen, 28, of Roslindale;
  8. Tyrone Brimage, 28, of Boston; and
  9. Glenroy Miller, 28, of Boston.
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