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South African Hip Hop artist Nasty C stopped by HOT 97 upon the release of his latest <a href="https://music.apple.com/ky/album/ivyson-army-tour-mixtape/1644133699" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mixtape</a> Ivyson Army Tour a project named after his late mother. In this interview, <a href="https://www.hot97.com/hot-news/nasty-c-talks-hip-hop-in-south-africa-gets-a-bad-haircut-in-nyc-freestyles-video" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nasty C </a>explains the different genres coming out of South Africa, his musical influences, his acting debut on Netflix, and more!Catch him at The Ivyson Tour, <a href="https://acgl.co.za/news/Call-of-Duty-Mobile-x-Ivyson-Gaming-Tournament-Details" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">COD Mobile Tournament</a> October 2 at the Emperors Place.

Nasty C On Rise To Fame, Latest Mixtape + Acting!

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Pinky Cole, the owner, and operator of the million-dollar restaurant chain <a href="https://sluttyveganatl.com/brooklyn/">Slutty Vegan</a> ATL stopped by HOT 97 with Miabelle to introduce the latest of her 7-locations in Brooklyn, NY! Slutty Vegan is best known for its plant-based burgers and has been supported by the likes of Queen Latifah, Viola Davis, and many more! In this interview, Pinky Cole gives insight into her upbringing, the road to being an entrepreneur, and new business ventures!They can be found at 690 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY.

Pinky Cole, CEO Of Slutty Vegan On Bringing Her Business To Brooklyn + Road To Entrepreneurship

Dreamville artist JID stopped by the station before releasing his highly anticipated <a href="https://jid.lnk.to/TheForeverStory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">project</a> The Forever Story which carries features from Lil Wayne, Lil Durk, 21 Savage, and more! In this interview, JID opens up about what pushed him to pursue music seriously, his past life as an athlete, and his wishlist for future collaborations.The project comes out at midnight!

JID On Taking Music Seriously, Inspiration, Dreamville + 'The Forever Story,'

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Hot 97 celebrates the month of Pride with new Def Jam signee Kidd Kenn! Representing Chicago and the LGBTQ community, Kidd Kenn opened up about his childhood, breaking into Hip Hop, future goals, and support thus far from other artists in the music industry.Growing up in the windy city, Kidd Kenn is proud of his upbringing back home in the South Side of Chicago. In an interview with Hot97’s Miabelle, Kidd Kenn speaks freely about his childhood revealing that he used to be a problem-child both at home and at school: “I had a slick mouth [and] lowkey did what I want”. At the age of six, Kidd Kenn started using freestyle as a way to express himself and reminisces the first time he went to the studio at the young age of 14. After getting millions of shares on Facebook from a Snapchat video of him freestyling, Kidd Kenn’s career took off with his first paid gig at a strip club. Kidd Kenn coined his stagename after discovering his love for musical icon, Nicki Minaj while watching the hip-hop and R&B television show “106 & Park”. After listening to Minaj’s remix of “Five Star” in the episode, Kidd Kenn continued to gain inspiration from Nicki Minaj, Michael Jackson, and Lady Gaga. In an interview with Reader, he told viewers, “Nicki is Barbie, and because I’m a boy, I decided I would be Ken.” Stepping into the world of hip-hop as a Black musician and a member of the LGBTQ+ community is certainly challenging, but has never stopped Kidd Kenn from achieving his dreams. When working with big named artists like Lizzo, Cardi B., and Lil Nas X, and getting collaborations with Saucy Santana and Nasty Rico, it is safe to say that Kidd Kenn will continue to make his mark in the hip-hop community. He leaves viewers with an inspirational sentiment to go by: Live your truth. Being authentically you for you (and only you) makes life a walk in the park.Stay tuned as Kidd Kenn teases his latest single 'Want Not A Need' featuring Baby Tate and future plans!

Celebrating Pride w/ Rapper Kidd Kenn Breaking Into Hip Hop + Signing to Def Jam!

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Quality Control's rap star Lakeyah sits down with Miabelle to share the excitement of her latest EP No Pressure (Pt 1) as well as her story into stardom from working at McDonald's to signing with a major record label.Lakeyah opened up about her relationship with her labelmates Lil Baby, and City Girls, and gives advice to young girls looking to follow their dreams!No Pressure (Pt. 1) is available now!

Lakeyah On Signing To Quality Control, 'No Pressure,' + Her Journey

<h4>Written by: Emani Bell</h4>It's officially time for the hottest concert of the year to pop off! This year at Summer Jam we have an amazing lineup featuring Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Shenseea, City Girls, Fivio Foreign and so much more. The day is off to a great start as the sun is out and we are kicking off Festival Village at 3:30pm, so stay tuned for updates as there will always be surprises throughout the night!2:00pm: Parking lot has opened and fans are rolling in!2:30pm: Fans are getting pumped up and ready for Festival Village.3:30pm: Festival Village has officially opened up!3:43pm: Brooklyn artist K Goddess, winner of HOT 97's Who's Next contest has taken the stage - opening up Festival Village.3:52pm: Girll Codee has hit the stage to perform their single Chaa Chaa Chaa!4:00pm: DJ Stacks and Mike Medium are heating up the crowd!4:05pm: Nardo Wick asks "WHO WANT SMOKE."<iframe style="border-radius: 12px;" src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/playlist/653W3S74yu7E1zZ7AWZXwu?utm_source=generator" width="100%" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>4:20pm: DJ Spazo presents Detroit artist Baby Face Ray!4:28pm: DJ Drewski bring out Nems! #BingBong4:32pm: Jnr Choi graces the stage to perform his hit "To The Moon!"4:35pm: DJ Drewski brings out Lady London and has Festival Village going wild!4:40pm: Lady London brings out Dub Aura to perform ‘Lisa’s Story.’4:48pm: NLE Choppa is bringing the energy to the stage & the crowd is lit! Choppa performs his Beatbox Freestyle! 5:09: Our ladies from our segment Ladies Night present Yung Bleu as he performs ‘Beautiful Lies’ and 'You're Mines Still.'5:24pm: Miabelle & Rosenberg have entered Festival Village!5:25pm: DJ Wallah is heating up the crowd with throwbacks as we prepare for Festival Village’s final performances!5:33pm: Drewski brings out drill rapper Dougie B!5:35pm: B-Lovee joins Dougie B on the festival stage!5:41pm: IN A HUGE SURPRISE CARDI B JOINS DOUGIE B AND B-LOVEE ON STAGE TO PERFORM THE "Shake It" Remix!!5:48pm: The Material Gworl aka Saucy Santana walks the stage dancing to a remix of Beyoncé’s “Crazy In Love," then performs Booty.5:53pm: Rosenberg brings out Cordae, calling him one of the best MCs of this generation.<h4>6:00pm: Festival Stage performances are over, and the stadium is open.</h4>6:43pm: Bronx artist DreamDoll has taken the stage!6:45pm: DreamDoll has brought out Staten Island rapper CJ to perform "Whoopty!"6:48pm: DreamDoll brings out Capella Grey to perform their single 'You Know My Body.'6:52pm: DreamDoll closes out her performance and DJ Stacks warms up the stadium as fans continue to make their way into the stadium.6:54pm: Megan Ryte and Laura Stylez grace the stage and bring out Shenseea!7:07pm: Rosenberg and DJ Enuff bring out Buffalo's finest, Benny The Butcher.7:27pm: DJ Spazo turning up the crowd with some early 00's hits!7:53pm: Ebro, Shani Kulture, Laura Stylez and DJ Juanyto hit the stage and bring out the City Girls!8:30pm: DJ Kast One keeping the crowd lit!8:43pm: Roddy Rich is out and has hit the stage!8:45pm: Roddy Rich calls out the NYPD for his arrest last night.8:47pm: DJ Mustard joins Roddy Rich on stage.9:00pm: Bobby Konders sending the crowd some Caribbean vibes!9:04pm: Ebro introduces the DJ Kay Slay tribute! RIP to the Drama King!9:06pm: Busta Rhymes and Spliff Star kick off the Drama King's tribute with "Touch It."9:07pm: Papoose joins Busta and Spliff!9:10pm: Busta and Spliff performs hit single 'Ante Up' and Remy Ma joins!9:12pm: Fat Joe and Remy Ma perform classic hit 'Lean Back'!9:15pm: The Lox murder the stage opening up with 'Mighty D-Block'!9:21pm: Dipset! Dipset! Dipset! Juelz and Jim Jones have hit the stage.9:24pm: The Lobby Boyz, Maino and Jim Jones have made their official presence together on stage.9:32pm: DJ Enuff is currently vibin' out with the crowd.9:40pm: TT Torrez introduces 'King Push' aka Pusha T to the stage.10:01pm: Funk Flex has turned Summer Jam into a night club! *drops bomb*10:14pm: Lil Baby turns up Metlife!10:41pm: DJ Enuff and Megan Ryte fight for Gunna & Thug by telling the fans to Protect Black Art!10:43pm: The Voice has entered the building!10:57pm: Lil Durk brings out Nardo Wick on the Main Stage with him!11:04pm: Durk brings Philly to New York! Meek Mill has arrived!11:08pm: Meek performs his hit single 'Dreams and Nightmares' with Durk.11:14pm: A video is played on the 'Protect Black Art' petition in support of YSL artists, Gunna and Young Thug. "Our lyrics should not be used against us." #FreeGunna&Thug!11:23pm: Fivio Foreign comes out in a 'King of New York' cape to perform "City of Gods"11:25pm: Fivio keeps the momentum going with his Drake feature, "Demons," and transitions right into "Wetty."11:28pm: Singer Coi Leray joins Fivio onstage to perform "What's My Name" and its classic Destiny's Child sample.11:35pm: Fivio welcomes Chlöe Bailey to perform "Hello."11:40pm: Jnr Choi performs "To the Moon (Remix)" with Fivio, followed by Rowdy Rebel's entrance and performance of his verse from "Computers."11:44pm: Fivio closes out the show with his hit single 'Big Drip!This year's Summer Jam closed out with a bang! The day was full of nothing but good vibes, good weather, and amazing surprises! From Cardi B creating a historical moment by performing at Festival Village to Fivio Foreign closing out the show with special guests such as Chloe Bailey and Coi Leray. Hip hop showed up and showed out tonight creating eventful memories. Be sure to tune into all of our social media for moments missed!

Summer Jam 2022 - Live Updates!

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EARTHGANG stopped by the station to break down their latest album "Ghetto Gods." The hip-hop duo from Atlanta also opened up about their dating lives, working with artists like J. Cole, CeeLo Green and more!