The Playground Industry News Wrap Up (July 20th, 2021)

By: Disney Molina

Tap in with The Playground for all the latest updates from New York and from around the industry - where we go over the most important things that went down this week that you need to know about

Here are some things that went down this week that you should be aware of 

1) Legendary artist, Biz Markie, dies at 57

Biz Markie,  the rapper known as "The Clown Prince of Hip Hop,"  died at the age of 57. He was widely known for his hit 'Just A Friend' which singer Mario would later on sample and make into an R&B smash hit. In 2020, complications from diabetes placed Biz Markie in the hospital and which later led to his death. The rapper was survived by his wife of 10 years. 

2) Afro Carnival Announces Is Return To NYC

New York City is free at last and it wouldn’t be New York without a good festival to celebrate. Afro-Carnival makes its returns to NYC  with a  killer lineup. The festival created with the intentions of unifying people of the diaspora through music and culture returns to the New York festival scene after a quiet year. This year the lineup includes J-Anthoni, Queenie Catora , ADH, Adekunle Gold, Agho, and Busiswa. The DJ Tunez led event is sure to have some surprises and we cant wait to see what they are. Afro Carnival Is due to be held on August 21st at the Coney Island Art Walls. Don’t miss it! 

3) A$AP Rocky Announces Collaboration With PacSun

A$AP Rocky is taking  2021 over - Musically and fashion-wise. Earlier this week, the Purity artist debuted his new capsule collections for PacSun (his second most interesting partnership of 2021 since the RiRi news came out).

In honor of the collection, Rocky stated the following: “This partnership is special to me because it’s a collaboration that combines my roots, A$AP Worldwide, and some of the most respected heritage brands that have roots in both the sportswear and lifestyle worlds. Together with Pacsun, we will be releasing several limited-edition collections that are both nostalgic and forward at the same time.”

4) Meg Thee Stallion’s ‘Good News’ Is Certified Platinum



Megan The Stallions Hottie’s came through and made sure their queen remained Hot on the music charts, making her Good News Project go Platinum. This is Megan’s first album to go Platinum and she gushed at the news on IG

5) News Breaks That Lil Durk and India Were Involved In A Shootout At Their Home

In true Bonnie and Clyde fashion, Lil Durk and his girlfriend India Royale fought back against several individuals who broke into their Georgia home.  Reports stated that both Durk and India shot back at the intruders. The home invasion ended in a shootout with the suspects still at large

6) New VERZUZ Battle Announced: Dipset vs The Lox at Madison Square Garden

Just when you thought all the possible Verzuz had happened, yet another legendary matchup is announced. Dipset and The Lox, two of the most iconic NYC rap groups are set for a Verzuz at New York City’s very own Madison Square Garden. August 3rd is the day where it will all go down .

7) DMX Mural in Yonkers Unveiled

Yonkers is doing their part in keeping the Late Rapper DMX’s memory alive with a Mural in his honor. This past week, artist Floyd Simmons unveiled a mural of DMX in Yonkers, New York.  The impressive tribute is located on a wall near the Calcagno Homes on School Street, the same public housing where X once lived. DMX passed away in April.

8. Chris Brown Being Sued Over 2017 Multi-Platinum Hit “Privacy”

Chris Brown is in legal trouble once again - now facing a lawsuit from Greensleeves Publishing. The company claims that Breezy illegally used parts of Red Rat’s 1997’s “Tight Up Skirt” for his certified multi-platinum single, “Privacy”. In court documents, the New York City-based publishing company is saying that it “owns and administers exclusive music publishing rights in the United States” for “Tight Up Skirt.” The documents suggest that Brown took the main parts of the timeless dancehall record and used it in his 2017 record “without permission.” Greensleeves is demanding over $500,000 in damages and over $1,000,000 for “the gains, profits, and advantages that Chris Brown and Sony Music have obtained as a result of their acts of copyright infringement.