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Just days after launching an audit into subsidiary label ADOR and asking its CEO, Min Hee-jin, to exit, the Korean entertainment giant says it will report the executive to police.
The announcement came ahead of Min holding an emotional press conference in Seoul, where she refuted allegations of usurping ADOR girl group NewJeans‘ management, shared conversations she had with the group’s members and addressed other rumors as the Billboard 200–topping girl group prepares to launch its new single, “Bubble Gum.”
On Thursday (April 25) local time in Korea, HYBE shared the following statement with the media as an update to its audit regarding ADOR, CEO Min and other executives at the label:
Trending on Billboard
On April 25 KST, HYBE announced that the company will report CEO Min Hee-Jin of its subsidiary label ADOR to police for a breach of trust and other related allegations today.
HYBE secured substantial evidence to prove that Min deliberately led the plan to take over management control of the subsidiary, through the audit process. The evidence included detailed discussions that Min has ordered the ADOR management to find ways to pressure HYBE into ultimately selling ADOR’s shares. One of the audited parties submitted information assets to seize the management of ADOR and to attempt to contact external investors. The auditee also admitted to creating the documents to attack HYBE.
In the meantime, HYBE will continue to provide attentive mental and emotional care to the company’s artist NewJeans and best support for their upcoming comeback. The company will meet legal representatives of the respective members as soon as possible to discuss the plan to protect the act.
As previously reported, Min earned an 18% stake in ADOR in late 2023, when HYBE moved from full ownership of the label to 80%, with the additiona 2% owned by other company executives.
Following Min Hee-jin and ADOR going on the offensive with interviews and multiple statements to various Korean media alleging that HYBE has been exploiting ADOR and allowing NewJeans’ concept to be plagiarized, the K-pop industry veteran held a press conference with her lawyers that lasted more than two hours on Friday.
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According to the Korea JoongAng Daily‘s minute-by-minute report, Min arrived for the 3 p.m. press conference casually dressed in a baseball cap and simple T-shirt to be greeted by a slew of photographers — so many that at one point, the executive said she wouldn’t be able to speak if the camera flashes continued. Throughout the two-hour event, Min proclaimed her innocence, shared her disagreements with HYBE’s leadership, rebutted their conclusion that she wanted to seize NewJeans’ management and tried to shift focus back to her original internal complaint regarding plagiarism. Under Min’s leadership, ADOR previously claimed that HYBE’s newest act, the five-member girl group ILLIT formed under another subsidiary, BELIFT LAB, is copying NewJeans.
While weaving through stories with her lawyers alongside her, an at-times sobbing Min also addressed rumors regarding current and past HYBE artists including BTS, GFRIEND, LE SSERAFIM and more.
During the first half hour of the presentation, Min shared text message chats she claims she had with HYBE founder/chairman Bang Si-hyuk and HYBE CEO Park Ji-won. These alleged texts, according to Min, show Bang’s interest in buying Source Music, where Min previously worked, to launch a girl group. She also revealed that she recruited NewJeans’ eldest member, Minji, from Source’s trainee pool for ADOR. Min further claimed that HYBE’s debuting LE SSERAFIM under the Source label led to NewJeans being cast aside and created internal issues.
In a 2022 Billboard interview shortly after NewJeans’ debut, Min described her move away from Source Music by noting that “there would have been a number of different challenges involved” at the time and that she instead focused on creating “an independent label,” which became ADOR. “ADOR is a label that started with guaranteed autonomy, so it has no ties with HYBE’s management,” Min said. “They actually didn’t have any knowledge about anything we were going to release up until the first music video was released.” In the same interview, a question regarding Minji’s time as a trainee under Source Music was never addressed by press time.
After the first hour of the press conference, Min added claims that her contract terms with HYBE were unfair, though her lawyer said the details of the contract are confidential. Min also alleged that HYBE spun her contacting a law firm as external consulting, creating the current situation. Min pointed to multiple misunderstandings, including those that arose from jokes between her executive team, and added that HYBE still owes her money.
Through tears, Min revealed more text messages claiming that a NewJeans member’s mother called her to encourage her to speak out. During the Q&A with the press in attendance, Min contended that NewJeans members Hanni and Haerin have specifically reached out to her in support.
Separately, two NewJeans members have made public appearances amid the K-pop power struggle. Minji attended a Chanel pop-up store opening on Tuesday (April 23) in Seoul, while Danielle attended different fashion events on the Tuesday and Wednesday, though neither has made public statements on the matter.
Throughout the press conference, Min also touched on BTS (refuting an online rumor that she claimed the Billboard chart-toppers had copied her ideas), GFRIEND (saying she had nothing to do with the group’s abrupt 2021 disbandment soon after her formal start at HYBE) and took several shots at the teams behind ILLIT by sharing how the members are innocent but “it’s the adults that have sinned…copied all the formulas that we had with NewJeans,” from the concept to fashion collaborations, as reported by the Korea JoongAng Daily.
Just as HYBE did in its statement, Min ended her press conference by re-focusing attention on NewJeans. Despite the clash, the K-pop group’s upcoming music video for “Bubble Gum” is still set to premiere on Friday (April 26) via the HYBE Labels YouTube channel.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: L. Busacca / Getty / Tupac Shakur
Drake’s clever attempt at a Kendrick Lamar diss record could land him in legal hot water.
Spotted on HuffPost, the Estate of the late iconic rapper Tupac Shakur is threatening Drake with legal action for using an AI-generated voice of Shakur.
The Estate is giving the Canadian Hip-Hop star 24 hours to take down his latest Kendrick Lamar diss track, “Taylor Made Freestyle.” The track features AI-generated voices of Tupac Shakur and Snoop Dogg urging their West Coast brethren to defend his honor on wax. Drake’s verse uses the 8-mile tactic of taking all the possible insults Lamar can use off the table by pointing them out.
In the song, the fake Tupac tells K.Dot, “You asked for the smoke, now it seems you too busy for the smoke.”
Per Billboard, the cease-and-desist letter that the Shakur estate slapped Drake, real name Aubrey Graham.
The HuffPost Reports:
“The Estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” attorney Howard King wrote in the letter, according to Billboard. “Not only is the record a flagrant violation of Tupac’s publicity and the Estate’s legal rights, it is also a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. The Estate would never have given its approval for this use.”
Snoop Dogg Also Had Something To Say
Following the Friday release of “Taylor Made Freestyle,” Snoop Dogg took to his Instagram account to drop a hilarious reaction to Drake using an AI version of his voice.
“They did what? When? How? Are you sure? [Sigh] Y’all have a good night,” Snoop said in the Instagram clip. “Why everybody calling my phone, blowing me up? What the fuck— what happened? What’s going on? I’m going back to bed. Good night.”
We are curious to see how this plays out.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Annette Brown / Getty
Hip-Hop’s relationship with the other coasts has long been curious, marked at times by periods of disregard, surprise and respect. For Southerners, much of that affirmative praise comes from the work of rappers like Scarface, groups like UGK, 8Ball and MJG, and OutKast, and producers like Mannie Fresh, DJ Paul and Juicy J, and the production trio, Organized Noize.
Birthed in Atlanta, the collective of the late Rico Wade, Ray Murray, and Sleepy Brown, is responsible for not only some of music’s biggest records but also for bringing life to a persona and energy that gave the South its moniker. The Dirty South, the moniker’s inception often credited to Cool Breeze, is a nod to the Goodie Mob song and a testament to the work they put in down in Wade’s mother’s basement, affectionately known as “The Dungeon”. Their work in creating the music for OutKast, guiding the careers of Goodie Mob, and producing the music for the South elevated its position and laid the foundation for future Southern producers who followed in their footsteps.
Here are nine songs from the trio that should be on your playlist.
Cool Breeze- “Watch for the Hook”
The funk, soul, and gospel-infused hook of Southern Man from New Orleans singer Merry Clayton is the perfect theme for this posse cut from one of the South’s premier clans, the Dungeon Family. A play on the song’s chorus and the dynamic’s battle rap flow, it stands out as one of the DF’s most enjoyable cuts—taken from Cool Breeze’s debut album East Point’s Greatest Hit.
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Goodie Mob – “They Don’t Dance No More”
Prophetic, satirical, and visually captivating, the hook is embedded in listener’s minds, wedged in between the keyboard chords and vocals. An honest analysis of the changing landscape in rap, Goodie’s Mob’s lyrics focus on the increasingly violent and serious tone of rap music, which is why it remains one of group’s most memorable songs.
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Ludacris – “Saturday (Oooh! Oooh!)”
The third single from Ludacris’ multi-platinum sophomore album, Word of Mouf, the ear worm of a sample and vocals from Sleepy Brown help give the song a feel of nostalgia and bravado. “Saturday’s” success helped reintroduce Organized Noize to a newer generation unfamiliar with the music of OutKast and other premier artists of the 90’s.
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Goodie Mob – “Cell Therapy”
The sonics of the piano keys only added to the song’s jarring lyrics which foreshadowed the musical experimentation of Goodie Mob. In an interview with B-High of Hot 107.9, Khujo speaks on how the song came to be.
“We went to Stankonia Studios and Ray (Murray) had a beat. That piano came on and I was like, What is this?! I got lost in the beat.”
Serving as the group’s first single from its debut album, Soul Food, the song’s socially conscious themes and sci-fi focus led to it being banned on MTV. Controversy aside, the song’s production showed the world how creative and passionate Organized Noize was.
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Goodie Mob- “Dirty South”
The definitive song, which featured Cool Breeze and Big Boi, for a whole region had to be considered near or at the top of the list. Iconic references to Atlanta staples like the Red Dog police unit, Ms Ann and her historic Ghetto Burger, and now demolished housing projects serve as a time capsule of Atlanta before gentrification. Safe to say, many people didn’t know about the Dirty South prior to this declaration.
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OutKast – “So Fresh, So Clean”
The song’s bassline, played by longtime bassist Preston Crump, and sleek vocals provide a groovy and memorable energy to the track, making it one of the OutKast’s most memorable songs. As for the video, the visual duality of their outfits and rhymes represents the yin and yang that make them iconic and this remains one of the best examples of each member’s contribution.
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En Vogue – Don’t Let Go
Yet another signature song from a girl group that came to define them as a whole while equally performing well on the Billboard charts. Arguably the most successful record En Vogue released, the song’s powerful piano chords and vocals brought the group a level of fame unlike anything they had ever seen. Envisioned by Rico Wade who subsequently suggested the song go to En Vogue, Don’t Let Go spent 35 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, peaking at #2.
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TLC- Waterfalls
One of the biggest songs of its era and arguably the biggest song by TLC, the “Wateralls’” iconic guitar and horn selection showcase the musical dexterity and genius of Organized Noize. A metaphor that touched on the social and spiritual issues of that time, “Waterfalls” showed the world just how versatile and capable both groups were at making popular music.
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OutKast – “Player’s Ball”
Without the work of Organized Noize, the world would never know about the genius of OutKast and Atlanta. A Christmas Carol about the joys of brotherhood and blunts, the song introduced the world to OutKast and set the stage for their future reign. Conceived in Rico Wade’s basement, the music that followed allowed OutKast and Goodie Mob to shine, while in the process leading us to the one of the South’s most important groups, the Dungeon Family.
In an interview titled Hip Hop: Songs that Shook the World, Big Boi spoke on the influence of Rico Wade and Organized Noize, stating,
” He was the gateway to LA Reid and he signed OutKast to LaFace through a production deal. Without Organized, there would be no OutKast or Goodie Mob. They put all their blood, sweat, and tears into making our first album.”
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In 2021, with nearly four decades of recording under her belt, 15-time Grammy winner CeCe Winans released her first live album, Believe for It. However, with the world still reeling from COVID, she and her team were forced to shift the dynamics of making the album, recording the project in an intimate setting of about 50 people in Nashville.
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For her new album, More Than This, out April 26 via PureSprings Gospel/Fair Trade Services, Winans knew she wanted another shot at doing a live album. This time, the project was recorded at downtown Nashville venue Rocketown, with an audience of around 1,200 members.
“I wanted to experience the live audience,” Winans tells Billboard. “The last record was powerful, and God blessed it. But to hear the live audience on this one, it takes it to a whole other place for me.”
Trending on Billboard
As with her previous album, Winans sets classic worship songs alongside modern ones. On More Than This, classics such as “Sanctuary” and “Oh the Blood of Jesus” are tucked alongside modern worship fare — such as Chris Tomlin’s recent hit “Holy Forever,” Elevation Worship’s “Worthy” and Maverick City Music’s “Refiner,” as well as two songs Winans co-wrote, the title track (which features musician Todd Dulaney) and “Be Still and Know.”
Winans reunited with producer Kyle Lee, as well as co-producers Thomas Hardin, Jr. and Tyrone Jackson, for the new album. She notes that they carefully selected the dozen songs that make up the tracklist, with the intent of weaving an upbeat, joyful message throughout the project.
“We got the chance to create a worship service more than a record, a time of worship that would tie the old with the new,” Winans says. “I know a lot of people don’t listen to whole albums nowadays, but I like to create a piece of work that you can listen from the beginning to the end, and you connect that thread all the way through.”
Both performing live and performing cover songs presented its own unique challenges in the recording process of the album.
“You have to rehearse with the band and singers, and learn the songs,” says Winans, who is managed by MWS Group, which also manages CCM pioneer Michael W. Smith. “If I had my preference I would learn the songs, tour the songs, then do the record — because then you’re very familiar with the songs and the performance, you have a tight feel to it. But I went in with a lot of prayer, asking God to help me remember everything and spent a lot of time with my producer and rehearsing so that when you get in front of that live audience, you’re just able to flow with the songs.”
Music has been a mainstay for Winans’ entire life, as she began singing as part of the larger Winans family group, before CeCe joined her brother BeBe to form a duo. They released their first album, Lord Lift Us Up, in 1984. A few years later, they signed with Capitol Records and issued their 1987 project BeBe & CeCe Winans. The duo issued numerous Gospel hits such as “Lost Without You” and “I’ll Take You There” (featuring Mavis Staples), before they launched solo careers. In 1995, CeCe released the debut solo album, Alone in His Presence, which went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA. To date, she has released 11 solo studio albums.
The title track to Believe For It brought another hit for Winans, reaching the top 10 on the Christian Airplay chart in 2021 and becoming a 12-week No. 1 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart in 2022. She followed with her rendition of Bethel Music’s “Goodness of God.” In 2023, Winans also notched other Billboard year-end accolades including top gospel artist, female; as well as top gospel song (“Goodness of God”).
Where “Believe For It” and “Goodness of God” were ballads, “That’s My King,” the current single from her new album, frames worship lyrics with a danceable groove.
“Kyle brought me this song and when I heard it, I was like, ‘This is incredible,’” Winans relates of the song, which is currently at No. 25 on the Christian Airplay chart. “It’s fun, and it’s upbeat, not just in tempo but in its message.
“I think sometimes we forget because we do associate church and God with being in a solemn assembly. He is to be reverenced, but He said in his presence, there’s fullness of joy,” she continues. “That’s not something to keep quiet, but that’s something to proclaim and to share so that other people can have hope too. And I think this song embodies all of it. ‘That’s My King’ reminds us that we have hope.”
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That joyous spirit in the song gets amplified when she performs it each night on her current The Goodness Tour, which runs through May.
“In our live show, we’ve added pompoms. I’m like, ‘This is a cheer. We got to cheer this. It’s a party,’” she explains. “It’s one of those songs that is contagious, so full of joy. It’s like cooking a good meal. You put all of the ingredients in there, then you stir it up and you get the full benefit of the flavor.”
The album closes with “In a Little While,” a song written by Winans’ son Alvin Love III.
“It’s a great, powerful message to end the album with,” Winans says. “It’s another song that makes you want to dance, is joyful. That’s one of the songs I played for Kyle because it’s been years since [Winans’ home church choir] Nashville Life recorded it, and it has an older, retro sound. That was a song that he was like, ‘I don’t know about this,’ but I was like, ‘This is one we have to do.’ That night when we recorded it, everybody was jumping around, singing, nobody wanted to leave. He came back to me and said, ‘Oh my gosh, you’re so right.”
Songs from More Than This will likely be included in the setlist when Winans brings her third annual Generations Live conference to Nashville’s Belmont University on May 10-11. The conference will feature guests Joyce Meyer, Jackie Hill Perry, Dr. Anita Phillips, Sheryl Brady, Ashley Phillips, Andrea Mellini and Nashville Life Music.
“I think last year we saw four generations of women attend,” Winans says. ‘My family will be there. I’m so grateful I still have my mom. She’s 87, and my daughter will be speaking this year. I’m so proud of her. I am looking forward to laughing. I’m looking forward to crying, to seeing generations come together.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: handout / Lady Luck
In the pulsating heart of Hip-Hop where lyricism reigns supreme and storytelling is an art form, few voices resonate with the raw, unapologetic power of Lady Luck.
A lyrical force, she strides through the music scene like a queen. From the battleground to the underground and the mainstream; her rhymes cut through the noise with razor-sharp precision. As we sit down with this fearless lyricist, we unravel the layers of her journey and delve into the mind of Lady Luck, where every word is a testament to her unwavering spirit and unmatched talent.
Lady Luck’s evolution in music is a testament to her resilience and growth as an artist. From the fierce and now legendary battles between herself and Remy Ma, where she honed her skills and made her mark, to the more reflective and positive messaging we hear in her latest single, “Praise”, her journey has been transformative. The tragic loss of her mother served as a catalyst, prompting Lady Luck to channel her pain into her music, using her platform to spread messages of hope, empowerment and self-discovery. This shift in focus showcases her versatility as an artist and highlights her ability to turn personal tragedy into a beacon of light for others.
Hip-Hop Wired: We know you are a vet in the game, but to kick things off let’s talk about your female Rap influences. Who are the top five that influenced you to pick up the mic?
Lady Luck: Oh wow, I’m a little biased because I feel like my top five should be everyone’s top five [laughs], but I would say it’s Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, Da Brat, loved Da Brat, and Nikki D. Of course, Nikki D, we can’t forget her, but can I get some honorable mentions? Because I want to add Lady of Rage, Roxanne Shante and Antionette. I mean I have some honorable mentions for all of the girls who poured into me, pause. [laughs]
I understand because when it comes down to influences, narrowing it down to just five can be hard because there are so many great artists.
Like The Sequence, for instance. They were the first female Rap group signed by my aunt, Sylvia [Robinson], and Angie Stone is in the group, only then she was known as Angie B. She was also my godmother at that time.
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As a battle rapper whose previous ongoing battle against Remy Ma is now considered infamous, how do you feel about the hate female rappers receive for verbally sparring like their male counterparts?
It’s like that all the time, but that is rooted in gender inequality. No different than when a woman speaks up for herself, she’s considered “bitchy,” but you learn that it’s part of it. I personally appreciate everything the girls are doing and shaking up s–t. I appreciate Nicki and Megan and Drake versus everybody, I almost want to get in on it. [laughs]
Being a veteran MC who has learned to navigate and flow with the current music, how do you feel about the current state of culture and the wave of new artists collaborating with vets as a way to pay homage to those they were inspired by?
I think it’s dope and the first time we have seen something like this in the industry at this rate. Like shout out to Coi Leray for teaming up with Busta [Rhymes]; the fact he is still on fire is dope. I love it. I love that the lines are blurred with the internet because I believe it’s a gift and a curse. Yeah, anyone can drop an album, but anyone can drop an album so it’s the power that’s there too. Look at Hit-Boy, his father came home from jail and started dropping that old-school heat–people enjoyed it.
One thing I love about you as an artist is that you always highlight the artists that you are listening to and shine a light on those you feel need to be seen. Who are some new artists you are checking for and would like to collaborate with?
I’m really bad with names because I smoke so much weed. [laughs] So when this question comes up I always remember someone I should have mentioned later, but Lola Brooke for sure. A lot of artists I hear on Sirius Mixtape Radio because it’s my go-to. Steff-G, she’s definitely on my radar. It’s just so many dope people out there right now, shout out to anybody who’s not giving up.
Speaking of not giving up, over the years you have made a few interesting transitions as an artist. We have seen you go from gutter and gritty, to sexy, to empowering and now seemingly an elevated conscious state. I know you attribute that to the recent passing of your mother–but you have a very masterful way of channeling life into your art.
I just been through hell man; I don’t look like what I’ve been through. It’s funny, I was telling my wife the same thing, that I may look like I am strong and not going to break down, but there are moments I want to break down. But know I can’t. I honestly feel like there’s more to life than what “they” are telling us like we are a lot more special and advanced than we are led to believe. So I have been looking for truth honestly–that’s how I got cool with Forbidden Knowlege and did projects with him because I want to know more. I don’t want to just be in the matrix promoting violence and on a lower frequency anymore. There’s so much more and I want to find out.
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I saw that you recently posted your recipe for plant-based General Tso chick’n, is veganism a part of the new journey?
Yeah, we were trying something different with cooking up mushrooms. We are actually about to start a podcast about cooking up mushrooms in different ways. I’m not a vegan yet, but I am working on getting away from eating chicken and meat so much because I love mushrooms, and it’s much cleaner.
With so many things going on, is there anything else we should be on the lookout for?
I am in New Jersey working on a street renaming for my mother. We are in the early stages, so be on the lookout for more details about Donna Lee’s Way coming soon. Also, we got my shades lines, Sundai Wear, and we got our new artist, DollyB, going crazy and my new album, The Human Experience. I am working with a bunch of great artists and dope producers so be sure to check that out.
Ye (the artist formerly known as Kanye West) has deleted his X account seemingly after receiving a wave of backlash for announcing a new adult content website. On Wednesday (April 24), the rapper tweeted a six second video with the phrase “Yeezy Porn Is Cumming,” directing viewers to “go to yeezy.com.” According to TMZ, Ye is […]
Audacy has reduced its workforce by 2%, according to a company spokesperson. Affected employees included a Boston sports reporter who was laid off the day before today’s NFL Draft, a Chicago afternoon news anchor and roughly 98 other employees, according to reports. “It’s like, ‘How many layoffs can they go through before there’s nobody left?’” […]
On today’s episode of Billboard‘s Chart Rewind, we look back at Blondie hitting their first of four No. 1s on the Hot 100 with their hit “Heart of Glass” in 1979. Narrator:Blondie hit the top of the Billboard Hot 100 this week in 1979. “Heart of Glass” was the group’s first No. 1 hit on […]
Billboard‘s Editorial Director of R&B and Hip-Hop, Gail Mitchell, and Billboard‘s Executive Editor, West Coast & Nashville, Melinda Newman, Doctor of Musicology Jada Watson and singer-songwriter Ink discuss the intersectionality of the Black history of country music. Ink:Coming from a powerful voice like Beyoncé, she just took us all back to our roots. Prophet:We have […]
Sometimes, having some extra time on your hands can be a good thing. The Motown Papi YouTube channel is the perfect example of that. As fans await for Kendrick Lamar to respond to the multiple diss tracks Drake has released over the past few weeks, the person behind this account has taken it upon themselves […]
