Talk Dat Talk | Your Black Celebrity Gossip, Culture News & Trending Tea

Tag: Elliott Wilson

  • Elliott Wilson Names Drake’s “ICEMAN” Album of the Year

    When a respected voice in hip-hop like Elliott Wilson weighs in, people listen. And his latest take? He’s crowned Drake’s “ICEMAN” as the album of the year! Even with a year packed with heavy hitters from artists like A$AP Rocky, J. Cole, and Baby Keem, Wilson is giving the nod to Drizzy’s latest project.

    Putting Personal Feelings Aside

    It’s no secret that Drake and Elliott Wilson have had their ups and downs, including a public spat involving a ‘rat emoji’ and accusations of leaking information during the Kendrick Lamar beef. Despite any personal history, Wilson insists he had to set his feelings aside to truly appreciate the quality of “ICEMAN.”

    He recently took to Twitter to share his updated thoughts, revealing he picked 13 out of the 18 tracks on the album. “I give him 13 now. hip-hop album of the year,” Wilson declared. He even added a playful jab about past predictions, noting “Janice + Shabang > Future reunion (Told y’all in ‘24) + Mac Dre s**t.”

    Which Tracks Made the Cut?

    So, which songs didn’t make Wilson’s personal rotation? He notably omitted “Ran To Atlanta” featuring Future and Molly Santana, and the West Coast-vibed “2 Hard 4 The Radio.” Also left off the list were “Dust,” “B’s On The Table” with 21 Savage, and “Plot Twist.”

    The Drake vs. Elliott Wilson Dynamic

    The ‘rat emoji’ incident is a key piece of context here. Drake allegedly sent Wilson the emoji, implying Wilson might have shared info with Kendrick Lamar. Wilson denied this, but the speculation continued. DJ Akademiks even claimed Kendrick dissed Wilson directly about it, though Wilson described the encounter as more lighthearted.

    This history adds layers to their interactions. While there’s clearly a back-and-forth, Wilson isn’t afraid to give credit where it’s due. He’s praised Drake’s “NOKIA” music video and his overall career trajectory in the past.

    Will “ICEMAN” Hold Its Ground?

    Only time will tell if “ICEMAN” will remain the reigning album of the year by the end of 2026. With Drake’s consistent output and Wilson’s critical eye, it’s certainly a strong contender. It just goes to show that even amidst personal drama, great music can still be recognized.

    What do you think about Elliott Wilson’s pick for album of the year? Do you agree with his assessment of Drake’s “ICEMAN”? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

  • Akademiks: Kendrick Lamar Called Elliott Wilson “A Rat”

    The explosive rap beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake continues to generate new angles, and DJ Akademiks is adding his voice to the narrative. During a recent livestream, Akademiks claimed that Kendrick Lamar directly dissed hip-hop journalist Elliott Wilson, calling him a “rat” to his face.

    Akademiks’ Version of Events

    Akademiks explained that Wilson had apparently fallen out with Drake over alleged interview requests being dodged. Wilson then reportedly went to the video shoot for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track “Not Like Us.” According to Akademiks, instead of finding an ally, Wilson was met with harsh words from Lamar himself. “Kendrick looked him square in the face, ‘You a rat,’” Akademiks stated on stream, as captured by DJ Akademiks TV on Instagram.

    This account contrasts with Wilson’s own recollection of the event. Wilson previously tweeted about the interaction, framing it more playfully: “Kendrick dapped me up and whispered ‘you’re a rat.’ I [heart emoji] hip hop. Ha! #Compton.” Akademiks, however, suggests Lamar’s tone was far more critical than playful, though he also noted that Wilson wasn’t actually at the video shoot.

    A Lingering Feud

    These conflicting interpretations highlight the complex and evolving nature of the discourse surrounding the Drake and Kendrick Lamar conflict. The two titans have been engaged in a lyrical battle for over two years, with the fallout continuing to impact those around them. Drake’s recent album “ICEMAN” even featured shots aimed at Lamar and his supporters.

    Elliott Wilson, like many in hip-hop media, has taken a side in the beef, firmly planting himself in Kendrick Lamar’s corner. Akademiks’ commentary suggests that even those who align with Lamar might not always receive the validation they expect, especially when navigating the fallout from such a high-profile conflict.

    The Impact on Hip-Hop Media

    Akademiks expressed continued respect for Wilson as a peer but didn’t shy away from his critical assessment of the situation. The alleged diss adds another dramatic chapter to the ongoing narrative, showing how deeply intertwined the personal and professional lives of artists and media figures can become during major rap battles. It remains to be seen how these differing accounts will further shape the public perception of the beef.

    What do you think about DJ Akademiks’ claims regarding Kendrick Lamar and Elliott Wilson? Do you believe Wilson’s version or Akademiks’? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

  • Harvey Levin: Drake’s UMG Appeal Unlikely to Succeed

    Drake is facing a tough legal battle after his defamation lawsuit against UMG was dismissed. Now, TMZ founder Harvey Levin, who has a background in law, is offering a blunt assessment of Drake’s chances for appeal, suggesting it’s an uphill and potentially costly battle.

    UMG Lawsuit Dismissed, Appeal Looms

    The lawsuit stemmed from the diss track “Not Like Us,” widely believed to be by Kendrick Lamar, which Drake claimed defamed him. However, the judge ruled that because the song was clearly a diss track, a reasonable person wouldn’t mistake its lyrics as factual statements. This led to the dismissal of Drake’s case.

    Despite the initial ruling, Drake’s legal team is seeking to appeal the verdict. However, Levin, speaking on “The Bigger Picture” podcast with Elliott Wilson, DJ Hed, and Jeremy Hecht, expressed skepticism about the appeal’s success. He stated that judges are unlikely to take such lawsuits seriously and estimated that Drake may have already spent millions on legal fees with little to show for it.

    Levin’s Blunt Assessment

    “No judge is ever going to take this kind of lawsuit seriously,” Levin reportedly said, adding that the legal expenses have likely been “all for nothing.” These comments align with the sentiment of many fans who have questioned Drake’s insistence on pursuing the lawsuit, especially with a new album on the horizon.

    While Drake’s supporters on social media may continue to champion his cause, the public perception is that he is currently losing this legal battle. The appeals process can be lengthy, and until a final resolution, the outcome remains uncertain, though Levin’s legal perspective suggests a challenging road ahead for the rapper.

    Focus on New Music?

    Some fans are urging Drake to drop the legal proceedings and concentrate on his upcoming music. The prolonged nature of the appeal could potentially distract from his artistic endeavors. For now, the legal saga continues, leaving many to wonder about the rapper’s next move.

    What do you think about Drake’s decision to appeal the UMG verdict? Should he focus on his music instead? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

  • Drake Fires Back at Hip-Hop Media Critics

    Drake isn’t holding back his thoughts on the hip-hop media’s reaction to his recent interview choices! After sitting down with content creators like Bobbi Althoff, some veteran journalists have voiced their disapproval, suggesting Drake is avoiding genuine conversations about his music and culture. But Drake has a few words for those critics.

    Criticism from the Hip-Hop Media

    Following the fallout from the Kendrick Lamar beef and his defamation lawsuit against UMG, Drake has increasingly turned to streamers and content creators for interviews. This shift hasn’t sat well with some established hip-hop journalists. Longtime reporter Elliott Wilson, for instance, expressed his dislike for the Bobbi Althoff interview, stating it felt like Drake was ‘gonna talk around things and not talk to the culture.’

    Jemele Hill, a prominent figure in sports journalism, echoed similar sentiments, lamenting that it ‘sadly points out how real Hip-Hop journalism has been practically erased.’ These critiques suggest a feeling that Drake is moving away from the traditional platforms that have historically covered his career.

    Drake’s Rebuttal

    In a new clip from his latest chat with Bobbi Althoff for her revamped podcast, ‘Not This Again,’ Drake didn’t mince words. He called the critical journalists ‘f*cking losers’ and ‘entitled,’ expressing his belief that they were angered by the success of an interview conducted by people they deemed outside their sphere. Drake felt the interview was special because it was based on genuine energy and a belief in Althoff’s interesting perspective.

    He explained his motivation: ‘recognizing somebody that I never met in my life, that I fully believed in, that I thought was really interesting, and that I wanted to have an interesting conversation with.’ Drake also suggested that his interview with Althoff paved the way for other major artists to feel more comfortable exploring interviews outside of the traditional, curated formats, like those with Zane Lowe.

    Drake concluded by stating his goal isn’t to be an ‘unattainable d*ckhead’ but to connect authentically. His willingness to engage with new media platforms and creators clearly signals a shift in how artists are choosing to communicate with their audience and the media landscape.

    What are your thoughts on Drake’s approach to interviews and his response to the media criticism? Let us know in the comments!