Top Hip-Hop Headlines Of The Week, 6/17

The weekend is almost here. It’s been a crazy five days in hip-hop. The arrival of four major albums finally came on June 18, and now everyone is talking about who will outsell whom.

But Super Tuesday wasn’t the only big thing going on. Just Blaze announced he’ll be executive producing the next Slaugherhouse album, Danny Brown is dropping Old in August, and King L recalls his experience with Yeezus. Also, KimYe reveal the name of their daughter (yes, it’s North West) and more. Here are your top headlines in hip-hop.

1. SoundScan Won’t Count Samsung’s ‘Magna Carta Holy Grail’ Pre-Sales
Billboard will be playing by their own rules. The magazine doesn’t count bulk sales like Samsung’s. Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the Recording Industry Association of America told MTV that albums only become eligible for certification a month after their release. Between that and Billboard’s policy, it’s safe to say that Magna Carta Holy Grail isn’t Platinum just yet.

2. Kanye And Kim’s Daughter Is Actually Named North West
After days of speculation, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian have named their baby daughter North West. Back in March, Kim appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno to thwart any talks of naming the baby North. “[North is] not one of the names on our list,” she said. “I do like Easton — Easton West.”

3. First Week Sales Projections For Kanye West, Mac Miller, And J. Cole Are In
Yeezus is expected to move 375,000 to 400,000 units. Meanwhile, Born Sinner is set to sell around 290,000 to 315,000. Lastly, Mac Miller’s Watching Movies With The Sound Of will most likely break 100,000 copies.

4. King L Tells The Story Behind His ‘Yeezus’ Experience
XXL caught up with Louie, who was back home in Chicago, to get the backstory behind “Send It Up” and his experience in Paris. Here’s his Yeezus Experience.

5. Just Blaze Set To Executive Produce Upcoming Slaughterhouse Album
According to Shady Records, the group has appointed Just Blaze to serve as the album’s Executive Producer. Araabmuzik and J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League have also been confirmed to be working on the LP with the group.

6. Waka Flocka Flame Is Producing Amanda Bynes’ Rap Album
According to TMZ, Wak—who is the head of Brick Squad Monopoly Records and has reportedly been working on his own forthcoming EDM-inspired album—has been talking with Amanda regularly and tries to keep her motivated. He explains, “She has it all together rot me. She is cool as hell and ready for the rap world. I think she is going to kill the game.”

7. Danny Brown Explains ‘Old’ Title, Says Album Due In August
In an interview excerpt over at Clash, the 2012 XXL freshman explained the meaning behind the album title—as well as the simple explanation for his lauded 2011 collection XXX—and says that the long-awaited followup is ready but for some final mixing, and set “for sure” for an August release.

8. John Monopoly Speaks On Kanye West ‘Yeezus’ Shout-Out
Speaking to XXL, John touches on his relationship with ’Ye, King L’s feature on Yeezus and his new business venture.

9. Kanye West Is Targeted For His Parkinson’s Lyric On ‘Yeezus’
West is being called “ignorant” and “distasteful” over the lyric on “On Sight.” West raps: “A monster about to come alive again / Soon as I pull up and park the Benz / We get this bitch shaking like Parkinson’s.” Both the American Parkinson Disease Association and Parkinson’s UK have issued official statements on the issue.

10. Turk Reminisces On Lil Snupe: “He Was About To Blow Up”
Earlier this week, it was reported that emerging rapper Lil Snupe died. The 18-year-old Lousiana native was signed to Meek Mill’s Dream Chasers imprint and was pegged as one of its flagship artists. XXL spoke with Turk on his relationship with Snupe, why he liked his music and what he taught him during his career.