Top Hip-Hop Headlines Of The Week, 5/26 – 6/2

In a few hours, Summer Jam XX will officially begin. This year’s show is set to go down at MetLife Stadium and has become hip-hop’s marquee event. MCs have understood that anything goes at Summer Jam, whether it is leaving a lasting impression with a great performance or stirring up controversy. Nicki Minaj and Peter Rosenberg just recently buried the hatchet for their highly publicized feud last year. But, that wasn’t the only thing going on this week.

Lil Scrappy decided to call it quits on his marijuana use and checked himself into rehab. We also get some new music from J. Cole, which only builds the hype surrounding Born Sinner. Last but not least, Chief Keef gets arrested for speeding. Here’s everything you need to know in our top headlines in hip-hop.

1. Atmosphere, Snoop Lion Lead To Soundset Festival’s Record-Setting Attendance
The annual Soundset Music Festival, curated by independent record label Rhymesayers Entertainment, was marked by wet mud and cold winds as 36 artists performed on three stages. But that did not stop 28,000 fans from descending upon Canterbury Park, the horse track-turned-festival grounds last Sunday.

2. Nicki Minaj And Peter Rosenberg Squash Beef After Last Year’s Summer Jam Incident
Rosenberg made comments about her pop song “Starships,” and here he explains the thought process behind it. Minaj says the whole issue is “water under the bridge” and believes she should have done a show for her fans. “In hindsight I should have just done the show,” she said. “I wish I would have come out.”

3. Lil Scrappy Checks Into Rehab For Marijuana Abuse
The Atlanta rapper and reality show participant has officially checked into a Georgia rehab for reefer addiction, according to a report by TMZ.

4. Andre 3000′s Mother Passes Away In Atlanta Home
Several sources indicated that Andre 3000’s mother, Sharon Benjamin-Hodo, has passed away in her Rex, GA home. On May 29, a representative for the musician/actor confirmed her death to Billboard.

5. Chief Keef Charged With Driving 110 MPH In A 55 MPH Zone
According to CBS 2 Chicago, Keef was arrested for driving 110 mph in a 55 mph zone on I-94 in his native Windy City this past Monday. The rapper was also charged with driving with an unlawful amount of passengers at the time.

6. Justin Bieber’s Security Says Tyler, The Creator Was Behind The Wheel Of The Singer’s Ferrari While It Was Being Driven Recklessly
On June 1, Tyler The Creator admitted fault of recklessly driving Bieber's car.

7. J. Cole Release New Song, "Niggaz Know"
It was crazy when the hip-hop world saw that J. Cole pushed up his album release date to June 18, the same date as Kanye West’s album Yeezus. It just didn’t make sense. However, over the past few months North Carolina’s finest has been releasing nothing but heat. These aren’t just regular fillers; they’re pure, divine works of ridiculous and unadulterated awesomeness. “Niggaz Know” is no different, and on it we can clearly hear his producing prowess matched by lyrical brashness. Maybe J. Cole wasn’t crazy after all.

8. French Montana’s ‘Excuse My French’ Sells 56,000 Copies In Its First Week
Billboard confirmed the official tally of Excuse My French‘s first-week sales. It landed at #4 on the charts with 56,000 copies sold. Elsewhere, Montana reached No.1 on both Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and Rap Albums charts.

Previously:

In The Cut: Vic Mensa And J. Cole Made XXL’s Top Songs Of The Week
Best Hip-Hop Tweets Of The Week, 5/26-6/1
Best Music Videos Of The Week, 5/26-6/1
Hip-Hop Photos Of The Week, 5/26 – 6/2