Drake Responds to Meek Mill with Three New Songs /  by Alex Young

Apple Music's Beats 1 radio station will be a destination for exclusive music releases, which will only draw more subscribers to the streaming service; Drake's OVO Sound used the platform to debut new tracks during its first program. July 25th marked OVO's second show and it offered a perfect opportunity for Drake to address Meek Mill's ghostwriting accusations he fired at Drizzy via Twitter this past Tuesday regarding "R.I.C.O.". A new song "Charged Up" is believed to be Drake's direct response to Meek as he raps, "Done doing favors for people. Because it ain't like I need the money I make off of features". OVO's lead man did not stop there, "You Used To"-- a remix of "Cha Cha" by D.R.A.M.-- and "Right Hand" are two more new songs to cease any doubt listeners may have had. Enjoy Drake's latest work below and read what Meek Mill had to say after the retaliation, let the beef continue.

UPDATE: Also listen to OVOSOUND Radio's second show in full and check the setlist here.

Lost Photos of Biggie Smalls Reveal The Man Who Would be King /  by Alex Young

David McIntyre, a Scotsman, moved to New York over 20 years ago as a photographer. His first big break came when Interview magazine, founded by Andy Warhol, tasked him a photoshoot with rapper Notorious B.I.G. Portraits were shot on Jay St. as McIntyre captured Biggie's grand aura the world had not yet noticed, specifically because his debut album 'Ready to Die' would release in the next few months. In September 1994 his album released and in November 1994 Interview published its article including only one of McIntyre's images from the photoshoot. The following three years up to Biggie's death in 1997 saw his music, brand, and persona reach unimagined popularity making him the King of New York, and McIntyre's prints very valuable. Unfortunately for the photographer he lost the negatives from the shoot after delivering a few to Interview's art department. 21 years later McIntyre found them in the inside pocket of a jacket destined for Goodwill.

Today scarcity of original Biggie Smalls photographs motivates David McIntyre to present a KickStarter campaign to create an exhibition for the never before seen photographs of the Brooklyn artist. 15 photos printed larger than life will match B.I.G.'s spirit he accurately describes in "Mo Money Mo Problems", "I'm bigger than the city lights down in Times Square". The intriguing quality of the project is the pictures' minimalist aesthetic, the visuals highlight Biggie before he got big-- McIntyre notes how on the day of the shoot Biggie declined a makeup artist and the two conducted the photoshoot alone, no bodyguards, no management or handlers. In an interview with DJBooth McIntyre says, "No one can deny the pictures of an extraordinary man. Even if the pictures are ordinary he is extraordinary." Learn more and support David McIntyre's Biggie Smalls: The Man Who Would be King exhibition on his KickStarter page.

TRASHHAND Photographs LRG's "GROWN NOT MADE" Fall 2015 Lookbook /  by Alex Young

CIties were born from opportunity; masses of people surviving and thriving off a myriad of occupations, living and collaborating on streets. Skyscrapers cast shadows over neighborhoods, bridges dart across skies, and the hustle and bustle keeps its natives grounded. When the motion stops it is probably because somebody had a camera. Exploration of towns, streets, and neighborhoods present unique views to capture; the environment is a photographer's playground. Their world is attractive to the eye, it makes sense they find work pairing with corporations big and small to juxtapose products on city scenes. Employ masterful Chicago based photographer TRASHHAND and find yourself looking at commercial reality validated by the culture in the background.

Such is the case in his latest project with Lifted Research Group, a storied streetwear label. Thanks to the brand's EXPLORE MORE photography series, trash took to a foreign city to document LRG's "GROWN NOT MADE" Fall 2015 collection. Alleys, closed storefronts and iconic places around Tokyo-- like the vibrant "torii" gates of Fushimi Inari Shrine-- served as backdrops highlighting an assortment of sweats, jackets, button shirts, knits, and headwear. View some of the stunning images above and see more at TRASHHAND's site or Instagram. LRG's Fall 2015 offering is available here.

Zuse x Post Malone - On God /  by Alex Young

Just two days after releasing his music video for "White Iverson" Post Malone is back with new music. The crooner expands his collaborative efforts this time as he employs Atlanta artists Zuse in "On God". Atlanta influences present a hardened Post Malone mixed well with a trap beat where both rappers dole out their promises. Duo FKi, along with Malone and Rex Kudo are given production credits. Enjoy Zuse and Post Malone's "On God" below.

Nike Signs Record Sponsorship Deal with University of Michigan /  by Alex Young

This college football season you may not recognize your favorite team thanks to the numerous switches regarding athletics sponsorship deals. Last year Notre Dame made headlines as it ended its partnership with adidas, moving to Under Armour for a $90 million 10 year deal. In January of 2015 the University of Miami announced it would leave Nike for adidas after building 27-years worth of heritage together, this move coming shortly after Nike lost its Arizona St. contract as well. These subsequent sponsorship transitions took away some of Nike's global reach, especially in such a big market like college football. adidas' collection of marquee sponsorships and Under Armour's ascension result in Nike needing a huge power play.

Tides shifted toward the Swoosh last week when the University of Michigan agreed to terms with Nike on a 2016 to 2027 deal. Financial terms were released yesterday and the sponsorship deal between Michigan and Nike is the most lucrative in college sports, seeing Michigan make $76.8 million in cash payouts, $80.2 million in equipment, and a $12 million signing bonus. The $169 million endorsement deal also has a four-year extension including an increased per-year payment. Michigan has remained one of the biggest names in sport since its previous 1994-2007 stint with the Swoosh, new product, new coach, and new market makes the two a match again. Beginning on August 1, 2016 Wolverines football and baseball teams will wear Nike; basketball teams will wear Jordan Brand. Read more details on the deal here.