Master P, Louis Armstrong, Lil Wayne Among Inductees on New Orleans Walk of Fame

Master P

New Orleans’ rich cultural legacy is now set in stone — literally.

On Thursday, hip-hop mogul and city ambassador Percy "Master P" Miller officially unveiled the New Orleans Walk of Fame in downtown New Orleans, honoring 50 influential figures who have shaped the city’s music, sports, business, and activism.

The inductees — ranging from jazz greats and hip-hop pioneers to civil rights leaders, actors, and entrepreneurs — were honored with custom-designed Fleur-de-lis plaques embedded along Canal Street.

"This Walk of Fame is a curriculum," Master P said. "We want kids to be able to know who these people are and who these people were. So, from Louis Armstrong to Tom Benson to Archie Manning, we want people to be able to celebrate the greats that come from here."

The inaugural class includes music legends such as Armstrong, Fats Domino, Allen Toussaint, and Lil Wayne, alongside actors like Wendell Pierce and Carl Weathers and sports icons Peyton, Eli and Archie Manning. The honorees also include trailblazers in politics, education, and activism, such as civil rights attorney A.P. Tureaud, restaurateur Leah Chase and educator Norman Francis.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, the city’s first Black woman mayor, was among the inductees and played a key role in bringing the Walk of Fame to life. The city has granted 4.5 miles for expansion, and plans are already in motion to establish a museum highlighting the contributions of each honoree.

The Fleur-de-lis plaques, created by local artist Brandon "BMike" Odums, reflect a symbol that has been woven into New Orleans’ history since its founding in 1718 and remains synonymous with the city’s identity.

Master P and Joseph "Mongo" Mongeluzzi, global vice president of nightlife and entertainment for Hard Rock International and Seminole Gaming, stand Friday with memorabilia from the No Limit Reunion Tour donated to Hard Rock Cafe New Orleans.

Following the Walk of Fame unveiling, Master P continued the celebration Friday by donating a piece of hip-hop history to the Hard Rock Café New Orleans on Bourbon Street. The rap icon handed over the camouflage outfit he wore on the No Limit Reunion Tour in 2020 during performances of his anthems "Make 'Em Say Uhh!" and "I Got the Hook-Up!"

“We’re thrilled to welcome this new piece of memorabilia to our extensive collection of items from music history,” said Giovanni Taliaferro, vice president of memorabilia and design at Hard Rock International. “Master P’s influence on Southern hip-hop is undeniable, and we are proud to showcase this outfit in New Orleans, where locals and fans alike can celebrate his legacy for years to come.”

The donation ceremony was attended by family, friends, and fans, adding to the excitement of a day that celebrated New Orleans’ rich artistic and cultural heritage. With the Walk of Fame set to expand and a museum in the works, Master P and city officials hope the project will serve as an educational and inspirational landmark for generations to come.

For visitors, Super Bowl LIX attendees, and lifelong residents alike, the Walk of Fame now stands as a permanent tribute to the figures who made New Orleans the cultural powerhouse it is today.

Ye's Latest Rant: Praise for Hitler, Support for Diddy, and More

Kanye West, reignited controversy with an explosive spree of antisemitic posts on X, echoing the rhetoric that cost him billion-dollar fashion deals and mainstream credibility two years ago.

In dozens of posts early Friday morning, he praised Hitler, called himself a Nazi, and dismissed antisemitism as “just some bulls–t Jewish people made up to protect their bulls–t.” Making it clear that his statements were intentional and not influenced by substances, he wrote, “AMY JEWISH PERSON THAT DOES BUSINESS WITH ME NEEDS TO KNOW I DONT LIKE OR TRUST ANY JEWISH PERSON AND THIS IS COMPLETELY SOBER WITH NO HENNESY.” He doubled down moments later, adding, “IM NEVER APOLOGIZING FOR MY JEWISH COMMENTS.”

Ye on X

The outburst was a near-carbon copy of his 2022 antisemitic tirades, which included incendiary remarks on social media, a string of unhinged interviews, and an infamous dinner with Donald Trump and white nationalist Nick Fuentes at Mar-a-Lago. The fallout was swift, as Adidas, Balenciaga, and GAP all severed ties, stripping him of lucrative partnerships. He was banned from multiple platforms and lost an estimated $1.5 billion in brand value in just a matter of weeks. Despite eventually being reinstated on X, his latest comments have once again raised the question of whether there will be lasting repercussions this time around.

In the midst of the antisemitic rant, Ye abruptly pivoted to advocating for the release of Sean "Diddy" Combs, who remains jailed on federal charges. “FREE PUFF,” he posted to his 32 million followers, calling Combs his “idol” and “hero.” Hours later, he stunned fans by announcing a Yeezy x Sean John collaboration, claiming it was something they had discussed before Combs’ arrest. “I’M SELLING THE SEAN JOHN COLLABORATION THAT ME AND MY BROTHER SPOKE ABOUT BEFORE THEY LOCKED HIM UP WE SPLITTING THE PROFITS 50/50.” He went further, alleging that Combs is prohibited from earning money while behind bars, saying, “I JUST FOUND OUT THAT PUFF IS NOT ALLOWED TO MAKE OR COLLECT MONEY WHILE HE'S LOCKED UP SO I'MA SEND HIS HALF OF THE MONEY TO JUSTIN.”

The move was unexpected given Ye’s history with Combs. In 2022, Combs publicly condemned Ye for his "White Lives Matter" stunt and attempted to intervene during his antisemitic meltdown. Ye responded by mocking him, calling him a pawn of Jewish executives. Now, despite their past tension, Combs acknowledged Ye’s support from jail, writing on Instagram, “Thank you to my brother @Ye YEEZY.COM.” His son, Christian Combs, echoed the message in a repost.

Ye didn’t stop with Combs. In his flurry of posts, he also attacked other celebrities for not speaking out, calling them “pssies” and “btches,” and praised Chris Brown, despite Brown facing past allegations of violence against women. He hurled homophobic slurs, made crude remarks about former Vice President Kamala Harris, and made a series of bizarre declarations, including claiming that he is a billionaire again, announcing that he is a racist, and stating that he no longer listens to rap music.

While the backlash to Ye’s comments has been swift, his X account remains active, a stark contrast to 2022 when his antisemitic remarks led to outright bans from Twitter and Instagram. His willingness to embrace public self-destruction—burning bridges, alienating allies, and reveling in controversy—seems to know no bounds. The only question now is whether he will once again face real consequences or if the cycle of outrage and acceptance will repeat itself yet again.

Long Live Dilla: Detroit Honors Hip-Hop Visionary With Street Renaming and ‘J Dilla Day’

The newly unveiled J Dilla Street sign stands at the intersection of Nevada and Charest in Detroit today, a day before what is now officially recognized as "J Dilla Day." 

Detroit has immortalized J Dilla, the visionary producer and hip-hop artist, with a street named in his honor and an official day of recognition in his hometown.

On Thursday city officials, fans, and Dilla’s family gathered for the unveiling of J Dilla Street, marking the corner of Nevada and Charest on the east side of Detroit — just steps from where he grew up. The ceremony took place on the eve of what is now officially "J Dilla Day," set to be observed annually on February 7, following a unanimous vote by the Detroit City Council earlier this week.

J Dilla Street has been unveiled in Detroit just in time for Dilla’s birthday (Feb. 7th)

The sign stands on the corner of Nevada & St. Charles

(via @EvezzyE)pic.twitter.com/Kgkt5Kmx8C

— Andrew Barber (@fakeshoredrive) February 6, 2025

Dilla’s daughters, Ja'Mya Yancey and Ty'Monae Whitlow, were in attendance to witness the momentous occasion.

"Words cannot describe how grateful we are for this declaration," Ja’Mya said. "For years, he has been celebrated all over the world, and this is such a monumental step to help us continue the work he left behind."

J Dilla, born James Dewitt Yancey, rose to prominence in the mid-1990s as a member of the influential rap group Slum Village before solidifying his place as one of the most revered producers in hip-hop. His distinct, jazz-infused, off-kilter drum patterns and soulful sampling techniques redefined production, influencing artists such as The Roots, Common, Busta Rhymes, D'Angelo and Kanye West.

His solo catalog includes the critically acclaimed albums "Donuts" and "Welcome 2 Detroit," as well as production credits on classic records for A Tribe Called Quest, Erykah Badu, and Madlib, among many others.

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A post shared by Official J Dilla (@officialjdilla)

Dilla died on February 10, 2006, at age 32 after battling thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), a rare blood disorder, and lupus. Despite his passing, his influence has only grown, with his beats, legacy, and signature sound continuing to inspire new generations of musicians.

A J Dilla street sign is going up on Nevada and Charest Thursday. Joylette Hunter, a spokesperson for the James Dewitt Yancey Estate, came to Detroit city council today with J Dilla’s daughters, Ja’Mya Yancey and Ty-Monae Whitlow. pic.twitter.com/6zEVeaii7I

— Sam Robinson (@samueljrob) February 4, 2025

The inaugural J Dilla Day in Detroit coincides with the upcoming Dilla Day L.A. concert on Saturday, hosted by Maureen "Ma Dukes" Yancey and the James Dewitt Yancey Estate. The event will feature performances by Slum Village, Guilty Simpson, and others, with proceeds benefiting victims of the Eaton wildfires.

Dilla’s daughters, now in their early twenties, say their mission is to preserve his legacy and ensure his genius is never forgotten.

"He put his stamp on the map," Ty’Monae Whitlow said. "Now it’s official. It’s on the street, and the world knows what we’ve known all along."