Latest news with #Walka
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Grammy Award Winner Nate Walka praises BTS, shares why the artist wanted to mentor the rookie group
1 2 Recently, on 'The Frankie Bigzz Show,' Grammy Award-winning artist Nate Walka got candid with the host and talked about a lot of things, including his experience with BTS . The artist worked alongside the K-pop group in 2014. 'Bangtan Boys American Hustle Life ' and BTS In 2014, BTS participated in a TV show called 'Bangtan Boys American Hustle Life,' which featured the group living in Los Angeles for approximately two weeks together and working alongside a number of hip-hop tutors. BTS explored the city to learn more about hip-hop culture and, during the show, were trained by Nate Walka and Tony Jones . While talking about mentoring the group and working with them, Walka recalled the early days and cited their music as one of the reasons why he agreed to work with them. He shared that "Among everything I had encountered in the K-pop scene, BTS really stood out. The first interaction with their music was (We are) Bulletproof, and just watching that one video got me on board to do this." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play this game for 3 minutes, if you own a mouse Undo BTS was almost not a part of the show Walka also shared that, allegedly, another music agency had been trying to kick out BTS from the show. They were allegedly trying to convince the showrunners to kick BTS off the show and take their group on it instead. He shared, 'It was interesting because at that time, there was this writing camp for a different group going on, and their camp was trying to get me to not work with BTS.' SM really tried to downplay BTS during their rookie years because this is tried to get American Hustle Life to not have BTS on the show because they doubted them and thought they were a filler group and called them an experiment…. — hopeeeworld (@dimplelover875) April 20, 2025/script> BTS has managed to become a global pop sensation. Breaking past different kinds of barriers, they have managed to make a name for themselves in the music industry, as a group as well as solo acts. Over the years, various renowned names have praised the group for their success. Currently 5 members of BTS are in the last stages of finishing their mandatory military service, while the remaining two members, Jin and J-Hope, are pursuing solo activities for the time being.
News18
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Nate Walka Claims SM Entertainment Tried To 'Sabotage' BTS For EXO's Success
Nate Walka worked with the BTS members during the 2014 reality show, American Hustle Life. Over the past decade, South Korean culture has captured global attention, with K-pop music leading the charge and amassing a massive international fan base. Among the most influential names in the industry are BTS and EXO, both of whom have achieved remarkable success with their music. Recently, Grammy-winning songwriter Nate Walka made headlines by shedding light on the early days of these two powerhouse groups. In a candid revelation, he claimed that SM Entertainment, the agency behind EXO, allegedly tried to block BTS's early exposure in the American market. According to Walka, this was done to give EXO a competitive edge in building their international presence during K-pop's global rise. The remarks come at a time when K-pop groups are known for sharing a strong camaraderie, including close-knit friendships among members. Speaking on The Frankie Biggz Show, Walka recalled interacting with BTS in 2014, around the time when the boy group took part in the reality show American Hustle Life and spent time with a few hip-hop tutors in Los Angeles. Stating that he was impressed with the group from their We Are Bulletproof album days, Walka revealed how he had keenly collaborated on the show. 'The first interaction of their music was We Are Bulletproof, and just watching that one video got me on board to do this. It was interesting because there was a writing camp for a different group, and their camp was trying to get me not to work with BTS. There were a lot of doubters, thinking they were a filler group," he said, referring to how SM Entertainment tried to persuade him to work with EXO instead. sm really tried to downplay bts during their rookie years because this is crazysm tried to get american hustle life to not have bts on the show because they doubted them and thought they were a filler group and called them an experiment….. — hopeeeworld💟🫶🏽 (@dimplelover875) April 20, 2025 'I believe EXO had, like, a number one record at the time, and their camp even tried to get me to not do the show and instead work with EXO. They were like, 'Oh, you know. BTS, they're not, you know…" he continued. Walka also highlighted how there were a lot of doubts around the group's success and added, 'When I watched the BTS video, it became clear that those who were doubting truly didn't comprehend what music and entertainment are all about. Among everything I had encountered in the K-pop scene, BTS really stood out to me." sm really tried to downplay bts during their rookie years because this is crazy sm tried to get american hustle life to not have bts on the show because they doubted them and thought they were a filler group and called them an experiment….. — hopeeeworld With Walka's claims now making rounds online, fans and ARMYs are left divided, with many BTS supporters expressing rage over the underestimation and opposition that the group faced during their early years. It is worth mentioning that the members of BTS are set to reunite in 2025, with the group ready to complete their mandatory military services. Despite the brief hiatus from music, their global impact remains unaffected. First Published:
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Sauce Walka Injured, One Man Pronounced Dead In Memphis Shooting
A shooting occurred in Memphis this past weekend that left Sauce Walka injured and another man pronounced dead. The Memphis Police Department has declared that this was not a random act of violence, but rather a 'targeted' attack. The MPD responded to reports of a shooting on Saturday afternoon (March 22) near George W. Lee Avenue. The Houston rapper was struck in the thigh and rushed to the hospital while the other man, currently unnamed, was pronounced dead at the scene. 'Had it not been for God, my son would've been dead,' Walka's father, Albert Walker, told KHOU. The MPD has identified the shooter's vehicle and, as of Saturday, were 'actively working to make an arrest,' reiterating their intentions to keep their community safe given the fact they believed the shooting was pre-meditated. 'Early indications are that the victims and suspects are known to each other. We understand the public's concern,' the Memphis Police Department said in a statement. 'MPD is committed to bringing those responsible to justice and will be utilizing downtown camera footage and other technology available to aid in identifying everyone involved.' C.J Gardner-Johnson, newly a member of the Houston Texans after winning this past year's Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles, showed love to Sauce Walka via Instagram. 'God please cover us in these dark days,' he wrote, wishing Walka a speedy recovery and mourning the alleged death of rapper Sayso P, who is signed to Walka. It is unclear if Sayso is the man who was pronounced dead at the scene or an additional victim of the shooting. The Houston Chronicle reported that a Memphis rapper was believed to have also been killed in the shooting, and Sayso P is known to hail from Memphis. The Memphis Police Department has yet to officially release the victims' names. More from Project Pat's Son, Patrick Houston Jr., Dead At 21 Following Memphis Shooting Sauce Walka Calls Presidency "A Man's Job" After Donald Trump Wins The Election Finesse2Tymes Reveals How He Learned Daughter Isn't Actually His Biological Child
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Rapper Sauce Walka Is Recovering Following 'Targeted' Shooting Outside a Memphis Hotel: Reports
Houston rapper Sauce Walka was shot in Memphis this weekend, in what authorities are calling a "targeted shooting" that also left another person dead, according to reports. On Saturday, March 22, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) announced on Facebook that officers responded to reports of a shooting at 2:42 p.m. local time near the 100 block of George W. Lee Ave. One man was killed in the shooting and another was "transported to the hospital in non-critical condition" in what is now being described as "an isolated incident, not random violence," per the MPD. When reached for comment on Sunday, March 23, the MPD did not confirm the identities of the victims and reshared a statement previously posted on Facebook. Walka, whose real name is Albert Walker Mondane, was shot in the thigh before being transported to the hospital, his father Albert Walker confirmed in a statement to Houston CBS affiliate KHOU. He added that his son, 34, is expected to survive. "Had it not been for God, my son would've been dead," the parent said. TMZ also identified Walka as the surviving victim. PEOPLE has reached out to a rep for Walka for comment. Per the MPD statement, officers have since identified the "suspect vehicle" and are "actively working to make an arrest." "We want to assure our community and visitors that downtown Memphis is a safe place. This incident was not a random act of violence," the MPD said. "Early indications are that the victims and suspects are known to each other. We understand the public's concern and reiterate that this was not a random act," the department added in the statement. "MPD is committed to bringing those responsible to justice and will be utilizing downtown camera footage and other technology available to aid in identifying everyone involved." Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Police first revealed in a March 22 news conference, per footage shared by Fox 13 Memphis, that they were called to an area in downtown Memphis that afternoon. One victim was found in the street before he was pronounced dead at the scene, while another victim, presumably Walka, was then hospitalized, per The Houston Chronicle. "This appears to be a targeted shooting incident," an MPD spokesperson told Fox 13. "The victims were outside by a vehicle. The suspect vehicle pulled up. Multiple people got out of that vehicle, fired shots without engaging in any conversation, they got back into the white vehicle and fled," the spokesperson added. Walka, known for multiple hits including "Texas Cyclone" and "Where Was You At," has more than 2 million followers on Instagram and has collaborated with the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, Travis Scott and Migos over the years. He shared an Instagram update with fans on March 23, reposting an Instagram Stories upload from Texans star C. J. Gardner-Johnson, who wished Walka a "speedy recovery" and shared condolences over the alleged death of fellow Houston MC Sayso P. The MPD has not released the names of either victim in the shooting. The Houston Chronicle reported that rumors on social media claim another Houston rapper was killed in the shooting. "God please cover us in these dark days," Gardner-Johnson wrote. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sauce Walka Recovering After Being Shot in Broad Daylight Outside Memphis Hotel
Sauce Walka is recovering after being shot in broad daylight in downtown Memphis on Saturday (March 22). The 34-year-old Houston rapper, born Albert Walker Mondane, was shot in the leg outside a hotel near Memphis' FedExForum when a car with multiple people pulled up and began firing, TMZ reports. He is currently in the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery. More from Billboard Justin Bieber Shares Mind-Bending Jam Session Video From the Recording Studio Olivia Rodrigo Covers No Doubt's 'Don't Speak' at Lollapalooza Chile 2025 Taylor Swift Gushes Over Selena Gomez & Benny Blanco's 'I Said I Love You First': 'I Love This Album So Much' An unidentified man who was with Sauce at the time of the incident died from his injuries at the scene. The victim's name has not been released. Memphis police are still searching for the shooters, who fled the scene in a white four-door vehicle. In a press conference on Saturday, Memphis authorities confirmed that investigators believe Walka and the other individual were specifically targeted by the gunmen. Police do not believe the attack was random. 'This appears to be a targeted shooting incident,' a Memphis Police representative said, according to the Houston Chronicle. 'The victims were outside by a vehicle. The suspect vehicle pulled up. Multiple people got out of that vehicle, fired shots without engaging in any conversation, they got back into the white vehicle and fled.' Individuals with information about the incident are urged to contact Memphis CrimeStoppers. Sauce, a Houston native, began his hip-hop career in 2007 and has since released multiple mixtapes. He has collaborated with fellow Houston rappers, including Bun B, Lil' Keke, Slim Thug and Travis Scott, as well as other hip-hop stars like A$AP Rocky and Migos. In 2009, Walka was involved in another gun-related incident during a Trae Tha Truth concert. Police also connected him to gang activity in 2018, though he has denied the claims. 'I know that I'm a record label, I know that I'm an artist… I'm not into gang activity or any of that stuff,' the rapper stated in response, according to the Houston Chronicle. In 2023, the rapper was reportedly arrested after leading Houston police on a car chase that ended in a crash. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
