The NFL has joined forces with the Contract with Black America Institute, an initiative launched by Ice Cube.
CWBA partnered with the league in an effort to bolster Black-owned businesses. Ice Cube seeks to address the racial wealth gap by identifying opportunities for the NFL to diversify its vendors.
“For more than a year, the CWBA Institute has been working closely with the NFL on identifying resources to build stronger, more substantive economic partnerships with the Black community,” Ice Cube said in a press release. “Our team at CWBA, including my longtime business partner and entertainment lawyer Jeff Kwatinetz, and advisors Ja’Ron Smith and Chris Pilkerton, are focused on building corporate partnerships with measurable economic growth outcomes for Black communities across the country. We believe this is a giant step in the right direction.”
The NFL faced criticism for its handling of police brutality protests started by Colin Kaepernick in 2016. The league attempted to right its wrongs by launching a social justice initiative called Inspire Change in 2019.
That same year, the NFL secured a partnership with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. Now, the league is working with Ice Cube after allocating $125 million to Black-owned businesses in 2021.
“Our partnership with CWBA is another reminder that partnering with intentional organizations is critical to everything we do at the League,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said. “Black businesses play a major role in our country’s economic prosperity. We understand these businesses have not always had the opportunity for exponential growth, so we are pleased to have partners like Ice Cube and his organization, CWBA, in a continued, collective push toward greater economic inclusion.”
Nicki Minaj has partnered with Rap Snacks to launch her own potato chips.
According to People magazine, Rap Snacks will release her Barbie-Que Honey Truffle Potato Chips. Nicki Minaj is expected to announce her new snack at the 2022 Essence Festival on Friday (July 1).
“Nicki Minaj is unquestionably one of the most disruptive forces in the history of rap,” Rap Snacks CEO James Lindsay said. “You’re talking about a woman who rewrote the rules of Hip Hop culture and happens to be a phenomenal entrepreneur, as well. It just makes sense that as a brand disrupting the snack industry, we align to push the bar even further. This is the beginning of a legendary partnership.”
Lindsay started Rap Snacks in 1994. Nicki Minaj joins a long list of rappers who’ve worked with the brand.
Rap Snacks has collaborated with Rick Ross, Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Moneybagg Yo and Migos, among others. The company also sells lemonade and ramen noodles.
Nicki Minaj will be headlining the 2022 Essence Festival, which returns to New Orleans for its first in-person event in two years. Janet Jackson, The Roots, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah and City Girls will also be performing at the festival.
Beyoncé revealed the cover art for her Renaissancealbum on Thursday (June 30).
The music superstar shared the cover art on her various social media accounts and provided insight about her upcoming album. Beyoncé described her creative process for Renaissance, reflecting on the freedom she experienced while recording the project.
“Creating this album allowed me a place to dream and to find escape during a scary time for the world,” Beyoncé wrote. “It allowed me to feel free and adventurous in a time when little else was moving. My intention was to create a safe place, a place without judgment. A place to be free of perfectionism and overthinking. A place to scream, release, feel freedom. It was a beautiful journey of exploration.”
She concluded, “I hope you find joy in this music. I hope it inspires you to release the wiggle. Ha! And to feel as unique, strong, and sexy as you are.”
Beyoncé is scheduled to release her Renaissance LP on July 29. The 16-track project will be her first solo studio album since 2016’s Lemonade.
Earlier this month, Beyoncé dropped the lead single “Break My Soul.” Bounce artist Big Freedia appears on the song, which can be heard here.
Check out the cover art for Beyoncé’s Renaissance album below.
Miss Diddy’s “A Toast to Black Hollywood” was certainly one for the books.
Formerly known as “A Toast to Young Hollywood,” the award ceremony honored and highlighted top Black executives, power players, and influencers who are making a difference in their industries, and in their communities.
This year’s ceremony was sponsored by BET, Amazon Music Rotation, Ciroc and Doritos, and the event continued Miss Diddy and her Brand Group LA’s mission to honor those who continue to shift culture in music, community, sports and entertainment.
The 2022 honorees included Valeisha Jones (Co-President, The Recording Academy), Adam Blackstone (Grammy Award-winning Music Director), Shayla Cowan (Producer & Chief of Staff, Will Packer Productions/Will Packer Media), singer and actor Jacob Latimore, Derek Lewis (President, South Division PepsiCo), television host and fashion designer Nina Parker, Tim Hinshaw (Head of Hip Hop & R&B, Amazon Music), Josh Peas (Hip Hop & R&B Artist Marketing, Amazon Music), Sierra Lever (Label Relations Manager Hip Hop & R&B, Amazon Music), Rochelle Balogun (Sr. Music Curator, Hip Hop, R&B, & Afrobeats), Rashad Bilal & Troy Millings (CEO/Founders of Earn Your Leisure), Chance Infinite (Agency 78 Co-Founder & Harun Holdings, Founder & CEO), rapper and activist Trae Tha Truth, Maverick City Music Group, Tyler Perry’s “Sistas,” and entrepreneur, host, reality star and actress Cynthia Bailey.
AllHipHop’s Rea Davis caught up with Miss Diddy on the red carpet to discuss the importance of recognizing and celebrating our peers.
AllHipHop:Today we are celebrating you and others at the Miss Diddy Presents: “A Toast to Black Hollywood.” How does it feel to celebrate your people and the culture?
Miss Diddy: You know, I thought it was important to make sure we are in spaces with peers that get to recognize each other. So oftentimes we’re with peers and you keep it quiet. Like you said I poured into you. I think it’s important to have those moments with people because it’s the reminders like alright we are doing the right thing, we are on the right path, oh you see me. Who doesn’t want to be recognized by their peers you know. And it’s interesting that in 2018 I honored Daymond John. It’s really the idea of for us, by us you know what I mean. My whole team is Black and brown people, like all of that so, that’s what’s important to me.
Lil Tjay is reportedly improving as he recovers from a New Jersey shooting.
According to multiple reports, Lil Tjay is conscious and talking in a hospital. Updates emerged on Thursday (June 30) after questions were raised about the lack of information regarding his condition.
TMZ’s report said doctors removed Lil Tjay’s breathing tube. Last week, he underwent emergency surgery after Edgewater police found him with multiple gunshot wounds.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office announced the 21-year-old rapper was in “critical but stable condition” on June 23. Rumors spread on social media, including wild claims about him being paralyzed.
A 27-year-old suspect named Mohamed Konate was arrested for shooting Lil Tjay. Prosecutors said it wasn’t a “random act,” indicating Konate targeted the Columbia Records artist.
Authorities charged Konate with three counts of first-degree attempted murder and three counts of first-degree armed robbery. He additionally faces second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon, second-degree certain persons not to possess a firearm and fourth-degree aggravated assault.
Two other men were arrested in connection to the shooting. 22-year-old Antoine Boyd, who also suffered a gunshot wound, and 24-year-old Jeffrey Valdez were charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a weapon.
So help me out with this one guys. A 29-year-old transgender person placed first in a New York women’s skateboarding competition. This person is a father of three, a military war veteran and was denied access to the Olympics because he had too much testosterone. These are the facts.
This person defeated a 13-year-old girl in this massive skateboard competition in New York City. Now, this individual is regarded as a trans woman. However, he has not undergone any surgery or anything that would suggest that he is actually a woman. I will admit, he does put on some sort of wig and make up, but he’s simply doing hormone therapy. He did not go through the snip-snip. Even if he did do the surgery, does that remove the muscles or bone density? He defeated a bunch of young women to win this competition. I think that it is time for us to come to some sort of a reckoning with regard to this, because it just seems ridiculous.
First of all I have to admit it seems outrageous for a 13-year-old girl and a 29-year old male to be competing in any competition. But the other high competitors were aged 16, 10, 12 and lastly 28-years old (what they call a CIS gendered woman aka born a woman).
Ricci Tres, who do you think you are!!??
He thinks he is a woman.
What do you think this is? You are going around essentially bullying young girls!
Male wins women’s skateboarding finals and money at the Boardr Open NYC presented by DC today. pic.twitter.com/fgqmHMq2Ez
I think that there has to be some sort of uniform standard created for these types of people. This is not to discriminate against anyone that is trans, or to suggest that they should have no place in our society, much less competitive sports. However, it has to be mandated that somebody like Ricci Tres has a different category than a 13-year-old girl like Shiloh Catori. If you have a 29-year-old man essentially who has even gone through the rigors of the military and even the rigors of fatherhood (LOL) competing with someone so young, it just seems egregious. It may not sound politically correct to say this, but this dude is really a dude. At least cut your junk off!
Here’s the big catch: he admits he’s a DUDE.
“I know I’ll never be a woman because women are miraculous. They have babies and create life and do all that awesome stuff,” Tres said in an interview. “I’ll never have that ability. But I feel like I’m a woman. I would have wished to be born one. So I’ll try to fill that image as much as I can for myself.”
Until recently, he even maintained a married life to a woman…. Dude is pulling a fast one on us all! A big troll!
Jilly pretty much came out of the womb singing, dancing, and entertaining the masses since she can remember.
Hailing from Houston, Texas, a city she’s extremely proud to be from, Jilly is the definition of a multihyphenate and Boss Babe, also the name of her own company she’s built from the ground up. While music may be her first true love, Jilly is a proud entrepreneur with her own cookbook and perfume line out.
Speaking on her roots, Jilly states, “The best thing is always reppin’ your city. I rep my city hard, not just because, but it’s really who I am. It’s where I’m from. Honestly, it’s the epitome of Jilly. It’s where it all started. For me, H-town will always be home. I’ll always rep it.”
Having released single after single throughout her career, the actress, recording artist, and entrepreneur is excited as ever to have finally unveiled her highly-anticipated debut project titled COPY & Paste.
The title speaks for itself: Jilly being the blueprint for a lot of these upcoming artists who fail to give her her credit — while showcasing her true passion and talents for her craft.
AllHipHop: You’re originally from Texas, right?
Jilly: Absolutely, Houston to be specific. You gotta say Houston, there’s a difference. H-town!
AllHipHop: Houston is lit lit.
Jilly: Yes, absolutely. Houston is the city of Texas, yes. [laughs] Call me bias, but that’s what it is.
AllHipHop: People say their records really take off because of the Houston nightlife scene.
Jilly: Yeah, the best thing is always reppin’ your city. I rep my city hard, not just because, but it’s really who I am. It’s where I’m from. Honestly, it’s the epitome of Jilly. It’s where it all started. For me, H-town will always be home. I’ll always rep it, definitely.
AllHipHop: Did you grow up on the chopped and screwed movement?
Jilly: Yes, absolutely. Shout out to all the Houston legends. Slim Thug, Lil Keke, we got Z-Ro, everybody. Paul Wall, “let me see ya grill!” I could go on for days.
AllHipHop: I know Destiny’s Child was big for you…
Jilly: Oh come on now, I was the #1 Destiny’s Child fan. I’m from Houston so I grew on them before they were mainstream. I literally went to every Destiny’s Child concert growing up, every Beyonce concert. I’m a huge, huge Beyonce fan.
AllHipHop: Favorite Destiny’s Child song?
Jilly: “Soldier.” “I need a soldier!” [sings]
AllHipHop: When did you start doing music?
Jilly: Actually, early on. The stage was always my second home. I started doing competitive dance the second I could walk. I was two years old, my mom and dad put me in dance. That’s when I fell in love with the stage. Shortly after in middle school, I started taking vocal lessons and started doing cover videos. I started covering Drake songs, Rihanna songs, Beyonce, Destiny’s Child songs.
Really early on around 16 is when I started doing original music. After that, I said “No, I really can do this. This is really what I do.” It’s so funny because people think now that Instagram is mainstream and I blew up on there, they’re like, “Oh wait, now you do music?” No, I’ve been doing music. I’m actually now coming back to my roots.
AllHipHop: Did you take a break?
Jilly: Yeah I did, not gonna lie. I took a two-year hiatus off of music and really focused on acting and entrepreneurship. I built my business which is Boss Babe by Jilly, which I’m grateful for. I have a cookbook that’s out, a perfume line. But nothing makes me as happy as making music and my art.
AllHipHop: Have you been independent this whole time?
Jilly: I have. You know, it’s been amazing. I’m so grateful that I’ve gotten to as far as I can get and I’m expanding my team as we speak. Right now, it’s all about timing. Perfect place, perfect time. Finding those people who can believe in you just as much as you believe in yourself. Now, sky’s the limit.
AllHipHop: You just released your first project COPY & Paste, how are you feeling?
Jilly: Amazing! I’m so excited about it. I love it. This is my first body of work. All this time, all these years, I’ve put out singles. I’ve only put out singles. This is my first time putting out a body of work. It’s starting to really showcase more of Jilly as the artist. That’s what I’m most excited about, is people really finally hearing more of Jilly
AllHipHop: What inspired the title?
Jilly: COPY & Paste, no joke! I see a lot of me being the inspo to a lot of people and not getting credit. I don’t look for the credit, but you know how when you know? Okay, I definitely did that first. I’m setting these trends so you know what? I’ma subtly do it. It’s COPY & Paste because everything I do, it gets copy and pasted. So let me keep making more COPY & Paste. No pun intended, but very pun intended.
AllHipHop: I know you work with some dope producers on the project.
Jilly: Yes! Shout out to Lil Rich, shout out to Lab Ox. I’ve been so blessed to work with such great creative people. I’m blessed to have them on my side because at the end of the day, that relationship becomes family. It really becomes family. All that time spent in the studio, really getting intimate as far as talking about personal stuff, you can’t fake that. You can’t. It’s definitely a blessing to have such close relationships with such talented people.
AllHipHop: 3 things you need in the studio at all times?
Jilly: My Essentia water. Shout out to Essentia, I need a deal. I need my Red Bull, and I need my gummy bears.
AllHipHop: What kind of gummy bears?
Jilly: Haribo.
AllHipHop: I like Black Forest!
Jilly: I got put it on to Black Forest just a few months ago. They’re really good, but I’ve been a Harribo person my whole life.
AllHipHop: The “Like That” music video hit over a million views in just 5 days. How did that feel?
Jilly: That felt amazing. It was one of those moments where it was hard work really paying off. The craft and the art that I love so much, it radiated. It was so incredible. I’m so excited for the next video and to see all of them — the next one I want to hit 2 million in 2 days. The sky’s the limit, it just feels great. For me, I never settle. What’s next? How can we get more in 5 days? What’s the next step? So it’s only the beginning. It was such an incredible milestone, but now I’m ready for the next one.
AllHipHop: That video looked fun as hell. What was the best memory and where did you shoot it at?
Jilly: Ooh, the best memory. I shot in Houston, shout out to my director Karter K, right behind the camera right now. That was a long day! It was a day that you’ll never be able to tell on camera, but it didn’t even go as planned. We were supposed to be at a whole other location four or five hours prior, we lost all that time. The shoot was supposed to be done at 7pm or 8pm? We didn’t even end until 3 or 4 o’clock in the morning. It definitely went way over time.
But every time I shoot a music video, it’s such an amazing experience, I wouldn’t change anything for the world. People who I worked with, the choreographer I worked with Whylan, the dancers who I had on set, just the whole team. Everybody understands the vision, that’s the best thing. People who I work with, work just as hard as me. That’s so so important because I don’t play about my craft. I need people around me who see the vision just as much, that was the most incredible part. That was a whole new team of people I worked with on a music video. I had never worked with those people video-wise, it was a different aura. Just completely different, I loved it. I loved every single minute of it, and the video came out so amazing!
AllHipHop: Do you do all the creative direction?
Jilly: Yeah, I planned it with my stylist Frankie. We literally had a meeting about it and discussed everything, I went over what I want. I’m very hands-on with all my stuff, no kidding. I don’t ever get something thrown like “okay this is what I’m doing, tell me what to do.” No, no, no. It never works like that. I’m very picky. It’s me! It’s me. Even with my director Karter, I said “I have to be there with you to edit.” He’s like “Can I just get you a draft first?” Okay, but as long as I can… You may think this looks good, but I need this. Those knits and bits and pieces that I’m very very picky. I’m always gonna be super super hands-on with my stuff.
AllHipHop: Secret to staying snatched?
Jilly: Really no secret, just taking care of yourself. Mind body and soul. That’s most important, especially with a lot of mental health going on these days. It’s really important. I wasn’t really a person who really knew what mental health was, I’ll be very honest. Until I had to understand what that was. If you take care of your mental, then it radiates through. Definitely taking care of yourself, stepping back away from the things that aren’t important. Social media isn’t important, so understanding that. It transpires, it radiates through. So definitely taking care of your mental for sure.
AllHipHop: Favorite thing to cook?
Jilly: Ooh. Shout out to This Boss Babe Can Cookbook. It’s on my website, iamjilly.com. I’m Creole, all my family is from Louisiana. We cook gumbo, etouffee. My favorite favorite dish was this random dish that I made up: jalapeno garlic salmon. It’s definitely my go-to.
AllHipHop: You made it up?
Jilly: I made it up. I make a lot of this stuff up. I make a homemade Alfredo on the side, then It’s a jalapeno garlic salmon. It’s just [kisses lips]. I want some now.
AllHipHop: How was it opening for 2 Chainz?
Jilly: Oh my goodness. That experience, if I really tell the truth… [laughs] Thinking about it right now, it was crazy. Long story short, I was actually supposed to open for Chris Brown.I had prepared months and months and months for the show. The day of, he goes on Instagram and he cancels.
God bless Karter, again. I was sitting in my car devastated, and Karter ran out, right when I was about to leave and was like, “Yo, you want to open for 2Chainz?” Wait, what? Huh? I was so confused. He said “you wanna open for 2Chainz?” Yes, but give me details. He said “you have to be there in 30 minutes.” Mind you, I got pins in my hair. No makeup on. He said “Oh, you look fine. You can go as is.” No, guys don’t understand! I have a makeup appointment I have to go to. I said “Well, if I can go get my makeup done, then can we do it? What’s the time?”
Basically long story short, because it is a long story, we had to rush. My makeup artist did my makeup in literally 15 to 20 minutes. I call my family. “Look, can y’all be at the Smoke Fest in 30 minutes?” Literally within 30 minutes, it was about 40 of my family members. All my dancers, my choreographer, my entire team literally there to see me perform at a whole entirely different location, and we killed it. I’m just blessed that I was still able to get on the stage that day.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself at this point in your career?
Jilly: Absolutely, I’ll always set goals for myself. I’ll never stop. At the same time, my goals are temporary goals because I like to reach them. At the end of the day, it’s continuing to do what makes me happy. That’s being on the stage, that’s putting out new music. That’s really waking the world up because I’ve kind of taken a backstage to my music. I think it’s unfair for me as an artist. Now, you know what? Keep putting out good s###, it’s gon’ have to get the credit it deserves. I’m on full go mode right now. The main goal for me at this very moment is just not stopping, not stopping at all anymore. I took two years off and now it’s time to come collect.
AllHipHop: Talk about this dope thing you’re doing with MTV.
vYes! Shout out to MTV, I’m so excited. I’m going to be doing an Instagram Live Jam Session with MTV, it’s gonna be on their account. I’m going to perform my entire EP COPY & Paste, as well as one of my old songs which is an old faithful called New Safe. I’m excited to perform it, especially since I haven’t performed my EP. This is my very first time performing COPY & Paste, so I’m excited.
AllHipHop: Any collabs in the works?
Jilly: No, not right now. My biggest thing with collabs was just not getting hidden behind another artist, because I really do this. At some point, I will be so ecstatic to work with someone else, but at this very moment, I’m focusing on me and that’s why COPY & Paste was only me. I don’t need to hide behind anybody else. The music speaks for itself.
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?
Jilly: I‘d definitely say R&B Pop. I would never say I’m a rapper. I don’t ever want to confuse people.
AllHipHop: But can you spit bars?
Jilly: Baby yes, of course. I’m not competing with Nicki, but at the same time I’m not in Whitney Houston’s lane. I’m in my own lane, I’m in Jilly’s lane. I know that’s why I’m gonna always win. So R&B pop for sure.
AllHipHop: Anything else you want to let the people know?
Jilly: Continue to watch me, stay tuned. All things Jilly is coming very, very soon. My EP is out now: COPY & Paste. Make sure you go stream it, download it. Tell a friend, tell a friend, and tell a friend. All my Instagram handles are @Jillyanais, then my website is iamjilly.com.
Is Jay-Z up to something? Today marks the fifth anniversary of his 4:44 album. The seminal album, largely regarded as a classic, was released to an incredible fanfare. It was a deeply personal album and he put out a lot of information out there. In fact, he addressed numerous things including infidelity.
In 2022, Beyoncé just release a song that has almost ushered in an era of club music. Now, this only leads us to 2022! For quite some time, there have been rumors that Jay Z was working. But those musical dreams were not really supported by anything other than external stuff that was happening. So, for example, we saw Nas dropping projects and gaining traction in the legacy department.
Also, we have seen Jay Z drop several feature appearances, here and there. After his Pusha T feature, it really made me wanna hear more. So, the rumors have been there but mostly speculative I hope he returns because we still need him to “show us how to do this, son! “
This was a the opener.
This was not the closer, but it shook up the world!
Jay-Z, if you are seeing this somewhere from a big yacht or an underground bungalow, come back. Drop another one on your fans! Show us Hip-Hop can still perforate the top level.
Anyway, some people feel and speculate that 4:44 was his last, but I don’t agree with them. No!
Izzy Drake, the celebrity imposter who impersonates the famous rapper, has called the real Drake out to fight over his clout-chasing identity.
According to TMZ, Celebrity Boxing owner Damon Feldman has inked a deal with the Fake Drake for a fight in the ring on Saturday, Aug. 27th.
Fake Drake called out his idol out, saying, “Yo … Yo … Yo… You already know, we outside. I just signed with celebrity boxing, on August 27th. I’m calling Drake out for a friendly boxing match.”
He continues in the clip giving his terms of defeat, “If I win, you gotta sign me to OVO … You gotta give me $1,000,000. If you win, I’ll change my name.
Also, a Canadian native, the doppelganger says he gets paid big bucks to hustle the chart-toppers swag and good looks. #GodsPlan.
“People DM me like ‘Hey, you wanna come to my event?” he explained on a 2021 episode of Adam 22’s “No Jumper” podcast. “Because I can’t pay Drake, he’s too expensive. I’ll pay you $5,000’–$5,000 just to show up. They pay my Airbnb, they pay the flight. They hook it all up.”
Back then, his bark was different about Drake, stating there is no contention between the two.
“Drake was just like ‘It doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t affect me, let the guy get his bag. It isn’t affecting me.’… He didn’t really give a f**k,” he said.
The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory is the best album Tupac put out. But this was his Death Row Records. Something crazy happened and BET unearthed something we have never heard before.
They created an oral history of Makaveli’s The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory and set it off.
QDIII produced “To Live & Die In L.A.,” one of my favorite songs on the album. Well, lets continue. There was a song called “Thug Nature,” which originally remixed “Human Nature,” the 1983 Michael Jackson hit!!!! Remember Quincy Jones is QDIII’s dad! Well, you know what is next! They wanted to get MJ on the song!
QDIII FLEXED and said, “So I set up a meeting at Neverland. I go up there and told Michael about it. And do you know what Micheal said? He liked Biggie.”
A year before, in the year of our Lord 1995, The Notorious B.I.G. and Michael Jackson collaborated on “This Time Around.” So, MJ was a ride-n-die type of dude. He sided with his man! Also, apparently Pac beefing with Jay-Z, Mobb Deep, Nas and others did not bode with for Pac.
QDIII said Pac was focused regardless and explained how he was in the studio.
“I would say he was manic”. “There would be moments that called for quiet voice and candles and all that and he would be screaming and smoking Newports. He was on fire with this manic push. He was always pushing,” QDIII said. Well, Pac did not need MJ for that one, but it could have been epic.
A “Jeopardy” contestant confused the politically charged Public Enemy with Marky Mark’s 80s group, the Funky Bunch. Fans immediately dragged the Nancy Drew-haired white woman for her caucasity.
The woman speedily buzzed in and said, “Ahh … what is the Funky Bunch?”
The host, actor-turned-neuroscientist Mayim Bialik dryly said, “No.”
The correct answer would have been “What is Public Enemy?” which was given by another contestant.
Still, the mistake was unimaginable as PE is one of the most recognizable musical brands of the last 30 years, prompting the young woman Halley Ryherd, to take to Twitter to diffuse some of the reprimands with humor.
She said the mix-up sent her to her therapist.
Well it gives me hope to hear from another person who survived a mix up on national TV!
— Halley Ryherd (she/her) (@Halley_BuzzesIn) June 30, 2022
While fans didn’t give her a break, the lead rapper from the group was a bit more gracious.
Chuck D chimed in on the critics angry with her and in his own way “shut ‘em down.”
When @pjtourkid tweeted, “This person on #Jeopardy just thought Chuck D was in the funky bunch. She should get credit for being the most wrong she could possibly be. S### was amazing.
The six-time Grammy-nominated rapper replied, “Everybody don’t know everything… it’s why I introduce myself wherever I go and whoever I talk to … it’s just courtesy. But the sad thing is not knowing those other Chuck Ds.”
Everybody don’t know everything… it’s why I introduce myself wherever I go and whoever I talk to … it’s just courtesy. But the sad thing is not knowing those other Chuck Ds pic.twitter.com/gxLnyVmxCp
Tavares Lamont Taylor appears to be back behind bars once again. Harris County, Texas law enforcement arrested the rapper better known as Lil Reese earlier this year.
According to reports, authorities booked Lil Reese in the county jail on May 19. The charge is listed as aggravated assault against a family member.
Apparently, local authorities also booked Reese on a second count of aggravated assault against a family member on May 25. He was denied bond on the first charge.
Harris County Jail records show a $60,000 bond amount for the May 25 arrest. Lil Reese’s next court date is currently set for August 16. He has not posted on Twitter or Instagram since May 16.
Throughout his career as a recording artist, Lil Reese has had numerous legal issues. In May 2010, Reese pled guilty to burglary charges. He also faced other assault, battery, and marijuana possession arrests over the years.
In June 2021, Lil Reese had to deal with domestic violence charges. His girlfriend at the time reportedly called 911, accusing the self-described Supa Savage of hitting her in the face.
Reese has also been the victim of gun violence on multiple occasions. In May 2021, a shootout in a Chicago parking garage caused Reese and two other men to be hospitalized.
“I’m not blind or s###. Don’t believe what you see on [the] internet. I don’t even know where [the f###] they getting all these fake ass stories from,” stated Lil Reese in response to the 2021 shooting. Rumors suggested he possibly suffered blindness from the gunfire.
British recording artist Stormzy has signed a new deal with WME in all areas. Stormzy continues to be represented by #Merky co-founder Tobe Onwuka.
WME originally formed in 1898. The company refers to itself as the “longest-running talent agency.” After William Morris Agency and Endeavor merged in 2009, WME acquired IMG five years later.
Stormzy comes off the release of his 2019 album Heavy Is the Head. That studio LP received widespread critical acclaim and spawned several popular singles. “Audacity,” “Crown,” and “Vossi Bop” live on the album.
2017’s Gang Signs & Prayer also garnered praise and commercial success. Gang Signs & Prayer became the first Grime project to reach #1 on the UK Albums Chart. The project hosts the hits “Big for Your Boots” and “Cold.”
Additionally, Gang Signs & Prayer earned a Mercury Prize nomination. The studio LP also won the 2018 BET Award for Best International Artist and the Brit Award for British Album Of The Year. A third Stormzy album is reportedly on the way.
Stormzy Joins A WME Roster Of Hip Hop Stars
Stormzy: Road to the Pyramid Stage premiered last week on BBC One. The documentary covers the London-born rhymer’s journey to being the first Black British solo artist to headline the Glastonbury Festival in 2019.
Apple Music 1’sLeading Vibe Radio with Temsrecently caught up with Stormzy for an interview. During the conversation, Stormy explained why he famously deleted his Twitter and Instagram accounts in 2020.
“Whether that be noise on the internet, whether that be noise in reality, whether that be noise in events. I’ll just make active decisions to not be around noise. Because I feel that noise doesn’t allow me to be normal,” stated Stormzy.
The WME music roster also includes 24kGoldn, 6LACK, Action Bronson, D Smoke, Danny Brown, Ella Mai, Future, Giveon, Gunna, Isaiah Rashad, Jazmine Sullivan, Kehlani, Nas, Nicki Minaj, OutKast, Pharrell Williams, Rick Ross, Roddy Ricch, Sean “Diddy” Combs, Summer Walker, Travis Scott, Tyler The Creator, Usher, Vince Staples, Willow, and Wiz Khalifa.
Vince Staples will once again show off his acting chops. The 28-year-old Californian will be part of the upcoming television version of the coming-of-age film The Wood.
According to Variety, the Showtime network chose Vince Staples for The Wood pilot. The cast also features Xavier Mills, Karen Obilom, Melvin Gregg, and Essence Renae.
Richard T. Jones returns as Slim and Tamala Jones returns as Tanya for the TV version of The Wood. Both actors appeared in the original motion picture as the same characters.
Additionally, Rick Famuyiwa will direct and executive produce the Showtime pilot. Famuyiwa directed and co-wrote The Wood movie which starred Richard T. Jones, Omar Epps, and Taye Diggs.
Vince Staples will play an aspiring photographer named Jamal in The Wood. Previously, Staples had a role in the Rick Famuyiwa-directed Dope. That 2015 dramedy featured Shameik Moore, Chanel Iman, Tyga, Zoë Kravitz, and A$AP Rocky as well.
Besides working as an actor, Vince Staples also released numerous albums. The Long Beach native’s discography contains 2015’s Summertime ’06, 2017’s Big Fish Theory, 2018’s FM!, 2021’s Vince Staples, and 2022’s Ramona Park Broke My Heart.
The Wood generated over $25 million at the domestic box office in 1999. Many theatergoers of a certain generation view the movie as a cult classic. The Wood is often placed in the late 1990s-era pantheon of Black comedies such as A Thin Line Between Love and Hate and The Best Man.
Four-time NBA Champion Steph Curry will serve as the master of ceremonies for this year’s ESPY Awards. The sports-centered presentation will air live from Los Angeles on Wednesday, July 20 at 8 pm ET on ABC.
Steph Curry is fresh off winning the 2022 NBA Finals with his fellow Golden State Warriors teammates. The former Davidson College standout also won NBA Finals MVP. Plus, he was the first NBA Western Conference Finals MVP this season.
“I’ve had the pleasure of attending The ESPYS but never imagined I’d have the privilege of hosting this special event,” states Curry. “As someone who loves the intersection of sports and entertainment, I look forward to delivering an exciting show for the fans while we celebrate the athletes who created the top moments of the year.”
The ESPY Awards celebrate major sports achievements and top performances. Steph Curry joins a list of previous hosts that include Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx, LeBron James, Jimmy Kimmel, Justin Timberlake, John Cena, Peyton Manning, and Anthony Mackie.
Steph Curry Earned Multiple ESPY Award Nominations
“Steph has long been one of the brightest stars in the sports constellation, and we’re thrilled to have him share his passion for sports, his wit, and his boundless talent with The ESPYS,” said Rob King, Executive Editor-At-Large ESPN Content.
Rob King continues, ”Whether shining on the court, engaging with fans on social platforms, or demonstrating a commitment to communities through varied philanthropic acts, he’s a singular performer who’ll undoubtedly add luster to our celebration of some of this year’s most compelling moments.”
Steph Curry earned ESPY nominations for Best Athlete-Men’s Sports and Best NBA Player. He is also up for Best Record-Breaking Performance (passes Ray Allen for most 3-pointers made in NBA history). To see the full list of nominations and vote for the winners of the 2022 ESPY Awards visit espn.com.
Belcalis “Cardi B” Almánzar will release her next lead single this Friday, July 1. “Hot S###” features Chicago-bred rappers Kanye “Ye” West” and Lil Durk.
In preparation for “Hot S###” hitting DSPs tonight at 12 pm ET, Cardi B shared a snippet of the song on social media. The 16-second clip went viral on Wednesday night.
The Twitter version of the snippet amassed over 600,000 views and 30,000 likes. Over on Instagram, Cardi’s “Hot S###” collected more than 11 million views and 1.5 million likes.
Additionally, Cardi B earned a co-sign from another female rap star. Gangsta Boo of the Hip Hop group Three 6 Mafia tweeted lyrics from “Hot S###”. She posted, “Still might slide on [an] opp, ‘IT’S ELECTRIC’ hating didn’t work so they lied -Cardi.”
The Invasion of Privacy album creator later responded to Gangsta Boo on Twitter. Cardi quote-tweeted the Memphis representative and added, “Ommgggg Gangsta Boo?!!!! Omggg I’m geeked!!”
Earlier this week, Lil Durk teased “Hot S###” by promising the track will shake the world. Cardi B replied to the “Voice of the Heroes” hitmaker by praising Durk’s contribution to the record. He then returned the favor, tweeting, “You got the hardest verse we all can agree.”
“Hot S###” will be Cardi B’s first lead single since the chart-topping “Up” dropped in February 2021. The Bronx native also featured on Normani’s “Wild Side,” Lizzo’s “Rumors,” and Summer Walker’s “No Love (Extended Version)” over the last year.
Usher has announced plans to give fans the “Ultimate On Stage Experience” at his Las Vegas residency – a seat with him onstage during the show.
Vegas! We just released my Ultimate On Stage Experience tickets for purchase for the Vegas Residency. Get up close and personal with the ultimate, intimate concert experience MY WAY! https://t.co/H2hX2W8Jm2pic.twitter.com/oJ4E7S01eq
For each show, 14 lucky concert-goers will form part of the show’s cast as they sit on guest tables onstage while Usher performs. Proceeds of the ticket sales will benefit his Usher’s New Look organization.
Fans will also have the opportunity to meet the R&B star before the show and will be granted VIP access, making them feel like a cast member. Click here for more information and tickets.
Usher founded his non-profit organization with his mother Jonetta Patton in 1999. They were inspired to launch Usher’s New Look after witnessing failures in Atlanta’s criminal justice system. The organization tackles systemic barriers preventing teens from graduating high school and college in both Atlanta and Brooklyn. “To date, we’ve touched the lives of more than 50,000 youth!” the website proudly proclaims.
Meanwhile, Usher is gearing up for the release of his new single, “Good Love,” featuring City Girls. The song is accompanied by a roller-skating-themed video that arrives on Friday (Jul. 1). He took to Twitter to share a snippet of the visuals for the upbeat R&B track. Take a look at the clip below.
Though he hasn’t released a new album since Hard II Love in 2016, Usher revealed last year that a new project is on the way. And not just any project, but the highly anticipated sequel to his classic 2004 album Confessions. However, the deadline he gave himself has now passed. “I’m letting you know that the album is officially coming this year,” he said in May 2001.
Releasing your first album is a daunting prospect for any artist, and in the modern era, musicians have to cope with fans’ demands for a steady stream of releases. Not so for Saweetie, who revealed she’s taking her time with her first major body of work.
The “Icy Bae” took to her Instagram Stories on the last day of June to inform her followers of the news. Saweetie explained she’s grown a lot over the past few years and now has reached a place of understanding.
“I have realized my purpose with the platform God has given me,” she wrote. “Which is why I have taken my time with releasing music this time around.”
Saweetie added, “Through hours of self-reflection I have realized that Pretty B#### Music is not an album.” She went on to describe it as “a movement,” “culture,” “language,” and “a lifestyle.”
As such, Saweetie is in no hurry and will share the project when she’s ready. “We not rushing art, we taking our time!” She added. This ain’t no microwave s###! It’s baking & will definitely be worth the taste.”
Back in November 2021, Saweetie claimed the project would be “dropping soon.” She doubled down in February, confessing, “I’ve put my foot down. I’m going to finally lock in to record this album,” before announcing Pretty B#### Music will arrive “definitely before the summer.” Read her statement in full below.
Instagram: Saweetie
In the meantime, Saweetie has remained busy with music and other ventures. Last month the Icy Baby Foundation she founded with her grandmother launched a financial literacy program for underserved youth.
A Kanye West fan was recently forced to remove his restaurant menu and logo after the rapper’s lawyers threatened legal action.
According to Mark Elkhouri who owns a burger eatery in Melbourne inspired by Kanye West, he’s had to undergo a thorough redesign following a cease-and-desist letter from Ye’s attorneys. The Yeezy mural inside the store has now been painted over, while the teddy bear logo is covered with a sign. The notice reads,” Insert logo here. OK thanks bye.”
Instagram: College Dropout Burgers
College Dropout Burgers is named after Kanye West’s debut album. The store’s burgers named after the rapper’s songs will have to be renamed.
“It’s pretty hard being a Kanye West fan with this situation, we have to respect his wishes and move forward,” Elkhouri said. The store owner believed “he was a fan of us.”
The name College Dropout Burgers will remain, but the meals will now be named after other famous college dropouts. However, Elkhouri remains undeterred in his fandom for the Donda hitmaker, who he labeled “the biggest artist of our time.”
He added, “I have to still support him,” and acknowledged a silver lining in the situation. “Moving forward, I feel like it is a bit of a blessing in disguise,” Elkhouri said. “Because let’s face it, not everyone is a Kanye West fan.”
Machine Gun Kelly got a little wild on stage on Tuesday night (Jun. 28) following his show at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
After the MSG gig, the rapper turned rocker turned up with his fans during the afterparty at Catch. Machine Gun Kelly took to his Instagram Story to share some of the night’s highlights.
In one, the musician is on stage with a champagne flute in one hand and a microphone in the other. He yells to the jam-packed room, “I don’t give a f###, bro. I don’t give a s###,” before smashing the glass into his face. “And this is when things turned…” MGK explained in the caption. Take a look at the clips below.
However, though covered in blood, he continued to perform. Machine Gun Kelly posted a gruesome photo of his injuries with others showing his bloodstained hands and clothing.
Machine Gun Kelly Documents Suicide Attempt In New Hulu Documentary
The new MGK documentary “Life in Pink debuted on Hulu earlier this week. One of the most talked-about moments from the movie came from Machine Gun Kelly revealing a suicide attempt. He recalled being on the phone with his fiancée, Megan Fox, as he grieved the loss of his father.
“I called Megan. I was like, ‘You aren’t here for me.’ I’m in my room and I’m, like, freaking out on her. Dude, I put the shotgun in my mouth. And I’m yelling on the phone and like the barrel’s in my mouth. And I go to c### the shotgun and the bullet, as it comes back up, the shell just gets jammed. Megan’s like dead silent.”
However, Machine Gun Kelly admitted earlier this week that he didn’t want that clip in the doc. “I didn’t want to include that part,” he explained to Billboard. “Though the whole point of this is to be more raw and more vulnerable than an artist who is pushed by a machine, or something that just seems catered to making them look great. I think I’m an experiment of what it can be when an artist is just human.”
