Kobe Bryant’s widow Vanessa Bryant paid tribute to her late husband on the one-year anniversary of his tragic death, along with their daughter Gianna.Kobe and Gianna were killed in a helicopter crash on January 26th, 2020. They were among the nine passengers in his Sikorsky S-76 helicopter, which crashed into a mountain after encountering dense patches of fog in Calabasas, California.
The LA Lakers star was 41 when he died. He is survived by his wife Vanessa and their three children. Natalia, Bianca, and Capri, who is almost 2-years-old.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CKf7QLmDXDo/
“Will never understand why/how this tragedy could’ve happened to such beautiful, kind & amazing human beings. It still doesn’t seem real. Kob, we did it right. Gigi, you still make mommy proud. I love you,” Vanessa Bryant said in a touching tribute to Kobe and Gianna.
Last night (January 25th), Lakers superstar LeBron James dropped 46 points and grabbed eight rebounds against his original team the Cleveland Cavaliers, in a performance that was fueled by Kobe’s memory.
“It’s a saying that time heals all and as devastating and as tragic as it was and still is to all of us involved with it, only time. And it takes time, everyone has their own grieving process,” LeBron James told reporters over the weekend.
“It’s a lot of things that die in this world, but legends never die, and he’s exactly that. So it’s all about representing that,” LeBron concluded.
LA Lakers coach Frank Vogel gave the undefeated team (10-0) the day off today, to give the team a chance to mourn Kobe and Gianna’s death. Meanwhile, tributes poured in for the late NBA-All Star player.
Magic Johnson labeled Kobe his “brother for life,” while Brooklyn Nets star Kyrie Irving showed up to the team’s game against the the Miami Heat, rocking a Kobe jersey.
“Thank you God for allowing me enjoy Kobe Bryant for 20 years as a great basketball player, athlete, husband, father, philanthropist, mentor & teacher of the game to many men & women of all ages,” Magic Johnson said.
Meanwhile, a city in Northern Italy named Reggio Emilia will debut the “Largo Kobe and Gianna Bryant.” The new plaza is named after Kobe because he spent a few years there as a kid, while his dad Joe played for the city’s Cantine Riunite, Reggio’s pro basketball team.
Celebrity gossip publication Page Six is claiming Cardi is close to dropping a new track. According to the outlet, a source says a “club song” with “a lot of energy” that does not have any featured artists is being considered as the native New Yorker’s next official single.
“Press” is Cardi’s most recent solo song as a lead artist. That 2019 non-album record peaked in the Top 20 of Billboard‘s Hot 100 chart and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.
Since breaking into the mainstream as a recording artist in 2017, Cardi B has scored four #1 singles – “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It” with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, “Girls Like You” with Maroon 5, and “WAP” with Megan Thee Stallion. She holds the record for most Number Ones by a female rapper.
Outside of music, Cardi B premiered her new Facebook reality series Cardi Tries in December 2020. It was also recently announced that the 28-year-old celebrity will take on the lead role in the forthcoming Paramount movie Assisted Living. She was also cast in the Fast & Furious franchise’s F9 which is presently set for release on May 28, 2021.
On Sunday, January 31, Verizon will present Pro Bowl: The Madden NFL 21 Edition. Electronic Arts and the National Football League recruited NFL legends, current Pro Bowlers, and celebrities for the gaming event.
The lineup includes Hip Hop icon Snoop Dogg and NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace as well as retired wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson and former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. Pro Football Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and Fox Sports sportscaster Charissa Thompson will serve as hosts.
“We’ll be taking the Pro Bowl to the virtual world of Madden this weekend and I can’t wait to do it big with football fans in my favorite game,” said Snoop Dogg. “I’m a Madden NFL star. So, Kyler [Murray] and Marshawn better watch out – my team is comin’ in to win that championship title for the AFC.”
“EA SPORTS’ commitment to help fans experience sport in new ways is realized perfectly by the transformation of this year’s Pro Bowl to the virtual field of Madden NFL,” said David Tinson, CMO, Electronic Arts. “We’re further blurring the lines between reality and the virtual worlds of our games, creating new opportunities to connect fans through the sport they love.”
Pro Bowl: The Madden NFL 21 Edition will stream on the NFL’s YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook accounts beginning at 5 pm ET. The EAMaddenNFL Twitch channel will run the star-studded showcase at the same time as well.
In addition, gamers Ninja, FaZe Swagg, AustinShow, and AMP are also hosting live watch parties on their respective Twitch channels on Sunday at 5 pm ET. The entire event will reair on NFL Network at 8 pm ET and again at 12:30 am ET.
“The Pro Bowl is a highly anticipated event each year for players and fans and we’re thrilled to have created an all-new virtual experience with EA SPORTS,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL EVP of Club Business and Events. “Bringing our all-star game to a virtual stage in Madden has allowed fans to engage and enjoy the Pro Bowl, despite the unprecedented challenges of the last year. We’re excited for fans to celebrate the best players in the NFL all on one field this weekend.”
Current Atlanta City Council President Felicia Moore is getting ready to make a run at winning the mayor’s office, according to the AJC. However, Moore already appears to have some influential people doubting whether she is the best person to run the city.
Tip “T.I.” Harris took to Instagram to share his thoughts about Moore. He posted a screenshot of a 2017 WABE article that covered how the former District 9 City Council member failed at trying to tightened restrictions on new recording studios in Atlanta which would have required the studios to have a special use permit and be located at least 300 feet from residential areas.
The musician/actor/businessman wrote on Instagram:
Excuse me Mrs @feliciamooreatl but … Our Culture Runs This Town Ma’am!! These studios (& the creatives that work in em) have laid foundation & paved ways to create opportunities for this city like nothing else could. Yeah we might get loud, no we not perfect, but we’ve contributed to this city’s culture & economic growth, consistently…for decades!!! Our contributions to the communities here in this city have gone overlooked far too long. We’ve been on the front line making a difference in this city (in ways nobody else in politics would) even before Hollywood found us attractive. That’s right…Before the filming industry moved to town we’ve BEEN making an economic impact yet the film studios receive all the tax benefits, rebates &considerations. And not just us rappers & artists… within the culture there’s a host of producers, engineers, art directors, event planners, club & studio designers, radio personalities, A&Rs, DJ’s, dancers, promoters, & club owners who’ve put ALL OUR HEART & SOUL into making this city what it is TODAY!! Put some respect on that please & thanks. #DontPlayWitUs #ByeFelicia
Incumbent Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms seems poised to run for reelection this year. Campaign finance records reveal she already has more than $100,000 on hand. Bottoms and Moore served together on the Atlanta City Council from 2010 to 2018.
Last year, Bottoms became a national figure during the Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality. She was often mentioned as a contender for the Vice President slot on Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential ticket. Then-Senator Kamala Harris was eventually picked as Biden’s running mate.
T.I. backed Bottoms in Atlanta’s 2017 mayoral race. He later joined her official transition team. The Grand Hustle co-founder, along with fellow ATL-bred Hip Hop artist Killer Mike, joined Mayor Bottoms at a May 2020 press conference where they called on residents of Atlanta not to be violent in response to the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and other Black citizens.
Throughout her career, Nicki Minaj has publicly feuded with the likes of Lil Kim, Mariah Carey, Miley Cyrus, Taylor Swift, Remy Ma, Cardi B, and others. It appears one of the City Girls is not currently on that hit list.
JT held an Instagram Live session where she spoke with a teenage boy named Logan. During the online interaction, the young fan questioned the South Florida representative about possibly having personal issues with Minaj.
“I honestly was surprised that you’ve never done a song with Nicki Minaj. Do you have any beef with her?” asked Logan. JT lovingly responded, “Oh, no, baby. I don’t got no beef.” They both also expressed their love for the 38-year-old Hip Hop legend.
The clip of JT and Logan began circulating on social media which prompted the “Act Up” rapper to comment on the situation. She uploaded footage from her Instagram Live to her main IG page with a message about spreading negativity.
“This little boy been asking me to go live with him for the longest. He’s so innocent & sweet. I hate how people try to make everything negative. He’s 13. & a fan of us all. I was honestly not in the mood. I hate when ppl take the worst out of s###,” wrote JT in the IG caption.
Last year, JT also spoke about stans trolling her online. She said, “It don’t matter if it’s Cardi fans or Nicki fans. I think they both got the two biggest fanbases. They harass you. If you tweet something, they’re in your comments. They talk s### about you. They create these narratives but it never be a problem. And ain’t nobody gonna bully me.”
DaniLeigh faced accusations of promoting colorism because of the record’s theme and later offered an apology. The Miami-raised recording artist was also criticized because she identifies as Dominican which led to complaints that she was not Black.
Cardi is also part Dominican, so her name was brought into the online discussion as Twitter users began comparing the “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker to DaniLeigh. This led to Cardi tweeting, “Let me do this s### again.”
The Bronx-bred entertainer then went on to post photos of her mother’s side of the family which is Trinidadian. Cardi also pointed out that she has identified herself as “Afro-Latino” even before she was a chart-topping music superstar.
“It’s time for ya to pick up a book. Your ignorance at this point is a choice,” wrote the Invasion of Privacy album creator. She later added, “Every 6 months I gotta explain myself cause people can’t research… Every 6 months this [becomes] a topic cause people [can’t] do simple research. Trust me I’m tired of it too.”
Cardi also posted, “This whole conversation started because every time somebody is in hot water ya bring my name up. Always no matter what! I could be dead and I wake up to tweets like ‘but cardi’ ‘but why cardi’ even if it GOT NOTHIN TO DO WIT ME! Like Deum when ya going to stop? I’m the [scapegoat].”
Back then I didn’t really used the right terms .I haven’t always been super woke lmaaaoooo.I should have said half Hispanic cause me saying I’m Spanish don’t make sense cause is a https://t.co/Qw4hr2y0M1 we get older we learn the terms better . https://t.co/t5J2Tc9tIw
This whole conversation started because Everytime somebody is in hot water ya bring my name up .Always no matter what! Icould be dead and I wake up to tweets like “but cardi”“ but why cardi” even if it GOT NOTHIN TO DO WIT ME! Like Deum when ya going to stop ? I’m the escape goat
While most of the latest coverage of Tory Lanez has centered around the false stories that his criminal case was being dropped, Lanez seems to be focused on promoting his music. He recently tweeted, “I will continue my 2021 unproblematically… just wanna make great content for my fans much love y’all.”
This week, the man accused of shooting Megan Thee Stallion last July uploaded a teaser clip of Lil Wayne to his social media pages. The video shows the Young Money rapper dancing behind a naked woman who is laid out on a table.
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Lanez wrote in the Instagram posts’ caption:
@liltunechi bruh … FIRST DAY AFTER THE PARDON, my n#### came and did my video for #BigTipper feat . @melii … I WILL NEVER FORGET THE TREMENDOUS LOVE U SHOW ME TUNE!!! #BigTipper VIDEO COMING SOON! #OneUmbrella2021 We not playing fair.
Wayne has also been in the news a lot in recent weeks. The 38-year-old New Orleans native made national headlines when he was one of the individuals that received a controversial pardon from former President Donald Trump during his last days in office.
Tory Lanez recruited Lil Wayne for his track “Thoughts” off 2019’s Chixtape 5. Two months later, Lanez appeared on “Help” from Wayne’s Funeral album. They both jumped on the remix of Jack Harlow’s 2020 single “Whats Poppin.”
Actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, commonly known as Theo Huxtable (America’s favorite brother), really endeared himself to the Hip-Hop world when he started directing rap videos in the late 80s.
From his “Gordan Gartrell” shirt to his cameo in Special Ed’s “I’m the Magnificent,” we trust him with our culture and have let him contribute to its definition.
He is one of us.
And so when he took to social media to express his desire to hear a certain kind of Hip-Hop, we let him speak on the mic.
On his Instagram, “The Cosby Show” only son, said in a post captioned simply “a love note:”
“Dear Hip-Hop, I love you. But I’ma need a break from bobbing my head to dope bars perpetuating Black death & the disrespect of Queens and fellow Kings. Please and thank you. With love …”
In a sea full of rhymes that celebrate gang banging and over-sexualization, the multi-hyphenate has made a career for himself outside of acting, doing exceptional work as a director, producer, musician and spoken word artist.
In 2015, he won a GRAMMY Award in the Best Traditional R&B Music for his performance on “Jesus Children” by the Robert Glasper Experiment which featured him and Lalah Hathaway.
To put it in perspective: this particular work beat out Anthony Hamilton & Marsha Ambrosius and KEM.
A variety of rappers supported the post, including 9th Wonder, but the producer blamed society, not Hip-Hop.
“100% agree with you…..however I don’t think that’s a hip-hop issue, I think that’s the very fabric of American entertainment,” 9th Wonder said. “Even if we turn off the current raps songs, you’re gonna see it on every streaming service (Hulu, NetFlix, etc.)”
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland are hoping to bring Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G. back from the dead for an online rap battle royale.
The two dead hip-hop heroes are part of a dream match-up for the producer pals’ Verzuz event.
Swizz Beatz and Timbaland created the online back catalog battle initiative at the start of the COVID lockdown and it has brought together the likes of Snoop Dogg and DMX, Alicia Keys and John Legend, Gladys Knight and Patti LaBelle, and last week, Ashanti and Keyshia Cole.
Now, the duo are masterminding a rap battle between the slain rivals.
“My dream one, I want to figure out how to do Pac and Biggie in a way that the people is gonna really love it,” said Swizz.
He and Timbaland are also considering a Prince and Michael Jackson battle.
During the series on Instagram Live and Apple Music, competitors take it in turns playing a song from a list of 20 from their discography, as fans, friends and fellow artists watch on. A winner is later decided by Timbaland and Swizz Beatz.
The 19-year-old musician, real name Paul Harts, was pronounced dead at the Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, South Carolina, on Saturday.
He was one of three teenagers shot and killed in the area on Saturday night, although police don’t believe the homicides were connected.
A York County Sheriff’s Department investigation into the shootings is ongoing, but no arrests had been made as of press time.
18veno dropped his debut project Pablo in 2020 and cited Jeezy, Yo Gotti, and Gucci Mane as his biggest musical influences.
Speaking to Lyrical Lemonade last year, he had said he wanted to spread the name of South Carolina rappers, explaining: “We ain’t on like we’re supposed to be, yet. It’s up to us at this point—it’s up to the artists that SC has right now. I wanna be one of the ones that helps put us on at a worldwide level.”
It appears the six-week postponement and hour-long delay for the Ashanti Vs Keyshia Cole battle did not prevent people from tuning in when it finally streamed live on January 21. According to Verzuz organizers, the highly-anticipated musical clash was one for the record books as over 6 million people watched the event on Instagram.
The verified Verzuz IG account posted:
#VERZUZ does it again! More than 8.1 million people tuned in across Instagram and Apple Music to watch @Ashanti and @KeyshiaCole. We set a NEW RECORD with 6 million TOTAL Instagram Live viewers — 1.2M at one time!! Thank you to everyone who tuned in (and waited) to watch the first VERZUZ of 2021. We appreciate each and every one of you!!!
Jeezy Vs Gucci Mane from November 2020 still holds the record for most concurrent viewers on Instagram Live (peak of 1.8 million). A total of 5.5 million IG users watch that faceoff between the Atlanta rap legends. Brandy Vs Monica in August 2020 also topped the 1 million concurrent mark for Instagram viewership. Those divas drew 4.2 million pairs of eyes to their dual performance.
The Ashanti Vs Keyshia Cole Verzuz replay on the Revolt YouTube channel has amassed 2.3 million plays since arriving on the platform on January 22. In comparison, Jeezy Vs Gucci Mane currently sits at 4.9 million YouTube views and Brandy Vs Monica collected 1.5 million views on the site.
SZA managed to score the highest-charting solo single of her career with “Good Days.” The song became a streaming juggernaut by remaining in the Top 2 of the Spotify and Apple Music daily charts in the United States.
After crossing into the Top 10 of the Hot 100 rankings, “Good Days” is a certified Billboard hit. Fans of SZA want her to continue to climb up the charts and possibly into the history books by adding a specific Grammy-winning artist on a potential remix.
One Twitter user tweeted, “Good days by SZA [featuring] Frank ocean would literally cure corona [COVID-19].” SZA re-posted that particular tweet on her Instagram Story and added the caption, “Imma ask lol.” She included a pleading face emoji with her IG message.
SZA says she's going to ask Frank Ocean to jump on a remix of "Good Days." ☀️ pic.twitter.com/Rw8muHEUyM
So far in their respective careers, the two singer-songwriters have not collaborated to release music together. Ocean did create a cover of SZA’s “The Weekend” in 2019. He reportedly played his rendition of the CTRL single at his second PrEP+ club party that same year.
SZA is actually teasing the release of a “Good Days” music video in the near future. Previously, the Top Dawg Entertainment vocalist published visuals for “Hit Different” featuring Ty Dolla Sign in September 2020. She has not dropped an official studio album since Ctrl in 2017.
Frank Ocean’s last LP was 2016’s Blonde. The former Odd Future member broke out into the mainstream as a soloist with 2012’s Channel Orange. The last four years have seen him present numerous loosies such as “Biking” featuring Jay-Z and Tyler, The Creator as well as “Dear April” and “Cayendo.”
DaniLeigh attempted to quell the growing backlash over her unreleased song “Yellow Bone.” Critics called the singer-songwriter colorist for promoting a track that includes the lyrics “yellow bone that’s what he wants.”
At first, the Miami native pushed back against the idea that she was championing a light skin is superior narrative. She wrote, in a now-deleted post, “Why can’t I make a song for my light skin baddies? Why y’all think I’m hating on other colors when there are millions of songs speaking on all types… Why y”all so sensitive and take it personal… gahhh damn.”
DaniLeigh returned to social media on Sunday to once again address the colorism controversy. However, her new Instagram apology only seemed to further ignite more negative responses to her approach to the entire situation.
“I think it’s super important because I definitely feel misunderstood. I feel like my song – ‘Yellow bone is what he wants’ – got the world raffled into thinking I said that’s what the world wants. No, I’m just speaking on my man. That’s what he wants. That’s what he has,” said DaniLeigh. “It wasn’t really meant to be something that people took so deeply. I understand that colorism is a real thing. I guess you can say, I wasn’t as knowledgeable in that topic, but I wasn’t thinking so deeply into it when I was making this song.”
The “Dominican Mami” performer added, “To call me a colorist, to call me a racist, how? I’m dating a whole chocolate man, and I have beautiful [melaninated] friends. Y’all really took it there when it’s not about that. That’s not where I was coming from. I don’t see my skin as a privilege. I never looked at myself as better than anybody, more superior. It wasn’t even about that. It was just me making a cocky-ass song. I’m sorry I offended you guys. It was not my intention at all.”
The “chocolate man” DaniLeigh was referring to is North Carolina-bred Hip Hop star DaBaby. Twitter users pointed out that claiming to have “chocolate friends” and holding a “colorblind” view is similar to what some Caucasians say when they are accused of being racist or perpetuating racism. She was even compared to Rachel Dolezal, the former white president of the NAACP chapter in Spokane who falsely lived her life as a Black woman for years.
Danileigh made an “apology” video where she wore box braids, spoke in a blaccent, denied understanding colorism or light skin privilege, and said she had “melanated” friends so she couldn’t be racist. Unbelievable lmao pic.twitter.com/oqKSBJuTVF
— Eren Yeager is on the right side of history (@SuccYuhMadda) January 25, 2021
Verzuz is now working with the National Football League. The popular online music series, which started during the COVID-19 pandemic, has entered into a partnership with the league for “NFL Pro Bowl VERZUZ presented by Verizon.”
NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders and NFL Network’s MJ Acosta-Ruiz are hosting the event. Pro Bowl players Deshaun Watson, Jamal Adams, Budda Baker, DeAndre Hopkins, Jalen Ramsey, Cameron Jordan, and Myles Garrett will take part in specific categories focusing on both on-field and off-field highlights.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the players go head to head with their highlights! These guys are icons just like the artists, let’s give them their flowers,” says Verzuz co-producer Swizz Beatz. His partner, Timbaland, adds, “Verzuz partnering with the NFL made sense for us with culture, sports, and music being so aligned.”
The NFL Pro Bowl Verzuz line-up has some serious star power. 🤩
Next week, Pro Bowl players will face off in the ultimate highlight competition. Stay tuned, full schedule & match-ups coming Monday.#NFLProBowlVerzuz | @verzuzonline
Beginning January 26 at 8 pm ET, the four-day competition will be presented on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms. Elements of the “NFL Pro Bowl Verzuz” will also be featured during the ESPN/ABC simulcast of the “2021 Pro Bowl Celebration” on January 31 at 3 pm ET.
“Our Social and Influencer programs are centered around developing innovative concepts that help expand the reach of NFL players as well as our game to younger and more casual audiences. This opportunity to connect the NFL Pro Bowl with Verzuz for the first time is a perfect continuation of our strategy and something we believe both the fans and players will enjoy,” said Tim Ellis, NFL EVP & Chief Marketing Officer.
Ellis continues, “Through this collaboration, elite Pro Bowl players will get an opportunity to directly engage with fans in real-time in a friendly debate of their career highlights, in an array of diverse categories that will show that our players’ personalities off the field are just as fun and entertaining as their extraordinary talents on the field.”
UFC fighter Conor McGregor suffered a news-worthy, meme-making loss to Dustin Poirier on Saturday night at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather took time this weekend to share some of his thoughts on one of his former adversaries.
Following the bout, Mayweather was tagged in an Instagram post questioning why the former champion was “hated for the way he carries himself” but McGregor is “loved for the same way he carries himself.” Both men are known to be brash and use boastful taunts to try and psych out their opponent.
Mayweather wrote on IG:
I seen this post and my take on it is that the world knows Con Artist McLoser can steal everything from me and be loved but I’m hated. That just lets you all know that racism still exist. Just know, that bum will never be me or be on my level. I’m just built different, my mindset is on another planet, my skills are second to none, I’m a natural born winner and yes I talk a lot of trash, but every time I back it up! This is what they hate. It’s sad that you can be a poor black kid from the ghetto that has dealt with racism your whole life and work extremely hard to put yourself and your family in a better position, and most of the hate come from my own people. Connor cannot even win in his own sport, but talking about coming back to boxing to fight Pacquiao. Nobody wants to see that, it’s like my leftovers eating leftovers.
In 2017, McGregor and Mayweather stood across from each other in a heavily-promoted professional boxing match. Mayweather extended his undefeated streak by defeating McGregor in the 10th round by TKO. They both reportedly received 9-figure payouts for the fight.
The promotional campaign for Mayweather vs McGregor included accusations of the Caucasian mixed martial artist using coded racist language. In particular, McGregor was criticized for telling Mayweather, “Dance for me, boy.” Those comments were seen by some as a reference to how African-Americans were spoken to by white men during slavery and the Jim Crow era.
The Kansas City Chiefs were able to defeat the Buffalo Bills in yesterday’s AFC Championship football game. QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs are headed back to the Super Bowl, but it appears someone else who was at that game is headed back to a courtroom.
According to reports, Trey Songz was arrested for trespassing, resisting arrest, and for assaulting a police officer. Those supposed crimes took place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Songz is allegedly caught on video at the game getting into a physical altercation with a cop. Apparently, people in the immediate area where the incident took place seemed to fault the officer more than the R&B singer.
A witness tells us the whole thing started when Trey was being heckled by some fans a few rows behind him and he asked them to chill out. We’re told the officer approached Trey, and without warning, went after him. The witness says Trey was totally caught off guard when the officer got physical, and started to defend himself.
As of press night, Songz has not publicly addressed the arrest. Overnight, he posted a video on Instagram of himself at an airport with a private jet in the background. His caption read, “Quic flight Bae I be right bac…dogs on the way home and chef pullin up at 8. Pull that steak out the freezer boo boo.”
A nasty war has broken out between Sean Diddy Combs, and the famous brand that bears his name – Sean John.
The rap mogul/mega-star claims the owners of Sean John have hijacked another notable and important brand he created – “Vote Or Die.”
Diddy says the company behind Sean John stole the “Vote Or Die” phrase from the non-profit he established, Citizen Change, and is illegally selling the saying on t-shirts and other merchandise on SeanJohn.com.
Here is what’s going on.
Diddy established Citizen Change in 2004, to increase youth and minority participation in local and national electoral politics. The legendary businessman registered “Vote Or Die” in 2004 as well, to promote the slogan on a t-shirt, in commercials, and during voter registration drives.
Diddy backed the massive “Vote Or Die” campaign, which featured celebrities like Jay-Z, Mariah Carey, Paris Hilton Ashton Kutcher, and even Ellen DeGeneres, in marketing campaigns. encouraging young people to get out and vote.
In April of 2010, the United States Patent And Trade Office granted Citizen Change the official trademark registration for “Vote Or Die.”
The “Vote Or Die” trademark held by Citizen Change was not part of the asset purchase agreement, and the non-profit had nothing to do with the Sean John deal, and GBG USA allegedly had no rights to the phrase.
Unfortunately, on December, 2nd 2016, Citizen Change’s “Vote Or Die” trademark was administratively canceled by the USPTO, for failure to file renewal documents.
But Diddy continued to use the trademark. For instance, in 2018, he promoted the “Vote Or Die” campaign on social media, and was frequently seen rocking the slogan on t-shirts during that same year.
Sean “Diddy” Combs vs Sean John Over “Vote Or Die” Trademark
Sean “Diddy” Combs vs Sean John Over “Vote Or Die” Trademark
In November of 2019, GBG/Sean John must have noticed the mark expired, because they filed an application to obtain ownership of the “Vote Or Die” trademark. Initially, the USPTO refused to grant GBG/Sean John the rights to the slogan, until they submitted “evidence and arguments and support of registration.”
In August of 2020, Diddy’s lawyer claims GBG submitted false statements to the USPTO to make it look as if the rap mogul was still affiliated with the Sean John brand, which he had sold off completely in the 2016 deal. These false claims led the USPTO to believe Diddy and Citizen Change were affiliated with the GBG/Sean John – and granted the company the rights to the “Vote Or Die” trademark.
“[GBG] wrongfully and fraudulently applied for registration for the opposed ‘Vote Or Die’ Mark even though it was fully aware that [Citizen Change] at various times used and owned rights in and to the ‘Vote Or Die’ Mark,” Diddy’s lawyer John Krieger, Esq. explained.
Diddy immediately objected, and in 2020, GBG/Sean John agreed to assign and transfer the trademark application back to Citizen Change, but so far the company has refused to honor the transfer.
Revolt Or Die
To make matters worse, GBG/Sean John allegedly took advantage of the situation and started using Diddy’s slogan in a marketing campaign during the election year.
The very next day, GSB and Sean John launched a marketing campaign using the same “Vote Or Die” slogan, and even included an exclamation point at the end of the phrase as well.
Diddy accuses the company of fraud and is asking the USPTO to reject GSB/Sean John’s rights to the “Vote Or Die trademark.
Sean “Diddy” Combs vs Sean John Over “Vote Or Die” Trademark
Sean “Diddy” Combs vs Sean John Over “Vote Or Die” Trademark
SMACK Volume 7 aired live on Caffeine TV on Saturday, January 23, officially jumping off the Ultimate Rap League’s 2021 with exhilarating battles that reminded the world exactly why their talent is considered the most elite in the culture.
In fact, at several points during the first airing, the event was trending at number 1 on Twitter.
While many were gearing up to watch the cocky Conor McGregor (not knowing he would get pummeled by Dustin Poirier) at the UFC 257, others were immersed in that other big fight streaming on an App.
Battle after battle, each emcee stepped up to the performance plate prepared to show the “f” out. Easily called the “Night of Debatable” or “The Preference Card,” SMACK Volume 7 was a league owner’s dream card — sure to have replay value as each battle lived up and beyond the hype.
ARSONAL VS. DANNY MYERS
Arsonal da Rebel is the most viewed battle rapper of all times
Arsonal and Danny Myers was an exciting battle to kick off the afternoon/night (depending on where you were watching it). The Bar God was presented with an opportunity to exhaust his divinity over one of the “gods of battle rap,” and with a Zeus-like magnificence … he dominated. This is not to say that Arsonal was garbage. Far from that. The New Jersey spitter just was not as lyrically dexterous as Myers on this particular day. Danny had something to prove, if not just to Arsonal but to the world.
He needed everyone to know that what makes him different is that despite having dedicated all of his life to competitive rhyming, he has not achieved the level of success many rappers with half of his talent has. This was a battle for him to phoenix up everyone.
Arsonal da Rebel against a dangerous Danny Myers, a many hungry enough to say things others are afraid to say to the New Jersey king.
Make no mistake, Arsonal was ferocious and fought hard — but his performance showed what having so many accolades at your disposal does to a champion — it puts on front streets your weaknesses. In Arsonal’s case, it is not his lack of lyricism or him not having dimension as suggested by Danny, it is he doesn’t have as much to prove as his opponents.
The battle was fire and displayed how “disrespect” can go different ways for different people.
DNA VS. AVE
Ave punches like no other, and what an extraordinary Caffeine debut did he make!
DNA and Ave might have been the battle of the night.
The two lyricists danced like well-trained boxers, beautifully complementing each other with wordplay and jabs. But it was DNA’s commitment to professional growth that overpowered the Ali-like punches that Ave is known for.
What can anyone say about the energy that the NWX founder was able to exert towards a high-level Ave? Few could even deny that he left earth in rounds two and three, even if you debate the first and second rounds. The former Cave Lieutnent was wigging at every turn, never giving in and moving easily through his Caffeine debut, but here is the thing … as an all-around artist, DNA is a master, and is familiar with what is needed to win in the close-up styled production offered in this App era. He knows that close-up quarters require you to stand in the face of his opponent and to firmly fight like a warrior. He gets and performs like it is a show, understanding that it adds value to what the audience sees — and how he gathers his win up.
DNA does not use the crutch of a gun bar in his battle against AVE, pushing his pens in ways he never imagined.
Ave was worthy and did extraordinarily, but at this level of emceeing, DNA was just more dangerous.
Here might be a reason why:
K SHINE VS. CHILLA JONES
Talk about style clashes …
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K Shine is aggressive as a rapper and Chilla Jones is a mild-mannered emcee.
K Shine is uber urban where the majority of his interactions are with people that look and think like him and Chilla moves in a more diverse space, textured with tones that are “less rough.”
Chilla stays cool and K Shine (as shown by his second round) is hot-headed.
But style clashes make moments. While many say that Chilla won, that win will be contested by people who can’t get into his “style.” While many will say K Shine won, that will be disputed by fans that say his spastic energy was unbridled. But is it not the calm and thought-heaviness of Chilla that we love — it allowed him to do that rebuttal in the first that was unbelievably effective.
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At the same time, it is that “Tasmanian Devil” aspect of Shine that makes us tune in and love him. This debatable is probably one of the best in the decade and bruh we are only one and a few months in.
By the way, Chilla is underrated and too gifted for people to have thought he was gonna get bodied … or that they are shocked by this performance.
NU JERZEY TWORK VS. JEY THE NITEWING
Nu Jerzey Twork and Jey the Nitewing
They called it the “Return of Nu Jerzey Twork,” and it was a refreshing contest between two men that approached the battle as peers, grown men, and more importantly with good sportsmanship.
Both rappers benefited from the exchange: Jey the Nitewing got the look and Twork was able to come back after 8 months of rehab to a respectable performance.
Fans had been waiting, hoping that after experiencing a car crash that could have taken his life, that Twork would hop back on the stage with the same unction that he did before his accident … an accident that required him to basically learn how to move his limbs again, takes steps and almost took his sight.
And we got a good Twork, one who found redemption in his contemplative time. SELAH. Donning a “Happy King” shirt, he clearly set the tone for the battle and what is left to come from this star (who also dropped a new record the day of the battle).
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What made this battle fire was that Twork’s was all-the-way up and it was balanced by Jey’s steadier pace.
Daylyt broke down the battle saying that this contest against Twork, one of Drake’s favorite battle rappers, solidified him as a top tier battler. We have to agree. Let the others in his class fight for validation, the Mad King is far from that. He shows up like a disturbed giant and retires until the next time he is awakened to eat. He has the potential of being to battle rap, what Andre the Giant was to wrestling.
TAY ROC VS. AYE VERB
While most of the battles were electric, this was a jambalaya of intellect, wordplay, and lyricism.
Shakespeare and Rakim, Langston Hughes and Nas, Robert Louis Stevenson and Jigga-what’s-my-muthaflucking name. The Hip-Hop geek in all of us had to be stimulated as he or she listened to these rappers open their rhyme books to the Caffeine audience. No, the performance value of this match did not “wow” anyone … but what it did is create a masterful manipulation of the English language, pop culture, and the battle rap aesthetic.
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What an incredible event!
One where the optics of the studio was balanced by the content creators that just ten years ago were rhyming on the corners (or possibly robbing someone on the street). As the Volume series continues to grow, hopefully, more usual match-ups and “should-been-gone-downs” will take place.
Fans are definitely here for it!
All battles will drop on the URL App on Wednesday, Jan. 27.
The URL App is available across multiple servers such as Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire Stick, Samsung Smart TV, and XBOX on Androids, Apple Tablets, phones, and televisions for a monthly fee of $7.99.
It is time to celebrate Famous Dex for stepping up and completing his rehab program.
Just a few months ago the Hip-Hop world expressed tremendous concern for the Chicago rapper, after disturbing images that hinted at questionable mental health and drug abuse challenges emerged on social media.
Immediately, his team and friends supported the artist as he checked into a program that possibly changed his life.
The world honors him for his sobriety, but moreover, friends and peers stepped up to show that Hip-Hop is a fraternity of like-minded artists that care, despite so much of the drama that exists.
This was evidenced by a video he shared on his social media on Friday, January 22, where he was hanging with friends and fans.
The clips showed him muscle flexing and dancing. But don’t look on Instagram, the 27-year old’s profile still has zero posts despite having 4.7 million followers.
We hope that he does all that he needs to do to get well and stay healthy. Best of luck.
Many fans were dismayed to see that legendary DJ Spinderella was left out of the “Salt-N-Pepa” movie which premiered on the Lifetime Network tonight.
Spinderella, real name Deidra “Dee Dee” Roper, was an integral part of the group’s success as well as their DJ after the original DJ was fired. Spin assumed the name after the original DJ Latoya Hanson was let go by producer/writer Hurby Azor. Oddly enough, at the time of the firing in 1986, Wendy Williams auditioned to be the group’s DJ.
Cheryl “Salt” James and Sandra “Pepa” Denton served as the executive producer credits on the film, which clocks in over 2 hours minus commercials. Spinderella appears in the movie at times, but serves as little more than an extra with limited dialogue.
“Back when Salt n’ Pepa was building our legacy, which is rooted in empowering women, I could not have dreamed that this same group would one day disempower me,’ the veteran DJ said in a statement on Twitter.
Continuing, she said: “Words cannot fully express my disappointment when I learned a decision was made to move forward with a Lifetime biopic that wrongfully excluded me from every aspect of development and production…”
“…all the while using my image throughout, given that I played an integral role in the group’s story and success. There’s nothing more unacceptable than a woman being silenced by another woman. It is for this reason, I will not be supporting it,” she said.
Spin offered an olive branch to the actresses that played the group members.
“I do, however, want to offer a huge congratulations to the talented actresses that represented us, including Monique Paul, who I wish would’ve been given an opportunity to share my true perspective with.’
The issues with Salt, Pepa, and Spinderella played out in a number of forms like a reality TV show that featured the group. But in 2019, as the “Mixtape Tour,” Salt-N-Pepa, Naughty by Nature, and New Kids on the Block, started promo artwork did not include the group’s DJ. Spinderella soon revealed that she has been “terminated” about five months prior.
At the time, Spin said, “Despite my participation in promoting the tour and being highly publicized as one of the acts, in January 2019 I received a ‘termination’ email from #SaltnPepa excluding me from performances with the group.”
Now, she said she is going to tell her story in her own words.
“The great news is I’m in the final stages of writing my memoir, a personal journey navigating through life, relationships, and the industry that raised me. 30+ years is a lot of content and I’m ready to share,” she said.
Finally, Spinderella took time to express gratitude to her supporters on Twitter.
“Thank you, as always to my family, friends, and loyal followers of Team Spin .. I’m forever grateful to all of you for your support and love throughout the years,” she stated.
Spinderella did not comment on the movie and said she would not support it.
“In reflection, I’m grateful I’ve managed to uphold a 30-year career of truly empowering women with my gift, against all odds,” she said, “This will continue in my work and in my service.”
