(AllHipHop News) Drake and the Toronto Raptors are expanding their partnership, and a new series of events called “Welcome Toronto.”

The Raptors just unveiled their new OVO Edition Uniforms on Friday, and now Raptors president Masai Ujiri announced the Welcome Toronto campaign, which will celebrate the future of art, culture, and basketball.

Drake and Masai Ujiri made the announcement tonight, just before the Raptors tipped off against the Detroit Pistons at Air Canada Centre tonight (January 17).

Drake has teamed up with the Raptors to host six “Welcome Toronto” home games.

Drake and the Raptors will also donate $1 million to refurbish local community basketball courts and $2 million to Canada Basketball.

“As this team and Toronto continues to grow, we have seen how much we can do together,” said Drake. “Welcome Toronto is about celebrating our team and our city, but also working together to give back to the community and creating a place where the youth of our city can come together to play. These same courts could also potentially shape the next generation of Canadian basketball superstars.”

The partnership will officially kick off and Drake’s OVO brand will get a huge look.

The Raptors rock the OVO-edition uniforms on Friday, January 26 against the Utah Jazz and Sunday, January 28 against the L.A. Lakers.

The team will also debut a new black and gold home court as part of the campaign as well.

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(AllHipHop News) Wu-Tang Clan producer RZA wears glasses to protect his sensitive eyes.

The hip-hop legend prefers designer Tom Ford’s frames when he’s out and about, revealing he needs to shield himself from allergy-inducing debris in both indoor and outdoor settings.

“For some reason, I got the face shape that fits Tom Fords,” he explained to New York Magazine. “You either catch me with the shades on or in ‘the nerds’ (regular eyeglasses). We call them the Malcolm X glasses in the hood. I actually have eyes that irritate easily, so I wear the glasses to keep stuff out of my eyes.

“If you see me in shades indoors, you might be like, ‘RZA is wearing shades inside, what the hell is going on?’ I’m protecting my eyes, and I’m looking cool. I have probably a dozen pairs.”

In addition to never leaving the house without his shades or spectacles, RZA also takes his Louis Vuitton Icare bag with him wherever he goes.

“I’m always carrying my laptop and a beat machine on me, which usually means I am packing a lot of bags, but my wife got me this new Louis bag last year that fits my computer and beat machine,” he shares. “I basically walk around with a studio in my Louis bag, along with any documents that need signing.

“The best part is that the strap fits right onto your roller, so I stick it right on my Samsonite (luggage), and it’s like the two are made for each other. I can’t tell you how many businessmen ask me about my bag when I fly first class.”

(AllHipHop News) Actress Pam Grier is developing a biopic about her life and career.

The Jackie Brown star published her memoir, “Foxy: My Life in Three Acts,” in 2011 and she is now looking to bring her story to the big screen.

A script has been written by Bennie Richburg and comedian and actor Jay Pharoah is attached to play late comedian Richard Pryor – Pam’s lover in the 1970s.

Grier and Jay first met while they were working together on video game Infinity Wars and she immediately knew he would be perfect for the role.

“I watched him and heard his voice and closed my eyes and said, ‘It’s Richard’,” she said of Jay Pharoah’s role. “The story is heartbreaking, raw, honest and beautiful, all rolled into one testimony,” he added.

In her memoir, Grier detailed her relationship with Pryor, revealing she had to end the romance because of his drug use.

“I couldn’t change Richard…,” she says. “And I realized it’s not about changing other people, it’s about changing myself. And that is what I want to tell people with this, that there will be pain in life, but you can survive it and it will make you stronger and protect you from other instances. I wanted to save their lives, but I had to save my own.”

(AllHipHop News) Kendrick Lamar will showcase why he’s nominated for seven Grammys during the upcoming awards ceremony this month.

Kendrick is up for major awards like Record Of The Year, Best Rap Performance, and Album Of The Year amongst others, will hit the stage as a featured performer during the 60th annual Grammy Awards ceremony.

Also, pop group U2 has been announced as another major act added to the evening’s lineup, along with the performance by Miley Cyrus and Elton John.

Previously announced performers for the evening include Childish Gambino, Logic, Cardi B and Bruno Mars and SZA.

The 60th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on CBS on Sunday, January 28, 2018, at 7:30 p.m. ET/4:30 p.m. PT.

(AllHipHop News) The Game is mourning the loss of his father, who died unexpectedly in his sleep earlier today.

According to reports, George Taylor was found in his home in Apple Valley, California after a family member found him unconscious in his bedroom.

Taylor, who was 65-years-old, was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to TMZ.com, the coroner’s office is examining George Taylor’s body, and at this point, no foul play is suspected.

The news comes just hours after Game hosted a recording session in his hometown of Los Angeles.

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(AllHipHop News) Eminem is heading to the Sundance Film Festival, sort of.

The rapper’s new film “BODIED” has been acquired by YouTube, in a high-profile deal which will see the film make its Sundance Film Festival premiere this year.

According to the film’s synopsis:

“BODIED” is a satirical story of Adam Merkin, a progressive grad student who becomes an accidental battle rapper whose success breeds outrage.

“BODIED” features a number of well known and critical acclaimed battle rappers, including Dizaster, Dumbfoundead, and Hollow Da Don.

The film is written by Alex “Kid Twist” Larsen and was directed and produced by legendary music video director Joseph Kahn, along with Eminem, his manager/Def Jam CEO Paul Rosenberg, and Jil Hardin.

The sneak preview of “BODIED” will take place at the Holiday Theater and Park City, Utah on Sunday, January 21st at 5:30 PM.

“BODIED” is set for a theatrical release this year, followed by its debut on YouTube Red in 2018.

(AllHipHop News) Rap superstar Future has signed on to reimagine soul legend Curtis Mayfield’s Superfly soundtrack for the 1972 film’s upcoming revamp.

Mayfield masterminded the music for the original cult blaxploitation crime drama, which was directed by Gordon Parks, Jr. and starred Ron O’Neal as an African-American cocaine dealer searching for a better life, and filmmaker Director X has recruited Future to take charge of the music for his remake.

The “Mask Off” hitmaker will also serve as one of the new movie’s producers, while fellow rapper 21 Savage is also in talks to take on a role in the film.

Trevor Jackson will take on O’Neal’s character, Priest, in the revamp, while “Straight Outta Compton” star Jason Mitchell, Lex Scott Davis, and Andrea Londo, among others, have also signed on.

The executive producers include Steven R. Shore, the son of the original film’s producer Sig Shore.

Director X insists there has never been a better time to revisit the film: “When I went back and watched the original, I was struck by how relevant the themes are,” he told Deadline. “The pursuit of the American Dream is eternal – everyone’s always on the hustle because you’ve got to be… and ‘Superfly’ is about pulling off the ultimate hustle to get out of the game.

“Our goal is to make it modern – to make a movie where the style, the art direction, the camera movements are all part of what makes the movie ‘Superfly.’ With this film, my goal is to honor the lineage of an iconic title that the community has loved for decades.”

He adds, “I’m also excited to be working with Future, both on the music and as a producer of the film. The original soundtrack is legendary, and that’s an inspiration for the artists that Future is working with to bring a singular modern musical vision to the film.”

(AllHipHop News) A$AP Ferg is making power moves, thanks to a new deal with Hennessy.

Rapper A$AP Ferg has joined forces with bosses at liquor brand Hennessy for a new promotional campaign.

The star has partnered with the Cognac company for a cocktail kit called The Hennessy Uptown, inspired by the 29-year-old’s unique style.

The musician, born Darold D. Brown Ferguson, Jr, appears in a YouTube promotional video for Hennessy, featuring music from his new album Family, and detailing his humble upbringing in Harlem, New York.

Fans among the first 100 to purchase the product will receive a limited-edition vinyl copy of Family.

(AllHipHop News) Atlanta rapper Jeezy just scored a fortune, after the remaining stake in the tequila brand he invested in was purchased today (January 17).

Avión was acquired by the multi-billion dollar global spirits brand Pernod Ricard according to reps for the company.

Representatives for Avión said Founder Ken Austin, President Jenna Fagnan, and Jeezy will remain highly involved and incentivized through an earn-out mechanism until at least 2020, to help fuel the brand’s next wave of growth.

“When I first became involved with Tequila Avión in 2013, I knew it had enormous potential on a global scale,” Jeezy told AllHipHop.com. “This next step with Pernod Ricard USA and continued partnership with Founder and Chairman, Ken Austin, will allow us to continue to grow the brand on the worldwide stage.”

Jeezy joined the Avión brand of tequila in 2013 as a Multicultural Advisor. He has since become an integral part of marketing the Avión brand to his millions of fans.

In addition to his music career, Jeezy’s investment portfolio includes Avion, his fitness water Defiance Fuel, and the rapper’s partnership in the Atlanta location of American Cut Steakhouse.

Avión also owns brands and wines like Absolut Vodka, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, Glenlivet, Jameson, Martell, Beefeater, Seagram’s Extra Dry Gin and dozens of other well-known brands.

(AllHipHop News) 50 Cent was the guest of honor on the Conan O’Brien’s show last night, and the Queen’s rapper did not mince his words, as usual.

50 was on the set of “Conan” promoting his new movie “Den of Thieves” when he addressed some previous controversial statements while making a few new ones.

The rapper discussed the United States President, Donald Trump, whom he likened to a rapper and Kanye West, who claims he will run for POTUS in 2020.

Although Fif wants to see Kanye West run for President, he implied the rapper was delusional, like Donald Trump.

“Kanye West compares himself to Steve Jobs, Picasso, Michael Jackson, Michael Jordan and Walt Disney. I think this is a part of building your self-esteem. It’s just built astronomically high, to see yourself the greatest as everything.” 50 Cent said. “I think it comes from that portion of your career, where no one actually believes in it and you have to have so much confidence for it to continue to exist.”

While speaking on rappers, 50 did not mince his words when the discussion turned to previous comments he made about Jay-Z’s#### album 4:44.

The rap star clarified some remarks he made about Jay-Z’s latest album, which he labeled as “golf music.”

50 claimed he “didn’t mean for the comment to be an insult” even though he claimed that 4:44 sounded just a little too “Carlton Banks.”

(AllHipHop News) YG, 4 Hunnid Records, Goldenvoice & True Religion have announced details for the “The Boogie” during All-Star Weekend.

YG’S 1st annual event is a one day event, jammed packed with multiple events throughout the day and night.

The “Daytime Boogie” will kick off at 11am in the parking lot area of The Shrine Expo Hall.

The first big event will feature a 3×3 celebrity basketball tournament with YG, Belly, Syd, Nipsey Hussle, DJ Mustard and Famous Dex hitting the court to show off their skills.

The rapper will host the “Nighttime Boogie” inside of The Shrine Expo Hall for an official concert starting at 8pm with DJ Mustard, Lil Pump and the 4Hunnid Records.

The two events are separate. The day event requires registration and entry is on a first come first serve basis while the official concert requires a separate purchased ticket to gain entry.

The Boogie kicks off Saturday, February 17th. Check the official flyer and visit theboogiefestival.com for more info.

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(AllHipHop News) Hip Hop stars Eminem and Childish Gambino are among the acts to perform at a series of shows ahead of the 2018 Grammy ceremony. Those Citi Sound Vault concerts are scheduled for Irving Plaza from January 24 to January 28.

Besides Em and CG, music fans can catch Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds, Thirty Seconds To Mars, and The National. The Roots are also set to present Jam Sessions on January 24 – 27 at the Gramercy Theatre.

Additionally, Childish Gambino will perform live at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards taking place January 28. The “Redbone” singer received five nominations this year from the Recording Academy, including nods for Album Of The Year and Best Urban Contemporary Album (Awaken, My Love!).

Citi cardmembers can register for tickets to the Citi Sound Vault concerts at citiprivatepass.com.