(AllHipHop News) Sir Mix-A-Lot was “surprised” after actress Blake Lively came under fire for using a lyric from his hit “Baby Got Back” to poke fun a Cannes Film Festival photo.
It wasn’t so much the red carpet photo that led to the drama, but the caption she posted, adding “L.A. face and Oakland booty” – drawing attention to the fact that her bottom is getting bigger with her second pregnancy, and using a line from the Sir Mix-A-Lot track “Baby Got Back (I Like Big Butts).”
Many followers found the reference racially insensitive, and took aim at the actress for being “disrespectful” towards women of color by suggesting the African-American women of Oakland, California have larger butts than their white peers.
“Another day, another rich white woman using WOC’s (women of color) bodies as a punchline and commodity,” one user tweeted.
While Blake has yet to respond to the backlash, rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot himself has come to the former “Gossip Girl” star’s defense, admitting he initially didn’t see anything wrong with her caption.
“A friend of mine, he said, ‘Dude, I know Katy Perry did this, one of the Kardashians did this, but I don’t understand, what did this girl do to make everybody p**sed off?’,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “So I checked it out, and looked at it and I was kind of… I liked it. You know, I like stuff like that, but I was a little surprised at the criticism.”
He continued, “If what Blake Lively meant by that comment was, ‘Oh my goodness, I’ve gained weight, I look horrible,’ if that’s what she meant – and I doubt that she did – then I’m with the critics. But no one in the world is gonna tell me that a woman that wears that dress is thinking that she’s fat. No, I’m sorry, it just doesn’t happen. It sounds like to me like she was giving the line props.
“I think she’s saying, ‘I’ve got that Oakland booty’ or ‘I’m trying to get it.’ I think we have to be careful what we wish for as African-Americans, because if you say she doesn’t have the right to say that, then how do you expect her to at the same time embrace your beauty? I mean, I don’t get it. I think it’s almost a nod of approval.”
He concluded, “That song was written with African-American women in mind, but trust me when I tell you that there are women out there with those curves everywhere and they were once considered fat. And that’s what the song was about. It wasn’t about some race battle.”
Social media celebrity and Pop Culture favorite Blac Chyna brings her influence and impact to the technology industry with the launch of her new “CHYMOJI” collection, created by emerging tech brand Glamroks, that debuted as the #1 most downloaded app in the Apple App Store.
The social media darling celebrated the release of her incredible 700+ custom emojis with a red carpet soiree inside Hard Rock Cafe Hollywood with celebrity guests Rob Kardashian.
Draya Michele, Marcus Paulk, Safaree Samuels, Rosa Acosta, Sincere Show, Karen Civil, Angel Brinks, Tami Roman, EJ King, Kid Red, Brandi Maxiell, Sundy Carter, DJ Duffey and more.
Rosa Acosta
Partygoers were the first to view Blac Chyna’s new “CHYMOJI” icons that depict her famous personality, humor, lifestyle, likes and loves, along with popular culture trends and more. Guests also enjoyed CHYMOJI-themed sweet treats by Sweet Mama’s, drinks, and music curated by DJ Looney.
“I’m so excited to finally be apart of the technology world! This is a significant step in my future of business ventures. Glamroks really did a great job with the roll out of ChyMoji. I’m proud to be apart of this venture,” says Blac Chyna. “There’s so much that I have in the works as far as my career is concerned. I’m just grateful that God has allowed these opportunities to find me.”
Rob Kardashian
Glamroks Founder/CEO Dez White says they are thrilled to partner with Blac Chyna on the company’s first emoji app.
“We’re over the moon! It took a total of four weeks to create from start to finish. Blac Chyna was very much involved with the creation process. She was very professional and great to work with. She selected everything from hairstyles, colors, facial expressions, and would send us pictures of certain things she wanted to incorporate,” notes White. “My favorite icons are those of her with a lollipop and blue hair and her twerking upside down. I was very impressed with our Art Director Shaun Harrison and the Gifs our team created, especially one of Chyna twerking on Rob [Kardashian].”
“We’re super excited! It’s been a work of passion to get [this collection] off the ground. We were able to incorporate [Blac Chyna’s] personality and humor into the emojis while also tying in her brand,” notes Shaun Harrison, Art Director at Glamroks. “My favorite icon is the one of her throwing money with Harriet Tubman on them in the air!”
Blac Chyna, the owner of Lashed cosmetics, Lashed Bar and 88 Fin, continues to thrive as a businesswoman. Her diversified entrepreneurial pursuits include creating mega-brands in the fashion, beauty and hair industries, while remaining most importantly an amazing mother to her son King.
Attorney Walter Mosley and Blac ChynaMalaysia PargoSafaree SamuelsKaren Civil and Sincere Show
It looks like Jussie Smollett pulled a little publicity stunt when he had Empire fans gasping at the idea that he would not be returning for season 3. “Jamal Lyon” tweeted,
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time w/ @EmpireFox .I love you all. Truth. Time to make a record and some movies.”
This tweet sent Empire fans into a frenzy as it seemed to suggest his departure from the series following the finale. After last night’s intense episode, fans were happy to see that Smollett was still alive after being shot. Smollett took to social media to explain that he never said he was leaving, he only said that he enjoyed his time there and it was time to expand, both of which he said are true. To comfort fans even more, he said,
“I’ll see yall season 3.”
Do you think Jussie pulled one on fans to get more people to tune in to the finale?
(AllHipHop News) Lastonia Leviston, Rick Ross‘ ex-girlfriend, is about to enter a new tax bracket compliments of 50 Cent.
50 Cent will pay millions to Leviston for promoting and leaking a sex tape in 2009. The rap mogul agreed to pay in a single lump sum so that she would drop a $7 million lawsuit against him, according to Bossip.
The judgement was a facet of a $23.4 million repayment plan 50 Cent must adhere to. If 50 doesn’t pay up in 30 days, the lawsuit of $7 million will be back in place as it once was.
50 Cent’s financial quandary has been all in the media recently.
A federal bankruptcy judge in Connecticut gave preliminary approval to a plan presented by 50’s legal team. He is reportedly in debt to a tune of $36 million.
(AllHipHop News) Wu-Tang legend RZA and Interpol’s Paul Banks have decided to form a new project entitled Banks & Steelz, which has a release date yet to be determined.
This morning (May 18), the debut song “Love & War” aired on Zane Lowe’s show on Apple Music.
The unlikely duo first began working with each other in 2013. RZA reflected on why he sought to create with the rock star.
“When I met Paul, I recognized the New York energy he has as a music artist. We got to know each other playing chess and vibing out in the studio,” RZA said. “Our talents connected in a unique way and we started writing songs. The outcome was something distinctively different from my previous work, yet with another layer of cool.”
The track will be available for digital purchase from all retailers tomorrow, while a video for “Love & War'” will premiere tomorrow.
RZA and the Interpol frontman also have dates set for future performance together as well.
Check out the venues below and click here for more info on the dynamic duo.
8/27-8/28 FYF FESTIVAL – Los Angeles, CA9/23-9/25 LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL – Las Vegas, NV9/30-10/2 + 10/7-10/9 – AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL – Austin, TX
It seems like a few of Bad Boy’s former artists are in their feelings about being left out of the Bad Boy reunion concert at Barclays as well as the tour that will follow.
First Brian Angel of Day 26 spoke up about Day 26’s omission, now B5’s Dustin wants to know why B5 isn’t on the tour. Do you think they deserve to be a part of this epic reunion tour?
We are just wondering who will comment next LOL. Da Band? Danity Kane? Dirty Money? Dream? Craig Mack? Shyne? Loon? Black Rob? G. Dep? Bad Boy South?
JK, but seriously, do you feel like Puff has the perfect line up with those that have been selected to perform?
It’s hard to say goodbye to “Empire” season 2, because when it comes to tabloid-esque just this side of ratchet drama, it’s so damned good. Even if it’s just a little summertime intermission before the start of season 3 in the fall, many will feel the loss of that Wednesday 9pm/8pm central Fox fix we’ve come to know and love so well.
Nevertheless, the difficulty of goodbyes notwithstanding, yesterday’s “Empire” season 2, Episode 18 finale was truly fun to watch. Chocked full of grisly revelations from the deep dark closet of Lucious’ past, intertwined with some heavy present day relationship reversal drama, and finished off with a WTF cliffhanger that is literally to die for, fans will definitely be eager to find out exactly what the h*ll happened when “Empire” resumes once again in the fall.
But until that day comes, we would be delighted rehash some of the best moments from a final episode that turned almost Shakespearean when it came to tragedy and, to borrow from Tariq (Morocco Omari) the Freak, some seriously “unholy” matrimony. However before we get into the specifics, be forewarned now that if you don’t want to know, this is your ***Spoiler Alert**** jumping off point:
Jamal Lyon (Jussie Smollett) is alive but not completely well. Thank goodness for little miracles, because Jamal being alive after being shot square in the gut by Freda Gatz (Bre-Z), is definitely not the norm. While the physical injuries suffered are on their way to being good as new, the same can’t be said for Jamal’s state of mind. While he isn’t suffering from any of the bi-polar problems that have been known to plague the Lyon family, he just isn’t himself – especially since he seems to have lost his love for music and performing. It is certainly unsettling when one of the most musically talented of the Lyons just doesn’t feel up to it anymore.
Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) has a Federal agent half brother that he didn’t know about. Say it isn’t so, but if you heard it from your mama like Lucious did straight from Leah Walker’s (Leslie Uggams) mouth, even if she’s got sanity issues, it’s likely true. Courtesy of the corroborating flashbacks from the younger mind of Lucious/Dwight Walker, it is revealed to the entire Lyon clan that Tariq, the Fed who is known for being a freak in the bedroom, is in fact Lucious’ half brother. And apparently Tariq and Leah have been knowing this for some time. Whether they also knew that Lucious, as a boy, was the sole witness to his father getting murdered is another matter entirely. There’s a couple of bones you don’t want to choke on during Thanksgiving dinner with the family.
Laura Calleros (Jamila Velazquez) leaves Hakeem Lyon (Bryshere Y. Gray) at the altar. When Anika Calhoun (Grace Gealey) gets served by the Feds via some tricky wait staff/process server maneuvering right before the entrance of the bride, some very ghetto drama breaks out involving physical fighting and one or two hookers up in the mix who shouldn’t have been at the wedding in the first place. When Laura comes out with her mother and father and the Calleros family trinity sees exactly what they are in for by merging with the Lyon Dynasty, Laura tells Hakeem that she’s out and leaves. Not exactly an exemplary ‘ride or die chick’ moment for Miss Laura.
Lucious Marries Annika. In a moment that would make anybody cringe, Lucious’ go to response to Annika getting served by the Feds and a newly empty altar is to immediately marry the woman who will otherwise be compelled to testify against him in court – yes, it’s Lucious’ idea that he marry Anika immediately after his youngest son has been stood up at the altar over bad business that no one but Lucious has perpetrated. Never mind that to her credit, Cookie (Taraji P. Henson) is the only Lyon who won’t witness the wedding. Never mind that Lucious is marrying the woman who is carrying his grandchild, aka Hakeem Lyon’s child. Truly incestuous business on a grand and very public scale. And then, immediately after Lucious marries Annika, he tells Annika that he knows that Rhonda Lyon (Kaitlin Doubleday) was telling the truth when she accused Annika of pushing her down the stairs and causing her to miscarry Andre Lyon’s (Trai Byers) unborn child. Now that is some serious dirt for any day of the week, let alone anybody’s wedding day.
Rhonda attacks Annika outside on the balcony after the wedding and one or the both of them fall over the side of the building. In a literal cliffhanger, when Rhonda gets the drop on Annika after Annika’s wedding, Annika admits that she WAS the one who pushed Rhonda down the stairs, and they engage in a life or death brawl on the top of the wedding venue. When Andre walks out on the balcony and sees what is happening, we hear one of the women scream as we see Andre’s horrified reaction – suggesting that one or both of them has fallen – presumably to their death. Can you say, what the f*ck?!?
(AllHipHop News) Kanye West is “fine just To practice” instead of having another baby with wife Kim Kardashian.
The 38-year-old rapper is father to two-year-old North and five-month-old Saint with Kim. She recently revealed he had been begging her to have another baby, but Kanye said that’s not the case as he appeared on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” airing on Thursday.
When Ellen asked him if he wanted another baby Kanye replied “Maybe,” while adding “Perhaps” when she asked if Kim wanted another one.
“Let’s see what happens,” he added. “I’m fine to just practice!”
Kanye lived up to his reputation as he launched a lengthy stream of consciousness on Ellen’s show, telling the audience that all he’s ever cared about is helping the human race.
Ellen also asked The Life of Pablo star about the now infamous incident where he asked Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for $53 million to help him out.
“Yes, I should have put it on Facebook,” Kanye laughed. “Now I understand why he didn’t hit me back. I understand that Zuckerberg doesn’t use Twitter and even though I have had dinner with him and his wife, and told him about how I wanted to help the world, and he said he’d help me and then blah blah blah.
“That’s how it feels though – it’s like ‘The Pursuit of Happyness,’ like it’s you’re trying to sell this bone density machine or something, you know in that movie? I feel that if I had more resources I could help more people. I have ideas that can make the human race’s existence within our 100 years better. Period. Fk the paparazzi, or whatever perception you have of me – starting with the truth, starting with what everyone’s thinking, start there, put some dope st with it.”
Another topic in Kanye’s lengthy rant was the diversity row surrounding the Academy Awards earlier this year. Will Smith and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith boycotted the ceremony due to the lack of nominations for black actors, and Kanye insisted the debate about diversity in Hollywood should be taken seriously.
“I don’t take the Oscars as a joke, ‘it was funny, you know what I’m saying’,” Kanye continued. “It was like the moment, all black actors can talk about the glass ceilings we’ve dealt with in this town. You go ahead, Chris Rock’s going to do it – talk about how many times you’ve been blocked from being able to excel. I didn’t take it as a joke – it ain’t no joke.”
Tackling other subjects such as how he is helping the world through his clothes and his condition Synesthesia, which enables him to see sound, Kanye concluded: “I’m sorry daytime television, I’m sorry for the realness.”
With Erislandy “The American Dream” Lara (22-2-2, 13KOs) vs. Vanes “The Nightmare” Martirosyan (36-2-1, 21KOs) finally set to fight this May 21, 2016 on Showtime from the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas after a four year long wait, in talking with both 154-pound fighters, it soon becomes clear that the passage of time has not dulled either fighter’s resolve to prove that the draw that was the result of their first fight was a gift to the other man.
“This is a very important fight to me,” stated Lara last week during the end of his training camp in Houston, Texas under the tutelage of trainer Ronnie Sheilds, who for a brief time was Martirosyan’s coach early on in “The Nightmare’s” fight career. “Our last fight unfortunately ended in a draw because of a clash of heads so we have some unfinished business to take care of. This time I’m not going to leave any doubt on who the better fighter is,” concluded Lara, who is currently the reigning WBA Super Welterweight World Champion.
Not surprisingly, Martirosyan has another perspective on who is the better 154 lb. fighter, as well as Lara’s claim that towards the end of Lara vs. Martirosyan I, Lara was on his way to stopping Martirosyan just before the fight ended prematurely. “I know (Lara) felt me in the first fight. He’s going to feel me ten times more in this fight. He wasn’t stopping s###,” said Martirosyan, adding: “The low blows were on purpose. Fight a clean fight and don’t play with my balls the whole fight and we’ll see who’s going to stop who in this one.”
Should be interesting to see the degree of action versus talk on Saturday night.
(AllHipHop News) So far, Desiigner is the breakout newcomer of 2016. The Brooklyn rhymer was featured on Kanye West’s The Life Of Pablo album, and last month his smash record “Panda” helped the then 18-year-old (he’s now 19) become the youngest male to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart since 2007.
WWD caught up with Desiigner for an interview. The discussion included the G.O.O.D. Music representative sharing his musical influences and his favorite rapper.
The article reads in part:
Asked where his musical influence comes from, he says,” [I was influenced by] all types of funk. My daddy and momma are old school. My sister listened to reggae and my homies listened to trap music.” Asked who his favorite rapper is, he states, “I’m my own favorite artist, but I love everybody’s music.” Asked if he has a favorite “Panda” remix — rappers including Fabolous, Lupe Fiasco and Meek Mill have created their own versions of the song — he replies, “I can’t pick out one. I can’t even speak on that one.”
While “Panda” has charted in the Top 20 in over 10 countries, some observers wonder if Desiigner will be able to create another hit. The artist once known as Designer Royel has another track titled “Zombie Walk” which comes with a possible meme-ready dance attached to it.
(AllHipHop News) Veteran emcee David Banner is returning with the new music video “Black Fist.” The Mississippi born rapper/producer spoke with AllHipHop.com about the visuals.
“If you feel a certain way about my video, then it shows you the white supremacist that is deep inside of you, if you feel funny about it,” stated Banner.
The sit down also includes Banner giving an update on his forthcoming album The God Box. The award-winning activist also discusses the state of men in Hip Hop as well as the white media establishment deciding which African-American performers will become stars.
“They take our black stars and they put them in a white movie. They take our favorite rapper and they’re just ‘do boys’ in movies,” says Banner. “We don’t make our stars. Stars don’t come from us anymore. Unless they go through that system and shine through that system, we don’t see any value in ourselves. White people have to take our leaders and give them back to us. I’m just not going to do that.”
By: Wynne Alexander
Political Director, CollegeHipHop.com Wynne Alexander is an investigative journalist who has interviewed national and international artists, icons, sports stars, business and political leaders including Muhammed Ali and Coretta Scott King. She is also the author of the pioneering civil rights book, Get It From the Drums.
While making one of many appearances on WDAS Radio’s The Listening Post, Malcolm X tells WDAS News Editor and host Joe Rainey, “I ‘m really happy to be here tonight Joe Rainey, honored and pleased. This is one of the few programs, a few years ago, that I could get on in this country and get an objective reception.”
That was more than an allusion to the fact that Malcolm X was not welcome in many places.
It was also a bit of an inside joke.
There were a lot of extra bodies milling around the station so it wasn’t easy getting in the studio that night. In fact, it was damn crowded.
During this particular broadcast, the WDAS studios on Edgeley Drive were surrounded both inside and out by Philadelphia Police and ‘civil disobedience’ officers. Reliable word had come down through the FBI and others that Malcolm X was going to be assassinated at the radio station.
WDAS Radio in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania had already amassed an extraordinary record of national leadership in the Rhythm & Blues broadcast music industry, pioneering news coverage and public affairs arenas. Yet the white and frankly, comfortably racist, general media rarely mentioned WDAS for all the comparative good the station was constantly doing through-out the 1950s, ’60s and 70s. But some issues were too big to ignore. Like —
100 Heavily Armed Cops, 14 Dogs and Canine Officers guarding WDAS in the dead of night protecting Malcolm.
The following articles are from December 30, 1964, with Philadelphia Daily News on the left and the Philadelphia Inquirer on the right.
(Editor’s Note: Why The Philadelphia Inquirer had no clue that WDAS award-winning News Director Joe Rainey was anything but a disc jockey remains a mystery of modern civilization. They certainly would not have made that mistake about one-time game show host Mike Wallace of CBS News.)
Photo: UPI Telefoto Services – Wynne Alexander Collection All Rights Reserved
Malcolm X arriving at WDAS Radio on the night of December 29, 1964 for the ‘live’ late night broadcast of ‘The Listening Post’ with host, Joe Rainey
General Manager Bob Klein and WDAS Vice President for News, Joe Rainey made a decision. Rainey knew how important broadcasts were to Malcolm X, now back from Mecca, with new visionary ideals, leading his own new organizations, and needing public exposure to boost his influence after breaking with the so-called Nation of Islam under Elijah Muhammad.
So amid an extraordinary police presence in the studio, in the halls, sharpshooters on the WDAS roof, and in the bushes — the show went on.
All was well in Studio B
The two men chatted as calmly as ever, with no hint of any threats or the dramatic backstage safety precautions. They joked about their mutual acquaintance with Nigerian President Azikiwe, spoke of Malcolm’s 5-month long trip through Africa, the Middle East and Europe, world economics, race relations, human nature and the Future.
All was well. The two men are looking forward. All seemed relatively fine – but not for long.
Malcolm X was killed less than two months later in the Audubon Ballroom in New York. A partial tape of that last WDAS Radio broadcast still exists.
Transcripts of other shows were found too — in the files of the FBI.
Along with papers like this, one of many:
W. Alexander Collection via and Thanks to Scholar Paul Lee
Photo: Courtesy Bob Klein Archive-All Rights Reserved.
Joseph H. Rainey III: WDAS newsroom guiding light. Renaissance man, civil rights leader, Executive Director of WDAS Charities, magistrate, boxing commissioner, scholar, athlete, track coach to Nigeria’s future president and “Liberator,” Nnamdi ‘Zik’ Azikiwe, WDAS Vice President for News and Public Affairs, co-creator and host of the ‘Listening Post,’ probably the first African-American radio talk show on the East Coast and the grandson of the first African-American congressman in United States history, noted opponent of the Ku Klux Klan, the Honorable Joseph H. Rainey, Sr.
Joe Rainey’s cutting edge news judgment, sense of history, style and guts gave WDAS Radio the indisputable credibility necessary to change the minds of so many. Rainey’s relationship with Malcolm X was one amazing example of his many great calls. Joe Rainey was also a visionary.
To say that Malcolm X was misunderstood in his lifetime is an enormously tragic understatement.
The world’s embrace of Malcolm X in recent times is not what he experienced himself during his lifetime. He was a man of the future, of big thoughts, big enough to change his mind, to allow the Light to lead him.
Enlightenment personified.
But we live in a world that trashes its treasures. Look around – centuries of trashing treasures.
Yet again, the world didn’t know what it had.
So many people didn’t get it, didn’t know him, didn’t like him, didn’t give a damn.
Who mourned for Malcolm X ?
Joe Rainey did.
He lost a friend.
VIDEOS: More On Malcolm X with Wynne Alexander
To contact Wynne Alexander for an upcoming follow up piece, please email: [email protected]
(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop icon and well-known hoopster Snoop Dogg will host a charity basketball game to raise money for victims of Flint’s water crisis called “Hoops 4 Water” reports recently revealed.
This event is being organized by Morris Peterson, former Toronto Raptors star and Flint native, and will take place this Saturday at 2pm at the Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center in Flint.
All proceeds from this event will go to the Morris Peterson Jr. Foundation for water relief efforts.
“I’ll tell you what, Snoop loves Flint. He is doing this from his heart, and he’s not asking for a dime. He’s coming down here on his own merit, and he’s concerned with what he can do for the city,” Peterson told Michigan Live when inquired about Snoop’s involvement in the event.
The Flint water crisis began in April 2014 after Michigan officials began to use the Flint River as a water source, but failed to add the proper chemical treatment causing the lead-poisoning crisis.
(AllHipHop News) Adrien Broner has exited the ring to jump in the booth. The boxer dropped a rap video to Desiigner’s “Panda” titled “Slammer (Panda Freestyle).”
The clip features AB taking shots at his sometimes friend, sometimes foe Floyd Mayweather. Broner spits, “If you ain’t none of them n-ggas and repping that Money Team, sh-t, swear to God you can get it!”
Broner has talked about his relationship with Mayweather in several recent interviews.
During a sit down with AllHipHop.com, the 26-year-old Cincinnati native said, “We ain’t at odds with each other. If he was in New York, he’d call me and tell me to come over.”
Among the people on hand to celebrate the life of Chinx was his mother. Veronica Clinton also used the opportunity to address Coke Boys leader French Montana and Bad Boy Records head Sean “Diddy” Combs.
“P. Diddy and French Montana need to come out and see me,” said Clinton. “They ain’t said nothing to me since my child been dead. Even when my child was dead, they didn’t say nothing to me.”
Apparently, Clinton spoke to French at her son’s funeral.
“I asked French, ‘Why did y’all do that to my child?’ He said, ‘Because he wouldn’t listen,'” claimed Clinton. “I told French, ‘You’re not his father, but I am his mother.’ And there were no more words after that.”
Clinton also suggested that Chinx’s death was linked to the 2007 killing of fellow Far Rockaway native Stack Bundles. Police reportedly believe the two murders are connected as well.
According to Billboard, Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Cypress Hill’s B-Real are teaming with Rage Against The Machine’s Tom Morello, Tim Commerford, and Brad Wilk for Prophets of Rage.
Apparently, the new Hip-Hop/Rock conglomerate will not include RATM lead vocalist Zack de la Rocha.
It looks as if Prophets of Rage will be making their live debut on June 3 at Hollywood Palladium. The possibility of a full summer tour is being talked about as well.
In a move that would seem to suggest the complete opposite, Ring Magazine and Lineal Middleweight World Champion Canelo Alvarez (47-1-1, 33KOs) has issued an official statement to the press that while he has no “fear” of any man, he will be vacating his WBC title, effectively refusing in theory to fight any mandatory opponent that the WBC would require him to battle in order to keep his title belt.
Before this decision, much had been made of the fact that in order to maintain his WBC belt, Canelo Alvarez would finally have to face his undefeated mandatory opponent Gennady “GGG” Golovkin (35-0, 32KOs), who has been chasing a fight for the WBC belt since Sergio Gabriel Martinez (51-3-2, 28KOs) first won it against Kelly Pavlik (40-2, 34KOs) in April 2010.
Despite this decision, Alvarez still claims that he is eager to fight GGG.
“I instructed my team at Golden Promotions to continue negotiating a fight with Gennady “GGG” Golovkin and to finalize a deal as quickly as possible,” stated Alvarez, continuing,”for the entriety of my fight career, I have taken the fights that no one wanted because I fear no man. Never has that been more true than today. I will fight “GGG,” anf I will beat “GGG”but I will not be forced into the ring by artificial deadlines.”
Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya was quick to second his fighter’s sentiment when it came to deadlines and their wish to remain unfettered by them.
“There is no denying that Canelo is the biggest star in the sport of boxing. (Canelo) is eager to get in the ring with “GGG” to show the world that he is also the best pound for pound fighter in the sport, but we won’t negotiate under a forced deadline.”
Sound logic possibly, with the exception that “eager” people don’t tend to have any issues with deadlines.
However, as AllHipHop.com was told by HBO’s Roy Jones Jr.less than a month ago, perhaps it’s a certain senator from the Philippines, aka the honorable Manny Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38KOs) whom Canelo is looking to nudge out of retirement for equal risk but bigger money before signing on the dotted line when it comes to the likes of Golovkin.
While Pacquiao has been quite adamant that he is out of boxing for the time being, his coach Freddie Roach, and his fight promoter Bob Arum have been quite emphatic in their beliefs that boxing fans could see a return from the Filipino politician.
“Yes, Manny ended his career,” stated Roach in speaking with the press shortly after Pacquiao’s final fight against Timothy Bradley, adding, “but personally I can say that it is very difficult to finish a career in boxing, because this sport simply draws you back in.”
According to Deadline, The Michel’le Story will star Rhyon Nicole Brown (Lincoln Heights) as the “No More Lies” performer. R. Marcos Taylor once again picks up the role of Michel’le’s ex-husband Suge Knight.
Taylor was cast as Knight in the 2015 N.W.A. biographical film Straight Outta Compton. Fellow Death Row co-founder and Michel’le ex-lover Dr. Dre will be portrayed by Curtis Hamilton.
The Michel’le Story joins a series of upcoming movies based on the lives of 1990’s Hip Hop stars. Films about Tha Dogg Pound, Master P, Cash Money, and 2Pac are in the works as well.
Principle photography for Lifetime’s The Michel’le Story is scheduled to begin in June.
(AllHipHop News) Drake and Alessia Cara will be lead the pack at Canada’s top music video awards after landing seven nominations each.
The rapper’s “Hotline Bling” will face-off against the teen singer’s “Here” in the Video of the Year category, which also includes Belly and The Weeknd’s “Might Not,” Grimes’ “Fresh Without Blood,” and “I Know What You Did Last Summer” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello.
Drake’s viral video is also nominated for Best Director, Best Hip-Hop Video, Most Buzzworthy Canadian, Fan Fave Artist Or Group, and Fan Fave Video, while his “My Love” collaboration with Majid Jordan is up for Best MuchFact Video.
Breakout artist Cara’s other nods are for Best Pop Video, Most Buzzworthy Canadian, Best New Canadian Artist, iHeartRadio Canadian Single of the Year, Fan Fave Artist Or Group, and Fan Fave Video.
Meanwhile, last year’s big winner The Weeknd grabbed six nominations – three for “Can’t Feel My Face,” and three for his duet with Belly.
Pop star Shawn Mendes also scored six nods, including Most Buzzworthy Canadian.
Other multiple nominees include Adele, Zayn Malik, Taylor Swift, Nick Jonas, and Fifth Harmony.
The awards ceremony, hosted by supermodel Gigi Hadid, will be held in Toronto, Canada on June 19.
Cara, Jonas, Hailee Steinfeld, Fifth Harmony, Tegan and Sara, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis are all billed to perform.
By: Wynne Alexander
