(AllHipHop News) Supermodel-turned-actress Naomi Campbell is reuniting with Empire director Lee Daniels once more for his new musical drama “Star.”
The British beauty had a recurring role in Hip-Hop drama series “Empire,” alongside Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson, and now she has scored a new gig as a regular on “Star,” a new show which follows the rise of a trio of aspiring singers, portrayed by newcomers Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O’Grady.
Campbell will play wealthy Rose Spencer, the London-born mother of Destiny’s character Alexandra.
She joins a cast which includes Queen Latifah and Benjamin Bratt, while Naomi’s longtime pal, Lenny Kravitz, will guest star.
The casting is good news for Daniels as he recently had to find a new showrunner after Charles Murray stepped down.
He has since appointed Charles Pratt to take over the job. Daniels created the show with Tom Donaghy, and also directed the pilot episode. A premiere date has yet to be set.
Nas, Todd Gurley, Wiz Khalifa, the LA Rams and Xbox recently celebrated the upcoming release of Gears of War 4 the Microsoft Lounge in Venice, California.
One of gaming’s most celebrated franchise is officially launching exclusively on Xbox One and Window 10 on October 11th.
Check out other celebs who received a sneak peek of the highly anticipated game.
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: (L-R) Pro football player Todd Gurley and rappers 2 Chainz and Nas attend the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 Launch Event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Rapper French Montana attends the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 launch event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Pro football players Michael Brockers, left, and Jamon Brown attend the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 launch event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: (L-R) Pro football players Kenny Britt, Benny Cunningham and Todd Gurley attend the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 launch event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Rapper Nas and guests attend the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 launch event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Rapper Wiz Khalifa attends the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 Launch Event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: (L-R) DJ Skee, rapper French Montana, guest and Aaron Greenberg, General Manager, Xbox Games Marketing, attend the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 launch event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Actor Duane Henry and guest attend the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 launch event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
VENICE, CA – SEPTEMBER 29: Rappers Wiz Khalifa, left, and 2 Chainz attend the Nas, Todd Gurley and LA Rams Host Xbox & Gears of War 4 launch event at The Microsoft Lounge on September 29, 2016 in Venice, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Xbox)
(AllHipHop News) The latest edition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe arrived this week in the form of the Netflix series Luke Cage.
The show’s creator, Cheo Hodari Coker, made a strong effort to connect Luke Cage with Hip Hop culture.
Each episode of the superhero story shares the name of songs by the East Coast rap duo Gang Starr (ex: “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight?” and “DWYCK”).
Coker also tapped Hip Hop producers Adrian Younge (Ghostface Killah, Souls Of Mischief) and Ali Shaheed Muhammad (A Tribe Called Quest, D’Angelo) to score Luke Cage.
The tunes associated with the show have been described as having a “90s Hip Hop vibe,” but Younge tells AllHipHop.com that viewers should not expect the soundscape to only feature rap music.
“Luke Cage is a Hip Hop head. But, as you know, being part of Hip Hop culture doesn’t mean you just listen to Hip Hop music.” says Younge. “You also listen and understand the source material that created Hip Hop like the breaks, Jazz, and Funk – all the stuff that helped spawn the notion of Hip Hop.”
He continues, “So the music that we make encapsulates all of that – Hip Hop, the source material, and a combination of these genres – in order to make something new for Luke Cage. It’s basically all of that.”
Younge and Muhammad worked with a 30-piece orchestra conducted by notable Los Angeles musician Miguel Atwood-Ferguson.
“It’s basically if you can imagine the filthiest beat with a full orchestra on top of it. Look at it like that. That’s the kind of stuff we’re allowed to do,” explains Younge.
ArtDontSleep will present music from the show at the Marvel’s Luke Cage: The Live Score event taking place at L.A’s The Theatre at Ace Hotel on October 6.
The following day, Marvel’s Luke Cage Original Soundtrack Album will be available at digital retailers and streaming services.
By now, we know this is all theater, but Meek has just made things a bit more interesting. He’s essentially agreed to fight The Game when they see each other. It seems like this soap opera of beef will never end with these curve balls getting thrown around.
The stars of WE tv’s “Growing Up Hip-Hop” hit the red carpet earlier this week at a screening to celebrate the new season, as well as the debut of the new series “Money. Power. Respect.”
The cast hit a screening at New York City’s Paley Center for Media with friends, family and network execs, including Master P., Romeo, Boogie Dash,Cymphonique and WEtv President and GM Marc Juris.
“Growing Up Hip Hop” and the debut of the new series “Money. Power. Respect” will launch Thursday, October 13 at 9pm and 10pm, respectively.
Boogie Dash, Egypt Criss, Kristinia DeBarge, Romeo Miller and Angela Yee attend WE tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop Season 2 Premiere Screening And After Party on September 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images for WE tv)
SEPTEMBER 29: Boogie Dash, Egypt Criss, Kristinia DeBarge, Romeo Miller and Angela Yee speak onstage during WE tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop Season 2 Premiere Screening And After Party on September 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by D Dipasupil/Getty Images for WE tv)
Romeo Miller, Cymphonique Miller and Master P attend WE tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop Season 2 Premiere Screening And After Party on September 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for WE tv)
President and General Manage at WE tv Marc Juris, Romeo Miller, EVP of Development and Original Programming at WE tv Lauren Gellert, Cymphonique Miller and Master P attend WE tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop Season 2 Premiere Screening And After Party on September 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for WE tv)
Kendell Kelly, Wendy Credle, Tiffany Ballard, Mona Scott-Young, Ed Woods, Dana Whitfield and Nakia Thomas attend WE tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop Season 2 Premiere Screening And After Party on September 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for WE tv)
Dana Whitfield and Lord Jamar attend WE tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop Season 2 Premiere Screening And After Party on September 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for WE tv)
EVP of Development and Original Programming at WE tv Lauren Gellert, President and General Manager at WE tv Marc Juris, and Producer Mona Scott-Young attend WE tv’s Growing Up Hip Hop Season 2 Premiere Screening And After Party on September 29, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for WE tv)
(AllHipHop News) R&B star John Legend is joining the cast of his hit slave drama “Underground” to portray famed abolitionist Frederick Douglass.
The “All of Me singer” serves as an executive producer of the show, which centres on America’s Underground Railroad, a network of safe houses and secret routes created to help African-Americans escape bondage before slavery was banned at the conclusion of the United States Civil War in 1865.
Now Legend will step back in time himself to bring author, orator and political reformist Douglass to life onscreen in the second season of Underground. Douglass isn’t the only historical figure to feature on the show – Aisha Hinds will play Harriet Tubman, while Chris Chalk will portray another key abolitionist, William Still, on the series.
Season two is currently being filmed in Georgia, ahead of a planned March, 2017 premiere.
Legend has been building up his resume as a film and TV producer since launching his Get Lifted Film Company in 2011.
The star is currently developing “Black Wall Street,” a new series about one of America’s most famous affluent black neighbourhoods, while he also worked on “Southside with You,” a romantic drama based on U.S. President Barack Obama’s first date with his now wife, First Lady Michelle.
They were played onscreen by Parker Sawyers and Tika Sumpter, respectively.
Meanwhile, Legend has also flexed his acting muscles on the big screen in Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone’s upcoming movie musical, “La La Land,” which he also produced.
The Hollywood-set musical, about two aspiring artists who fall in love, has already generated early Oscars buzz after Stone was named Best Actress at the Venice Film Festival in Italy in early September, while the movie recently won the prestigious People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada.
(AllHipHop News) A public viewing was held for rapper Shawty Lo last night (September 30) in Atlanta, drawing hundreds of fans, supporters and mourners.
The viewing for the former DFL member took place at Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Atlanta, following the 40-year-old rap star’s death in a violent car crash.
After the funeral, Shawty Lo’s casket was driven around Atlanta and stopped at the Blue Flame Lounge where more fans paid their respect to the late rapper, born Carlos Walker.
Today,, a funeral will take place at Jackson Memorial, while a memorial concert is slated for October 7th as part of the annual A3C festival taking place next weekend.
DFL, Rick Ross, Young Dolph and Royce da 5’9 are among the artists slated to hit the stage in honor of Shawty Lo.
(AllHipHop News) Atlanta MC Bone Crusher recently dished some trash talk Pastor Troy’s way in anticipation of his upcoming MC War battle with the “No Mo Play In G.A.” rapper.
“Troy, I hope you’re ready, because I’m gonna be ready,” Bone Crusher told AllHipHop.com. “You’ve known me a very long time. You know I aint scared, I aint never been scared,” the rapper said in reference to his 2003 hit “Never Scared.”
He continued: “I know you got that belt over there, holding onto that thinking that’s gonna help you. It aint gonna help you. You can’t find comfort in that, because I’m coming.”
Bone Crusher’s rap battle with Pastor Troy will be presented by MC War Pr0motions and Fight Tyme.
The battle is set for October 8th and will be held at an undisclosed location in Atlanta during A3C Festival weekend.
Also, fans can live stream the two Georgia natives’ lyrical clash on mcwar.com. Production for the battle will be provided by Stroud of Hustle Gang.
(AllHipHop News) Hip-Hop legend turned heavyweight business mogul Jay Z recently signed an exclusive deal with movie mogul Harvey Weinstein.
The deal The Weinstein Co. will allow Jay Z to produce movies and scripted/unscripted shows for television.
“Having known Jay on a personal level for many years we are thrilled by the opportunity to expand our relationship. Jay’s ability to influence entertainment and pop culture has gone well beyond music for many years.” said Weinstein in a statement.
Weinstein then added: “We already have some exceptional projects in the works and are excited to see what more is to come.”
According to Deadline, The Weinstein company also recently signed a first look deal with Training Day and Southpaw director Antoine Fuqua.
Jay Z is no stranger to the film industry as well, as he was a producer on the Jamie Foxx remake of Annie, exec producer on Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby and also co-producer on the Chris Rock-directed Top Five.
It seems that everyone loves the 6 God, even the kids!
6ix year old Leah, will be getting even more Drake-related joy than that already experienced at her Drake-themed birthday party.
Leah’s mother threw the elementary student an Aubrey Gram inspired birthday bash that included Drake balloons, OVO colors, and ‘If You Are Reading This It’s Too Late’ mixtape invitations.
The youngin’ quickly received a great amount of social media attention.
Complex posted a photo of little Leah and her Drake-inspired party on Instagram, and Drake jumped in the comments to say,
“OVO 12’s for her ASAP.”
Although she’s too young to understand the value of Jordans, she will certainly understand the value of a Drake gift! Leah certainly just leveled up!
Drizzy might be turning Leah into a future sneaker head!
The West Coast Rap star takes to the streets with new single
LA Artist Kenny Kingpin wasted no time! Blessing the streets with yet another hustler’s anthem dubbed “Bag-N-Go,” following his well acclaimed EP, “Better Than Dope Money.” Kenny Kingpin brings to life the street character “Mr. Hoodopoly” who is seen grabbing the money and getting ghost. Merchandise featuring the new character will be available for purchase late 2016.
To keep up with Kenny Kingpin & purchase Mr. Hoodopoly gear follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @KennyKingpin.
(AllHipHop News) R&B star The Weeknd has been recently announced as the latest brand ambassador and creative collaborator for Puma.
The Hollywood Reporter comfirmed that the singer’s collaboration with the fashion giant will include sneakers and apparel designed by the star himself.
A press release further indicated that the collection “is a fusion of Puma’s sport-inspired designs and The Weekend’s street-motivated aesthetics as seen in his label, XO.”
The artist will also be starring in Puma’s Sportstyle campaign “Run The Streets,” which is slated for a November launch.
The Weeknd will represent Puma’s Sportstyle styles IGNITE Limitless footwear and IGNITE evoKNIT, along with Evo Apparel.
Prices have yet to be revealed for The Weeknd’s latest collaboration with Puma, but a 2017 release is expected.
(AllHipHop News) Producer/artist DJ Mustard returns with his new project Cold Summer.
Following 2014’s 10 Summers, Mustard’s latest LP includes appearances by Ty Dolla $ign, YG, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, John Legend, Young Thug, Quavo, Jeremih, OT Genesis, Nipsey Hussle, and more.
“This past year I’ve grown a lot, both as a producer and a DJ. You can hear it in my music,” says Mustard. “Touring oversees with Rihanna and seeing the fans I have all over the world inspired by me – it was motivation to release this album and not let them down.”
Besides putting together his sophomore album, the Los Angeles native has also produced songs for Ty Dolla, Rihanna, Nelly, Kid Ink, and others during the last 12 months.
Cold Summer is now available at iTunes, Google Play and Tidal. The collection will be at all digital retailers worldwide beginning October 2.
(AllHipHop News) Rapper Kid Cudi recently took to his social media to reveal that the release of his upcoming album Passion,Pain & Demon Slayin has been delayed.
The artist had previously taken to his Instagram to announce a September 30 release for the project before posting a lengthy statement to his social media detailing the highly anticipated project’s delay.
“Due to some minor sample clearances still being finalized, we miss our deadline for tonight’s release,” Cudi explained in his Twitter post.
The news is not all bad however, as he did reveal that two singles from the project, “Frequency,” and “Surfin,” will be dropping within the next two days.
Earlier this week the rapper had also release the tracklist for the project, with Pharrell, Andre 3000, Travis Scott, and more set to make an appearance.
Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin currently has no set release date. Check out Kid Cudi’s announcement below.
(AllHipHop News) Harlem rapper, actor, and model A$AP Rocky is taking on another gig. The A$AP Mob front man has been named the creative director of MTV Labs.
“MTV is a name we grew up with – everyone knows them as innovators and champions of building artists’ careers. I’m honored to have this opportunity and can’t wait to show people what we have been working on,” said A$AP Rocky in a statement.
In addition, Rocky is set to performed never-before-heard tracks from A$AP Mob’s upcoming Cozy Tapes Vol 1 in MTV’s Times Square studio on Friday, September 30.
A performance of the track “Crazy Brazy” featuring Rocky and Key! will be broadcast on MTV at 6:25 p.m. ET and streamed across MTV platforms. Other A$AP Mob members are expected to make special appearances during the set.
A$AP Rocky’s new position with MTV Labs is part of a business cooperation between the native New Yorker’s own AWGE company and the network’s in-house creative agency Viacom Velocity.
“As a dominant platform for youth culture, MTV has always given voice to fans and tapped artists who can deeply connect to them,” states Niels Schuurmans, EVP and Chief Creative Officer of Viacom Velocity. “A$AP Rocky is a unique Millennial artist whose influence as an innovator and disruptor spans music, film, art, and fashion. What was so compelling to us is his authentic love for fans and the MTV brand, along with his desire to collaborate with us and our marketing partners to develop ideas that drive real cultural impact.”
Rocky and AWGE will assist in creating original content for MTV as well as develop branded content for advertisers in partnership with Viacom Velocity.
Earlier this week, Apple Music released a commercial for Mary J. Blige’s new series with the company, “The 411.” The series takes after the title of Blige’s first album “What’s The 411.”
In the clip, Blige serenaded Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton with “American Skin” by Bruce Springsteen.
This song is about Guinean immigrant Amadou Diallo being gunned down by New York police in 1999.
Although the lyrics of the song still hold true to what’s going on with police brutality and injustice in the United States today, viewers felt pretty awkward while watching the clip.
Mary experienced much ridicule and became the subject of a few clever memes as a result of the clip.
During a press run for her upcoming show, Blige defends herself by explaining that by being a singer first, she just did what came naturally to her.
“I wanted to incorporate the song in the show because the lyrics resonated with me so deeply and so heavily because of all the shootings and police brutality and I never got a chance to say anything. I’m a singer first …so that’s the only way I can express myself and …the only way I can get that reaction from (Hillary) is to sing it.”
Many felt the moment was forced, but according to Mary it was an organic moment that she believes Hillary felt. Do you think Hillary was feeling it?
Well, we’ll never have to sit through this awkward moment again as Mary vows to never sing to any of her other guests. Mary was pretty fed up as she also tweeted and deleted a message to her critics telling everyone to shut the f*ck up!
Today, September 30, 2016 Freddie Gibbs was found not guilty. We have always maintained unconditionally and without any doubt that Freddie would be and now has been fully exonerated and completely vindicated. We are pleased and thankful that the court recognized the same trust and confidence we and all of his fans have had in Freddie that justified and resulted in his absolute acquittal. Immediately after his acquittal I spoke with Freddie who expressed his deeply sincere, heartfelt gratitude and thanks to his fiancé Erica Dickerson for her unwavering support, for the steadfast and incomparable loyalty of his long time friend and manager Ben “Lambo” Lambert, for the extraordinary work and effort of his lawyers and for the overwhelming outpouring of love he has received from his fans. He says, “Thank you!”
While we are appreciative of the verdict of not guilty, nothing has changed. The actual facts have always demonstrated that Freddie was and is 100% innocent. It is now self-evident he was wrongly accused. The trial has confirmed our belief that after a searching and complete investigation and trial the true and actual facts would be revealed – that there always was an absence of any scientific, physical, or credible evidence that would warrant in any way such an accusation. Freddie and his family look forward to returning to the States so he can resume his life and career.
Gibbs was arrested in Toulouse, France in June. Austria then sought to extradite him to the country to face accusations of an alleged rape from 2015.
Gibbs’ manager, Ben Lambert, also addressed the not guilty verdict on Instagram.
Lambert wrote:
The truth has come to light. Freddie has been acquitted of the false accusations. He’s coming home a free man. Thank you to everyone who has been by our side these past 4 months, sending us good vibes, praying for us. Thank God. To new beginnings…
(AllHipHop News) Rumors began circulating online overnight that South Florida rapper Denzel Curry suffered a serious injury during his show in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Curry has appeared to confirm the stories via social media.
“I’m still alive,” wrote the “Ultimate” rhymer in one tweet posted around 11:30 pm.
He later added, “I could [have] died tonight…. But my dreads saved my life.”
According to reports, Curry began climbing a wall divider inside The International venue, fell from the structure, and busted through the ceiling of a woman’s bathroom.
Despite possibly landing on his head, fans say the 2016 XXL Freshman Class member got up and continued performing before getting medical attention.
Curry also posted a photo on Instagram with his head wrapped in bandages.
