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Kid Capri’s Daughter Was Recognized By Mayor Eric Adams For Empowering Communities’ Music & Service

Vina Love, the talented recording artist and proud Harlem native, has recently been honored by Mayor Adams of New York for her outstanding contributions to her community through music and service. This recognition is a testament to her dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of others, particularly the youth and single mothers. Vina’s achievements were celebrated at her new single release party, where her father, Grammy Producer Kid Capri, stood proudly by her side. 

One of the remarkable ways Vina has empowered her community is through her involvement with clothing and back-to-school drives for youth, homeless, and single mothers. As a guest speaker for Wilberforce University, class of 2020. Love inspired the graduating class with her powerful words and music, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and overcome obstacles. 

In addition, Vina actively participates in panel discussions for Ballin 4 Peace, an annual event that promotes anti-violence and anti-drug messages among students. Through her involvement, she raises awareness and encourages young people to make positive choices that will shape their futures. 

Vina Love’s dedication to empowering individuals and making a difference in her community is truly commendable. Her education, skills, and passion have the potential to positively impact the lives of teens and students, inspiring them to reach for greatness and make a difference in their own communities. 

“ I’m very proud, shoutout to @nycmayor for recognizing my daughter @vinalove hard work and dedication, keep being great babygirl” says the Grammy Producer  Kid Capri 
As we continue to follow Vina Love’s journey, let’s support her by following her on social media and streaming her latest single ‘Around You’. Together, we can celebrate her achievements and be inspired by her dedication to making a positive impact in the world. Keep up with her on social media @vinalove and @amoreloverecords.

Creative Emerging Artist Sin City Cairo Releases Music Video “How Could I Not Cry”

Korollos Nakhla, also known by his stage name “Sin City Cairo” was born on February 13, 1987. Being a first-generation Egyptian American, he believes it’s his mission to give his family the life they deserve. Passionate about music, Cairo feels Hip Hop is what he was born to do.

How Could I Not Cry

Sin City Cairo returns with a new music video shot on a movie set located in Burbank, CA. The song, “How Could I Not Cry” is a tribute to his late father who passed away from COVID-19 on Nov 1st 2021. The song featured on his 6th studio album, “Better Late Than Never” which dropped earlier this year has gained major popularity on Spotify with nearly 200k streams and growing.

Shot and directed by Stretch who also produced and recorded the record has been working with Sin City Cairo for several years now. The video shot on a Hospital set, bar set as well as a cemetery really brings the song and lyrics to life.

Sin City Cairo – How Could I Not Cry

Directed By: Stretch

Produced By: Stretch

Location: Burbank/Los Angeles, California

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/SinCityCairo/

Website: https://sincitycairo.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SinCityCairo

Denzel Washington Shines In The Record-Breaking “The Equalizer 3”

By Chris “Boogie” Brown

Before we review this movie, let’s establish something. “The Equalizer 3,” marking Denzel Washington’s third portrayal of the brooding assassin Robert McCall, dominated the US box office in its debut weekend, amassing an impressive $34.5 million in earnings. This makes it the second-highest opening for a Labor Day weekend, trailing only behind Marvel’s 2021 blockbuster “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which amassed an impressive $75 million within its initial three days. With the actor’s strike, Mr. Washington’s latest may have raked in more money with more promotion and press.

Nevertheless, the goat strikes gold.

Robert McCall, a skilled and dangerous former Marine and DIA agent played by Brother D, finds himself planted in a small town in Italy after a series of explosive events. McCall quickly develops a fondness for the peaceful people of this community, but he also comes to realize that it is under the control of local mafia figures. After witnessing numerous acts of violence against the townsfolk, McCall once again takes action, seeking retribution and justice for those unable to defend themselves.

This simple and straightforward framework makes “The Equalizer 3” the leanest entry in the franchise, with a runtime of just under 2 hours. The film also takes a quieter, more subdued approach, grounded in realism compared to its predecessors. In this particular chapter, we see Robert McCall as more reflective, contemplating retirement and yearning to leave his violent past behind by settling down in the tranquil town. While the film isn’t action-packed from start to finish, the action sequences it does have are purposeful, explosive, and extremely intense.

Under the excellent direction of Antoine Fuqua and with gorgeous cinematography by Robert Richardson, “The Equalizer 3” is visually stunning, capturing the breathtaking landscapes of Southern Italy and the dark depths of the criminal underworld portrayed in the story. The film also features a strong performance from Dakota Fanning, who reunites with Denzel 19 years after their collaboration in the 2004 classic “Man on Fire.” While the film’s villains are somewhat generic, their despicable actions build anticipation for their eventual reckoning at the hands of McCall.

Lastly, Denzel Washington is absolutely outstanding as Robert McCall, a role he has portrayed for the past 9 years. Whether it’s moments of introspection, investigative observation, or vengeful retaliation, Washington’s charisma, acting prowess, and on-screen presence are truly remarkable. Given that Denzel Washington is nearing 69 years old, the action scenes involving physicality are intentionally quick, grounded in realism, and employ a stealthier approach compared to the previous two installments. Nonetheless, the intensity of these scenes remains gripping and highly entertaining.

With “The Equalizer 3,” Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington have delivered a thrilling and satisfying conclusion to the Equalizer franchise. While the villains may adhere to a generic mold and the overall story follows a somewhat formulaic path, the film’s sharp direction, stunning cinematography, crowd-pleasing action, and Denzel Washington’s phenomenal acting make it an engaging entry in the Action/Thriller genre. Whether you’re a fan of Denzel or the previous Equalizer films, I wholeheartedly recommend giving this one a watch.

Kanye West, Wife Could Face Criminal Charges Over Lewd Boat Ride

Kanye West and Bianca Censori were reportedly banned for life from the Italian boat company Venezia Turismo Motoscafi for lewd conduct, but they are also under investigation by Italian law enforcement for possibly breaking “standards of public decorum” while on an NSFW boat ride.

According to Page Six, an insider said that after he mooned passersby while on a Venice river taxi, officials believed he and the people occupying the craft should be questioned.

“The images show the couple clearly in a state of intimacy, and if the local prosecutor decides to press charges, then we will notify the couple, most probably through the relevant Embassies,” the source said, adding that the police got “complaints from people who witnessed” West’s bare booty.

Pictures show West with his derriere hanging out while cradling Censori’s head in full view of people casually chilling all around.              

“The offense being investigated is acts contrary to public decency, which is punishable by an administrative sanction … any breaches are severely punished,” the insider continued.

The video in question shows the music producer with his pants down and one of his workers kneeling next to him and his 28-year-old wife—doing something.

In response to the incident, the boating company issued a statement asserting that the captain had no knowledge of any inappropriate behavior transpiring at the rear of the boat.

The company implies that had the captain observed any misconduct occurring in the back, he would’ve promptly disembarked and reported the individuals involved to the relevant authorities.

“We completely dissociate ourselves from such acts and behavior. Mr. West and his wife will certainly no longer be welcome on board our company’s boats,” the statement concluded.

AllHipHop.com previously reported Censori has been under fire for what the Italians have labeled indecency. Yeezy’s new wife was spotted wearing a sheer bodysuit, sparking outrage in the Mediterranean country.

Kid Cudi Pushes Back “Insano” Album Release Date—But Still Hooks Up His Fans

Some fans of Kid Cudi expressed disappointment that the rapper will not release his next body of work before 2024. His followers will now have to wait until next year for a new studio LP.

On Monday (September 4), Kid Cudi made the announcement about the delay of the upcoming Insano album. The Cleveland-raised performer took to social media to explain the decision.

“Hey, fam!! Got some updates for y’all. Some bad news, some good,” a statement by Cudi posted on the social media platform read. “I have to push INSANO back til January. I want to make sure that everything lines up and I give y’all the best version of myself.”

He continued, “This album is amazing and I want to make sure I present it in the best way for y’all. That’s the bad news. I still plan on releasing the next single soon so don’t even worry about that.”

Kid Cudi attempted an instant make-good with his supporters. He also wrote, “The good news is, since I’m doin this and I know you are all [fiending] to get a listen of the album, I’m releasing 2 new jams from INSANO [tonight] on SoundCloud.”

The rapper/actor dropped two tracks titled “Ill What I Bleed” and “Most Ain’t Dennis” on Monday night. He previously presented the single “Porsche Topless” earlier this year.

Kid Cudi’s Insano will follow 2022’s Entergalactic, which served as accompaniment to the animated television special of the same name. Mescudi closed his post by writing, “I’m sorry for the delay every day but I’m a perfectionist. And things gotta be right. I love y’all!!! Enjoy!”

Boosie Badazz Confirms Joint Album With T.I. Is Still In The Works

Boosie Badazz has a lot on his plate at the moment. The Baton Rouge-born rapper is feuding with his family members and former musical protégé, Yung Bleu.

However, Boosie Badazz still has some of his attention focused on upcoming releases. He recently spoke about a long-expected joint project with fellow Southern rap star T.I.

“Yeah, I think we’re gonna get it together,” Boosie said in an interview. “We ain’t got back in the studio yet. But I think we’re gonna get it together. We’ve been working on other s### right now.”

A potential Boosie Badazz and T.I. collaborative album would arrive after the two men had a public dispute earlier this year. Boosie took issue with comments Tip made during the Atlanta native’s podcast.

On a 2020 episode of his expediTIously show, T.I. said he purposely pinned a gun charge on his deceased cousin to avoid prison time. Boosie then slammed the “Live Your Life” hitmaker for supposedly being a snitch.

“With the T.I. situation, if he did that, you’re a f###### rat too. I don’t spare no m############ body,” argued Boosie. He went on to say that Tip’s comments “ruined” the chance of the two rappers working together.

Apparently, Boosie Badazz and T.I. made amends since their spat over the snitching allegations. If their joint LP does come out, it will join a Badazz catalog that also contains the Webbie-assisted Ghetto Stories and Gangsta Musik collaborative projects.

Here’s our T.I. interview where he talks about his music with Boosie and also their television ventures. Look for it at the 1-hour and 6-minute mark.

Hurricane Chris Plans To Sue Shreveport Police Department Following Murder Acquittal

Hurricane Chris (born Christopher Jerrod Dooley Jr.) faced serious criminal charges at one point in his life. Ultimately, a jury found the Shreveport-bred rapper not guilty of second-degree murder.

Louisiana prosecutors accused Hurricane Chris of murdering 32-year-old Danzeria O. Farris in 2020. However, the “A Bay Bay” rapper insisted he acted in self-defense.

According to TMZ, Hurricane Chris now plans to file a civil lawsuit against the Shreveport Police Department. The 34-year-old will seek compensation from the law enforcement agency.

“Everybody on the scene understood what happened, but when the detective got me downtown and started questioning me, he started off with, ‘Hey, you had a song on the radio, right?’” he said. “And then, from there, everything went downhill. I didn’t stand a chance.”

He added, “I lost over $1.4 million. I had a movie deal coming up. I signed to an acting agency before I was arrested. I lost the deal with the acting agency, one of the biggest agencies in Louisiana.”

Hurricane Chris went on to say his pending legal matter cost him the chance to audition for television shows such as FX’s Snowfall and STARZ’s BMF. The Polo Grounds Music affiliate also stated that he wants to continue both his music and acting careers.

Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion Announce “Bongos” Collaboration

Two of the most successful rappers of the 2020s will reunite for another collaboration. New York City’s Cardi B and Houston’s Megan Thee Stallion plan to release “Bongos” on Friday (September 8).

Cardi B teased the big announcement over the weekend. She returned to social media overnight to reveal the cover art and release date for the track. Megan Thee Stallion also shared the news with her own social media followers. They included the cover art on their respective Instagram pages.

Cardi and Megan previously teamed up for “WAP” in August 2020. That song spent four weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart after debuting in the top spot.

“WAP” was the first female rap collaboration to open at No. 1 on the Hot 100. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s classic collab also became the first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Global 200 chart.

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified “WAP” as 7x-Platinum. The Colin Tilley-directed music video for “WAP” included cameos from Kylie Jenner, Normani, Rosalía, Latto, Rubi Rose and Sukihana.

“Bongos” follows Cardi B’s run of guest features over the last year. She provided standout verses for GloRilla (“Tomorrow 2”), Latto (“Put It on da Floor Again”), FendiDa Rappa (“Point Me 2) and Offset (“Jealousy”).

Megan Thee Stallion has been relatively quiet on the music scene since dropping her Traumazine album in August 2022. The self-described Hot Girl Coach has not released a track since a California jury convicted rapper Tory Lanez for assaulting her with a weapon.

https://twitter.com/iamcardib/status/1698859095002915308?s=20
https://twitter.com/theestallion/status/1698864958245912921?s=20

Is Coi Leray Sneak Dissin’ Trippie Redd Or Speaking Facts On This “Blue Moon’ EP Bar?

Coi Leray may be years removed from her rapper ex-boyfriend Trippie Redd, but it seems as though she may still be overcoming the trauma she endured during the relationship.

Embedded within the “Players” rapper’s recent five-track Blue Moon EP lies some rather shady lyrics seemingly casting a shadow on her former Ohio-bred bae’s current album promo campaign. Coi Leray’s point of emphasis arrives on the third track, “Isabel Marant,” during which she raps boldly on the hook, “Tried to count me out, and now I’m big as Trippie Redd (Yeah, Red, Red).” While the sneak diss isn’t anything too lethal, it appears as though she’s really standing on her pen, as the record has already received the visual treatment as well.

In the grand scheme of things, the one-liner is pretty on-brand as far as the tone of the entire project goes. Throughout all five records on the EP, she’s essentially clearing the skeletons from her closet while mastering meandering and melodic production with ease.

However, even though Coi Leray and Trippie Redd dated for less than a year in 2019, they seem to have become kindred souls within the music industry realm. In 2020, Trippie aired out their issues on a song he released called “Leray,” which prompted a Twitter response from her, but nothing more.

“Let this be the last f###### project with my name on it,” she wrote. “that’s all ima say…time will heal.”

So why now, more than three years after the fact, is Coi Leray itching for a sense of get-back by shooting off back-handed disses on wax? When you look at the data, the best way I can describe it is kind of like a power struggle or game of tug of war going on between them.

Trippie’s recent album, A Love Letter To You 5, outsold Coi Leray’s self-titled project in pure unit sales by a margin of roughly 32,000 first-week units compared to 11,000 for COI. However, Leray’s project debuted at No. 102 on the Billboard 200 Albums chart, while Trippie’s didn’t reach the set.

Then again, Trippie Redd boasts a chart-topping album in the form of A Love Letter To You 4—an accolade Coi Leray has yet to obtain. Leray has seven million followers on Instagram, while Trippe boasts 13 million. Any way you cut it, these are both still full-fledged rap stars.

I can’t necessarily say Trippie Redd is bigger than Coi Leary much in the same way I can’t confidently believe that statement if it were in reverse. Because in my opinion, they are neck and neck at this current moment. Stream the entire Blue Moon EP below.

Keke Palmer Says Her Parents Forced Her To Do Community Service As A Kid

Keke Palmer has recalled doing community service as a child.

During a recent interview with Essence, the 30-year-old revealed that her parents signed her up for service when she was young to help her remember the importance of giving back to her community.

“My parents always told me that me being an entertainer could never just solely be about me entertaining,” Keke said. “It had to also be about finding a way to connect things back to my community – so that other people could dream, and they could know that their dreams could come true, too.

“So at a very young age, they had me do community service because they wanted to make sure I would never forget how much that mattered.”

Keke’s mother, Sharon Palmer, who also participated in the interview, explained that Keke’s father told the True Jackson VP star that she would occasionally need to use her voice to help others.

“So from the beginning, we would take her to do events with the NAACP, the MLK Foundation and the Boys and Girls Club,” Sharon continued. “The goal was to keep her rooted in the community – to make sure she learned that a good life is a life of service and when much is given, there is a responsibility to give back in return.”

Bad Bunny Celebrates “T##í Me Preguntó” Hitting 1 Billion Streams

Bad Bunny has celebrated his hit song “T##í Me Preguntó” reaching one billion streams on Spotify.

The 29-year-old Puerto Rican singer was recently thrown a “Billions Brunch” by the platform – where he discussed the making of the song and his achievements and thanked listeners for their support.

“The feeling of having one billion streams for this song right now is the same emotion I felt when I got 5,000 plays for the first time,” the reggaeton star shared in a YouTube video of the event.

“For me, it’s just as big knowing that there are people who want to listen and want to enjoy what you make.”

Per Spotify’s calculations, Bad Bunny has 12 songs that have surpassed one billion streams each – more than any other artist in Spotify history.

In all, he has racked up 58 billion streams on the platform. In the song, Bad Bunny raps and sings about an aunt who nags him about when he’s going to settle down with one woman.

“All of the people mentioned in the song exist in real life,” he explained. “Nothing I say in that song is a lie, including the part where I say I want to fall in love but I can’t.”

Diddy Finally Gives Ma$e His Publishing Rights Back Cam’ron Says—And That’s Not All

Ma$e and Diddy have been feuding for years, but it looks like the former Bad Boy Records artist now has at least one reason to smile. According to an Instagram post from Cam’ron, Diddy—who founded Bad Boy Records in 1993—finally returned Ma$e’s publishing, which had been the main point of contention. Cam’ron also seized the opportunity to announce his next project, The Lost Files Vol. 1, will arrive on Friday (September 8).

As he explained in the caption, “My n### murder had to sit this one out. He just got his publishing back from Puff. Just finished the paper work for that yesterday. Congrats @rsvpmase while he getting his music back in order, I’m dumping my hard drive pause. The lost files vol 1. Sept 8.”

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Per TMZ, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Sources say Diddy is handing over the publishing rights to several of his former Bad Boy acts—not just Ma$e. Faith Evans, The LOX, 112 and the Notorious B.I.G.’s estate are reportedly among the many benefiting from Diddy’s unexpected generosity. He’s also paying the writers who were working with him, too. Diddy was supposedly offered millions for the entire Bad Boy catalog, but he opted to take another route.

Rumors Diddy is a conniving, tyrannical businessman have run rampant for decades. In fact, Dave Chappelle even made a skit about it (remember “Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan, Dylan?). In 2020, Ma$e accused Diddy of snatching his publishing for way less than it was worth while calling foul on his Grammy Awards speech that focused on the alleged shady practices of the Recording Academy.

“@diddy I heard your #Grammy speech about how u are now for the artist and about how the artist must take back control,” he said on Instagram. “So I will be the first to take that initiative. Also, before we ask of other ethnicities to do us right we should do us as black people better. Especially the creators. I heard u loud and clear when u said that u are now for the artist and to that my response is if u want to see change you can make a change today by starting with yourself.

Two years later, Murda Mase dropped a single called the “Oracle 2: The Liberation Of Mason Betha,” which was dedicated to trashing Diddy. In one of his verses, he accuses the mogul of exploiting Biggie’s 1997 death. He raps, “Yeah, I’m just a Harlem n-gga reppin’ down a Vegas strip with my own Suge/You from Mt. Vernon, n-gga, go and rep your own hood/I’m not hating on your Billi worth/Right now, I’m only saying what you really work/You ain’t no architect/You just a n-gga who know how to market death.”≥

Diddy has yet to address his purported change of heart. Ma$e, meanwhile, hasn’t spoken on the deal publicly either.

Rihanna Does Amazing Act Of Compassion For Homeless Vets In L.A.

Rihanna has reportedly donated to an organization serving West Los Angeles veterans. According to a source for Page Six, the “Diamonds” singer recently donated to the Always For The People Foundation.

The foundation provides for disabled and homeless veterans in West LA.

The source claimed Rihanna “made a huge order” for the foundation, including “hundreds of hygiene kits, socks, clothes, sleeping bags, food, 50-plus pairs of shoes, toilet paper, dog food, you name it.”

Last year, the singer visited the organization and “spent hours listening to their concerns and their issues,” according to a previous report. Another source said at the time, “She was genuinely interested and concerned.”

She also reportedly spoke to those living at a homeless encampment outside of the VA Medical Center, formerly known as “Veterans Row.” One vet said of her visit, “I met Rihanna! The greatest singer on earth. She donated clothes, food and she cares about the veterans.”

Rihanna reportedly did not make an in-person appearance to match her donation this year.

“Things are crazy with the new babies,” the source explained. “She’s been very supportive even while becoming a new mom.”

Rihanna’s Cousin Dies At 28 From B######## Mass In Brain

As Rihanna revels in the joy of her newborn baby, the second in her brood, a heartbreaking event has cast a shadow over her and her family’s life.

The singer’s 28-year-old cousin, Tanella Alleyne, tragically passed away. The exact cause of her untimely demise remains undisclosed.

However, details shared by her adoptive mother, Julie-Ann Bryan, with their church community on August 6th shed some light on the situation. Tanella had undergone a CT scan, and upon receiving the results, she informed her adoptive father, Simon Bayne, about the doctor’s discovery of “a b######## mass.”

Concerned, Bayne probed to find out more details about the “mass,” to which Tanella cryptically responded to her dad that is a “a b######## 4×4,” according to Loop News.

Tanella’s farewell services took place on Monday, August 28th, at St. George Parish Church in Barbados.

She was preceded in death by her brother Tavon who was fatally shot six years ago.

During the memorial service, family and friends gathered to pay their respects to Alleyne, accompanied by the moving strains of Rihanna’s poignant ballad, “Lift Me Up.”

In the sermon, Bryan said Tanella was a person who “lived a life of gratitude with an outrageous amount of attitude, sprinkled heavily with confidence.”

Tanella attended St. Paul’s Primary School and the Garrison Secondary School, where, as Bryan noted in her eulogy, the journey was akin to a “rollercoaster.”

While school was an adventure, she said the young woman lived her life full-heartedly and loved to travel.

“Tanella camped in St Vincent, vacationed in Trinidad, traveled to South Africa, loved London, visited France, debuted in a music video in Canada, shopped, shopped, shopped in the USA,” Bryan said.

It is unclear if Rihanna attended the service.

Move Over Lil Durk, Wiz Khalifa Is Now Morgan Wallen’s Best Bud & Collab Mixtape Suitor

Is there room within a genre-bending bromance like that of Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen for a third amigo such as Wiz Khalifa? The Taylor Gang head honcho appears to think so.

During the Wallen’s recent Pittsburgh arena concert, which has become synonymous with an infamously mother and daughter porta-p#### brawl, Khalifa made a guest appearance and performed his hometown hero hit, “Black And Yellow.” As he surveyed the crowd drenched in yellow accent lighting and lasers as he rapped the City of Steel’s 2010s-era anthem, he and Wallen shared a quick embrace on stage—and, of course, flicked up backstage as well. Khalifa even tweeted to commemorate the moment, writing, “Me and Morgan shut it down,” in a tweet featuring a clip of the pair on stage.

For the most part, all appeared to be business as usual—that is until we got a glimpse of the photo-op Khalifa and Wallen took post-show. Both appear droopy-eyed donning goofy smiles as if they had shared a quick laugh and or consumed a leafy green substance prior to taking the photo. Basically, it looked like two buds were bonding with more buds—and maybe even a true friendship was budding.

Believe it or not, nearly a month ago Lil Durk was Wallen’s special guest during his performance at Wrigley Field in June. One has to think, what does a friendship between Wiz Khalifa and Wallen mean for Lil Durk? Maybe it’s a reach, but I think it immediately affects their creative relationship, first off. No matter what way you cut the cake, Wiz Khalifa and Wallen cooking up together means there’s less time for him and Durkio to craft hits. And considering the track record Khalifa has with crossover hits (“See You Again” with Charlie Puth, for example), songs like their fan-favorite “Stand By Me” could fall by the wayside if Wallen and the TGOD general get on a wave together.

But aside from the speculation, Wiz Khalifa and Morgan Wallen working together could actually foil Lil Durk’s plans of recruiting the country singer for a full-fledged collab project. Even though the Chicago rapper only first teased the idea earlier this summer, the moment to carry out the actual tape may be nearly spent. Lil Durk and Wallen accounted for 54 Billboard Hot 100 entries earlier this year, and 2023 is quickly coming to a close. From a business sense, it’s a now-or-never type of situation for Durkio x Wallen. However, Wiz x Khalifa Morgan Wallen is a market to be tapped and explored.

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At this point, it’s all in the hands of the suits. No telling how it’ll turn out.

Check out the clip of Morgan introducing Wiz Khalifa at PNC Park in front of 40,000 fans below.

Smash Mouth Singer Steve Harwell—Most Famous For “All Star” Hit—Dead At 56

Just hours after fans learned Smash Mouth singer Steve Harwell was on his death bed, the 56-year-old has died. Robert Hayes, Smash Mouth’s manager, confirmed the news in a statement, writing, “Steve Harwell passed away this morning September 4, 2023 at his home in Boise, Idaho. He was surrounded by family and friends and passed peacefully and comfortably.”

The cause of death was acute liver failure brought on by years of drug and alcohol abuse. Harwell had been placed in resting at home and was being cared for by his fiancé and hospice staff during the final stage of his illness. Harwell had been suffering from various health complications for years. According to a statement released in 2021, Harwell was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle that can makes it hard for the heart to deliver blood to the body. Following his initial diagnosis, he suffered from “nonstop serious medical setbacks including heart failure as well as acute Wernicke Encephalopathy,” a condition that greatly impacted his motor functions, including speech and impaired memory.

Harwell wound up retiring from Smash Mouth in October 2021. He released a statement at the time that read: “Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being a rock star performing in front of sold-out arenas and have been so fortunate to live out that dream. To my bandmates, it’s been an honor performing with you all these years and I can’t think of anyone else I would have rather gone on this wild journey with.”

Smash Mouth was formed in 1994 by Harwell, guitarist Greg Camp, bassist Paul De Lisle and drummer Kevin Coleman. The band’s first single, 1997’s “Walkin’ on the Sun,” started garnering national attention. In 1999, the group landed in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 with “All Star,” which peaked at No. 4. Astro Lounge, Smash Mouth’s sophomore album, peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200 albums chart the same year. The song found new popularity in 2001 when it was featured in the  Oscar-winning animated film Shrek.

But as the years went on, Harwell’s behavior grew increasingly bizarre. During a family-friendly event in Fort Collins, Colorado, Harwell flipped out after a few people in the crowd started tossing slices of bread on stage. Seemingly intoxicated, Harwell told the crowd, “If you throw one more f###ing thing onstage, I’m gonna come find your a##, I’m gonna beat your a##, whoever the f### you are out there.” He ultimately walked offstage.

Smash Mouth continues to tour with vocalist Zach Goode, who joined the band in 2022.

EXCLUSIVE: Special Ed Calls Out “Vultures And Vampires” Involved In Hip-Hop 50

Special Ed wasn’t pleased with the celebrations of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary. The creator of the Hip-Hop classic “I Got It Made” condemned certain people involved in the festivities in an interview with AllHipHop.

“There’s a lot of vultures and vampires out here sucking the blood out of everything,” Special Ed told AllHipHop. “People that are really not as vested to Hip-Hop as you would think, but they rep Hip-Hop … And they out here to also take advantage of the people. They overcharging for shows, they overcharging for tickets. And then they not really including all the artists that are deserving and have given their lives for this culture.”

He added, “They have shown no respect to the dead that have literally given their lives for this culture all the way dating back from the beginning of Hip-Hop till now. We have a lot of artists that need to be recognized and need to be appreciated in this 50th celebration.”

Special Ed raised concerns about longstanding exploitation in Hip-Hop. He believed serious problems were swept under the rug amid the celebrations.

“I understand it’s a celebration, but it’s not a celebration for all,” he said. “Like even for me, I feel like, ‘Yo, this is 50 years of abuse. 50 years of financial and economic abuse. 50 years of manipulation and 50 years of fabrication.’ Just a lot of falsifying going on. A lot of claims, a lot of people claimed to have started this, invented that, did that. And they ain’t did s### but sucked the blood out of a stone!”

Check out Special Ed on the AllHipHop podcast below.

Fan’s Dedication Rewarded With $50K Gift At Drake’s Las Vegas Concert

Drake bestowed a fan with a generous gift of $50,000 during a “It’s All A Blur” tour stop in Las Vegas.

The outing, a collaborative venture between Drake and 21 Savage, has drawn crowds for surprise guest appearances and epic bra tosses.

During the Las Vegas stop on the tour on Saturday (September 2), Drake noticed a fan holding up a sign that read: “I spent my furniture money on your 2 shows. OVO 4 Life.” 

In recognition of their sacrifice and dedication to see the concert, he announced he was giving the lucky fan “50 bands.” “That’s some real s###,” Drake told the fan. 

This gesture was met with a round of applause from the audience, a moment that was captured and shared in a (https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Me8zyIZl0sI?feature=share) online.

Rain, Mud & Rescue: Chris Rock, Diplo & The Hippies Who Saved The Day

Diplo and Chris Rock had a lucky escape from the rain-soaked quagmire at the Burning Man festival after a fan with a truck gave them a lift to the airport. Thunderstorms left tens of thousands of festival attendees stranded on Saturday (September 2) in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert.

Although the site of the event is usually dry and dusty due to its desert location, heavy rain had engulfed it in mud, closing roads in and out. Revelers were told to take shelter in place and conserve their food until flash flood warnings were lifted.

Despite being stranded at the festival, Diplo was determined to make it to Washington D.C. for a gig, and he and Chris Rock got some help from a fan with a vehicle capable of getting through the mud.

“A fan offered Chris Rock and I a ride out of Burning Man in the back of a pickup,” the 44-year-old DJ captioned an Instagram video showing their escape from the ill-fated event.

“I legit walked the side of the road for hours with my thumb out cuz I have a show in dc tonight and didnt want to let yall down,” he added. “Shoutout to this guy for making the smart purchase of a truck not knowing it was for this exact moment.”

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Diplo, real name is Thomas Wesley Pentz, stated that he and Rock then hitched a ride with “hippies with a van in the next town,” who drove them two hours to the nearest airport.

“They didn’t believe we would walk six miles in the mud,” Diplo added. “No one believed we would get to D.C. for the show tonight. But God did.”

Later on Saturday evening, the star filmed himself in a bathtub after he finished the gig.

Chris Rock wrote on his Instagram Story that “because of the flooding, the port-o-potties reportedly can’t be emptied and because the gates are closed, people can’t get in to fill generators or deliver supplies.”

With flood warnings in place until Monday (September 4), it’s unclear when other Burning Man attendees will get the all-clear to leave or be evacuated. A death that occurred at the festival is reportedly under investigation.

Jamie Foxx Improvised “A Funny Line” In “Strays”

Jamie Foxx improvised “a funny line” in his new talking-dog comedy “Strays.”

In the gross-out canine comedy, the Oscar-winning actor voices Bug, a stray Boston Terrier who teaches abandoned Border Terrier “Reggie,” voiced by Will Ferrell, the ways of the streets.

While shooting one scene, Benny the dog, who portrayed Bug in the film, became startled by a leaf, so director Josh Greenbaum decided to leave it in the movie and let the voice actor have some fun with it.

“There’s a moment in the film where little angry Bug is walking through the woods by himself, and randomly a leaf fell out of a tree and it scared the dog pants off Benny the dog, who plays Bug. So I thought, ‘Oh, that’s funny. That’s a weird behavior,'” Greenbaum recalled to Consequence.

“We tweaked the script a little bit, and then I showed it to Jamie Foxx and he improvised a funny line – Bug’s talking about how ‘I’m not lonely, I’m not scared, I’m not scared of anything.’ And then he jumps because the leaf falls, and then Jamie Foxx goes, ‘F### you, leaf!'”

Elsewhere in the interview, Greenbaum explained that he wanted Foxx and Ferrell to record their parts together rather than in separate booths.

“I encouraged/insisted that they come in together. And luckily they all were game – I think Will and Jamie were very excited to work together, they had never worked together before,” he explained. “So they did all of their sessions in a room together, pretty much all of them, and that makes all the difference in the world, performance-wise.”

“Strays,” also featuring the voices of Isla Fisher and Randall Park, is in cinemas now.