DJ Cassidy has had one hell of a career, from DJing Barack Obama’s birthday to spinning at Jay-Z and Beyonce’s wedding. Now, he continues to bring vibes into any room he enters.
Most recently, DJ Cassidy celebrated National Pina Colada Day in beautiful Beverly Hills, California, for an exclusive, invite-only paradise-themed event at The Hideaway. The fun-filled evening included a special DJ performance by Jermaine Dupri, a guest DJ set by Jus Ske, standout performances by Shaggy and Rayvon, and a surprise performance by Estelle.
DJ Cassidy states, “I always dreamed of reinterpreting my favorite summer song of all time, the Rupert Holmes classic “Escape (The Pina Colada Song),” for modern times and dance floors around the world. After Shaggy and Ravyon closed the Reggae edition of my series Pass The Mic, I realized they were the iconic voices to turn my dream into a reality. The result is an epic sunshine-filled take on a Yacht Rock classic with massive dancehall and Hip-Hop energy.”
He continues, “I knew there was only one person to call: Jermaine Dupri. JD took us on a journey throughout the entire night, not only through fifty years of Hip-Hop but through the R&B music that inspired the culture. And of course, I ‘Passed The Mic’ to Shaggy and Rayvon who performed our new single, “If You Like Pina Coladas,” and even Estelle, who broke out into “American Boy.'”
Notable guests that attended the party of the summer included Evan Ross, Charlotte McKinney, Katie Cassidy, UFC star Luke Rockhold, Foodgod, O’Neal McKnight, Cynthia Bailey, All-American star Chelsea Tavares, Stephen Huszar, “Vanderpump Rules” star James Kennedy, Ally Lewber, Charli Burnett and others.
The event was hosted by DJ Cassidy, Shaggy, and Rayvon to toast their new music video remake and single “If You Like Pina Coladas.”
Check out some images below:
Rayvon, Jermaine Dupri, DJ Cassidy and ShaggyAlexandra Lasky, Jonathan Cheban, DJ Cassidy and JT Torregiani Cynthia BaileyDJ Cassidy and Jermaine Dupri
A documentary about The Notorious B.I.G. will be dropping soon via Time Studios. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio is currently producing “an intimate look at the untold life story of one of the greatest rappers to ever live … from the perspective of the son who never knew him.”
His son, Christopher Wallace, Jr., was only five months old when his father was murdered on March 9, 1997. Time Studios revealed the documentary delves into a dual narrative that spans the lives of both Christopher Jr. and Sr. from the 1980s to the present day. Directing the film is Vikram Gandhi, renowned for his work on projects such as “Barry,” “69: The Saga of Danny Hernandez” and “Trigger Warning with Killer Mike.”
It explores profound themes such as identity, legacy and fatherhood. As Christopher Jr. embarks on a personal quest to unravel his own destiny, his journey uncovers a comprehensive and previously unseen depiction of his father.
“Over the past few years, I realized my personal journey is connected to understanding who Christopher George Latore Wallace was outside of his big rap persona,” C.J. Wallace said. “I am on a journey to fully understand the world he lived in and the massive impact he had on American and Black history and by doing so, I can ensure that I honor his hopes and dreams while I build and create my own legacy for future generations of Wallaces.”
Actor Wendell Pierce, known for his roles in “The Wire” and “Jack Ryan,” offered a detailed perspective on Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and his stance on affirmative action.
Pierce, who portrayed Thomas in the HBO film “Confirmation,” provided a unique insight into the Justice’s controversial views.
“Black from the south, Grandparents were farmers, poor, understood the value of Education the premium value of Education your first wealth in life is education, Catholic black Catholic from the south,” he said during an interview with Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur.
However, their paths diverged when it came to affirmative action. Pierce benefited from it, while Thomas, despite benefiting from it early in his career, later became one of its most vocal critics.
According to Pierce, Thomas’s opposition to affirmative action stemmed from a traumatic experience. After graduating from Yale Law School, Thomas was unable to secure a job at a law firm in his hometown of Savannah, Georgia.
This rejection, Pierce suggests, led Thomas to believe that his degree was devalued because it was obtained through affirmative action.
Pierce explained, “he had no problem with it until he returns home to Savannah, Georgia, and he wants to join one of the established law firms there, and here he is with his Yale degree from the community, smart as can be, and they wouldn’t accept him. He could not get hired at a law firm in Savannah, Georgia.”
In a recent Supreme Court ruling, Thomas’s long-held dream came true. The court declared the use of race in admissions policies, a key component of affirmative action, as unconstitutional.
In his concurring opinion, Thomas wrote, “All forms of discrimination based on race—including so-called affirmative action—are prohibited under the Constitution.”
Pierce, however, believes in the power of art and entertainment to challenge such views. He encourages young people not to squander their power and to continue the fight for their rights, a battle that must be won with each generation.
He reminds them that the challenges they face today are nothing compared to what their ancestors endured, and that they have more power now than ever before.
He stated, “with every generation, you have to fight and win the battle for your rights.”
Uganda’s president, Yoweri Museveni, has issued an apology for the nation’s active role in the Transatlantic Slave trade. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Uganda was a big player in what Marimba Ani called the “MAAFA.”
According to the African Diaspora News Channel, Museveni extended the nation’s deep regret in participating in the slave trade that was the largest contribution to the African diaspora.
“We come in humility and brokenness to repent for the sins of leaders in Africa,” he began. “And in particular, the sin of selling our own brothers and sisters into slavery. This great sin brought on great pain and misery to millions of people of African descent and the judgment to the African people who remained on the continent.”
Museveni continued, “The grave sin of slavery scattered our people all over the face of the Earth, where they have suffered great deprivations and loss. If it were not for the parts that our African kinds and chiefs played in the slave trade this evil trade could not have survived.
“Therefore, on behalf of all the African leaders (past and present), I acknowledge the part that we played in this tragedy and today we ask for forgiveness. We seek forgiveness for the great pain and loss that the myopic and the selfish decisions of ours caused our brothers and sisters of African descent around the world and we ask for their forgiveness. We plead the blood of Jesus to cleanse us all from this great sin.
“Today we reopen the door to our brothers and sisters of African descent to return home to the continent of Africa, the land of their ancestry and the spiritual homeland of all African people. We welcome you home with open arms as brothers and sisters. We pray that we can close the door to the dark past and walk towards a better future.”
The apology comes 25 years after Museveni said the apology should come from the chiefs in his country and not the then-American president Bill Clinton. According to The Buffalo News, he called those Africans that sold other Africans into bondage “Black traitors.”
The 2023 Global Citizen Festival will feature headlining performances from Ms. Lauryn Hill and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Megan The Stallion will also hit the stage for the musical showcase.
The concert takes place at New York City’s Central Park on September 23 and is free to the public. Interested parties can earn tickets to the 2023 Global Citizen Festival by taking action on the Global Citizen app or the Global Citizen website to help end extreme poverty.
“COP27, this year’s G7, the World Bank Spring Meetings, and the Paris climate finance summit all failed to deliver tangible results, or disruption of the world’s unjust system,” Global Citizen Co-Founder/ CEO Hugh Evans stated. “If we want to see breakthroughs on development and climate change, we need the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and all G7 nations to meet the urgency of the hour. Every single citizen has a vital role to play, and together, we must be laser-focused on driving results and impact in September.”
The 2022 Global Citizen Festival Received Over $2 Billion In Pledges
Conan Gray and Stray Kids join RHCP, Lauryn Hill and Megan Thee Stallion for the Global Citizen Festival’s lineup. Hill has spent the year touring the country in celebration of the 25th anniversary of her groundbreaking solo album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Hill recently ran through some of The Miseducation tracks at the 2023 Essence Festival in New Orleans. Megan also presented a headline-making set at Essence‘s concert series which convened between June 30 and July 2.
Last year’s Global Citizen Festival reportedly generated more than $2.4 billion in pledge commitments. The 2022 edition featured acts like Mariah Carey, Metallica and Jonas Brothers performing in NYC. Additionally, Usher, SZA, Stormzy, Tems and other musicians appeared at Black Star Square in Accra, Ghana.
Nems, one of the most celebrated rappers out of New York, is the latest artist to join the Shady Records family. Nems made the revelation to AllHipHop exclusively though a text message to company CEO, Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur.
Nems has been on a steady climb since striking platinum with his 2021 song “Bing Bong.” He’s managed to carve out a unique space and place in Hip-Hop, thanks in large part because of his ability to leverage social media.
That pivot has allowed him to open retail stores, sell merch and launch other business opportunities. He’s even acting in a reading for a play helmed by Brooklyn legend Masta Ace.
Busta said, “Congratulations…godfather Gorilla Nems, Brooklyn’s own, the mayor of Coney Island, my beloved, Mr. F##k Ya Life has signed to Shady / Goliath / Virgin.” In the video clip, Busta jokes about the rapper hitting a different tax bracket with the deal.
Known as “The Mayor of Coney Island,” Nems has become a staple in New York City. An accomplished battle rapper, he effectively survived by sheer brute force and continuing a legacy of hardcore Brooklyn MCs.
Coco Jones secured the biggest hit of her career with the “ICU” single. The DJ Camper-produced ballad became Jones’s first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart earlier this year.
“‘ICU’ is taking people by storm,” Jones said. “It’s so crazy. When I was waiting to take my pictures, all these different races of people were like, ‘Coco Jones… ‘ICU.’ I have never had this many people know me from my song.”
With more eyes on her, Jones is looking to bolster “ICU” even further. The 25-year-old Def Jam Recording artist teased a new version of the song will be available for streaming at the end of this week.
“ICU Remix drops this Friday w/ __,” Coco Jones tweeted on Monday night (July 10). She included pictures of a river drawing, famous Disney characters and a collage of international boy bands from the 1990s and 2000s.
Those visual additions led people to speculate Justin Timberlake could be the surprise guest on the “ICU” remix. Timberlake released a song titled “Cry Me a River” in 2002. Plus, he spent time on Disney’s The Mickey Mouse Club and performed as part of the iconic *NSYNC boy band.
If Jones did recruit Justin Timberlake for a collaboration, it wouldn’t be the first time Timberlake worked with a female R&B singer. The music superstar has created songs with other acts such as Beyoncé (“Until the End of Time”), Ciara (“Love Sex Magic”) and Alicia Keys (“Morning Light”).
Meanwhile, Jones prepares to embark on her What I Didn’t Tell You Tour. The trek is in support of the What I Didn’t Tell You EP, which dropped in November 2022. The Bel-Air actress begins the tour next month in Ontario, California.
Metro Boomin was the most successful rap act on the Billboard 200 album chart over the last eight months. However, Lil Uzi Vert’s Pink Tape is presently the most popular album in the United States.
Pink Tapedebuted at No.1 on the most recent Billboard 200. Lil Uzi Vert brought in more thtan 167,000 first-week units for his latest body of work. The 87-minute project became the first rap release to top the Billboard 200 in 2023.
Metro Boomin took to his Instagram Stories to congratulate Lil Uzi Vert on ending the Number One drought for Hip Hop artists. 2022’s Heroes & Villains by Metro was the last rap-based album to top the Billboard 200.
While reposting a Chart Data tweet about Lil Uzi Vert earning Hip Hop’s first chart-topper since Heroes & Villains last December, Metro Boomin simply added a [handshake emoji] to his Monday afternoon (July 10) post on Instagram.
Metro also made it into the Billboard 200’s Top 10 with a 2023 release. His Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack peaked at No. 5 in June. The compilation featured Lil Uzi Vert, 21 Savage, Future, Lil Wayne, Offset and many more.
Lil Uzi Vert also has three additional No. 1 projects in his discography. In addition to Pink Tape in 2023, Luv Is Rage 2 led the Billboard 200 in 2017. Eternal Atake spent two weeks atop the album chart in 2020. His Pluto x Baby Pluto joint project with Future landed at No. 2 that same year.
Jatavia “JT” Johnson rose to prominence as part of the Miami-based rap group known as City Girls. She now prepares to drop a solo song later this week.
“‘B!tches always in my business’… NO BARS FRIDAY! 🚫📶😜🫡,” wrote JT on her Instagram page on Monday (July 10). She shared the single’s official cover art on the social media platform as well.
City Girls, which also includes Caresha “Yung Miami” Brownlee, have been releasing music via Quality Control Music since 2017. The duo contributed “F### Dat N####” on that year’s Quality Control: Control The Streets, Volume 1 compilation.
While JT served time behind bars for aggravated identity theft, Yung Miami continued to promote the City Girls brand on her own. JT dropped “First Day Out” in October 2019 following her release from federal custody.
City Girls put out the Girl Code album in 2018 while JT was still incarcerated. That project included the Top 40 hits “Act Up” and “Twerk” featuring Cardi B. However, JT and Cardi had a falling out since that collaboration.
Some online fans have been speculating if JT will use “No Bars” to take shots at Cardi B after the two rap stars exchanged words on social media last year, but Hollywood Unlocked founder Jason Lee claimed both women settled their differences.
In addition, JT admitted Nicki Minaj helped pen some of her lyrics. The 30-year-old rhymer said, “I just released a snippet of this freestyle I’ve been holding on to for so long. Nicki actually helped me with a few bars in there.”
If there were still any questions about Gunna’s ability to score another hit record following the snitching allegations, the Atlanta-bred rapper answered those questions with his “Fukumean” single.
Gunna’s “Fukumean” rose from No. 12 to No. 8 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 chart. That gives the 30-year-old recording artist his first solo Top 10 entry. He currently has four songs that have made it into the Top 10.
Previously, “Drip Too Hard” with Lil Baby peaked at No. 4 in 2018. “Lemonade” with Internet Money, Don Toliver, and Nav climbed to No. 6 in 2020. “Pushin P” with Future and Young Thug topped off at No. 7 last year.
Some Young Thug supporters blasted Gunna for taking a plea deal in a highly-publicized racketeering case in Georgia. Critics claimed Gunna turned on his YSL Records boss by openly stating in court that Thug’s label is a gang.
“Thanks to my fans, [I love you],” posted Gunna on his Instagram page following the commercial success of A Gift & a Curse. The album hosts the well-received lead single “Bread & Butter” as well as the “Fukumean” track.
“Fukumean” collected more than 20 million streams during the latest tracking period for the Hot 100 chart. The song’s official music video has amassed 2.4 million YouTube views since its premiere on July 5. The visuals are currently among the top trending videos in YouTube’s music section.
Rick Ross could be adding a one-of-a-kind timepiece to his collections of luxury goods after showing off Jacob & Co’s $20 million Billionaire Timeless Treasure watch.
The MMG founder thanked the famous jeweler for bringing the piece to Miami for him to try on. Although he didn’t commit to paying the eye-watering asking price, Rick Ross is a fan of its scent. He held the watch up to his nose before inhaling deeply. “I can smell it,” he declared, presumably referring to the whiff of money. Check out the video below.
Rick Ross shows off his new 1 of 1 $20 million dollar watch from Jacob&Co 😮💨🔥 pic.twitter.com/tc1MPIl3eh
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) July 10, 2023
The piece was the star of the annual Watches & Wonders exhibition at the launch earlier this year. However, only one lucky – and very wealthy – collector will have a chance to own the watch as there’s only one in existence.
It might take a while to create another, as the jeweler revealed it took a team of ten experts over three years just to source enough of the ultra-rare yellow diamonds worthy of the piece. The quest exhausted the world’s supply, according to Jacob & Co.
The Billionaire Timeless Treasure watch includes 425 fancy yellow and fancy intense yellow Asscher-cut diamonds alongside 76 bright green, emerald-cut, and kite-cut tsavorites. In a quirky twist, the caseback also features an inscription of the word “billionaire” with a smiley face replacing the letter “o.”
Should Rozay decide to buy the piece, he can add it to his existing Jacob & Co collection. Rick Ross already owns a white-gold Billionaire III watch. He showed off the $3 million timepiece in an Instagram post back in April. The Rich Forever creator paired the luxury piece with a diamond-encrusted pinky ring on each hand.
Cardi B and Offset celebrated their daughter Kulture turning five with a mega party at American Dream Mall in New Jersey Monday (July 10).
The Migos rapper pulled out all the stops for his little girl’s birthday, planning the bash himself, as Cardi revealed in a video shared on her Instagram Stories. She tagged her husband, writing, “You did your big one,” alongside a clip of Kulture entering the party.
While the children enjoyed the birthday celebrations, the proud parents shared a brief moment of alone time. Cardi posted a video of Offset lovingly smooching on her, showing they’ve put the recent infidelity controversy firmly behind them.
In another clip the Grammy Award winner had a little fun with a cartoon character. Cardi B slapped her booty before showing off her twerking skills in front of a statue of Rugrats elder Grandpa Lou Pickles. She shared the video backed by her verse on FendiDa Rappa’s new single, “Point Me 2.”
Cardi B also shared a sweet birthday message to her “pretty princess,” alongside a pair of photos of the birthday girl. “It’s beautiful seeing my girl grow,’ she penned in the caption. “Yet makes me a lil sad that my baby is not my little baby no more.”
Offset also reflected on his little girl growing up in his own Instagram tribute post. “I remember holding you when you were first born in my arms,’ he shared. “daddy’s girl I love you so much.”
“Different”, a new album from New Jersey producer/artist Enrichment (production credits include: Lloyd Banks “Element Of Surprise”, Omar Ray feat. Snoop Dogg “Where I’m Coming From”, Kuniva of D12’s “A History Of Violence”, Ransom’s “I’m Back”) is available now.
Produced and arranged in its entirety by Enrichment, with features from Redman, Kuniva of D12, KXNG Crooked, Sheek Louch, Termanology, Chris Rivers, RJ Payne, Emanny, Skyzoo, Rell & more.
Available in digital + CD format at enrichment.bandcamp.com. Also available on all streaming platforms.
Lil Uzi Vert has put rap back on top of the charts with their third studio album Pink Tape, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart this week.
The project scored the biggest week yet for a rap or R&B album in 2003, with more than 167,000 total album equivalent units. Additionally, 18 of the 26 Pink Tape songs debuted on the Hot 100, per Billboard.
There hasn’t been a rap album atop the charts since Metro Boomin’s Heroes & Villains in December 2022. The last time there was a gap this lengthy was in the early 1990s when Cypress Hill topped the chart with Black Sunday (August 7, 1993) 34 weeks after Ice Cube’s The Predator spent a week at No. 1 (December 5, 1992).
Metro Boomin congratulated Lil Uzi via his Instagram Story, sharing a report of the feat alongside a handshake emoji.
Despite the accolades, Lil Uzi looks set to get right back into the studio for their next project. They promised to deliver “the album y’all really looking for,” if Pink Tape topped the chart. Uzi also hinted at releasing another installment in the Luv Is Rage series before announcing an upcoming mixtape.
“Sitting here thinking (about) how I went #1 on (an) experimental tape,” Uzi penned on their Instagram story Sunday (July 9). “My apologies, Barter 16 mixtape on the way. Free slime.”
Aw shoot! Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer ain’t messing around, folks. He’s calling out YouTube stars Logan Paul and KSI for their energy drink shenanigans. Schumer aka Killah Chuck hit the FDA to investigate their drink PRIME Energy, claiming it’s loaded with an “eye-popping” amount of caffeine and targeting kids with social media marketing.
Let’s break it down. This PRIME Energy drink packs a whopping 200 milligrams of caffeine. That’s like chugging down more than two cups of joe or slamming back about six cans of Coca-Cola, or even 2.5 cans of Red Bull. Dr. Ran Goldman, a pediatrician and professor of pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, says that’s way too much for a child. In fact, kids shouldn’t be touching caffeine, period.
Why? Well, even a tiny dose of caffeine can wreak havoc on a kid’s system. It can unleash anxiety, make them jittery, kill their appetite, and mess with their heart rate and blood pressure. Too much caffeine can lead to a full-blown overdose. Overdosing equals seizures, messes up heart rhythms, and sends them to a coma or the grave.
Now, let’s talk about Paul and KSI! They are the masterminds behind this PRIME madness! First of all, I am writing about this so this is what that want: PRESS! Secondly, I thought they were rivals! These dudes dropped their beverage brand last year and started off with PRIME Hydration, a sports drink sans caffeine. Respect, fellas. But then, in January, they unleashed PRIME Energy on the unsuspecting masses. And guess what? It’s packing roughly the same caffeine punch as other popular energy drinks like 5-hour Energy.
Schumer is calling out the marketing tactics of Paul and KSI, saying it’s directly aimed at kids under 18. Stay woke, my friends!
Jack Harlow recently added another feather to his cap. His wax figure now stands proudly in Madame Tussauds, the world-renowned wax museum in Las Vegas.
The figure is a testament to Harlow’s growing stature in the entertainment world, mirroring his look from the “Churchill Downs” music video featuring Drake.
The figure sports a custom suit, reminiscent of the one Harlow wore in the music video, which was shot at the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The suit, an elegant shade of ivory, is a creation of Musika New York under the creative direction of Aleks Musika.
The figure also features a necklace with a pendant shaped like Kentucky, a tribute to Harlow’s roots.
Jack Harlow’s New Madame Tussauds Figure – Key Lime Photography
The unveiling was a private event Harlow’s close family and friends attended. Following the event, Harlow performed at Zouk Nightclub.
Linsey Stiglic, Marketing Manager for Madame Tussauds Las Vegas, expressed her excitement about the new addition, stating, “Jack Harlow’s new figure is a perfect addition to our museum. His confidence, humor, and of course, music is admired by all, and we’re so thrilled to welcome him to our Las Vegas attraction.”
The creation of Harlow’s figure involved a team of 20 studio artists and took approximately six months to complete. Visitors to the museum can now interact with the figure, echoing Harlow’s famous catchphrase, “WHATS POPPIN.
Harlow, a Kentucky native, has made significant strides in his music career. His third studio album, Jackman, was released in April, following the success of his previous albums, Thats What They All Say in 2020 and Come Home the Kids Miss You in 2022.
Both albums received critical acclaim, with C_ome Home the Kids Miss You_ earning a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album in 2023. The album also achieved impressive first-week sales, projected to be between 110,000 and 135,000 units.
His ventures complement Harlow’s music career into acting, with two movies on the horizon
Nicki Minaj gave her stamp of approval to the Barbie movie on Monday (July 10).
The diamond-selling rapper shared her initial thoughts on the film via Twitter. Nicki Minaj praised the Barbie movie after attending the premiere in Hollywood.
“The entire cast of this movie nailed it,” she wrote. “The film is so visually stimulating. The actors can actually act & the comedic timing is actually on time. Bravo. I’ll see it again & give my final analysis around the 21st. Will Ferrell, I [love] U.”
She’s strikingly gorgeous in person. Btw, the entire cast of this movie nailed it. The film is so visually stimulating. The actors can actually act, & the comedic timing is actually on time. Bravo. I’ll see it again & give my final analysis around the 21st. Will Ferrell, I💖U https://t.co/SY9E4sXg6W
Minaj posted her brief review in reaction to a gif of her posing with Margot Robbie, who plays Barbie in the film. The Republic Records artist said the actress was “strikingly gorgeous in person.”
Robbie enjoyed connecting with Minaj on the red carpet. The Barbie star admitted she was a bit star-struck when they posed together.
“That was iconic,” she told Variety. “I’m dying. I’m gonna have to take a minute later to be like, ‘Wow, I actually just got a picture with Nicki Minaj.’ It was amazing.”
The Barbie movie is scheduled to hit theaters on July 21. Greta Gerwig directed the film.
Minaj contributed to the movie’s soundtrack. She teamed up with Ice Spice for a song titled “Barbie World,” which samples Aqua’s#### single “Barbie Girl.”
Songs generated entirely by AI won’t be eligible to win Grammys.
The Recording Academy established new rules for the 2024 Grammy Awards in response to the rise of AI music. The Recording Academy allowed AI-assisted songs to be eligible for Grammys but stressed the need for human contributions.
“A work that contains no human authorship is not eligible in any category,” the Recording Academy proclaimed.
Grammys CEO Harvey Mason Jr. elaborated on the AI rules in an interview with the Associated Press.
“Here’s the super easy, headline statement: AI or music that contains AI-created elements is absolutely eligible for entry and for consideration for Grammy nomination,” he said. “What’s not going to happen is we are not going to give a Grammy or Grammy nomination to the AI portion.”
He added, “As long as the human is contributing in a more than de minimis amount, which to us means a meaningful way, they are and will always be considered for a nomination or a win. We don’t want to see technology replace human creativity. We want to make sure technology is enhancing, embellishing, or additive to human creativity. So that’s why we took this particular stand in this award cycle.”
Mason noted how a song with AI-generated vocals is not eligible for performance categories, but the track is eligible for songwriting categories if a person wrote the lyrics.
The next Grammys are scheduled to take place on February 4, 2024. The ceremony will be held at Cryto.com Arena in Los Angeles and air live on CBS.
It feels as though Wendell Pierce has always been a part of our lives, captivating us with his incredible talent as a thespian. From his unforgettable performances in HBO’s “The Wire” to his iconic stature in the cultural landscape, Pierce has consistently delivered excellence throughout his illustrious career. Notably, his roles in acclaimed films such as “Ray,” “Selma,” “Malcolm X,” “Waiting to Exhale” and “Get on the Bus” have solidified his reputation as a versatile and highly skilled actor. His exceptional portrayal in “Clemency” earned him the prestigious Sundance Grand Jury Prize, and his performance in “Burning Cane” garnered him the Best Actor award at the Tribeca Film Festival. However, it’s his role as James Greer in “Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan” that Pierce intertwines his political views and mastery as an actor, leaving an indelible mark on American culture.
Beyond his remarkable talent on screen, Pierce demonstrates a fierce commitment to social justice and the advancement of Black voices within the entertainment industry through his role as a founding member of Black Theatre United. With his extensive training, unwavering passion and remarkable talent, he continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his unforgettable performances.
In this exclusive interview, Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur engages in a conversation with Mr. Pierce, a self-proclaimed jazzman, delving into his character’s journey, why he loathes Clarence Thomas and his insightful pearls of wisdom for the younger generation.
Read on for the full transcript of our conversation.
AllHipHop: It’s good to see you, Wendell. I met you years ago at the DNC, the first DNC with Obama. Tell us a little bit about this season of “Jack Ryan,” the final season and what can we expect?
Wendell Pierce: For my character James Greer, all of these years while I’ve been doing the show, I had a consultant that I worked with an African-American, retired officer. The one thing he always would remind me was how difficult the work was on your family, holding your family together, and the stresses of that. I shared that with the producers and they were really kind enough to roll that into my final season, the final part of James Greer’s journey. You see that I am trying to salvage and redeem myself as a father. I love that. I love that the most this season. That I’m doing my work, but at the same time, trying to salvage my family.
AllHipHop: Is there any family unit that you guys have formed on set, or are you guys sad that the show is coming to an end?
Wendell Pierce: It’s sad, it’s bittersweet that things are coming to an end, but at the same time, we had a blast, man. Our friendships will go beyond the filming of it. I realize now that we finished almost a year ago, and I keep forgetting that because we’ve been hanging so much since we finished filming. It’s evident that we are going to still have close relationships as friends. We will have the lasting memory of traveling the world, and I mean literally the world, 10 to 20 countries, all over it. We just had a blast, man.
AllHipHop: I have to ask you, playing a CIA agent and considering your philanthropic and political leanings, do you ever feel any personal conflict with the professional role?
Wendell Pierce: No. The great thing about doing this role, and I’ve tried to put it into the role, my consultant, as I said, is an African American retired officer, and I challenged them the first thing. I said, “How can you be a CIA officer knowing what this agency has done in our community?” I was thinking of Malcolm X. I specifically said, “What about Malcolm X?” And he said, “Wendell, we would fight racism, right?” I said, “Yeah.” “We’ll do anything possible to try to stop it?” I said, “Yeah.” He said, “I feel the same way, and I just chose to try to do it inside the CIA, instead of outside of the CIA.” He said, “Now, I hear you call yourself an American, right?” And I said, “Yes.” He said, “Well, how can you call yourself an American knowing what this country’s done to our community?”
He said, “It’s because you know you can have an impact still. That we can still make it a more perfect union. The fact that we haven’t given up on it is because we know we can impact and affect change. And that’s why I felt as though I could do it inside the CIA, than outside the CIA.” And that’s how I think [my character] James Greer is. I tried to put that in the role, when I talk about having to make choices, find my moral compass, there’s a gray area that we deal with, and I teach that to Jack [Ryan]. That’s the difficult place to be, so you have to find a way to be more exact about who you are and what your values are in this work. Don’t live in that gray area. That’s how I reconcile it. It’s not an either/or, and we shouldn’t play in that gray area. Be decisive.
I say to people, “We should never lose the right to be offended.” That’s what I always tell people who may be critical of the choices that I make. “It’s good. I’m glad. Now why? I just want to hear why, and I want to see what are you going to do?” That’s how you affect change. So, the answer my consultant gave to me really clarified playing the role. Then I went to the CIA. And the most surprising thing, Chuck, the most surprising thing of this five year journey is when I walked in the building, it looked like the country.
It looked like the country. I was surprised. I was surprised. I was pleasantly surprised. What he said just became even more clear to me. Yeah, that’s how I do it, bro.
AllHipHop: Moving on to another iconic role of yours, Bunk from “The Wire.” What is it about Bunk that we love so much?
Wendell Pierce: Bunk is an every man. He’s the uncle at the cookout. He’s your father when he gets in your butt, tells you what you need to do. If you don’t have a father, he’s that cat on the playground, the cat on the basketball court, who’s running all the games on Saturday, but say, “Hey man, that was wrong. You know that was a foul.”
AllHipHop: Right!
Wendell Pierce: Right? He’s that guy, that appeals to our heart and our comfort, but appeals to our mind as well, because he’s a straight shooter, and we know so many men like that in the community. That’s why he’s been a lasting impact, having a lasting impact. I’m so thankful that he got that recognition, because those are the men that we seldom give a platform to. Because they don’t need it, they just want to make sure you do right. I’m sure, Chuck, you can look at the men in your life that would bring you to the ownership of your own company, gave you vision, gave you focus, who gives you reminders of how to move forward. That’s why we like Bunk. Because, same time, we know he’s flawed. We know he’s flawed, and he’s not perfect, but Bunk is the one, the guy who wakes up every day and says, “You know something? It’s another day to try to get it right.”
AllHipHop: Do you have any thoughts about Clarence Thomas? You played him as well, and he’s a bit of a scoundrel to Black folks nowadays.
Wendell Pierce: Yeah. When preparing for Clarence Thomas, we were living parallel lives, really. Black, from the South. Grandparents were farmers. Poor. Understood the value of education, the premium value of education. Your first wealth in life is education, before you get any sort of monetary wealth. First wealth is education. Catholic, Black Catholic, from the South, all the similarities. Went to school. Actually, very active in college. Clarence Thomas wanted to be a Black Panther…
AllHipHop: What!?
Wendell Pierce: He was marching and had his beret. It’s very interesting that Affirmative Action is the linchpin, because he benefited from Affirmative Action. He had no problem with it, until he returns home to Savannah, Georgia, and he wants to join one of the established law firms there. And here he is with his Yale degree, from the community, smart as can be, and they wouldn’t accept him. He could not get hired at a law firm in Savannah, Georgia. It shows you the insidious nature of racism. The most racist, discriminatory practice, of a Black man with a Yale law degree not being able to get a job. That wouldn’t even get him a job. He was denied his job. And the insidious trauma of that, in Clarence Thomas’ head, turns it into, well, it’s not because they don’t like my Black ass, it’s because they don’t think my degree is valuable because I got it with affirmative action.
AllHipHop: Mm-hmm.
Wendell Pierce: That’s the nexus in his life, where you see us part ways.
AllHipHop: Right.
Wendell Pierce: Where he didn’t see that this, the slightest attempt, Affirmative Action is at rectifying centuries of disparity, brutal violence, prohibition of denying us the right to education. You would be killed if they caught you reading in your shack, and you don’t understand the connection with that, when we are only two generations from slavery? My mother’s grandfather was a slave. I damn near met him. So, for him to think that way, I realized that the abhorrent way that he thinks, that has turned to some sort of self-hatred really, shows you the depth of the trauma of racist practices.
AllHipHop: Yeah. Definitely.
Wendell Pierce: Racism destroyed Clarence Thomas back then. And the only person that could get him a job was this senator from Kansas. $11,000 a year. He drove out there and he started. The one thing about Conservatives, while we differ in opinion, I wish we had this in our playbook: loyalty.
Clarence came on board and it was just like, if a Black Conservative was told, “You’re going to make it. We’re going to put you here and here and here, you’re on track,” then you’re definitely going to make it. They live up to it, “If you just stick to our principles…” not even principles, “our playbook,” really.
“You tell the same lies, say I’m sorry for it.” Now, here’s the interesting thing. For that, I don’t hate Clarence Thomas. You know why I hate Clarence Thomas?
AllHipHop: Why?
Wendel Pierce: Clarence Thomas is a part of a cabal of men who were paid lobbyists by the apartheid South African government. Black men in America who were being paid by the apartheid government to lobby Congress in their behalf to make sure that they didn’t divest, that they wouldn’t come against apartheid. He was a part of that group. For that is inexcusable, and I hate him. His sickness of just being self hating and destroying Affirmative Action, that’s a trauma that happened a long time ago, but when you are actually fighting to ensure that Black people are killed and enslaved the way they were in apartheid South Africa, and you took that blood money with no problem, for that, there’s a special place in hell for you.
AllHipHop: That’s wild. I didn’t know about his connection to the apartheid government. It’s disheartening. On a different note, do you have any pearls of wisdom for people who might feel discouraged in the entertainment industry or the world in general?
Wendell Pierce: Well, listen, in entertainment, we have a great power. We have the greatest power in the world. We have the platform and the attention of the world. That’s the role of art. That’s why I don’t even call it entertainment. Entertainment is a byproduct of what we do. We are artists, and what artists do is, we are to the world what thoughts are to the individual, the place where you reflect on who you are, decide what your values are, and then go and act out on. That’s what we do as artists, to try to have an impact on people’s hearts and minds and make them collectively come to a value system that we all agree on and go out and act on those values, fight for those values.
We can move people, even people we disagree with. Ronald Reagan was an actor who moved people of a Conservative generation. Like [L###]Wałęsa in Poland, a poet can move people in solidarity movement in Poland, so that they can have their democracy. Martin Luther King and all the artists of that time. Martin Luther King was a poet. He wrote, he’s a writer. He was a great writer, besides a minister, theologian, and then a political leader. Political leader was almost third, tertiary. He was the one. So you have a great power, and right now, don’t squander that power, young people.
I don’t know if you were in New Orleans this weekend? I don’t know when this is going to come out for [The Essence Festival].
AllHipHop: I wasn’t. That’s too much trouble. But yeah.
Wendell Pierce: Jill Scott said it in her set, “When did we become b######? When did we just always become b######? I’m a bad b####. I’m a smart b####. I’m a sexy b####. I’m that b####. What happened to the sisterhood?” We always have to celebrate thuggery.
I’m not a Hip-Hop head. I’m a Jazz man. The three of us did Jazz. I remember Guru. I met Guru, man, God rest his[soul]… He spoke truth, man. Chuck D and all of those. Where are those cats? Right now it’s all about thuggery. We celebrate as if that’s the best of our community…”I’m going to crush you. I’m going to carry around big bags of cash because that’s how I roll.” I always tell youngbloods, I say, “Here’s a pearl of wisdom for you. Rich men, they seldom see cash. The richest men and women in the world seldom sees cash. They go, “Make this digital movement and we just paid $5 billion,'” or something.
You see documents and you see computers, you seldom see cash. We’re now getting to that place where you can walk in the store, get your stuff and walk out, and just look at your phone and go, “Okay, yeah. They got everything.” I say that to say we have a great power, and nothing challenging us today could ever compare to what our ancestors went through.
AllHipHop: Absolutely. Absolutely.
Wendell Pierce: How dare we step back from the challenge. How dare we say “It’s tough,” when right now we have so much power, more power than we’ve ever had. So while it’s challenging, we’ve been here before, and here’s the smartest thing you’ll ever realize. With every generation, you have to fight and win the battle for your rights. We always make the mistake of going, “Oh, that’s taken care of, been there, done that.” Or, “Man, we’re still going through it.” Yes, because it’s a chronic disease. It’s something that every generation should look at the past generations as a wonderful, wonderful blueprint of how to fight. Now, I’m taking on my battle and I’m ready to fight now. All right.
AllHipHop: Thanks a lot. I appreciate you.
The Final Season of Tom Clancy’s “Jack Ryan” is now streaming on Prime.
Travis Scott is planning to captivate audiences with a monumental performance in front of the Egyptian Pyramids on July 28. The announcement comes ahead of his highly anticipated album, Utopia.
To commemorate the album’s release, Travis Scott has unveiled five distinct artworks and opened pre-orders for the Utopia vinyl, CD and merchandise box set.
According to a press release, Scott chose the backdrop of the Pyramids of Egypt, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, as a way to transport his fans into the realm of Utopia.Tickets are available at www.ticketsmarche.com, but the show is already sold out.
In other news, Travis Scott recently learned a Texas grand jury declined to indict him on criminal charges related to the tragic events at the Astroworld Festival.
Despite the grand jury’s decision, Travis Scott still faces multiple lawsuits filed by the families of the deceased and other injured individuals, naming him, Live Nation and other parties involved in the event.
Live Nation previously reached settlements with the families of Axel Acosta and Brianna Rodriguez, victims of the Astroworld tragedy. Travis Scott’s legal team didn’t participate in those settlement discussions.
