Adidas may lose 1.2 billion euros (roughly $1.3 billion) in revenue due to its inability to sell its existing Yeezy stock.
The company disclosed its financial difficulties on Thursday (February 9). Adidas admitted it’s struggling after cutting ties with Kanye West over his antisemitism.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” the company’s CEO Bjørn Gulden said in a press release. “We are currently not performing the way we should. 2023 will be a year of transition to set the base to again be a growing and profitable company.”
Gulden added, “Adidas has all the ingredients to be successful … We need to put the pieces back together again, but I am convinced that over time we will make Adidas shine again. But we need some time.”
Adidas dropped Kanye West in October 2022, ending a nine-year partnership. The company declared it didn’t tolerate antisemitism or hate speech in response to Ye’s offensive remarks.
“Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous,” Adidas announced. “And they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness. After a thorough review, the company has taken the decision to terminate the partnership with Ye immediately, end production of Yeezy branded products and stop all payments to Ye and his companies.”
Adidas maintained the design rights to existing Yeezy products. Ye maintained the trademark to the Yeezy brand.
A Jane Doe refiled a lawsuit against Trey Songz, accusing him of raping her in 2016.
According to Rolling Stone, the woman filed her new lawsuit in Los Angeles on Thursday (February 9). She sued Trey Songz, Kevin Liles, Atlantic Records and 300 Entertainment for $25 million.
“This case is much more than about one singer and one viciously abused sexual assault survivor who has the courage to take action,” Jane Doe’s attorney George Vrabeck told Rolling Stone. “It’s also very much about the systematic sexual abuse in the music industry and the music industry’s complicity in silencing sexual abuse survivors. It’s virtually impossible to believe that those executives are not and were not aware of the institutionalized sexual abuse.”
Vrabeck’s client originally sued Trey Songz in February 2022. Last November, the case was dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
Jane Doe accused Trey Songz, whose real name is Tremaine Neverson, of anally raping her at a party in March 2016. She claimed the two had a history of consensual sex prior to the sexual assault.
The woman said the 38-year-old singer invited her into a bedroom during the party. She believed they would have consensual sex, but he allegedly threw her to the ground and raped her despite her pleading with him to stop.
Trey Songz has faced multiple allegations of sexual assault in recent years. He maintains his innocence.
Rapper Method Man teams up with veteran battle rapper Cortez on a hot new track off his new project. Tical has been dropping music for the streets, teaming up with newer and underground artists to keep that raw sound that fans have come to know him and his brothers from the Wu-Tang Clan for.
Despite having a thriving career as an actor and world-class chart-topper, Meth has been intimately locked in with the battle rap culture. As seen in Wu-Tang: An American Saga, he got his start as a battler, proudly standing as an example of how battle rappers can make great music.
His new song and video, “Training Day,” off the Staten Island king’s latest project, “Meth Lab 3” is another example. The visual is a nod to the movie that earned Denzel Washington his Oscar for Best Leading Actor as Det. Sgt. Alonzo Harris in 2001.
Cortez comes in on the chorus, blessing the track with his unique Murder Ave-gruffed voice.
When asked how the project come about, the Ultimate Rap League top-tier vet said it was because of their bonds as friends and respect for each other as emcees.
“He hit me up & said pull up! I need a hook! That simple! He really believes in me as an artist and respects the previous work we’ve done so for me to feature on his project is a blessing!” he said.
Cor added, “As Meth went back into album mode, his goal was to showcase his that his elite rapping ability could go bar for bar. With features like myself, RJ Payne, and Jadakiss he continuously raised the bar and proved beyond a doubt he’s as great as he’s ever been in The booth!”
This is not the only time that Meth has teamed up with rappers. As reported by AllHipHop.com, he blessed Ill Will with a joint before the pandemic.
He also hopped in the ring (sorta) and battled Math Hoffa. Check out Meth and Math right here.
The Grammys were exceptional this year. For the first time, the Recording Academy celebrated and recognized Hip-Hop as a culture in a full-blown 14-minute extravaganza. The parties were also lit, all over the city of Los Angeles. No different, AllHipHop hosted a great party at Hollywood’s Third Base that brought out a host of fans, influencers, kings, queens and celebs.
Drake will reportedly have to testify in the ongoing murder trial of XXXTENTACION, who was fatally shot in 2018. According to TMZ, the presiding judge has also issued an ultimatum if Drake fails to show up for his deposition. Defense attorney Mauricio Padilla, who’s representing suspect Dedrick Williams, convinced the judge to explore Drake’s 2017 beef with the late rapper.
Drake was originally scheduled to be deposed on January 27 but failed to appear. Now, he must sit for the deposition on February 24 via Zoom. If he skips that date, he’ll have to appear in court on February 27 or face contempt charges.
XXXTENTACION and Drake started beefing over the former’s claim the OVO boss bit his style. Four months before his murder, X posted an Instagram Story that read: “IF ANYONE TRIES TO KILL ME IT WAS @champagnepapi.” X ultimately deleted the post and claimed he was hacked. Still, the conspiracy theories ran wild. Padilla is clearly going to extreme lengths to make the connection.
Last month, the judge ruled Drake wouldn’t be required to testify in during the trial but evidently change his mind. Padilla claimed Drake and people associated with him—including Akademiks—had issues with X. As he stated in December 2022, “The testimony of [Drake] is material to the case, and it is necessary to take the deposition of [Drake] to prevent the failure of justice.”
The XXXTENTACION murder trial began earlier this week. Co-defendants Michael Boatwright and Trayvon Newsome both face life sentences along with Williams.
Former president Donald Trump said he believes Rihanna has “NO TALENT.” According to Newsweek, many of the “MAGAmaniacs,” his mostly Republican supporters who rock with 45 no matter what, have started campaigning, asking for her to be removed from the Super Bowl halftime lineup. They want her fired because of past comments she’s made about the former president.
U.S. Rep. Ronny Jackson, a Republican Congressman from Texas, messaged the NFL on Thursday (February 9) through social media about his desire to have her removed— specifically pointing to images she tweeted of a Cadillac with “F*** Trump” spray-painted on it.
Jackson wrote on TruthSocial.com, “Rihanna spray painted “F### Donald Trump” on a car at the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas. She’s made a career of spewing degenerate filth while badmouthing America every chance she gets. Why is the NFL showcasing this crap? Rihanna SHOULD NOT be the halftime performer!!”
Trump followed up with, “Without her ‘Stylist’ she’d be NOTHING. Bad everything, and NO TALENT!”
One person on Twitter, who read the comment, accused Jackson of being a child.
“Oh cry Ronny you little baby. And I agree with Rihanna F### Donald Trump,” Daniel S. Laibstain wrote.
Oh cry Ronny you little baby. And I agree with Rihanna F*** Donald Trump
“Poor baby,” another person wrote as a reply to Jackson’s comments on Twitter, the other platform he made the comment. “Donald Trump can’t make it through a 5-minute speech (rant) without disparaging remarks (always lies) about at least a couple people. Besides most the people like Rihanna and can’t stand Trump.”
You’re right, Ronny. Rihanna is wrong! She was supposed to write F### DONALD TRUMP AND F### HIS STUPID MORONIC SIMP RONNY JACKSON”..but yeah she forgot a lot of words. Excuse her Ronny – she was probably tired. Gonna be on fire on Sunday tho. God bless.
As reported by AllHipHop, Rihanna is scheduled to perform during the Eagles and Chiefs’ Super Bowl showdown on Sunday (February 12). Fans are anticipating her show, as it will be the first major performance since she became a mother.
Attorneys for the disgraced singer and producer R. Kelly have asked a federal judge, governing his Chicago trial, if his musical genius but sexually deviant client could be sentenced to 11 years in prison for his sex crime conviction in the state of Illinois.
Kelly was convicted in 2022 for repeatedly sexually abusing his teenage goddaughter. Not only did he engage in statutory rape decades ago, but he videotaped it. That infamous tape was somehow leaked to the public.
According to the Chicago Tribute, his lead attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said in a court filing submitted on Friday, Feb. 10, her client has already been given a 30-year sentencing for his conviction on New York racketeering charges in 2021 and will be in prison for the rest of his life. She would like this additional time, 132 months (the lowest end of federal guidelines).
“Such a sentence punishes Kelly for conduct that is over a quarter-century old while taking into account his individual characteristics that include his own horrific child sexual abuse that shaped him and provides some explanation (not an excuse) for the conduct that underlies his convictions in this case,” Bonjean wrote in the filing.
She continued to say in her 34-page memo to officials that the federal government had an “obsession with ensuring that Kelly dies in prison.”
U.S. District Judge Harry Leinenweber is scheduled on Feb. 23.
Over the last ten years, Solána “SZA” Rowe recorded numerous hit songs and earned various industry award nominations. However, the R&B vocalist elevated to another level in late 2022/early 2023.
SZA’s sophomore album, SOS, has spent seven weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart since its release last December. Plus, the SOS track “Kill Bill” remains perched at No. 2 on the Hot 100 chart.
With all that recent success on the Billboard weekly rankings, the publication will also honor SZA with the Woman Of The Year Award at the 2023 Billboard Women in Music Awards. The Quinta Brunson-hosted event takes place on Wednesday, March 1 at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles.
SZA Reached Superstardom With ‘SOS’
“Since she burst onto the scene in 2017, SZA has defied genres and continually released raw, powerful songs which have landed her music on the Billboard charts,” said Hannah Karp, Billboard’s Editorial Director.
Hannah Karp continued, “The release of her latest album, SOS, has solidified her as a distinct force in contemporary R&B, and catapulted her into superstardom. We can’t wait to honor her as Woman of the Year.”
The See.SZA.Run EP dropped in 2012. She followed that effort with 2013’s S EP and 2014’s Z EP. Throughout her career, the New Jersey native collaborated with other music stars such as Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Maroon 5, Cardi B, Justin Timberlake, and Doja Cat.
The ‘Ctrl’ Album Also Achieved Billboard Chart Success
SZA released her major label debut studio LP Ctrl in 2017. That Top Dawg Entertainment-backed project peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. Ctrl also made it to No. 2 on the R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart and No. 1 on the R&B Albums chart.
The Recording Industry Association of America certified Ctrl as 3x-Platinum, and the album received five Grammy nominations in 2018. Ctrl is closing in on spending a milestone 300 weeks on the Billboard 200. It has already charted 295 times.
Previous Woman of the Year recipients include Olivia Rodrigo, Cardi B, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and Taylor Swift. This year’s Billboard Women in Music Awards will also feature fellow TDE artist Doechii receiving the Rising Star Award. “Big Energy” rapper Latto will receive the Powerhouse Award.
Belcalis “Cardi B” Almánzar-Cephus went from being an exotic dancer to being a Grammy-winning multimillionaire. Her rise to fame and fortune represents the epitome of upward social mobility in the United States, according to Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson.
Billboard magazine caught up with 50 Cent for a new cover story about the G-Unit boss. The outlet also published an interview with Jackson where he talked about his fellow New York City-bred recording artist Cardi B.
“When Cardi came, she’s dope because she’s from the bottom,” stated 50 Cent in the Billboard video. “From that, and you actually go and make a hit record, I don’t know anybody who wouldn’t like to see that.”
The Queens-raised entrepreneur continued, “It felt like [Cardi] got everything that year – got married, got the baby. Everything came really fast. That’s what the culture needs, for people to see the dream happen. That’s the American Dream right there.”
Both Cardi B & 50 Cent Made Many Money Moves
Migos member Kiari “Offset” Cephus married Cardi B in 2017. The celebrity couple currently has two children together – 4-year-old Kulture Kiari Cephus and 1-year-old Wave Set Cephus. Offset has three other children with different mothers.
Cardi B became a household name following the release of chart-topping songs such as “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It,” “WAP,” and “Up.” Her 2018 studio LP, Invasion of Privacy, made history by being the first solo album by a female rapper to win the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.
“Janelle Monáe finally showing off how fine she is instead of dressing like the Monopoly Man,” tweeted the @gldnraes Twitter account on February 5. As of press time, that tweet has over 85,000 likes.
Monae responded, “Ohh y’all n##### liked this 26.8k times?? No new music just for this. 😘.” The Kansas City native later added, “35.7k likes?? No new tour. Hope it was worth it beloved. 😘”
Ohh y’all n##### liked this 26.8k times??no new music just for this. 😘 https://t.co/X0f4z5GL2o
Instead of actually punishing her followers for a Twitter user’s joke comparing her former fashion choices to Rich Uncle Pennybags from the Monopoly board game, Monáe adopted the meme for promotion.
On Thursday, Janelle Monáe posted a snippet of her upcoming “Float” single which drops on February 16. The 32-second teaser clip also featured a video of Mr. Monopoly dancing to the track. That tweet collected over 22,000 likes.
Janelle Monáe has released three studio albums. 2010’s The ArchAndroid, 2013’s The Electric Lady, and 2018’s Dirty Computer all garnered acclaim from professional music critics. She has an average Metacritic score of 87/100.
Dirty Computer earned an Album Of The Year nomination at the 61st Annual Grammy Awards in 2019. Monáe’s 2011 collaboration “We Are Young” with the Pop-Rock band Fun secured a Record Of The Year nomination as well.
In addition, Janelle Monáe won Best Acting Ensemble Critics’ Choice Awards for her roles in Moonlight and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. Her performance in Hidden Figures helped that film win Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
The NFL tapped Robyn Rihanna Fenty to headline the Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show on Sunday, February 12. Viewers from around the world will get to see the entertainment superstar perform a few of her biggest hits at the Big Game.
With a recording career that spans nearly twenty years, Rihanna had to narrow down her setlist to fit into the allotted time for the performance. She spoke about that process with Apple Music at a press conference.
“The setlist was the biggest challenge. That was the hardest, hardest part,” admitted Rihanna. “Deciding how to maximize thirteen minutes, but also celebrate. That’s what this show is gonna be. It’s gonna be a celebration of my catalog in the best way we could have put it together.”
The 9-time Grammy winner continued, “You only have thirteen minutes, that’s a challenge. So you’re trying to cram seventeen years of work into thirteen minutes. It’s difficult, but some songs we had to lose because of that and that’s gonna be okay.”
Rihanna’s Discography Includes Multiple Number Ones
Rihanna scored her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2006 with the “SOS” single off the A Girl like Me studio LP. The Barbados-born singer went on to add another thirteen chart-toppers to her résumé.
Her fourteen Number Ones place Rihanna at #4 on the all-time list of most Hot 100 chart leaders. 2011’s “We Found Love” featuring Calvin Harris spent ten weeks at No. 1. “Work” featuring Drake remained atop the Hot 100 for nine weeks.
In addition, tracks such as “Umbrella” with Jay-Z, “Love The Way You Lie” with Eminem, and “Live Your Life” with T.I. each held the pole position for at least six weeks. Rihanna currently sits at No. 3 on the all-time rankings of the most cumulative weeks at No. 1.
Super Bowl LVII airs live on Fox in the United States from the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The AFC’s Kansas City Chiefs will face off against the NFC’s Philadelphia Eagles. Apple Music presents the Halftime Show starring Rihanna.
As one of Hip-Hop’s global superstars, 50 Cent has a vast overseas fanbase who flock to concerts worldwide to see the icon perform.
He is now so popular overseas that his performance fees have ballooned in size, and he can now ask for more than ten times what he made in the early days of his fame.
During a recent Billboard cover story, the Hip-Hop and media mogul discussed his music career and his transition into film and television.
He was asked how much he currently commands for an international show versus when Master P used to book him prior to his Get Rich Or Die Tyrin’ fame.
“I think he gave me like $80,000, and now I’m getting like $900,000, $1 million,” Fiddy revealed. “The coolest thing we create in America is celebrities. If you see LeBron [James’] fan base internationally, you’ll argue, ‘Why is he staying here?’ He’s that big internationally. For the most part, I can’t speak for everybody, but the international side of the game is different.”
While he hasn’t abandoned the music industry altogether, working on a new project with Eminem and Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, revealed he’s most at peace when working on his Hollywood projects.
“That’s the only place where I can relax. “When I’m chilling,” he added, “there will be some sort of film and TV involved.”
Fiddy recently paid tribute to his longtime mentors, Dre and Em, while celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album.
He referred to their iconic pairing as the “3 headed monster” while sharing a throwback clip of an interview. The video features 50 Cent, Eminem, and Dr. Dre in the rollout for 2003’s Get Rich Or Die Tryin’.
GloRilla denies she was spat on after a video surfaced showing an angry fan’s reaction to the Memphis native being escorted out of a club by a team of security.
Disappointed attendees thought the “F.N.F” hitmaker would be performing on Wednesday night at New Karibbean City (Feb. 8), and became irate when she left the venue. One woman began cursing at GloRilla as the rapper walked by, throwing a drink and later spitting in her direction.
A club promoter said he booked Glo to perform for $30,000, “Not hosting. Not a walkthrough.”
However, Yo Gotti and GloRilla disagree. The CMG honcho suggested it costs a lot more than $30k to book his artist.
“30k to perform,” he wrote. “U must booked lil Glo NOT Big Glo #CMG.” Gotti also took to Instagram with a video of a GloRilla performing to a lively audience.
Meanwhile, GloRilla also responded on social media, stating that the booking was to host, not perform. She also denied being spat on.
“No way you think I’m performing when you paid for a hosting crazy tail self. No way you think I’m performing when you paid for a hosting crazy tail self,” she tweeted. ‘I’m so mad dat I can get sued for slapping you hoes !!😂😂😂but you hoes still can get slapped b####.”
Ain’t no ho spit on s### !!!!! Ask dat ho how ha face feel doe
Promoter Con B posted about GloRilla’s appearance: “She will be performing live…” he wrote on his IG Story. “Not hosting. Not a walkthrough. She will be performing live in Oakland, [Calif.] tonight.”
Promoter Con B advertised Glo’s appearance, writing, “She will be performing live. Not hosting. Not a walkthrough. She will be performing live in Oakland, [Calif.] tonight.”
He asked for his money back before sharing an alleged $31,000 contract for a “performance by GloRilla.”
After teasing months ago that “something special” with SZA was on the way, Lizzo has shared the remix of “Special,” featuring her good friend.
Following her performance of “Special” at the Grammys’, Lizzo finally dropped the long-awaited remix featuring SZA on Thursday (Feb. 9.) Fans first heard the song during Lizzo’s recent HBO Max special Lizzo: Live in Concert.
She brought out the recording-breaking singer before demanding the audience “Make some noise for my f###### fave.”
.@sza and @lizzo performing “Special (Remix)” a few weeks ago at “Lizzo In Concert”.
The pair hosted a joint Instagram Live shortly after releasing the song which turned into a general talk between friends. The gal pals discussed everything from the early days of their friendship – SZA knew she was cool with Lizzo once she felt comfortable enough to remove her wig in her home – to the upcoming shows they must see.
They speculated about Rihanna’s setlist for her performance at the upcoming Super Bowl halftime Show and talked about getting tickets for Beyoncé’s world tour. Check out the clips below and stream the “special” remix at the end of the page.
“Oh s###, b####. I was scared to talk about that s### out loud,” SZA exclaimed after Lizzo asked which Renaissance show they’re attending.
SZA and Lizzo attempting to predict what Rihanna’s opening track will be on the Super Bowl is giving me life 😭 btw my money is on Don’t Stop The Music pic.twitter.com/UxlJPHn3xC
Meanwhile, the “special” remix might not be the only upcoming offering from the pairing. Lizzo and SZA recorded “five or six” rock songs while in the studio creating features for the SOS album.
“We just have so much fun together. And I feel like she gets me. She’s another person who has hella music tastes and doesn’t fit in anybody’s box of anything,” SZA said of Lizzo. “She makes it seem like she doesn’t even care like she just does whatever she wants. And I just love being with her, just as a friend and hanging out. So whenever she comes to a studio, I just feel like, ‘Let’s drop into some b#######.’”
The music industry has been known to influence popular culture and lifestyle trends, and the rise of vaping is no exception. Over the past few years, vaping has become increasingly prevalent in the music world, with many musicians incorporating it into their performances and image. Let’s examine the trend of vaping in the music industry and its impact on popular culture.
The Emergence of Vaping in Music
Vaping has been around for several years now, but it wasn’t until recently that it became a noticeable trend in the music industry. Musicians started incorporating vaping into their performances and music videos, making it a prominent aspect of their image. This has led to a growing interest in vaping among music fans and has contributed to its increasing popularity.
The Influence of Musicians on Vaping Culture
Many musicians have used vaping as a means of self-expression and a way to stand out from the crowd. By incorporating vaping into their image and performances, they have helped to make it a mainstream trend. Some of the most popular musicians in the industry today, such as Post Malone, Future, and Drake, have been known to frequently use vaping products, which has helped to promote vaping to a wider audience.
The Impact of Vaping on the Music Industry
The impact of vaping on the music industry has been largely positive, with many musicians finding it to be a useful tool for enhancing their performances. Vaping has also provided new opportunities for musicians in terms of marketing and sponsorship, as many vaping brands are eager to collaborate with musicians to reach a wider audience. If you are interested in trying vaping for yourself, be sure to visit Yocan Vaporizer store to explore the latest products and technologies.
However, there have also been some concerns raised about the impact of vaping on the health of musicians. This has led to calls for greater regulation of vaping products, as well as more education about the potential health risks associated with vaping.
The Future of Vaping in the Music Industry
Despite some concerns about its impact on health, it is clear that vaping is here to stay in the music industry. As vaping continues to grow in popularity, we can expect to see more musicians incorporating it into their images and performances.
However, it is important to note that the future of vaping in the music industry will be largely determined by the regulations put in place by governments around the world. If regulations become more restrictive, it could lead to a decline in the popularity of vaping in the music industry.
5 Famous Musicians & Celebrities Who Vape
There have been several musicians and celebrities who have promoted vaping products in the past, including:
Snoop Dogg – He has endorsed and collaborated with several vaping brands and has been a vocal advocate for vaping.
Wiz Khalifa – He is known for his love of vaping weed and has been seen using and promoting vaping products on numerous occasions.
Lewis Hamilton – The Formula One driver has been seen using and promoting vaping products on social media.
Johnny Depp – Yes, Johnny Depp has been seen vaping on several occasions. He is known for his love of alternative forms of nicotine delivery and has been seen using and promoting vaping products in the past.
Katy Perry – has also been seen vaping on several occasions.
Leonardo DiCaprio – Has been seen vaping multiple times and we guess he loves doing it for sure.
Final Thoughts
Finally, the trend of vaping in the music industry has had a significant impact on popular culture, with many musicians incorporating it into their images and performances. While there are some concerns about its impact on health, it is clear that vaping is here to stay in the music industry.
Rihanna has opened up about the challenges of returning to the stage for her first live show in seven years at the upcoming Super Bowl Halftime show.
The first hurdle facing the superstar songstress was deciding whether to accept the gig. She was initially hesitant, but motherhood changed her perspective and gave her a sense of fearlessness.
“It feels like [playing the Super Bowl] could have only been now,” Rihanna admitted during an Apple Music press conference Thursday (Feb. 9). “When I first got the call to do it again this year I was like, ‘Are you sure? I’m three months postpartum. Should I be making major decisions like this right now? I might regret this.’”
She continued, “When you become a mom there’s something that happens where you feel like you can take on the world and can do anything. The Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world. As scary as it was, because I haven’t been on stage in seven years, there’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all. It’s important for me to do this year. It’s important for my son to see that.”
Once she agreed to do the show, Rhianna faced the big challenge of finalizing a set list for the 13-minute-long performance. Cramming a 17-year music career into 13 minutes has been “difficult,” she explained.
“Some songs we have to lose because of that, and that’s going to be okay,” Rihanna continued. “We did a pretty good job at narrowing it down. There’s probably been about 39 versions of the setlist right now. We’re on our 39th. Every little change counts.”
Rihanna On The Importance Of Representation
Rhianna also discussed the importance of representing her Black womanhood and Caribbean culture during her performance.
“That’s a big part of why it’s important for me to do this show. Representing for my country, Barbados. Representing for Black women everywhere. That’s really important,” she added.
Apple Music and Rihanna shared a promo visual on social media ahead of the Super Bowl Halftime show, reflecting both her Bajan heritage and phenomenal journey from Island girl to the world’s youngest self-made female billionaire.
“My whole life was shaped on this very road. I was just a little girl flying kites in the cemetery,” the outro from Rihanna explains. “But I had big dreams.” Watch the visual below and the full Apple Music press conference in the video below
A new wax figure of Canadian rapper Drake has been unveiled at Madame Tussauds London.
The curators at the Baker Street museum officially added the figure to the collection, with the waxwork to take up permanent residence alongside likenesses of Stormzy, Freddie Mercury, and Amy Winehouse in the Impossible Festival music zone.
The figure of Drake was styled on his appearance at the 2021 Wireless Festival, where he wore a camouflage print T-shirt and trousers, a bomber jacket, and white Nike Air Force 1 sneakers.
“Drake has shown his love for London on numerous occasions with his surprise appearance at the Wireless Festival being just one example of this,” Tim Waters, general manager at Madame Tussauds London, remarked in a press release.
Waters added, “With reports that he’s soon to call London home, we wanted to make sure we were able to give him a warm welcome to our streets and show that the love is reciprocated the only way we know how by immortalizing him in our famous attraction.”
Tim continued to say there is “no denying the Canadian rap superstar is a music icon”, with countless awards and numerous nominations under his belt, including at this year’s Brit Awards.
“We know that our guests will be sure to ‘Take Care’ of Drake as he becomes ‘A Keeper’ at Madame Tussauds London,” he concluded.
Each Madame Tussauds figure takes approximately six months to create.
Prosecutors urged a judge to schedule the trial against Jam Master Jay’s alleged killers as soon as possible.
According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York objected to a January 29, 2024 start date for the trial. Prosecutors cited concerns about delays in the Jam Master Jay murder case after one of their witnesses died.
“The government is also prejudiced by the extended delay as one key witness has passed away during the pendency of the case,” the prosecution wrote. “Witness intimidation and tampering remain a significant concern. Indeed, witnesses in this case have received threats since the unsealing of the indictment.”
Prosecutors accuse Karl Jordan Jr. and Ronald Washington of killing Jam Master Jay in 2002. Jordan and Washington’s trial was originally set to begin this month, but a judge adjourned it in January.
Last month, the court asked the prosecution and defense about their availability for a January 2024 trial. Prosecutors argued for a 2023 start date in a letter sent on Wednesday (February 8).
“Several witnesses have expressed concerns about the defendants’ ability to identify and threaten them, which is now an even greater concern in light of the additional 11-month trial delay and recent government disclosures regarding witness statements and expected trial testimony,” they wrote. “Given that the government and defense cases will likely take less than three weeks in total, a trial date before January 2024 is both appropriate and feasible.”
Prosecutors suggested scheduling the Jam Master Jay murder trial for November 2023. They also dismissed the need to wait for one of Washington’s lawyers to proceed.
“Counsel for Jordan have confirmed that they remain available to try the case in November 2023,” prosecutors wrote. “Counsel for Washington also stated that they would be available to try the case in November 2023 during the status conference, but now represent that one of the attorneys will be unavailable in November due to a four-to-six-week trial scheduled to commence on September 11, 2023 before the Honorable Carol B. Amon. Given the length of the adjournment and the number of attorneys representing defendant Washington, the government does not see this as an impediment to beginning the trial in November 2023 or earlier.”
Authorities charged Jordan and Washington with murder while engaged in narcotics trafficking and firearm-related murder. The two face up to life in prison if convicted.
Drake, who is no stranger to gambling, shared his Super Bowl LVII bets in an Instagram post on Thursday (February 9).
The diamond-selling artist admitted there isn’t much of a method to his madness. Drake told his followers it was pointless to make sense of his bets.
“My psychotic bets for Sunday are in @stake,” he wrote. “pls do not analyze the logic behind these bets there is none.”
Drake placed a $700,000 bet on the Kansas City Chiefs winning the Super Bowl, which takes place on Sunday (February 12). The OVO rapper also made a variety of prop bets.
The Canadian superstar bet $50,000 on who scores the first touchdown of the game and the Chiefs winning each half. Drake threw down another $30,000 on the Chiefs winning every quarter of the game.
Drake banked on Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce having a big game. The Billboard chart-topper bet $25,000 on Kelce being named MVP and $60,000 on the MVP being a tight end.
The Chiefs face off against the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Rihanna will perform at the halftime show.
Check out all of Drake’s bets and the estimated payouts below.
DJ Khaled signed a deal with Def Jam Recordings and secured a new job as Universal Music Group’s Global Creative Consultant.
The We the Best boss and UMG announced the partnership on Thursday (February 9). DJ Khaled made the move to Def Jam after a multi-year stint at Epic Records.
“This new chapter marks a special time for me,” he said in a press release. “The energy at this point in my career is at an all-time high and I’m grateful to [UMG’s chairman and CEO] Sir Lucian Grainge for allowing me to join his empire at this stage in my journey.”
He added, “Together, we will achieve even greater heights and take it to the next level. I feel blessed and so inspired with renewed energy. I’m excited to not only partner, but to come back home to Def Jam … Def Jam is the culture and together we will make history yet once again.”
Earlier in his career, DJ Khaled served as an A&R for Def Jam. His return reunites him with the label’s executive vice president LaTrice Burnette, who worked with him at Epic Records.
“DJ Khaled has been a dear friend and close collaborator of mine for over a decade,” Burnette said. “Throughout our years together at Epic, Khaled and I developed a special working bond and broke barriers through a united vision, focused partnership and hard work. I have a tremendous respect for Khaled’s artistry, creativity, work ethic, marketing savvy, and boundless positive energy. I’m thrilled to welcome him back home to Def Jam, and can’t wait to see what we cook up next.”
Last year, DJ Khaled wrapped up his run at Epic Records with the release of his GodDid album. His We the Best imprint will now operate through Def Jam, which is led by chairman and CEO Tunji Balogun.
