“100k or dinner with DDG?” tweeted the vlogger on Monday afternoon. That post was a callback to the “Dinner With Jay-Z Or $500k” meme that went viral on Twitter and Instagram between 2017-2021.
While Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter is a billionaire Hip Hop legend, DDG has yet to reach that level of financial security or cultural relevance of the Roc Nation boss. As a result, many social media users dragged the 25-year-old Epic recording artist.
One person wrote, “[I don’t give a f###] about a soul that damn much to pick dinner with em over 100k not even Jesus himself 😭😂😂🤷🏽♀️.” Someone else tweeted, “I’d take a caramel frappe from McDonald’s.”
Numerous Twitter accounts used reaction videos, such as Lil Baby counting money or Tony Yayo sucking his teeth, to express their feelings on the DDG’s survey. However, the Michigan native’s tweet did collect over 7,000 likes.
“Boy, [you’re] clearly not that hard to link [with]. I’ll take the 100k,” replied a user. Her tweet referenced the rumors of DDG cheating on Halle Bailey. DDG responded, “[To be honest], you’re extremely mid and I wouldn’t even look your way.”
Eventually, DDG conceded that the majority online opinion of passing on a meal with the It’s Not Me It’s You album creator for a six-figure payout was the wise move. He tweeted, “Y’all smart. Take that 100k lol.”
tbh, you’re extremely mid & i wouldn’t even look your way.
Lil TJay suffered multiple gunshot wounds during an alleged robbery attempt in June and is seemingly still plagued by the harrowing experience.
While the Bronx native released new music in the months after his roughly six-week hospital stay, he still struggles with his mental health. Lil Tjay took to Twitter last weekend revealing he is suffering from PTSD.
“I be feeling like I’m gonna die but I ain’t trynna go,” he penned on Twitter. He also attributed his recent difficulties to the condition, although he didn’t elaborate.
“That’s y I be steady going thru what I go thru,” he wrote before adding, “I got ptsd.”
I be feeling like I’m gonna die but I ain’t trynna go that’s y I be steady going thru what I go thru I got ptsd 😣😵💫
The Columbia recording artist reflected on the harrowing incident following his release from the hospital last August.
“Seven shots, it was tough, you know? Most people don’t survive it, but I’m here,’ he explained. In a later social media update, Lil TJay cleared up rumors that the shooting left him paralyzed.
“The blogs said I was paralyzed and couldn’t walk. But I started walking in a week after surgery. I beat the odds,” wrote Tjay, referring to the name of his first single after the shooting.
Lil Tjay – Beat The Odds
In addition to the shooting, Lil Tjay might still be reeling from his latest run-ins with the law. The “Beat The Odds” hitmaker was arrested twice in January. Cops stopped Lil Tjay in the Bronx while en route to a video shoot with Ice Spice. NYPD reportedly found a handgun in his vehicle, which ultimately led to his arrest.
Lil Tjay was back in custody again less than two weeks later, also on gun charges. However, his attorney Dawn Florio explained why he actually ended up in jail in a statement issued to AllHipHop.
“Lil Tjay was not rearrested for another gun charge,” Florio told AllHipHop. “He was excused from appearing in court last Friday by the arraignment judge. Another judge revoked his bond and put him back in jail for missing court on Friday even though he was told by the first judge that he did not have [to] appear.”
Joe Budden has doubled down on his comments about his fellow rappers “failing” to transition into podcasting, despite pushback from his contemporaries.
The rapper-turned-podcast-host came under fire earlier this month following a discussion on a recent episode of The Joe Budden Podcast. He and his co-hosts debated whether “podcast money” was better than “rap money.”
“You know what’s crazy? I’m looking at these rappers trying shows now, rappers from our era,” N.O.R.E. offered, “and they are so failing. They doing sports shows, they doing comedy shows … They talkin’ about, ‘Yo, I’m up. I’m just doing this for fun.’ No you are not!”
“Tell the truth: it’s great to see people fail,” Joe Budden interjected before N.O.R.E could finish. “You can’t take the blueprint and hire different contractors. They sellin’ ass out here huh?”
N.O.R.E. also mentioned Taxstone and the late podcast pioneer Combat Jack during the discussion, shading them for signing to Loud Speakers Network and “giving away YouTubes for free.”
“What was the s### that Tax and all them n##### was signed to? What’s that label? A dude named Matt ran it. Combat, Tax, all of them was on this label giving they YouTubes away for free. I’m the first dude that had a three-deal for the same crack,” he added.
The clip went viral and drew condemnation from some in the Hip-Hop podcasting community. Mouse Jones, who has exchanged heated words with the rapper in the past, called Budden and Norega “idiots.”
Joe Budden was characteristically blunt in his response, declaring, “I like watching most of you n##### fail.”
He clapped back during the latest episode of his podcast, stating “I like it,” when his peers fail.
“As somebody that has dedicated his life to podcasting, and I’m not leaving no time soon, I like when all of y’all jump in the race, bump ya’ head a few times, and run away ‘cause it aint no money in it,” he stated.
Budden also said he feels no guilt and referred to the backlash coming from one person without naming them. He branded the unidentified podcaster “failure,” despite being in the field for over a decade. Check out the clip below.
District Attorney Fani Willis offered a defendant in Young Thug’s YSL RICO case co-his freedom in exchange for snitching on the rapper, according to the father of co-defendant Lil Rod.
The angry father made the allegations against the Fulton County D.A. in an Instagram Live video.
“Ms. Willis went down to that jail and told my son if he—if!” he stated in a clip. “Listen to what I say. I ain’t tellin’ you what I heard, I’m tellin’ you what I know. ‘If he say Thug gave him $10,000 to [inaudible] that boy, then we’ll let you out of jail.’” Check out the video below.
Young Thug remains behind bars awaiting trial on a slew of RICO charges. Jury selection is currently underway but moving at a glacial pace, and is expected to last months.
Lil Rod Allegedly Involved In Jailhouse Stabbing
Meanwhile, Lil Rod, real name Rodalius Ryan, is one of several of Young Thug’s co-defendants who could face charges over his alleged role in a stabbing at the Fulton County Jail. Christian Eppinger, Damone Blalock Jevon Fleetwood, and Demise McMullen were also named in the alleged attack.
31-year-old inmate Demarcus Bussey was attacked at the jail on the evening of Jan. 31 after being surrounded by inmates. Eppinger is accused of stabbing Bussey in the chest with a shank.
Ryan and Eppinger were charged with aggravated assault. Blalock, Fleetwood, and McMullen were charged with misdemeanor battery. All five men were charged with willful obstruction of a law enforcement officer.
Meanwhile, last month, Rodalius Ryan’s attorney Angela D’Williams claimed a Fulton County deputy punched her client in the head. The altercation occurred amid the jury selection process in Young Thug’s RICO trial. Sheriff Pat Labat accused Ryan of spitting in a deputy’s face. He was accused of spitting in the back of a patrol car while awaiting to be taken to the courthouse.
North West is quite the budding artist, as she demonstrated in a highly detailed portrait of “Munch” rapper Ice Spice.
The nine-year-old daughter of Kanye West and Kim Kardashian showed off her skills in a video posted on the TikTok account she shares with her mother. In the clip, North shares a step-by-step close-up of her creating the picture of Ice Spice.
She proudly showed off her finished portrait to her 14.3 million followers, holding the drawing up to the camera while singing along to “Boy’s a Liar Pt. 2” by PinkPantheress and Ice Spice.
Ice Spice shared North West’s video on her Instagram and later praised the little girl for her artistic tribute. She told TMZ the young creative is “so talented,” and described the portrait as “so cute,” before thanking her.
While Ice Spice appreciated North West’s gesture, she was surprised by another fan’s impromptu gift. The Bronx native was strolling through New York at the weekend when a man dropped to his knees in front of the 23-year-old rapper, offering her a bunch of red roses. However, Ice Spice wasn’t feeling the love, returning a nervous smile before walking off laughing.
Meanwhile, earlier on Monday, Ice Spice joined Lil Nas on the front row at Coach during New York Fashion Week. The two rappers cozied up for selfies at the A-list fashion show held at the Park Avenue Armory.
“I’m the baddie friend she was talm bout,” Lil Nas wrote, sharing the pics on Twitter.
Julia Fox remains “heartbroken” over Kanye West’s antisemitism controversy.
Late last year, the “Stronger” rapper hit headlines after he made a string of offensive remarks about Jewish people on social media and in interviews, leading to him becoming widely condemned and losing a series of sponsors and partnerships.
In a discussion for the March 2023 issue of ELLE magazine, Julia insisted she never suspected Kanye – whom she briefly dated in early 2022 – was capable of such behavior.
“I just feel so bad for everyone involved, to be honest. I feel bad for his family, his children. I feel bad for the Jewish people. Some of my Jewish friends are shook right now, and that f###### breaks my heart. I really, truly, would’ve never seen him taking this direction,” she commented.
During an appearance on “Watch What Happens Live” with Andy Cohen in January, Julia noted that she hadn’t spoken to Kanye since they broke up.
“I have not talked to Kanye in almost a year and I have been in the same room as Kim (Kardashian, his ex-wife) but we’ve never spoken about anything,” the Uncut Gems actress stated at the time.
Elsewhere in the ELLE conversation, Julia revealed that she is writing a memoir.
“It’s not like a celebrity who just got a book deal and, like, got a ghostwriter to write it, you know? Like, I actually am about this life,” she said, before emphasizing that the book won’t focus on her relationships. “I didn’t want to make men the focal point.
It has been a little over a week since the Grammys. The highlight of the even was the Hip-Hop 50 medley. There were so many acts on that stage, but it was a bit jarring to see Scarface perform dolo. It was not strange seeing Big Boi with out Andre, because OutKast is largely defunct. But the Geto Boys are still pretty active, even if it is podcasting.
So, they appear to be friends and, if not, friendly. The only thing is, it seems like Willie D was not in the loop when Scarface hit the stage for the coveted moment. It is unclear what Scarface knew exactly, but he knew that he was going to LA to perform. And he knew his writing partner and podcast homie under the Geto Boys umbrella was not.
So in 2023 fashion, they ran it for the internet to see.
https://youtu.be/CnHZs9IQPn4
Now, the question is: who are you riding with? I will join you all in a spirited conversation in the comments section!
Missy Elliott took great pride in participating in Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary tribute at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
The acclaimed artist reflected on the star-studded performance in an interview with Billboard. Missy Elliott explained why it was so special for her to share the stage with some of the most important figures in Hip-Hop history.
“It was such nostalgia because I remember sitting in my living room and watching Public Enemy and Eric B. and Rakim and De La Soul and [Queen] Latifah and Salt-N-Pepa,” she said. “And once again, just like that [Billboard] list, I am a part of this 50-year Hip-Hop tribute. And I tell you — this is no lie — no matter how many awards or accolades I have collected, I still pinch myself when I’m in those spaces because those people are so legendary to me.”
Questlove curated the Grammys performance, which highlighted multiple eras of Hip-Hop. Melle Mel, LL Cool J, Ice-T, Queen Latifah, Busta Rhymes, Big Boi, Method Man and Missy Elliott were just a few of the legends who performed. Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Baby and GloRilla joined in the festivities to represent the current era.
Post Malone was denied entry into a rooftop bar in Perth, Australia over the weekend due to his face and neck tattoos.
The rapper was turned away from the rooftop bar at the QT Perth hotel over the weekend because his appearance violated the exclusive venue’s strict dress code, which prohibits face, neck and offensive tattoos.
Speaking to The West Australian about the incident, Post said, “They turned me away for my tattoos… I’ve never really experienced anything like that.”
A spokesperson for the five-star hotel apologized to the Rockstar rapper, real name Austin Post, for denying him entry.
“At QT, we aim to welcome everyone and celebrate the uniqueness of each individual. QT has been recognized for this for many years,” reads a statement issued to Daily Mail Australia. “However, on Saturday night, our third-party security did not exercise the appropriate discretion and we take full responsibility for this. We sincerely apologize to the individuals affected.”
Post’s night was not ruined by the rejection – he simply went to the nearby 18 Knots rooftop bar instead.
The 27-year-old was Down Under opening for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their six-date stadium tour, which concluded on Sunday.
The rapper is well-known for his tattoo-covered appearance. His facial tattoos include the words “stay away” and “always tired,” barbed wire near his hairline and a sword down his cheek.
One person that definitely knows how to get to Kanye West is his new wife. I know some you are still stuck on Kim K, but Yeezy has moved on to Australian architect Bianca Censori. They are newly weds, but she’s moving into her new role with force and authority. She is now managing the Kanye West Empire all by her 28-year old self.
The Sun is on the case and they reported the following.
The source explained. “Bianca runs the show. She has been around Ye for about three years, things got serious really fast in mid-November.
“Bianca handles Ye’s daily logistics from Yeezy clothing management to construction of the new Yeezy headquarters/ Donda Academy.
“She takes all his calls, and all business affairs go through her. It seems to be working out well so far.”
Kanye is believed to have tied the knot with Bianca in Utah just two months after his divorce was finalized from Kim Kardashian, according to reports.
The one thing nobody seems to be able to confirm is if they are truly married. I am definitely not going around looking for the marriage license, but the other media outlets are on the hunt. Right now, they are saying that the adorning couple was married in a super small and intimate ceremony. Her parents found out in the media like we did.
The other thing I found interesting was that Kim K has always hated this chick. Why? Homegirl used to work for him for a lengthy period. She was just lying in wait for things to fall apart. And they did. When it did, she was there! Winning!
Kodak Black predicts his friend Lamar Jackson will reach the Super Bowl in 2024.
The Atlantic Records artist declared he’s betting millions of dollars on Jackson in a brief chat with TMZ on Sunday (February 12). Kodak Black revealed his gambling plans while getting swarmed by fans after Super Bowl LVII in Arizona.
“I’ll be back next year with my boy Lamar Jackson,” Kodak Black said. “And I’m betting a few million on Lamar Jackson next year.”
Jackson and Kodak Black both grew up in Pompano Beach. Last year, the Baltimore Ravens quarterback briefly appeared in a music video with the Florida-bred rapper.
One question heading into the next NFL season is whether or not Jackson will still be playing for the Ravens. The former MVP is looking for a long-term deal with more guaranteed money, leading to speculation about the Ravens trading him. The Ravens are expected to place the franchise tag on Jackson if they cannot reach an agreement with him.
Kodak Black is busy making business moves of his own in his hometown of Pompano Beach. He recently purchased a local property for $1.8 million. He intends to turn it into a “luxurious retail space” with a restaurant.
A Florida judge denied bond to rapper Ace NH, who is accused of murder in the death of his pregnant girlfriend.
According to multiplereports, Judge Margaret Taylor ordered Ace NH to remain in jail until his trial on Monday (February 13). The judge also rejected the defense’s request for a gag order at the court hearing.
Tampa police arrested Ace NH, whose real name is Billy Adams, and charged him with first-degree murder on February 8. Authorities claimed he killed his pregnant girlfriend Alana Sims on January 30, just a few days after a jury acquitted him of murder in a separate case.
“What this defendant did is unimaginable,” State Attorney Susan S. Lopez said. “Our thoughts and support are with the family members of these crime victims. Since the night of the murders, we have worked closely with TPD to arrest this killer. While we respect the verdict of the jury in the prior case, we disagreed with it and that is why we prosecuted him.”
Earlier this year, Ace NH faced trial for the 2020 shooting deaths of Trevon Albury and Daniel Thompson. The rapper insisted he shot the men in self-defense. A jury agreed with Ace NH, finding him not guilty of murder.
Hurricane Chris awaits trial for a 2020 shooting that left one man dead in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana.
According to multiplereports, Hurricane Chris is scheduled to face trial for second-degree murder on March 6. The proceedings were originally supposed to begin in February, but prosecutors asked for a delay.
Hurricane Chris, whose real name is Christopher Dooley, shot and killed a man at a gas station in June 2020. The rapper said he acted in self-defense.
Police claimed surveillance video proved he wasn’t defending himself. Cops also accused him of driving a vehicle that was reported stolen in Texas.
Hurricane Chris was charged with one count of second-degree murder and one count of illegal possession of stolen things. He wanted prosecutors to reevaluate his charges and dismiss the case.
“Recently in court, the State turned over a new statement from a witness who saw the decedent approach the vehicle and enter,” his attorney Alex Washington noted. “The witness then heard Chris begging him to get away from the car, followed by Chris screaming not to reach from his pocket. Chris is praying for a reevaluation of the charge and that the case be dismissed by the Caddo District Attorney’s office.”
Hurricane Chris is best known for his 2007 single “A Bay Bay.” The song peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Kanye West became public enemy number one last October when he tweeted he was going to go “Defcon 3 on Jews.” A subsequent appearance on Alex Jones’ Info Wars, in which he praised Adolf Hitler, put the nail in the proverbial coffin. From there, businesses such as Adidas and Gap started cutting ties with West faster than a bullet train. But it appears there were more severe consequences from West’s anti-Semitic comments—not just the loss of his billionaire status.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, there are at least 30 incidents linked to West’s comments. On Monday (February 13), the ADL released a report outlining the harm they did to the Jewish community.
“These incidents — which include vandalism, banner drops, targeted harassment and campus propaganda distributions — demonstrate the ongoing influence of Ye’s conspiratorial, bigoted rants,” the report reads. “Immediately following Ye’s antisemitic comments, which included inflammatory tropes about Jewish power and Holocaust denial, the slogan ‘Ye Is Right’ surfaced online in hashtags and antisemitic accounts. The ADL Center on Extremism has also tracked references to ‘Ye Is Right’ in instances of on-the-ground antisemitic vandalism and harassment nationwide.”
Often, references to Kanye West (who now goes by Ye) were paired with swastikas or other anti-Semitic slurs “[and]have become mainstream shorthand for the hatred of — or a desire to commit violence against – Jewish people.”
Beginning last month, white supremacist Groypers launched a series of “Ye is right, change my mind” events on college campuses, where extremists perpetuate the idea the Holocaust never happened while praising Hitler as a way to defend Ye’s anti-Semitic comments. Meanwhile, West has since remarried and seems to express little remorse for his harmful rhetoric.
Drake is attempting to get out of being deposed in the ongoing XXXTENTACION murder trial. According to a YouTube video posted by Law & Crime, Drake’s attorney Bradford Cohen filed a motion asking the judge to toss the subpoena, pointing out a “lack of foundation.”
Defense attorney Mauricio Padilla, who represents suspect Dedrick Williams, sent Drake a Zoom link for the deposition without sealing it. Days later, Padilla filed a notice with the court but failed to include details on how the Zoom interview would be conducted. Subsequently, Cohen claims the subpoena was “procedurally defective.”
Drake also claims his name never appeared in the investigative files. Therefore, he believes it’s clear he doesn’t have any relevant knowledge about the case. He says the deposition request is an attempt to “add more layers of celebrity and notoriety to a tragic and unfortunate event.”
A judge originally ruled Drake wouldn’t have to sit for a deposition, but Padilla convinced him to reconsider. Drake was scheduled to be deposed on January 27 but failed to appear. Last week, the judge decided he must sit for the deposition on February 24 via Zoom. If he ends up skipping 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 Drake bit his style. Four months before his June 2018 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.
Even so, Padilla is making the connection known to the court and wants Drake to answer a few questions. The judge has yet to make the final ruling.
JoJo Hailey, co-founder of Jodeci, has been open up his health struggles, but a recent appearance sparked concern. Jodeci performed at the Theater at MGM National Harbor over the weekend. During the performance of Stevie Wonder’s “Lately,” Hailey made a rare appearance with K-Ci.
Clips of the video have been circulating on social media, with the two singing their hit single and K-Ci saying to K-Ci, “You got this,” after telling fans to give some love to the ’90s R&B staple. One outlet, however, suggested he had a stroke.
Dressed in all black, JoJo Hailey stood before the crowd with his handlers. One stood over him fanning him, as another helped support him standing. Fans quickly noticed something was wrong.
“Was on my Jodeci,” one tweeted. “S### last night Jojo was clearly not ready to perform. I won’t speculate. Prayers up to him.”
It didn’t take away greatly from the experience. Nostalgia still reigned for many of the fans.
“Literally waited 27 years to see Jodeci in concert,” The Great Ghan D wrote. “When i tell y’all I’m the 5th member of Jodeci I’m not lying.. me & my pops was in the crowd like we were k-ci & jojo going word for word.”
One fan left a review on Bands in Town, writing, “Now anyone who truly knows me, knows I’ve been a Jodeci fan, since their first album…specifically “Gotta Love” the single; and they know that K-Ci was/is my fave because of his voice. Soooo, I went to the Jodeci Concert last night and had such an amazing time! K-Ci still got it, and didn’t miss a beat or a note (I wouldn’t have expected anything less).”
“Mr. Dalvin had soooo much energy and it was truly awesome; he had enough hype in him for the entire audience. I really enjoyed K-Ci and Dalvin’s energy they had for the audience; they truly gave an awesome show,” the person continued.
In Estrelita’s review, she shared, “Jo-Jo wasn’t feeling well, but he was there and did attempt to give the fans what they came for…but health before wealth…we all need to take care of self, before worrying about minute things in life. Nevertheless, I had a ball.”
The Great Yarmouth bomb, which authorities attribute to World War II, exploded on Friday, Feb. 10.
The detonation, officials say, was “unplanned.”
The 550 pounds explosive was found on Tuesday, Feb. 7 by a British contractor working in the River Yare, according to a news release. When the team tried to work to disarm the active bomb, someone zigged when they should have zagged, causing a massive explosion.
Norfolk Police released a video of the frightening occurrence on Twitter.
“The unexploded bomb in #GreatYarmouth detonated earlier during work to disarm it. Our drone captured the moment. We can confirm that no one was injured. Public safety has been at the heart of our decision-making all the way through this operation, which we know has been lengthy,” law enforcement wrote.
The unexploded bomb in #GreatYarmouth detonated earlier during work to disarm it. Our drone captured the moment. We can confirm that no one was injured. Public safety has been at the heart of our decision making all the way through this operation, which we know has been lengthy. pic.twitter.com/9SaeYmHkrb
“This has been an unsettling time for many people, most of all for those who were evacuated from their homes … While it may have been slow, yesterday afternoon’s events show why it was so important to take all necessary measures to minimize any risk to the public,” Great Yarmouth Borough Council Chief Executive SheilaOxtoby said, according to the news release.
Adding, “… I’d like to thank everyone involved for bringing this to a safe conclusion and we will continue to help those residents displaced.”
Authorities maintain the area is safe and no human lives were compromised.
In the latest episode of why “Critical Race Theory” should be taught in school, one of ESPN’s top analysts steps up during Black History Month and says something ignorant.
Super Bowl LVII was a historic game where for the first time in an NFL championship game, two Black quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes, and Jalen Hurts started for their respective teams. That could have been the BHM moment. It could have stopped there.
But Berman placed an extra spin.
He said, “Two African American quarterbacks starting against each other in the Super Bowl for the first time. Fittingly, February 12th is Abe Lincoln’s birthday. Here we go with the highlights in case you missed it.”
"Also, of course, two African American quarterbacks starting against each other in the Super Bowl for the first time. Fittingly, February 12th is Abe Lincoln's birthday."- Chris Berman pic.twitter.com/J1BuWQTepH
“Well I guess “we’s done overcome” Abe Lincoln would be proud… FK OUTTA HERE!”
“Y’all out here complaining about Rihanna’s halftime performance & the ref calling an obvious holding penalty when the biggest disrespect of the #SuperBowl was #ChrisBerman referencing Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with 2 Black QBs playing in the Super Bowl. What in the hell?”
Y’all out here complaining about Rihanna’s halftime performance & the ref calling an obvious holding penalty when the biggest disrespect of the #SuperBowl was #ChrisBerman referencing Abraham Lincoln’s birthday with 2 Black QBs playing in the Super Bowl. What in the hell?
The average poorly informed Lincoln celebrant might see what he was saying because the 16th president issued the Emancipation Proclamation, which declared enslaved people in the states “in rebellion” to be free during the Civil War.
Lincoln also had a hand in pushing the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery.
However, if he didn’t have to, he would not have sided with abolitionist. History shows, Honest Abe made the declarations as a political move— even if he understood the principles of it were right.
According to Loc.gov, “Lincoln approved of emancipation as a war measure,” and “postponed executive action against slavery until he believed he had both the legal authority to do so and broader support from the American public.”
“If I could save the Union without freeing any slave, I would do it,” Lincoln said on August 22, 1862, in a letter to American journalist and former New York Tribune editor, Horace Greeley.
The full quote says, “My paramount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the union without freeing any slaves I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves I would do it; and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that.”
The actual letter can be pulled up on the Library of Congress website (here).
On Wednesday, Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month, Beyoncé announced her Renaissance World Tour, a concert series set to start during the summer of 2023.
Tickets for the concerts start in the hundreds and go up in some places into the thousands, according to Ticketmaster, prices that stung many in the Beyhive.
Many … but not all.
Twitter user@shizzyshane215, whose real name is Shane Bernard, has been saving for this day for at least five years, tweeting, “I’ve been saving $20 a paycheck for Beyonce tickets since 2018 after I saw her at Coachella. I knew this day would come 😭 Shoutout to @allyfinancial for their “saving buckets” feature.”
Ive been saving $20 a paycheck for Beyonce tickets since 2018 after I saw her at Coachella. I knew this day would come 😭 Shoutout to @allyfinancial for their “saving buckets” feature. pic.twitter.com/uj3Z1krfni
— shizzy shane (insert blue check here) (@shizzyshane215) February 1, 2023
According to Afrotech, he said, “I remember her for the first time at Coachella in 2018 on stage backed by a full HBCU marching band and dance team and saying to myself, ‘I will be at the next solo tour.’ From there, I created a bucket in my savings account specifically labeled ‘Beyoncé Tickets.’”
Bernard explained, “A percentage of each one of my paychecks would go directly into my savings account, and out of that amount, $20 would go in a ‘Beyoncé [Tickets]’ bucket.”
“I then forgot about it over the course of the next five years until she announced her Renaissance World Tour,” he continued. “I initially created it because I was proud of myself for setting a goal, being disciplined in contributing toward it, and being prepared when the moment finally arrived.”
The tweet went viral and the most amazing thing happened, Ally Financials’ social media team got wind of it and rewarded him for the free promotion.
A couple of days after his tweet, he posted, “UPDATE: They cut the check. Happy Friday!”
— shizzy shane (insert blue check here) (@shizzyshane215) February 3, 2023
Bernard shared a private exchange from Ally that said, “Thanks! As a special thank you for being a loyal customer— check your Online Savings Account for a little surprise. You can’t go to a concert and not buy some swag!”
Ally Financials confirmed the exchange was real.
“This is exactly what our savings buckets were designed to do. We’re thrilled that with the help of our tools and rates, Shane is on his way to the Beyoncé concert,” a spokesperson from Ally Financials shared.
“We topped off his savings bucket with an extra $500 to help him level up his experience,” the statement continued. “Ally customers like Shane who use these tools are saving two times more than those who don’t. We hope Shane’s friends and followers take note! There’s nothing we love more than helping people reach their money goals.”
The relationship between cannabis and music is a complex and intertwined one, with the two having a profound impact on each other and on society as a whole. Music has long served as a source of inspiration and escapism, while cannabis has been used as a tool for creativity, relaxation, and medicine. Together, they have the power to shape and influence cultural attitudes, break down barriers, and bring people together. This article will explore the deep connection between cannabis and music, examining how they have shaped each other and how their combined influence has changed the world. But first, let’s clarify what cannabis actually is.
What is Cannabis?
Cannabis is a plant species that contains compounds known as cannabinoids, which can produce psychoactive effects when consumed. There are two main strains of cannabis: marijuana and hemp. The former is used for recreational and medicinal purposes due to its high levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the compound responsible for the plant’s psychoactive effects. The latter, on the other hand, is primarily used for industrial purposes due to its low THC levels.
Cannabis can be consumed in a variety of ways, including smoking, vaporizing, edibles, tinctures, and topical applications. One of the most common methods of consumption is smoking, which can be done with rolling papers, pipes, or water bongs. To make the smoking process smoother and more efficient, many people use grinders, such as the Sharpstone usa grinder, to break down the dried cannabis flowers into smaller pieces. This helps to increase the surface area exposed to heat, leading to a more thorough and efficient combustion.
The Cultural Significance of Cannabis and Music
Cannabis has been used for both medicinal and recreational purposes for centuries, and its cultural significance has only grown over time. From the countercultural movements of the 1960s to the legalization efforts of recent years, cannabis has played a prominent role in shaping the cultural discourse. Similarly, music has also had a profound impact on society, serving as a vehicle for self-expression and social commentary. When combined, cannabis and music have the power to create a unique and powerful experience, one that has the ability to bring people together and inspire change.
The Enhancing Effects of Cannabis and Music
One of the key ways in which cannabis and music have a special relationship is the way that they interact with one another. When used together, cannabis has been shown to enhance the effects of music, creating a more immersive and emotional experience. This is due to the way that the chemicals in cannabis interact with the brain, increasing sensitivity to sensory stimulation and altering perception. As a result, music can take on a new dimension when combined with cannabis, allowing listeners to connect with the sounds in a more profound and meaningful way.
The Role of Music in the Cannabis Experience
Music has also played a critical role in shaping the experience of using cannabis. From the early days of jazz and blues to the psychedelic rock of the 1960s and beyond, music has been an integral part of the cannabis culture. Whether it’s the soothing sounds of reggae or the energetic beats of hip-hop, music has the power to set the tone for a cannabis session, helping to create a mood and atmosphere that enhances the effects of the plant.
Jazz and Marijuana: A Cultural Connection
Jazz and marijuana have a long and storied relationship that dates back to the early 20th century. During the Harlem Renaissance, jazz musicians were among the first to embrace marijuana as a creative tool, using it to enhance their performances and to explore new musical ideas. Over the years, jazz and marijuana have become closely associated with one another, forming a unique cultural connection that has had a lasting impact on both the music and the marijuana industries.
Country music and marijuana: A Complex Connection
Country music and marijuana have had a complicated relationship, with varying views among country musicians and fans. While some country musicians have embraced the use of marijuana and incorporated it into their lyrics and lifestyles, others have opposed it and remained more conservative in their views.
Blues and Marijuana
Marijuana has played an essential role in the blues, helping to shape the sound, lyrics, and attitudes of the genre. Many blues musicians have written songs about the plant, often using it as a symbol of freedom, rebellion, and escape from the difficulties of everyday life.
Summing Up
The relationship between cannabis and music is one that has had a profound impact on society. From enhancing the effects of both the plant and the sounds to shaping the cultural discourse and setting the tone for a cannabis session, these two cultural forces have the power to bring people together and inspire change. Whether you’re a fan of hip-hop, reggae, or any other genre, there’s no denying the power of cannabis and music to create a truly unforgettable experience.
