It appears an unreleased song by the late Jarad “Juice WRLD” Higgins sprung a leak. Music producer DJ Scheme took to Twitter to address the tentatively titled “Biscotti In The Air” arriving on the internet early.
“Biscotti leaked I guess how is it guys,” tweeted DJ Scheme about the Juice WRLD track. Surprisingly, Scheme did not publicly express anger or frustration over the unsanctioned release.
The South Florida-bred beatmaker added, “I never seen anyone’s fans really go crazy for leaks like Juices… It’s such a beautiful thing [because] I know the love for these songs comes from [your] hearts 🖤 LLJW.”
DJ Scheme went on to show more appreciation to Juice WRLD’s supporters. He wrote, “Thank you guys for keeping him alive. Things like this bring me back to when we were all together. 🖤 I love you all. 999.”
The Safe House album co-creator also concluded on a positive note. “F### crying [about] these leaks. We should celebrate it… shows how bad it needs to really touch the Wrld 🖤.”
DJ Scheme produced “Conversations” off the posthumous Juice WRLD album Legends Never Die from 2020. In addition, Scheme’s 2021 Family album featured Juice on the opening track called “Buck 50.”
Juice WRLD died on December 8, 2019, from apparent oxycodone and codeine intoxication. Prior to his passing, the Illinois-raised rhymer dropped the Goodbye & Good Riddance and Death Race for Love studio LPs.
I never seen anyones fans really go crazy for leaks like Juices.. Its such a beautiful thing bc I know the love for these songs come from ur hearts 🖤 LLJW
Most of the world knows William Jonathan Drayton Jr. as Hip-Hop personality Flavor Flav. For many rap fans, the New York native is the most famous hypeman in the genre’s history.
Flavor Flav made a name for himself as a member of the seminal rap group Public Enemy. He stood out from other rap figures of the late 1980s by wearing a clock on his neck.
In celebration of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 50 Years of Hip-Hop exhibit, Roxanne Shante hosted her Have a Nice Day show on LL Cool J’s Rock the Bells Radio from the SiriusXM studio at Cleveland’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Roxanne used that episode of SiriusXM’s Have a Nice Day to speak with Flavor Flav about Hip-Hop’s fifty-year anniversary and his legendary career. In particular, the Flavor of Love reality star shared the story behind his iconic clock chain.
“So one day, as a joke, this crackhead came through my projects, you know what I’m saying?” he began. “[She was] selling these shower clocks that she stole from a place called Fortunoff.”
He added, “She went to Fortunoff, stole this big box of shower clocks and came through our projects selling them. So my boy, Son of Berserk, took the stopwatch off my neck and put the clock around my neck. Everybody was laughing. It was a big joke.”
Flavor Flav then explained, “So they dared me to wear that clock on stage but during the show. So when we went to open up for the Beastie Boys in Passaic, New Jersey, 1986, I wore the clock, Roxanne. And then the next day on the front page of Newsday, New York Times, New York Post, the look of the clock was dope.
Flavor Flav and the rest of Public Enemy released several studio albums. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear of a Black Planet are considered classics. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted Public Enemy in 2013.
Isaiah Lambert, also known by his stage name Lul Icey, is a rising star in the music industry who hails from the south side of Racine, Wisconsin. He discovered his passion for music at a young age and began writing songs when he was just ten years old. Despite facing financial limitations, he used his iPhone and GarageBand to record his early tracks and uploaded them to SoundCloud under his real name, Isaiah Lambert.
Lambert’s breakthrough in the music industry came during his freshman year of high school when he met producer CeeStackz. This encounter led to the release of his debut song, “No Love,” which garnered significant attention on SoundCloud, accumulating over 52,000 plays. This early success made him a local celebrity in the Midwest and the most popular kid at school.
Throughout his journey, Lambert faced various challenges, including cyberbullying and hate due to his fame as a rapper. Graduating high school under such circumstances was a particularly tough hurdle to overcome, and it contributed to his battle with anxiety and depression, which he continues to face today. Despite the ongoing presence of internet haters, Lambert remains an independent artist, determined to forge his path in the music industry.
Musically, Lul Icey draws inspiration from diverse sources. T-Pain’s innovative use of autotune and his ability to reshape the future of music inspire Lambert. Additionally, Michael Jackson’s iconic music legacy leaves a lasting impact on his artistry. Growing up, Lambert’s playlist featured artists like Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and a range of R&B singers from the 2000s.
With his upcoming album, “Game Cold But It’s Fair,” set to release on August 25th, Lul Icey aims to leave listeners motivated, enlightened, and entertained. The album encapsulates his life experiences, from the lessons learned in the streets to personal growth and spirituality. With tracks encompassing various themes, the album offers something for everyone, including family-oriented songs, club bangers, and introspective tracks.
Beyond his music career, Lul Icey is also involved in community initiatives. He founded an anti-gun violence basketball league called “Put The Guns Down Basketball Association Presented By Lul Icey,” which gained recognition and support from the Mayor of Racine. Moreover, his league partnered with the overseas National Basketball League (NBL), and he became an official scout for overseas basketball talent through his platform.
In addition to his dedication to music and community work, Lambert balances a full-time job as a cycle counter for Kerry Ingredients. He also is pursuing a degree in Supply Chain Management and runs “The Lambert Foundation,” a non-profit organization focused on community outreach.
Lul Icey’s journey as an artist and entrepreneur showcases his determination and resilience. With his unique style, blending elements of rap and singing with autotune, he aims to make his mark in the music industry as the next-gen genius. As he continues to overcome obstacles and pursue his dreams, Lul Icey remains a force to be reckoned with in the music world.
Born in Ohio and raised in Long Island, New York, GTM Haze is an artist and entrepreneur that has overcome a lot to make it to where he is today. Growing up in the foster system and overcoming addiction and incarceration, GTM Haze discovered music to be his calling at a young age and used the art form as a way to channel his emotions. His passion for music and talent only developed further through his involvement in school choirs and orchestras.
GTM Haze draws inspiration from various sources, but one artist who has always had a profound impact on him is the legendary Michael Jackson. His music carries a relatable and exciting vibe, while also delving deep into personal experiences. GTM Haze’s lyrics touch on a wide range of subjects, including the struggles he has faced and the challenges of the world around him. Through music, he hopes to inspire others and demonstrate that anyone can achieve their dreams, regardless of their past.
With numerous accomplishments under his belt, GTM Haze is proud of having his song “Dead People” chart at number 70 for the Top 150 Independent Artists Worldwide on Digital Radio Tracker. Upcoming on July 14th, GTM Haze will be releasing his highly anticipated single, “Bonafide Hustler.” The song is a personal reflection on the lack of loyalty and the people who only show up when it’s beneficial for them. With a unique perspective and a powerful message, GTM Haze’s music resonates with listeners who seek authenticity and honesty in their music.
GTM Haze is constantly hard at work and is always in pursuit of improvement. He dedicates himself to his craft and constantly seeks ways to evolve and grow as an artist. Recently, he dropped a new music video titled “Right Back,” directed by Ritchie4K and KingFLO, featuring Nykki Rojas. Check out the video on YouTube here:
To stay connected with GTM Haze and his journey, you can follow him on Instagram (@haze_gtm), Facebook (GTM Haze), and YouTube (GTM Haze). His music can be found on Spotify and Apple Music. For more information about GTM Haze, you can visit his official website at www.whoishaze.com.
After a delayed start, Drake and 21 Savage finally kicked off the It’s All A Blur Tour in Chicago on Wednesday night (July 5) with a high-tech display of computer wizardry.
Young Drizzy made an appearance during the concert in digital form. Drake opened with “Look What You’ve Done,” while sitting on a sofa in the center of the stage alongside a hologram of his childhood self.
During the show, the rap superstar dismissed the complaints that he puts out too much music. “I know it’s summer time I got to give you s###,” Drake declared before throwing shade at rappers who go away three, four, five years and wanna chill out.”
After subbing his unnamed peers, Drake pivoted to his upcoming album For All The Dogs promising the drop the project “real soon.”
He also revealed he’s heard fans’ cries for “old Drake” to make a comeback. While he was initially confused about what fans wanted, listening to his old hits for the tour provided some clarity.
“I understand what you mean,” he said before explaining fans want music “So that you can feel good about your new lover, s### on your exes get ready in the summer.”
He also promised music to fans to “get fly, get drunk, show love to your family, show love to your friends.” Watch the clip below and check out some other footage from the concert at the end of the page.
Drake taking a shot @ Kendrick Lamar & Travis Scott 😮💨 Also, FAT D with that old Drizzy coming soooon ‼️🚨 pic.twitter.com/GUoEIEydRU
Viewers of Druski’s ‘Coulda Been Records’ Instagram Live were left baffled on Wednesday night (July 5), after Birdman pulled up to press the comedian over his satirical record label.
Druski launched his spoof label back in 2019 as an anti-talent show. Since then, the show has taken off, with contestants auditioning to join him on his comedy tour. In his latest move, Druski is seeking talent to live in the Coulda Been House reality TV show.
However, during his latest Instagram talent scouting session, Druski was joined by Birdman, who popped up with a “proposition” for the mock label-executive.
“I been looking for you,” the Cash Money Records co-founder told the comic before explaining he heard that Druski has been working with NBA YoungBoy and Drake.
“It’s like you starting to step on my toes,” Birdman continued as Druski watched, unsure how to respond. “You little young n##### got the game f##### up. I’m watching the s### you doing. What the f### is this record label you starting?”
Druski told Birdman he wanted to call but wasn’t sure if he would answer. However, in a throwback to his viral Breakfast Club interview, Baby demanded, “Put some respect on my name.”
He then got straight to the point with Druski. “You playing with that f###### record label. Coulda Been Records. That s### sounds like CMB,” he stated.
Nonetheless, Birdman saw the potential in Druski and Coulda Been Records and wanted to offer him a deal.
“I got a proposition for you,” he offered. “How about you keep running it and I buy your s### into my s### and we become one and I help you become a megastar.”
Watch the video below to see Druski’s hilarious response.
NLE Choppa is fighting back against claims he doesn’t care for his kids after he was criticized for not attending a baby shower hosted by the mother of his unborn child.
It all started when NLE shared a video defending “Pound Town” hitmaker Sexyy Red from online hate. While many praised the rapper for speaking up, others addressed his relationship with the mother of his unborn child.
One said they wished the rapper “had this energy for his pregnant bm while she was going through a mental Breakdown getting dragged by the world.”
NLE Choppa responded to the comment claiming, “she was dragging me and got dragged in the process.” He insisted, “We fixed our problems privately tho.”
Another user called him out for skipping out on his on-again-off-again girlfriend Marissa DaNae’s baby shower.
“Your bm was at her baby shower by herself yesterday,” they wrote. “I don’t want to hear s### from you about uplifting and supporting women.”.”
Your bm was at her baby shower by herself yesterday, I don’t want to hear s### from you about uplifting and supporting women 🫵🏾. https://t.co/l0261m9QeX
Although NLE Choppa didn’t address the tweet directly, he followed up with a post telling folks to mind their business and look after their own kids.
“Y’all want black men to be bad fathers sooooooo bad!!” he replied. “Issa epidemic out here, not the Covid one, but the one that cause you to be all in the next person business ! Meanwhile lil Tay Tay nose running, pamper s#####, and stomach empty. That’s TT baby more than yours.”
He also shared a series of videos with his daughter, who turned three last month.
“Such a bad father, Awful Parent, Narcissist,” he wrote before adding “#IAMNOT.”
Usher was just going through the motions at one of his recent shows, wowing the crowds and serenading the special guests in attendance, when a Twitter storm blew up in his face.
The “Lovers and Friends” hitmaker was the No. 1 trending topic on Twitter alongside Keke Palmer Wednesday (July 6) after footage from a recent performance hit the net. In the clip, Usher serenaded the actress as he often does during his concerts.
“Look at you right now,’ Usher crooned as Palmer spun round to show the crowd she looks as good from the back as she does from the front.
Although the audience cheered loudly in support, Palmer’s boyfriend and the father of her child, Darius Jackson, was pressed.
“It’s the outfit tho,” he wrote on Twitter in response to one of the clips of Usher and Keke Palmer. “you a mom.”
The backlash was swift, with fans of the “Nope” star calling Jackson out for his comments. He later attempted to clarify his remarks, but Twitter was not here for it, and continued defending Palmer.
Jackson claimed he was branded a “hater” for not wanting “the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others.” He added, “I have standards & morals to what I believe.”
However, the Twitterverse continued, even dragging up old tweets and accusing Jackson of hypocrisy.
“When Darius posted this it was all giggles,” one user wrote alongside a video Jackson shared of Palmer showing off her post-baby figure. “And now that Usher was singing to Keke she suddenly needs to be a mom…be fr”
“First Halle Bailey and DDG and now Keke Palmer and Darius,” tweeted another. “I am so sick of these loser men always embarrassing my sisters like this. They will crumble.”
First Halle Bailey and DDG and now Keke Palmer and Darius. I am so sick of these loser men always embarrassing my sisters like this. They will crumble. pic.twitter.com/sorKzv5Tg5
Like I know you ain't on Keke Palmer's phone plan on Keke Palmer's wifi in Keke Palmer's home watching Keke Palmer's son telling Keke Palmer what Keke Palmer should be wearing as a mother.. BABY, THIS IS KEKE PALMER! pic.twitter.com/01Oij4CLTl
Kim Kardashian revealed she went into protective mode at the height of Kanye West’s antisemitism storm, fearing for the safety of their children.
The SKIMS founder opened up about the fallout from Ye’s antisemitic and Anti-Black remarks in the latest episode of Hulu’s “The Kardashians,” filmed in the fall.
“I’m just not OK. I’m just having such a hard day today,” Kim admitted during an emotional discussion with Khloé Kardashian. “I literally haven’t changed my outfit in like two days. I just have to get it together.”
She explained her concerns for their four children and her attempts to shield them from the negative press about their father.
“I am just in protection mode of my kids, and just try to hide everything,” she stated. “It’s just hard for me to figure out — if they don’t know anything, why wouldn’t dad come over for dinner? Why isn’t dad at my things? That kills me. It’s the one thing that gives me anxiety.”
Kardashian also shared she’s “embarrassed” for anybody to ask her about Ye during a public outing before turning to the safeguarding of her kids.
“Is it safe? Is it dangerous?,” she asked. “I just don’t know what to do. I’ve been managing it the best way that I know how because I want my kids to see a healthy dad.”
Kanye West was dropped from numerous brand deals and partnerships last year following a slew of hateful comments. Adidas and Balenciaga were among those parting ways with the rapper after he made multiple antisemitic and Anti-Black comments. His rants extended to interviews where he shared his admiration for Hitler and the Nazis.
In a statement to http://AllHipHop.com, Diageo responded to Combs’ allegations, expressing bafflement at his criticism of the marketing and promotion efforts for Ciroc and DeLeon, efforts that Combs himself led.
The company pointed out that Combs not only supported and publicly endorsed the Ciroc Summer Watermelon flavor for several years but also benefited financially from its success.
“Mr. Combs supported, publicly endorsed for several years, and benefited financially from the success of Ciroc Summer Watermelon. His attempt to recast follow-up discussions regarding innovations for DeLeon is, as is his entire suit, disingenuous and self-serving,” the company stated.
Diageo further clarified that under the Ciroc agreement, Combs was solely responsible for brand marketing, and his personally-owned media agency was DeLeon’s marketing agency of record.
The company’s statement suggests that Combs’ accusations are unfounded and contradict his involvement in the brands’ marketing strategies.
“It is baffling to us that Mr. Combs is criticizing brand marketing and promotion for Cîroc and DéLeon – the very efforts he led,” the company added.
The dispute between Combs and Diageo has drawn significant attention due to the high-profile nature of the parties involved and the serious allegations being made.
Diageo severed its 15-year business relationship with Combs following his allegations of racism and business misconduct. Diddy accuses Diageo of neglecting and limiting resources for his brands, while Diageo contends that Diddy breached his contracts and made unreasonable financial demands.
Both parties have traded legal filings, with Diddy’s lawyer calling Diageo’s actions an attempt to distract from discrimination allegations and Diageo denying the accusations as opportunistic.
It appears as though Kanye West has been in the lab, but what exactly is he working on? Well according to these Wifi streets, he’s allegedly creating new music with Freddie Gibbs.
West celebrated his 46th birthday last month. During his actual party, a photo of himself and Gangsta Gibbs started to circulate. This is where the rumors initially began swirling.
Keep in mind, Gibbs and Ye had some interesting dealings in the past. In 2016, producer Madlib gave both men a few beats. As the saying goes, great minds think alike—and they both chose the same beat.
It turned out Yeezy’s version ended up on the Kendrick Lamar-assisted “No More Parties in L.A.” from The Life of Pablo.
Gibbs offered his own rendition to the world via SoundCloud. Unfortunately, it was immediately yanked down, but West’s track stayed in heavy rotation.
In 2021, the Gary native popped up the with the same beat for “Cocaine Parties in L.A.” from the Piñata (Deluxe Edition). The track was again snatched down from most streaming platforms. Yeezus was not playing—allegedly.
Now it appears as though the two artists have made amends. On Tuesday (July 4), an interesting innuendo grew some legs after a Reddit post proclaimed “Ye has been working with Freddie Gibbs.”
Hit-Boy later discussed the status of his current relationship with Kanye West. He professed, “I ain’t got no issues with him.” The veteran beatmaker verified something quite intriguing. When the issue of who he was working with arose, Hit-Boy affirmed the assertion.
“I heard Freddie’s [Gibbs] working with him right now,” the interviewer said, to which Hit-Boy agreed, “I seen—I heard about that.”
Keke Palmer’s boyfriend Darius Jackson, who is the father of her only child, publicly criticized her for the way she dressed at an Usher show.
Jackson called out his partner after a clip of Usher serenading Keke Palmer went viral on Wednesday (July 5). Jackson took issue with Palmer’s outfit, which he believed was too revealing.
“It’s the outfit tho,” he wrote on Twitter. “you a mom.”
Jackson faced backlash for his comments on Twitter. Fans and other observers sided with Palmer while condemning Jackson for not discussing the matter in private. Jackson defended his post after dealing with the wrath of social media users for several hours.
“We live in a generation where a man of the family doesn’t want the wife & mother to his kids to showcase booty cheeks to please others & he gets told how much of a hater he is,” he wrote in response. “This is my family & my representation. I have standards & morals to what I believe. I rest my case.”
Jackson and Palmer welcomed their first child, a baby boy, into the world in February. Palmer revealed her son’s name, Leodis Andrellton Jackson, in an Instagram post a few days after he was born.
Rapper Casino Jizzle was fatally shot in Memphis, Tennessee on Tuesday (July 4).
Casino Jizzle was pronounced dead at the scene of the shooting in Northeast Memphis. His manager Angie Strange confirmed his death to local CBS and FOX affiliates.
Memphis police issued a warrant for a 27-year-old man named Michael Clayton in connection to the shooting. Clayton is wanted for first-degree murder.
Police said the murder suspect fled the scene in a black vehicle. They asked anyone with information about Clayton’s whereabouts to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
Casino Jizzle, whose real name was Robert Tunstall, was shot and killed just a few days before he planned to release a new album titled Duh. The project, which features Don Trip, is scheduled to drop on Friday (July 7).
Tunstall was previously the victim of a shooting in the Memphis area in 2019. He got shot outside of a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in Cordova. The rapper was in critical condition when he arrived at the hospital, but he survived the shooting.
Casino Jizzle released a music video for his song “Survivor” after the 2019 shooting. The video featured footage of him in the hospital and clips from news coverage of the shooting.
Producer Stevie J and his soon-to-be ex-wife Faith Evans have reportedly come to an amicable agreement in their controversial divorce.
Evans and Stevie J were married in June of 2018, but the pair separated in October 2021, citing irreconcilable differences.
According to RadarOnline, Evans shared with the courts that she “entered into a written agreement regarding their property and their marriage or domestic support partnership rights, including support” and wants them to approve it.
While the specific terms haven’t been disclosed, the submission includes attorney fees and spousal support. As the filing states, “There are irreconcilable differences that have led to the irremediable breakdown of the marriage or domestic partnership, and there is no possibility of saving the marriage or domestic partnership through counseling or other means.”
Stevie J, one of Diddy’s original Hitmen and a reality star on “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta,” asked for spousal support and asserted he and his wife never signed a prenuptial agreement before getting married.
Evans has an estimated net worth of roughly $3 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Stevie J on the other hand has an estimated net worth of $5 million, including his hefty production catalog.
This is not Evans’ first marriage to end. She’s been married three times, including to The Notorious B.I.G. and former manager Todd Russaw. However, it was Stevie J’s first marriage.
Finesse2Tymes denied snitching allegations, which surfaced via Instagram on Wednesday (July 5).
Vlogger 1090 Jake posted screenshots of an Instagram message from someone who accused Finesse2Tymes of snitching. The unidentified person sent alleged paperwork to 1090 Jake, claiming Finesse2Tymes “ratted” on the Instagram user’s brother.
“My dm’s Be lookin Brazy,” 1090 Jake wrote on Instagram Stories.
Finesse2Tymes reacted to the accusations on social media. The 31-year-old rapper insisted he didn’t snitch.
“They don’t got a story,” he wrote on Instagram Stories. “They gone make one.”
Finesse2Tymes also addressed the allegations on Instagram Live. He said real gangsters know what’s going on and scoffed at someone supposedly finding paperwork from 2008 when he was a juvenile. He urged skeptics to find his paperwork on their own if they doubt him.
“You n##### ain’t smart enough,” he said. “You know why? See, you n##### ain’t smart enough. You can’t get no paperwork from when a n#### was a juvenile. Do you know how many n##### told on me as a juvenile and I can’t go get paperwork to prove it? I can’t pay for it … If it’s true, go look it up! Go pay for it. Go read up on it and then get back at me.”
Listen to Finesse2Tymes respond to the snitching rumors below.
Lil Uzi Vert will reportedly become the first rap act to hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200. According to HITS Daily Double, the rapper’s Pink Tape project is projected to move more than 165,000 total album-equivalent units in its opening week, with roughly 3,800 of those being pure album sales. The album will surpass Morgan Wallen’s chart behemoth One Day At A Time, which has been in the top spot for 15 non-consecutive weeks.
The Pink Tape serves as the follow-up to 2020’s Eternal Atake and was released through Generation Now and Atlantic Records. Guest appearances include Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj, Bring Me the Horizon, Don Toliver and Babymetal. Production was handled by Don Cannon, Cubeatz, WondaGurl and many, many more. The album was preceded by the October 2022 release of “Just Wanna Rock.”
With Pink Tape‘s victory, Lil Uzi Vert now has a promise to keep. On Tuesday (July 4), Lil Uzi Vert shared a photo of the Pink Tape album cover to his Instagram Stories and wrote, “Get this 2 number one and I will drop the album y’all really looking for.” Hours later, he updated his Instagram bio to read, “Luv is Rage 3.”
The project marks the third installment in Lil Uzi Vert’s Luv Is Rage series (or fourth if counting the 2017 Luv Is Rage 1.5 EP). The first one, which was touted as a mixtape, arrived in 2015 as was followed by Luv Is Rage 2 two years later. The latter debuted at No. 1, with more than 135,000 total album equivalent units sold. It produced Lil Uzi Vert’s only diamond-certified single, “XO TOUR Llif3.”
Lil Uzi Vert has yet to celebrate the achievement with his 17.1 million Instagram followers. Until then, listen to the Pink Tape above.
Drake has pondered his existence ahead of the It’s All a Blur Tour, which begins on Wednesday (July 5). The OVO superstar promoted his tour by questioning the meaning of life in an Instagram video.
“Someone asked me the other night what my biggest fear is,” he said. “And I’ve never really had a good answer for it, but my answer was that all this is for nothing. Kind of the idea that one day, life ends and it just all goes black. And I guess that question sent me, obviously, deep into a spiral of thought. And it makes me think about my life and how surreal it feels at times.”
Drake recalled a time when he got high prior to his audition for the television show Degrassi. He asked himself if he was truly living or experiencing a dream version of his life.
“I go back to this day when I was like 13 or 14,” he explained. “I had an audition for a TV show that ultimately shaped my life. And before my audition, I went to this kid’s house and I – out of, I guess, a desire to be accepted – would succumb to peer pressure. And I got high with these kids right before my audition.”
He continued, “I kind of wonder if something bad happened that day or maybe I’m still high, maybe I’m in some coma. And this is just me playing out my ideal life. And yeah, that concept has stuck with me for a lot of years. I mean, it feels like reality, it feels tangible. But I definitely wonder sometimes.”
This week, Drake kicks off his It’s All a Blur Tour with back-to-back shows in Chicago. Last month, he teased a new album titled For All the Dogs but didn’t announce a release date for the project.
Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs has announced plans to seek billions in damages from Diageo, a leading spirits company, accusing its CEO, Ivan Menezes, of racial discrimination.
Despite the liquor giant’s public commitment to diversity and inclusion, Combs claims that the company has failed to uphold these principles in its business practices.
He alleges that Diageo has treated his brands as “Black brands,” marketing them primarily to “urban” consumers, and has failed to provide them with the same resources and opportunities as other brands in the company’s portfolio.
Combs’ allegations are based on his longstanding business relationship with Diageo, which began in 2007 with a marketing agreement for Ciroc Vodka.
The relationship expanded in 2013 when Combs and Diageo formed a joint venture to purchase the DeLeón Tequila brand. However, Combs alleges that Diageo has consistently failed to meet its commitments to his brands, leading to their neglect and underperformance.
In a particularly damning accusation, Combs alleges that Diageo’s President of Reserve and New Business, Stephen Rust, admitted in 2019 that some within Diageo’s leadership resented Combs for making too much money and that his race was part of the reason Diageo limited the neighborhoods where the Combs brands were distributed.
In another troubling incident, before the launch of Ciroc’s watermelon flavor, Sean “Diddy” Combs and his team warned Diageo about the potential racial implications of associating “watermelon” with a brand often labeled as an “urban African American brand.”
Despite their concerns, Combs approved the watermelon flavor for Ciroc but insisted that DeLeon should only introduce flavors once the brand was more established.
Still, Diageo presented Combs and his team with a developed watermelon-flavored DeLeon Tequila, disregarding Combs’ objections and the brand’s lack of flavored tequila, as well as ignoring the racial history and connotations associated with black people and watermelon.
“Mr. Combs supported, publicly endorsed for several years, and benefited financially from the success of Ciroc Summer Watermelon. His attempt to recast follow up discussions regarding innovations for DeLeon is, as is his entire suit, disingenuous and self-serving,” Diageo told AllHipHop.com in reply the new allegations.
‘It is baffling to us that Mr. Combs is criticizing brand marketing and promotion for Cîroc and DéLeon – the very efforts he led. Under the Cîroc agreement, Mr. Combs was solely responsible for brand marketing, and his personally-owned media agency was the marketing agency of record for DeLeón.'”
Combs’ lawsuit also cites a series of incidents that he claims demonstrate the company’s neglect of his brands, including a decision to discontinue a popular “half bottle” option for DeLeon Tequila without his consent and a clerical error that resulted in a critical shipment of DeLeon Tequila being impounded at the Mexican border.
The chart-topper brought his two daughters—Cacie and Mariah Smith—three sons—T’ziah, Trillian and T’Khi Wood-Smith—and one of his nephews to the awards ceremony with him.
He posted an image of them on the red carpet to his Instagram saying, “THE BLESSED LEGACY I’M MOST PROUD OF… MY BEAUTIFUL CHILDREN, THE YOUNG KINGS & QUEENS.”
In another post, Busta Rhymes wrote, “NOTHING MEANS MORE THAN THIS!! LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WITH YOUR CHILDREN!!! THANK YOU @betawards BLESSED BEYOND DESCRIPTION!! VERY GRATEFUL.”
During Busta’s acceptance speech, he said he’d wear his heart on his sleeve and cry talking about his journey, one that was motivated by him becoming a father.
“My oldest child was a 3-year-old in the ‘Woo-Hah!!’ video back in ’96,” he said. “He’s 30. He’s right here. I went on and I had five more kids after that. I got six beautiful children. Five out of the six of them is here.”
However, it wasn’t until after the hoopla that he really shared his most vulnerable thoughts about what having his children present meant to him as a father.
“I’m looking at my kids for the first time, all together, at such a prestigious moment in my life and I ain’t gonna lie (I didn’t want to say on the stage) as I’m looking at my kids [I was thinking about] when I had to leave home to do this … to make sure they were straight,” Bussa Bus tearfully recalled before adding that he lived with the guilt of missing graduations, birthdays and even milestone lessons like teaching one of his six children how to ride a bike. “But as they got older, they understood and I’m super grateful because to see how proud of me they are now.”
According to the “Woohah” recording artist, his children may have thought he let them down with his hectic touring and recording schedule. The artist has said in the past that, while it may have been challenging, he was away to make sure that they had everything that they needed growing up.
But now, he feels that they get it: “To look at them so happy … Still feel like I got work to do to make them happier.”
Hollywood veteran and action icon Tom Cruise returns as the lead in the seventh installment of the wildly popular Mission Impossible series. Several long-time cast members from the franchise, as well as Director Chris McQuarrie, who directed the last two installments, “Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation” and “Mission Impossible: Fallout,” also make a comeback.
In “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning,” “Ethan Hunt” is tasked with obtaining two halves of a certain item to prevent one of the most elite terrorist organizations in the world from acquiring them. When these two separate halves are combined, the possessor of this object will gain unlimited access to unlock, override, and manipulate the world’s digital network. The race to acquire these items pits Ethan and his team against dangerous terrorist factions and black-market arms dealers who will stop at nothing to obtain them and eliminate the IMF once and for all.
“Dead Reckoning” is another excellent installment in the Mission Impossible franchise that raises the bar for thrilling excitement, high-stakes espionage, and phenomenal action set pieces spanning the globe. With a runtime of 2 hours and 43 minutes, this film is massive, well-paced, and kept me engaged throughout. Alongside the spectacular action, Christopher McQuarrie and Erik Jendresen provide a cleverly crafted screenplay that includes fulfilling character arcs and timely subject matter.
Visually, the film is beautifully shot with incredible cinematography by Fraser Taggart, and the scale of “Dead Reckoning” is enormous. With a budget close to $300 million, a considerable portion is clearly visible in the stunning production design, gorgeous locations, and elaborate action sequences blending practical and CGI effects seamlessly.
As marketed, “Dead Reckoning” is the first chapter of a two-film finale, with the second chapter set to release next summer. However, even as one half of a larger story, the film feels complete and does not disappoint fans in terms of thrills, action, stunts, and surprising twists. In addition to the adrenaline-inducing elements, “Dead Reckoning” explores fleshed-out character development, the high stakes of the threat, and the resulting paranoia within the IMF team.
Unlike recent installments, “Dead Reckoning” is more cerebral and demands attentive listening to grasp the film’s direction. It eventually leads to a nerve-racking, extended set piece in the third act, one of the franchise’s most intense moments that will leave you on the edge of your seat. While the film ends with an inevitable cliffhanger, it is presented in a way that excites viewers for the next chapter of this grand finale.
“Dead Reckoning” features a talented cast, with both familiar and new faces. Henry Czerny returns to the franchise, giving an intense portrayal as “Eugen Kittridge,” the former director of the IMF last seen in 1996’s “Mission Impossible.” Ving Rhames is back as “Luther,” delivering his most powerful and emotional performance in the series to date. Simon Pegg returns as “Benji,” the computer tech whiz playing an integral role in the team. Rebecca Ferguson reprises her role as “Ilsa” and delivers another spirited performance following her appearances in “MI:5” and “MI:6.” Two notable newcomers shine in their franchise debuts.
Pom Klementieff portrays “Paris,” a French assassin with amazing action sequences showcasing her tactical prowess and fighting skills. While known for her role as “Mantis” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Klementieff displays a completely different side in this film. Hayley Atwell joins as “Grace,” a clever thief entangled in this intricate tale of danger. Although Atwell is not new to television or film, her performance in “Dead Reckoning” can be considered a breakout.
Atwell captivates the screen, bringing cunning charm, comedic levity, fear, physicality, and emotion to her role as “Grace.” Her chemistry with Cruise’s “Ethan Hunt” adds to the captivating experience, from their early “cat and mouse” games to the more dangerous and thrilling moments they share on screen. Atwell is truly captivating.
Lastly, when it comes to Tom Cruise, there isn’t much to be said about his commitment to these films that you aren’t already aware of. Playing “Ethan Hunt” for over 27 years since 1996’s original “Mission Impossible,” Cruise once again gives his all, entertaining fans with excellent acting, extreme physicality, participation in death-defying stunts, and his ability to elevate everyone around him.
Cruise, a Hollywood veteran since 1981, at 61 years old, continues to show his contemporaries the levels of performance, realism, physicality, and commitment in these action blockbusters. Tom Cruise is a Machine.
Director Christopher McQuarrie does a masterful job helming the film and overseeing the intricate plot and enthralling sequences. McQuarrie brings out intense performances from his actors while building tension through shot selection, transitions, sound design, and Lorne Balfe’s brilliant score. From exhilarating car chases to shootouts, hand-to-hand combat, and the gripping third act finale, McQuarrie proves to be one of the best action directors in Hollywood today.
Although Tom Cruise has worked with several incredible directors, there is a certain chemistry between him and McQuarrie that captures cinematic magic every time. “Dead Reckoning” marks the ninth collaboration between McQuarrie and Cruise since 2008, be it directing, screenwriting, or producing. Their synergy translates exceptionally well to the screen.
If I have any criticism, it would be that the plot can occasionally feel convoluted due to dense exposition explaining the villain’s intentions. However, paying close attention and exercising patience will be rewarded as the motives become clearer throughout the film.
Moreover, some viewers may not completely buy into the primary villainous threat in this Mission Impossible film. Nevertheless, this angle feels more timely, realistic, and problematic than the typical film villain with a generic evil plan found in most movies of this genre.
In terms of ranking, “Mission Impossible: Fallout” and “Mission Impossible III” remain my personal top two favorites. However, “Dead Reckoning” and “Rogue Nation” are neck and neck for third place. This installment upholds the franchise’s tradition with great storytelling, non-stop thrills, action, and excitement.
As a lifelong fan of movies, I love the entertainment they provide and enjoy discussing and writing about them. However, the initial form of escapism provided by the theatrical experience is my favorite connection to movies. Films like “Dead Reckoning” exemplify why we go to the theater and pay extra for a premium format like IMAX, Dolby Cinema, XD, or 4DX. We don’t just watch Mission Impossible Films – we experience them!
Between last year’s “Top Gun: Maverick” and now “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning,” Tom Cruise has delivered an amazing one-two punch for fans of epic action movies, providing an exhilarating theatrical experience. While fans will forever debate the specific ranking of these movies, we can all agree on the level of care, craftsmanship, and quality that goes into them.
The consistency and high production values of the Mission Impossible films remain a priority for Tom Cruise, and “Dead Reckoning” further solidifies this collection as one of the greatest action franchises of all time. “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning” hits theaters on July 12th and comes highly recommended. Enjoy!
