Music industry veteran Justin Wright, also known as J. Wright and founder of Camp Entertainment Worldwide, will be spending the rest of his life behind bars. According to WSB-TV, the songwriter was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Wilanna Bibbs, his former 20-year-old girlfriend in Iowa.
During the proceeding, Wright sat in complete silence and didn’t utter one word about the killing, his conviction or sentencing. Bibbs’s life was just beginning. Originally from Durham, North Carolina, she wanted to be a singer. This appeared to make the couple, who dated for a few months, an easy pair.
However, the young lady was fatally shot on May 9, 2021, in a home in Davenport by her lover. Wright, who’s worked with Bow Wow, Timbaland, Kash Doll, Gucci Mane, Future, 21 Savage, Rick Ross and DJ Khaled, was found guilty of first-degree murder in April.
Scott County Attorney Kelly Cunningham said Wright and Bibbs were in Davenport visiting relatives of the songwriter during the deadly altercation. Thomas Bibbs, the victim’s father, said his daughter was killed after the two allegedly got into an argument over $70.
After being sentenced, Wright wasn’t able to address his mother. His mother asked if she could say goodbye to her son, but a deputy escorting him out of the court, shook his head “no.” After denying the request, he walked him back to his cell.
The internet seems to be reeling after an alleged email from Tory Lanez’s first lawyer, dated November 21, 2022, has emerged. The screenshot of the email was posted by “Legal Affairs and Trials with Meghann Cuniff.” In the correspondence, it shows attorney Shawn Holley was “not comfortable” using Megan the Stallion’s former friend as the scapegoat in the Canadian recording artist’s murder trial.
The subject title for the email says, “CONFIDENTIAL/ ATTORNEY-CLIENT COMMUNICATION.” In the body, the lawyer said, “Tory, As we discussed on Saturday, I am not comfortable advancing the ‘Kelsie Defense’, primarily because I don’t find it to be a viable strategy. I don’t believe my position will change unless Quan is persuasive in the preview of his testimony and you are persuasive under mock cross-examination by George and/or Lisa.”
Holley continued, “Even if both of those benchmarks (Quan/you) were satisfied, I am still not certain that I would be willing to go forward. In light of that, you should discuss with George [Mgdesyan, the other attorney at the firm] his willingness and ability to move forward with that defense and if he can do so by the trial date (December 6). I will help him get up to speed, if that is something you/he are interested in.”
Despite Holley’s uncertainty the strategy would work, he argued Kelsey Harris shot her friend five times in a jealous fit with a semi-automatic firearm around 4:25 a.m. on July 12, 2020. The “WAP” co-artist was later hospitalized, where bullet fragments in both feet were removed by surgeons.
The jury deliberated for seven hours over two days before convicting Lanez last December of first-degree assault, discharge of a firearm with gross negligence, and having a concealed and unregistered firearm in a vehicle. Now, Lanez is waiting for his sentencing which is scheduled for August 7.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge David Herriford will determine his fate. He’s currently looking at 13 years in prison.
After breaking chart records with the release of their collab single earlier this month, Dave and Central Cee have retained the top stop on the U.K. charts, despite fierce competition from Drake and J Hus.
Dave and Central Cee amassed the biggest streaming week ever for a rap song in the U.K. with the release of “Sprinter” on June 1. The pair raced to No. 1 on the U.K.’s Official Singles Chart Top 100. The track also scored the biggest opening week so far in 2023.
According to Billboard, “Sprinter” racked up 13.4 million streams surpassing the previous record held by Stormzy’s “Vossi Bop” (12.7 million streams) set in 2019.
However, another heavyweight duo joined the race last week with the Drake-assisted J Hus release, “Who Told You.” While the surprise collaboration soared up the charts after release on June 8, it failed to surpass Cench and Santan’s offering, which remained at No. 1 for a second consecutive week.
It isn’t just “Sprinter” making U.K. chart gains either. Dave and Central Cee also dropped the four-track Split Decision EP on June 5 in celebration of their 25th birthdays. Dave reached the milestone on their release date, while Central Cee turned 25 the day before.
“Trojan Horse” climbed two places this week, landing at No. 12 on the singles chart, while “UK Rap” ended the week at No. 14, up three spots from the previous week.
Watch the “Sprinter” video below and stream Dave and Central Cee’s Split Decision EP at the end of the page.
Beyoncé is shining a spotlight on Black fashion designers in honor of Juneteenth, showcasing a tour wardrobe made exclusively by Black creatives during the Amsterdam stop of her Renaissance tour.
On Sunday (June 17), a day before the annual holiday to mark the ending of the institution of enslavement of Black people, Beyoncé took to Instagram to share a carousel of images. The shots come from her recent tour stop at the Johan Cruijff Arena in the Netherlands.
“In honor of Juneteenth, everything I wore for RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR tonight was created exclusively by Black designers,” Bey announced in the caption.
Among the couturiers styling Beyoncé for her Juneteenth tribute are Ethiopian fashion designer Feben. She took to her Instagram Stories to thank the “Cuff It” hitmaker for sporting her customer design at the concert.
It isn’t the first time the pair have collaborated. Beyoncé snapped up Feben fresh out of fashion school, asking her to create the costumes for the “Brown Skin Girl” video in 2020. Feben also handled the costumes and styling for Bey’s Disney movie, Black Is King, later the same year.
During an interview with Elle last year, Feben revealed the kind of woman she has in mind when crafting her designs.
“Someone with an eclectic vibe, who likes mixing stuff and has been exposed to different cultures,” she said. “I want people to feel like they’re wearing something special.”
Raz B wound up laid out on the canvas after asking for smoke on a new episode of Bad Boys Texas.
The B2K member was a Top. 10 trending topic on Twitter Sunday (Jun. 18) after footage of Raz B getting punched in the face hit the net. In a clip from the Zeus Network series, the singer walked into a studio announcing to his fellow Bad Boys cast that he’s with all the smoke.
“So I’m walking into the studio, which I probably shouldn’t have even went to the studio because I was still turnt up,” Raz B admitted in a confessional. In the clip, the singer can be seen climbing the stairs while shouting threats. He entered the room, greeting his castmates with the warning, “I want smoke with everybody. What’s up?”
He continued ranting as he approached the others but was quickly stopped in his tracks. “I ain’t afraid of nobody. You, none of you n#####,” Raz B can be heard saying before a fist comes flying his way.
Twitter users attributed the punch to Bad Boys Texas alum Jonathan Wright. Check out the clip below.
Meanwhile, the “Bump, Bump, Bump” hitmaker and Jonathan exchanged words in another scene from the episode. The hairstylist intervened after Raz B got into a heated argument with Orlando Brown, with the pair claiming gang ties.
“It’s been a lot going on on tour,” Raz B explained. “Things that I probably normally wouldn’t say, I’m saying them today.”
Both incidents sparked fresh concern from fans worried about his mental health. Last month, the B2K member was placed on a 72-hour hold by Kansas City police after the singer climbed onto a Kansas City hospital roof. Police negotiators coaxed him down from the roof ledge, and he was treated by medical staff.
Tory Lanez has dropped a new single, just weeks after the track leaked online. The R&B singer took to Instagram Sunday (June 18) to announce the collaborative track, which features his brother, Yoko Gold.
“Two and a half years ago my brother Yoko and I orchestrated this record for his project,” Tory Lanez began. “We never thought nothing of it. It collected dust in a hard drive. Guess God had a different plan for it.”
Lanez expressed his gratitude to those who leaked the song, thanking them for making sure the track heard the light of day.
“Never thought I’d say this but I wanna thank the Umbrellas for LEAKING this record,” he added. “Yoko it’s your time. Hold the Umbrella down while I’m gone.”
Earlier on Sunday, Tory Lanez shared an update from behind bars as he awaits sentencing, more than six months after a jury found him guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion.
“I want y’all to know I haven’t lost my faith in God and that I’m in high spirits,” Lanez explained. “I’m praying for the best and remain confident that God will bring me through this. I have spent the last 7 months rehabilitating my mind, my body and my soul. Though I came to jail a good person, I will leave as a great person. He also vowed to continue dropping new music beginning with “Hurts Me.”
“I’ve turned this jail cell into my work office,” he said. “I will continue the legacy of the Umbrella from here or anywhere else. I won’t let anything stop me from being a positive light and a help to those in need.” Read his post in full below.
Offset and Quavo have put aside their rumored differences to reunite in honor of Takeoff on the day he would have turned 29.
The Migos rappers joined forces to celebrate the life of their late group member at a private birthday tribute Sunday, June 18. Like everybody at the gathering, Offset and Quavo wore white shirts with an image of Takeoff’s face on the front.
Offset and Quavo came together to celebrate Takeoff’s birthday today:
Paper lanterns filled the sky in a Rocket Man tribute as family and friends gathered to mark the first time Takeoff was absent from his birthday celebrations following his passing at a dice game last November.
Quavo began celebrating a day early, taking to Instagram on Saturday (Jun. 18) with a video of Quavo.
“Happy Birthday @yrntakeoff can’t wait for days like this again!!!” he penned in the caption. “BEST believe we goin up all week the Rocket way GEEKD 😵💫 u 29 n#### 🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀♾🚀 “
Offset shared a carousel of images to celebrate Takeoff on his birthday Sunday.
“Happy birthday rocket man 🚀 the greatest to touch a mic!! best spirit ever!!” he shared. “Purest man I know your heart was golden bring me peace bra we celebrate your life because you still right here I love you gang 🚀🚀🚀🚀”
Quavo Announces Takeoff Tribute Album
Last month, Quavo announced plans to release an album dedicated to his nephew, his first since Huncho in 2018.
“This album is a true reflection of how I feel right now. Sometimes I’m Good, sometimes I’m Down, sometimes I’m Disappointed, sometimes I fall apart but then I ALWAYS find my strength again,” wrote Quavo on Instagram. “I know everything might not be alright right now, but the rocket showed me a way to make it RIGHT!”
Meanwhile, Offset also opened up about his struggle to cope with Takeoff’s death in a Variety interview last month.
“It’s hard for me to talk about s### right now,” Offset said. “I’ve never talked about this stuff. Seriously. Talking about Take is hard, man. Talking about all this s### is hard. That’s why I don’t, to be honest. That s### hurts. Like, it’s gonna put me in a mood, and I don’t want to get in that mood. Some things I don’t never tell nobody. He’s not here. That s### feels fake, bro. I get through my day thinking it’s fake. And I don’t say nothing to nobody about it.”
Appreciating a heavenly birthday is often the hardest. On Sunday (June 18), the rap world stopped and wished Takeoff a happy one. Of course, the remaining Migos members—Quavo and Offset—respectfully sounded off.
It’s often said God doesn’t make mistakes. Be that as it may, the ability to discover grace in times of tribulation is, in fact, a blessing. So, with the unexpected demise of the respected rapper, not too much is making sense.
On the other hand, his family, peers and supporters are honoring his enduring memory. Although Takeoff was laid back, the composed Gemini still created a lasting impression. Through different social media platforms, his public is working to ensure June 18 is transforming into the day of Take.
The “Straightenin'” spitter was fatally shot last December. Of course, both Quavo and Offset are working to find the words to express their grief and appreciation. The former took to Twitter and wrote, “Everyone Wish My Nephew Happy Birthday,” before closing with, “Miss You So Much!”
Quavo just shared this video of Takeoff being in awe of the Yeezy jean jacket 🤍 happy heavenly birthday Takeoff 🕊 pic.twitter.com/QydFbK4QJb
Additionally, a series of photos, along with an accompanying message shared Offset’s perspective. With poignant prose he delivers, “Happy birthday rocket man. the greatest to touch a mic!! best spirit ever!! purest man I know your heart was golden bring me peace bra we celebrate your life because you still right here I love you gang.”
Trippie Redd is responding to a post from Spotify Head of Urban Music Carl Chery. The music exec shared his thoughts on the state of the culture via Twitter on Saturday (June 17). He wrote: “Hip-Hop needs new leaders who are intentional about dictating where the music and culture are going. It feels like artists either don’t think about it or don’t want that responsibility. We need it tho. Who’s gonna step up?”
Trippie Redd responded, “He right. we gone bounce back tho. We let country and Spanish music take over cuz we too divided. That s### lame as f###.”
Hip-Hop needs new leaders who are intentional about dictating where the music and culture are going. It feels like artists either don’t think about it or don’t want that responsibility. We need it tho. Who’s gonna step up?
Country and Latin music has exploded in recent months. So far in 2023, not one rap artist has held the No. 1 spot on Billboard. In fact, country artist Morgan Wallen’s latest album, One Thing at a Time, has dominated the top spot for 13 non-consecutive weeks. Other No. 1 albums this year include the K-pop group Stray Kids’ project 5-Star and SZA’s SOS—in other words, not rap.
On the Latin side, artists such as Karol G, Bad Bunny and Peso Pluma continue to soar in popularity. Trippie Redd, meanwhile, dropped an album in January called Mansion Musik that failed to land at No. 1. Instead, it debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200, selling roughly 56,000 total album-equivalent units.
The first annual Strange Famous Fest took place at the Levitt Pavilion in Denver, Colorado on Saturday (June 17). Helmed by label head Sage Francis, the free, family-friendly event boasted performances from a healthy chunk of the SFR roster, including Wheelchair Sports Camp, Metermaids, Cas One, Sleep, BlackLiq, Jivin Scientists Mopes, Seez Mics, Jesse The Tree, Onry Ozzborn, Early Adopted, Storm Davis, DJ Zole and, of course, Sage Francis.
The familial vibe bounced off the rolling green hills, with generations of hip-hop fans scattered throughout the audience. Backstage, the reunion between labelmates and longtime friends who hadn’t seen each other since the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered the concert industry was nothing but joyous.
Sleep, who rose to notoriety with the Northwest Hip-Hop crew Oldominion, admitted he hadn’t performed some of his songs in more than 15 years. But with the confidence of any seasoned MC, he stepped up to the plate and killed his set.
At one point, he uttered, “There’s nothing like family,” which brilliantly summed up the entire evening. If there’s one thing Sage Francis has done extremely well (aside from rap), it’s create a family of loyal, hardworking artists who carry the Strange Famous flag wherever they go (both literally and figuratively).
Wheelchair Sports Camp—fronted by the inimitable Kayln Heffernan—brought along her killer live band and found the mighty MC displaying her signature sense of humor, especially on the song “Hard Out Here For A Gimp” where she rhymes, “I’m still tangled up in the mic cable/And not able to eat at high tables or live life stable/Fit all your right labels/But didn’t get cat called/And ain’t complaining at all/They’re like Kalyn you talk too much/Shut up you walk too much.” And with that, a collective laughter roared through the crowd.
“It was really so sweet to play such a special free show for the whole family,” Heffernan tells AllHipHop. “So many of us got to meet for the first time, the sunset was in full swoon, so many folks from out of town came and it went better than any of us could’ve asked for. It was great to have everyone in the hometown feeling so loved and supported.”
As for Sage Francis’ headlining performance—which involved a garbage bag full of raw broccoli—he sailed through live renditions of songs like “Sea Lion,” “Make Em Purr” and “Makeshift Patriot.” He also spit a scathing spoken word track about the socio-political climate that stopped people dead in their tracks. His writing prowess has always stomped the competition, and this occasion was no different.
Atmosphere co-founder Sean “Slug” Daley, who happened to play at the Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater the night before, joined the unsuspecting crowd and was quickly swarmed by shocked fans wanting a photo with the Rhymesayers Entertainment giant. When asked backstage if he was planning on rapping, Slug told AllHipHop he was simply there to support his friends. But, considering his profession, it was only a matter of time. As all of the performers gathered onstage at the end of the show, Slug took the mic and spit a freestyle, sending the crowd into a frenzy. For a moment, it looked like Slug and Sage Francis might take it back to the days of Scribble Jam and battle each other, but with the park curfew just minutes away, the grand finale was slightly rushed.
Even so, the inaugural Strange Famous Fest was a welcome reminder of the importance of family—no matter how one defines it. As Sage Francis instructed the crowd to hold a finger in the air, he paid tribute to those who’ve passed over the years, including former SFR artist and longtime friend Alias, Rhymesayers’ Eyedea and keyboardist Ikey Owens. It was a tear-jerking moment for those witnessing the scene unfold and subtly reminded everyone how fleeting life is.
Sage Francis spoke to AllHipHop about the event on Sunday (June 18), but it was clear the magnitude of what transpired hadn’t fully sunken in. He did offer, “All I can say at this very moment is how proud I am of our artists and fans for making something like this even possible. People have been gushing with positive feedback, but I’m currently sweating from running to the next concourse. I’m missing Father’s Day with my kids, but Strange Famous Fest made up for it!”
And Strange Famous fans felt similarly. Walking back to the parking lot after the festival had come to a close, one attendee was overheard shouting, “That was the best Hip-Hop festival I’ve ever been a part of!” There’s a sense it won’t be the last.
Featured image: E. Jourdain, Jr. for Under The Lights
Quincy Jones, legendary songwriter, producer and composer, was reportedly rushed to the hospital on Saturday (June 17). According to TMZ, Jones suffered a medical emergency he felt was serious enough to warrant a trip to the emergency room. Paramedics arrived at Jones’s Los Angeles home and transported him via ambulance to a local hospital.
A rep for Jones explained something he ate didn’t fair well with his digestive system and he called emergency responders out of caution. Jones was assessed by a medical team and released. He was apparently in “great spirits” and never lost consciousness.
Jones, who turned 90 March, has worked with numerous icons over the course of his career. While working on The Wiz in 1979, he agreed to produced Michael Jackson’s solo album, Off The Wall. The project went on to sell more than 20 million copies. The follow-up, 1982’s Thriller, moved around 65 million units, a testament to Jones and Jackson’s innate musical chemistry. Jones went on to contribute to Jackson’s Bad album, which sold 45 million copies.
Following Jackson’s unexpected death in 2009, Jones said, “Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the ’80s. To this day, the music we created together on Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world, and the reason for that is because he had it all … talent, grace, professionalism, and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer, and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.”
Quincy Jones has also worked with Frank Sinatra, Tina Turner, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin and Little Richard, among many others. He’s won 28 Grammy Awards, been nominated 80 times and won the Grammy Legend Award in 1992.
Could it be? Is one of Hip-Hop’s greats stepping from behind an imposed cloak of privacy? Just a while ago, Kendrick Lamar’s alleged, burner Instagram account has been found. Let’s delve deeper.
As a matter-of-fact, to his loyal supporters, this purported revelation is most pleasing. Moreover, the carefully cultivated page offers intriguing access. Recently, Mr. Morale just celebrated another birthday. However, he is the one who seems to stay blessing others.
Through, his creative acumen and entrenched work-ethic, K-Dot keeps the public talking. Accordingly, this previously private account is now a very big deal. Somehow, its simplistic offerings elevate the ordinary.
So, the ability to create a resonating impression is a gift. With this, the self-professed Omega continues to give of himself to others. Via, the alleged pseudonym, @jojoruski, he is captivating the masses.
Whether, cradling the brilliant future; or, contemplating the prolific past, Cornrow Kenny is now. As, one of the genre’s crowned kings, his voice and his actions are highly lauded. Indeed, the ongoing reactions range from sheer disbelief to welcome anticipation.
Undoubtedly, this array of easy images and candid videos are highly regarded. Kendrick Lamar’s insight is different. From his voice, the Compton Cowboy speaks for the have-nots.
Janet Jackson’s Together Again Tour took an interesting turn during one of its stops. A video capturing a sizzling moment went viral, showing the renowned “Any Time, Any Place” singer engaged in a passionate tongue-kiss with one of her backup dancers. The dancer in question is apparently Darius “Dario” Boatner. The incident sparked a range of reactions among social media users.
One Twitter user expressed their support, stating, “As long as everyone involved consents, I only wish I could have been at the concert.” Another individual applauded Janet’s bold behavior, writing, “Go for it, Janet! I admire a performer who fully commits to their role. From now on, no one can say anything negative about JJ in my presence.”
In contrast, one person remained unfazed, claiming that this was nothing new for Janet Jackson. They tweeted, “This isn’t anything groundbreaking. She’s been doing this before.” Meanwhile, another Twitter user simply commented, “Sexy as hell! Werk!” accompanied by a heart emoji.
Sad news out of Houston, Texas. According to the Houston Chronicle, Big Pokey—an original member of the Screwed Up Click—has died at age 48. In a graphic video making the rounds online, Big Pokey is rapping to a crowd at the Pour 09 Bar when he suddenly collapses. Someone rushes to his aid as he lays on the ground then the video cuts off. The video sparked outrage among his fans, prompting at least one site to issue a statement.
“Out of respect for the family/friends & fans of Milton ‘Big Pokey’ Powell, Music Monopoly has removed the video posted of his last performance,” the post read. “Houston community…stay strong. #OneLove.”
As mentioned, Big Pokey was mid-performance when he suffered some type of medical emergency. Social media is blowing up with condolences. Bun B, another Houston native, shared his thoughts on Big Pokey’s death shortly after getting the news.
“I wasn’t ready for this,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “One of the most naturally talented artists in the city. Low key, humble mountain of a man who moved with honor and respect. He was easy to love and hard to hate. He’d pull up, do what he had to do and head home. One of the pillars of our city. If heart of gold was a person. Iconic member of the SUC. There will never be another and will be missed dearly. We love and honor you Sensei. Rest in heaven.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtodhTSu0CV/?hl=en
Screwed Up Click was formed in the ’90s. The group’s debut album, Blockbleeders, was released in May 1999 via Straight Profit Records. Bun B encouraged all of his fans to stream his music, including his latest album, Sensei, which he released in 2021.
“Let’s get on all the streaming platforms and make this the number one album in the country today,” Bun B wrote. “Jump on @youtube @spotify @applemusic @tidal @pandora and anywhere else for the legend @sucbigpokey today. Let’s send his family a message that we loved him! Long Live Big Pokey!”
AllHipHop sends our condolences to Big Pokey’s loved ones.
So, check this out: there’s this 15-year-old teen who recently got busted by the police on suspicion of pulling off an armed robbery. Turns out, when the cops searched his room, they found a whole stash of weapons. Like, seriously, they were surprised by the number of weapons they discovered in this kid’s crib down in southwest Atlanta.
Apparently, the Newnan Drug and Vice Unit, along with the Atlanta Police, were already investigating a robbery that went down back in April, and they think this 15-year-old is one of the two kids involved.
Now, here’s the kicker: when the officers made the arrest, they found the teenager hiding in his bed, with the covers pulled up over his head. Can you imagine? It’s like something out of a movie. And the kid had an AR pistol tucked under the blankets, fully loaded and ready to go, with the safety off!
The police kept looking and discovered two more handguns right there on the bed, one of which was actually stolen during that April robbery they were investigating. Most of the guns that they began to find were actually stolen. They managed to seize over 10 guns altogether, along with extended magazines, those double-drum magazines for rifles, and even a modified handgun that could shoot non-stop like it was fully automatic.
Oh, and by the way, this 15-year-old was the second person arrested. They already got a 14-year-old in custody before this one. These kids, man. They really need to find better hobbies.
Boosie’s legal troubles have reached a significant turning point. MediaTakeOut has conducted an investigation and has determined that Boosie will be spending somewhere between 5 to 15 years in a federal prison. This conclusion is based on factual information.
On the night of May 6, everything changed for our beloved (or hated) Boosie, but we have to go the long way for it all to happen. The rapper was apprehended during a traffic stop on Market Street in the Chollas View neighborhood. During the stop, law enforcement officers discovered two loaded firearms inside the vehicle. Boosie was then charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded not guilty on May 15 and suddenly prosecutors in San Diego decided to drop all charges against him. This was odd. The second he left the courtroom, However, the FBI arrested the Badazz.
There’s another thing against him. Boosie charges that the firearm did not belong to him, but he has made statements that go against his legal testimony. In a recent podcast, Boosie openly revealed that he has individuals on his team who are specifically tasked with deceiving the police if they were to be found in possession of guns.
Federal code 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) prohibits felons from carrying firearms. It is worth noting that a felony conviction, whether obtained in state or federal court, entails more than just imprisonment and a fine. Boosie won’t be allowed to possess a firearms or ammunition either. It is unlawful for a convicted felon to ship, transport, receive, or possess firearms or ammunition.
The penalties is tough here. A felon possessing a firearm or ammunition is upwards of 15 years with a fine on the side. Based on the numbers and the averages, he’ll do at least a strong FIVE. He’s apologized to his kids and that says a lot.
Hopefully…dude gets out of this. But it is looking CUH-RAZY!
“Extraction 2” is the sequel to the surprise Netflix hit from 2021, which became one of the streaming platform’s most-watched original films in its first month. Written by Joe Russo and directed by Sam Hargrave, this explosive sequel aims to raise the stakes and ramp up the action in every way imaginable.
Chris Hemsworth returns as Tyler Rake, a mercenary for hire who miraculously survived the events of the first film but still carries the scars of his injuries. After relocating to Austria, Rake hopes to heal, settle down, and enjoy a peaceful retirement.
Unfortunately, Rake’s tranquility is short-lived as he is approached once again for a dangerous mission: rescuing his ex-wife’s sister and her two children, who are being held captive by a Georgian crime boss. Driven by his emotional attachment, Rake agrees to undertake this extraction mission and enlists the help of his teammates, “Nik” (Golshifteh Farahani) and “Yaz” (Adam Bessa).
Together, this trio embarks on a challenging rescue operation, but the task ahead won’t be easy. They come face to face with the unhinged Georgian Crime Boss “Davit,” his menacing Brother “Zurab,” and their legion of henchmen, who are determined to stop Rake and his team at any cost. While there are additional details to the story, this framework sets the stage for the thrilling action-packed adventure that awaits.
“Extraction 2” delivers an exhilarating experience from start to finish. Director Sam Hargrave, a veteran stuntman and coordinator, significantly amplifies the action in this sequel, resulting in impressive and intense sequences that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Hargrave’s unique shots, framing, clean transitions, and use of practical effects present the action with a hard-hitting, bone-crunching dynamism while maintaining a polished cinematic flair. The film features three major action set pieces, one in each of its acts, and all of them are highly entertaining. Notably, the first set piece is an incredible 25-minute “long take” scene expertly edited to appear as one continuous shot.
This scene begins with a violent prison break, transitions into a thrilling car chase, escalates into a heart-pounding foot chase, and culminates in a gripping train sequence where the action reaches new heights. While certain transitions are cleverly timed, the scene as a whole will leave action fans in awe. At times, cinematographer Greg Baldi employs a “first-person” perspective, providing a glimpse from Tyler Rake’s vantage point and adding another layer of immersion to the claustrophobic action.
Regarding the actors, the supporting cast delivers solid performances, but this is ultimately Chris Hemsworth’s show. Hemsworth proves himself as one of the best modern-day action stars in the genre, clearly enjoying his role as “Tyler Rake.” He embodies the physicality required for this grueling character, handles most of the elaborate stunts, and executes the film’s complex fight choreography exceptionally well. Overall, Hemsworth convincingly portrays the hardened and weathered mercenary, leaving audiences eager for more of his portrayal.
“Extraction 2” is a thrilling, action-packed adrenaline ride that I thoroughly enjoyed. The film benefits from a larger budget and a stronger supporting cast, and the scope of the action scenes is more elaborate and grand in scale. Although the plot has a generic nature and the villains, while menacing, adhere to standard action film tropes, there is an emotional component tied to the family element. Nevertheless, the primary draw of this film lies in its incredible action, which does not disappoint.
Director Sam Hargrave and lead actor Chris Hemsworth showcase a unique chemistry that perfectly suits these films and will leave audiences eager for more. If you’re a fan of the action genre and seeking high-octane thrills and entertainment, I highly recommend checking out “Extraction 2.” It is now available for streaming on Netflix. Enjoy!
Q-Tip rarely tweets, but A Tribe Called Quest‘s de facto leader had a special request on Friday (June 16). Apparently, Q-Tip is looking for a woman he’s lost touch with over the years and is hoping to track her down through social media.
As he explained, “There was a girl i went to HS with.. PAMELA SWEAT we went to the PRINCE concert in 9th grade. @ MSG Pam if you’re out there id love to know u r well i think of u often.”
The woman, Pamela Sweat, was quickly identified by someone in the comment section who shared an old photo with Q-Tip. They asked, “This Pam?” to which Q-Tip excitedly replied, “Yessssssss.”
It didn’t take long before Pam Sweat was tracked down on Instagram, and Q-Tip seemed relieved to finally have found her. He wrote simply, “Pam!”
Pam Sweat, who hasn’t posted anything to Instagram since April 1, is being inundated with messages from people who are excited to tell her about Q-Tip’s new quest. As one person wrote, “Prince fan here. You went with Q-Tip to a Prince concert at MSG in the 9th grade and he looking for you!!! He wants to contact you!” Another said, “Q-Tip wants to hear from you Pam. He mentioned you on Twitter!”
Q-Tip’s love life isn’t something that’s regularly discussed. But he’s been linked to several high-profile women over the years, including Nicole Kidman, Janet Jackson, Angie Martinez and MC Lyte.
California is about to have a new star coming out of the Golden State.
Up-and-coming recording artist Asha Imuno, a Moreno Valley native who just dropped the first single from his debut album Pins & Needles on Guin Records, is hoping to reflect his unique embrace of Hip-Hop.
Asha Imuno combined inspiration from his favorite albums, New Amerykah Part 2 by Erykah Badu & To Pimp A Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar, to make his project stand out amongst a gang of newcomers.
One thing that makes this artist unique is that he easily combines Hip-Hop and R&B for his sound.
Fans were able to peep this with his breakout track “ZIG ZAGGING” which amassed 10M streams independently.
Now, his new single, “PUSHING BUTTONS,” off of Pins & Needles explores more boundaries and hopes to invite more listeners into the fold.
At 22 years old, Asha Imuno is also a producer, working with a producing partner named Zach Ezzy. Ezzy has made noise working with other talents like Jordan Ward and Alex Isley. Together, they present something fresh.
What else should you expect from the mastermind behind WAITINGROOM, his experiential brand and his KOGO artist collective?
Check out the new single on all streaming services and platforms. The Pins & Needles project drops this fall.
Oh god! Casanova has gone down in a major way. The Brooklyn brother was once the modern day M.O.P., managed by Roc Nation and street certified. He was the man. And now he is a resident of Essex County Correctional Facility in Newark, NJ. I have done some research and this place is like the Rikers Island of New Jersey.
Essex County Correctional Facility is now under scrutiny following after a violent altercation involving a rapper Casanova and another inmate. Casanova, a self-proclaimed Blood gang member, previously pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges and also renounced his involvement in the street tribe. He was reportedly involved in a vicious fight at the facility. (Why he is there, I do not know.)
Reports say, Casanova was slashed during an altercation. Witnesses say his face was saturated in blood, indicating the severity of the incident. By the way, the Essex County Correctional Facility listened it as a minor incident. They have initiated an investigation into the matter. According to other reports, Casanova – a member of the The Untouchable Gorilla Stone Nation – ran the man down and got him back immediately. A report said when they finished with that assailant, his whole jail suit was red.
Insiders reveal that the unit where the altercation took place was not searched that night or the morning, raising concerns about the facility’s security measures. However, the facility’s director has previously stated that enhanced searches have been implemented, including searches conducted twice a day.
One lieutenant, interviewed by NBC, emphasized the potential risks of assigning officers without proper academy training to oversee federal prisoners, expressing concern about their ability to handle such situations. Starting in January, state law will require correctional officers to undergo police academy training before assuming inmate oversight responsibilities. Oh man, how does this help Casanova right now?
The Cas incident adds to a disturbing trend of violence within the facility. Since March, there have been 17 reported incidents of inmate-on-inmate or inmate-on-officer assaults. The Brooklyn rapper’s attack coincided with the jury finding three inmates guilty of the 2021 jail beating of Jayshawn Boyd, two of whom were convicted of attempted murder. This has led to a civil lawsuit against the county. The brutal attack was captured on film and was so bad, the jury found it hard to watch.
I do not think Cas is getting the same level of outrage. He recently denounced the gang and some have stated that is the reason he was attacked. At any rate, he is staring a a major bid in the bing. It will likely get worse, because Essex is not prison. That comes next.
None of the weapons used to attack the rapper were discovered following the attack on Casanova, but an inmate was observed attempting to flush something down the toilet. They are now calling for better conditions and security protocols at the Essex County Correctional Facility. I would not hold met breath!
Here is that video of Jayshawn Boyd. YouTube flagged it, but it will give you the short of context to understand what Casanova is in.
