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In its first week, Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out album accrued 118,000 first-week sales, earning a spot at Number Four on the Billboard 200 — their highest chart debut. Along with its sharp rhymes, the album was praised for its extensive and holistic media rollout, which appeased blog-era rap fans accustomed to the rollouts of the aughts, which often included a great deal of press. They created multiple editorial profiles and conducted a Hot 97 radio premiere for “So Be It,” which led to a scavenger hunt for its MP3 file — it...

Zohran Mamdani’s social media hot streak continues, as his latest viral post sees the Democratic Party’s candidate for the New York City mayoral election link up with Staten Island icons the Wu-Tang Clan.

In a tweet posted to X on Thursday, Mamdani is seen attending a recent Wu-Tang gig at New York’s Madison Square Garden as the guest of former congressman Jamaal Bowman. In the clip, Mamdani is seen mingling with rather shocked concertgoers. He also meets with various members of Wu-Tang, including Inspectah Deck and U-God, as well as Run the Jewels’ Killer Mike and El-p and The Lox’s Sheek Louch, Styles P and Jadakiss. A clearly star-struck Mamdani, a former rapper himself, also has a lengthy conversation about the cost of living crisis with Wu-Tang’s de facto leader, RZA.

Wu-tang Forever...

Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City, recently received a call from Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-n.Y.) with an invite to Wu-Tang Clan’s purported final Madison Square Garden show.

The call was recorded for a campaign video for Mamdani, and plays over clips of the New York assemblyman greeting Wu-Tang fans and supporters in the crowd and meeting rap luminaries backstage, from members of the group to Run the Jewels’ Killer Mike and El-p to Jadakiss. “No one has the pulse of our communities in a way hip-hop always has,...

Management firm 11Am NYC’s midtown Manhattan offices are abuzz on a Wednesday afternoon. Plaques for hit releases by A$AP Ferg and Lil TJay adorn the walls, and employees are moving about, hoping to help Queens rapper Bay Swag earn one of his own for his upcoming debut album, Damaged Thoughts (out July 25 on United Masters with a documentary to follow).

The office’s air conditioner is on the fritz during my visit, which means the office is baking on this 86-degree day. But Bay Swag and his four-person...

Near the end of what’s purported to be Wu-Tang Clan’s final Madison Square Garden set, Raekwon gave the crowd an affirmation about the legendary group: “One of one!” The most derivative rappers in the world will tell you they are too; the Clan actually embody the term. At times, mainstream rap these days feels like a gentrified city where the spaces that once harbored unforgettable memories have been converted into yet another Starbucks. Lyricism as the default measure of talent feels like a distant memory. But even those cities have indelible,...

Paramount+ today announced the new music docuseries Hip Hop Was Born Here, executive produced and co-created by Hip Hop trailblazer and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee LL Cool J and Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning.

Hip Hop Was Born Here is set to premiere on Tuesday, July 22, on the streamer in the U.S., Canada, Latin America, and Brazil. The series will also premiere internationally in the U.K., Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria on Wednesday, July 23.

Hosted by LL Cool J, the series will chart the creation, evolution, and ongoing legacy of Hip Hop not just as a genre but as a culture.

All five episodes will be available to stream exclusively on the service, taking viewers on a journey through Hip Hop history – meeting OGs and future icons, visiting the neighborhoods, studios, and places that fostered early styles, as well as watching beloved artists analyze their favorite tracks.

Exclusive: Peyton Manning and LL Cool J have teamed on Hip Hop Was Born Here, a docuseries that explores the history of hip hop in New York City. Hosted by LL Cool J, the five-episode first season is set to premiere July 22 on Paramount+.

Co-created by LL Cool J and Manning, the series will chart the creation, evolution and ongoing legacy of hip hop, not just as a genre but as a culture. Viewers will be taken on a journey through hip hop history – meeting genre pioneers and future icons, visiting the neighborhoods, studios and places that fostered early styles as well as watching beloved artists analyze their favorite tracks, according to the description.

Manning executive produces via his Omaha Productions and LL Cool J via his Rock the Bells prodco. The docuseries marks Omaha’s first project with CBS/Paramount, touting it as one of its most ambitious projects...

LL Cool J digs into how New York City shaped the creation and evolution of rap in the new trailer for the upcoming docuseries, Hip-Hop Was Born Here.

The five-part series will offer a kind of historical and musical tour of the five boroughs as LL Cool J visits the neighborhoods and meets with the MCs and producers who were instrumental to hip-hop’s rise. A plethora of hip-hop luminaries will feature on the show, including Big Daddy Kane, Grandmaster Caz, Jadakiss, Method Man, Rev Run, Roxanne Shante, Salt of Salt-n-Pepa,...

Swizz Beatz is anything but “Banned from TV.”

The hip-hop super producer has run a successful side hustle as an executive music producer on series like Godfather of Harlem (Epix/MGM+) and the short-lived ABC drama Queens, which should be best-remembered for the incredible beat Beatz made for lead single, “Nasty Girl.”

As The Hollywood Reporter previous reported, Swizz Beatz (real name Kasseem Daoud Dean) and Godfather of Harlem showrunner Chris Brancato have formalized their creative partnership. The duo also collaborated on Hotel Cocaine (MGM+) and are working together on upcoming MGM+ gang drama The Westies.

Right now, the standout track for Godfather of Harlem season four is “Danger, Danger,” which was not only produced by Swizz Beatz, but also features him as a rapper alongside Pusha T and the legendary Jadakiss. It’s pretty good company to be in — for all involved. The MGM+ series stars Forest Whitaker as...

Shock value is nowhere near a revolutionary idea. In 2025, it’s easier to get away with bad behaviors so long as it falls within a certain anti-woke perspective — racists and and Nazis flourish on X while pro-Palestine protestors can be arrested and deported. It’s what’s so exasperating about Kanye West’s latest turn towards provocation. He’s been able to twist his unfathomably dumb and extremist thoughts into a never-ending loop of content, just like all of the men currently in power have. He just so happened to...

Luigi Mangione’s fellow inmate at the State Correctional Institution (Sci) at Huntingdon has shared a notable overview of his and the other inmates’ time with the accused vigilante assassin.

Charged for the Dec. 4 murder of the United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Mangione was first arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on gun possession and sale identification charges. On Dec. 19, he was transferred to a Brooklyn lockup.

In an article published on Jan. 23 by the Prison Journalism Project, Mangione’s fellow Sci Huntington inmate of roughly ten days, Vaughn Wright, shared details from his experience.

Wright wrote, “Every time [Mangione] was escorted from his cell, D block locked down…during lockdowns, all prisoner movement is prohibited.” D Block is where death row inmates were previously held.

Wright further noted that, unlike the other inmates’ trademark orange jumpsuits, Mangione was made to wear a “turtle suit,” also known as a “suicide smock.” Such a...

Benny The Butcher and 38 Spesh first connected on the word of the late DJ Shay, the producer who Benny and many other members of Buffalo, New York’s Griselda movement called a mentor. Shay’s Parkside Studios was a hub for upstate rappers where Benny recorded most of his early work. One day, he met who would become one of his closest collaborators. “Spesh had came up there for a session. My mentor Shay was like come here, ‘let’s meet this kid,'” Benny recalls.

They were locked in from that moment.

The following contains spoilers for Piece by Piece, now playing in theatersPiece by Piece has an impressive soundtrack that spans the length of Pharrell William's career. Animated in the style of The Lego Movie, Piece by Piece is a music documentary exploring the life of Pharrell as he went from a music-obsessed kid in Virginia Beach to one of the biggest producers and musicians of the 21st century. Piece by Piece boasts an impressive cast of talented musicians who discuss Pharrell's career and their connections to it.

Befitting the film's focus on Pharrell and the music industry, Piece by Piece is packed to the brim with music. This ranges from the tracks Pharrell starred in to the ones he was primarily a producer, as well as some of the music that inspired him in the first place. The film even comes with some new original tracks, which help flesh out...

On Tuesday August 6 2024, Vice broadcasts Hip Hop Treasures!

Dmx Season 1 Episode 3 Episode Summary

In this episode of “Hip Hop Treasures,” viewers will join LL Cool J as he leads the quest for iconic memorabilia connected to the legendary rapper Dmx. This episode promises to dive deep into the life and career of Dmx, showcasing his impact on hip-hop culture. LL Cool J, known for his own significant contributions to the genre, will bring his unique perspective as he searches for items that celebrate Dmx’s legacy.

Cipha Sounds will also be featured in this episode as he meets with notable figures in the hip-hop community. He will connect with Jadakiss and Waah Dean, the founder of Ruff Ryders, to uncover a treasure trove of lost items that once belonged to Dmx. This segment is expected to reveal some hidden gems, including one of Dmx’s prized rhyme books, which holds...

In the third episode of *Hip Hop Treasures* Season 1, airing on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 11:00 Pm on Vice, LL Cool J takes viewers on a fascinating journey into the world of Dmx. Titled “Dmx,” this episode dives deep into the search for iconic memorabilia from the legendary hip-hop artist.

LL Cool J leads the quest for rare and cherished items associated with Dmx, a figure known for his powerful impact on the rap scene. Cipha Sounds joins the hunt, meeting up with Jadakiss and Ruff Ryder’s founder, Waah Dean. Together, they explore a treasure trove of lost artifacts, including one of Dmx’s coveted rhyme books. These finds are not just historical relics but also offer a personal glimpse into the artist’s creative process and legacy.

Fans of hip-hop and Dmx will not want to miss this episode, as it uncovers some of the most treasured and elusive...

“Okay I see you, let’s make moves,” the message read.

In May 2022, independent artist Dwayne “WayneWayne” McDaniel Jr. was floored to discover a direct message from Ne-Yo’s verified Instagram account. The R&b singer-songwriter had admired the crooner for years and tagged him in posts in the longshot hopes of getting his attention.

McDaniel was a relative newcomer, channeling his frustration from a failed relationship into writing and recording music in 2018. A 26-year-old single father from Philadelphia, McDaniel had a day job in the medical field while looking...

One Musicfest and Live Nation Urban are heading to Dallas for TwoGether Land, an expansion of their partnership and a two-day festival on May 25 and 26. Lil Wayne, Summer Walker, Latto, and Gucci Mane will headline the event.

Taking place at Fair Park, the inaugural festival will also see performances by Big Tuck, Erica Banks, Yella Beezy, Chalie Boy, Dorrough, and more on a stage with radio personality Bay Bay. Three 6 Mafia, Mariah The Scientist, Mike Reed, Thrilla, Tyla, Rody Red, and more are also scheduled to join the Southwest fest.

The nominations for this year’s Brit Awards have been unveiled, with Raye making history as the most nominated artist in the same year. The singer, who released her acclaimed album My 21st Century Blues last year, scored nods for Best British Album, Song Of The Year (twice), British Artist of the Year, Best Pop Act, Best R&b Act, and Best New Artist.

It’s a huge achievement for the singer, who openly told Rolling Stone UK last year how she shook off the shackles of a record label...

When Jennifer Lopez first teased a new “musical experience,” it felt safe to assume her first studio album in nearly a decade was cause enough for the hype. Today, Lopez announced that her upcoming LP, This Is Me…Now, will be accompanied by a film inspired by the music. Both the film and album are set to be released on Feb. 16, 2024.

Directed by Dave Meyers, the film will see Lopez creating “a genre-redefining immersive cinematic experience,” according to a press release. The film is described as “an extravagant visual and sonic feast with impressive choreography,...

Ice Spice may be a budding rap star growing toward worldwide fame, but she never forgets her Bronx, NY, roots, where her parents raised her. Spice (her real name is Isis Naija Gaston) was born on Jan. 1, 2000, to her parents, Charina Almanzar and Joseph Gaston - who she's said are of Dominican and Nigerian descent. She's the oldest of five siblings. The "Munch" rapper spoke to Apple Music's Zane Lowe in July about the pros and cons of her fame, adding she's ultimately "grateful" for what it's provided her family. "At the end of the day, it opened doors for me," she shared. "It allowed me to help my family, help myself, and change my lifestyle for the better."

It seems Spice was always destined for rap stardom, or at least fame. Per an interview with British GQ, she jokingly said, "I've been a diva since birth . . . Like, my parents tell me that.

As Grammy-winning Queensbridge rap icon Nasir Jones, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones turned 50, rapper Divine wished his mentor and thanked him for what he’s done for hip-hop. Wishing his mentor, Divine said: “Wish you many more blessings, Escobar. You continue to push boundaries and leave an unprecedented impact on rap even after 30 years. Thank you for being a rock-solid mentor; and thank you for what you’ve done for hip-hop.”

“Happy born day to my all-time favourite and one of the most influential lyricists in hip-hop history. Grateful to be inspired by you and to know you in real life!”

Sharing videos and pictures from the party on his social media, Divine was notably the only artist of South Asian descent present at Escobar’s glittering do. Divine’s historic appearance at the birthday festivity arrives amid his ongoing ‘Baazigar World Tour’ featuring Riar Saab, across Australia, the US,...

As Grammy-winning Queensbridge rap icon Nasir Jones, born Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones turned 50, rapper Divine wished his mentor and thanked him for what he’s done for hip-hop. Wishing his mentor, Divine said: “Wish you many more blessings, Escobar. You continue to push boundaries and leave an unprecedented impact on rap even after 30 years. Thank you for being a rock-solid mentor; and thank you for what you’ve done for hip-hop.”

“Happy born day to my all-time favourite and one of the most influential lyricists in hip-hop history. Grateful to be inspired by you and to know you in real life!”

Sharing videos and pictures from the party on his social media, Divine was notably the only artist of South Asian descent present at Escobar’s glittering do. Divine’s historic appearance at the birthday festivity arrives amid his ongoing ‘Baazigar World Tour’ featuring Riar Saab, across Australia, the US,...

Happy birthday, Nas! On Thursday, September 14th, the pioneering rapper turned 50 years old, and he’s marking the occasion with the release of his 17th studio album, Magic 3. Stream the record below.

Arriving just under eight weeks after Nas’ previous album, Magic 2, Magic 3 is the final volume in an album-trilogy collaboration between the “New York State of Mind” rapper and producer Hit-Boy. The duo first teamed up for 2020’s King’s Disease, and have since collaborated on four additional albums, including the first two entries in the Magic series. The first Magic record dropped in 2021.

Spanning 15 tracks, the new Magic 3 is lush with elements indicative of the duo’s partnership, as well as highlights, like the track “Never Die,” which features Lil Wayne. Speaking about working with Hit-Boy in an interview with Rap Life Radio’s Ebro Darden, Nas described the producer as “[his] Quincy [Jones].” Magic 3 is out via Mass Appeal Records,...

The 2023 MTV Video Music Awards will present the third-ever Global Icon Award to Sean “Diddy” Combs when the ceremony airs live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Sept. 12. The artist also joins the performance lineup as he gears up to release The Love Album: Off the Grid, his first solo album in 17 years, on Sept. 15. It will mark his first VMAs performance since 2005.

The Global Icon Award was adopted from the MTV Europe Music Awards in 2021 as the VMAs moved on from the short-lived Tricon Award, which was only ever presented to Lady Gaga.

Hip-hop Was Born In The Bronx In the summer of 1973. To celebrate the music’s 50th anniversary, “Rolling Stone” will be publishing a series of features, historical pieces, op-eds, and lists throughout this year.

It’s the eve of hip-hop’s birthday, and Grandmaster Flash’s phone has been blowing up lately. As one of rap’s founding fathers, his itinerary is teeming with engagements. When I ask him what his plans are for this weekend, he gives an overwhelmed laugh and notes that he’ll probably be shuffling from spot to spot.

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

It’s been 20 years since 50 Cent dropped his landmark breakthrough album Get Rich or Die Tryin.’ To mark the occasion, the Queens rapper is traveling the world on his Final Lap Tour 2023, which also sees Busta Rhymes and Jeremih opening for 50 on all of the tour’s North American dates.

Buy 50 Cent Final Lap Tickets Vivid Seats

50 Cent’s Final Lap tour started back in July and goes until Sept.

During the New York City stop on his world tour celebrating the 20th anniversary of his debut album, 50 Cent surprised the audience with guests including A Boogie Wit da Hoodie, Moneybagg Yo, Jadakiss and J. Cole, the latter who called 2003’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ “the best album of all time.”

Cole performed “No Role Modelz” at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Wednesday alongside 50 Cent as fans cheered loudly. He was the last surprise performer and spoke highly of 50 Cent and his first album after the performance.

“Can I say this before I walk off this stage? If y’all don’t make some noise for one of the greatest n***as to ever do this shit — 50 motherfucking Cent, Curtis Jackson,” Cole said.

“Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is the best album of all-time. … It’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ at No. 1 and it’s Thriller at No.

LeBron James was living it up in The Six.

Kicking off Toronto’s Caribbean Carnival weekend, the NBA star attended a bash at cocktail bar Kissa, along with his Lobos Tequila team and other celebrities.

Read More: LeBron James Is Now The NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer; Stars Celebrate The Record-Breaking Achievement

Photo: Emve Management Group

James was one of a number of big names from the NBA in attendance.

Former Raptors player Fred VanVleet was in town for the festivities.

Photo: Emve Management Group

As was Brampton-born Cavaliers star Tristan Thompson.

Photo: Emve Management Group

Read More: LeBron James Says He Has ‘A Lot To Think About’ In Comment Hinting At Possible Retirement

Sports marketing guru Maverick Carter, longtime friend of James, was also on hand.

Photo: Emve Management Group

James was seen having a ball with Carter and Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green.

Photo: Emve Management Group...

It’s understandable that the turn from July to August on the calendar doesn’t create much excitement for most TV viewers. That’s especially true this year, as Hollywood writers and actors are both on strike, meaning that new episodes of scripted TV shows will be hard to come by this fall unless the work stoppage is resolved very quickly (spoiler alert: it won’t be).

But August will bring some beloved titles back to streaming for new seasons, and some new selections that viewers may fall in love with while they wait for a world in which their old favorites are firing up production once again. Check below to see which shows and movies are making their way to streaming this week!

Monday, July 31 ‘Breeders’ Season 4 Premiere | FX, watch free with a five-day free trial of Directv Stream

It’s been five years since we last caught up with the Worsley family,...

Key Art for Mixtape, streaming on Paramount+, 2023. Paramount+ announced that Mixtape, a new documentary exploring how the creation of mixtapes launched hip hop into mainstream culture, will premiere exclusively on the service Tuesday, August 1 in the U.S. and Canada and Wednesday, August 2 in the U.K., Australia, Latin America and Brazil, with further international markets to follow later in the year. Mixtape is the story of hip hop refusing to take no for an answer. Before radio play, the internet, and social media, there were mixtapes. DJs were tastemakers, trendsetters and creators of the sound that became the biggest musical genre on the planet. The importance of mixtapes goes well beyond the tapes themselves. Mixtapes were a form of currency and a signifier that someone was “in the know” and had their ear to the streets. The culture was too strong to be stopped, and the artists were too...

Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, and Megan Thee Stallion lead this year’s One Musicfest, hitting Atlanta’s Piedmont Park in late October.

Kodak Black, Tems, Brent Raiyaz, Bryson Tiller, Chief Keef, Waka Flocka Flame, Jadakiss, Tink, Coco Jones, and many more also feature on the two-day lineup, as do Atl legends like Killer Mike, Goodie Mob, and The-Dream.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, the One Musicfest will also feature a special stage dedicated to the genre’s half-centennial, featuring artists like Nelly, Krs-One, Big Daddy Kane,...

One Musicfest has announced its 2023 lineup. Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, Megan Thee Stallion, and Brent Faiyaz will headline the festival when it goes down on October 28th and 29th at Atlanta’s Piedmont Park.

Other notable acts include Smino, Tems, Chief Keef, The-Dream, Fabolous, Jadakiss, Bryson Tiller, Coi Leray, and Key Glock. Meanwhile, there will be a special stage dedicated to celebrating the 50th anniversary of hip-hop featuring acts like Killer Mike, Krs-One, Big Daddy Kane, Trina, Nelly, DJ Quik, 8Ball & Mjg, DJ Drama, Waka Flocka, Too Short, and more. See the full lineup below.

A general admission two-day pass will run you $199 plus roughly $42 in fees, with a VIP tier available for $495 and $97 in fees. Those with exceptionally large wallets can opt for the Platinum ($995 and $191 in fees) or Titanium ($6536.55) tiers. Tickets are now on sale here.

One Musicfest 2023: Kendrick Lamar, Janet Jackson, and Megan Thee Stallion Lead...

Hip-hop heads, rejoice: LL Cool J is about to embark on his first headline arena tour in 30 years, and he’s bringing a particularly stacked crew along with him. The rapper has curated the “F.O.R.C.E. (Frequencies of Real Creative Energy) Live” tour, an upcoming traveling concert — a bit like his iconic Rock the Bells festival — that also promises performances from The Roots, De La Soul, Rick Ross, and many more.

Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, “The F.O.R.C.E. Live” tour will feature 18 shows each with a rotating cast of supporting acts. Each night will bring LL Cool J, The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip to the stage, playing alongside a rotating cast of acts that include Salt-n-Pepa, Queen Latifah, Rakim, Common, Mc Lyte, Method Man & Redman, Big Boi, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ice T, Juvenile, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, Goodie Mob,...

The 2023 Global Citizen Festival is around the corner. On Tuesday, the charity-run music event announced that Red Hot Chili Peppers and Ms. Lauryn Hill will headline this year’s iteration of the festival, scheduled for Sept. 23.

Pop singer Conan Gray, rapper Megan Thee Stallion, and K-pop boy band Stray Kids will also perform. The latest additions to the lineup include Brazilian star Anitta and actress and singer Sofia Carson. DJ D-Nice will also make an appearance.

The event will be hosted at the Great Lawn of Central Park, and tickets for the event are free.

Juneteenth, which falls on June 19, commemorates the fall of slavery in the United States.

It celebrates the anniversary of the order made by Major General Gordon Granger on June 1965 that proclaimed freedom for slaves in Texas. The order was actually made two years after Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

In a tweet Monday, former President Obama explained it as the “delayed but welcome news of freedom reaching the enslaved Black folks in Galveston, Texas.” In 2021, President Biden made Juneteenth a federal holiday.

Many networks are marking the occasion with Juneteenth TV specials or movie marathons showcasing Black talent and/or excellence. See our viewing guide below:

ABC

ABC is commemorating Juneteenth and Black Music Month with “Hip Hop at 50,” a “Soul of a Nation” presentation airing at 10 p.m. Et. It’ll stream Tuesday on Hulu. It’ll be hosted by Angie Martinez and feature Master P, Mc Lyte,...

ABC News Studios’ Emmy-winning series Soul of a Nation will honor the 50th anniversary of hip-hop with a one-hour special called Hip-Hop @ 50: Rhythms, Rhymes & Reflections – A Soul of a Nation Presentation.

Master P, Mc Lyte, Fat Joe, The Lox, Coi Leray and others will be featured in the program, to be hosted by Angie Martinez, the veteran radio personality known as The Voice of New York. Martinez will executive produce the special alongside ABC’s Catherine McKenzie.

Hip-Hop @ 50 will air on ABC on June 19 at 10 p.m. Et. It will stream on Hulu the following day.

Master P, Mc Lyte and Angie Martinez

The special, which also celebrates Juneteenth and Black Music Month, will feature “thought-provoking conversations with artists, producers, executives and changemakers in the industry” and “detail the history of hip-hop, providing insight into its origins, growth and evolution over the last 50 years and where things stand today,...

Warning! This article contains Spoilers for Shooting Stars!Bringing the sports world back to the late 1990s and early 2000s, Shooting Stars has a nostalgic hit-filled soundtrack to score the touching story of Lebron James’ high school basketball team. Shooting Stars is based on the true story of four-time NBA champion Lebron James’ youth basketball team (the Shooting Stars) and his upbringing with his “Fab Five” teammates Dru Joyce III, Willie McGee, Sian Cotton, and Romeo Travis in Akron, Ohio. The story follows Lebron James’ middle school years to the time leading up to his NBA drafting in 2003, depicting his quick rise from humble beginnings to massive stardom as a teenager.

As the young actors tell the inspiring story of Shooting Stars’ real-life characters, the basketball movie weaves in forgotten hits and classic songs from the late ‘90s. The 2023 movie also includes some beloved ‘70s R&b songs that resonate...

In what feels like a welcome reprieve, Peacock dropped the entire season of Pete Davidson's pseudo-autobiographical series Bupkis in a nicely binge-able package, like the good old days of streaming originals. The show is both not what one thought it would be and exactly what one thought it would be at the same time. As good as the series may be, the fact that it shares quite a few similarities to other, recent series may dull the audience's reaction.

The series was announced in March 2022 with Pete Davidson developing it alongside Judah Miller, who executive produced Davidson's movie The King of Staten Island and has written for Crashing, another pseudo-autobiographical show based on the life of a stand-up comedian (Pete Homes). SNL writer Dave Sirius is the other co-creator. He also co-wrote The King of Staten Island alongside Davidson and Judd Apatow. It's a strong team, and they...

There's something particularly profound about Mary J. Blige holding her Strength of a Woman festival in the heart of Black culture's mecca. This year, the queen of hip-hop soul returned to Atlanta from May 11-14 for her second annual "by us for us" event - an uplifting, fulfilling, and fun-filled experience that catered to every woman in attendance. And boy, did they have a time.

The best way to describe the Strength of a Woman festival is like a warm hug from your family matriarch, welcoming you with open arms for the most captivating weekend of your life. While there have been some comparisons from onlookers who see the festival as a mini Essence Fest, Blige's second iteration of her brainchild - in partnership with Pepsi and Live Nation Urban - is building its own unique identity. In addition to your traditional concert series, festivalgoers were also treated to an...

Bupkis -Pictured: (l-r) Pete Davidson as Pete Davidson, Joe Pesci as Joe Larocca (Photo by: Heidi Gutman/Peacock) Pete Davidson is the latest comedian to present a fictionalized/exaggerated version of his life in a sitcom, with the new show Bupkis. Davidson, who is starring, writing, and producing, is joined on the show by series regulars Edie Falco and Joe Pesci … and if that’s not enough, the list of the show’s guest stars is enormous, running the gamut from Hollywood stars like Steve Buscemi and Brad Garrett, to athletes like Eli Manning, to hip-hop musicians like Jadakiss and Method Man, to former Vice President Al Gore. Davidson told us he reached out to such a diverse assortment of personalities because he wanted the show’s comedy to be unpredictable. (Click on the media bar below to hear Pete Davidson) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Pete_Davidson_Bupkis...

Swizz Beatz links up with Lil Durk and A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie in the new music video for “Say Less,” their collaboration from the producer/rapper’s recent project, Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2.

The chrome-plated, black-and-white clip finds the three artists performing the menacing, braggadocious song primarily in front of an absolutely humongous monster truck. The music video for “Say Less” was directed by TajvsTaj.

Swizz Beatz’s Hip Hop 50: Vol. 2 arrived back in April; the EP is one of 10 that Mass Appeal is releasing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop.

Thirty years ago when Robin Thicke was 16, he recorded his first album with R&b star Brian McKnight. But the music wasn’t epic.

“[The label] was willing to put it out, but there wasn’t going to be a lot of promotion money behind it, so I said, ‘Let’s shelve it,’” he recalls.

While still recording his own music, he went on to develop his musicality by writing and producing for others, including Michael Jackson, Usher, Christina Aguilera, Pink, Jordan Knight, Brandy, Raven-Symoné, 98 Degrees, Marc Anthony, Mya, Color Me Badd, Guy Sebastian, Brownstone, Will Young, Kevon Edmonds, Ron Keating, Chante Moore and others.

But he needed to get back to making music for himself, so the early twentysomething decided he wouldn’t cut his hair until he heard his song on the radio.

“My hair grew down to my shoulders, and I ended up meeting Andre Harrell, who changed...

With the series finale of Global hit “NCIS: Los Angeles” just weeks away, LL Cool J is making his next project a return to his rap roots.

On Tuesday, April 25, he announced plans to hit the road this summer for a star-studded monster tour he’s calling F.O.R.C.E. — an acronym for Frequencies of Live Creative Energy.

According to an announcement from Live Nation Entertainment, the F.O.R.C.E. tour will see LL Cool J joined by The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and DJ Z-Trip.

Read More: LL Cool J Schools DJ For Calling Hip Hop Pioneers ‘Dusty’: ‘They Created An Industry That You Eat Off Of’

What differentiates the F.O.R.C.E. tour from typical tours, however, is that those acts won’t be openers; instead of a standard structure in which an opening act is followed by the headliner, the show is described as...

Swizz Beatz has released Hip Hop 50 Vol. 2, the second of 10 EPs released by Mass Appeal to celebrate the upcoming 50th anniversary of hip-hop. Stream it below via Apple Music or Spotify.

The six-track project was entirely produced by Swizz Beatz and features Nas, Lil Wayne, Jay Electronica, Benny the Butcher, Jadakiss, Lil Durk, Fivio Foreign, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, and more.

The first installment in the series, Hip Hop 50 Vol. 1, was released in July 2022 and curated by DJ Premier. Nas and Lil Wayne also appeared on that EP alongside Run the Jewels, Joey Bada$$, Remy Ma, Rapsody, and Slick Rick.

Catch Nas on his joint “NY State of Mind Tour” with Wu-Tang Clan and opener De La Soul beginning in May. Tickets are available now via StubHub, where orders are 100% guaranteed through StubHub’s FanProtect program.

A portion of proceeds from the Hip Hop 50 series will be donated to...

In the mid-2010s, Myke Towers dominated Puerto Rico’s underground rap scene. His sharp delivery and lyrical dexterity made him a teenage prodigy whose release constantly went viral on SoundCloud. Hits like “Por Mí,” “Es Normal,” and “En Los Bloques” helped him build a cult following in the world rap en español, and eventually, he launched into stardom with three studio albums over the last seven years. His fourth, La Vida Es Una, is his most extensive yet.

“This is graduation,” the Puerto Rican artist tells Rolling Stone. Each...

Image Source: G*Starr Ent

"The landscape is beautiful," Justin Irvin Rivera tells Popsugar. The Puerto Rican rapper and native New Yorker better known as J.I. is referencing the Rocky Mountains just outside the window of his Colorado hotel. Rivera, 21, has racked up millions of streams over the past seven years. Yet even as a rising rap star, the contrast between his newfound circumstances and his life growing up in Brooklyn isn't lost on him.

"I've been over here a couple of times, but while I'm over here now, I'm able to really embrace everything and see everything. I wish we had mountains like this in New York," he adds.

Rather than mountains, Rivera grew up surrounded in a panorama of Crown Heights apartment buildings and city stoops, running around the maze of streets from sunup to sundown and sharpening his lyrical skills at the local ciphers. Even at a young age,...

Coming-of-age story stars Victor Rasuk and newcomer Darren Weiss.

Los Angeles-based Showdown Productions has completed principal photography in Detroit and Los Angeles on Break, starring newcomer Darren Weiss and Victor Rasuk.

Directed by Will Wernick, who previously directed Showdown’s Safer at Home, the coming-of-age drama follows a twenty-something pool shark who learns that his absent father was a pool hall legend and must confront the realities of the game and himself.

Also starring are Jeff Kober, Caleb Emery and Patricia Belcher along with Uriah Shelton, Wendy Braun, Suzen Baraka, Braedyn Bruner and Petra C Matheson.

Break is produced by...

The Grammys finally gave hip-hop the platform it deserves at this year's ceremony on Feb. 5, rolling out the biggest star-studded tribute of all time in honor of its 50th anniversary. The powerful segment was narrated by Black Thought and introduced by LL Cool J as old-school hip-hop artists united on stage at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles for an explosive time capsule of rap history.

The performance featured appearances from legends like Missy Elliott, Big Boi, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul, DJ Drama, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Grandmaster Flash, Grandmaster Mele Mel & Scorpio/Ethiopian King, Ice-t, The Lox, Method Man, Nelly, Public Enemy, Queen Latifah, Rahiem, Rakim, Run-dmc, Salt-N-Pepa, Spinderella, and Too hort, all of whom performed some of their greatest hits on stage.

New-school acts like Lil Baby, GloRilla, and Lil Uzi Vert also joined the explosive Grammys performance, which was produced by Questlove (who also served as music director). However,...

Sunday’s 65th Grammy Awards averaged 12.4 million total viewers across numerous platforms, including CBS and Paramount+, up about 30 percent from the prior year’s special and the most since 2020. That tally include out-of-home viewing.

Thank the (super-)star-studded guest list, including winners Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and Beyoncé, for the bump.

The 2022 Grammys drew an initial 8.9 million viewers, per Nielsen, which placed the show just ahead of the record low reached in 2021. That year-ago show would adjust up to 9.6 million total viewers when including those who watched from outside of their own homes. The Covid-impacted March 14, 2021 Grammy Awards settled for just 8.8 million initial viewers, and would adjust up to 9.4 million.

The Covid Grammys, for lack of a better shorthand term, plummeted 53 percent from the January 26, 2020 special, which nabbed 18.8 million viewers. Trevor Noah hosted all three of the shows; for the first two, he was the face of Comedy Central’s...

The tune CBS is singing today is a happy one, given the early numbers for its Sunday-night telecast of the 65th Grammy Awards.

This year’s Trevor Noah-hosted Grammys drew 12.4 million total viewers, up 30 percent from last year to mark the ceremony’s largest audience since January 2020, its last pre-pandemic outing.

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