Month: February 2021

Saturday Night Live is known for providing timely comedic-relief during live broadcasts of the comedy sketch series. As the US government continues to struggle to roll-out its vaccination efforts as smoothly as intended, last night’s episode, hosted by Nick Jonas, poked fun of the shortcomings in a hilarious cold open before transitioning to Jonas’ opening monologue. The “Jealous” crooner also appeared as the musical guest in addition to hosting, giving audiences an exclusive first listen of two brand new singles, “Spaceman” and “This is Heaven.” 

In the show’s vaccine game show-themed cold-open hosted by Dr. Anthony Fauci (played by Kate McKinnon) “So You Think You Can Get The Vaccine,” three governors decide whether hopeful contestants will be granted a coronavirus vaccination. The judges for the show were Pete Davidson as New York governor Andrew Cuomo, Alex Moffat as California governor Gavin Newsom and Cecily Strong as Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

Following the cold-open, Nick Jonas then stepped forward as the host in his introductory monologue, featuring a guest appearance from his brother and oldest Jo Bro Kevin Jonas. Later on in the show, the 28-year-old singer performed his brand new singles “Spaceman” and “This Is Heaven” for the first time ever.

The singles arrive ahead of Jonas’ forthcoming album Spacemen, which is set to be released on March 12, and explore the emotional impact of the coronavirus pandemic, as well as the anxiety Jonas felt during the 2020 presidential election. Check out the performance above.

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Kobe Bryant merch and memorabilia have skyrocketed in price over the last year. Following his death, many collectors began to hoard as much Kobe-related material as possible, which has led to some pretty wild auctions. For instance, some floor from the Staples Center sold for $600K as it was from his very last game in the NBA. Since that time, other Kobe pieces have sold in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, including his childhood home which went for $800K.

Now, another item from Kobe’s childhood has been sold. According to TMZ, Heritage Auctions recently sold the basketball hoop that was attached to Kobe’s home for $37,200. When the house was sold last year, the buyer had the hoop removed as it increased the price of the home by too much. This allowed one lucky collector to swoop in and take the legendary piece of equipment.

Image via Kim Glynn

Kobe jerseys and cards have continued to do big numbers over the last few months and with things like NFTs and NBA Top-Shot going bonkers right now, you can expect even more Kobe-related items to increase in price. 

Let us know in the comments below how much you would have spent on a piece of memorabilia like this? Is $37K too much?

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

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R. Kelly is currently sitting behind bars as he awaits trial for sex crime charges but he’s made several attempts to receive bail. He’s been deemed a flight risk, especially after reports emerged claiming that he and his entourage were planning to leave the country. So, he’s locked up and the judge made it clear that Kellz isn’t trusted to be released to the public. 

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It seems that the coronavirus pandemic can no longer be used as an argument for his release since he’s now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to TMZ. The singer received his second dose recently from Bureau of Prisons at MCC Chicago. Kelly received the first dose in January. It hasn’t been clarified what vaccine he received.

According to the Bureau Of Prisons, the singer is among the 63 inmates that have been fully vaccinated, along with 128 staff members at MCC.

Kelly previously made two separate attempts to be released on bail after the coronavirus outbreak. The singer told the judge that he feared the risk of contracting the virus. Both times he made the request, he was shut down.

Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

Earlier this month, it was revealed that his racketeer trial in New York had been pushed back due to the rising threats of COVID-19. That trial is set to begin on August 9th, a month before his trial in Chicago is set to begin. 

We’ll keep you posted on any more updates surrounding R. Kelly and his trial. 

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Emma Coronel Aispuro, the wife of Mexican drug lord Joaquín “El Chapo” Archivaldo was arrested at Dulles International Airport in Virginia last Monday (February 22). Charged with conspiring to distribute drugs for importation into the States, the former beauty queen is allegedly being offered a plea deal. Prosecutors are planning to offer Aispuro witness protection and a new life in exchange for information on the Sinaloa Cartel her husband oversaw. In addition to mulling over this ultimatum in a Virginia detention center, TMZ also reports that the 31-year-old is getting the same treatment as any other inmate, despite being the mastermind behind El Chapo’s infamous prison escapes. 

Alexandria Sheriff’s Office via Getty Images

Her attorney Jeffrey Lichtman told TMZ that following her drug trafficking arrest in Virginia, she’s being treated just like any other government guest, and there are no extra security measures in place. 

Lichtman told the publication that she simply doesn’t qualify for beefed-up security because she wasn’t seen as a security risk. Comparatively, the federal prosecutors are now claiming she conspired twice to help El Chapo escape prison, including one successful break in Mexico. The Alexander Sheriff’s Office, which runs the jail, has not discussed any security measures openly. 

Aispuro’s treatment is quite the opposite of that of her infamous husband, who has complained about “torturous” prison conditions before his sentencing. She is being charged with conspiracy to distribute 5 milligrams or more of cocaine, 1 kilogram of heroin, 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, and 1,000 kilos or more of marijuana for importation into the United States.

We’ll keep you updated as the trial gets underway.

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Last night, we witnessed a true celebration of music. D’Angelo & Friends was more of a concert than your typical Verzuz battle and it was incredible. D’Angelo brought out a slew of friends including Method Man & Redman as well as H.E.R., among others. The Internet continued raving about the event but for Timbo and Swizz Beatz, it was back to business.

Each event they host gets better. We’ve received some incredible moments in hip-hop, from West Coast celebrations with E-40 and Too $hort, and down South, Jeezy and Gucci Mane made amends after roughly 15 years of beefing. In the world of R&B, they recently brought together Ashanti and Keyshia Cole (finally). So, how do they raise the stakes for the next edition?

Wu-Tang fans rejoice as Swizz Beatz and Timbo have hinted that we could expect Raekwon & Ghostface Killah to pair up with each other in the Verzuz arena. During the post-show IG Live, Swizz Beatz and Timba went through classic Ghost and Rae joints before Swizz suggested that they will be going hit-for-hit. “Hol’ on, hol’ on, hol’ on. Raekwon verse Ghostface. Hol’ on bro,” said Swizz before turning the music back on.

This wouldn’t be the first time a Wu-Tang member appeared on Verzuz, of course. RZA previously faced off against DJ Premier as one of the first Verzuz battles.

Check the clip below. How do you feel about Ghostface Verzuz Raekwon?