Month: June 2021

Fans of The Flash were treated to a peek at the character’s new costume in the upcoming film of the same name. It is directed by Andy Muschietti, most notably known for helming the film adaptations of the It series. The film began production in April and is slated for a late 2022 release.

Actor Ezra Miller plays the titular character and first debuted in 2017’s Justice League, before making somewhat of a rejuvenated return in the Zack Snyder cut of the film released earlier this year, which gave more screen time to the scarlet red speedster’s backstory. The character’s solo film is said to focus on his attempt to travel back in time to prevent his mother’s death, which unintentionally affects his current timeline.

Though the teaser image doesn’t offer a full look at Allen’s new suit, its new differences are immediately prominent – particularly in the circuitry design embedded in the scarlet red portions, hinting at the hero’s ability to harness electrical power to defy time and space. In contrast, the Justice League costume had more of a Batman-like aesthetic, with segmented armor plating throughout.

The DC Extended Universe received a renewed sense of interest from fans earlier this year when director Zack Snyder released his four-hour-long cut of the Justice League through HBO Max, which included cut scenes and visual cinematography that was more in line with his original vision. The Army of the Dead director exited the film during its production after having conflicting creative differences with Warner Bros. executives and the unexpected passing of his daughter.

Director Joss Whedon took over the project and the initial release was not well-received among fans and critics, which began persistent petitioning over the years from fans to release the “Snyder Cut.” The result was a film that delivered on fans’ initial hopes for a DC team-up movie, one that specifically gave The Flash one of the plot’s most critical moments.

“The Flash” is rumored to include appearances from both versions of Batman played by Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton in previous films. Muschietti teased Keaton’s appearance a couple weeks ago in an Instagram post that showed the character’s classic logo.

What do you think about The Flash’s new look? Are you excited for the speedster’s new film? Comment below.

According to reports, Phoneix Suns’ point guard Chris Paul has entered the NBA’s COVID-19 health and safety protocols. A person close to the situation said on Wednesday (June 16) that right now, it’s unclear whether he’ll be cleared and available in time for the start of the Western Conference finals next week. 

The Athletic’s Shams Charania first reported that Paul will be sidelined for “an indefinite period of time.” The anonymous source close to the situation told The Associated Press that The Suns are not exactly certain right now how long Paul will have to be away from the team. 

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Neither Paul nor the team has released an official announcement regarding the situation yet. It’s also unclear right now whether Paul is vaccinated. Depending on the results of the other West semifinal game between the LA Clippers and Utah, the earliest the West finals could begin is Sunday. 

The likely start date of Game 1 of the West series is on Tuesday, however. The NBA notably eased up some of the protocols that were in place during the NBA Bubble at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in March. At the time, the association did caution however that “if an individual has symptoms consistent with COVID-19, the previous protocols apply.”

This would mean that anyone would those symptoms “may be subject to quarantine” even if they’re vaccinated. The COVID vaccine has been known to have side effects that mimic symptoms of the virus. We’ll keep you updated on Paul’s status as new developments surface. 

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Gucci Mane has been reaping the spoils of a 1017 takeover, with new wave artists like Pooh Shiesty, Foogiano, BigWalkDog, and Big Scarr holding it down with a string of solid releases. Naturally, big Guwop decided to get in on the fun himself with his brand new album Ice Daddy, dropping on Friday, June 17th.

Today, Gucci took a moment to unveil the stacked tracklist, which features seventeen tracks and an intriguing blend of older and newer artists. Joining him on the project are BigWalkDog, Pooh Shiesty, Sir Mix-A-Lot, BIG30, Lil Baby, Lil Uzi Vert, 2 Chainz, Young Dolph, E-40, Project Pat, and Peewee Longway. In addition, Ice Daddy also features a healthy amount of Gucci Mane flying solo, which is always nice to see — and not always guaranteed in this day and age.

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Ice Daddy is set to be Gucci’s first solo album since Woptober in 2019, which ultimately capped off a prolific streak from the Atlanta legend. We look forward to hearing what he’s been cooking up for his comeback — if a lineup of Gucci Mane, Pooh Shiesty, and Sir Mix-A-Lot isn’t enough to pique your interest, we don’t know what will. Check out the full tracklist for Ice Daddy below, and sound off if you’ll be tuning in when it drops this Friday. 

1. Poppin ft BigWalkDog
2. Posse on Bouldercrest ft. Pooh Shiesty & Sir Mix-A-Lot
3. Shit Crazy ft BIG30
4. Like 34 & 8 ft Pooh Shiesty
5. Dboy Style
6. Trap Shit ft Lil Baby
7. I Got It ft. Lil Uzi Vert
8. Rich N***a Shit
9. Top of Shit ft 2 Chainz & Young Dolph
10. Never Runnin Out Of Money ft. E-40
11. Fold Dat Money Up ft. Project Pat
12. Gucci Coming For You
13. Invoices
14. Live at the Red Carpet ft Peewee Longway
15. Bust Down
16. Lately
17. How I See It

One of the most famous relationships in Hip-Hop history is Tupac Shakur’s friendship with Jada Pinkett-Smith. The actress’s loyalty to the late cultural icon was so unyielding that she reportedly turned down a role in the 1995 classic film Dead Presidents because of Pac’s beef with the movie’s directors. On many occasions, Jada has discussed how Tupac’s death continues to affect her, and in honor of what would have been his 50th birthday, Jada Pinkett-Smith has returned to social media to discuss her late friend once again.

Kevin Mazur Archive/WireImage/Getty Images

Taking to Instagram to celebrate Tupac’s birthday, Jada shared a video that features a never-before-seen poem written by the late All Eyez On Me rapper. “Tupac Amaru Shakur would have been 50 midnight tonight! As we prepare to celebrate his legacy … let’s remember him for that which we loved most … his way with words. Here are a few you may have never heard before…Happy “you goin’n to be 50 at midnight” Birthday Pac!… I got next.”

The poem reads, “Some say nothing gold can last forever / And 2 believe this [I] need no proof / I have witnessed all that was pure in me / And be changed by the evil men can do / The innocence possessed by children / Once lived inside my soul / But surviving years with criminal peers / Has turned my warm heart to cold.”

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A post shared by Jada Pinkett Smith (@jadapinkettsmith)

“I used 2 dream and fantasize / But now I’m scared 2 sleep,” Tupac’s poem continues. “Petrified, not to live or die / But to awaken and still be me / It is true that nothing gold can last / We will all one day see death / When the purest hearts are torn apart / LOST SOULS are all that’s left / Down on my knees I beg of God / To save me from this fate / Let me live to see what was gold in me / Before it is all too late.”

Pac concluded his letter by writing, “Yours, Tupac.”

Check out some of the Twitter reactions to Jada Pinkett-Smith’s heartfelt post below.

Rest in peace, Tupac! 

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Rapper Kash Doll and basketball superstar Kevin Durant previously had a playful exchange on social media over who rightfully owns the “KD” nickname. The public generally uses it to refer to Durant on and off the court, but Kash Doll made sure to let the Brooklyn Nets star know that he wasn’t the only person flaunting those initials. After she tried to reclaim the nickname, Durant clapped back at her and said, “You did not have to use those initials to get this tweet off…U have to relax with the KD talk, your name is KASHDOLL.”

The tweet quickly went viral — but Durant may have proven that he’s the biggest “KD” in the world after his historic game last night. The all-time great proved that he’s one of the best players of all time, showing out for one of the best playoff performances ever. Leading his squad to a win over the Bucks, Durant was celebrated all night on Twitter. Even Kash Doll was singing his praises — but she made sure to be a little petty about it.

 
Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images

“Come on Cevin Durant,” wrote the rapper on Twitter, joking about the man’s initials. Clearly, she wants to be known as the only famous KD, but Durant (and Kraft Dinner, to be frank) has something to say about that.

Check out the latest layer of the playful pettiness between Kash Doll and Kevin Durant below.

For many hip-hop enthusiasts, any sign of disrespect to pioneers in the genre is not taken lightly. Young Thug and Lil Yachty are examples of two emcees who had to learn this the hard way. Yachty was met with a healthy amount of backlash back in 2016 when he admitted in an interview with Billboard that he “honestly couldn’t name five songs” by 2Pac or The Notorious B.I.G.

A few months later, he followed up those comments by calling the Hip Hop legends “overrated” while on Pitchfork. In a new interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lower, he opened up about the situation, admitting he never meant to offend anyone with his comments. 

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“I never meant to disrespect,” he said. “I was just being honest. I didn’t have no media training, right? All I knew was to be an honest person. So someone asked me about whether it’s a Hip Hop lesson guide.

“My cousin would be honest. I’m going to tell the truth. I’m not like Biggie, Tupac, you’re going to say this every time, I didn’t listen to them but I didn’t say they were trash,” he reasoned. 

In a new interview with HipHopDX, however, it seems like Yachty never really took the situation that seriously. When asked about if he revised Biggie and Pac’s catalog after the backlash, he answered,  “I wouldn’t say study up, but I definitely went back and listened for about … 30 seconds. I’m good. If you’re good at what you’re doing then … art is art. Do you need to study Picasso to learn how to paint? No. If you care then yes, but if not, who cares?”

His nonchalant attitude echos a similar stance he took back in the fall of 2016 shortly after the controversy. “I’m sorry but I refuse to lie. If I don’t listen to biggie or think he is as big as everybody else why is that a problem lol who cares bro,” wrote the rapper. “I speak my mind. I might be the only new age artist speaking his mind.”

Well, at least he got the 30 seconds in. 

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Andre 3000 is about as close to a hip-hop renaissance man as they come, and though he’s largely taken a step back from music, the OutKast legend has found a way to keep his creative spirit satisfied. It has been reported that Three Stacks, real name Andre Benjamin, will be joining the cast of Showing Up, an upcoming film directed by Kelly Reichardt, helmer of First Cow and Certain Women.

In addition to Benjamin, the flick will also star Michelle Williams, Hong Chau, Judd Hirsch, Maryann Plunkett, John Magaro, Amanda Plummer, Heather Lawless, Larry Fessenden, and James Le Gros. Deadline shared a little about the plot, albeit a vague summary with little to no indication of Andre’s place in all this. They did say that Showing Up will center around an artist set to launch a “career-changing exhibition,” only to be thrust into a state of “chaos” in her personal and professional life. 

 Marcus Ingram/WireImage/Getty Images

Given that Williams is set to play the lead role, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Three Stacks playing a fellow artist of sorts, though that’s purely speculation on our parts. Alas, we might have to wait a little longer to see the OutKast emcee on our silver screens once more, as Showing Up has yet to receive a release date.

Most recently, Andre appeared in Claire Denis’ High Life, which also starred Robert Pattison and Juliette Binoche. He also recently starred in Jason Segel’s Dispatches from Elsewhere, which aired on AMC in 2020. 

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