Megan Thee Stallion’s Cameraman Holds On For Dear Life While She Twerks

Megan Thee Stallion is back. After announcing a two-month-long hiatus from social media and music, the Houston-based rapper returned with a bumping new single called “Thot Shit,” empowering women and taking over words like “thot” and “whore.” She explained that she wants to claim ownership of the words, which have taken on offensive meanings in our everyday vernacular. The music video for the track is eye-catching, provocative, and in-your-face; in order to get all of the fast-moving action on their cameras, the crew went to serious means to pick up every movement, which you can see in a behind-the-scenes video that has been going viral.

There’s currently a clip of a cameraman holding on for his dear life as he connects his gear to Megan’s body, which gyrates back and forth, up and down as she twerks to the floor. Because of the way the camera was stabilized, the camera operator needed to be ready to do a little dancing of his own, feeling the kickback every time Megan completed one shake of her booty. If you’re a fan of the Houston Hottie, you’ve got to see how they filmed some of the most intimate shots from the “Thot Shit” video.

Take a look at the video below. Do you think he knew he was in for this when he accepted the job?

Kevin Hart Criticizes Cancel Culture

Comedian Kevin Hart has been no stranger to controversy over the years. From cheating scandals to offensive old tweets, the comedian understands the consequences of cancel culture better than most. Hart spoke on this during a recent interview with The Sunday Times, where he blasted what he sees as the often overdramatized and nonsensical cycle of small mistakes leading to large-scale consequences. 

“When did we get to a point where life was supposed to be perfect?” he ponders, in the Times profile. “Where people were supposed to operate perfectly all the time? I don’t expect perfection from my kids. I don’t expect it from my wife, friends, employees. Because, last I checked, the only way you grow up is from f**king up.” Clearly, Hart finds that the practice of cancel culture casts too broad a net and stops people from engaging in a learning process.

Kevin Hart

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

Hart himself lost his role as the host of the Oscars in 2019 because of homophobic tweets he had made years before, but states that it did not bother him: “I’ve been canceled, what, three or four times? Never bothered. If you allow it to have an effect on you, it will.”

Still, despite his criticism of the practice and seemingly unbothered attitude towards his own controversy, Hart admits that cancel culture consequences are appropriate for some: “If somebody has done something truly damaging then, absolutely, a consequence should be attached.” He goes on to say that this shouldn’t include those who simply hold opposing views to the mainstream. 

Hart is now joining a handful of celebrities and important figures who are speaking out against the potential damages of cancel culture. Do you think that the practice is going too far? Does it do more good than bad? 

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Meek Mill Wants To Launch An East Coast Cannabis Brand

According to forecasts, the worldwide cannabis market is projected to reach upwards of $90.4 billion in revenue by 2026. As reported by Forbes, $41 billion of that total is estimated to come from the U.S. marijuana market alone. That being said, and with possible national decriminalization on the horizon, now more than ever is the best time to get into the industry

Numerous rappers have already jumped on the wagon, notably Jay-Z with his Monogram brand, Snoop Dogg’s Leafs by Snoop line, Ice Cube with his Fryday Kush brand, and many, many, more. It seems like Meek Mill is the latest to show interest in getting into the ganja game, taking to Twitter on Monday (June 14) to reach out to prospective business partners. 


Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Diamond Ball

“I’m about to start east coast on my weed business,” tweeted Meek. He added, “but need a serious west coast plug … I’m talking ownership.. building my own company ground up! Get directly with me ASAP.”  
From the sounds of it, it seems the “Dreams & Nightmares” rapper has already made some moves to establish an East Coast-based marijuana brand. The Philadelphia-bred rapper does seem to have aspirations to spread his business over to the West Coast.  
If Meek does follow through with founding his own cannabis line, he would follow in the steps of his fellow REFORM alliance member Jay-Z, who made a similar business venture. Late last year, Hov introduced his brand Monogram. 
Recently, the rap mogul secured a partnership for the brand resulting in more than 900,000 pounds of weed being produced for the line. 
Clearly, the cannabis industry is where the money resides. 

Ben Affleck & Jennifer Lopez Photographed On Romantic Date

Actress and singer Jennifer Lopez and actor Ben Affleck are as smitten as ever since they reunited in April. The couple was photographed together on Monday at dinner, kissing each other between bites of food at a Malibu restaurant.

Though fans and gossips alike hadn’t been able to completely confirm that the former fiancés were back together, these photographs sure seem to seal the deal. The photographs are said to have been taken at Nobu in Malibu for Lopez’s sister’s birthday. 

Ben & J-Lo in 2003. Chris Weeks/WireImage/Getty Images

Affleck and Lopez began the first leg of their star-studded relationship in 2002. The couple dated for two years before Affleck proposed, though the engagement was cut off months after their set wedding date and the pair split up. People magazine reported that Lopez’s mother was said to have been very close with Affleck, stating that she “loved Ben. She was sad when they couldn’t work things out years ago.” The couple cited invasive media attention as one of the main reasons they split years ago. 

Lopez only recently broke up with baseball legend fiancé Alex Rodriguez in April, and weeks later rumors began that she was back with Affleck. These new pictures mark the first time the couple was seen doing something explicitly romantic since these rumors started circulating. 

Are you happy that the couple is back together? Do you have hope they’ll make it last this time? Check out the pictures below:

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Cardi B Gushes Over Her ‘Fast & Furious 9’ Character: ‘She’s Just That B*tch’

The latest movie in the Fast & Furious franchise, F9 (aka Fast & Furious 9), is set to his theaters in the US on June 25. Cardi B landed a role in the film, and ahead of its theatrical release, she talked about her character (Leysa) and how she came to be involved with the movie.

In a video, she said, “Vin Diesel reached out, and he was talking about a role. I’m like, ‘It’s freakin’ Fast & Furious. Get me there, put me on a plane!’ I like the fact that I’m representing such a powerful, strong woman. She’s just that bitch [laughs]. […] I remember when I saw Ludacris in Fast & The Furious, […] then to see Don Omar, it makes the hood have hope. Being around Vin, he’s just so nice, so dope. He makes you feel so comfortable. I’m just so excited.”

She also tweeted today about her excitement to see the movie, writing, “I can’t wait to watch Fast and furious 9 .I haven’t seen my scenes yet! That’s the best part about it thooo watching the movie then you see yourself coming in.I’m sooo proud of myself. GOD IS GOOD ! Can I get a ALL THE TIME ? !!!!”

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Dr. Dre Speaks Out Following His Brain Aneurysm: ‘I Never Saw That Coming’

Early this year, Dr. Dre was rushed the the hospital following a major health scare. It turned out that he had suffered a brain aneurysm and he remained in the ICU for several days. Thankfully, the producer made a full recovery and even hit the studio shortly after returning home. While Dre says the incident took him by surprise, he now has some sage advice to prevent the same issues from arising in others.

Dre recently sat down with the LA Times to discuss his new endeavor, an LA public high school aimed at preparing students to become entrepreneurs. The producer also spoke about his surprise brain aneurysm, giving an update on the current state of his health:

“It’s a really weird thing. I’ve never had high blood pressure. And I’ve always been a person that has always taken care of my health. But there’s something that happens for some reason with Black men and high blood pressure, and I never saw that coming. But I’m taking care of myself. And I think every Black man should just check that out and make sure things are okay with the blood pressure. And I’m going to move on and, hopefully, live a long and healthy life. I’m feeling fantastic.”

Anderson .Paak also recently gave an update about Dre’s health, saying he’s actually being doing great in quarantine. “Dre’s having a good-ass time,” he said. “That’s already his life — isolation, working all the time. I think he was probably used to it. But he’s having fun now because a lot of people have more time on their hands, so they can come visit him and make music with big Uncle Dre.”

Lil Skies Gives A Rebellious Performance Of ‘How You Feel’ On ‘UPROXX Sessions’

In this week’s episode of UPROXX Sessions, Lil Skies drops by to deliver an upbeat performance of his rebellious single, “How You Feel.” Coming from the Pennsylvania rapper’s deluxe version of the January 2021 album Unbothered, “How You Feel” finds the second generation rapper observing the highs and lows of rap stardom as he wonders, “I don’t got nobody in my corner, who do I trust?”

Skies, who rose to stardom after his SoundCloud favorite single “Red Roses” helped spur his debut major label mixtape Life of a Dark Rose to a No. 23 Billboard debut in its first week, released the deluxe version of Unbothered in May, adding seven new songs, with features from Drakeo The Ruler, Trippie Redd, and singer Zhavia Ward.

Watch Lil Skies’ performance of “How You Feel” above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

Lil Skies is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Logic Puts On A Beatmaking Clinic

Logic may have retired from the game, but hip-hop fans know exactly how to read between the lines on that one. Having long been conditioned to accept retirement as a temporary development, we’ve come to understand that a rapper’s exit is simply temporary, a moment in which thoughts can be gathered and new goals charted out.  

Upon bowing out with the triumphant “swan song” No Pressure, Logic allowed himself space to regroup, returning to the studio to sharpen his already solid production skills. Today, Bobby took a moment to share a brief video from a recent jam session, in which he put in serious work behind the drum machine. Fans of the production process would be wise to check this one out, as seldom do we get the chance to see a producer getting busy in real-time.

Logic

Mark Horton/Getty Images

Curiously, the beat seems to be something he’d sound quite natural over, which fueled speculation that Logic has been steadily orchestrating the soundtrack of his triumphant return. It’s certainly possible that he’s in the midst of lacing beats for other artists — lest we forget the work he did alongside his Bobby Boy signee Doctor Destruction. On the other hand, one does not simply walk away from hip-hop, and Logic remains a young man in a game where veterans are putting out some of their best material yet. 

Check out Logic’s production clinic below, and sound off if you want to hear him spitting some bars over this latest creation? 

YG, Mozzy & Ty Dolla $ign Throw A Pool Party In “Vibe With You” Music Video

You know when Ty Dolla $ign is on the hook, it’s going to be a smash hit. This summer, it looks like the Ty Dolla $ign-assisted single, “Vibe With You” from YG and Mozzy’s Kommunity Service could very well be holding us down in the months to come. Today, YG and Mozzy came through with the official music video for the record. The video opens up with YG and Mozzy driving next to a California beach in old school cars before they end up linking up with Ty Dolla $ign at a beach party surrounded by beautiful women. 

YG and Mozzy’s Kommunity Service dropped last month and also includes features from G Herbo, Young M.A, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Tyga. and more. Peep the video for “Vibe With You” above.

JAY-Z Sues ‘Reasonable Doubt” Cover Art Photographer For Using His Likeness: Report

Jay-Z is one of the most profitable faces in not only the hip-hop world but also in pop culture. The billionaire rap mogul is known for his keen business eye and even more impressive business portfolio. The Roc Nation founder recently unveiled his very own cannabis brand Monogram right as talks of federal decriminalization have become noisier. 

He recently even landed a deal to produce 900k pounds worth of product for the cannabis line. Clearly, Hov knows how to hustle. Unfortunately for one photographer trying to get his hustle on too, Jay wasn’t having it. TMZ reports that the mogul is suing the photographer who shot his debut album cover for using his likeness to generate revenue. 


Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for PUMA

According to the publication, Jay is suing Jonathan Mannion and his company, Jonathan Mannion Photography LLC, claiming Mannion was exploring Jay’s name and image without his permission. In documents obtained by TMZ, Jay explains that Mannion has his name and likeness pictured all over his website, and additionally sells photos of the mogul for thousands of dollars. 

Mannion shot the black and white cover art for Jay’s debut album Reasonable Doubt back in 1996. The problem in the lawsuit, however, is Jay never gave Mannion permission to use his likeness to make a profit. He further claims in the suit that when he asked Mannion to stop using his image, the photographer demanded tens of millions of dollars. 

Jay and his team explain in the suit that Mannion is making an “arrogant assumption that because he took those photographs, he can do with them as he pleases.”

Jay says Mannion took hundreds of photos in 1996 after he was hired to shoot the cover. He furthers that Roc-A-Fella used some of the pics and Mannion was paid handsomely for them.