Month: June 2021

Cardi B, Offset & Kulture Pose For Stunning New Pregnancy Portraits

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The 2021 BET Awards took place on Sunday night (June 27) and was loaded with tons of iconic moments. The most talked-about moments from the night came from Lil Nas X’s daring Michael Jackson “Remember the Time” inspired performance of his hit “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” and Zendaya’s legendary Beyoncé-influenced Versace red carpet look. 

The most memorable moment came from Cardi B’s surprise appearance during Migos’ performance of their collaboration “Type Sh*t.” Following months of keeping a low profile, the Grammy-winning artist revealed she was very pregnant with her second child with Offset. On Monday (June 28), she followed up the announcement with two more stunning portraits showing off her bump featuring her beau and Kulture. 


Bennett Raglin/Getty Images for BET

“We listened to each other, communicated, prayed and then God blessed us and our family with another little blessing. Our home feels so blissful and very busy,” penned the “WAP” artist in the caption of one of the portraits featuring her and Offset. “But we are ready and so happy!! Thank you soo much everyone for the congrats and well wishes”

She shared a second shot of herself and Kulture, adding, “I just know these two will love each other soo much and argue soo much since they’re 3 years apart…just like me and Henny.” She continued, “But one thing for sure is they’ll have each other’s back like no one else ever will.” 

Cardi has yet to reveal how many months along she is or the gender of the incoming bundle of joy, but fans are guesstimating she’s around 6 months along. Check out the brand new shots below, which have both surpassed the 2 million likes threshold in the short amount the post has been up. 

Scottie Pippen Rips Michael Jordan For Being Selfish

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Scottie Pippen has been making some questionable comments as of late and on Monday, he continued to stir the pot when it comes to his time with the Chicago Bulls. During an appearance on the Dan Patrick Show, Scottie claimed that Phil Jackson was a racist who would try to prop up white players over his black superstars. Pippen also had some harsh words for the likes of Michael Jordan, as he called the legendary six-time champion “selfish.”

“Yeah It was a big decision, but It was a selfish decision, but it was kind of who Michael Jordan was,” Pippen said about Michael’s decision to play baseball. “That was a guy who believed he can do anything on his own”

Pippen went on to talk about “The Last Dance” and how the entire documentary was just yet another move by Jordan to control his legacy. Pippen felt like Jordan was just trying to control narratives and that in the end, it was disrespectful to other members of the Bulls.

“You know all those cameras who was sitting in that huddle, who they was working for?” Pippen asked. “You know who Michael was speaking to, right? That was planned. That was speaking to the camera. That wasn’t speaking out of, what we’re gonna have to do, what the play is gonna be. That was speaking to the camera.”

Needless to say, Pippen has a lot to get off his chest and during this current media run, he’s making sure his message is heard.

Scottie Pippen

Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Haute Living

H.E.R. Floats On Thundercat-Crafted “Bloody Waters”

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Though she’s been around for a minute now, it’s crazy to think that we’re only getting H.E.R’s debut LP three-and-a-half years removed from her eponymous debut. Regardless, time is a construct, and that couldn’t take away from what she shows off throughout her new album, Back of My Mind. 

With esteemed producers like Hit-Boy and Mike-Will-Made-It garnering credits through the lengthy, near-eighty minute project, the Thundercat and Kaytranada-assisted “Bloody Waters” is reminiscent of the smoothest 70s soul and sultriest 90s R&B. It’s bewildering to think that in 2021, YouTube comments can surface about a brand new song honing similarities to Marvin Gaye; now, while that’s a stretch, there are parallels in there if you listen closely enough. From the swaying vocals to the pitter-pattering hi-hats, it’s hard to not come out and say something so bold about a song so damn engaging.

While H.E.R and Kaytranda have cliqued for songs in the past, this is the first time she’s collaborated with the illustriously talented Thundercat. The pillowy backbone of this song makes it too difficult to keep from playing it on a loop, and we surely look forward to hearing these two coming together far more, sooner than later. 

Quotable Lyrics:
Speculate caution signs
Incriminate people’s minds
War and love don’t combine
Destiny doesn’t roll the dice

Kim Kardashian Elated Following Team USA x SKIMS Deal

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In just a few weeks, athletes from around the world will be headed to Tokyo to compete in the Olympic games. It’s always an incredible competition and we will surely some massive performances from the world’s brightest stars. As always, the United States is expected to do extremely well in numerous competitions. During the tournament, they will be wearing various branded undergarments and pajama suits, and as it turns out, they will all be coming from Kim Kardashian.

Today, Kim took to Twitter to announce that SKIMS would be designing the suits for the entire Olympic roster, regardless of sport. Kardashian was beaming with pride over the opportunity as she explained how the Olympics have always been a part of her life thanks to Caitlyn Jenner. She even posted some of the preliminary designs which are being shown off by the athletes themselves.

Kim Kardashian

Presley Ann/Getty Images for American Influencer Awards

“Ever since I was 10 years old, I’ve heard every single detail about the Olympics from my stepdad. As I would watch the athletes compete, I would grow to understand the dedication and honor being a part of the Olympics embodied. I traveled w my stepdad and family to all different cities for the Olympic trials, the Olympics and track meets of @caitlynjenner’s and at every stop I would buy an Olympic t-shirt as a souvenir,” Kim wrote. “When I received the call inviting Skims to be a part of @TeamUSA, every moment I’ve spent admiring the strength and energy of the Olympians from the sidelines came full circle. I am honored to announce that @skims is designing the official team USA undergarments, pajamas and lounge wear for the athletes this year in Tokyo and the same pieces will be available in a capsule collection at SKIMS.COM.”

This is a huge opportunity for Kardashian and her brand, and it just goes to show that in a few years’ time, Kardashian has turned SKIMS into a go-to brand that anyone can rely upon. Perhaps Kardashian will be able to turn this into a deal for the Winter Olympics, as well.

Coi Leray Wonders Why Her ‘Body Is Always Trending’ In Light Of Fans Trolling Her BET Awards Look

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Getty Image

Being a woman in music seems exhausting. Billie Eilish regularly pointed out fans and media’s fascination — borderline obsession, really — with her body, from covering herself in baggy outfits to avoid creepy comments to shutting down the perception of her revealing Vogue cover constitution “growth.” Lizzo constantly battles derogatory comments about her weight and shape despite the extreme level of fitness it takes to play flute, dance, rap, and sing at the same damn time.

The latest target of users trolling on social media is Coi Leray, the breakout artist who spent the last two years building a buzz before landing a huge hit with “No More Parties” earlier this year and becoming a 2021 XXL Freshman. Commenters have compared her to a boy in the past, and today, her name is trending on Twitter in light of her appearance at the BET Awards, where she wore a pair of baggy pants with a bikini top, a look that has become something of a trademark for the artist, who seemingly loves to embrace her shape and show off a lot of skin (her twerking videos get nearly as much attention as her music).

The negative attention prompted her to wonder at the fascination with her shape, tweeting, “Is there a certain way I’m supposed to look? Help me understand.” She then questioned, “In the Bible is it a Sin to be thin?”

She also pointed out the hypocrisy inherent in these comments, subtly imploring empathy for women from those commenters, saying, “I hope all yall mothers got beach bodies.”

A quick look at the Coi Leray trend on Twitter sees plenty of users echoing her sentiment, decrying the abusive commentary surrounding her and other women’s bodies in the music industry.

So long as social media gives a platform to every Tom, Dick, and Harry to share their worst opinions (and continues to reward them with engagement), it seems unlikely that there will ever be much change on that front. However, Coi’s post, and the current conversation, highlight the problem, and spreading awareness is the first step to resolving it.

DaBaby Admits His Videos Were Inspired By Ludacris But Says The Comparison Is ‘Too Commonly Used’

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Last week, DaBaby and Ludacris trended for the better part of a day when comedian Lil Duval compared the two, calling DaBaby “this generation’s Ludacris.” While fans on social media debated whether the two artists really were analogues of each other or not, DaBaby prepared for his overstuffed BET Awards performance and Ludacris went to space in the latest Fast & Furious film. Fortunately, Billboard was able to get ahold of DaBaby on the BET Awards red carpet and ask him about it, giving him an opportunity to set the record straight.

Although DaBaby didn’t outright reject the premise, he was careful to point out how limited — and limiting — it is. “I feel like that’s too commonly used,” he said. “I think people use that too lightly. I was inspired by Ludacris’ creativity with his music videos. [I was inspired] by a lot of people. Not only people like Ludacris but people like Nelly. I mean, everybody. I feel like as the generations unfolded, people from every era was inspired by somebody from the era before them. Even when it boils down to 50 Cent, Eminem, and Mystikal, everybody’s videos used to be crazy. Busta Rhymes’ videos used to be crazy [too]. So I definitely was inspired by Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, and several other artists with their music videos.”

DaBaby, who first broke out with the comedic video for his song “Walker Texas Ranger,” might be onto something there. If nothing else, he’s far from the first younger artist to take inspiration from his forebears; Uproxx even has a whole show about it. From Busta to Eminem to Missy, modern artists have been looking to many of the icons of days past to inspire their own standout visuals because if you’re going to take from anyone, you’ve got to take from the best.

Read DaBaby’s full interview with Billboard here and watch his BET Awards performance of “Ball If I Want To” here.

Kash Doll Shouts Out Her Hernia After Denying She’s Had Work On Her Stomach

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Kash Doll shared some fan appreciation on her Instagram story Sunday night that caused a mini-uproar on social media. The fan posted to her story that she was motivated by Kash’s stunning physique in her recent IG pics, despite her hernia.

Kash replied publicly on her Stories, while sharing the fan’s message, stating, “ain’t nothing wrong with a lil hernia boo!”

Following the post, Kash Doll shared further, “I just hate when people try to say I got work done on my tummy bc of my hernia…like nooo dumb dumb.”

The post caused some confusion, with some believing Kash was claiming she never had any work done at all, while others understood that she was referring to surgery on her stomach, specifically.

In the comments of a post shared by @theneighborhoodtalk, a fan offered some perspective stating, “she’s not saying she’s never had work done she’s just never had lipo. You literally can’t get lipo with a hernia.”

kash doll hernia

Screenshot via Instagram

Another fan commented, “It’s been like that for years. Leave her Alone!”

The “Ice Me Out” rapper publicly announced that she had a hernia after facing hate earlier this year on Twitter, nonetheless, it seems the announcement did not hit the masses.

The speculation about exactly what surgeries she’s had remains years after Kash Doll initially admitted she had work done, hinting that it was around 2015, in an interview withVladTV.

Coi Leray Claps Back At Twitter Users Body-Shaming Her BET Awards Pictures

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Coi Leray had a huge night at the 21st annual BET Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday. Coi was up for awards in the “Best New Artist” and “Best Female Hip Hop Artist” categories, and although she ultimately lost both awards to Giveon and Megan Thee Stallion, respectively, it was undoubtedly an unforgettable experience for the Now or Never rapper.

Prior to the ceremony, Coi Leray arrived alongside her boyfriend Pressa, and they were one of the many beloved Hip-Hop couples to grace the red carpet on Sunday. Unfortunately, many people have reacted to their steamy couple pictures with jokes and criticisms about Coi Leray’s physical appearance.

Coi Leray attends the BET Awards 2021 at Microsoft Theater on June 27, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.
Paras Griffin/Getty Images

The BET Awards red carpet has also been a sink or swim moment for celebrities, as social media users have made it somewhat of a tradition to ridicule the most horrendous outfits at the awards show. Yet, rather than just making fun of Coi Leray’s outfit, several fans have taken it too far and started to body-shame the rising artist, criticizing her for her thin frame. Some fans even compared her to the Jak video game character Daxter.

After seeing the jokes about her body trending, Coi Leray clapped back with a series of tweets. “My body is always trending. I don’t understand,” she responded. “Is there a certain way I’m supposed to look? Help me understand.”

The XXL Freshman went on to question why fans have a problem with her being skinny altogether, “In the Bible is it a Sin to be thin? Help me understand.” Check out all of her tweets below.

Social media users’ reactions to Coi Leray’s BET Awards getup marks the latest instance of the “No More Parties” rapper dealing with rampant body shaming, so it’s good to see that she isn’t letting the jokes and criticisms get to her too much.