Month: October 2021

YoungBoy Never Broke Again is making history again with the release of his latest studio album Sincerely, Kentrell. On Monday, it was revealed that the Baton Rouge-raised rapper was set to debut at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart, finally dethroning Drake’s Certified Lover Boy after three weeks at the top. With this monumental start on the charts, YoungBoy becomes just the third rapper to debut an album at #1 from behind bars, following Tupac Shakur and Lil Wayne. He’s also caught up to one of this decade’s biggest pop stars, Taylor Swift, as they are the only two artists to have a #1 album in each of the last three years.

As the Billboard charts were updated on Monday, it was revealed that YoungBoy officially debuted at the top spot, and with that, he broke a bunch of records. Sincerely, Kentrell becomes his fourth overall #1 album after AI YoungBoy 2, 38 Baby 2, and Top. The 21-year-old is also now one of only two acts with a #1 album in 2019, 2020, and 2021, joining Taylor Swift in that category.

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With very minimal promotion and a pretty quiet rollout, this is a huge feat for YoungBoy Never Broke Again, who continues to show the world that he can dominate under any circumstances — even from jail.

What’s your favorite song on Sincerely, Kentrell? Check out a selection of songs from the album on our recently updated Staff Picks Playlist on SoundCloud and TIDAL.

The government isn’t messing around when it comes to falsifying documents related to the COVID-19 vaccine, and now, a former NBA player will learn his fate. Vaccinations have been a hot topic for some time as everyone from politicians to your next-door neighbors debate its safety. Protocols are being put in place worldwide regarding who will and will not be allowed to patronize businesses, and sports leagues are finding themselves at odds with several of their players.

Many anti-vaxxers have opted to falsify their vaccination records in an effort to beat the system, but former basketball star Lazar Hayward could not fool authorities in Hawaii.

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According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Hayward, 34, was with Raven Randle, 33, when he arrived at the Lihue Airport on the island of Kauai. They traveled to Hawaii from Los Angeles, and upon arrival, they attempted to curve the mandatory quarantine period in place in the state by reportedly uploading fake vaccination papers into the airport’s Safe Travels portal.

Hawaii officials have made it a rule that any guests who are unvaccinated are required to show documents proving that within the last 72 hours, they have tested negative for COVID. If they don’t have that test, then they must first quarantine for 10 days on the island before patronizing anywhere. Hayward and Randle’s paperwork was flagged and the pair were reportedly “arrested on charges of unsworn falsification.”

What punishment the pair face is unknown at this time.

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It’s one of the most celebrated franchises in film history that continues to be beloved by fans or fantasy, but few know about the connection between Harvey Weinstein and the Lord of the Ring antagonists, the Orcs. The acclaimed book series was turned into several films released from 2001 to 2003, and in a recent interview with Dax Shepherd on his Armchair Expert podcast, Elijah Wood made a startling revelation that has fans revisiting the award-winning films.

While Wood is not the first cast member to mention this topic, he is the latest Lord of the Rings star to speak about it openly. Apparently, the films came eerily close to not being made.

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According to the story, Miramax purchased the rights to the J.R.R. Tolkien classics and although they initially invested millions into production, filmmakers Peter Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh were running into snags. They were apparently frustrated that their vision was not aligning with what Miramax had in mind, so Jackson and Walsh asked Miramax co-founder Harvey Weinstein if they would shop the film to another studio to get the job done.

Shepherd recalled the story and Wood confirmed it to be true. “And Miramax said, ‘We will only give it back to you in turnaround, but two things have to happen. One, you have to go get it set up this weekend; and two, whoever agrees has to agree to make all three at once,’” said Shepherd.

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That turnaround time was reportedly set to make it impossible for another studio to agree, however, Jackson found a light at the end of the tunnel with New Line Cinema and the rest is history. Wood recalled his castmate Sean Astin [Samwise] revealing his first memory of being on set.

“He had seen these orc masks. And one of the orc masks — and I remember this vividly — was designed to look like Harvey Weinstein as a sort of a f*ck you,” said Wood. “I think that is okay to talk about now, the guy is f*cking incarcerated. F*ck him.” Listen to Elijah Wood on Armchair Expert below.

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She became an actress before she was able to walk, and by the time the first grade came around, Keisha Knight Pulliam was nominated for an Emmy. Even decades after The Cosby Show ended, Pulliam is still affectionately known as little sassy Rudy Huxtable, and last week, Rudy married her Bud.

Pulliam has been entertaining fans as a cast member of Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, and she had been dating actor Brad James, known for his role on Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse. The pair reportedly began dating back in 2019 when they met on the set of Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta, and during quarantine, the couple got engaged.

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In a recent Instagram post, Pulliam revealed that she and James were married at an intimate ceremony at their home.

“Last week my life forever changed… I married my best friend at our home surrounded by family & it was magical!!!” wrote the veteran actress. “It wasn’t the large destination wedding we were originally planning. Instead, it was intimate, whimsical, full of love, laughter and joy… Absolutely perfect!! Maybe one day I will share the events that inspired our change of plans. However, for now I can say God makes no mistakes & the joy is in the journey.”

“Covid has definitely taught us to live in the moment and that the present is the greatest ‘present’ that exists,” Pulliam continued. “Thank you to everyone who celebrated with us!! Most of all thank you to @mrbradjames my amazing husband, my person, my soulmate. Thank you for renewing my vulnerability & faith in unconditionally love.”

Swipe below to check out a few photos of the ceremony.

Buckle up, because we’re about to embark on another journey through a “Top” list. Ever so often, Hip Hop fans get themselves ensnared in discussions regarding who the GOATs are in the genre, and what follows is debates and bickering over lyricism, album sales, influence, impact, longevity—just any and everything related to someone’s career that could arguably make them the best in the business. 

This time around, a screenshot from what looks to be Lil Durk’s Instagram Story has begun crawling its way through social media, and the responses to the “Top 50 Greatest Rappers of All-Time” have stirred the pot.

Right off the bat, Durk did not outwardly say that this was his list so it is unclear if he is reposting it because he was included or because he is the person responsible for it. He has a few names that have often found their way onto lists such as these like Drake, J. Cole, Nipsey Hussle, Nicki Minaj, Future, Lil Baby, Young Thug, 21 Savage, and Juice Wrld. 

Others include G Herbo, Megan The Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert, Quando Rondo, Lil Skies, Tee Grizzley, Kodak Black, Chance The Rapper, Blueface, PnB Rock, Roddy Ricch, Migos, and more. People noted that Kendrick Lamar did not make the cut—nor did staples like Eminem, Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G.—upsetting Hip Hop fans across the board. Many of these “All-Time” artists come from the same generation, and it has sparked quite the discussion.

Take a look at the list below and let us know who you would add or subtract.

His views on the COVID-19 vaccine have often made headlines, but this time, an elderly man went viral on TikTok after hearing one of Rogan’s recent takes. Many anti-vaxxers and anti-maskers have taken to their social media accounts to make comparisons between the COVID mandates and global atrocities, but not everyone believes those similarities are equal. Rogan recently compared vaccine mandates to the Holocaust and Nazi Germany, causing an uproar.

Gidon Lev, 86, has tens of thousands of followers on TikTok, and the Holocaust survivor recently went viral for issuing a response to Rogan’s comparison, demanding for the podcast host to apologize.

Rogan stated that American freedom was being targeted with these COVID vaccine protocols. In a video shared online, Rogan is reportedly heard narrating a clip as a montage of images flashes, including photos related to both coronavirus and the Holocaust. There were pictures of the Nazi salute as well as maps of Nazi Germany, and it rubbed Lev the wrong way.

“Mr. Joe Rogan… I am an 86-year-old survivor of the Holocaust and I saw your video on American freedom and the COVID vaccine,” he said.  “It included images of the Holocaust and of Adolf Hitler, the monster who murdered my father, 26 members of my family, and 6 million Jews and others.”

“You are absolutely not promoting freedom,” Lev added in another video. “Remove the video immediately… I am shocked by your lack of sensitivity.” Born in 1935, Lev and his family were forced into a concentration camp when he was six years old. Of all of his family members, only Lev and his mother survived.

Lev is reportedly open to speaking with Rogan about his experiences in the camp and how the notorious suffering of Jewish people in one of the most catastrophic cases of genocide in history is incomparable to the call to be vaccinated in the midst of a global pandemic.

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This has been a busy season for Chlöe Bailey and she isn’t slowing down anytime soon. She saw massive success with her sister Halle Bailey as the two topped the charts as Chloe x Halle, but after releasing her very first solo single, Chlöe has reached new heights. Beyoncé’s protegé recently shared “Have Mercy” and performed it live for the first time at the MTV Video Music Awards. Her steamy performance quickly went viral and Chlöe is still reeling from the warm reception that the song has received.

The singer sat down with the hosts of The Real to talk about her journey into this solo season of her career and addressed critics who complain that she is overdoing it with the sexy imagery.

Jason Kempin / Staff / Getty Images

“When I write and create music, it’s like, this is what I would tell myself to make myself feel better and to kind of pump myself up,” she admitted. “I love creating music with my sister and being in a group with her so doing this solo, it’s been like, I have to be like, ‘Okay Chlöe, you can do it. You’re special. Everything you have to say matters.’ So, it’s been a journey for sure.”

When speaking bout the negativity she said, “I think it’s about the support system you have around you. I have to remind myself, as long as I’m being authentic and being myself, then, that’s all that matters. People say I do too much and maybe I do, but it’s not on purpose, it’s just who I am… You can’t please everybody. Some people will like me, some people don’t. And that’s okay.”

“They’re talking, so that’s good!” Check out the clip of Chlöe on The Real below.

A controversial take was given by Pitbull during a recent concert. The Miami-born entertainer has been an international superstar for decades, and while he is known for his club-ready party jams, he decided to turn things toward the political arena during one of his shows. Pitbull has been known to meet with politicians, especially as it pertains to his community involvement in charitable efforts, but not everyone was feeling his remarks about the critics of the United States.

Throughout history, entertainers have used their platforms to criticize political and social movements in the U.S., as well as the country’s laws, policing, and race relations. Pitbull has a word for people speaking negatively about the country.

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Staff / Getty Images

In a clip shared to social media, Pitbull is seen on stage saying, “Just want to say one last thing: To whoever the f*ck doesn’t like the United States of America, may God bless you, but f*ck you at the same time.” He added, “If you don’t like the United States of America, go back to the countries that we the f*ck from, and you’ll see how much you appreciate the United States of America.”

Patriots and right-wingers quickly reshared the moment and voiced their support, calling for more celebrities with similar mindsets to come forward. Check it out below.

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Facebook and Instagram are back in action after spending the better part of the day inoperable. There have been theories regarding what truly happened behind the scenes, but as those discussions overflow online, tens of millions of social media users are happy that they can commence to scrolling through newsfeeds to their heart’s content. 

During that downtime, Twitter was the hotspot, and Ari Fletcher aired out her frustrations with critics who spend their free time trolling or cyberbullying her on social media. Then, Moneybagg Yo stepped in to have his girlfriend’s back.

“How y’all sit up and talk about people on social media is so sad,” wrote Fletcher. “What makes somebody comment mean sh*t for everybody to see… somebody that you don’t even know or that has done nothing to you. Y’all are miserable!!!” Her chart-topping beau chimed in to give his take on those penning cruel remarks.

“U beautiful inside and out and I bet da ones talkn don’t look half as better than u, u sum to talk about let em hate sumbody gotta do it f*ck em [black heart emoji][wink kissy face with heart emoji].”

These two have been going strong for some time, and last week, Ari showed just how dedicated she is to her man and gifted him 28.8 acres of land for his birthday.