Month: April 2022

The latest celebrity to chime in on last weekend’s unexpected Chris Rock-Will Smith altercation is stand-up comedian DL Hughley, who – in what he says are his “final thoughts” on the matter – addressed the South Carolina-born entertainer with an apology, acknowledging that he was seemingly “left alone” in the moments after he was struck by the King Richard star.

As Complex reports, Hughley uploaded a clip to his Instagram page in which he compared the treatment of the two actors after the situation unfolded. “[Will Smith] got to be celebrated,” he said. “He got a standing ovation, he got to go to the after-parties and get jiggy with it, and then he got to go home and write an apology.”

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“I don’t begrudge him that,” the 59-year-old wrote. “But I’ll tell you this, I don’t think the offence was worth a lifetime of this.” As he continued his speech, Hughley speculated that people will “forever” remember Rock from the incident. “Chris Rock will forever be the man who got slapped at the Oscars. Forever.”

He continued, “I don’t think the offence matches the punishment. I do not at all. But it has happened and it will be indelible. We will forget what he said but never that he got slapped. There may well be a cure for alopecia but we’ll still remember this. We’re always gonna remember it.”

Hughley then turned the conversation to his fellow comedian’s ongoing Ego Death tour, which has seen rowdy audiences during its first two nights. “He cannot get on stage for the foreseeable future and not relive the fact that he was slapped in front of the world and that makes me sad,” The Hughleys star admitted.

“I’m sorry that I didn’t say ‘I’m sorry’ earlier,” he said, addressing Rock directly. “I’m sorry for what your children must be going through. I’m sorry for what must be in your head. I’m sorry that it seemed to me that you were alone. I am sorry that at almost 60 years old you were slapped in front of the world.”

Hughley admitted to being able to “hold in [his] heart a level of compassion and grace for what Will must have gone through,” then apologized for not “[giving] equal measures to [Rock].”

See DL Hughley’s final thoughts on The Slap in the video above, and give us your take in the comment section below.

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Chris Paul is one of the best point guards in the history of the NBA, and throughout his time in the league, he has always proven himself to be a leader. He was a major part of the NBPA over the last few years, and now, he will be receiving a brand new role within Joe Biden’s Presidential Administration.

No, no, Paul isn’t going to become a cabinet member or anything. Instead, he will be part of the Advisory Board for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Seventeen other new members were named to the advisory board which is also made up of a variety of Presidents from HBCUs around the United States.

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This advisory board will be tasked with coming up with new ways to help further the HBCU Initiative which is a project that has been going on since the early 80s. These efforts will help bring awareness to HBCUs around the country, and it will also help bring in new students and even funding through various campaigns.

Paul has taken an interest in HBCUs over the years as he was instrumental in getting HBCU representation at the All-Star Game back in February. Needless to say, this is a role that Paul is certainly built for.

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Lil Tjay has got a lot of people talking, and it’s not just about his newest drop, “In My Head,” which has a familiar face starring in the music video.

Fans were quick to notice the Bronx-born rapper’s socials as he’s been posting with Rubi Rose, hinting that the two are back on good terms after a rocky past. Tjay posted to his TikTok with Rose wearing a red lingerie piece, captioning the post “If it ain’t toxic I’ll pass.” 

He also made sure to let his Instagram followers know how he’s feeling this morning, as he followed up his video post with a photo of the two captioned, “2 solid 2 real [heart] thanks @therubirose I appreciate u.” Rubi Rose hit up his comment section to show her love in response, with a simple rose and heart emoji. She was even spotted with the rapper’s name painted on her nails, so we know it’s real.

The two have had their fair share of social media posts about each other in the past. Back in 2020, Rubi aired out the rapper for not purchasing her flight back home after she flew out to see him for his 19th birthday. They were both clowned hard on socials, especially when another woman, Chinese Kitty, revealed that the rapper had slid into her DM’s to link up for his birthday as well. 

It seems as if the two have put the past behind them as they continue to link up despite all the criticism.

Check out the TikTok video below. 

Queen Of The Souf felt like the formal welcoming of one of rap’s new leading women. After years of grinding, Latto’s debut album met the hype that carried her from fan-favorite mixtapes and YouTube-exclusive freestyles, racking up millions of views. The production was cultivated towards festivals and nightclubs alike with ferocious bars that emphasized the hunger of a new rapper demanding her dues. With co-signs from Gucci Mane and Trina, who both appeared on the project, and additional verses from 21 Savage, 42 Dugg, and City Girls, there was little to deny the talents that Latto boasted as an MC. 

Her debut album allowed her to transition toward becoming a star, but that also unintentionally impacted the outcome of her sophomore album. As she quickly became a fixture on Instagram microblogs, the criticism that came with the racial insensitivity of her initial rap name led to a significant rebrand that one wouldn’t expect of an artist heading into their second major-label release. By simply dropping the first two letters of her moniker, she laid the foundation for her sophomore album.

Latto embarks on her most ambitious project to date with 777. At face value, it’s a reference to hitting the jackpot but luck has only played a minuscule role in Latto’s rise, and she reminds us of that early on the tracklist. Part 1 and 2 of the titular track kick off with exhilarating performances from Latto whose technical proficiencies shine. Part one boasts production from Sonny Digital who uses a suspenseful sample that’s vaguely reminiscent of the windy urgency of Busta Rhymes’ “Gimme Some More” intro before the Clayton Co. rapper strikes with a vengeance. “Top two, and bitch, I ain’t number two/ Real rap back, and Latto is the proof,” she huffs back at her detractors. She similarly echoes this sentiment in part two but with even grander clap backs – some more literal than others – and the confidence of a seasoned MC. 

The fierce intensity on the double-dose intro tracks quickly dies down in exchange for more bubbly textures. “Wheelie” was positioned to be a bonafide TikTok hit based on the initial preview, while “Big Energy” banks off of early 2000s nostalgia for a refreshing take on “Fantasy” by Mariah Carey, who later joined Latto on the remix. 

Still, Latto’s pop sensibilities are at their best when capturing her strengths as a vocalist. On “Sunshine,” for example, she taps in with Childish Gambino and Lil Wayne for a glittery and uplifting gospel-adjacent record. Despite the fact that Childish Gambino and Lil Wayne easily outshine her with their respective verses, the song’s significance lies in Latto’s first display of vulnerability on the project. The underlying message of remaining hopeful in the face of adversity carries through Latto’s gorgeous vocal performance during a comparatively wholesome moment on the project.

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777 captures the resilient, shit-talking bars that took Latto to the top but she’s also heavily exploring a softer side to her femininity. Throughout the project, Latto uses male voices to accompany her perspective, whether it’s the high-octane Nardo Wick-assisted “Stepper” or when she’s celebrating the fruits of her labor alongside Kodak Black on their effervescent collab, “Buss Down.” However, it’s on “Like A Thug” ft. Lil Durk where Latto delves into her sexual appeal unapologetically. Women catch the most heat whenever they’re sexually empowered in hip-hop, which often brings out an overwhelming chauvinism. Latto balances a tightrope, though. In “Like A Thug,” she divulges sexual fantasies and desires without getting too descriptive, leaving the imagination to fill in the blanks. Latto steadily reminds a lover that she’s irreplaceable – a one-of-one that should be honored by any man fortunate enough to be in her presence. Naturally, Durk’s brand of humor-filled TMI songwriting matches Latto’s energy to launch what could be a deeper exploration of Latto’s more soulful delivery.

Latto’s evolution has been documented since she was a teen but that’s what makes each one of her wins that much more glorious. Even with a legion of fans propping her up for success, the humanistic reactions to negativity have frequently found her in the comment section of The Shade Room trying to defend her name. 777 combats the criticism she’s faced head-on but also offers one of the most well-rounded depictions of her artistry. The Southern-heavy bars that earned her the title of Queen Of The Souf aren’t diminished. However, 777 highlights her potential to take it even further. Her vulnerability takes center stage in ways it hasn’t in the past, directly speaking to the maturity of a young woman who has grown up in the public eye. The sensitivity from the incessant public criticism, the resilience of her come-up, and the hunger of an MC demanding respect form the base of Latto’s most versatile project to date.