Superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson just added method actor to his resume with his uncanny transformation in “The Smashing Machine.” The Rock will play 2-time UFC champion Mark Kerr, a former wrestler turned MMA star who later suffered from addiction. The film from A24 is written and directed by Benny Safdie.
The first look images are here and Johnson is nearly unrecognizable.
According to A24’s synopsis, “The Smashing Machine” is based on Kerr’s life as he “struggles with addiction, winning, love and friendship in the year 2000.”
Variety reports the film will also star Emily Blunt (Oppenheimer, The Fall Guy) as Kerrs’s wife, Dawn Staples.
The two-time UFC Heavyweight Tournament Champion also won the World Vale Tudo Championship tournament, the NCAA National Wrestling Championship, the National Freestyle Championship, the ADCC World Submission Championship, and the PRIDE FC Heavyweight Championship. So, basically, he was an icon with one helluva story. One can only imagine Johnson will play the heck out of this role.
Safdie will executive produce under Out for the Count. Eli Bush and David Kopland are executive producing. A24 is producing with Johnson and Dany Garcia via their Seven Bucks Productions.
Globally renowned artist and music producer Leland Tyler Wayne, known professionally as Metro Boomin, along with leaders from Rung for Women and Amazon Access, presented checks totaling $100,000 to five local nonprofits yesterday. The funds aim to support these organizations’ ongoing work in improving the lives of women and children in the St. Louis area.
“I’ve seen firsthand the work that goes into being a single mother. Mine was my inspiration and my hero,” said Metro. “It’s very important to me to pay it forward, because I see the same resilience and dedication in the women these organizations work with.”
“We are excited to partner with Metro Boomin in his work to lift up single mothers in St. Louis,” said Leslie Gill, President of Rung. “Inspired by the remarkable love he has for his late mother, he is demonstrating a commitment to women and to our community.”
The funds were raised during the Leslie Joanne Soirée holiday event hosted by Metro Boomin at Rung in December and presented by Amazon Access. Additionally, Metro hosted ‘Metro Boomin Night’ during the May 20th Cardinals game, where he played a pre-game outdoor music set and threw the first pitch, contributing to a 6-3 win for the home team. Metro also brought 45 kids from the Sankofa House to join in the celebration and give back.
Fans who purchased a special Theme Ticket received an exclusive Metro Boomin bobblehead. A portion of each ticket sold was donated to Rung for Women, which offers comprehensive support services for women in St. Louis. Rung is acting as a fiduciary agent as Metro establishes his independent nonprofit foundation.
Fresh off the heels of the electrifying “Pass The Mic Live!” event at Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, DJ Cassidy, the maestro behind the musical phenomenon, is gearing up for a groundbreaking Las Vegas residency that promises to revolutionize the city’s entertainment scene. Set to debut on July 5th at Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, this unprecedented residency will feature a star-studded lineup of Hip Hop icons, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience for audiences.
The “Pass The Mic Live!” Las Vegas residency will be a musical extravaganza unlike anything The Strip has seen before. DJ Cassidy, along with Ja Rule, Fat Joe, Slick Rick, and Doug E. Fresh, will take center stage, uniting as “The Rap Pack” to deliver an unforgettable showcase of talent and collaboration. Drawing inspiration from the legendary Rat Pack of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford, and Joey Bishop, DJ Cassidy aims to recreate the magic of old-school Vegas entertainment with a modern Hip Hop twist.
Joining DJ Cassidy and his esteemed collaborators on select dates throughout the residency will be a roster of iconic special guests, each bringing their own unique flair to the stage. From Public Enemy to Akon, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Too $hort, and Warren G, the lineup reads like a who’s who of Hip Hop royalty. These legendary artists will add depth and diversity to an already star-studded lineup, ensuring that each show is a one-of-a-kind experience for fans.
DJ Cassidy expresses his excitement for the residency, stating, “I am truly honored to share a stage with my musical heroes… to create an experience that will go down in Vegas history.” With the support of Live Nation and Caesars Entertainment, as well as music mogul Steve Rifkind, founder of Loud and SRC Records, DJ Cassidy’s vision for the residency is set to become a reality.
The “Pass The Mic Live!” Las Vegas residency is the culmination of a four-year journey that began with DJ Cassidy’s groundbreaking “Pass The Mic” series. Through viral episodes and BET television specials, Cassidy brought together over 220 legendary superstars spanning four decades, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Chaka Khan, and many more. Now, with the residency, DJ Cassidy continues to push the boundaries of live musical experiences, uniting artists who have left an indelible mark on Hip Hop culture.
Bakkt Theater, known for hosting successful residencies for artists like Jennifer Lopez, Britney Spears, and Gwen Stefani, provides the perfect backdrop for DJ Cassidy’s innovative showcase. Tickets for “DJ Cassidy’s Pass The Mic Live! The Iconic Las Vegas Residency” are available now, offering audiences the chance to witness history in the making as Hip Hop’s finest come together for a celebration of music, collaboration, and culture.
Normani has released “Dopamine (First Dose),” the official trailer for her highly anticipated album, Dopamine, set to drop via RCA Records on June 14, 2024. This album marks a daring new chapter for the 27-year-old artist as she fully embraces and celebrates her sexuality, showcasing her journey into divine femininity.
The teaser opens with Normani seductively answering a phone, saying, “Hello hotline 1:59? Here to satisfy your deepest, darkest, wildest desires. No rules, no restrictions, just straight dopamine.” The scene transitions to Normani dancing provocatively in lingerie with a love interest, as her latest single with Gunna, “1:59,” plays, featuring interspersed visuals of both artists. The teaser also gives a glimpse of her upcoming single “Candy Paint,” featuring Normani on a silver rocket with her body painted silver, echoing the album cover where she poses on a black rocket. This visual creatively encapsulates the essence of Dopamine.
Normani’s upcoming album represents a season of liberation and freedom, celebrating her journey to this pivotal moment. Dopamine will be available on all major streaming platforms on June 14, 2024. Fans can pre-save the album at wheresthedamnalbum.com.
NBA Champion and entrepreneur Kyle Kuzma attended the Le Comte De Monte-Cristo red carpet at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival at Palais des Festivals. Kuzma was accompanied by his longtime girlfriend, model Winnie Harlow.
Kuzma looked stylish in an elegant ARMANI suit, perfectly complementing Harlow’s stunning ensemble. The couple turned heads as they posed for photos, showcasing their fashion-forward style and strong presence at the prestigious event.
Mike Shabb has been grinding. The Montreal rapper has dropped eight projects in the last four years, including the first two installments in the SEWASIDE series. These releases tucked flashes of brilliance into hazy and often unfinished song ideas. Shabb’s talent was undeniable, but it still felt a step or two away from completely smoothing out. Fortunately, Mike Shabb has made up ground on SEWASIDE III. The latest installment is a step up in every conceivable way.
The first song on the album, “Intro” sets an appropriately moody tone. There’s a quiet confidence in the rapper’s delivery reminiscent of mixtape-era Joey Bada$$. It helps, of course, that the instrumental is a jazzy, propulsive earworm. The instrumentals on SEWASIDE III are spectacular throughout, with more of an emphasis on off-kilter tempos and irregular vocal chops. They are the kind of musical beds that most rappers would have a hard time riding, and yet, they bring out the best in Mike Shabb. The most obvious example of his verbal dexterity is on the album cut “Free Jazz,” where he skates over a beat that sounds like its being improvised on the spot.
That’s not to say that Mike Shabb sidesteps boom-bap entirely. “We Live In Montreal” and “Free Cars” are grimy street tales punctuated by energetic backing vocals. The latter benefits from a scene-stealing guest verse by ANKHLEJOHN. All the features on SEWASIDE III are excellent, which is gives it a leg up over its predecessors. Da$h skates over the stuttering “Free YSL”, while Boldy James sounds right at home on the slow-burn “Big Piranhas.” Shabb’s ability to secure artists of this caliber is a testament to both his buzz and his lyrical talent. People like Da$h and Boldy wouldn’t bother if the kid didn’t have a ton of talent.
What are your thoughts on this brand-new album SEWASIDEIII by Mike Shabb? Does the Montreal rapper deliver with his latest installment? What is your favorite song and why? Which guest verse stole the show? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Mike Shabb. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on around the music world.
