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The NBA has had a tumultuous return to packed arenas and fan involvement after the pandemic season, and Brooklyn Nets Player Kyrie Irving once again finds himself at the center of controversy. The Nets’ Point Guard and former Boston Celtics player Kyrie Irving is, once again, on the offensive against Boston fans, in response to the arrest of a fan that threw a water bottle at the player Sunday night. 

Kyrie has been steadfast in defending himself from what he sees as racist behavior from Boston fans, stating after Sunday’s game that: “It’s been that way in history in terms of entertainment, performers and sports for a long period of time, just underlying racism and just treating people like they’re in a human zoo.”

Kyrie doubled down on his comments during a post-game press conference. Though he has hope for the future of the game, he went on to explain that: “It’s unfortunate that sports has come to a lot of this kind of crossroads where you’re seeing a lot of old ways come up,” calling Boston fans entitled: “Throwing stuff at people and saying things. It’s a certain point where it gets to be too much […] people just feel very entitled out here.” 

This comes after a string of similar events both involving Kyrie and not. Just a week ago Irving condemned Boston fans for racist chants and behavior and later that week Washington Wizards star Russell Westbrook had a heated exchange with a fan who dumped popcorn on him. “Hopefully, we can just keep it strictly basketball; there’s no belligerence or racism going on – subtle racism,” said Irving last week after he experienced racist chants. An even more intense encounter happened during Game 3 of the New York Knicks series against the Atlanta Hawks, where point guard Trae Young was spat on by a fan. 

While Kyrie maintains his hope for a civil and respectful relationship between players and their communities, repeated and excessive violations by fans continue to jeopardize the health of the game.

Check out Sunday’s post-game press conference here: 

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It feels like it was a lifetime ago when festivals didn’t seem like public health threats. Artists and fans alike have been longing for their reunion in the beating sun to loud music and overpriced beverages. Coachella, specifically, was forced to push their annual festival back twice due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now that the vaccine numbers are increasing and cases are declining, Coachella appears to be gearing up for their return in 2022.

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The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is returning for the first time since 2019. Coachella’s 2022 festival is set for April 15th-17th and April 22nd-24th with advance ticket sales kicking off this Friday, June 4th at 10 a.m.

Coachella hasn’t announced the festival line-up yet. The 2020 edition of the festival was postponed until fall 2020 but ultimately, it ended up getting canceled that June.

The 2020 edition of the festival was packed with massive names. Rage Against The Machine, Travis Scott and Frank Ocean were scheduled to headline both weekends. Tons of the hottest acts in hip-hop were also scheduled to perform such as Megan Thee Stallion, festival faves Run The Jewels, 21 Savage, DaBaby, Roddy Ricch and several others.

The return of Coachella in 2022 will be a celebratory occasion. We’ll keep you posted on any updates surrounding the potential line-up for their festival next year.

Will you be attending Coachella next year?

Gun violence within the hip-hop community is an unfortunate reality that has claimed the lives of many of its most beloved members. Pop Smoke, King Von, and XXXTentacion have all lost their lives at the hands of gun violence. It is with heavy hearts that we are reporting the passing of VNZA, a Missouri rapper, visual artist and videographer. 

According to reports, VNZA, born Vonza Watson, was shot and killed at a busy waterfront bar at the Lake of the Ozarks. The 27-year-old was gunned down Saturday night (May 29) outside Lazy Gators in Lake Ozark. At this time, two of the three possible shooters involved have been taken into custody, but authorities have yet to release any details about the case as they search for the third suspect. 

When officers arrived on the scene, they discovered an injured Watson. By that time, the shooters had already fled. He was then taken to a local hospital and subsequently pronounced dead. 

The Camden County Sheriff’s Office believes over 20 people were filming the incident and vocalized this footage could aid in bringing the assailants to justice. 

“We know for a fact there was probably 25 people with camera videos videoing this,” Sheriff Tony R. Helms said. “I know you think that’s great but we think it’s even better if you can get that to us.” 

A motive for the killing is still unknown, but authorities confirmed the situation is “still a working homicide.” The aspiring artist was originally from Detroit but was residing in the Kansas City area. A SoundCloud bio describes his music as a mix of rap influenced by Jay-Z, J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar, and Nipsey Hussle.

He’s received an outpouring of tributes on social media since the news was confirmed. Our prayers go out to his loved ones. 

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Dallas is continuing to bubble up as a hot spot for hip-hop but apparently, Asian Doll hasn’t necessarily been enjoying shows in her hometown. The rapper took to Instagram on Monday where she aired out a concert promoter who apparently didn’t cut her a check for her performance. Doll threatened to sue the promoter. Unfortunately, this also came with a threat to never perform in her hometown ever again.

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“I hate to say it but I’m sueing the Dallas promoter that booked me for 2events yesterday & didn’t give me my backend SMH I been doing shows 5months straight & NEVER had a problem with my money until I came to my hometown,” she wrote. “Shit crazy & people wonder why ion come back.”

There’s more to the story and the promoter in question has issued a response following Asian Doll’s tweets. The promoter, who goes by @kendall.cloud on Instagram, shared screenshots of text messages he and his partner sent to Doll’s point of contact. It seems that they struggled to get a drop from Asian Doll to promote the concert beforehand.

“Don’t tell me bout holding up no deal when I was getting lied to for an entire month couldn’t get a post or a drop tf that’s a big deal anybody could post and say such n such is coming but if that person and the venue don’t stamp it who actually would believe it,” he said.

Later on, he shared a video where he further justified his decision to not pay Asian Doll. “Say, why would I pay the back end on Asian Doll when you can’t even pack out a club in your city, mane. This your city, mane. The fuck?” He said.

Peep his response below. 

According to a pair of reports from Local 10 News and Page Six, DaBaby and several others have been detained following a shooting last night — Monday, May 31st — at South Beach in Miami.

The street shootout left two injured, with one having been shot in the leg and another in the shoulder. Miami Beach police spokesman Ernesto Rodriguez confirmed that one victim has been released from the hospital while the other remains hospitalized in critical condition. 

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Page Six’s sources state that DaBaby and his entourage were traveling in a group of six SUVs, only to take issue with a group of people driving beside them. Apparently, words were exchanged and a fight swiftly broke out, ultimately leading to the shooting taking place. Witnesses quickly called 911 upon hearing the distinctive sound of gunfire, which occurred at around 11:30 PM. Immediately after the gunfire ceased, police were able to take several men into custody. 

Rodriguez has confirmed that DaBaby is among the “several possible subjects” detained, with Page Six claiming that between ten to twelve members of the rapper’s entourage have also been taken into police custody. At this moment DaBaby’s team has yet to acknowledge the rapper’s possible involvement, nor has his label Interscope Records. 

This is not the first time that DaBaby has previously faced legal trouble. On Christmas Eve of 2019, DaBaby was taken into police custody for allegedly resisting arrest, an encounter he secretly filmed; he later put the police on blast, deeming the arrest “sloppy” and maintaining his innocence throughout the process. Shortly afterward in January of 2020, DaBaby was arrested in Beverly Hills after police found a handgun in his car.

Be sure to stay tuned for future updates on this situation as it develops. 

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Khloe Kardashian and Tristan Thompson’s romance has not been completely smooth sailing. After the viral Jordyn Woods cheating scandal that ended their relationship the first time, many were shocked to see the couple rekindle their love after quarantining together with their daughter True. 

Since getting back together, however, numerous women have come forward with accusations that Thompson had committed infidelity again. He’s currently readying a libel lawsuit against a woman who claims to have slept with the NBA star, all while another woman known as Kim Cakery has accused him of being the father of her young son. Thompson has denied the accusations, although noting that he has had relations with her in the past. 

Jerritt Clark/Getty Images for Remy Martin

Earlier this week, Cakery was exposed for manufacturing a screenshot of a direct message from Khloe Kardashian allegedly confronting her about allegations reading “Listen at this point I really wa.” In the caption, Cakery wrote, “Sister wife now that ur exposed??… I’m not the one so let’s be nice.” In a new post to her story, she’s admitted to faking the DMs from Kardashian while adding she intends to keep “trolling” the situation. 

“The post that I made yesterday was fake and I apologize for going about it the way I did,” she penned. “But I am genuinely fed up with the bogus energy and her acting like she never sees me asking for a second test. The first test was done at a Kardashian affiliated facility and you expect me to believe that the inhome test he took was accurate??”

She continued, “especially one associated with a family known for scandals and sweeping things under the rug my son isn’t something you can sweep under the rug KHLOE. You may have made it possible for his other son Prince but it won’t be happening in this case Tristan Thompson is a scum bag womanizer which everyone knows.”

“I am 100% sure he is the father of my son what is a mother supposed to do after a year of no answers no response. One in home test has been done and u think it’s the end no way! In home tests are the easiest to be falsified all I’m asking for is the second test from MY CHOICE of DNA facility. I’ve been contacting her for over a year no response the one time she has to “prove me wrong…”

She finally finished, “She tries to act like she’s not involved but she definitely was on that cease and desist tho.” She added in a second story post that she intends to continue trolling the situation “cause that whole family bogus.” While she admitted to faking the DMs, it seems she’s persistent on Thompson submitting to another DNA test.

Thoughts? 

Live music is on the cusp of a triumphant return, with many artists set to hit the stage this coming summer and beyond. Today, the Flatbush Zombies have come through to announce an upcoming Halloween show, set to take place on October 31st at the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Denver Colorado.

“DENVER,” confirms the Flatbush Zombies, unveiling the eerie and effective flyer for The Freek Show. “THE FREEK SHOW IS COMING TO RED ROCKS ON OCTOBER 30TH. TIX ON SALE THIS WEEK.” All the while, the grimy and spooky Zombies classic “Death” sets an appropriately sinister tone.

 Roger Kisby/Getty Images

If it wasn’t enough to see the Flatbush Zombies hold it down with a Halloween-themed show, the lineup of supporting players makes it all the more exciting. Joining Meechy Darko, Erick Arc Elliot, and Zombie Juice at The Freek Show are Earl Sweatshirt, Young M.A, Reason, Nyck Caution, and Tezzo Touchdown.

All things considered, it’s looking like an exciting night, and don’t be surprised to see more than a few costumes brought out for the occasion. It should also be noted that the timing is indeed interesting, and bodes well for those hoping to see another album from the Flatbush Zombies, as live concerts and new music tend to go hand in hand. For now, we’ll have to wait and see. In the meantime, check out the official announcement flyer for The Freek Show below.

WATCH: Flatbush Zombies – Death