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Swizz Beatz and Timbaland embarked on an epic journey that was a rematch via their popular Verzuz series on Sunday. Fans were blessed with a treat though, as Swizz dropped off a J. Cole verse on DMX’s “Bath Salts.” The original version of the track exists on the rapper’s posthumous album and features Jay-Z and Nas. The two icons have been collaborating more as of late, in both music and business. However, Cole’s appearance was definitely a nice surprise. 

The Verzuz rematch took place in LIV Miami, with some fans in attendance. Missy Elliot offered some words of inspiration for Swizz and Timbaland before the match as well. 

J. Cole recently dropped off The Off Season, and was playing basketball professionally in Africa before he left due to a family priority. The talented lyricist went on a crazy feature run two years ago before disappearing to work on the album. It appears it is Cole season once more though. His verse on bath salts has not been officially released, and we wonder if it ever will be. Swizz should drop an album with verse out the vault for fans one day. 

Fans have been getting pretty bold in the NBA this year. Trae Young was spit on and Russell Westbrook had food dumped on his head during these playoffs, and the disrespect will seemingly continue. Tonight, after the Brooklyn Nets defeated the Boston Celtics 141-126, Kyrie Irving was targeted by an irate fan. The fan threw a bottle at Kyrie’s head, but it missed. However, the team immediately noticed and began trying to discern who threw the bottle.  

According to the Boston Globe’s National NBA writer Gary Washburn, the fan was apprehended and is now being detained. Kevin Durant supported Irving after the game, saying, “grow the fuck up and enjoy the game. It’s bigger than you.” In another statement, Durant said, “we know how these people are in Boston, and we know how passionate they are about Kyrie in particular.”

Celtics fans, however, are taking exception to what is being called “disrespect” to their logo. As seen in the video below, Kyrie appears to wipe his show on the Celtic logo’s head in disgust after the game was completed. It seems like the dislike for each runs both ways for Irving and Boston. 

Last year, Michael Jordan pledged to donate $10 million over a decade to different diverse programs through his Black Community Commitment platform, and he is following through with that promise. This year, Jordan and Nike’s Jordan Brand are donating $1 million to Morehouse College for their journalism program. The money will also be used to help support careers focused in sports. 

“Morehouse is grateful to Michael Jordan and Jordan Brand for an investment in the education of talented men of color who will ensure there is equity, balance, and truth in the way sports stories are framed and the way the Black experience is contextualized within American history,” said Monique Dozier, vice president for institutional advancement at Morehouse.

Jordan’s organization has also donated to Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Ida B. Wells Society, among others. “Education is crucial for understanding the Black experience today,” Jordan said. “We want to help people understand the truth of our past and help tell the stories that will shape our future.”

The school’s journalism program was initially launched with a donation from director and actor Spike Lee. Lee, who graduated Morehouse in 1979, said there would be a “rich legacy of storytellers who will be supported by these programs.” He continued to state, “many people are influenced to think a certain way about Black folks based on what they see on television and in Hollywood. We’ve got to tell our story.”

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The loss of Chadwick Boseman rocked Hollywood and the world. But his legacy will live on through his work. Disney is most likely sitting on some unreleased footage of Boseman as Black Panther from the multiple movies he played the character. That includes Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame. However, there must still be another character to take center focus in the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sequel. 

According to Collider, Danai Gurira will be returning in Wakanda Forever. She will also be involved in an origin series for Disney+. There appears to be two Black Panther spin-offs brewing over at Disney, because another series focusing on the entire kingdom of Wakanda is also in the works (and may also include Gurira). 

“Ryan Coogler is a singular storyteller whose vision and range have made him one of the standout filmmakers of his generation. With Black Panther, Ryan brought a groundbreaking story and iconic characters to life in a real, meaningful and memorable way, creating a watershed cultural moment. We’re thrilled to strengthen our relationship and look forward to telling more great stories with Ryan and his team,” Disney’s Bob Iger said in a statement when Ryan Coogler‘s Disney deal to make more Black Panther content was announced. The talented director will be the driving force behind all the growing Black Panther spin-off shows and films.

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The Lakers were defeated 100-92 on Sunday by the Phoenix Suns, who evened the series out at 2-2. Los Angeles lost superstar Anthony Davis at the end of the second quarter to an injury that has since been diagnosed as a groin strain. Sources claim that AD is “day to day,” although there is no official word on how long the big man must remain out. Of course, LeBron James was asked about AD’s injury after the game, to which he responded as expected. 

“We’ll see,” James answered when asked how his role may change if Davis misses time. However, he elaborated further later. “These shoulders were built for a reason,” LeBron declared. “So if it takes for me to put some more on top of it, then so be it. Win, lose or draw, I’m ready for the challenge.”

Lakers coach Frank Vogel believes that LeBron is more than capable of leading the win. “When I competed against the Miami Heat, and either [Dwyane] Wade or [Chris] Bosh was out, that meant more touches for Bron. And that wasn’t always a good thing for my Pacers teams,” Vogal admitted. However, this is a much older LeBron coming off an injury that derailed his amazing season. 

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Coi Leray took to Twitter to vent after a clip of a crowd reaction from one of her recent shows went viral. The performance took place in Houston for their Memorial Day celebrations. The crowd can be seen standing still and looking unamused by Coi in the clip, as she goes hard on stage. “The love use to outweigh the hate but now the hate outweigh the love and it’s slowing destroying me,” Coi tweeted in response to the clip. “Feel like ya’ll tryna kill me. That’s why I stay outta the way gotta make sure I keep my distance.”

Polo G and Nicki Minaj noticed Coi’s distress, and responded to her tweets. “That’s always how it b when u 1st come in Compared to when u really blow u gotta block that shit out & keep goin crazy u got it🖤💯💯,” tweeted Polo G. 

“Don’t do that. Chin up,” responded Nicki. “Always remember this, when black ppl not fkn w|you #TheyWillBoo,” Minaj wrote. “Those ppl were on their feet. That means they may not have known the song, but they were interested in getting to know more— so they were observing u. Charge it to the game & move on” 

The Los Angeles Lakers were beaten by the Phoenix Suns on Sunday after superstar Anthony Davis suffered yet another injury. The big man strained his groin in the final minutes of the second quarter while trying to get a bucket.

Lakers coach Frank Vogel stated after the game that Davis is undergoing additional evaluation and that, “we’ll have more information tomorrow.” He continued on to state, “You know, he’s one of the best players in the world, so you have to adjust. “And I thought we gave great effort trying to overcome that loss, but it certainly wasn’t enough.” The Lakers went down 100-92, with the series now tied heading back to Phoenix. Game 5 is on Tuesday. 

The Lakers were also missing Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, an integral part of their defense. However, if Davis has to miss significant time it will severely hurt the Lakers’ chances of repeating. Davis had a bad Game 1 before bouncing back and averaging 34 points, 10.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2 blocks in Games 2 and 3. Kyle Kuzma started the third quarter in place of Davis, and ended the game with 11 points on 4-for-11 shooting. It will take all of the Lakers’ might to overcome the #2 seeded Sun, who recently got a healthy Chris Paul back into shape. 

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