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For many individuals, developing unanticipated side effects as a result of the COVID-19 vaccination is the titular reason for their hesitation. For some Americans who received the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine, their worst fears are coming true. Federal health agencies in the United States announced on Tuesday (April 13) they plan to halt the use of the vaccine after six different women developed blood clots, including one who passed away. 

The Food and Drug Administration announced this pause, explaining that a half-dozen patients have reported developing a “rare & severe type of blood clot” following receiving the vaccine. These clots were observed in addition to a reduced platelet count, making the usual treatment for blood clots using the blood thinner heparin potentially “dangerous.” 

“Right now, these adverse events appear to be extremely rare,” tweeted the agency in a joint statement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday.

Six women between the ages of 18 and 48 were among the individuals who developed clots within about two weeks of vaccination. One woman has since passed away and another in Nebraska was hospitalized in critical condition. 

People who received the J&J vaccine and are experiencing symptoms like severe headaches, abdominal pain, leg pain, or shortness of breath within three weeks of receiving the vaccine are recommended to contact their doctor immediately. The FDA and CDC hope the pause will push other states to do the same 

“We are recommending a pause in the use of this vaccine out of an abundance of caution,” the FDA said. “Treatment of this specific type of blood clot is different from the treatment that might typically be administered.” 

Nearly 7 million people in the United States have received the J&J vaccine. The other two authorized US vaccines, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, are not affected by the pause. 

We’ll keep you updated with more information regarding this recall of the vaccination as it rolls in.  

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We’ve gone a full year without prolific rapper Pop Smoke, who was killed in Los Angeles on February 19, 2020. The rapper was in the midst of taking over the world, perfecting one of the most remarkable debut albums of the modern era with Shoot For The Stars, Aim For The Moon. Along with his role in the drill surge in Brooklyn, Pop Smoke was an artist that will remain in the conversation for years.

Over the last year, Pop’s brother Obasi Jackson has been building a platform of his own. He’s been publicly mourning the loss of his brother, and during the latest episode of BagFuel with co-hosts Hynaken and E$$O, Obasi teased some major new records from the late artist that will excite fans of New York’s rap scene.

On the possibility of a record between Pop Smoke and Bobby Shmurda, Obasi said that there’s a pretty high chance that there’s something in the works. “I feel like that’s probably somewhere in the vault,” said Pop’s brother about a song combining their talents. “If they did it for Rowdy when Rowdy was still in there, they got something waiting for Bobby. It’s probably gonna come out on the next project— I got to talk to [Pop’s former manager] Steven [Victor]. We was in talks about working on this album. We got like two months left to really– but it shouldn’t take long. Pop is a talented brother so I’m sure it’s there, we just gotta fine-tune it and figure out what we need to do to bring it together and move forward but I’m pretty sure there’s something there for that man.”

Obasi also touched on Pop’s original verse from “Dior”, which was repurposed for a presently-unreleased song by Obasi. Apparently, the version that’s floating around isn’t official and the song will likely be out in the coming months.

Check out Obasi’s conversation with the BagFuel guys and let us know who you want to see next on the show.

Disgraced television and film producer Harvey Weinstein’s health is reportedly failing him behind bars. According to his legal team, Weinstein, who has been indicted on sexual assault charges in Los Angeles, has lost four teeth while in jail and he is also reportedly technically blind.

The 69-year-old wasn’t in tremendous shape before his arrest at the height of the #MeToo movement a few years ago. However, it’s reportedly been on the decline in recent months, with his legal team alleging that he’s lost teeth and sight. Appearing for a court hearing via video call, Weinstein and his attorneys argued against him being sent to L.A. for his present indictment, citing “humanitarian” reasons as the producer’s health has been in the dumps. Weinstein’s attorney Norman Effman said that his client is technically blind and has said goodbye to four of his teeth. He’s also reportedly in danger of losing more. Weinstein is reportedly scheduled for two upcoming medical procedures in New York: one for his sight and the other for his dental hygiene.

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In addition to these latest health issues, Weinstein is reportedly still suffering from cardiac problems, diabetes, back pain, and sleep apnea. His attorneys are fighting for him to remain in a medical unit in New Unit, where he’s serving his sentence for rape.

What do you make of the latest health reports on Harvey Weinstein?

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There’s a reason Nas stands unwaveringly confident in his business acumen, going so far as to imply victory in a hypothetical Investment Portfolio Verzuz battle. For starters, his QueensBridge Venture Partners company has made notable investments in Dropbox, Ring, Parachute, SeatGeek, General Assembly, Robinhood, Casper, Pillpack, and Pluto TV, with many of said investments proving quite favorable for the legendary lyricist.

Now, a new report indicates that Nas is looking at another incredible investment, this time in the world of cryptocurrency. Having previously made an investment in Coinbase, a new report indicates that the company is looking at a potential valuation of $100 billion dollars when its COIN stock officially lists this coming Wednesday. A report from Yahoo Finance traces Nas’ involvement in Coinbase back to 2013, when his Venture company invested twenty-five million dollars in the cryptocurrency; in 2014, TIME magazine actually named Coinbase as “the second most exciting tech start-up.”

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The report projects that, based on previous analysis done by Coindesk, Nas’ Queensbridge could own a low-end of 99,329 shares or a high-end of 496,642. Using those figures paired with previous Coinbase share prices of $350, a possible outcome would net Nas’ company between $34.76 million and $173.8 million. Now, a new assessment by investment bank DA Davidson projects an updated Coinbase share price of $440, which would boost Nas’ potential payday by a respective rise of $43.7 million or $218.5 million. The report also cites a source’s confirmation that Nas’ QueensBridge Venture Partners is still very much on the table when it comes to Coinbase. 

Stay tuned for more news on Nas’ potentially massive payday as developments unfold. Do you think Nas has the potential to reach billionaire status in the next ten years? 

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In the days following the passing of DMX, née Earl Simmons, it has been made clear how enormous of a loss it was for the hip hop community. Listeners and members of the rap game alike have been showering the late icon with praise and tributes. The Mayor of his hometown in Yonkers has confirmed a lasting monument will be erected in honor of X, and he is also set to be recognized at the Universal Hip Hop Museum. 

Snoop Dogg is the latest to reminisce on his experiences with his good friend DMX. While on Monday night’s episode of the “Tonight Show,” the Long Beach native reflected on how the pair met at a concert back in 1994 and remained good friends until his passing. When asked about his and X’s Verzuz battle that went down last July, Snoop explained it “meant the world” to him. 

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He added it gave folks,  “a chance to see two dogs that naturally loved each other, celebrate each other in the name of hip hop.” He continued, “We had God in the building with us that night. That makes me feel good about DMX’s transition to know that he’s off to a better place and he’s finally got his angel wings.”  

He also shared how their first link up in the 90s later went on to inspire DMX’s 1997 track “Get at Me Dog” after Snoop said the phrase to him. “That night inspired him to create that song,” he told Fallon.

He went on to optimistically insist, “Legends never die, their soul will continue to bless the world and he was a great spirit who always looked out for everybody. He always prayed for everybody.” Check out the full interview with Snoop below. 

Timbaland also recently reflected on the rap legend’s passing. “This one hit differently. This one hit different. It made me think about like Aaliyah, it just hit different bro. I can’t even explain. I know you can hear it in my voice, it just hit different,” admitted Timbaland. 

Our prayers continue to go out to DMX’s family. 

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Meek Mill has long been vocal about becoming committed to social justice and reform. As far back as 2018, the Philadelphia rapper has long expressed his commitment and desire to fight for criminal justice reform. Sticking to his word, he’s since linked up with the REFORM Alliance to work hard to achieve this. 

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The group’s latest legislative victory occurred in Virginia, achieved through a collaborative effort with Justice Forward VA, American Conservative Union, and Faith and Freedom. With the new HB 2038 law, the state’s probation population will be reduced considerably, limiting adult probation sentences to a maximum of one year for misdemeanors and five for felonies. Before this law, Virginia was one of seven states in the country with no probation restrictions. 

The law will take effect on July 1st. “This legislation is a meaningful step forward toward building better pathways for Virginians stuck in the probation trap, and sets a positive example for what can be done in other states across the country,” REFORM CEO Robert Rooks said. “We’re thankful for the support behind HB 2038 that will reunite families, prevent unnecessary incarcerations and give life back to thousands of Virginians.”

As for Meek Mill, the rapper felt particularly compelled to use his platform to help reform these laws because of his own experience with probation. “When people directly impacted by probation and our broken criminal justice system, like Meek Mill and others at the REFORM Alliance, get behind those of us fighting to make a difference on these issues, we can create substantive and meaningful change,” Delegate Don Scott said. 

HB2038 will also create a system of certain sanctions for technical probation violations in order to prevent people from being re-incarnated for certain probation violations. Big ups to Meek Mill and the REFORM alliance for this major legislative win. 

Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images for The Reform Alliance

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