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Poet Amanda Gorman Has Declined $17 Million In Offers Since The Inuaguration

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Amanda Gorman is an African American poet and activist from Los Angeles who has become one of the most important pop culture figures of 2021. In January, the Harvard graduate became the youngest inaugural poet in American history, and her captivating performance at President Joe Biden‘s inauguration quickly catapulted the young woman’s career and celebrity.

This month, she has already made history once again. By gracing the cover of Vogue Magazine in an Afrocentric-style dress designed by Virgil Abloh, Amanda Gorman has become the first poet to ever land the monthly fashion and lifestyle magazine since its inception in 1892. If that wasn’t mind-blowing enough, however, Gorman revealed in her Vogue cover story that she has declined a massive amount of lucrative offers since her profound inauguration performance of her “The Hill We Climb” poem.

According to Complex, Gorman has elected to decline several insanely high offers, ultimately passing on an estimated $17 million. The poet reportedly explained that she aims to remain “conscious” of her personal goals and beliefs when considering offers of any kind.

“I didn’t really look at the details,” Gorman said, “because if you see something and it says a million dollars, you’re going to rationalize why that makes sense.”

Are you surprised that Amanda Gorman has been offered $17 million dollars since her viral inauguration performance? Or are you more shocked that she has turned them down?

[via]

Cole Bennett Laments The Death Of The SoundCloud Era

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Though it was only a few years back, it already feels as if an eon has passed since the SoundCloud era, a time that introduced the world to rappers like XXXTentacion, Ski Mask The Slump God, Wifisfuneral, Lil Pump, and Smokepurpp. Though not everybody was particularly fond of the low-budget production, absent-minded lyricism, and rebellious attitude of the rising genre, it was those very same qualities that made SoundCloud rap so unique. 

As one of the chief purveyors of visuals for many of SoundCloud rap’s prominent names, Cole Bennett had a first-hand window into the dynamic scene. It’s no wonder that he looks back on it so fondly, having played such an integral role in shaping its aesthetic. And though he’s moved on to bigger and brighter things, having recently joined forces with Eminem on two blockbuster videos, it’s evident that he’ll always hold a soft spot for the SoundCloud era. 

Smokepurpp

Smokepurpp, an artist who rose to prominence through the SoundCloud era. Mike Coppola/Getty Images 

“I miss the SoundCloud days,” he laments, taking to Twitter to wax nostalgic. “No Spotify/Apple playlisting, just genuine finds. “When the SoundCloud scene was at it’s height there were unsigned underground artists doing more numbers than mainstream acts. no label push, just a loyal audience. it was an era.”

“Then the labels caught on and nothing has been the same since,” he continues. “Everything feels so artificial now.” Though SoundCloud themselves slid into his comments pledging that they’re very much still present, Cole’s point certainly resonates. Close to the movement though he may be — it could certainly be argued that the SoundCloud era arguably caused a few negative trends in its own right — it’s hard to deny one key truth. It was the platform of the underdog, and though every dog does indeed have its day, alas — days end. 

Do you agree with Bennett’s assessment? Has the SoundCloud era come to an end, and if so, will you be mourning it? 

DMX Brain Test Results + Latest Condition Revealed

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Hospitalized rap star DMX‘s brain test results have come in. The latest reports claim Dark Man X is still fighting for his life nearly a week after suffering a heart attack. DMX Brain Test Results According to the latest reports, X has not regained any brain function following his overdose. His family may be forced […]

The post DMX Brain Test Results + Latest Condition Revealed appeared first on SOHH.com.

DMX’s Condition Remains Unchanged Following Array Of Tests

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DMX has received a ton of support from fans and fellow rappers over the past week following the news that he suffered a heart attack following an overdose in New York. Since that time, X has been in the hospital where he has very little brain function due to the lack of oxygen sustained while in Cardiac Arrest. His family has been able to be at his side throughout all of this, and they have been holding out hope while X has been battling for his life.

On Wednesday, DMX went through a wide variety of tests to check his brain activity and whether or not his condition has improved. According to TMZ, X has not regained any brain function and the outlook remains grim. In fact, the publication is saying that his family could be met with some very difficult decisions over the coming days.

DMX

Streeter Lecka/BIG3/Getty Images

The rapper’s family has also asked Steve Rifkind, X’s manager, to fly into New York so that he can see him. Needless to say, the family wants X’s support system to be as large as ever during this very difficult time. The tributes continue to pour in for X and it’s been touching to see just how many people loved his music and want to see him get a second chance.

DMX’s condition continues to be updated and we will be sure to always bring you the latest. As always, we send our thoughts and prayers to him and his family during this time.

DMX

Theo Wargo/Getty Images

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Nike Air Huarache “Scream Green” Returns: Official Photos

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The Nike Air Huarache is one of the more iconic sneakers to ever come out of Nike and to this day, it remains one of those comfy shoes that is perfect for any occasion. When it first debuted back in 1991, it was given a dope “Scream Green” offering which was dubbed the official OG model of the sneaker. Now, the shoe is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary, and to celebrate, Nike is coming through with its very own reissue of the color scheme.

In the official images below, you can see that the shoe is coming back in all of its glory as the upper is mostly comprised of white leather, all while blue, green, and black are placed on the backside of the shoe. These colors all come together beautifully and it makes for a model that will certainly catch quite a few eyes. The shoe lives up to the original, and we’re sure fans will appreciate having these back in their collections.

As for the release date, you will be able to grab these on April 19th for $120 USD through the Nike SNKRS App. Let us know if you plan on grabbing a pair, in the comments below.

Image via Nike
Nike Air Huarache
Image via Nike
Nike Air Huarache
Image via Nike
Nike Air Huarache
Image via Nike
Nike Air Huarache
Image via Nike

Somebody Played The ‘Montero’ Video On A Game Boy Advance And Lil Nas X Is Blown Away

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Wikimedia Commons / Lil Nas X / Derrick Rossignol

Lil Nas X and “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” have been everywhere lately, and now, that includes the Game Boy Advance, Nintendo’s handheld video game console that was discontinued over a decade ago.

A Twitter user known as pynnion shared a 36-second video of some of the “Montero” video playing on a Game Boy Advance system and wrote, “My mom took my phone so I’m watching the call me by your name music video on my gameboy @LilNasX.” The rapper was amazed by what he saw, as he shared the post and tweeted, “how is this real.”

As pynnion noted, this was achieved by using specialized software to convert the original video into a file format the Game Boy Advance can read and then putting the converted file on a “flash cart,” which is essentially a blank Game Boy Advance game cartridge that users can load their own game files onto. Presumably, the video format used is the same one Nintendo used back when they used to make Game Boy Advance Video cartridges that contained movies and episodes of TV shows. Somebody else did this recently when they converted Tenet for Game Boy Advance playback.

Watch “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” playing on a Game Boy Advance above.

Fans Slam Diddy For Hypocrisy After He Penned An Open Letter Saying GM Exploits Black Artists

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Getty Image

Diddy, the founder of the network Revolt TV, has penned an open letter to General Motors to call them out for their performative activism. According to Diddy, GM claims they support Revolt while simultaneously making them fight for advertising money. Diddy ended his letter by demanding that corporate America “reinvest an equitable percentage of what you take from our community back into our community.” However, since Diddy himself has a history of underpaying smaller artists, many saw his words as hypocritical.

Sharing an open letter to GM on Revolt’s website, Diddy wrote:

“When confronted by the leaders of several Black-owned media companies, General Motors (GM) listed my network, REVOLT, as an example of the Black-owned media it supports. While REVOLT does receive advertising revenue from GM, our relationship is not an example of success. Instead, REVOLT, just like other Black-owned media companies, fights for crumbs while GM makes billions of dollars every year from the Black community. Exposing GM’s historic refusal to fairly invest in Black-owned media is not an assassination of character, it’s exposing the way GM and many other advertisers have always treated us. No longer can Corporate America manipulate our community into believing that incremental progress is acceptable action.

Corporations like General Motors have exploited our culture, undermined our power, and excluded Black entrepreneurs from participating in the value created by Black consumers. In 2019, brands spent $239 billion on advertising. Less than 1% of that was invested in Black-owned media companies. Out of the roughly $3 billion General Motors spent on advertising, we estimate only $10 million was invested in Black-owned media. Only $10 million out of $3 billion! Like the rest of Corporate America, General Motors is telling us to sit down, shut up and be happy with what we get.”

After Diddy shared his open letter, though, many called him out for doing the same thing.

Chicago rapper and activist Noname agreed with critics, pointing out that Diddy is close to being a billionaire. “diddy… about a 150 million away from being a BILLIONAIRE diddy is shaming white corporations for a capitalist business model he almost completely replicated,” she wrote. “abolish the black capitalist industrial complex.”

Another woman shared her own story, claiming Revolt approached her and asked her to make content without pay. “Diddy, it starts with us,” she wrote. “I was recently approached to host a show for Revolt and it came without pay. We cannot keep knocking white folks for their disrespect towards minority creators while doing the same thing to each other.”

Read Diddy’s full open letter here.

Brasstracks Teases Its Future With A Jazzy Cover Of Drake’s “What’s Next”

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The hype for Drake’s forthcoming sixth studio album Certified Lover Boy is unreal. Last month, the 6 God dropped the Scary Hours 2 EP, and all three of its tracks simultaneously debuted within the top three spots of the Billboard Hot 100. “Wants and Needs” and “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” were incredible tracks, but a month later, the EP’s opener “What’s Next” proves to be the song with the most commercial viability. The track currently sits at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, and it has apparently inspired a new cover from Grammy award-winning duo Brasstracks.

The duo, who earned a Grammy for their work on Chance the Rapper’s “No Problem,” dropped off their debut album Golden Ticket last summer, and now, roughly eight years later, they’re kicking off the next chapter of their career with a cover of Drake’s “What’s Next.” Three years ago, the duo also performed a jazzy rendition of Drake’s 2018 smash “In My Feelings,” so it’s only fitting that Brasstracks is taking on one of the Toronto artist’s latest singles.

When touching on the inspiration behind the “What’s Next” cover, Brasstracks co-founder Ivan Jackson says, “The minute I heard ‘What’s Next’ I heard two things- the first was some inspiration. The second was a challenge. We’ve definitely been wary recently of doing covers, but hearing this song sparked something in me- why not try it with a different chord every beat? There’s not many obvious melodies, so why not try some?”

The duo’s ambitious cover successfully adapts “What’s Next” into a snazzy and energetic fanfare, and although it relinquishes Drake’s quotable lyrics, Brasstracks’ cover more than makes up for it with its horn-driven groove. Check out Brasstracks’ cover of “What’s Next” below.

Lil Mama Claims She Has Been Ignored By Jay-Z

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Lil Mama’s fateful decision to crash the stage during Jay-Z and Alicia Keys’ performance of “Empire State Of Mind” during the 2009 VMAs continues to remain an infamous moment in hip-hop history. Despite having previously revealed the profoundly negative impact her decision ultimately had on her mental health, that hasn’t stopped many from associating the rapper with her spontaneous and ill-founded encounter with the “Empire State Of Mind” duo.

In fact, a recent exchange with a digital heckler found Lil Mama reflecting on the incident. “I entered this industry as a teenage black girl from Brooklyn and Harlem NY,” she stresses. “These situations are with mature adults at least ten years my senior. I reached out in private to create an opportunity for communication and clarity. I haven’t heard back from either party yet. With that, continuously misrepresenting my brand in public won’t be tolerated.”

You know it, you’ve seen it. Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images

Though it’s been over a decade since Lil Mama’s infamous stage crash, it would appear that not everybody is willing to share a laugh. Lil Mama herself previously poked fun at the situation, wishing Jay-Z a happy birthday with a throwback picture that many don’t need a description to see. Alas, it doesn’t appear that Jay-Z has found the situation quite so amusing, and his silence in spite of Lil Mama’s attempted reach-outs remains telling. 

At the time, the Jigga Man shared a few thoughts on the matter with Angie Martinez. “To interrupt that moment for us, I don’t think that was the right thing to do,” he stated, revealing that Mama’s unexpected arrival angered him. “It was a lot of planning that went into that performance. To disrupt that was outta line.” 

Should Lil Mama’s claims be believed, it would be that neither Jay-Z nor Alicia Keys are particularly interested in letting this one slide, no matter how much time might pass. Check out her brief reflection on the situation below. 

South Park x Adidas Campus 80s “Towelie” Coming Soon: Photos

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4/20 is coming up in just a couple of weeks from now which means all of you stoners out there will be able to rejoice and celebrate the day that was made just for you. This time of year usually brings about some unique pieces of merch to help coincide with 4/20 and this year, that is exactly what Adidas is doing as they have announced some weed-themed sneakers. One of those shoes is actually a collaboration with South Park on a Campus 80s model that was made after the stoner character Towelie.

Just like the Towelie from the show, this shoe will be covered in a light purple lavender aesthetic, from head to toe. The midsole and the three stripes are white, all while South Park branding can be found on the insole. From there, Towelie’s eyes can be found on the tongue, and under UV light, they actually go red as if the character has gotten high. It’s a great little detail that all South Park fans can enjoy.

There is no release date for the shoe just yet although you can expect them to drop very soon. Let us know what you think of them, in the comments below.

Adidas
Image via Adidas
Adidas
Image via Adidas
Adidas
Image via Adidas
Adidas
Image via Adidas