2Pac’s estate is reportedly gearing up to put out four previously unreleased tracks from the late rapper as part of a Greatest Hits album.
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Jeffree Star Reveals His “NFL Star Boo” As Tennessee Titans Player Taylor Lewan
Throughout his many years in the spotlight, Jeffree Star has undeniably been at the centre of several controversies. Most recently, the beauty content creator sparked major discourse online as he teased the potential “NFL boo” in his life. Last month, Star shared a photo taken on a private jet that shows his claw-manicure-clad hand wrapped around another white man’s.
Immediately after the post hit socials, internet sleuths chiefly began guessing who the entertainer could possibly be romancing. The anonymous athlete’s shoes and pants were used as clues, as well as minuscule details about his hands. As Daily Mail notes, fans became so obsessed with unravelling the mystery that an NFL WAGs host has been forced to come forward and insist that her man isn’t seeing Jeffree on the side.
For his part, Star has been doing little to shut down the gossip. In fact, this week, he finally unmasked the identity of his footballer beau – Tennessee Titans player, Taylor Lewan. In a post earlier this month, the 37-year-old began dropping hints to help curious users out. “His team didn’t make it to the #SuperBowl but he’s 6’6″ and plays perfect in the bedroom,” he wrote in the caption of a mirror selfie that finds his beau facing backwards while they hold hands.
Of course, there are those skeptical about the validity of the apparent relationship. Some have pointed out that Lewan is married and a father, while others note that the same circumstances haven’t stopped athletes from cheating in the past. It’s also been pointed out that Jeffree recently filmed an episode of Bussin’ With The Boys, a podcast hosted by his rumoured man and former NFL player Will Compton.
he’s a tennessee titan married with a wife and kids??? https://t.co/v1cIAP4fZh
— king mek XIV
(@king_mek_) February 11, 2023
Man you can see it in his face that’s what happens when you sell your soul
https://t.co/6mlUA2vvtK
— kyle © (@TheOneN0nly) February 11, 2023
Of course, Jeffree Star is no stranger to controversy. As 2022 was coming to an end, he subsequently went viral on Twitter after posting about the Illuminati. In a series of tweets, the controversial YouTuber claimed that the organization of elites is targeting famous figures like Kanye West and Britney Spears.
“It’s 10 times worse than you can ever imagine,” Star said of his experience previously evading the organization. “Just be thankful you are on the other side.” Read social media’s reaction to the creative’s concerning posts here, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.
[Via]
South African Rapper AKA Fatally Shot
South African rapper AKA passed away on Friday (February 10) after a shooting in his home country. According to various reports circling around the media, AKA and another unidentified person sustained multiple gunshot wounds outside of a nightclub in Durban. Moreover, police haven’t identified a motive for the shooting, although they gave a bit more details. “I can confirm that two men were killed and one of them is a well-known rapper,” said police spokesperson Robert Netshiunda said, per New24. “Police will not [release] any names of the victims yet until a full investigation is completed.”
AKA, real name Kiernan Forbes, passed shortly after culprits gunned him down near a popular nighttime spot. ALS paramedic Garrith Jamieson spoke to TimesLIVE about what occurred when medical assistance got to the scene. “On arrival, paramedics met total chaos and a scene where two men, believed to be in their late 30s, sustained multiple gunshot wounds,” he stated. “Paramedics assisted the men and unfortunately the first male sustained multiple gunshot wounds and showed no signs of life and declared deceased at the scene.”
Furthermore, paramedics found the second victim in critical condition and were unable to save them. This news is all the more tragic when you consider Forbes had much to look forward to in life. For example, AKA planned to release a new album titled Mass Country on February 24th. Also, his work included collaborations with the likes of Burna Boy and Nasty C during his career. The late rapper lives on through his music and his daughter, Kairo. While he never became the biggest star, he was well on his way to breaking into the U.S. markets. Moreover, Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur recently voice his sadness for the loss and reflected on an interview they did for AllHipHop.
“I cannot believe they took AKA from us,” Jigsaw wrote on Twitter. “He was such good energy. He was one of the few rappers I let my daughter meet when she was young. When he came to the states, I made sure I interviewed him for @AllHipHopcom. He was incredibly dope. #RIPAKA.”
Rest In Peace AKA.
Macklemore Opened Up About How His Relapse During COVID Inspired His Upcoming Album
Macklemore is set to drop his new album, Ben, next month. Ahead of the album’s impending release, the rapper stopped by The Kelly Clarkson Show, where he opened up about the creation of the deeply personal record.
During his interview, Macklemore revealed that much of Ben is inspired by his relapse, which took place in the summer of 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It was an intense time. The life that I knew, just like all of our lives, was stripped away. I’m used to a certain schedule of touring, of being gone, of being home, of recovery and being able to go to a physical 12-step meeting,” he said. “That stopped during COVID. Eventually, I’m on Instagram while being on Zoom and I’m just not really paying attention to the meetings. Eventually — and this is what happens when I don’t prioritize my recovery — if I don’t put that first, then I will lose everything that I’m putting in front of it. That’s what happens.”
Macklemore has long been open about his struggles with alcoholism and substance abuse. He first checked into rehab in August 2008. He has previously revealed he relapsed once in 2011 and again in 2014.
Today, he has been sober for nearly three years, and while he said that his relapse, which only lasted a few weeks, played a role in the making of this album, he does not want to have to rely on painful or traumatic moments to create his art.
“I think that pain is a catalyst for great art,” he said. “I don’t want to inflict the pain on myself anymore to make art. It’s not like I need to self-sabotage in order to create, but I think that it created some darker, more honest, and vulnerable moments on the album.”
You can check out the interview above.
Ben is out 3/3 via Bendo LLC. You can pre-save it here.
Iyla Shares New EP ‘Appetite For Disaster’ f/ Symba and Benny the Butcher
CBS Is Reportedly Reviewing Its Closed Captioning Practices For Live Events Following Bad Bunny’s Grammy Performance
Bad Bunny‘s performance of his hit singles “Tití Me Preguntó” and “Despues De La Playa” was one of the most talked about of Grammy night last Sunday (February 5). However, despite the positive reception the performance received, many fans were frustrated by what appeared to be a technical era.
During the broadcast, the closed captions that appeared onscreen as Bad Bunny was performing read “[SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH]” and “[SINGING IN NON-ENGLISH].” The captions also read “[SPEAKING NON-ENGLISH]” later in the night, when Bad Bunny accepted the award for Best Música Urbana Album.
Following the show, U.S. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.) wrote a letter to CBS’ President and CEO and George Cheeks, according to Variety. In the letter, Garcia wrote that the error. “displays a lack of sensitivity and foresight. For too many Spanish-speaking Americans, it felt disrespectful of our place in our shared society, and of our contributions to our shared culture. For the hearing impaired community, this failure was hurtful.”
Cheeks has since responded to the letter, noting that CBS is taking measures to make sure no similar incidents take place in the future. According to a report from Variety, CBS is set to review its practices for close captioning live events.
“Regrettably, errors were made with respect to the closed captioning of his performance and subsequent acceptance speech,” Cheeks said. “We worked with a closed captioning vendor that did not execute at a standard to which we should rightfully be held. Regardless, we should have monitored the situation more closely. A bilingual (English and Spanish-language) real-time live captioner should have been utilized and the words used on the screen were insensitive to many.”
He continued, saying, “our teams are now re-examining the closed captioning process for all live entertainment events on the network to ensure we properly caption Spanish-language content. We will keep you updated regarding our efforts on this matter.”
Bad Bunny Is Facing Another Copyright Infringement Accusation Over His Song ‘Enséñame a Bailar’
Bad Bunny has been accused of another possible copyright infringement. The founder of the emPawa Africa record label, Mr. Eazi, claims that Bad Bunny failed to properly credit the Nigerian artist Joeboy and his producer Dëra on his 2022 song, “Enséñame a Bailar.”
According to Rolling Stone, the accusation is against both Bad Bunny and his record label, Rimas Music. He notes that the song interpolates and samples Joeboy’s “Empty My Pocket,” with zero credit.
“The team at emPawa Africa have attempted to sort this issue amicably since May of last year with our mutual legal teams,” Mr. Eazi said in a statement. “But the intent of Rimas Music is clearly to blatantly appropriate young African creators’ work for their gain without attribution.”
“We will not accept Bad Bunny and Rimas denying Joeboy and Dëra credits and a share in the ownership of a song they wrote, composed and, in Joeboy’s case, even performed on,” he added.
The publication notes that Bad Bunny has also worked with Mr. Eazi in the past on his 2019 collab track with J Balvin, “Como Un Bebé.”
Bad Bunny’s label rebutted the accusations in a statement to Rolling Stone and claimed that they purchased the track from the record producer Lakizo Entertainment.
“We are deeply concerned by the copyright infringement accusations made by Oluwatosin Oluwole Ajibade (Mr. Eazi), the founder of emPawa Africa, on the track ‘Enséñame a Bailar,’” the statement said. “We want to make it clear that at all times, Rimas Entertainment has acted properly and has followed standard industry protocols.”
Only time will tell if this copyright infringement claim goes any further.
Rihanna Trashed By Donald Trump For Having ‘No Talent’ Ahead Of Super Bowl Performance
Rihanna is just days away from taking center stage at the Super Bowl, but Donald Trump has made it clear that he won’t be watching her comeback performance.
Martha Stewart Took Her Relationship With Snoop Dogg One Step Further With An Apparent Tattoo Of Him
Today is a great day for any Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg relationship truthers out there. While the duo has been longtime friends, they’ve also frequently fielded rumors about the boundary of it. And, considering Stewart showed off some apparent new ink of the West Coast rapper’s image, it likely won’t die down anytime soon.
That’s right. Stewart seemingly has a portrait of Snoop Dogg on her arm — and his name right beneath reading “My Dogg,” just in case anyone forgets who he is.
“My Dogg!” Stewart captioned the photo on Instagram. “Thanks for the amazing tattoo @scottcampbell. Forever linked in ink to my favorite @snoopdogg.”
“I got to tattoo a legend onto a legend,” Campbell, the tattoo artist, captioned his own Instagram post. “Thanks @marthastewart48 and @snoopdogg. I can retire now.”
Most of the internet believe it’s simply an elaborate bit, as it is part of a Skechers Super Bowl commercial — but there is a small chance that she actually got inked for the spot.
“Martha Stewart getting a tattoo of Snoop Dog is the last thing I expected to read about today but damn do I love it,” one Twitter user wrote.
Continue scrolling for some additional social media reactions to Martha Stewart’s Snoop Dogg (alleged) tattoo.
Martha Stewart got a tattoo on her shoulder that is Snoop Dogg’s face and the text “My Dogg”
That’s some serious friendshipping.
I wish they had a tv show or podcast together.
— Sharlene King 王小夏 (@typodactyl) February 11, 2023
Martha Stewart getting a tattoo of Snoop Dog is the last thing I expected to read about today but damn do I love it
—
Evan
Not Martha stewart got a lil fake tattoo of Snoop Dog
— ty
Janelle Monáe Proves She Can Ball Ahead Of The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game — While Wearing Those Viral MSCHF Boots, No Less
A new era of Janelle Monáe is upon us. The singer and actress is set to play in the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, which is set to take place in Salt Lake City, Utah on Friday, February 17.
Today, a week ahead of the big game, fans have been asking about her abilities on the court.
“Whoa @JanelleMonae is in the celebrity all-star game?! That’s amazing. Can she ball?,” asked one fan on Twitter.
Shortly after, Monáe offered an iconic response. She quote-replied to the fan’s tweet, sharing an image of herself practicing on what looks like her home basketball court.
https://t.co/V0k2jGBuzV pic.twitter.com/OT7h8A6aXY
— Janelle Monáe
(@JanelleMonae) February 10, 2023
In the image, she is seen wearing a red pair of MSCHF’s Big Red Boots, which have been going viral on social media over the past week.
Next week is set to be a big week for everyone involved. On top of the game next Friday, Monáe will drop her new single, “Float,” the day before (February 16).
The boots themselves will also hit MSCHF’s online store.
Fans can watch the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game next Friday at 7 p.m. EST on ESPN, or stream it on the ESPN app.
Janelle Monáe is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.