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Kari Faux Proves She Knows Her Worth On “ME FIRST” Single

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2022 saw the arrival of some undoubtedly strong releases from female artists. It seems as though that trend will continue into 2023 – based on what we’ve heard so far, anyway. Obviously, Ice Spice’s EP took streamers by storm this past weekend, but now we’ve got Chloe Bailey’s debut album to look forward to, and a new single from Arkansas native Kari Faux.

On Tuesday (January 24), her “ME FIRST” track markedly landed on DSPs. It comes accompanied by a UNIIQU3 Jersey Club remix that’s surely just what your workout playlist needs.

Rapper/singer Kari Faux poses at Afropunk Brooklyn at Commodore Barry Park on August 24, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Sperzel/Getty Images)

The catchy, upbeat song was produced by Phoelix, 2forwOyNE and Park Ave. The trio clearly nailed the confident, feel-good vibe that Faux was going for.

Speaking on her first single of the year, the Houston-based rhymer dished, “‘ME FIRST’ is an affirmation. It’s a reminder not to neglect your own needs in hopes of being liked or accepted. It’s really a self-love bop for the twerkers. Get into it!”

According to a press release, this is just a taste of the magic Faux plans to bring later in the year.

Her last full-length project, the deluxe cut of Lowkey Superstar, quickly became a favourite amongst fans. Across 12 titles, she worked with names like JID, Jazz Cartier, Baby Tate, Smino, and Deante’ Hitchcock.

Stream Kari Faux’s “ME FIRST” on Spotify or Apple Music below. Additionally, make sure to come back this Friday (January 27) to hear more amazing new releases from some of our favourite artists.

Quotable Lyrics:

You like the way its fitting in my Eckhaus Latta
Wanna put a baby in it cause I’m shape like a bottle
Always do the most, rev it up full throttle
I may be 5’6″ but my face on model

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Rihanna, Angela Bassett, Brian Tyree Henry & More Score This Year’s BIPOC Academy Award Nominations

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Oscar Nominations

The 95th annual Academy Awards nominations were announced at 8:30 am on Jan. 24 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Among the list of names called were also some of the most iconic BIPOC stars. The 95th annual Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, have officially revealed this year’s nominations. SOHH, here are the BIPOC actors, […]

The post Rihanna, Angela Bassett, Brian Tyree Henry & More Score This Year’s BIPOC Academy Award Nominations appeared first on SOHH.com.

Brian McKnight Welcomes Baby Boy With Wife Leilani

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Brian McKnight and his wife, Leilani Malia Mendoza, have welcomed a baby boy to the family. The two made the announcement on Instagram, Monday.

The couple made the announcement alongside a photo of the two making a heart with their hands around the infant’s hand.

“‘For this child we have prayed and the Lord has granted us the desires of our hearts’ 1 Samuel 1:27 God’s greatest gift, our son is here!!!” the couple captioned the post. “Brian Kainoa Makoa McKnight. We are so in love!!!!”

PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 23: Brian McKnight speaks onstage during Celebrity Fight Night XXV on March 23, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for Celebrity Fight Night)

McKnight and Mendoza already share a son, Jack, and daughter, Julia. McKnight is also the father of Brian Jr. and Niko with ex-wife, Julie McKnight. The two were married from 1990 through 2003.

McKnight and Mendoza previously revealed that they had experienced a pregnancy loss in a Mother’s Day post.

“The strength I saw in you through the loss of our son and the courage to deal with the hardest loss we’ve ever dealt with in our lives has been truly remarkable,” McKnight wrote.

He continued at the time: “Baby, you are the greatest example of being a mother I’ve ever witnessed. Today was supposed to be Kekoa’s due date, and I know how hard him not being here in the flesh with us is weighing incredibly heavy on us, but I know he is with us just like Julia and Jack are , as shining examples of your exceptional motherhood.”

McKnight and Mendoza began dating back in 2014. They announced their engagement three years later in May 2017.

Check out Brian McKnight and Leilani Malia Mendoza’s announcement on Instagram below.

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Chris Stapleton Is Set To Perform At Super Bowl LVII’s Pre-Game Events With Babyface And Sheryl Lee Ralph

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Chris Stapleton 2022 CMT Artists Of The Year
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Future football Hall of Famer Tom Brady and his Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be out of the runnings, but that hasn’t slowed down the hype around Super Bowl LVII. The teams playing in the final game are still unknown at this time, with four teams still fighting it out in their respective conference championships. However, at this moment, what we do know is this year’s featured entertainment.

Last year’s halftime show featured an all-star medley performance by rappers Eminem, Snoop Dogg, and 50 Cent alongside singer Mary J. Blige, and producer Dr. Dre featuring their chart-topping hits. This year, Oscar-nominated singer Rihanna is slated to up the mantle. The “Lift Me Up” singer has remained tight-lipped about her upcoming set, leaving fans to speculate what she has up her sleeve.

Now, further details are being released about this year’s pre-game festivities. The national anthem (“The Star-Spangled Banner”) will be sung by country music star Chris Stapleton.

Legendary R&B singer and producer Babyface will sing “America the Beautiful,” while multi-hyphenated Emmy Award-winning actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph will sing the Black National Anthem (“Lift Every Voice and Sing”).

Super Bowl LVII will take place on February 12 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

50 Cent Is Calling ‘Bullsh*t’ On Jay-Z Having More Of An Impact Than Eminem In Hip-Hop

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50 Cent 2022
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50 Cent has some new thoughts on Shaquille O’Neal’s recent The Big Podcast With Shaq episode that featured NBA player Jamal Crawford. It also sparked a new debate on whether Jay-Z or Eminem had a bigger impact on hip-hop.

“That’s why my five, the dominance outweighs the number,” Crawford said.

However, Shaq appeared to initially disagree by shaking his head in the clip. “Nope,” he replied.

“You can’t change the game,” Crawford continued. “Like, Jay-Z’s effect on hip-hop is bigger than any album sales that Eminem will have, you see what I’m saying? That’s just how it goes.”

Shaq still eventually managed to give him some credit. “That’s a good point,” Shaq added.

The clip soon got reposted by The Hip-Hop Wolf and 50 Cent chimed in with his thoughts in the comments.

“Ha, bullsh*t,” 50 said.

In terms of stats, both Eminem and Jay-Z have a serious track record. Em is among only seven artists to have 3+ diamond albums. Meanwhile, Jay-Z is tied with Drake for the most No. 1 albums among rappers, at a grand total of 14. 50’s support for Eminem makes sense, as it was Eminem who helped him get his start as a hip-hop star; most recently, Eminem allegedly petitioned Jay-Z to let him bring 50 Cent to the Super Bowl halftime show last year.

Meanwhile, 50 Cent recently stated that he plans to turn Eminem’s film debut 8 Mile into a television adaptation, continuing the pair’s tradition of backing each other’s non-music endeavors as well.

Polo G Owns The World’s First iPhone Chain

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Polo G’s laced the latest in Apple technology with diamonds for his latest jewelry purchase.

The Chicago rapper took to Instagram where he revealed that he purchased an iPhone chain. Polo revealed an iced-out chain that carries an iPhone in the middle of the pendant.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 18: Polo G performs on stage at the 2022 Summer Smash festival at Douglass Park on June 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Timothy Hiatt/Getty Images)

“Rest up B-Dawggy He ain’t D!e in vain…Forever gat yo name Lit,” he captioned the post. Meanwhile, Ice Box revealed that the chain marked the first iPhone chain in the world. In a clip shared on their official IG page, the chain shows a video of Polo G performing as it hangs on the rapper’s chain.

Polo G’s jewelry collection just got significantly better with his latest chain. The rapper previously appeared on GQ’s On The Rocks. During the episode, Polo revealed his GOAT chain, which includes a detachable goat head covered in small round diamonds. Then, there’s the Capalot pendant made from white gold and covered in diamonds. This chain, in particular, fetches for $40K. Additionally, he spent $115K for his 1300 chain. On top of that, he also owns several fine timepieces. Polo G’s jewelry collection is impressive.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 08: Polo G poses for portrait at the AMIRI Autumn-Winter 2022 Runway Show on February 08, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)

Though Polo G’s remained lowkey in recent times, he found himself in some controversy recently. Fans believed that he unfollowed Gunna shortly after Lil Baby and Meek Mill, who many believe distanced themselves from the “pushin p” rapper due to his Alford Plea. Polo later denied this was true, adding that he never followed Gunna to begin with.

“I don’t follow up behind nobody, I make my own decisions as a man and I do a good job at mindin my business,” he wrote. “U don’t see me in shit for a reason.”

6ix9ine Gives Out Alcohol At Miami Restaurant, Is Promptly Thrown Out

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Once again, Tekashi 6ix9ine is up to no good. Most headlines surrounding the New York native as of late have been about him dissing Gunna or dropping his location on Instagram. This past weekend, however, he was causing trouble out on the town in Miami with a large entourage alongside him.

An exclusive report from Page Six reveals that the rapper and approximately 20 of his friends got the boot from El Tiesto Cafe earlier this week. The incident took place on Sunday (January 22) night as a result of the 26-year-old’s reckless behaviour.

Sources tell the outlet that 6ix9ine went behind the establishment’s bar without permission. Afterward, he picked up bottles of tequila to pour into patrons’ mouths without charging them.

At the same time, some of the “MAMA” artist’s friends began dancing on top of the Dominican-Japanese restaurant’s bars. The staff reportedly asked them not to do so, and didn’t hesitate to take forcible action to end their antics. Around 8:20 PM ET, Tekashi and co. had an escort take them out of the building.

Surprisingly, the exit may not have been on totally bad terms. Before leaving for the night, 6ix9ine allegedly hugged someone near the security stand. A source informed Page Six that “he’s friends with the owner,” and is a frequent visitor of El Tiesto.

Tekashi 6ix9ine performs on the Rocky Stage during Day 1 of the 2018 Made in America Festival at Benjamin Franklin Parkway on September 1, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Zachary Mazur/FilmMagic)

The controversial figure left with most of his crew and a bodyguard. He spent a few minutes standing by his multicoloured Rolls Royce before eventually driving off to the next destination. In the vehicle with him was allegedly a female passenger in the front seat and a male in the rear.

After 6ix9ine dipped, a few of his friends stayed behind, sitting by the bar. About 20 minutes after the former gang member’s exit, a police officer arrived, but no arrests were made.

Elsewhere in the news, and in light of the YSL rapper’s release from jail, celebrity attorney Bradford Cohen broke down the differences between 6ix9ine and Gunna’s plea deals, and the “snitch” labels they’re both being hit with.

Read everything the lawyer had to say here, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.

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Tyga Reflects On Early Days With Lil Wayne: “I Learned The Hustle”

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The influence Lil Wayne has had on Hip Hop is unmatched, including personal relationships with artists like Tyga. Weezy is a certified GOAT in the industry and not only shaped his own career but helped others receive global success. In 2008, Tyga inked a deal with Young Money Entertainment that would change his life forever. While on Hotboxin’ with Mike Tyson, he spoke on lessons he learned from the Rap giant.

“I learned the hustle,” said Tyga. “‘Cause like, Wayne’s not a person—he don’t really like, talk much.”

LOS ANGELES, CA – JUNE 29: (L-R) Recording artists Pharrell Williams, Tyga, and Lil Wayne attend the BET AWARDS ’14 at Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE on June 29, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/BET/Getty Images for BET)
Read More: Lil Wayne Draws Comparison Between Tyga & Flo Rida Because They Make #1 Hits

Tyson agreed that Wayne is usually “quiet in a corner.”

“Yeah, so you gotta like, pick up on his ways and the way he moves,” Tyga added. “The work ethic, I learned from him. It was like, whatever he was doing, he made sure whatever city was we in, we was gon’ be at the studio ’til noon or 1:00 p.m. the next day. All night.”

DJ Whoo Kid spoke about rappers complaining about not having money, but Tyga never had that problem with Wayne.

LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 13: Rappers Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Tyga arrive at The 53rd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on February 13, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Read More: Tyga’s “Lightskin Lil Wayne” Video Is “A Tribute To The GOAT”

“You gotta think, the rappers now, it’s different,” Tyga replied. “It’s different. Kids go viral on TikTok or—they don’t really have…they’re not seasoned. There’s no artist development no more. So, I felt like for me, being around Wayne when I was that young, that was my artist development.”

“I learned how to move and patience. Now, it’s not patience.”

Do you agree with Tyga about current, rising artists? Does the industry need to offer more guidance and artist development?

Check out his interview on Hotboxin‘ below.