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Jay-Z & Roc Nation’s NYC Casino Bid Moves Forward In A Major Way

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He’s certainly in an “Empire State of Mind.” As his wife, Beyoncé, makes undeniably major money moves with the launch of her RENAISSANCE World Tour on Wednesday (May 10) in Stockholm, Jay-Z and Roc Nation are taking care of business in New York. Previously, in 2022, it was announced that the 4:44 hitmaker and his label have joined forces with a group of investors looking to open a casino in Times Square. In the latest update on their bid, TMZ reports that Hov and co. are taking out full-page ads in various publications across the city this week, which will give locals the opportunity to read an open letter detailing their plans.

“It’s time, Times Square,” they began. “Dear New York, A gaming license is going to be awarded to [NYC]. A bill was passed in the state legislature confirming it. The question is: which applicant will get the license? Some conflicted parties have attempted to spread misinformation, so we wanted to speak to you, New York City, directly.” Jay-Z and Roc Nation went on to point out that the candidate selected must have a strong track record of “turning words into deeds” as well as putting the city and its people first, regardless of their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.

Read More: Jay-Z Joins Investors Looking To Open Casino In NYC’s Times Square

Jay-Z and Roc Nation’s Open Letter to New York

via TMZ

According to them, it will chiefly benefit “everyday New Yorkers” along with various businesses in the city. Reports claim that the mega-project would be built into the top eight floors of an existing Times Square skyscraper. The building is located in the middle of Broadway’s theatre district. It’s worth noting that producers and theatre owners have been markedly expressing disinterest in seeing the casino built. Roc Nation is attempting to counter this by including $115M for “diverse programs” aiding Broadway employees in their bid.

Jay-Z and his team hope to keep the “well-being of New Yorkers at the top of their agenda.” They’re facing off against several competitors for the coveted spot, including Steve Cohen of Wynn Resorts and the Mets. Each bid has proposed a different location for their casino. It’s been said that NY State will likely make a final decision before the end of 2023. Do you think Times Square is a good choice for the father of three’s latest business venture? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in later for more pop culture news updates.

Read More: Jay-Z Has Been Avoiding Paternity Test For A Decade, Alleged Illegitimate Son Says

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Lil Baby Is Starring In A Manga You Can Only Read If You Buy Axe

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Celebrity endorsements are nothing new in the world of advertising. But the most memorable adverts are the ones that are just a little weird. Take, for example, the trend started by Travis Scott of “celebrity McDonald’s meals”. Scott was the first celebrity signed to endorse McDonald’s. “The Travis Scott” was so popular that it caused supply shortages. The fast-food chain has since launched “The J Balvin”, “The BTS”, “The Saweetie”, “The Mariah Carey”, and “The Cardi B and Offset“.

But what if we took things one step further? What if there was an exclusive celebrity product that could only be accessed by buying a product? Again, purchase-exclusive rewards are nothing new. There have been plenty of advertising campaigns where get something extra, or the chance to win something, for buying a specific product. But the recently-announced collaboration between Lil Baby and Axe might just take the cake.

Introducing “Shōnen Baby” By Axe

So there’s a lot to unpack here. Lil Baby has teamed up with Axe to create a manga called Shōnen Baby. They have advertised it on social media by giving the rapper an anime transformation. Shōnen is a genre of manga primarily targeted at teenage boys. Mangas in the shōnen genre are typically heavy on action and adventure. Popular examples include “the big three” of Naruto, Bleach, and One Piece. Honestly, it’s a great combination for Axe, which has a reputation for being the go-to deodorant for teenage boys.

The collaboration is part of the promotion for Axe’s fine fragrance line. This line includes scents such as blue lavender, golden mango, and aqua bergamot. To gain access to Shōnen Baby, individuals need to purchase a valid Axe product at Walmart and upload a picture of their receipt to Axe’s website. That will grant them access to a digital download of the manga when it releases on July 11. According to Axe’s website, receipts must be uploaded by June 15. Axe has not released any further details about the manga itself. However, the idea of a Lil Baby manga is just weird enough to make you want to buy an Axe product.

[via]