cole bennett

Cole Bennett Announces Chicago Bears Draft Pick: “I’m Off A Few Bud Lights”

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Cole Bennett of Lyrical Lemonade fame announced the Chicago Bears’ third-round pick at the NFL Draft on Friday night in Kansas City. The iconic music video director and Illinois native shared on stage that the team selected defensive tackle Zacch Pickens with the 64th overall pick. The 23-year-old played college football at South Carolina.

“It’s pretty crazy to be here right now,” Bennett said to the audience. “I’m off a few Bud Lights so give me a second here. But I recognize that I’m in Kansas City, so go Chiefs. But I’m really here to say bear down. Where we at Chicago?”

Zacch Pickens At The NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – MARCH 01: South Carolina defensive lineman Zacch Pickens answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on March 1, 2023, at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cole Bennett has made a name for himself in Chicago specifically for organizing Lyrical Lemonade’s annual Summer Smash Festival. This year, Kid Cudi, Future, and Playboi Carti have been tapped as headliners with special guests including $UICIDEBOY$, Lil Uzi Vert, and “a very special Chicago guest” also set to appear. Other artists on the lineup include Vince Staples, Ice Spice, GloRilla, Freddie Gibbs, Rico Nasty, Juicy J, BabyTron, Ski Mask The Slump God, NLE Choppa, G Herbo, Lil B, Tee Grizzly, Cordae, Trippie Redd, Central Cee, and Lucki, among others.

As for the Bears’ young prospect, Zacch Pickens is listed at 6-foot-4 and 291-pounds as an athletic interior lineman. After the selection, general manager Ryan Poles likened him to former Kansas City Chiefs star Dontari Poe. “Like I say, there’s a level of multiplier where they can help other people as well, free other individuals up to make plays. Those guys have those pieces,” he said of the team’s selections. “And then the other thing is just coming up through the ranks, grade the flashes. Grade the flashes.” With all of their selections, the Bears will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season that saw them finish with a record of just 3-14.

Cole Bennett At The NFL Draft

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Cole Bennett Celebrates New Juice WRLD Milestone

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Cole Bennett is celebrating a new milestone on a video he shot with Juice WRLD. In a new post on Instagram, the famed music video director posted a tribute to the first video he shot with the late rapper. The two were frequent collaborators and, all in all, Bennett was responsible for 7 of Juice’s videos. They began their collaborative relationship in 2018 when he shot the video for Juice WRLD’s single “All Girls Are The Same.” Throughout their time working together, the director became one of Juice’s most outspoken supporters. As such, Bennett was devastated when Juice passed away in 2019.

Juice’s death was a huge blow to the community as he seemed to be one of the fastest-rising stars in the industry. Since passing, the rapper’s music has only become more popular. In 2021, the RIAA announced that the rapper had posthumously received 50 new platinum and gold song certifications. His 2018 single “Lucid Dreams” has gone 9x platinum.

Bennett Remembers Juice As A Friend

Cole Bennett and Juice WRLD were more than just collaborators. They were friends. In a new Instagram post, Bennett celebrated his first video with Juice reaching 300 million views. The post features several behind-the-scenes photos of the two shooting the video. Along with the photos, Bennett had some kind words to say about the rapper. “The first video Juice and I did together hit 300 million views today,” he said in the caption. “Try telling us that 5 years ago and we’d never believe it.”

After Juice WRLD’s tragic and untimely death, fans and friends gathered at the Chicago United Center in late 2021 to celebrate the life and impact of the singer. Bennett was one of many attendees, and he stepped on stage to deliver a touching message about the friendship between the two. “The narrative was always, you know Cole and Lyrical Lemonade were such a blessing to Juice’s career,” Bennett said. “And as time went on, I realized that he was really the blessing to me.” If Juice was alive today, he would no doubt feel the same about Bennett. What’s your favorite collaboration between Cole Bennett and Juice WRLD? Let us know in the comments below!

EST Gee And Jack Harlow Try On Performance Outfits In The Cole Bennett-Directed ‘Backstage Passes’ Video

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EST Gee released his new album I Never Felt Nun on Friday (September 16) and he has already shared the first post-release video. The Louisville rapper taps his fellow hometown lyricist and longtime collaborator Jack Harlow for “Backstage Passes,” featuring direction by Lyrical Lemonade’s Cole Bennett.

The video opens with the duo sitting in a waiting room dressed in blue denim before the room shifts into the backdrop for a fitting session, taking on the same colors they are wearing. As the two then change into to red and white outfits, the backdrops follow suit. As Gee and Harlow finally land upon the white outfits they are pleased with, they step through a curtain and perform a live show in front of a raucous crowd. In the end, they return to the waiting room as it is finally their time for whatever appointment they are present for.

“Backstage Passes” is the fourth collaboration between EST Gee and Jack Harlow, following “Rotten,” “The Department,” and “Route 66.” Gee’s new album I Never Felt Nun also features Bryson Tiller, Machine Gun Kelly, Jeezy, and Future, who appeared on one of the lead singles “Shoot It Myself.”

Earlier this year, Jack Harlow shared his sophomore album Come Home The Kids Miss You led by “Nail Tech” and “First Class” which samples Fergie’s 2000s hit “Glamorous.”

Check out “Backstage Passes” above.

I Never Felt Nun is out now via CMG/Interscope. Listen here.

EST Gee and Jack Harlow are Warner Music Artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Lil Durk And Gunna Are Shocked By ‘What Happened To Virgil’ In Their New, Cole Bennett-Directed Video

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Lil Durk and Gunna pay homage to late designer Virgil Abloh in the Cole Bennett-directed video for their new single, “What Happened To Virgil.” Lyrical Lemonade, Bennett’s production company, is well-known for its colorful, surreal, and whimsical videos, which are a far cry from Durk and Gunna’s grittier visuals. This dynamic turns out to actually be a perfect tribute to Abloh’s high-low aesthetic, which saw him bringing streetwear virtues to high-fashion venues such as Louis Vuitton, where he was the artistic director until his recent passing.

Other nods to Virgil throughout the video include references to his background in architecture; in one scene, Gunna and Durk rap atop the roof of a model house inside a warehouse. Also, Vigirl’s tendency to play with gender tropes makes an appearance as Gunna delivers his verse dressed like Michael Jackson in the “Thriller” video (complete with one sparkle-covered glove), holding a bouquet of flowers as he raps to the camera. Meanwhile, “Air Drake,” the private plane co-owned by the Toronto rapper makes an appearance in its Abloh-designed cloud-patterned paint job. The video concludes with a dedication to Alboh and a description of some of the other tributes he received from Louis Vuitton, and his own brand, Off-White.

Watch Lil Durk and Gunna’s “What Happened To Virgil” video above.