Digital Entertainment

The Notorious B.I.G. Comes Back To Life In ‘The Brook’ Digital Metaverse

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The Notorious B.I.G. estate dropped a major metaverse announcement on Christopher Wallace’s (Biggie’s) would-be 50th birthday on Saturday, May 21.

Biggie fans can enjoy The Notorious B.I.G. on Web3 via a hyperrealistic model of his likeness in a new metaverse activation called “The Brook.” Fans can register to be the first alerted to when they can enter this unique world.

The teaser of the Brook below features the voice of Mark Pitts, who managed Biggie in life and worked with the teams at Surreal, Zoan and Willingie to give an authentic voice to the creative direction of the metaverse.

“Being born and raised in Brooklyn, I wanted it to feel as close to the Brooklyn that helped raise me. The hyperrealism is authentic to that experience. As we expand, we will use that same authenticity in other cities,” said Pitts.

“Technology continues to create opportunities that are beyond one’s imagination and I’m excited that we are stepping into the future with a beautiful rendition of a hyperrealistic avatar of my son Christopher and I’m thankful for our wonderful team of creative partners for their work to deliver Biggie into new media for his fans to enjoy,” said Biggie’s mother Voletta Wallace.

READ MORE: Biggie Would’ve Turned 50 on May 21, New York City Celebrates

The late great cultural icon was born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn, New York. The Brook, by definition, is a small stream or river that flows into other rivers that eventually flows into the ocean. The Brook is also a reference to the four-time Grammy nominee’s hometown and will be realized as a metaverse activation of hip-hop culture, lifestyle, music, entertainment, sports and fashion.

According to the release, the platform will encompass an immersive digital space, giving users the opportunity to experience and explore virtual worlds, buy tickets to and attend virtual concerts, purchase virtual and physical merchandise, buy virtual real estate, and buy, sell and trade NFTs. The platform will launch with The Notorious B.I.G. and then spread to other activations and talent.

The project, developed in partnership with ZOAN, Surreal Events, and Hyperreal, is tied to his hometown in Brooklyn, to deliver Biggie into a new media for his fans and give provide a new platform to experience the culture of Hip-Hop.

Watch the trailer below. Share your thoughts with us on social media.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Stephanie McMahon Takes a Leave Of Absence From WWE

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The billion-dollar princess of the WWE is stepping away for an extended amount of time. WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon is taking an indefinite leave of absence to focus squarely on her family.

“As of tomorrow, I am taking a leave of absence from the majority of my responsibilities at WWE,” McMahon tweeted. “WWE is a lifelong legacy for me and I look forward to returning to the company that I love after taking this time to focus on my family.”

This most likely refers to the fact that her husband, WWE legend Triple H, suffered a cardiac event last summer that resulted in a near-death experience. Currently, Triple H is back with WWE behind the scenes on a limited basis right now.

READ MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Sharmell Set to be Inducted in WWE Hall of Fame

Stephanie and her father, Chairman and CEO Vince, are the only McMahons currently still with WWE. She has largely been the one in the family always in from of the press and public appearances for the WWE. She began her time with the company back in 2000 working on the writing team and worked her way up to Executive Vice President of Creative before transitioning to her current role in 2013.

WWE President Nick Khan will assume most of Stephanie’s duties in her absence, according to Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston.

According to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, “no one but the most inner circle” of the company knew Stephanie’s announcement was coming.

Johnson added that most people in WWE he spoke to were “completely shocked” and “taken aback” by McMahon’s decision.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Deion Sanders Wants No Parts Of a “Private” Conversation With Nick Saban

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Deion Sanders Drops Surprise Gems To Keep A Woman Happy

Jackson State University head coach Deion Sanders has no interest in taking a call from Alabama head coach Nick Saban anytime soon. Recently, Saban alleged Wednesday at a conference in Birmingham that Jackson State paid top recruit Travis Hunter $1 million to go to the HBCU and flip his commitment. He also accused Texas A&M of essentially buying players using NIL deals.

After his initial comments, Saban wanted to clear the air with Sanders, but he didn’t want any parts of it privately. Sanders is open to talking about everything public instead.

“I haven’t talked to Coach Saban. I’m sure he’s tried to call. We need to talk publicly — not privately. What you said was public. That doesn’t require a conversation. Let’s talk publicly and let everybody hear the conversation,” Sanders told Andscape on Thursday.

“You can’t do that publicly and call privately. No, no, no. I still love him. I admire him. I respect him. He’s the magna cum laude of college football and that’s what it’s going to be because he’s earned that.”

After Saban’s initial claim, Sanders first responded via Twitter with a clean and professional response.

Sanders said Hunter didn’t come to Jackson State, a Football Championship Subdivision school, to chase a dollar.

“I don’t make a million. Travis ain’t built like that. Travis ain’t chasing a dollar. Travis is chasing greatness. Travis and his family don’t get down like that. They never came to us in search of the bag. They’re not built like that. This kid wants to be great.”

Saban is looking crazy right now with his claims without proof. Alabama has been a dominant program, always attracting top recruits. NILs have leveled the playing field, and Saban has to adjust and not sound so bitter about it.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Knicks Add Former Rival Tim Hardaway As a Talent Scout

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It appears the New York Knicks have locked in an old rival from the 90s to help mold the franchise’s future.

On Thursday, Marc Berman of the New York Post reported that the Knicks had hired Tim Hardaway Sr. as their newest scout. The franchise didn’t publicly announce their acquisition of the former star point man this season. 

Hardaway served as an assistant coach to former Detroit Pistons’ head coach Stan Van Gundy from 2014-to 2018.

Hardaway was the heart and soul of the 90’s Miami Heat, who had lengthy playoff battles with the Knicks throughout the decade. Before that, he was a member of the RunTMC Golden State Warriors and Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin. In their time, the trio was an offensive nightmare for their opponents.

After almost 20 years of waiting from retirement, his name is set to be immortalized in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2022 on September 10th. If Hardaway can bring anything to a dormant Knicks franchise, scouting-wise, it would be a needed welcome to the organization.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Danny Green Bashes Patrick Beverley For Chris Paul Comments

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Patrick Beverley has been on a media frenzy tour lately, and it seems he is on an all-out blitz on Chris Paul. While Beverley is talking about his piece, some current NBA players call him out on his nonsense.

On this week’s episode of his “Inside the Green Room” podcast, Philadelphia 76ers veteran Danny Green went in on Beverley for the way and lengths he has gone on to clown Paul.

“People target you too, Pat Bev,” responded Green, per NBC Sports Philly. “You ain’t playing no f–king defense out there. You ain’t stopping Luka. It’s time and time again I see Luka call your a– ‘little man’ and ‘he’s too f–king small’ and go right at you every chance he gets. When you play Luka you’re a cone, too. How would you like that?

“When you’re talking about a Hall of Famer you can critique, but the disrespect I think was taken a little far,” Green added. “I think [Beverley] just used that platform because he has an issue with Chris, and he used it as a personal vendetta to take out a lot of his anger on the set at that moment. I thought it was unfair to Chris, and I’m sure a lot of people felt the same, a lot of guys in the league. I don’t mind certain guys critiquing players, but you’re a role player. To disrespect a Hall of Famer is too far. Calling somebody a cone is disrespectful, bruh. I don’t care.”

Green is usually a quiet individual that goes in and plays his game. For him to make these comments and come to the defense of Paul only suggest how out of bounds, Beverley was to attack Paul.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks Blast Top Ranked Suns to Advance To Western Conference Finals

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Luka Doncic and Dallas Mavericks Blast Top Ranked Suns to Advance To Western Conference Finals

Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks demolished and embarrassed the Phoenix Suns in game 7 to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

The top-seeded Suns had the best regular-season record and were early favorites for the 2022 NBA championship. Unfortunately, they didn’t look that dominant during game 7.

Doncic led all scorers with 33 points to go with 11 rebounds and eight assists. Reggie Bullock and Jalen Brunson helped the Mavs cause, combining for 37 points.

The Suns, who were coming off a 30-point victory in Game 5, struggled again on the road. Chris Paul had only 13 points on seven field-goal attempts. Devin Booker scored 19 but missed all four of his 3-pointers.

Doncic and the Mavericks will now turn their attention to the Golden State Warriors, looking to return to the NBA Finals for the first time in two seasons. The Mavericks could provide a matchup nightmare for the Warriors as Doncic will give the Dubs all kinds of problems.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Jarvis Landry Signs a One Year Deal With The Saints

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Jarvis Landry has announced that he will play for the New Orleans Saints next season, but he plans on making this year an example of why he deserves a bigger contract in the future.

 Based on his stats, Landry’s 2021 represented a down year for the five-time Pro Bowler. He only played in 12 games and totaled 52 catches for 570 yards and two touchdowns, all career lows. In 2022, Landry will be out to prove those stats were a fluke. When healthy, Landry believes he is a top 10 wideout in the league.

The Saints will be looking to return to the playoffs in a wide-open NFC South division this season. Landry’s talents and leadership presence will be a welcomed addition to the Saints’ locker room. Landry should see a ton of balls thrown in his way now that he will be paired alongside Michael Thomas, a two-time All-Pro who missed all of 2021 due to injuries.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Former All-Pro Safety Earl Thomas Arrested Two Weeks After A Warrant Was Issued for Him

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Former All-Pro safety Earl Thomas was arrested Friday in his Texas hometown. Two weeks after a warrant was issued following his alleged violation of a court protective order, authorities said.

According to a report by WFAA in Dallas, Thomas was arrested by the Orange Police Department after he was recognized at a restaurant.

Thomas is charged with a third-degree felony for violating a protective order two or more times within 12 months.

An arrest warrant for Thomas was issued on April 27 in Austin, Texas, after police said he violated the protective order by sending threatening messages to a woman about her and her children, the Austin American-Statesman reported last week.

The warrant was issued days after Thomas pitched the idea of returning to the league. The effort to get back in the NFL was launched before the arrest warrant was issued.

It will probably be even harder for Thomas to get back into the league with all this off-the-field drama hanging over his head right now.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Draymond Green Claps Back at Kendrick Perkins With “Ogre” Comments After Warriors Eliminated the Grizzlies

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Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green doesn’t run from any smoke thrown his way. On Friday’s episode of ESPN’s First Take, Kendrick Perkins ripped Green for being scared to shoot the ball and doing more talking than balling.

After eliminating the Memphis Grizzlies in 6 games and clinching a spot in the Western Conference Finals, Green aired out Perkins in possibly the worst way ever, including calling the man an ogre.

“Something came to my phone earlier,” Green said to reporters. “Some guy saying I’m scared to shoot the basketball. Scared and me in the same sentence is brutal. But you got a big ogre on TV talking about what Draymond says ain’t the gospel. It is the gospel. What I say is the gospel. When you say that multiple times on several different segments, you must think what I say is the gospel. So, you got to come out and shut some guys up sometimes. When you got people talking out the side of their neck. ‘Anybody can make the pass Draymond make.’ That’s just stupid.

“But these are people who get employed to talk on TV about our game. ‘Anybody could make that pass.’ You make that pass. We’d love to see it. I played against the guy by the way. I’m talking about Kendrick Perkins for those of y’all that don’t know. I’m never duckin’ no smoke. As the Memphis Grizzlies’ towels say, I don’t duck smoke. ‘Anybody could make that pass.’ You couldn’t, so good luck. You just got to come out and shut people up sometimes. It was very fun to do.”

Not too long after Green made those comments, Perkins took to social media to fire right back with a funny quote “You ain’t handsome! You damn sure ain’t cute!”

While the back and forth makes for great tv, Green and the Warriors have regained their championship form. Don’t expect the back and forth to end anytime soon. Perkins has a right to express his opinion, and Green has his.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Tom Brady To Join Fox Sports as Lead Analyst Once He Retires From the NFL

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Tom Brady isn’t talking retirement again right now, but he has secured that retirement bag already. During an earnings call on Tuesday, Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch announced that Brady would be joining Fox Sports when he retires, taking the role of lead NFL analyst.

Fox’s play here is to make Brady the face of their NFL coverage. While Brady is excited about the new opportunity, he knows he has unfinished business on the football field to deal with first.

Murdoch said that Brady “will not only call our biggest NFL games with Kevin Burkhardt but will also serve as an ambassador for us, particularly with respect to client and promotional initiatives.” Murdoch also said that the timeline for Brady to join Fox Sports is uncertain, likely meaning that he hasn’t revealed to Fox when he’s going to retire permanently.

Brady pumped-faked everyone when he announced retiring shortly after the Super Bowl. Weeks later, he changed his heart and said he would be back for another season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With his retirement plans in order, Brady can focus on championship number 8.

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