Feature

Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival Takes New York City by Storm

by
unnamed (6)

Over the weekend, the third annual Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit took New York City by storm, thanks to the collaborative efforts of GRAMMY and Emmy Award-winning artist Mary J. Blige, PEPSI®, Live Nation Urban, and MVD Inc. From May 10th to May 12th, the vibrant city was swept up in a whirlwind of music, empowerment sessions, industry speakers, and heartfelt testimonials, all under the banner of female empowerment. The event-filled weekend included appearances by Taraji P. Henson, 50 Cent, Funk Flex, Jill Scott, Tasha Smith, Method Man, Marsai Martin, Larenz Tate, Angie Martinez, Pinky Cole,  Robert Glasper, Crystal Hayslett, Jess Hilarious, The Lox, Misa Hylton, Bevy Smith, Claire Sulmers, Michael Rainey Jr., The Clark Sisters, and many more! 

unnamed

The festival, created and curated by Mary J. Blige herself, marked a significant milestone for the iconic American sports franchise, the New York Giants. It celebrated a century of gridiron greatness through a bespoke apparel collection developed in collaboration with Starter, one of the most esteemed sports apparel companies globally.

Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress

unnamed (9)

unnamed (9)

unnamed (10)

unnamed (10)

unnamed (11)

unnamed (11)

pexels vishnurnair 1105666

pexels-vishnurnair-1105666

Mary J. Blige, reflecting on the electrifying weekend, remarked, “This past weekend was a whirlwind in the best way possible. Getting to bring this home to NYC is something I won’t forget. Thank you to everyone who came out, to all my family who participated, and to everyone involved, including my partners at Pepsi, who made this dream come to life. Until next year!”

The festival kicked off with an intimate welcome party hosted by Mary J. Blige at Corner Social in Harlem, followed by sold-out jazz shows headlined by 5x GRAMMY-winning artist Robert Glasper at the legendary Blue Note in Greenwich Village. The evening culminated in a soulful performance by Mary J. Blige herself, alongside Glasper, leaving the audience with an inspiring mantra: “Each one, teach one, help one.”

Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress

unnamed (1)

unnamed (1)

unnamed (2)

unnamed (2)

unnamed (4)

unnamed (4)

Saturday saw the commencement of the highly-anticipated Strength of a Woman Summit at The Glasshouse, drawing over 4,000 attendees. The star-studded panels, including “Girl Talk with MJB” and “Our Men Honor the Strength of a Woman,” celebrated the magical bond of Black women’s friendships and delved into dynamic discussions led by industry luminaries.

The Summit also featured activations including a tooth gem station by Get Gem’d and a build-your-own bouquet bar. Attendees immersed themselves in “Mary’s Living Room,” featuring Sun Goddess wine and Sister Love’s jewelry designs. Pepsi Dig In Village showcased dishes from five female-owned restaurants, spotlighting the diverse flavors of the city.

unnamed (3)

The grand finale at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn saw Mary J. Blige and an ensemble of music icons, including 50 Cent, Jill Scott, Fat Joe, and Jadakiss, delivering electrifying performances. The evening celebrated the essence of Hip Hop, with surprise appearances and heartfelt tributes to “Hip Hop Moms.”

The festival concluded with a sold-out Mother’s Day Brunch Experience held at Brooklyn Chop House in Times Square. Hosted by Mary J. Blige, followed by an uplifting gospel concert presented by Femme It Forward, featuring The Clark Sisters and Jane Handcock.

Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress

unnamed (5)

unnamed (5)

unnamed (7)

unnamed (7)

unnamed (8)

unnamed (8)

This year’s festival expanded its reach across the city, embodying its mission of empowerment, elevation, and education. The event’s success was a testament to Mary J. Blige’s enduring impact and commitment to uplifting underserved communities.

As the curtains closed on another remarkable weekend, the Strength of a Woman Festival left an indelible mark on New York City, echoing Mary J. Blige’s message of love, empowerment, and resilience.

The post Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival Takes New York City by Storm first appeared on The Source.

The post Mary J. Blige’s Strength of a Woman Festival Takes New York City by Storm appeared first on The Source.

New York Giants and Starter Unveil “1925 Lifestyle Apparel Collection” to Celebrate a Century of Football Excellence

by
Screen Shot 2024 05 14 at 10.16.45 AM

As the New York Giants commemorate a century of gridiron glory, they have joined forces with Starter, one of the most renowned sports apparel companies in the world, and Giants legend Carl Banks, to introduce a bespoke apparel collection honoring a hundred years of football greatness. The campaign features Giants breakout stars Wan’Dale Robinson, Jason Pinnock, and Deonte Banks. 

The “1925 Lifestyle Apparel Collection” pays tribute to the Giants’ inaugural season, capturing the essence of a team that has etched its name in the annals of American sports history. Founded in 1925 when Tim Mara acquired the franchise, the Giants boast an illustrious record, clinching 8 world championships and standing as the sole NFL team with a Super Bowl triumph in each of the last four decades. Owned equally by the Mara and Tisch families, the Giants are synonymous with football excellence.

Screen Shot 2024 05 14 at 10.18.06 AM
Visual Portfolio, Posts & Image Gallery for WordPress

Screen Shot 2024 05 14 at 10.18.16 AM

Screen Shot 2024-05-14 at 10.18.16 AM

Screen Shot 2024 05 14 at 10.17.51 AM

Screen Shot 2024-05-14 at 10.17.51 AM

Starter, with its own illustrious legacy, shares a parallel journey with the Giants, having adorned athletes and enthusiasts alike for over four decades. From the streets to the stadiums, Starter’s iconic logo symbolizes authenticity, quality, and a profound love for the game. This collaboration marks the union of two timeless forces, blending the Giants’ heritage with Starter’s unmatched craftsmanship to create a collection that transcends mere fashion and celebrates the essence of sporting greatness.

Carl Banks, President of Starter & Top 100 New York Giant of All-Time, expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “The Giants and Starter have so much equity in the marketplace, and we are thrilled to combine these two iconic brands to create unique retail moments throughout the 100th season campaign. Having worn the Giants uniform with pride, I know how much this team means to the fan base.”

Screen Shot 2024 05 14 at 10.16.36 AM

The 1925 Collection encapsulates the Giants’ storied journey, merging vintage-inspired designs with contemporary craftsmanship. Crafted from luxurious fabrics like velvety soft 420 gsm heavyweight fleece, the collection includes tees, hoodies, long sleeves, crewnecks, and headwear, all adorned with a new custom “1925” insignia inspired by iconic elements from the Giants’ wordmark and primary NY logo. The limited collection will be available starting Friday, May 17, on the Giants online store at 10 AM ET, with prices ranging from $68 to $200.

Screen Shot 2024 05 14 at 10.16.26 AM

Matthew Swensen, Giants Creative & Photography Director, remarked, “Our ‘1925’ brand was created to go beyond traditional fan merch and give our fans an everyday collection that celebrates our 100th season in an elevated fashion. Partnering with an all-time Giant in Carl Banks gives the collection a deeper meaning, and our players are excited to add it to their gameday style.”

The post New York Giants and Starter Unveil “1925 Lifestyle Apparel Collection” to Celebrate a Century of Football Excellence first appeared on The Source.

The post New York Giants and Starter Unveil “1925 Lifestyle Apparel Collection” to Celebrate a Century of Football Excellence appeared first on The Source.

Slim Shady Obituary Posted in The Detroit Free Press Newspaper

by
Slim Shady Obituary Posted in The Detroit Free Press Newspaper

Eminem is continuing to tease his forthcoming album. This week, Eminem took out a space in the obituary section of The Detroit Free Press newspaper to mourn the Slim Shady character.

A section headlined “Slim Shady Made Lasting Impressions” and showing Eminem in a Jason hockey mask reads: “A product of Detroit who began his career there was a rogue splinter the flourishing underground rap scene of the mid to late 1990’s, Shady first became a household name in 1999 with the debut of his playfully deranged single “My Name Is,” which – along with its uniquely eye catching video – exposed the young artist and his lyrics to a wider audience. That audience was soon exposed to the extreme darkness of the muse/rapper, as he led millions of music fans down a road that glorified a demonstrably nihilistic worldview.”

You can see the full placement below.

Eminem is ready to deliver a new album. Aiming for the summer, Eminem announced The Death Of Slim Shady (Coup De Grâce).

The announcement comes via a true crime mock series that casts 50 Cent for a brief cameo. Also included is a detective setting the scene.

“Through his complex, tongue twisting and oft criticized rhymes, the blonde anti-hero known as Slim Shady has had no shortage of enemies,” the detective says. “The same rude lyrics and controversial antics might have ultimately led to his demise.”

You can see the announcement below.

The post Slim Shady Obituary Posted in The Detroit Free Press Newspaper first appeared on The Source.

The post Slim Shady Obituary Posted in The Detroit Free Press Newspaper appeared first on The Source.

Mustard Expecting Baby with New Girlfriend Brittany Stroud

by
Mustard Expecting Baby with New Girlfriend Brittany Stroud

Mustard is celebrating a bit more than “Not Like Us.” On Mother’s Day, Mustard and his girlfriend Brittany Stroud announced they are expecting a baby.

“Over the moon to be celebrating my first Mother’s Day,” Stroud wrote. “@ months or less until I’m pushing and meet my sweet baby.”

You can see the reveal via The Shade Room below.

Mustard is celebrating “Not Like Us” going No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The superstar producer crafted the record for Kendrick Lamar.

Hitting Instagram, Mustard wrote: “Sometimes you really gotta pop out and show niggas!!!! To think . . . They really fronted on me and acted like I’m not who I am ! I’m thankful but not surprised; I never lost sight and stayed down. With my back against the wall is where I thrive. Summer started last week according to me!! See ya sooner than you think! cc: @kendricklamar city back up !!!”

Kendrick Lamar is back on top of the Billboard Hot 100 with a Drake diss. Following the success of his scene-stealing “Like That” call out, Kendrick Lamar has placed a solo hit on top of the charts with “Not Like Us.”

Additionally, Lamar’s shade to Drake on “Euphoria” moves into the No. 3 slot from No. 11. “Like That” rebounds from No. 8 to No. 6. Drake gets a shot in on his own, with “Family Matters” hitting at No. 7.

According to Billboard, this is Lamar’s fourth Hot 100 No. 1 and 15 top 10s. Drake has a whopping 78 top 10 records, an all-time record.

READ MORE: Naomi Osaka Praises Kendrick Lamar for “Not Like Us,” Makes it Her Walk On Music

“Not Like Us,” released on pgLang/Interscope Records/ICLG, storms onto the Hot 100 with a staggering 70.9 million official streams, 5 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 15,000 units sold in the U.S. for May 9. Remarkably, these numbers were achieved despite the track’s late release on Sunday, May 5, after the chart’s tracking week had already begun on May 3.

This debut marks the 1,171st song to claim the No. 1 position in the 65-year history of the Hot 100, and notably, it’s the 79th to accomplish this feat straight out of the gate.

READ MORE: Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Laps Spotify Record Previously Held by Drake

Additionally, “Not Like Us” ascends to the top spot on the Streaming Songs chart, becoming Kendrick Lamar’s fifth chart-topper in this category. Its 70.9 million streams represent the highest weekly total among R&B/hip-hop tracks since YouTube user-generated content was excluded from chart calculations in 2020. Surpassing the previous record set by Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future and Young Thug, which garnered 67.3 million streams in its debut week on rankings dated September 18, 2021.

Furthermore, the track dominates the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts right out of the gate, marking Lamar’s fourth No. 1.

In other chart news, “Euphoria” experiences a surge in streams, climbing to 49 million (up from 28.9 million in its initial frame). At the same time, its airplay audience dips slightly to 1.9 million (down from 2.5 million) and sales increase to 7,000 (up from 6,000) during the May 3-9 tracking period.

Completing Lamar’s trio of hits in the Hot 100’s top 10, “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin rises to No. 6 from its debut atop the chart on April 6. The track gains 22% in streams, reaching 34.2 million during May 3-9, along with a 13% increase in radio reach to 29.4 million and a 76% surge in sales to 3,000 units.

Fan reaction is below:

The post Mustard Expecting Baby with New Girlfriend Brittany Stroud first appeared on The Source.

The post Mustard Expecting Baby with New Girlfriend Brittany Stroud appeared first on The Source.

WATCH: Tyrese Ducks Being Served Legal Docs While Onstage Singing

by
Tyrese Gibson Confirms Beef With Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is Over

Catch him if you can. Tyrese ducked a process server who attempted to serve him a lawsuit during a performance.

Hilariously, Tyrese was singing “How You Gonna Act Like That” when the docs were attempted to be served. In the middle of the song, Tyrese shook the stage, not allowing the lawsuit to be delivered.

You can see the moment below.

The post WATCH: Tyrese Ducks Being Served Legal Docs While Onstage Singing first appeared on The Source.

The post WATCH: Tyrese Ducks Being Served Legal Docs While Onstage Singing appeared first on The Source.

Mustard Celebrates “Not Like Us” Going No. 1: ‘I Never Lost Sight and Stayed Down’

by
Mustard

Mustard is celebrating “Not Like Us” going No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The superstar producer crafted the record for Kendrick Lamar.

Hitting Instagram, Mustard wrote: “Sometimes you really gotta pop out and show niggas!!!! To think . . . They really fronted on me and acted like I’m not who I am ! I’m thankful but not surprised; I never lost sight and stayed down. With my back against the wall is where I thrive. Summer started last week according to me!! See ya sooner than you think! cc: @kendricklamar city back up !!!”

Kendrick Lamar is back on top of the Billboard Hot 100 with a Drake diss. Following the success of his scene-stealing “Like That” call out, Kendrick Lamar has placed a solo hit on top of the charts with “Not Like Us.”

Additionally, Lamar’s shade to Drake on “Euphoria” moves into the No. 3 slot from No. 11. “Like That” rebounds from No. 8 to No. 6. Drake gets a shot in on his own, with “Family Matters” hitting at No. 7.

According to Billboard, this is Lamar’s fourth Hot 100 No. 1 and 15 top 10s. Drake has a whopping 78 top 10 records, an all-time record.

READ MORE: Naomi Osaka Praises Kendrick Lamar for “Not Like Us,” Makes it Her Walk On Music

“Not Like Us,” released on pgLang/Interscope Records/ICLG, storms onto the Hot 100 with a staggering 70.9 million official streams, 5 million radio airplay audience impressions, and 15,000 units sold in the U.S. for May 9. Remarkably, these numbers were achieved despite the track’s late release on Sunday, May 5, after the chart’s tracking week had already begun on May 3.

This debut marks the 1,171st song to claim the No. 1 position in the 65-year history of the Hot 100, and notably, it’s the 79th to accomplish this feat straight out of the gate.

READ MORE: Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” Laps Spotify Record Previously Held by Drake

Additionally, “Not Like Us” ascends to the top spot on the Streaming Songs chart, becoming Kendrick Lamar’s fifth chart-topper in this category. Its 70.9 million streams represent the highest weekly total among R&B/hip-hop tracks since YouTube user-generated content was excluded from chart calculations in 2020. Surpassing the previous record set by Drake’s “Way 2 Sexy,” featuring Future and Young Thug, which garnered 67.3 million streams in its debut week on rankings dated September 18, 2021.

Furthermore, the track dominates the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and Hot Rap Songs charts right out of the gate, marking Lamar’s fourth No. 1.

In other chart news, “Euphoria” experiences a surge in streams, climbing to 49 million (up from 28.9 million in its initial frame). At the same time, its airplay audience dips slightly to 1.9 million (down from 2.5 million) and sales increase to 7,000 (up from 6,000) during the May 3-9 tracking period.

Completing Lamar’s trio of hits in the Hot 100’s top 10, “Like That” with Future and Metro Boomin rises to No. 6 from its debut atop the chart on April 6. The track gains 22% in streams, reaching 34.2 million during May 3-9, along with a 13% increase in radio reach to 29.4 million and a 76% surge in sales to 3,000 units.

Fan reaction is below:

The post Mustard Celebrates “Not Like Us” Going No. 1: ‘I Never Lost Sight and Stayed Down’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Mustard Celebrates “Not Like Us” Going No. 1: ‘I Never Lost Sight and Stayed Down’ appeared first on The Source.

Azealia Banks Critical of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Short D–k Insecurities,’ Says He ‘Spilled No Tea’

by
Azealia Banks Says DaBaby Should Have Been Canceled

Azealia Banks doubles back with more hate toward Kendrick Lamar over his beef with Drake. This time, she states, Lamar “spilled no tea.”

“The daughter thing is fake, metro makin bbl drizzy beats like Kanye ain’t got the fattest bbl in rap,” Banks wrote. “As a fellow Gemini, Kendrick clearly thought this would be a clever way to relaunch himself to the forefront given the lack of pop cultural fanfare from his last release. Women can tell a lot about a man by the way he moves.”

Azealia Banks previously her opinion on Kendrick Lamar and Drake. Like many of us in the rap world, Banks heard Kendrick Lamar’s “Euphoria” and then proceeded to disagree with Billboard’s opinion on the song.

Reposting a story titled, “Kendrick Lamar’s Response Was Worth the Wait,” Azealia Banks came for Lamar’s size, stating, “Kendrick is still 4’9″ and wears the same jean size as me.”

She also states that no one cares about Lamar’s feelings, whom she dubbed a “no baby.”

At the bottom of the post, she wrote, “@billboard y’all really are paid for. Even the tone and timber of Kendrick’s voice is an ultimate defeat. LOL STOP LYING.”

We now know Banks’ opinion on the wait. Now, we continue to wait for music she can call her own. You can read some more words for Kendrick Lamar below.

The post Azealia Banks Critical of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Short D–k Insecurities,’ Says He ‘Spilled No Tea’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Azealia Banks Critical of Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Short D–k Insecurities,’ Says He ‘Spilled No Tea’ appeared first on The Source.

WATCH: A$AP Rocky Playfully Checks Man Who Hands Rihanna a Rose on Mother’s Day

by
A$AP Rocky Seen Cheering Rihanna During 2023 Oscars Performance

Who wouldn’t flirt with Rihanna? The queen was strolling out of a New York City-based event on Sunday, and a paparazzi member was outside, wished Rih a Happy Mother’s Day, and handed her a single rose.

A$AP Rocky found room for a playful response, “Don’t be romantic to my girl like that.”

Rocky continued, “What’s up, n—a? I’m just playing with you.”

You can see the playful moment below.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky continues to give us parenting goals. The two were spotted in New York on Saturday, hosting a part for their song RZA. He will soon be two years old.

Rihanna, the iconic Bajan billionaire, has always had a vision of how she would dress her children. However, when she welcomed two sons instead of daughters, she found fashion inspiration in her partner, A$AP Rocky’s style.

In a recent interview with ET, Rihanna shared her approach to dressing her sons, RZA Athelaston Mayers and Riot Rose Mayers. She revealed that she always tries to match their style with Rocky’s, emphasizing his influence on their fashion choices.

Despite initially envisioning dressing daughters, Rihanna enjoys seeing her sons wear pieces from her Fenty x Puma collaboration. She expressed delight in watching them enjoy her designs, highlighting the love and support they receive in their home.

Rihanna described her son RZA as an empath and noted his gentle spirit beneath any tough exterior he may portray. She also shared a heartwarming anecdote about how their favorite song, “The Wheels on the Bus,” brings harmony and joy to their household.

As both parents are prominent figures in the music industry, Rihanna and A$AP Rocky are considering incorporating their sons’ voices into their upcoming albums. Rihanna teased that she already has ideas for creating hits from their samples.

The power couple is set to attend the prestigious Met Gala in Manhattan, where they will undoubtedly dazzle in their “Garden of Time” attire. Their romance, confirmed in 2020, has blossomed over the years, cementing their status as a music industry power duo.

The post WATCH: A$AP Rocky Playfully Checks Man Who Hands Rihanna a Rose on Mother’s Day first appeared on The Source.

The post WATCH: A$AP Rocky Playfully Checks Man Who Hands Rihanna a Rose on Mother’s Day appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Detroit Lions Ink $212M Extension with Jared Goff

by
Jared Goff

The Detroit Lions are giving quarterback Jared Goff a bag.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Goff has signed a $212 million contract extension, including $170 million guaranteed with the team. The deal makes Goff the second-highest annual salary in the NFL, with an average season pay of $53 million.

“We’ve got a lot of work to do,” Goff told ESPN in April. “The expectations are high, but internally, our standards are raising, and our expectations are raising, and we’ve got goals and things we want to do. It’s not like we’re going to show up and start winning again.”

Last year, Goff threw for 4,575 yards with 30 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Detroit Lions Ink $212M Extension with Jared Goff first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Detroit Lions Ink $212M Extension with Jared Goff appeared first on The Source.

Today In Hip Hop History: KMD Released Their Debut ‘Mr. Hood’ 33 Years Ago

by
tumblr 3d8bcdf725917940327567ea0ffcb225 a18811ec 1280

On this day in Hip Hop history, duo KMD released their debut LP, Mr. Hood. Although it may not have had much commercial success, Mr. Hood ushered in the career of one of Hip Hop’s most respected figures, MF DOOM.

Mr. Hood came at a time in Hip Hop culture where consciousness and positive Afrocentric messages were prominent in the majority of popular rap music. The Nubian renaissance taking place in Hip-Hop at the time birthed artists like Queen Latifah, Brand Nubian, and The Jungle Brothers. 

Lyrically, Mr. Hood‘s subject matter is politically charged while being able to retain its youthful nature. Zev Love X and Onyx the Birthstone Kid were able to satirize and intellectually dissect oppressive American culture and weave it seamlessly into their rhymes.

DJ Subroc’s production is also of merit. The sampling techniques used to turn already composed pieces into separate instruments meshed perfectly with the group’s style and influenced generations of producers to come. Even the “Mr. Hood” character that appears throughout the album was sampled clips from a language-learning tape.

Released by Elektra Records, the album’s commercial success does not reflect its importance. KMD and Mr. Hood did a lot for the culture as far as promoting righteousness. Their message is one that inspired not only fellow artists but also a community to be conscious of their culture and grow as a people against a system built against them. Take some time to listen to the beginning of the career of some of Hip Hop’s most influential underground artists.

Salute to DOOM(RIP) and his brother DJ Subroc(RIP) for giving fans this important piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: KMD Released Their Debut ‘Mr. Hood’ 33 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: KMD Released Their Debut ‘Mr. Hood’ 33 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.