A sequel to I Am Legend is in the works with Will Smith and Michael B. Jordan. According to Deadline Hollywood, the pair will both star in and produce the project, which is a sequel to the 2007 zombie apocalypse film starring Smith.
The film grossed almost 600-million dollars worldwide. Plot details are still unknown, and a director has not been attached yet.
This news follows Will Smith’s Best Actor Oscar-nom and Best Picture for King Richard, as well as scoring Best Actor wins at the SAG Awards and NAACP Image Awards.
In other movie news, King Richard starring Smith took home top honors at the 72nd annual American Cinema Editors Awards. The film won the dramatic feature editing category.
On this date in 1997, The Notorious B.I.G. was booed on stage before presenting the award for Best R&B Soul Single Female at the 1997 Soul Train Music Awards.
The audience in Los Angeles wasn’t too friendly towards Biggie, especially since his then rival Tupac Shakur was just shot and killed in Las Vegas six months earlier. Big gave a cynical “What’s up Cali?” as the boos and jeers grew louder and more intense.
Biggie was killed a little more than a day later in a drive-by shooting after leaving the Vibe Magazine Soul Train Awards after party. Biggie’s sudden murder proved that Tupac’s murder the year prior was more than a random shooting and that the East Coast vs. West Coast beef was more than just a rap beef between two former friends.
WNBA Star, two-time Olympic Gold Medalist, and Phoenix Mercury center, Brittney Griner, is currently in the custody of the Russian government for alleged possessions of hashish oil cartridges. The drug charges for Griner come in the middle of the war between Russia and Ukraine, where tensions are high, and relationships with America are strained.
Speaking with ESPN, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the United States will “provide every possible assistance” to Griner and other citizens held in other nations.
Griner has played the last five WNBA offseasons overseas, where higher salaries are for women players. Griner has been in custody since early February.
“There’s only so much I can say given the privacy considerations at this point,” Blinken. “Whenever an American is detained anywhere in the world, we, of course, stand ready to provide every possible assistance, and that includes in Russia.”
He added, “We have an embassy team that’s working on the cases of other Americans who are detained in Russia. We’re doing everything we can to see to it that their rights are upheld and respected.”
In addition to Blinken, Griner’s wife, Cherelle Griner, released a statement on Instagram:
“Thank you to everyone who has reached out to me regarding my wife’s safe return from Russia. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. I love my wife wholeheartedly, so this message comes during one of the weakest moments of my life. I understand that many of you have grown to love BG over the years and have concerns and want details. Please honor our privacy as we continue to work on getting my wife home safely.
Thank you!”
– Cherelle Griner
Following her detainment, America has released an additional “do not travel” warning for Russia.
A new unscripted documentary series is being produced by BET and Irving “Irv Gotti” Lorenzo titled, Murder Inc..
The five-part television event is set to narrate the untold tale of the rise, sudden fall, and redemption of, Murder Inc. Records; and the mastermind behind the Hip Hop powerhouse, Irv Gotti.
According to the statement announced today, each episode will take viewers through the label’s beginnings to the current day, featuring never-before-seen archival footage. Along with including a rich catalog of music chart-toppers and the power players that helped shape a musical era that would impact generations to come.
Launched in 1999, the New York based label Murder Inc. Records played a vital role in bringing forth the careers of some of the most influential voices in Hip Hop, and R&B. Murder Inc. helped launch and guide the careers of artist such as, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Lloyd, Charli Baltimore, Vita, and others.
Murder Inc. is scheduled to premiere Summer 2022 on BET.
“My life and Murder Inc. has been filled with many highs and lows. I got to work with my brothers and a lot of great people; from Jay Z, DMX, Fat Joe, Mary J Blige, to name a few,” said Irv Gotti.
“Also, I got to start my record label, Murder Inc. Records, with Ja Rule by my side.” Gotti added, “My life was filled with great lows, but I’m not ashamed of those lows. It all helped make me the person I am today. So, with this documentary series, I plan to tell the truth and nothing but the truth so help me GOD.”
Irv Gotti, Ja Rule BTS Murder Inc. Documentary (Photo: Sam Hicks)
Tiffany Lea Williams, Executive Vice President of BET Unscripted Programming shared, “Music is in our DNA. We thank our long-standing partner Irv Gotti, and the many talented artists at the iconic label for trusting our brand to tell their personal and inspiring stories. We look forward to bringing viewers a compelling music documentary series that reveals how this label consequently changed the music industry forever.”
The Murder Inc. documentary is executive produced by Irv Gotti (“Tales”), Ja Rule, Darcell Lawrence, and Chris Costine for Visionary Ideas and Tiffany Lea Williams for BET. Michael J. Payton to serve as Director.
New York City will drop two major coronavirus related requirements. Mayor Eric Adams says the vaccine mandate for certain indoor public places will no longer be in effect starting Monday.
Per the expiring order New Yorkers have had to show proof of the vaccine in order to take part in indoor dining, gyms and indoor entertainment venues.
Mayor Adams says the city is suspending requirements to the Key To NYC program but he’s leaving it up to businesses to put in their own mandates.
NY Mayor Adams is also dropping the school mask mandate starting Monday for K through 12th grade. He points to very low coronavirus positivity rates in the city and in the school system for both decisions.
The fatal shooting of Jam Master Jay in 2002 sent shockwaves through the entire Hip Hop community. Especially learning two people who were close to the late deejay were arrested and charged for his murder.
20 years later we’re still waiting for justice as JMJ’s case had been unsolved for over 18 years.
According to All Hip Hop, U.S. District Judge LaShann DeArcy Hall rejected 38-year-old, Karl Jordan Jr’s request to be released on a one-million-dollar bond. His legal team cited the shooting suspect being high risk of catching COVID-19 while incarcerated because he only has one kidney.
Karl Jordan, Jr. and Ronald Washington allegedly conspired to kill Jay, born Jason Mizell because Washington was cut out of a large drug deal that Mizell acquired.
Washington and Jordan were charged for their alleged roles in the beloved DJ’s death in 2020. Jordan faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison if convicted of murder. His trial is scheduled for February 2023.
Prosecutors believe that Jordan fired the shot that killed Jam Master Jay at his recording studio in Queens on October 30, 2002. Jordan and Washington were also indicted on murder, firearms and drug charges.
Every now and then, the age-old debate on whether to have dinner with Jay-Z or take $500,000 trends on social media. Fans provide arguments for both sides of the spectrum. Some argue that a conversation during a dinner with Hov will catapult them to insurmountable heights, while others look to cash-out on-demand.
Well last September, TIDAL’s Twitter account finally put the debate to rest with the now viral response “Take the $500K,” tweeted from the thumbs of social media manager, Melanie Mercedes.
The New York University alumna has held the role of managing all social platforms for TIDAL. Now her role has evolved to community manager of social which she describes is a role that goes far beyond solely publishing on social media.
Melanie Mercedes
“The magic in social is being able to identify your audience and speak to them directly. When they feel seen and heard, they’re much more likely to engage in a meaningful way.”
Humanizing the brand is pivotal to keeping the audience engaged. While social media controls the direct-to-consumer voice for the platform, Alexa Disney connects the DSP and collaborating artists with external brands that coincide with their musical content and overall message.
The Sony Music alumas, where she held a similar role, stresses the importance of authenticity when pairing TIDAL or other artists with other brands.
Alexa Disney
“Fans know if it’s not authentic,” she says.
There was more push back during the beginning of her career, where many artists perceived brand partnerships to be a gimmick, rather than something that can help expand their audience. In this day and age, artists are more receptive because it helps to only add to their overall brand.
For Tonya Nelson-Fisher, the manager of music programming, she connects TIDAL’s “most passionate music fans” to their favorite genre, artists, era of music and more. In addition, Nelson-Fisher helps to curate themed playlists for specific holidays, months and even cultural icons. Back in January, TIDAL uploaded a playlist of Martin Luther King Jr.’s most famous speeches. The same goes for Maya Angelou and Malcom X.
“I think that differentiates us and helps us to stand out from the pack,” she says.
Tonya Nelson Fisher
Nelson-Fisher promises that TIDAL will introduce new features to enhance their user experience in the near future. The digital streaming platform has added the HiFi Plus tier user experience, which grants access to lossless High Fidelity sound quality, master quality and immersive audio.
Although Tonya, Alexa and Melanie’s roles differ, they co-exist to expand TIDAL’s reach to potential new audiences, while maintaining the interest of the ones that already exist.
Their musical obsession only adds to the growth and success of the platform.
Continue the Women of TIDAL conversation on social media.
Houston’s legendary lyricist Paul Wall is no stranger to the car community. Now his longtime friend and collaborator, Termanology, joins him riding shotgun as they both spit hard-hitting raps in the new video “Recognize My Car” produced by Pete Rock.
The D Will directed visual used some VHS style footage to capture the H-Town slab culture while both emcees rhyme their verses. Slab is Houston slang for a souped up car, with a special set of rims, called “swangas.”
This isn’t the first time these two artists have teamed up. Last month, the duo released “No Tolerance” featuring Fly Anakin and Nems.
Along with releasing the video for “Recognize My Car,” Paul and Term also announced a joint album is arriving. Paul Wall and Termanology are set to drop Start 2 Finish on April 8.
Start 2 Finish will be a 10-track project executive produced by Statik Selektah and with features from Bun B, Fly Anakin, C Sharp, Millyz, and Nems among others.
Both artists are thrilled to be working with each other on this project. In an exclusive statement to The Source, the “Sittin’ Sideways” rapper said, “I had a lot of fun working with Term on this project! And every time I work with Statik Selektah it brings out the absolute best in me. This album brought out some of the best rap bars I’ve ever spit.”
Termanology shared the same reaction with The Source. “I had so much fun making this album. The production is top quality and Paul Wall went crazy on every verse, which made me get even more creative with my pen game. I think people are going to like this project a lot.”
Enjoy the video for “Recognize My Car” from Paul Wall and Termanology below.
Check out the tracklist for Start 2 Finish, available on all DSP’s April 8.
No Asterix
Ask Permission
Recognize My Car
Thailand (feat. Bun B)
No Favors (feat. C Sharp)
Clubber Lang (feat. Wais P & Kxng Crooked)
How You Been (feat. Mia Jae)
No Tolerance (feat. Fly Anakin & Nems)
Money On My Phone
Step Outside (feat. Millyz & Jared Evan)
Continue the conversation with us on social media.
Born on this date in 1974 in the City of Brotherly Love, Dwight Grant aka Beanie Sigel aka Beans morphed into a icon in the Philly Hip Hop scene as the leader of the now defunct Roc-A-Fella Records’ State Property. Even with all of his legal troubles and the untimely split of the Roc, Beanie is still regarded as one of the best emcees of his era and one of the very few who lives what he speaks in the booth.
With six solo albums, three State Property collabos and four silver screen blockbuster appearances, it’s difficult to argue that Beans has not had a successful career. Anyone who was able to hold Hova’s attention for more than one album has some obvious skills to match his street bravado.
Happy born day to Beans and many more in the future!
On this date in 2003, Brooklyn mixtape rapper turned star Fabolous survived the sophomore jinx, dropping his second album Street Dreams, which was released on DJ Clue’s Desert Storm/Elektra imprint.
With production from the likes of Kanye West, Timbaland, Just Blaze, Trackmasters, and Clue, this 20 track album was bound for platinum status. The LP debuted at number three on Billboard and officially sold a million copies and was certified platinum by the RIAA six months after its release.
Singles such as “Into You”, which featured Tamia (and an alternate version, featuring Ashanti), “Can’t Let You Go” featuring Lil Mo, “Trade It All” (Part 2) with Jagged Edge, and the “Keepin’ It Gangsta” remix all served to make this album one of Fab’s best commercial releases of his career.
Salute to Fab, Clue and the entire Desert Storm crew for this timeless piece of Hip Hop history!
