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Mattel Creates Barbie Modeled After Transgender Actress Laverne Cox

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A new Barbie doll is being made in the likeness of transgender actress Laverne Cox.

Mattel said Wednesday it worked directly with Cox to create a Barbie that fit in closely with her style.

The limited-edition Tribute Barbie comes with a red gown, heeled boots, a metallic bodysuit and silver earrings, and will be available Tuesday at Amazon, Walmart, Target and MattelCreations.com for $39.99..

In a statement, Cox said it’s been a dream of hers for years to work with Barbie to create her own doll so that fans can have the opportunity to add a Barbie modeled after a transgender person to their collection.

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READ MORE: Laverne Cox Speaks Out After Being a Victim of Transphobic Attack

“It’s been a dream for years to work with Barbie to create my own doll. I can’t wait for fans to find my doll on shelves and have the opportunity to add a Barbie doll modeled after a transgender person to their collection.”

Also included the Barbie Tribute Collection are bridal dress designer Vera Wang wearing a black one-piece outfit modeled after her Spring 2017 collection. Comedian and star of the 1950s television show I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball and Queen Elizabeth II.

In honor of Cox’s Barbie doll, Mattel will make a donation in her name to the nonprofit TransFamilySOS.

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“We are proud to highlight the importance of inclusion and acceptance at every age and to recognize Laverne’s significant impact on culture with a Tribute Collection Barbie,” said Lisa McKnight, executive vice president and global head of Barbie and Dolls at Mattel, in a statement.

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Trae Tha Truth Reveals He Declined The White House Visit Invitation

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Rapper and philanthropist Trae Tha Truth would rather be in the trenches with the community than visit The White House. The “I’m On 2.0” rapper shared he declined an invitation to the White House this week. Revealed in a social media post he said he wanted to instead focus on helping the families of the victims of the mass shootings in Uvalde, Texas and Buffalo New York.

Trae said the invitation was “to meet with the President with the families of those who have wrongfully been murdered by police.” President Biden honored Trae last year with the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award.

READ MORE: Families of The Buffalo “Hate Crime” Mass Shooting Suing For Victims

Trae added that he would like to assist with some of the funeral costs for families of victims in the Texas school shooting and also announced a food giveaway for Buffalo residents. Last weekend 18-year-old white male, Payton Gendron open fired in a deadly mass shooting and injured three and killed ten people at the Tops Grocery store.

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The Houston native known for his dedication to the community was there shortly after the tragedy. He arrived in Buffalo with an 18-wheeler full of food and toiletries at the site of Tops grocery store, which remains closed following the mass shooting.

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DJ Quik’s Son Arrested for Murder, Bail Set at $2M

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According to a report from NBC LA, David Blake Jr., son of Hip Hop legend DJ Quik and City of Compton Council Liaison, has been arrested on Thursday(May 27) on suspicion of murder.

A press release stated that officers responded to a call Wednesday evening about a fight in progress before receiving a second call about shots being fired. When the cops arrive, they found Julio Cardoza, 33, suffering from a single gunshot wound. He died a short time later at the hospital.Blake was identified as a suspect and arrested the next morning.

According to City of Compton records, Quik’s son works as a “council liaison” to Councilman Isaac Galvan. Early reports speculate that the victim may have had ties to the mother of Galvan’s child, whose name is Michelle Cardoza.

Blake’s bail has been set at $2 million.

Neither Galvan nor DJ Quik has publicly commented on David Blake Jr.’s arrest. This is the second time a child of DJ Quik’s has faced similar charges as his daughter was charged with killing her son nearly ten years ago.

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Today In Hip Hop History: N.W.A. Dropped Their Second LP ‘Efil4zaggin’ 31 Years Ago

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On this date in 1991, “the world’s most dangerous group dropped their second and final album as a group, ironically titled Efil4zaggin on the Ruthless/Priority imprint.

On the heels of Ice Cube departing from N.W.A. on a sour note to embark on a solo career, the now four-man group was slowly disbanding, but managed to churn out one last full length album. Dr. Dre and D.O.C. left the group to help form Death Row Records shortly after this project was released. The album offered up three singles; the memorable “Always Into Somethin”, “Appetite For Destruction”, which featured an Ice Cube sub and “The Days Of Wayback”. Because of the group’s success, the LP did eventually reach platinum status.

Salute to Dre, Yella, Ren and Eazy for giving us a piece of Hip Hop history!

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Doja Cat Teases Next Album Will Be Predominantly Rap

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Doja Cat is teasing fans with some details about her next album. In an interview with Elle Magazine before she revealed she needed surgery on her tonsils, Doja said she’s fielding new beats from friends. She told the magazine that the album will be “predominantly rap.”

It’s not clear when Doja will be able to begin work on the “Planet Her” follow-up after last week’s news. She was forced to cancel all of her upcoming festival appearances along with her slot on The Weeknd’s upcoming tour due to the surgery.

READ MORE: Doja Cat Cancels Summer Tour Due To Upcoming Surgery

The “Say So” singer noted her next album will be a double album that is more “rap centric” and will be fully produced by 9th Wonder and Jay Versace. She also revealed that she wants to get into stand-up comedy and acting.

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BET+ Announces “Martin: The Reunion” To Premiere June 16

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The cult classic hit sitcom “Martin” will be returning to television for a 90-minute reunion special.

BET+ announced the 30th year anniversary special will take place on the show’s iconic living room set. The reunion is bringing back original cast members Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, Tichina Arnold and Carl Anthony Payne the second to discuss the show’s five seasons.

READ MORE: The Cast of “Martin” Reunites For a 30th Anniversary TV Special

Hosted by comedian Affion Crockett, the cast will look back on the show’s most hilarious moments, revisit the iconic characters Martin made famous and pay an emotional tribute to the late, great Tommy Ford. Thomas Mikal Ford passed away in 2016 at the age of 52.

Complete with musical performances and drop-ins by celebrity super fans, MARTIN: THE REUNION brings back the wazzup wazzup wazzup passion fans have been waiting for.

The reunion special is executive produced by Martin Lawrence, Robert Lawrence, Rae Proctor and Stacy Lyles through his company Run Tel Dat Entertainment.

“Martin: The Reunion” is set to debut on June 16 on BET+.

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BX Drill Rapper DThang Gz And 33 Other Alleged Gang Members Charged In 65-Count Indictment

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According to a report from ABC NY, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark and NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell put out a 65-count indictment this week due to several haphazard shootings in the River Park Towers apartment complex in the Bronx, leading to the arrests and charging of 34 people including popular BX drill rapper DThang Gz.

The BX DA has charged 34 people, who are alleged members of the RPT(River Park Towers Bloods gang, who have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, attempted assault, animal cruelty and criminal possession of a weapon.

Seven of those charged were hit with attempted murder charges for an August 2020 shooting and a gang assault on NYC’s Riker’s Island on a Crips gang member in April of the previous year.

“These defendants allegedly engaged in gun violence, committing six shootings, one which injured a rival gang member,” Clark said. “They allegedly fired wildly on the streets without regard for the lives of anyone else. They allegedly possessed a gun used in shootings that they posed with on social media and rapped about the violence. I thank the NYPD for their partnership in this investigation.”

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He continued, “We are doing all we can to battle the gun scourge, but more must be done to deviate young people from a life of gangs and senseless violence. I am calling on rappers from the Bronx to stop using music to encourage shootings and use it to better the community. I am asking to have a summit with aspiring rappers and the rap stars who come from the Bronx, record companies, radio stations and social media so we can find solutions to prevent further violence.”

This indictment was handed down barely over a week after YSL front men Young Thug and Gunna were hit with RICO charges and still remain in custody without bond. Gunna’s trial hearing is set for January 2023.

Below are the names of all 34 people charged in the indictment:

  • Karim Grant, 23 AKA Kay Hound
  • Ibrahim Asare, 25 AKA Ace Hound (incarcerated)
  • Jessie Battice, 32 AKA Fly Jess (incarcerated)
  • Victor Rodriguez, 34 AKA Vic (house arrest in N.J.)
  • Shaheem Spencer, 28 AKA Shizzy Hound (incarcerated)
  • Lashar Williams, 20 AKA Tmac (incarcerated)
  • Brandon Long, 22 AKA Blane
  • Raheem Patterson, 24 AKA Rah (incarcerated)
  • Daniel Collins, 20 AKA DThang Gz (incarcerated)
  • Dewayne Wiggins, 18 AKA Lotti (incarcerated)
  • Kevin Anthony, 19 AKA Tdot
  • Omar Gaines, 19 AKA Bando
  • Daniel Agyemang, 18 AKA Stunna (incarcerated)
  • Joseph Agyemang, 18 AKA Gunna
  • Jerome Hughes, 18 AKA Rome (incarcerated)
  • Joshua Adams, 18 AKA Jelly (incarcerated)
  • Amnbo Darby, 22 AKA Stackz (incarcerated)
  • Kareem Felder, 19 AKA Reem
  • Sheriff Jarjou, 18 AKA Reefy (incarcerated)
  • Angel Rodriguez, 20 AKA Milly (incarcerated)
  • Ernest Taluy, 20 AKA Edai (incarcerated)
  • Jalias Perez, 17 AKA Baby Gz (incarcerated)
  • Jaylen Johnson, 19, AKA JB (incarcerated)
  • Jerome Hughes (incarcerated)
  • Amnbo Darby (incarcerated)
  • Sheriff Jarjou (incarcerated)
  • Kevin Anthony
  • Lashar Williams (incarcerated)
  • Joseph Agyemang
  • Angel Rodriguez (incarcerated)
  • Joshua Adams (incarcerated)
  • Lashar Williams (incarcerated)
  • Ernest Tahuy (incarcerated)
  • Jerome Hughes (incarcerated)

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Today In Hip Hop History: ‘Menace II Society’ Movie Soundtrack Released 29 Years Ago

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On this date in 1993, Jive Records released the soundtrack to the blockbuster hood classic Menace II Society featuring various artists. The sixteen-track Hip Hop assortment peaked at the pole position on Billboard’s Top R&B/Hip Hop albums. Along with singles, music videos were produced for the songs: “Straight Up Menace” by MC Eiht, and “Trigga Gots No Heart” by Spice 1. It has been certified Platinum by the RIAA since October 11, 1994.

Classic tracks include Spice 1’s “Trigga Gots No Heart”, Too Short’s “Only The Strong Survive” as well as some East Coast flavor from Brand Nubian(“Lick Dem Muthafuckas”), Boogie Down Productions(“The P Is Still Free”) and Pete Rock and CL Smooth’s “Death Becomes You”.

Just as timeless as the movie during the era when soundtracks were everything, the MIIS soundtrack is sure to bring back that bi-coastal Hip Hop nostalgia.

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[WATCH] Video Surfaces Of 600 Breezy Confronting Charleston White

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Charleston White, the outspoken critic of gangs and gangsta rappers, was approached and confronted by Chicago drill rapper 600 Breezy because of White’s comments about the late Chicago rapper King Von , who White inexplicably called a “demon”.

The video below shows Breezy checking the 52-year-old, while White holds steadfast to his principle that he cannot support anything that he views as “anti-Black”. At one point, Breezy calls the opinionated critic a liar, to which he surprisingly agreed, drawing laughter from those who were present. He went on to say that when he was gang affiliated, he would fight his opps instead of killing.

At the end of the video, White contends that he’s against anything that’s hurting Black people, including gangs, rap music, and white people.

After the video below was released, White took to social media, saying he was ready to called the police on 600 Breezy for threatening him.

See the entire video below.

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[WATCH] Charges Dismissed Against Atlanta Police Who Tased College Kids

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Who remembers those SpelHouse College kids that the Atlanta Police Department tasered during the 2020 summer of protests? Taniyah Pilgrim and Messiah Young were captured in a viral video being dragged out of a car and shot with a taser.

According to 11Alive, the Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office has decided to drop the charges against the officers involved and deemed their use of force as justified.

The statement that was released by the prosecutor Samir Patel noted pointlessly that the two teens were out past the legal curfew. Patel went on to talk about looting and arson that took place on that evening, none of which had anything to do with Taniyah nor Messiah.

“The civil unrest on May 29 and May 30, 2020, resulted in looting, damage, and destruction to the City of Atlanta. When their city needed them, Investigators Gardner and Streeter drove into the chaos putting their lives at risk as they had done so many times to arrest the violent fugitives who prey on Atlanta citizens,”

For the two students who experienced the horrific ordeal, the pain and trauma is lasting.

“He did the worst thing,” Pilgrim said about one of the officer’s actions. “Walking me and Messiah off he said that he was going to shoot us. This is stuff that shouldn’t be said after all the trauma.”

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