Ice Cube is not only one of the most influential rappers of all time, but one of the art form and culture’s most extracurricularly decorated exponents. He’s led basketball leagues and starred in a lot of visual media, one of his most famous being the classic 1995 comedy Friday alongside Chris Tucker. It got two sequels in 2000 and 2002 respectively, but it seems like Hollywood higher-ups felt that the weekend was over. The Los Angeles MC went on Cam Newton’s Funky Friday podcast to reveal that studio executives shut down his script for another installment, although the timeline is unclear.
“Like, I know what it needs to be, and they don’t,” Ice Cube remarked to Cam Newton. “So, they had a guy in there named Toby Emmerich for years, and he wouldn’t make the movie. I was trying to get it made. I wrote a script, they said it was…” Then, Cube explained his idea for the script, and revealed that he wanted to get Chris Tucker back. “They was like, ‘Ah, jail’s not funny. It’s too much time in jail. How can you make jail funny?’ I’m like, ‘Man, y’all don’t know what the f**k y’all talking about.’ Then they come out with Orange Is The New Black, Let’s Go To Prison, all these movies about that. And I’m like, ‘See? More Hollywood execs don’t know what the f**k they’re talking.’”
After that comment, Cam Newton asked why Ice Cube didn’t seek the help of another film company or filmmaker to get this new Friday movie out. “It’s not that simple,” he replied. “We did the movie through New Line, and they attached to all the sequels. Has to come out through New Line. I was trying to take the movie to another studio.” So it looks like the West Coast icon wasn’t able to fulfill his mission, but maybe he gains the public leverage to convince New Line for good.
Meanwhile, Ice Cube just released his new album Man Down, and to hear him return to the rap space is something special. Hopefully, one day, he can get back to this franchise.
Playboi Carti graces fans with not one, but two festival performances this weekend, which is basically like getting a whole rollout from him. He closed out the second day of Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw carnival and festival on Sunday (November 17), and the day before, he performed at Complex Con in Las Vegas. As such, a lot of people found plenty of news to talk about from the Atlanta creative, whether the new music he teased during these shows, his special guests during the performances, or some alleged scuffles with fans in their aftermath. And it looks like he knows all this hype as well, because he felt comfortable enough to lie to our faces again.
Moreover, Playboi Carti announced that he will be dropping new music on Friday via his alternate Instagram account, posting a text message exchange with a mystery individual. Of course, everyone is highly skeptical of this, given just how much he teased his new album, release dates, next moves, and much more only to never follow up on these promises. So we won’t believe this until we see it. Not even Carti’s contribution to “Thought I Was Dead” fully manifested all the way…
Jokes aside, we obviously still can’t wait for whatever Playboi Carti does next, whether that’s a presumed new single this Friday, official drops of his previous IG-only 2024 material, or the long-awaited release of the new album. It’s been almost four full years since Whole Lotta Red, and fans are so desperate for what’s next. At least we also got some more positive news from the Opium camp these days, such as a seemingly squashed beef with LUCKI.
In any case, the “Timeless” collaborator is one of hip-hop’s leaders right now, so it’s kind of frustrating when he makes promises that he can’t keep. He might not be the one to blame for each instance of this, but he kept this up so long that fans started to lose their good faith. But Playboi Carti hasn’t broken his promise to drop this Friday, November 22… yet. So let’s see what happens!
Fridayy is keeping the good vibes coming in 2024 with his latest single “Baddest In The Room,” a track that sums up his lust when he spots exactly that in the middle of the party. Moreover, it follows previous singles like the Chainsmokers collab “Friday” and a more direct display of balladry and melancholy with the March cut “Without You.” In comparison to those cuts, this one takes more inspiration from dancehall and Afrobeat rhythms and tones, but the vocals and harmonies are firmly within the R&B tradition.
Furthermore, the main instrumental draw to “Baddest In The Room” is a rustic acoustic guitar lick that contrasts with airy synthesizers and deep synthetic bass. Fridayy is able to work with both timbres quite well as far as how his vocals match, but it’s also not that notable of a switch-up or change of pace compared to all his other material. He’s definitely come a long way from his debut self-titled album last year, and has even further to go.
With that in mind, we’re excited to hear where the “When It Comes To You” crooner takes us next. If you haven’t heard Fridayy’s “Baddest In The Room” yet, find it on your preferred streaming service or check out the visualizer on YouTube a bit further down. Peep some notables lines below as well, and let us know what you think of the record in the comments section. Also, as always, stick around on HNHH for more soothing R&B drops around the clock.
Fridayy’s “Baddest In The Room”: Stream & Watch The Visualizer
Quotable Lyrics I’m in the middle of the party, but all I’m thinking about is you, A hundred million shawties, but you make it easy to choose, How many men wish they could wake up right next to you? Oh, baby, bring it closer, I know just what to do
F. Gary Gray, a distinguished filmmaker and director, has made an indelible mark on Hollywood with his diverse body of work. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $12 million, according to CelebrityNetWorth. Gray’s journey through the film industry, characterized by groundbreaking projects and a knack for storytelling, underscores his significant contributions and lasting influence in cinema.
F. Gary Gray’s career in the entertainment industry began with music videos, where he quickly established himself as a creative force. In the early 1990s, Gray directed iconic music videos for artists like Ice Cube, TLC, and Dr. Dre. His work on Ice Cube’s “It Was a Good Day” and Dr. Dre’s “Keep Their Heads Ringin’” showcased his unique visual style. It also earned him widespread recognition in the music industry.
Transitioning from music videos to feature films, Gray made his directorial debut with the cult classic Friday in 1995. The comedy starred Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. It was a commercial and critical success, solidifying Gray’s reputation as a talented director. This success paved the way for more opportunities in Hollywood, allowing him to expand his portfolio and enhance his net worth.
Blockbuster Success: A Master Of Diverse Genres
PASADENA, CA – FEBRUARY 05: (L-R) Actors O’Shea Jackson Jr., Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, and director F. Gary Gray attend the 47th NAACP Image Awards presented by TV. One at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on February 5, 2016, also in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for NAACP Image Awards)
F. Gary Gray’s ability to navigate various genres has been a hallmark of his career. Following the success of Friday, he directed Set It Off (1996), a heist film starring Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Vivica A. Fox. The film received critical acclaim for its powerful performances and gripping narrative. It further establishing Gray as a versatile filmmaker. Further, Gray continued to build on his success with a series of high-profile projects. In 2003, he directed the action-thriller The Italian Job, featuring an ensemble cast including Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Edward Norton. The film was a box office hit, showcasing Gray’s skill in orchestrating complex action sequences and compelling storylines.
Perhaps one of Gray’s most notable achievements came in 2015 with the biographical film Straight Outta Compton. Chronicling the rise of the rap group N.W.A., the film received widespread acclaim and was a commercial success, grossing over $200 million worldwide. Gray’s direction was praised for its authenticity and emotional depth, earning him a nomination for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture.
Recent Projects & Ongoing Impact
LAS VEGAS, NV – MARCH 29: (L-R) Director F. Gary Gray, actor Vin Diesel, and rapper Ludacris at CinemaCon 2017 Universal Pictures Invites You to a Special Presentation Featuring Footage from its Upcoming Slate at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, on March 29, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Getty Images for CinemaCon)
F. Gary Gray’s recent work demonstrates his enduring influence in Hollywood. In 2017, he directed The Fate of the Furious, the eighth installment in the highly successful Fast & Furious franchise. The film grossed over $1.2 billion globally, cementing Gray’s status as a director capable of delivering blockbuster hits. His ability to manage large-scale productions and deliver captivating entertainment has kept him at the forefront of the film industry. Moreover, Gray has also been involved in producing, further diversifying his contributions to cinema. His work as a producer allows him to shape projects from behind the scenes, bringing new stories to life and supporting emerging talent in the industry.
Chris Tucker has revealed his openness to reuniting with Ice Cube to make another Friday film. However, the actor is unsure that it will ever happen as the future of the project lies with the studios. “It’s studios, and if they got they got to want to do it, and then it’s uh producers and all that stuff, so that that’s it’s a lot, it’s a lot that goes with it. I don’t know, it has to come back right because, like I said, at this point, you know, I’m only doing stuff that I know that I could do my best and I can have a lot of fun, got to be right,” Tucker told V-103 Atlanta.
Previously, Ice Cube has spoken at length about the obstacles standing in the way of another Friday film. “I’m trying to get it out of Warner Bros., they don’t believe in the culture man. I had two scripts. I wrote one; it was the shit. They was like, ‘Yo, we don’t want Craig and Day-Day in jail, ’cause Craig and Day-Day went to jail for selling weed before it was legal! Then after they rejected it they had all these fucking movies about going to jail: Orange Is The New Black …Get Hard. So then I wrote another script, and the script was really about … the youngsters in the hood having beef with the OG’s in the hood and Craig has to come back and squash that because Smokey’s son is the new Deebo and he’s wylin!” Cube said in an interview.
Karlissa Saffold Claims Katt Williams Wanted Her To Star In “Next Friday”
However, Cube and Tucker aren’t the only ones talking about the beloved Friday franchise. In early January, Karlissa Saffold claimed that Katt Williams “shouted her out” in his Club Shay Shay interview and that he wanted her to play the role of D’Wana in Next Friday. Saffold said that she turned down the role because of the outfit they wanted her to wear. The role was eventually played by Tamala Jones. Saffold’s comments appear to stem from fans telling her that she should have played D’Wana.
However, people immediately called cap on Saffold’s claims. “Man cap I didn’t hear him say blueface momma or the name Karlissa,” one person argued. “Katt never said that I watched the whole 3 hour interview twice ,” agreed another. “LIES…KATT NEVER SAID THAT YOU HAD A POSSIBLE ROLE IN FRIDAY ,” a third added. Williams did not appear to reference Saffold in his wide-ranging interview. While Williams may have privately told Saffold about Next Friday, he did not appear to say anything to that regard on camera.
Paula Jai Parker has graced the silver screen in a variety of memorable roles. Renowned for her versatility and emotive performances in movies like Sprung and Hustle & Flow, the actress has left an indelible mark on cinema. The movies that Paula Jai Parker has starred in have also highlighted her exceptional talent in the entertainment industry. Recently, she called out Cassie for suing Diddy, claiming the singer is not “built for the industry,” and has understandably received backlash.
Nonetheless, Parker’s groundbreaking performances in film have won her significant praise. She has starred in multiple box-office successes, showcasing her range. The following three films not only showcase her artistic range but also her ability to connect with audiences on a profound level. Let’s embark on a cinematic journey through the three biggest Paula Jai Parker movies.
Ray (2004)
Ray, a captivating and emotionally charged biographical film released in 2004, chronicles the life and career of Ray Charles, one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. The Taylor Hackford-directed film captures Charles’ journey from his humble beginnings in the segregated South. It especially shines a light on his rise to fame in the 1950s and 1960s, which made him an American music icon.
Ray also delves deep into Charles’ struggles with racism, drug addiction, and the challenges of his visual impairment. This offers a raw and honest portrayal of his life’s trials and triumphs. Jamie Foxx delivers a masterful performance as Ray Charles, embodying the musician’s spirit, talent, and complexity. Moreover, the execution of the role earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Notably, Paula Jai Parker wasn’t one of the main characters in Ray. However, she contributes a memorable performance as Ruth Brown, a fellow musician and one of Charles’ contemporaries. Her portrayal of Brown provides an insightful glimpse into the vibrant music scene of the era, highlighting the interactions and influences among artists of that time. Paula Jai Parker also brings her star quality, as seen in the bulk of her movies. Even though her role is not central to the plot, she adds depth to the narrative.
Overall, Ray stands out not only for its powerful storytelling and stellar performances but also for its authentic depiction of the music industry. The film’s portrayal of Ray Charles’ innovations in soul, R&B, and other music genres underscores his profound influence on the music industry and his enduring legacy. It is no wonder that Ray won two Oscars. Additionally, the movie’s box office performance was also impressive, as it ended up grossing $124 million.
Paula Jai Parker has shown off her versatility in multiple movies. One of them is Phone Booth, a gripping psychological thriller directed by Joel Schumacher. The film follows the intense experience of Stu Shepard (Colin Farrell), a slick and self-absorbed publicist. Stu’s comfortable life is shaken when he answers a ringing phone booth and finds himself speaking to a sniper.
The sniper seems to know all about Stu and presents him with the fact that he has been cheating on his wife with Pamela McFadden (Katie Holmes). The sniper presents Stu with two choices: confess your misdeeds or die. At this point, the plot spirals in different directions, and the consequences of Stu’s actions or inactions are exposed. Phone Booth is noteworthy for its real-time narrative structure and the way it maintains high tension, even within a confined setting. It also explores themes of voyeurism, confession, and the consequences of one’s actions, all while keeping the audience on edge. The voice of the caller, provided by Kiefer Sutherland, adds a chill to the film, turning a simple phone booth into a stage for psychological warfare.
In one of the most high-stakes movies of the 2000s, Paula Jai Parker plays the role of Felicia, Stu’s assistant. Her character adds a layer of personal drama and tension to the plot, as her interactions with Stu reveal more about his character and life. Parker’s performance also contributes to the film’s exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the masks people wear in public, versus their true selves. Phone Booth stands out as a unique cinematic experience, combining a simple setting with psychological depth and suspense. Grossing $97.8 million, it also goes into the records as one of the biggest Paula Jai Parker movies.
Friday (1995)
Friday is a cult classic comedy film directed by F. Gary Gray and written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh. Set in South Central Los Angeles, the movie offers a humorous and relatable slice of life in the urban community. It follows the story of Craig Jones (Ice Cube) and his best friend Smokey (Chris Tucker). They spend a typical Friday dealing with multiple comical and challenging situations, including neighborhood bullies, relationship woes, and an ill-fated drug deal.
Friday’s authentic portrayal of African-American life and culture has been praised. It also notably broke away from the stereotypes of violence and despair. Instead, it presents a lighter, more comedic side while still touching on serious issues like drug use and unemployment. In one of the most lauded Hip Hop movies of all time, Paula Jai Parker shines in her role as Joi, Craig’s demanding and overbearing girlfriend. Her character also adds a humorous layer to the film, as she embodies the stereotypical troublesome girlfriend, contributing to Craig’s already complicated day.
Overall, Parker’s portrayal adds to the dynamic range of characters in the neighborhood. Today, Friday has become an iconic film in the comedy genre, known for its witty dialogue and memorable one-liners. Moreover, the film’s ability to capture the essence of life in the inner city with humor and heart is also worth noting. The film ended up grossing $59.8 million.
Earlier this month, Snoop Dogg took to social media to announce his plans to “give up smoke” for good. While he didn’t provide many more details, users assumed that he had decided to stop smoking weed. The cultural icon is known to be a heavy cannabis consumer, so of course, fans were shocked. Snoop leaned into the chatter, subsequently sharing a variety of Instagram posts hinting that he was going through it amid the quitting process.
While surprising, Snoop Dogg’s announcement managed to inspire some of his peers to do the same. Coi Leray, for example, revealed that she’ll also be quitting marijuana this month. Meek Mill even chimed in, claiming that he’s kicking the habit as well, in hopes of mitigating health problems. In a turn of events, however, Snoop eventually revealed that the entire thing was a hoax. In reality, he hadn’t quit smoking weed at all, and was simply endorsing Solo Stove smokeless firepits.
“Announcement: I’m giving up smoke,” an ad later posted on his Instagram page reads. “I know what you thinking — ‘Snoop, smoking’s kind of your whole thing.’ But I’m done with it. Done with the coughing and my clothes smelling all sticky-icky. I’m going smokeless.” He went on to share a black-and-white photo of a blunt in his hand, confirming that he was only trolling everybody. He then posted a clip from Friday, which features his own face deepfaked onto Chris Tucker’s character Smokey. “I was just bullsh*ttin’! And you know this, man!” he says.
What do you think of Snoop Dogg tricking his fans into thinking he’d given up weed? Did you really believe that he quit smoking for good? Are you surprised that he was able to pull off the weed-quitting hoax? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
After about seven years outside of the ring, The Rock made his comeback appearance at Friday Night SmackDown last night (September 15). Of course, this wasn’t a surprise to many fans who knew that an announcement from SmackDown meant that he’d be cooking up again. Still, the sheer energy when his music started, and fans cheered him on, was pretty cool to see. Before he emerged, Pat McAfee kicked the whole thing off, and Austin Theory interrupted him by talking some smack about the show. But McAfee said that SmackDown is “the people’s show,” and that’s when the pro wrestling legend made his return.
Furthermore, he and Theory got into it right after The Rock started a “You are an a**hole” chant against him. Not only that, but the 51-year-old had to treat the crowd to some signature moves, and hit Theory with a People’s elbow and a spine buster. In fact, he even prompted Pat McAfee to give the former a shot, and swapped out the lead character role for a coach. To top it all off, The Rock grabbed one of Theory’s shoes and threw it into the stands, much to the viewers’ delight both in-person and on social media, where people reacted wildly to the appearance.
Last time Dwayne Johnson graced the WWE with an appearance was about seven years ago. He fought alongside John Cena against Eric Rowan and Luke Harper at an impromptu match at WrestleMania 32. However, this time around, Cena was just there to support The Rock from the sidelines, as a clip also went viral of their reunion last night. Regardless, the superstar suggested in the past that there might be one more blowout showing in him. Rumors floated around concerning his potential match-up against Roman Reigns, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion, at WrestleMania 40.
Meanwhile, Dwayne Johnson’s presence within the organization is like a shadow that peeps out and back in every once in a while. Some wrestlers face accusations of being a copycat all the time, but that’s just because his influence is undeniably high-profile. As such, fans will always be ecstatic to see him in the ring again- and we hope this isn’t the last time. For more news and the latest updates on The Rock, come back to HNHH.
Ice Cube showcased his range as an actor when Friday dropped. The iconic stoner comedy dropped in 1995 and boasted a star cast including Chris Tucker in the supporting role of Smokey, the late John Witherspoon as Willie Jones, and Tiny “Zeus” Lister Jr. as Deebo. Unfortunately, in recent years, both Witherspoon and Lester Jr. have passed away, along with several other members of the cast, such as Bernie Mac, Reynaldo Rey, and Yvette Wilson.
During a recent appearance on GQ, Chris Tucker reflected on his first “co-starring role,” praising director Gary F. Grey and recounting his experience alongside several of his cast mates. “Tiny Zeus Lister, I don’t know if I mentioned him when he passed away. One of my good friends, the legendary Tiny Zeus Lister, who played Deebo. Casting him as like, the big villain coming like the shark from Jaws,” he said. Lister Jr. passed away at 62 in 2020 from hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Chris Tucker Looks Back At “Friday”
Along with Tiny Lister, Tucker also reflected on working alongside the talents such as Witherspoon, Bernie Mac, Rey, and Wilson. “The legendary iconic John Witherspoon,” Tucker continued, “and Bernie Mac. Those guys, comedy legends and gods, man. You had Reynaldo Rey, and Yvette Wilson. So many legends that was in this movie that passed away. I’m so, so honored to have worked with them.”
Chris Tucker only appeared in the first Friday film before Mike Epps took over in the supporting role as Craig’s cousin, Day Day. However, fans have undoubtedly hoped that Smokey would return to the screen. During a recent interview with Audacy’s V-103, he said that he’d be willing to join the cast ofLast Friday as long as the script’s to his liking. “I love that they did two more after the one I did. If it’s possible, if it comes together right, I would try to do it. I’m a perfectionist, I’m sorry. If it ain’t gonna be great – I don’t believe in ‘some movies are good, some are not.’ Nah, I’m going all the way; I want it to be great.”
The Dallas Cowboys lost to the Washington Commanders Sunday 6-26. Anybody who watches sports knows that Stephen A. Smith lives for moments like this; seeing the Cowboys fall apart just to rub it in Michael Irvin’s and every Cowboys fan’s face. And thats exactly what he did on Monday’s episode of First Take. He and Irvin started the episode off with a reenactment of the scene at Pinky’s record store between Craig and Pinky in Next Friday.
“Shut up,” Stephen A. Smith shouted at Michael Irvin, reenacting the scene from Next Friday. “Shut up! What happened to the Cowboys yesterday? What happened to them? Shut up! Say another word and this is over.” Smith continued: “What happened to the running game huh? What happened to the running game? Shut up!
In other Friday news, Ice Cube said that he won’t sue Warner Bros. to regain the rights to the Friday franchise and doesn’t plan on making a “Saturday” movie to get around having to use the Friday name.
“With all the stuff going on with Friday, have you ever thought about making a Saturday,” the interviewer asked before Cube told her that he can’t do a Saturday movie because Warner Bros. owns the Friday franchise’s intellectual property, meaning he couldn’t use the same characters from the Friday movies.
“Is Friday a lost cause at this point?” she asked. “Nah, never,” Cube responded. The interviewer then asked if Cube was going to sue over teh rights to the film, to which he responded, “no.”
,” agreed another. “LIES…KATT NEVER SAID THAT YOU HAD A POSSIBLE ROLE IN FRIDAY 
,” a third added. Williams did not appear to reference Saffold in his wide-ranging interview. While Williams may have privately told Saffold about Next Friday, he did not appear to say anything to that regard on camera.
