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Harlem Street 140th And Lenox Avenue Is Officially Renamed ‘Lamont ‘Big L’ Coleman Way’

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Big L Chicago 1995
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Big L is officially able to be remembered in more ways than one as 140th and Lenox Avenue in Harlem has now been renamed “Lamont ‘Big L’ Coleman Way.” The renaming ceremony took place on Saturday (May 28) near where the rapper was shot and killed in 1999. Several people attended, decorating their cars and loudly cheering during the unveiling of the sign located on the corner of the street.

“It took a whole lot of effort and support to get to this great point but as a collective we made it happen,” stated the team behind the upcoming Big L documentary titled Street Struck. “The biggest thank you’s go out to the Dope 500 plus people who signed and passed the petition around so we could get this street renamed.”

Big L got his start alongside The Children Of The Corn group, which also featured fellow Harlem wordsmiths Mase, Cam’ron, Herb McGruff, and Bloodshed. Big L is known for his debut LP Lifestylz Ov Da Poor & Dangerous featuring tracks such as “Put It On,” “MVP,” “Street Struck,” and “Let Em Have It L.” He was shot and killed at the age of 24.

Check out the unveiling of the new street sign in Harlem above.

Casting Director E. Mills Challenges Diddy’s “Best Party Thrower” Claim

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E Mills Diddy

From his infamous all-white parties in the Hamptons to New Year’s Eve extravaganzas in Miami, it’s no secret that Diddy, 52, presented the culture with some of the most memorable parties throughout his 30-year-plus career. While promoting the upcoming Billboard Music Awards, Diddy titles himself the “Best Party Thrower” in a new commercial that instantly sparks a reaction from Award-winning Los Angeles Casting Director and Party Thrower Ed “E. MillsDidIt” Mills, followed by him suggesting a debate for the rightful owner of the moniker to the general public on social media in order to determine who is the real “best party thrower” between the two.

MORE: Diddy Announces CÎROC is Headed to Ready-to-Drink Market

In reaction to Diddy’s declaration, E. Mills — who’s not looking to self-proclaim the title like Diddy — shared a Tik Tok promo that uses a clip from Diddy’s 2022 Billboard Music Awards commercial where he states “Interrupting your regularly scheduled program, I have an announcement to make. I’m the best muthaf*ckin party thrower…”, a scene from the classic film Coming To America with Hakeem (Eddie Murphy) asking: “…You’re the prince, then who am I?”, a clip of E. Mills turning his head with a stunning look and a puzzled mannerism, and a few clips of him partying hard while surrounding around an army of models. The clip issues the vote-requesting statement “Let’s let the people decide…”, followed by taunting remarks and signature catchphrases from E. Mills, like “oh yeah. E. Mills Did It,” “Mill Ticket” and “Mr. Imma Out Work You Ni**as.”

The song in the clip is Wallet Green’s “F*ck It Up,” which name drops E. Mills and his entertainment company Mill Ticket Entertainment in a verse that raps: “… I got hoes like Mill Ticket / They gon think E. MillsDidIt.”

Diddy was announced as this year’s Billboard Music Awards’ host and executive producer last month. While the mogul made the statement in the commercial — it was neither confirmed nor denied that the mogul’s statement was an open invitation to all challengers. Now, E. Mills is well aware of the billionaire mogul’s high-profile party-throwing history but approaches the conversation for sheer acknowledgment of his rivaling partying-throwing resume across the U.S. throughout the 2000s.

“Let’s be clear,” said E. Mills in an issued statement when reached for comment by The Source’s Bryson “Boom” Paul. “It wasn’t necessarily a challenge set forth, but more so me putting the world on notice. I’m not a walk through the park, so to speak when it comes to this lifestyle. I’ve created a lot of vibes over the years and know I’ve planted my feet in these couches [laughing] but hey I’m not running from a challenge either — never have and never will. We can definitely do it for the culture. With that being said, I do give credit where credit it’s due. He’s earned his stripes, just give me mine too 🎟”

Mills is the Founder and CEO of Mill Ticket Entertainment, a popular Los Angeles-based entertainment brand for years now best-known for casting models in music videos for the majority of hip hop’s biggest superstars. The brand’s resume includes a wide variety of high-profile brands and the biggest superstars in today’s music such as 1800 Tequila, New Balance, and Adidas. Mill Ticket models have been seen starring in music videos for everyone, ranging from Drake to Chris Brown to YG to Tyga to 2 Chainz, and so many more. Interestingly, E.Mills has provided models for the Diddy-owned television network, Revolt TV, and its popular original talk show, Respectfully Justin hosted by Justin Laboy.

E.Mills cast the brand new Diddy-starring Ciroc commercial promoting the brand’s new ready-to-drink line in Miami.

MORE: T-Pain Taps Lil Jon, Hannibal Buress, O.T. Genasis For Inaugural “Wiscansin Fest”

Diddy has yet to rebuttal to Mills’ promo at this time but the streets is talking, and want the two to go head-to-head for the title, party-for-party. Mills shared a fan-made versus flyer featuring himself and Diddy with the caption “Somebody just sent me this lol who wants to see it?”

“We need this!,” wrote Lauren Banks under the Instagram post with fire emoji. “Come on now we all know you gonna win,” commented rapper Joey $ynth$ with side-eyed eyes and 100 emoji. “Let’s goooo!!” comments hyped photographer Jam-X.

The Source’s requests for comment(s) from Diddy and/or representatives have gone unresponded at press time. More as this story develops.

Billboard Music Awards hosted and executive produced by Diddy, aires live this Sunday (May 15) at 8PM ET/5PM PT on NBC-Peacock. Watch the trailer below.

The post Casting Director E. Mills Challenges Diddy’s “Best Party Thrower” Claim appeared first on The Source.

Big L Will Have A Street Named After Him In Harlem

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Big L Chicago 1995
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Though Big L’s career was unfortunately cut short when he was fatally shot in 1999, just four years after releasing his debut album, he has been heralded for decades. The recognition will continue in a big way as the late rapper is set to have a street named after him in Harlem, his hometown.

Big L’s official Instagram page announced this past weekend, with a flyer, that 140th and Lenox Avenue will be renamed “Lamont ‘Big L’ Coleman Way” and an official ceremony will occur at noon on May 28. The caption was full of gratitude, thanking the 500 people who signed the petition to make this happen.

“It took a whole lot of effort and Support to get to this great point but as an collective we made it happen, The Biggest Thank you’s go out to the Dope 500 plus people who signed and passed the petition around so we could get this street renamed,” the caption read. “There are entirely tooo many good people that gave this their Support, so with all my Heart I personally want to say THANK YOU!!!!”

Big L got his start alongside The Children Of The Corn group, which also featured fellow Harlem wordsmiths Mase, Cam’ron, Herb McGruff and Bloodshed. Big L is known for his debut LP Lifestylz Ov Da Poor & Dangerous featuring tracks such as “Put It On,” “MVP,” “Street Struck,” and “Let Em Have It L.” He was shot and killed at the age of 24.

Big L Will Be Honored With A Street Named After Him In Harlem

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Big L

One of the first rappers to make it big with the name Big, the late Big L, will be honored in his hometown with a street. For being one of the pioneers of the rap genre and his ability to influence the peers of his time, Harlem will recognize the legacy of Lamont Coleman, also known as Big L.

On Friday (May 6), Big L’s official documentary Instagram page, Street Struck, shared a post revealing the news of the renaming of 140th and Lenox Avenue. The new street name will be “Lamont “Big L” Coleman Way.”

“It took a whole lot of effort and Support to get to this great point but as an collective we made it happen, The Biggest Thank you’s go out to the Dope 500 plus people who signed and passed the petition around so we could get this street renamed,” the caption read. “There are entirely tooo many good people that gave this their Support, so with all my Heart I personally want to say THANK YOU!!!! #biglrestinpeace #LamontBiglcolemanway #behindthelenstv.”

The ceremony will be held on May 28 on 140th and Lenox Ave from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Fans are welcomed to attend.

The New York emcee made a name for himself in the early ’90s. He came up with the Children of the Corn collective, which consisted of fellow Harlem’s own Mase, Cam’ron, Herb McGruff, and Bloodshed. 

In March 1995, the then-20-year-old rapper released his debut album Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous, which featured the iconic singles “Put It On” and “M.V.P.,” as well as fan favorite cuts such as “Street Struck” and “Let Em Have It L.”

Fours years later, Big L was murdered. On February 15, 1999 was gunned down on 139th street, one block away from the where his street will be. Big L died at 24-years-old.

The post Big L Will Be Honored With A Street Named After Him In Harlem appeared first on The Source.

Dapper Dan Collaborates With Gap For “Dap” Sweater

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Dapper Dan Gap

The clothing brand Gap has been making major moves in the fashion industry. Already, they teamed up with Kanye West and Balenciaga, now they’re partnering up with Harlem’s fashion icon Dapper Dan.

Dapper Dan, who made his name creating his own luxury-label items using authentic pieces from Fendi, Louis Vuitton, and Gucci at his Harlem atelier in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

His goal is to apply that same creativity to Gap. His first piece of clothing will be the salmon-colored hoodie that reads, charmingly, “DAP” in the same Gap font.

“This is the first time Gap has ever modified our iconic heritage logo by personalizing it for this collaboration,” said Mary Alderete, global head of Gap marketing.

dapper dan dap
dapper dan dap hoodie

Although Dapper Dan has collaborated with designer brands such as Gucci, Gap has taken his career to new heights literally. Gap debuted the collaboration on 30-foot billboard, on 42nd Street in Times Square.

“Gap allows me to do something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time,” Dap said. “I have so many people who tell me stories, ‘Man, I used to walk by your store when you were in Harlem and I could never afford to buy anything from you. Then, fast-forward 25, 30 years later you’re with Gucci and I still can’t afford you.’ What Gap does for me is it gives me an opportunity to reach down to humanity and let them know that you know you can have a part of me.”

Dapper Dan and Gap’s new Dap hoodie was available for purchase at the price of $99, only slightly more than the average Gap arch-logo hoodie, but like all hyped fashion, the sweater immediately sold out shortly after its 4pm release.

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