Hip Hop Culture | Hip Hop Arts and Lifestyle

Black Eyed Peas Sue Toymaker for Unauthorized Use of Turning “My Humps” into “My Poops”

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Black Eyed Peas Sue Toymaker for Unauthorized Use of Turning 22My Humps22 into 22My Poops22

There has been a lot of discussion in the media recently regarding the unauthorized use of another’s art. From accusations that the Lensa app used artists’ works without permission to Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene using Dr. Dre‘s music in a political video, patent and copyright law is shaping up to be a major issue in 2023. Now, the Black Eyed Peas have entered the fight with a lawsuit against toymaker MGA Entertainment, the makers of the Poopsie Slime Surprise toy, used the group’s 2006 hit “My Humps” without permission.

The lawsuit was filed by the group’s label, BMG, in the U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Amongst other things, it alleges that MGA Entertainment displayed “willful copyright infringement” and “exploited, without authorization” the group’s art as part of its promotional campaign for its “Poopsie Slime Surprise” product line, which featured “a unicorn doll that excretes sparkling slime.” BMG is seeking $10 million in damages, as well as requiring that MGA destroy all copies of “My Poops.”

A YouTube video shows animated unicorns dancing to digitally-altered lyrics where they showcase the toy’s “pooping” features.

Legal experts state that MGA’s primary defense will be that the song was used as a parody, since using art for the purpose of parody is protected by free speech law. However, there are legal limits when it comes to whether or not MGA exploited the song to make a profit.

“My Humps” was a major hit for the group in 2006 and continues to remain popular today, accruing over 700 million views on YouTube. The video also won Best Hip Hop Video at the 2006 MTV Video Music Awards. The original video is shown below.

The post Black Eyed Peas Sue Toymaker for Unauthorized Use of Turning “My Humps” into “My Poops” appeared first on The Source.

The Museum Of Graffiti Presents ‘Layer Cake – The Versus: Project 3’ Opening Next Month

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The Museum of Graffiti is excited to announce a new exhibit curated by the German art duo know as Layer Cake (Patrick Hartl and Christian “C100” Hundertmark). In the group exhibition, The Versus Project 3, all the canvases on display began in their studio until they were then sent unfinished to other artists scattered around the world. The other artists completed the unfinished paintings without discussing the details of the work with Hartl and Hundertmark, thus breaking one of the most important rules of graffiti: Never paint over the work of other writers.

In some cases, this process was repeated several times, and occasionally the development could take up to two years. In this creative, non-verbal dialogue, painterly mosaics of different ideas, styles and working methods were thus created in an associative manner. While the paintings crossed national borders and oceans, the artists were confronted with their own inner boundaries.

The project involves artists with different styles and techniques who changed the original painting, layer by layer, until a joint artwork was created. The unique style of each artist can be seen in each of the artworks. The result is a fascinating collective experiment that spurs an artistic dialogue and examines the exploration of the intersection between graffiti and contemporary art.

All participants in this project are united by their passion and strong connection to style writing, street art and graffiti. Some of the artists include Akue, Raws, Flying Förtress, Various & Gould, Bond Truluv, Mad C and Hera, each of whom are from various generations, countries, and continents.

Hartl and Hundertmark have been experimenting with the fusion of their styles since 2015. Patrick’s writing elements are infused and overlaid with Christian’s hard-edged floating fields. This creates deep spatial variations on type and line, color field and occlusion. The images are not planned, they happen. Sweet, crunchy and layered fittingly, the collaborators called themselves Layer Cake: a cake with a rich filling.

“Working on The Versus Project represents a broadening of our artistic horizons for us as well as for the guest artists. Normally, as an artist, you start with a pristine white surface and not with another artist’s work which is sometimes very colorful and expressive. One faces the challenge of painting over parts of another’s work or incorporating them into one‘s own work. The certainty that we, as Layer Cake, will finally intervene in the painting and again cover over parts of what the guest artist has painted forces the guest artist to relinquish final and sole control. The project and the collaboration open new horizons and shows new ways to interpret the piece. Through the project, works have been created that would never have existed otherwise, whether by an artist collective or as a solo artist.”

– Patrick Hartl & Christian “C100” Hundertmark

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Instagram Set to Debut New ‘Quiet Mode’ Feature

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Instagram Set to Debut New 'Quiet Mode' Feature

On Thursday, Instagram announced its latest feature, “quiet mode,” geared to help users focus and set boundaries with their followers.

The feature will send automatic replies to followers who try to message you letting them know you were not notified of their message. Additionally, the profile’s activity status will change to alert followers that quiet mode has been turned on. This update is one of several changes on Instagram today, including expanded parental control tools and other tools to manage recommendations. Its parental controls allow parents to filter out posts with specific words in their captions and hashtags. Instagram had already allowed users to filter out DMs with a self-made list of potentially harmful or offensive content. Still, the expanded filtering option will enable users to tailor their feeds more granularly than before.

While anyone can access this feature, the company said it would prompt teen users to enable it if they use the app late at night. Social media addiction is a behavioral disorder in which young adults become so addicted to social media and cannot reduce or cease their online media consumption despite clear negative consequences and severe drawbacks. According to CNN, US teens spend an average of more than seven hours per day on screen media for entertainment, and tweens spend nearly five hours, a new report finds, and that doesn’t include time spent using screens for school and homework.

Instagram is one of the world’s top social platforms, with at least 1.440 billion users worldwide as of July 2022. Quiet mode will initially be available in the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

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Young Dolph’s “Dolphland” NYC Museum Tour Opening Brings Out Sold Out Crowds

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Dolphland Creative Director Skye Williams explained that each room design came from friends, family, and collaborators close to Dolph. “This is very authentic to him and there was a lot of time and energy and effort put into this by people who love him.” 

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Additional attendees included Jay Adino (Empire), Lowkey (Apple Music), Georgette Cline (Editorial Director, XXL), Dimas Sanfiorenzo (Okayplayer Managing Editor), Gray Rizzy (SiriusXM/Hip Hop Nation), Jerry Barrow (Head of Content, Hip Hop DX), actor Hassan Jackson, Drea Jackson (Sound Clous), Kelly Jackson (SiriusXM), Alvin Aqua Blanco (Managing Editor, Hip Hop Wired), Michael Saponara and Marc Ellibert (Billboard), Jade Gomez (News Editor, Paper Mag), Justin Frasier-Wright (Complex), Robyn Mowatt (Okay Player), Kim Osorio and JT Soyemi (BET), Rosy Rodriguez (Say Less Podcast), and Mecca Rashawn (My Expert Opinion Podcast) among many others in the media. 

This weekend in New York City, Young Dolph’s label Paper Route Empire hosted a cocktail launch celebration for “Dolphland,” a traveling pop-up museum exhibit celebrating the life of Young Dolph and his new posthumous album “Paper Route Frank.” Co-hosted by platinum-selling PRE recording artist and Dolph protegee Key Glock, hundreds of industry friends, media and NYC’s Hip Hop glitterati such as Jim Jones, Dave East, Maino and many others, packed the pop-up to get an exclusive first glance of the exhibit throughout the three-hour private opening. The premium open bar flowed and DJ Clue along with Dolph’s DJ Rocksteddy kept the vibes going in honor of the late Hip Hop artist.

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Conceptualized by Paper Route Empire and Young Dolph’s manager Allen Parks of Street Execs Management in conjunction with curating partner Trap Music Museum, the multi-room art exhibit features original artwork of various mediums portraying Adolph “Young Dolph” Thorton Jr. throughout various stages of his life, and celebrating his musical legacy.

Dolphland Creative Director Skye Williams explained that each room design came from friends, family, and collaborators close to Dolph. “This is very authentic to him and there was a lot of time and energy and effort put into this by people who love him.” 

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Additional attendees included Jay Adino (Empire), Lowkey (Apple Music), Georgette Cline (Editorial Director, XXL), Dimas Sanfiorenzo (Okayplayer Managing Editor), Gray Rizzy (SiriusXM/Hip Hop Nation), Jerry Barrow (Head of Content, Hip Hop DX), actor Hassan Jackson, Drea Jackson (Sound Clous), Kelly Jackson (SiriusXM), Alvin Aqua Blanco (Managing Editor, Hip Hop Wired), Michael Saponara and Marc Ellibert (Billboard), Jade Gomez (News Editor, Paper Mag), Justin Frasier-Wright (Complex), Robyn Mowatt (Okay Player), Kim Osorio and JT Soyemi (BET), Rosy Rodriguez (Say Less Podcast), and Mecca Rashawn (My Expert Opinion Podcast) among many others in the media. 

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Boosie Badazz Celebrates Meek Mill’s Pardon: ‘Keep Going Young King’

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22-Year-Old Arrested For Fatal Shooting at Boosie Badazz Video Shoot

Over the weekend, Meek Mill received a pardon from the governor of Pennsylvania. Meek was celebrated across social media, including some special words from Boosie Badazz.

“@MeekMill Mill GOT A PARDON!!,” the Baton Rouge rapper wrote on Twitter. “THATS SUM Powefulshit!! THATS REAL POWER!! U N YOUR TEAM CAN CHANGE LAWS N BRING ALOT OF REAL ONES HOME FROM PRISON WHO HAVE BEEN WRONGED!! KEEP GOING YOUNG KING I BELIEVE YOU CAN MAKE SOME CHANGES FOR THE ONES GONE #mademesmilethismorning”

Hitting Instagram, Meek revealed the certificate, noting the forgiveness of criminal convictions, which can now be expunged from his record.

“Thank y’all,” Meek wrote on Instagram. “I’m only gone do more for my community, on god!”

Meek was included in a round of Pennsylvania citizens who received a pardon. The total number for this week was 369.

“I have taken this process very seriously — reviewing and giving careful thought to each and every one of these 2,540 pardons and the lives they will impact. Every single one of the Pennsylvanians who made it through the process truly deserves their second chance, and it’s been my honor to grant it,” said Gov. Wolf. “A record prevents positive forward motion in a person’s life, and can spark a repetitive cycle of defeat. I firmly believe that with restored rights, pardoned Pennsylvanians prove themselves by stepping up and giving back to our communities.”

You can learn more about Gov. Wolf’s pardon here.

Meek’s promise to do good in the community follows a recent effort by him and his friends. Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, fellow REFORM Alliance Co-Chair and Grammy Award-winning musician Meek Mill, and actor Kevin Hart have announced a $7 million donation to 60 private and parochial schools in need. These schools will use the money to provide low-income students from underserved families with scholarships for the 2023–2024 school year.

Additionally, the funds will grant access to much-needed home technology, such as laptops, tablets, and WiFi.

The newest installment in Meek Mill and Michael Rubin’s ongoing commitment to help communities in need, which has resulted in gifts totaling $17M over the course of past years, is this $7M donation.

These charitable endeavors follow up on significant charitable endeavors and initiatives held at the end of 2022 over the recent holiday season. In order to provide more than 30 children who have been adversely affected by the criminal justice system and unfair probations with a special VIP experience, Rubin and Mill teamed up with REFORM Alliance, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the 76ers for the annual Season of Giving event. Meek also cleared the bail for 20 Philadelphian women so that they could spend Christmas Eve with their families.

The post Boosie Badazz Celebrates Meek Mill’s Pardon: ‘Keep Going Young King’ appeared first on The Source.

Meek Mill Receives Pardon From Pennsylvania Gov. Tim Wolf

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Meek Mill Performs "Dreams & Nightmares" Ahead of Game 5 of World Series

Meek Mill has been pardoned by the Governor of Pennsylvania. Hitting Instagram, Meek revealed the certificate, noting the forgiveness of criminal convictions, which can now be expunged from his record.

“Thank y’all,” Meek wrote on Instagram. “I’m only gone do more for my community, on god!”

Meek was included in a round of Pennsylvania citizens who received a pardon. The total number for this week was 369.

“I have taken this process very seriously — reviewing and giving careful thought to each and every one of these 2,540 pardons and the lives they will impact. Every single one of the Pennsylvanians who made it through the process truly deserves their second chance, and it’s been my honor to grant it,” said Gov. Wolf. “A record prevents positive forward motion in a person’s life, and can spark a repetitive cycle of defeat. I firmly believe that with restored rights, pardoned Pennsylvanians prove themselves by stepping up and giving back to our communities.”

You can learn more about Gov. Wolf’s pardon here.

Meek’s promise to do good in the community follows a recent effort by him and his friends. Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, fellow REFORM Alliance Co-Chair and Grammy Award-winning musician Meek Mill, and actor Kevin Hart have announced a $7 million donation to 60 private and parochial schools in need. These schools will use the money to provide low-income students from underserved families with scholarships for the 2023–2024 school year.

Additionally, the funds will grant access to much-needed home technology, such as laptops, tablets, and WiFi.

The newest installment in Meek Mill and Michael Rubin’s ongoing commitment to help communities in need, which has resulted in gifts totaling $17M over the course of past years, is this $7M donation.

These charitable endeavors follow up on significant charitable endeavors and initiatives held at the end of 2022 over the recent holiday season. In order to provide more than 30 children who have been adversely affected by the criminal justice system and unfair probations with a special VIP experience, Rubin and Mill teamed up with REFORM Alliance, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the 76ers for the annual Season of Giving event. Meek also cleared the bail for 20 Philadelphian women so that they could spend Christmas Eve with their families.

The post Meek Mill Receives Pardon From Pennsylvania Gov. Tim Wolf appeared first on The Source.

Flights Delayed Across U.S. After FAA System Outage

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Several news reports have confirmed that flights all across the country have been have been delayed due to an FAA system outage.

The NOTAM system that alerts pilots to hazards and changes to airport facilities and procedures has stopped working, forcing all domestic departures to be delayed at least until 9 AM EST or until the system is restored. The delay will allow the agency to validate the integrity of flight and safety information.

More than 760 flights were delayed within, into or out of the United States as of Wednesday 6:30 am ET (1130 GMT), flight tracking website FlightAware showed, without citing reasons. Another 91 flights within, into or out of the country were also canceled.

“The FAA is still working to fully restore the Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) system following an outage. While some functions are beginning to come back on line, National Airspace System operations remain limited,” the FAA said on Twitter.

In an earlier advisory on its website, the FAA said its NOTAM system had “failed”, although NOTAMs issued before the outage were still viewable.

A total of 21,464 flights are scheduled to depart airports in the United States on Wednesday with a carrying capacity of nearly 2.9 million passengers, according to available reports.

The post Flights Delayed Across U.S. After FAA System Outage appeared first on The Source.

Rihanna Teases Upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Performance

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Rihanna Teases Upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Performance

While the team matchup may not be known yet, one thing is certain: this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, which features Rihanna as the leading performer, will be spectacular.

Rihanna took to social media to tease her upcoming appearance and show off a limited edition Super Bowl-inspired piece from her Fenty collection earlier this week.

Both NFL and Apple Music shared a short clip on their Instagrams of Rihanna in her Super Bowl-themed black hoodie with the photo of her arm holding a football. (It’s the same photo she used to announce her Super Bowl halftime performance.)

The caption reads, “5 weeks from today,” followed by two fire emojis.

Rihanna has also added a new Game Day Collection to her Fenty brand, complete with sweatshirts, t-shirts, boxers, loungewear, and more to commemorate her halftime performance.

This is the first year Apple Music will sponsor the iconic halftime show. DPS is producing the halftime show with Roc Nation,

The post Rihanna Teases Upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Performance appeared first on The Source.

Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, and Kevin Hart Announce $7M Donation to Low-Income Students in Philly

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Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, and Kevin Hart Announce $7M Donation to Low-Income Students in Philly

In order to give back to the Philadelphia community, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, fellow REFORM Alliance Co-Chair and Grammy Award-winning musician Meek Mill, and actor Kevin Hart have announced a $7 million donation to 60 private and parochial schools in need. These schools will use the money to provide low-income students from underserved families with scholarships for the 2023–2024 school year.

Additionally, the funds will grant access to much-needed home technology, such as laptops, tablets, and WiFi.

The newest installment in Meek Mill and Michael Rubin’s ongoing commitment to help communities in need, which has resulted in gifts totaling $17M over the course of past years, is this $7M donation.

These charitable endeavors follow up on significant charitable endeavors and initiatives held at the end of 2022 over the recent holiday season. In order to provide more than 30 children who have been adversely affected by the criminal justice system and unfair probations with a special VIP experience, Rubin and Mill teamed up with REFORM Alliance, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the 76ers for the annual Season of Giving event. Meek also cleared the bail for 20 Philadelphian women so that they could spend Christmas Eve with their families.

The post Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, and Kevin Hart Announce $7M Donation to Low-Income Students in Philly appeared first on The Source.

SOURCE SPORTS: Lil Wayne Asks For Special Favor After Packers Miss Playoffs

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Lil Wayne

Lil Wayne is one of Hip-Hop’s most avid sports fans. He has constantly voiced his love and respect for the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Lakers and even had a close relationship with the late great Kobe Bryant. He even dropped a dedication song to the “Black Mamba” back in 2008 after his 4th championship.

Weezy is also a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan. On Drake’s “Ignorant Sh*t,” he raps, “I’m a cheese head, word to Vince Lombardi.” The Packers fan base is referred to as “cheese heads.” After the Packer’s 20-16 loss to the Detroit Lions Sunday night, the Young Money founder was one of many disappointed cheese heads. He took to Twitter to react to the L.

“Pls do me a favor and don’t call or text me I don’t want talk,” tweeted Lil Wayne.

Lil Wayne voiced his frustration with Rodgers and the Packers back in November after a previous loss to Detroit.

The Packers struggled this season as Rodgers adjusted to playing with a young receiver core. The silver lining was the late-season breakout of rookie wide receiver Christian Watson. Watson finished the season with seven touchdowns in the final eight games.

After the game, Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers addressed his future, and his comments won’t spark inspiration in fans like Lil Wayne.

“At some point, the carousel comes to a stop and it’s time to get off, and I think you kind of know when that is,” Rodgers said Sunday. “And that’s what needs to be contemplated. Is it time? Also, what’s the organization doing? That’s part of it, as well. But the competitive fire is always going to be there. I don’t think that ever goes away. Sometimes it gets transferred, I think, to other things that might not ever fill that large void. But like I said, I feel good about what I’ve accomplished in this league and wouldn’t have any regrets walking away. But I got to see what it feels like once I get away from this.”

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