U.S. Breakdancers Set To Represent Country In World’s Largest Break Dancing Competition

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On Saturday, August 26th, the prestigious global breaking (also known as breakdancing) competition, Red Bull BC One, concluded its 2023 U.S. season with its National Final held in Philadelphia. Legendary breakers and rising talent came together at The Fillmore Philadelphia, where competitors showcased unparalleled footwork, freezes, and power moves to win over a judging panel of respected breakers and claim the coveted national b-boy and b-girl championship titles. 

Welcoming more than 1,200 attendees throughout the weekend, the Red Bull BC One Camp and Cypher USA ends a two-month circuit of electrifying battles and community events across the country, including regional qualifiers in Orlando, Minneapolis, and New York City. In Philadelphia, an elite line-up of regional champions and a selection of wild card invitees battled their way through a 16-bracket knockout tournament. 

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In the b-girl category, Kate came out on top, following a fierce final battle with Team USA’s Pep-C. Kate’s triumphant win comes after years of pursuing a spot on the Red Bull BC One World Final roster. In the b-boy bracket, HiJack emerged as champion. Finalists Mace and HiJack delivered world class performances, but HiJack’s musicality and infusion of personality into his final rounds ultimately stole the show.

Kate and HiJack will go on to represent the United States at the historic 20th edition of the Red Bull BC One World Final in Paris, where breaking will bless the grounds of the iconic Roland-Garros on October 21st, ahead of its sporting debut in 2024. 

Leading up to the event, the breaking community came together for Red Bull BC One Camp USA, which featured a weekend of exhibition battles, workshops, and panels. Hosted by iconic figures in breaking, hip-hop and dance, including B-Boy Flea Rock and Buddha Stretch, Red Bull BC One Camp USA was a celebration of breaking’s storied roots and promising future.  

Red Bull has a rich legacy within the breaking community which spans over two decades, beginning with the trailblazing 2 vs. 2 event, Lords of the Floor, which gave rise to Red Bull BC One in 2004. Today, Red Bull BC One is the premiere platform for competition, mentorship, cyphers, community jams, and programming in breaking—nurturing the growth of the athletic artform as it continues to reach new milestones. 

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Chance the Rapper Packs Out NYC’s Barclays Center For Acid Rap’s 10th Anniversary

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The Barclays Center was electrified on Saturday night as Grammy-winning artist Chance The Rapper took the stage for a sensational and nostalgia-filled performance commemorating the 10-year anniversary of his groundbreaking mixtape Acid Rap. The event followed his sold-out show at Chicago’s United Center and delivered an incredible night of music, memories, and magic. From the moment the lights dimmed, the atmosphere was charged with excitement, as Chance’s signature energy and magnetic stage presence captivated everyone in attendance. 

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Chance’s performance was a journey through time, as he flawlessly delivered tracks from Acid Rap with the same fervor and authenticity that made the mixtape a cultural phenomenon a decade ago. The setlist included iconic tracks like “Cocoa Butter Kisses,” “Juice,” and “Chain Smoker,” each met with thunderous applause and sing-alongs that echoed throughout the venue. As the night drew to a close, the energy in the Barclays Center remained at its peak. Chance’s final moments on stage were met with a standing ovation and a chorus of cheers, leaving no doubt that this anniversary celebration was an unforgettable experience for all in attendance.

Chance will conclude the trio of events with the Acid Rap 10th anniversary show at the Kia Forum in LA on September 21.

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New Law Course At Georgia State University College Of Law Covers Rick Ross’ Legal Troubles

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Georgia State University College of Law is offering a new law course on Florida rapper Rick Ross.

According to reports, the course, titled “The Legal Life of Rick Ross,” is the latest installment of the “Legal Life of…” curriculum that analyzes public figures and their run-ins with the law. The course will focus on Ross’ criminal history dating back to his teenage years.

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The course is designed to train future lawyers who are considering careers as defense attorneys representing public figures.

According to several reports, Ross was arrested in Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Georgia on drug possession, kidnapping and assault, and weapons charges.

He has also been sued in multiple jurisdictions that will be covered during the law course.

In June 2010 former drug kingpin “Freeway” Ricky Ross sued the rapper in California for profiting off his name.

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Ross said of the lawsuit at the time, “It’s like owning a restaurant, you’re gonna have a few slip and falls. You get lawsuits, you deal with them, and get them out your way … sometimes you lose.”

On December 30, 2013, the court ruled in favor of the rapper, allowing him to keep the name Rick Ross.

In 2011, rapper Teflon Don filed a trademark infringement lawsuit against Ross for using his name in an album title.
Thoughts?

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Xscape, Jagged Edge, Da Brat, TLC, Anthony Hamilton And More To Perform At So So Def Festival In October

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To celebrate the 30th Anniversary of So So Def, Grammy® Award-winning producer, songwriter, hip-hop artist, author, and DJ Jermaine Dupri, announced his upcoming So So Def Festival, a celebration of hip-hop and R&B music. The multi-day festival will feature performances from well-renowned artists, including Xscape, Jagged Edge, Anthony Hamilton, Da Brat, TLC, Dem Franchize Boyz, and Youngbloodz.

The two-day live music event will take place on October 7th from 12 PM – 11 PM ET and October 8th from 12 PM – 10 PM ET in Atlanta’s infamous Central Park. Additional performers are forthcoming. 

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Fyre Festival 2 Pre-Sale Drop Tickets Sell Out in Less than Two Days

Fyre Festival 2 Pre Sale Drop Tickets Sell Out in Less than Two Days

For most of 2023, Beyonce and Taylor Swift were the most in-demand music tickets, but now apparently the hottest event to get tickets to is….Fyre Fest? Yes, you read that correctly. Fyre Fest 2 is not only happening, but the initial drop of tickets have already sold out in under two days.

Despite the fact that Fyre Fest 2 did not have an artist lineup, location, or even an exact date yet, 100 presale tickets went up for sale on August 21 for $499 apiece ($549.89 after taxes and fees). Tickets will be offered in waves with prices continuing to increase incrementally, ultimately culminating in the final round of tickets, which will go for $7,999 apiece. (No word on what accommodations and benefits will accompany those tickets.)

The website was updated on Wednesday to state that the event start date would be Friday, December 6, 2024 in the Caribbean. (No exact location was announced.)

Billy McFarland (the original Fyre Fest organizer) posted a video to Instagram on Monday to talk about the ticket drop with the caption “FYRE Festival 2 Pre-Sale is LIVE 🔥🔗 in bio.”

Wearing a white robe and Airpods, McFarland (who completed an four year stint for wire fraud in 2022), spoke to followers, saying:

Billy McFarland IG
Billy McFarland IG

What’s up guys? This is a big day because as of right now Fyre Festival 2 tickets are officially on sale. It has been the absolute wildest journey to get here and it really all started during the seventh month stint in solitary confinement. I wrote out this 50-page plan of how it would take this overall interest and demand in Fyre and how it would take my ability to bring people from around the world together together to make the impossible happen, but how it would find the best partners in the world to allow me to be me while executing Fyre’s vision to the highest level. In my first year, I partnered with one of the biggest and best TV companies in the world to produce a documentary called “After the Fyre.” I’ve also worked with one of the biggest production companies to sign a deal to produce Fyre Festival, the Broadway musical and finally today we are announcing Fyre Festival 2. I spoke to people as far away as the Middle East and South America and ultimately we decided that Fyre Festival 2 will come back to the Caribbean. We are targeting Fyre Festival 2 for the next year. In the meantime, we will be doing pop-ups and events across the world. Guys, this is your chance to get in. This is everything I’ve been working for. Let’s f***ing go.

The original Fyre Festival, which took place back in 2017, was billed as a luxurious “cultural experience of the decade.” However, attendees (who paid between $1,200 to upwards of $100,000 per ticket) found themselves stranded with minimal food and shelter on the Bahamian island of Exuma. Headliners such as Blink-182, Migos, Tyga, Desiigner, Lil Yachty, and more pulled out of performing at the last minute and the event never took place, ultimately leading to the federal wire fraud charges against McFarland.

Interested parties can check out https://posh.vip/e/fyre for more details.

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Rock The Bells And Nick Cannon Announce Rock-N-Out On Rock The Bells Cruise

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Rock The Bells, the global platform dedicated to elevating Hip-Hop culture from its roots to the modern day, in partnership with Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than two decades, presents Rock-N-Out on the “Rock The Bells Cruise: A Hip-Hop Experience” starring Nick Cannon with Hitman Holla, Emmanuel Hudson, Justina Valentine and Radio Big Mack. The unforgettable and hilarious show will include music, stand-up comedy and improvised games that feature special surprise guest appearances from the Hip-Hop icons and legends on the cruise lineup.

This is just the latest announcement from the Rock The Bells Cruise, in partnership with Sixthman, the leader in festivals and music cruises for more than two decades, which sold out in less than a week.The cruise is the first of its kind, offering an all-inclusive immersive 5-day Hip-Hop experience aboard the Norwegian Pearl. The cruise will set sail from Miami to Bahamas on November 13 – November 17, 2023. Hip-Hop will be taking over every corner of the ship with themed parties, MC & DJ battles, rap karaoke, interactive graffiti, live podcasts, open mic nights, movie screenings, masterclasses, art galleries, custom grillz, Hip-Hop dance classes, basketball and much more.

Attendees will be able to enjoy unforgettable performances and unique intimate experiences from Rick Ross, Lil Jon, Big Boi, DJ Jazzy Jeff, MC Lyte, Ghostface Killah, Trina & Trick Daddy, Just Blaze, Big Daddy Kane, Too Short, Slick Rick, DJ Spinderella, Mannie Fresh, Pete Rock, DJ Quik, Rah Digga, EPMD, Bun B, Bahamadia, Grandmaster Caz, DJ Scratch, The Finisher Mister Cee, DJ EPPS, DJ Nina 9, Grandmaster Dee, Technician The DJ and DJ Critical Hype.

“The fact that the cruise sold out so quickly shows their continues to be an appetite to celebrating and honoring the culture of Hip-Hop,” said Rock The Bell’s President James Cuthbert. “We knew we had to go all out for the first cruise of this caliber by adding the Wild N Out crew who has been apart of the culture for decades providing Hip-Hop artists with a platform. We’re excited for what they will bring to the fans onboard.”

Rock The Bells proudly serves Hip-Hop’s legends and champions the culture by providing opportunities to spotlight its icons through content, commerce, and experiences. This partnership is the first time Sixthman has produced a classic Hip-Hop cruise.

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Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour Becomes Highest Grossing Tour By Black Artist

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Queen Beyoncé is having the best year ever.
So far, we’ve witnessed everyone from Oprah to Madonna sing praise to what is arguably one of the greatest shows ever. After 33 shows, box office data shows, Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour has become the high-grossing tour of her career, with $295,676,504 in sales.

This becomes the highest-grossing tour of all time by a black artist, breaking the record set by her own Formation World Tour. Set to make $500,000,000 in ticket sales, I can’t help but to think about the adversity she overcame back when she silently fought through senseless rumors. If we learn anything from this ray of light we learned that naysayers and opinions don’t mean a thing when you stay disciplined and focused.

This tour tells a story with so many hidden gems that calling it a show doesn’t even do it justice—it’s an experience. One that you don’t want to miss. Creative thinkers, movers and shakers have been showing up by the boatloads to get a glimpse of this epic performance. Lenny Kravitz, Naomi Campbell, Pharrell Williams, Kelly Rowland, Salma Hayek, Kris and Kylie Jenner, Kandi, Megan Thee Stallion, Chloe and Halle Bailey, Amy Schumer, Ashley Graham and more have made this a priority in their schedule much like the rest of us.

I remember a time when they couldn’t pronounce her name correctly.

Now my 7-year-old daughter Felicity is envisioning her own future after we went to see Beyonce perform at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey. We both sang and danced through tears amazed at the legend my daughter (and myself) look up to. For three hours straight we watched her consistency, perfection, stamina and creativity in a way the world has never seen before.
After growing up with every image but my own in the spotlight, it’s breathtaking to witness this greatness from Beyonce (and Blue Ivy) with my own black princess. 

It’s safe to say this generation has a new Michael Jackson in town…and her name is Beyoncé.

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Tory Lanez Drops ‘Free Tory’ Merchandise

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After a difficult week, Tory Lanez just announced a new line of merchandise on hip hop’s. birthday. His 10-year prison sentence for the 2020 shooting of Megan Thee Stallion has given him a reason for a new venture…’Free Tory’ t-shirts.

Just three days after being handed the sentence, Lanez’s team announced the release of hoodies and T-shirts that read, “Free Tory.” Elsewhere, one of the tees had the following inscription: “No weapon formed against me shall prosper.” Starting at $29, the merch is available on the rapper’s official website.

“I have never let a hard time intimidate me. I will never, never let no jail time eliminate me. Regardless of how they try to spin my words, I have always maintained my innocence, and I always will,” Lanez shared in a statement posted to his Instagram yesterday (Aug. 10).

He continued, “In no way, shape, or form was I apologizing for the charges I’m being wrongfully convicted of. I remain on the stance that I refuse to apologize for something that I did not do.”

Check out the post below.

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Wu-Tang Clan Headlines SiriusXM and Pandora’s Hip-Hop 50th Anniversary Celebration

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Legendary Hip-Hop group Wu-Tang Clan performed exclusively for SiriusXM and Pandora last night at the Knockdown Center in Queens as part of its “For the Love” Hip-Hop 50th anniversary celebration on Thursday, August 10. 

The night kicked off with opener Lola Brooke followed by headliners, Wu-Tang Clan, who were introduced on stage by iconic rapper Flavor Flav and SiriusXM host Sway Calloway. The group performed a set of their biggest hits to a packed audience of SiriusXM subscribers, Pandora listeners and fans.

SiriusXM and Pandora also partnered with Sneaker Con for a first of its kind activation and immersive experience at the event where audience members had the opportunity to win merch and some of the most sought after sneakers including artist collab sneakers, limited editions and more.

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Was YouTube Star Lil Tay’s Death A Hoax?

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Was Lil Tay’s death announcement a hoax?

After the shocking news of YouTuber-rapper Lil Tay’s death and her brother Jason Tian, an Instagram account – termanii, claiming to be Jason- has now added that the siblings are still alive.

Yesterday the page of the viral Instagram star posted that the teen passed away. The 14-year-old allegedly updated her Instagram page on Wednesday evening revealing she and her brother are not dead and that her parents are ‘sick people’.

The page posted:

“We are not dead me and my brother had everything taken from us please repost and get this out there my parents are sick people.”

tay

Her brother also updated an Instagram page with a similar message. Neither Los Angeles nor Vancouver, Canada police have any record of her passing.

News of the viral star’s “sudden and tragic” death was posted on her Instagram page on Wednesday. But social media users questioned whether it was a hoax.

The statement read:
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock. Her brother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.”

The post also revealed that her 21-year-old brother Jason Tian had passed away. No cause of death was given.

The statement said both deaths are “still under investigation.” But police in California, where Tay lives, and Canada, where her father lives, have no record of either deaths.

A social media user claims he witnessed them die in a car crash, according to The Mail.

Tay’s former manager Harry Tsang has since said he “cannot definitively confirm or dismiss the legitimacy of the statement,” according to The Mail.

The aspiring rapper, whose real name is Claire Hope, was best known for her fake Internet persona as a trust fund kid with access to lavish penthouses, luxury cars, and private jets.
A Canadian blog busted her as a fraud in 2018 before her mother, a real estate agent named Angela, was fired for giving Lil Tay access to vacant penthouses to shoot videos.

Viral YouTube star and aspiring rapper Claire Hope, aka Lil Tay, died suddenly at age 14, according to a message posted on her Instagram account.

“It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. We have no words to express the unbearable loss and indescribable pain. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock.

The statement mentioned Claire’s brother also passed away and his death “adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief.” Both of their deaths are under investigation.

Lil Tay went viral in 2018 at age 11 by pretending to be a millionaire trust fund kid living in million-dollar penthouses.

She was dubbed “InstaBrat” on Instagram where she flaunted cash and luxury cars. She gained over 3 million Instagram followers.

But Lil Tay was busted when a Vancouver, Canada blog broke the story that Lil Tay was a fraud.

Her mom, a real estate agent named Angela, was fired after her employer saw Lil Tay yelling profanities in a penthouse that was supposed to be vacant and listed for sale on Realtor.com.

As a real estate agent, Lil Tay’s mom had access to high end vacant properties that she didn’t own.

“There is no place for this sort of activity in our industry. Angela has only been a realtor with our brokerage firm for only six months,” the agency told Dailyhive.com.

Tay’s first Instagram account was deleted in 2018. She returned to Instagram to pay tribute to slain rapper Xxxtentacion, making his picture her profile icon.

Thoughts?

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