Hip Hop News

It’s a moment that many have been anxiously awaiting for a year, and now that Derek Chauvin has been sentenced, social media users are debating his case once again. On Friday (June 25), Chauvin was sentenced to 22.5 years in prison for the murder of George Floyd last year, but reports state that the former police officer is expected to serve approximately 15 years.

Following the sentencing, attorney Ben Crump, co-counsel Antonio Romanucci and Chris Stewart, along with the Floyd family released a statement. “This historic sentence brings the Floyd family and our nation one step closer to healing by delivering closure and accountability,” they said.

The statement continues:

For once, a police officer who wrongly took the life of a Black man was held to account. While this shouldn’t be exceptional, tragically it is. Day after day, year after year, police kill Black people without consequence. But today, with Chauvin’s sentence, we take a significant step forward – something that was unimaginable a very short time ago. Now, we look for Chauvin to also be convicted on the federal charges pending against him and for the three other officers to face consequences for their actions. That would represent important additional steps toward justice.

“At the same time, it’s important to acknowledge how far we’ve come. Those who raised their voices to demand justice for George Floyd need to know that their activism made a difference. Not only were Chauvin and the City of Minneapolis held accountable, but cities and states across the country have passed meaningful reforms, including restrictions on chokeholds and better training and protocols. We need this sentence to usher in a new era of accountability that transforms how Black people are treated by police. To achieve that – real, lasting change in police departments from coast to coast – we need the U.S. Senate to pass the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act without further delay.”

Opinions and commentary regarding the length of Chauvin’s sentence have been a mixed bag, as some have applauded accountability in this case while others are angered that he wasn’t given a longer prison time. Of course, Chauvin’s supporters don’t believe that he should have to serve any time at all. 

Check out a few responses below.

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We just received F9, the ninth installment of the Fast & Furious series, but the actors are already excited about what’s to come. It was recently announced that there are only two more films planned for the action-packed film series, and Tyrese Gibson already has a few ideas for his character’s storyline. The actor has been portraying Roman Pierce since 2003’s 2 Fast 2 Furious, and when speaking with HipHollywood, he revealed that he’s ready for his character to have a love interest.

“Roman has been single for the last 18 years,” said Gibson. “I threw out there not only do I think she is a beautiful sexy woman, but I threw out there Rihanna would be perfect for ‘Fast.‘”

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“Not only is she a bad girl all of her attitude and energy, and I think for the movie premiere she would kill every red carpet there is,” he continued. “Hopefully if she joins the franchise they don’t take my idea and make her someone else’s girlfriend because I’ll be mad as hell.”

Tyrese also reportedly told HipHollywood that Fast 10 will begin filming next year but he’s keeping himself busy with the forthcoming Teddy Pendergrass biopic. We reported on the film back in February 2019 when it was announced that the actor was set to portray the music legend.

“I just read the script a couple days ago that Lee Daniels and the producer Donald De Line sent me, and I’m shook, it’s really about to happen,” he said. Do you think that Rihanna should join the Fast & Furious franchise?

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A child star was recently taken into custody following an incident at an airport. Now that people are traveling in droves following the end of the quarantine lockdown, we’re seeing reports of more citizens finding themselves in trouble with TSA agents while moving through security. Earlier this week, we reported on Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso getting arrested in Texas after authorities found marijuana residue in a grinder he packed in his luggage, and on Friday (June 25), it was reported that Bobb’e J. Thompson was detained at Los Angeles International Airport.

Thompson is known for his roles on That’s So Raven, 30 Rock, The Tracy Morgan Show, Tyler Perry’s House of Payne, and many other credits, and TMZ stated that the 25-year-old was arrested after he was caught with a reported stolen gun.

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The outlet claims they spoke with law enforcement and learned that Thompson was stopped while going through LAX’s security. He allegedly had a Glock inside of his luggage, and while there wasn’t a round in the chamber, the firearm was said to have been loaded. 

Once he was searched by the airport police, they reportedly found out that the firearm was allegedly stolen and Thompson was immediately arrested. He was held on a $35K bond but made bail and was released. 

Kevin Winter / Staff / Getty Images

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Since they went public with their romance, Megan Thee Stallion and Pardison Fontaine haven’t ceased sharing intimate moments of their relationship. The couple has uploaded photos and videos to social media showing them jet-setting together, at award shows, and even just enjoying each other’s company at home, and in a recent interview with 97.9 The Box, a smiling Megan was asked if her current elated mood had anything to do with her man.

“First of all, he does make me happy but my happiness comes from myself ’cause I’m just a happy lady,” said Megan. “But, I mean, like I said in the last interview, I’ve got good energy around me right now.”

“Everybody that’s a part of my life, definitely makes me feel good, keep me encouraged,” she continued. “I love where I’m at with working and writing and my music, so that always puts me in a good mood when I finally figure out what I wanna say on the beat. I dropped my Fashion Nova collection today so I’m happy about that, but yeah, Pardi does make me happy.”

The rapper was then asked what attracted her to Fontaine. “I love Pardi because he’s so sweet,” she said. “A lot of guys are scared to show they sweet side and Pardi is not one of them. He’s very romantic and protective and he just makes me feel really protected so I like spending time with him because I feel very secure.” 

“One thing I know, he’s gon’ have my back and I got his, so I love that.” We saw just how fiercely Pardison defends his woman in his recent online interaction with DaBaby. Check out Megan’s interview below.

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The onslaught of COVID-19 has deprived Marvel fans of new movie instalments for far too long, but that is set to change with the September release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Fans were treated to a second action-packed trailer yesterday that highlights the movie’s epic fight scenes as well as the struggle that carries throughout the movie: Shang-Chi vs. his father. Shang-Chi, who is heir to his father’s martial arts legacy, must fight against him and the nefarious attacks that he commits. 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings marks Marvel’s first Asian lead and mostly Asian cast. The film stays true to the Asian myths and customs that drive its story, as lead actor Simu Liu told The Hollywood Reporter: “There are many moments, and there are many characters that you root for and fall in love with. It really is a celebration of Marvel and of superheroes but also of Asian myths. That’s something that we haven’t seen before in a superhero movie.”

The movie, Marvel’s first theater-exclusive release in two years, is set to release on September 3rd. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be the second movie in phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, preceded by Black Widow in July and followed by Eternals in November and Spider-Man: No Way Home in December. 

Are you excited for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings? Let us know and check out the new trailer below.

Following Nipsey Hussle’s death, Lauren London has continued his legacy, but while she’s championed The Marathon Continues, the actress has been making moves for herself, as well. This week, London’s capsule collection with Puma, Forever Stronger, arrived, and it has been a partnership that she has been nurturing since after Nipsey’s untimely death in 2019.

We’ve seen London’s work with Puma throughout 2019 and 2020, and the collection she’s been quietly building dropped Friday (June 25). The actress made an official announcement via her Instagram. “My Son Kam told me he was proud of me today,” wrote London in the caption to a photo.

“This collection and what it stands for is deeper than clothing for me. ‘Forever Stronger’ has been a mantra for me throughout my journey with grief . I’ve been through The depths of despair but I am still here,” she continued. “May this collection remind you of your own divine strength ! No matter what life brings , may we all stand stronger ! I know this because I live it.”

In a recent interview with Complex, London spoke candidly about Forever Stronger, calling the name of the collection an “affirmation.” She added, “It’s just for you to walk around with a message that can remind yourself or somebody else that’s reading your hoodie or your T-shirt. And it’s easy, simple pieces you can wear.”

“Puma was so caring and respectful and very gentle with me and gave me the creative freedom to choose my collaborators and control how I wanted to announce the partnership,” says London. “We didn’t want to make a blank announcement. We wanted it to be authentic and for it to mean something. And Forever Stronger is such a message that is really authentic to me.”

Check out a few posts from Lauren London below.

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Fans worldwide are celebrating Tyler, The Creator’s latest album Call Me If You Get Lost, but people noticed that he used his record to once again make things right with Selena Gomez. A decade ago, Tyler was known for his trolling antics on social media, and he didn’t censor himself from making offensive remarks to and about his fellow celebrities.

Back in 2010, he tweeted things like: “@selenagomez is now 18. so she can now legally take my d*ck in her f*cking ass,” “Selena Gomez Is Gonna Take My D*ck Deep In Her F*cking P*ssy,” and “Dakota Fanning And Miley And Selena Are All Gonna Take My D*ck Weather They like It Or Not. F*cking Broads.”

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On the Call Me If You Get Lost track “Manifesto,” Tyler said, “I was a teener, tweetin’ Selena crazy sh*t. Didn’t wanna offend her, apologize when I seen her. Back when I was tryna f*ck Bieber, Just-in.” This references Justin Bieber’s on-again-off-again relationship with Selena that went on for eight years until they decided to end things permanently in 2018.

Tyler and Justin were good friends back in the day so that reportedly factored into the rapper’s harassment of the actress-singer. Gomez has yet to respond to the “Manifesto” mention, but you can check out those old tweets and the track below.

She’s ringing in the last year of her 30s with a sexy set of photos and fans aren’t complaining. Friday (June 25) marked La La Anthony’s 39th birthday, and she’s proving “age ain’t nothin’ but a number” by posting a few photos of herself rocking a bright red bikini. It’s been a rough few months for the actress as her husband Carmelo Anthony has faced infidelity accusations once again, but a little controversy isn’t going to stop her shine after it was announced that she’d filed for divorce.

“Happy Birthday to me [ballon emoji] thank you for all the bday wishes…love y’all SOOOOO much[heart kiss emoji] it’s something about those cancers,” she wrote in the caption to her post.

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Several of La La’s famous friends slid in her comments to send her well wishes, but Kim Kardashian made sure to highlight her best friend with a series of photos of them over the years. “Happy birthday to my bestie @lala,” she wrote in the caption. “Looking for pictures to post for your birthday really brought me through memory lane!”

“Cheers to celebrating you today on this special day!” Check out La La’s bikini birthday shots along with Kim’s message in full below.

Kevin Durant is one of the greatest players in the history of basketball and there is no doubt when all is said and done, he will be headed to the Hall of Fame. Throughout his career, Durant has always been unique thanks to his physique and the skill set he has despite his frame. Most players of his size make a name for themselves in the paint, however, Durant has proven himself to be a sniper from beyond the arc.

Recently, Durant was a guest on the “Out of Office” podcast where he spoke about his physique and whether or not it would translate to other sports. When asked which sport he could have envisioned himself playing, KD noted that he would have loved to play football and he thinks he would have been good at it. In fact, Durant believes he would have been a solid wide receiver.

“I could play football. I can be a wideout at least. There’s wideouts that’s 6 feet, 170 [pounds]. … All go routes,” Durant said. Considering just how skinny Durant is, it’s hard to imagine him playing a sport like football where you are constantly getting laid out, although we’re sure Durant would have trained for something like that.

Either way, it would certainly be fun to think about KD as a football player, although it’s clear that basketball his true calling.

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