Jay-Z To Auction Rare Dussé Bottle For Charity

Jay-Z has fully embraced the billionaire mindset, continuously elevating his status through a series of impressive money moves. Most recently, the legendary rapper signed a partnership deal with Moët Hennessy, with the intention to elevate his “Ace Of Spades” champagne into a household name.

The deal earned widespread praise from the rap community, with artists like Dr. Dre and 2 Chainz celebrating Jay’s visionary mind with congratulatory IG messages. Now, Jay is back at it again with another new development, this time teaming with Sotheby’s to auction off an incredibly rare bottle of Dussé — all in the name of charity.

Jay-Z

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

The bottle in question happens to be the first-ever bottle of Dussé’s Grande Champagne Cognac, aged for decades at the storied Château de Cognac in France. At this time, only two-hundred-and-eighty-bottles are available, each one numbered with an inscription for tracking purposes. For the purpose of the auction, Dussé is bringing out the number-one bottle, a surefire collector’s item for the wealthy connoisseur. Emphasis on wealthy, as Complex notes that the bottle’s estimated value sits between $25,000 and $75,000.

“When our Cellar Master, Michel Casavecchia, discovered the aged liquid at the Château de Cognac and explained how truly one of a kind it is, it was important to me to honor it by doing something that would celebrate its singularity,” explained Jay-Z, by way of an official press release. “Once that barrel is emptied, there’s no way the liquid can be recreated. The whole process behind the 1969 Anniversaire collection reminded me why I got involved in the spirits industry in the first place–to create something that will stand the test of time.”

The auction is set to go down on Sotheby’s official website right here, taking place on March 1st at 9 AM EST. All proceeds are set to go to Jay-Z’s Shawn Carter Foundation. 

Chloe x Halle Drop The Steamy Sci-Fi “Ungodly Hour” Music Video

Throughout the first two months of 2021, much of the Chloe x Halle-related news that’s been popping up has admittedly been about their split from each other on social media. While the two sisters have been named on TIME’s “100 Next” list, much of the fanfare surrounding the artists has been due to them branching off from their joint social media accounts and creating their own individual Instagram and Twitter profiles.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Chlöe (@chloebailey)

Now, Chloe and Halle have joined forces once again to treat fans to a new music video for one of the standout cuts from their sophomore album Ungodly Hour. Late last night, the duo shared the visual treatment for the titular track, “Ungodly Hour,” and fans of Chloe x Halle and their steamy social media content will definitely be pleased with the final result.

The “Ungodly Hour” video takes place in a hazy, science fiction-inspired set as Chloe and Halle perform glitchy and sensual choreography in an eclectic assortment of costumes, from blue skin-tight rubber suits to angelic shimmering gowns. The visuals also transport the Parkwood Entertainment artists to different fantastical locations, including an empty void as well an aqueous environment that lends a few steamy shots of the sisters.

How are you feeling Chloe x Halle’s steamy new sci-fi music video for “Ungodly Hour?”

NBA Youngboy’s Mom Calls Out Wendy Williams With Transphobic Remarks

Wendy Williams will always have something to say. It doesn’t matter if everybody in the industry ends up hating her– she will be on her death bed being messy and sharing her opinion on the latest pop culture drama. And that’s what we love her for.


Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images

The talk show host is back at the office and she’s been doing what she always does, sharing her petty thoughts on all of the entertainment world’s hot topics. Of course, she got to talking about one of her preferred targets these days, Youngboy Never Broke Again and his ex-girlfriend Yaya Mayweather. Laughing about the rapper having his seventh child with Floyd Mayweather’s daughter, Wendy gave the rundown on everything that’s happened between Yaya and YB, including the time she allegedly stabbed another one of the artist’s baby’s mothers. The comments made their way to NBA Youngboy’s mother’s desk, and Sherhonda Gaulden couldn’t be more upset about them.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by OnSite! (@its_onsite)

“This ugly b*tch don’t have nothing better to do than talk sh*t about people,” said Gaulden on Instagram in a since-deleted post. “Raise the dress up and let us see if you have a d*ck How you doing!!!!!!!!”

This isn’t the first time that anybody has made transphobic jokes about Wendy Williams. Those comments have unfortunately been following her for years, most often being spewed by 50 Cent and his fans

Do you think Wendy went too far with Youngboy Never Broke Again and Yaya Mayweather? Watch her comments at the 10:22 mark above.

Freeway & Nate Dogg Connected On “All My Life”

Though forever respected as a key member of the early-millennium Roc-a-Fella movement, Philadelphia emcee Freeway seldom gets the appreciation he deserves. On that note, there are many who would declare his 2003 debut album Philadelphia Freeway to be an undisputed classic, a highlight chapter from one of hip-hop’s most iconic dynasties. Seeing as the album has officially turned eighteen today, it feels appropriate to share a standout cut, one that finds the late, great King Of Hooks rising to the occasion.

The Bink-produced “All My Life” features some inspired rhyming from Freeway, whose unique flow and delivery are examined with clinical precision. Boasting rhyme schemes that seldom fall under the standard convention, Free is easily one of the most patient emcees there is, delaying his rhymes for as long as possible before resolution. Throw in a slick chorus from Nate Dogg, who was in the midst of an incredible feature run, and “All My Life” withstands the test of time as an essential piece of the Roc-a-Fella puzzle. 

Happy anniversary to Freeway’s Philadelphia Freeway. Would you say this project is worthy of classic status? 

QUOTABLE LYRICS

Yeaaah, it’s the worlds most dangerous
Clique, the Roc, we get neck in Los Angeles
Chicks scandalous, it’s just a part of the plans
I smash, photograph it, send ’em home to they man

Post Malone Covered A Hootie And The Blowfish Classic For His ‘Pokémon’ Partnership

The Pokémon franchise is commemorating its 25th anniversary this year; While Pokémon Red and Blue, the first games released in the US, came out stateside in 1998, the original Japanese games, Red and Green, were released in 1996. Anyway, part of the celebration has included collaborating with Post Malone on a couple things. Malone is performing a virtual concert for Pokémon Day this weekend, but ahead of that, he has released a new cover tied to the partnership: a rendition of the Hootie And The Blowfish classic “Only Wanna Be With You.”

Malone keeps the cover mostly stylistically faithful to the original version, and even though the song doesn’t have any clear preexisting connection to Pokémon, Malone has turned in a fun recording nonetheless. He slightly tweaked the lyrics, shifting the focus of one line from the Miami Dolphins to his favorite NFL team, the Dallas Cowboys, as he sings, “I’m such a baby ’cause the Cowboys make me cry.” Longtime Pokémon fans may have also noticed that the song has a sample from the second-generation Game Boy/Game Boy Color games Pokémon Gold, Silver, and Crystal, specifically the music that plays in Ecruteak City.

Darius Rucker, who of course sang and co-wrote the ’90s classic, is over the moon about Malone’s rendition, tweeting of it this morning, “The smile in my face will not leave for a long time. This is awesome. My bro @PostMalone bringing it. Hell yes man!!!!!!!!!”

Listen to Malone’s rendition of “Only Wanna Be With You” above.

Fat Joe Shares Must-See Throwback Picture When He Still Had Hair

For as long as we can remember, 50-year-old rapper Fat Joe, real name Joseph Antonio Cartagena, has been walking around with no hair on his head. His baldness has become part of his brand. The rapper is recognizable because of his size and his shiny dome. He’s been in the spotlight for decades but has anybody ever seen him with a full head of hair?

This could be the first time we’ve ever seen Fat Joe with a styled coif, sharing the ultimate throwback picture on Instagram. “The birth of JOEY CRACK,” wrote the “Sunshine” artist. The photo was seemingly taken while Joe was still a teenager, sporting some peach fuzz above his lip and posing with a curtain behind him. Of course, people are pointing out the complete set of hair atop Joe’s head, which seems abnormal given the fact that we’ve known him to be bald for the last twenty-plus years.


Maury Phillips/Getty Images

While he’s still active in music, releasing his collaboration with DJ Khaled and Amorphous a few weeks ago, these days, Fat Joe has been establishing himself as a presence in hip-hop media as an interviewer. He’s been able to secure some of the biggest artists on his platform, speaking about all the hot topics on The Fat Joe Show.


Rob Kim/Getty Images

Is this the first time you’ve ever seen Fat Joe with hair?

YG Praises Bobby Shmurda’s Character

With Bobby Shmurda officially free following a six-year prison stint, many have been quickly moving to connect with the rapper one way or another. With Quavo having already connected with Shmurda following the rapper’s release, YG recently took to Instagram to applaud the rapper’s character, specifically focusing on Shmurda’s discipline and handling of his incarceration — not to mention the positive vibes he’s been experiencing since touching down back home. 

YG Bobby Shmurda

 Leon Bennett/Getty Images

As anti-snitch sentiments continue to heat up, many rappers still admire those who serve their time without cooperating with the police. YG made sure to praise Shmurda for exactly that, tagging him in an Instagram story with some flattering words. “Bobby Shmurda how it pose to look when you kome home from jail,” writes YG. “Real n***a celebration. Thats how it pose to look.” 

Clearly, YG values the idea that a man can keep his integrity for the duration of an extended prison stint, and bounce back with a positive attitude and unfaltering ambition. As it stands, he’s not the only rapper to be singing Shmurda’s praises, nor will he be the last. It should certainly be interesting to see how many prominent names slide through to bless the inevitable Bobby Shmurda mixtape, as that will likely be arriving in the near future. Check out YG’s message below, and sound off if you admire how Bobby is bouncing back so far. 

Big Sean & Kanye West Mastered The Back & Forth Flow On “All Your Fault”

Big Sean is up for a Grammy for “Best Rap Performance” following the critical acclaim and commercial success of his fifth studio album Detroit 2, but the previous decade proved to be a trying time period for the GOOD Music artistAfter the lukewarm reception of his long-awaited debut album Finally Famous as well as the widely considered flop of Hall Of Fame, Dark Sky Paradise was the successful comeback record that Sean needed to solidify his position amongst his contemporaries. 

The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, and it featured hits like “Blessings,” “Play No Games,” and “I Don’t F*** With You.” However, fans of Dark Sky Paradise know that the real gems from Big Sean’s third full-length are the album cuts. Songs like “Dark Sky (Skyscrapers),” “One Man Can Change The World,” and “All Your Fault” really displayed Sean’s growth, and the latter song gave fans one of the greatest back-and-forths of recent memory. 

Six years later, “All Your Fault” is still a GOOD Music extravaganza. Sean and Kanye West both get their own verses over a dynamic soul-sampling beat, and even Travis Scott makes uncredited adlib appearances throughout the song. What really propels “All Your Fault” to the next level is the song’s third verse, which features a legendary back-and-forth flow between Sean and the GOOD Music founder. 

In the spirit of the six-year anniversary of Dark Sky Paradise, what’s your favorite song from the double-platinum record?

Quotable Lyrics

N***** want the comma-comma-combination
Long as I’m around, it’s gon’ be dot-dot-dot, a lot of waitin’
Got my pinky on her brain while I’m gettin’ brain
Plottin’ world domination, people ask me how to make it
I’m just like “man, if you want the crown, bitch, you gotta take it”

Kyrie Irving Shares What Kobe Bryant NBA Logo Could Look Like

One of the most outspoken players in the league, Kyrie Irving has just urged the NBA to start making moves toward a new logo, asking them to replace Jerry West with Kobe Bryant. 

There have been talks over the last few years to roll out a new logo for the NBA, and even before his passing, Kobe’s name was mentioned as a possible replacement from the current picture of sharpshooter Jerry West. According to Kyrie Irving, he’s the only person that should be replacing the current logo, sharing a mock-up of what Kobe’s logo could look like.

“Gotta Happen, idc what anyone says,” said the Brooklyn Nets superstar on Instagram. “BLACK KINGS BUILT THE LEAGUE.”

After his comment seemingly divided his audience, Irving clarified his statement, saying, “To: All the people who say it is not about color ‘BLACK’ or ‘BLACK KINGS’ That’s what we call ourselves. And that’s what oppressors refused to call MY ancestors. BLACK KINGS. Deal with it!”


Jason Miller/Getty Images

Some people are chiming in and saying that Michael Jordan should be the new logo man, given his widely-viewed status as the best player of all-time. Others are saying that Adam Silver and the NBA should wait for LeBron James to retire before choosing a new logo. 

Do you think that Kobe Bryant should become the new NBA logo?


Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

For the last two weeks, there has been a lot of talk surrounding a leaked lyric from Meek Mill referencing the tragic circumstances of Kobe’s passing. Vanessa, Kobe’s widow, fired back at Meek and called him “disrespectful” and “insensitive”. Read more about what happened here.