Last fall, Jay-Z walked away with a big legal win after Parlux Fragrances claimed that the rapper breached his contract by not promoting the failed “Gold Jay-Z” cologne. Parlux filed the lawsuit back in 2016 and said he “never once personally appeared” to promote the cologne, which Jay denied. A jury agreed with him and ruled that he did not breach his contract and that he was not responsible for the $67.6 million in damages that Parlux sued him for. Now, according to Complex which cites a report from Page Six, Jay-Z earned another court win against Parlux.
According to the report, an appellate court ruled that Jay and his company “are entitled to summary judgment on their royalties counterclaim.” As a result, they ruled that Jay is entitled to $4.5 million in royalties from Parlux. “The record is clear: Parlux sold licensed products after July 31, 2015, but failed to pay royalties on those sales,” Justice John Higgitt wrote in a statement.
Jay’s legal matters are not over yet. This summer, he’ll head to trial to settle a lawsuit between himself and Jonathan Mannion, the photographer who shot the cover for his 1996 debut album, Reasonable Doubt. Jay claims that Mannion has been using photos from the shoot for the cover art to make “thousands of dollars” selling prints and merchandise. He adds that when he asked Mannion to stop, the photographer requested “tens of millions of dollars” which sparked the lawsuit. The two attempted to settle things outside of court but failed to come to an agreement.
Jazmine Sullivan’sHeaux Tales Tour got started last week, but it’s gotten off to a bumpy start. While the first show in Vancouver was cancelled because of local COVID safety measures, Sullivan played at Portland and Seattle stops, before laboring through a show in Oakland on Tuesday when she began to feel not so great. She cancelled last night’s show in Sacramento despite testing negative for COVID, because she was “feeling extremely under the weather,” saying on Twitter that she didn’t want to “give a subpar performance.”
Credit to Sullivan, who felt symptoms and started playing it safely from there. Because today, the “Pick Up Your Feelings” singer tweeted that she has indeed tested positive for COVID and is canceling tour dates for at least the next week. “I’m truly sad to have to cancel more shows but health and safety come first for myself, my team, and all of you,” she said.
This means that tomorrow’s show in LA, plus next week’s shows in Phoenix and Denver are likely canceled and perhaps more from there while she recovers. Sullivan said that ticket holders would be contacted via email about rescheduling. You can read her statement in full below and we wish her a speedy recovery.
You can read her statement in full below:
“Hi Everyone,
My Doctor confirmed that I’m positive with COVID. I am taking every precaution to isolate myself. I’m truly sad to have to cancel more shows but health and safety come first for myself, my team, and all of you.
LA’s show tomorrow will unfortunately be cancelled and we are likely cancelling show for the next week based on my condition and the condition of my crew. We will let you know when the tour will resume once we have made that decision.
As soon as we have in regards to tickets and rescheduling, ticket holders will be notified via email.
Thank you so much for understanding and support and I’ll be seeing you very soon.
There are few smoking experiences that rival the pleasure of smoking a properly rolled blunt. A good hand-rolled cigar burns slow, steady, fills the air with the aromatic tones of tobacco and dark chocolate, and produces a smooth and flavorful smoke. Done right, a blunt makes your toking experience as much about savoring the taste of the cigar paper as it does about getting high.
Having said that, rolling a proper blunt is a straight-up pain in the ass. Huge hassle all the way around.
When it comes to rolling blunts, you’re dealing with a lot of potential issues — sourcing quality tobacco leaves, grinding a bunch of weed, and getting it all rolled up without dropping product all over the floor. Worse still is having to deal with disassembling a corner store Swisher Sweet (or Phillies Blunt or Backwoods cigar) and filling it up with your weed. Sure, this works in a pinch but it’s wasteful and can muddle the quality of your top-shelf herb with chemical-tasting artificial fruit flavors or dusty dry leaf notes.
Happily for us, we’re living in an age where stoners are spoiled with choices and tools geared toward making the blunt rolling experience easier. And one of our favorite options is Jas Prince’s Slapwoods (a tongue-in-cheek reference to OG cigar brand Backwoods, perhaps?). Prince is an entrepreneur, mogul, and the founder of the Young Empire Music Group. More importantly for today’s purposes, he’s a stoner — which is probably why his Sapwood’s products feel tailor-made for a better smoking experience.
Let’s break it down:
Slapwood’s Cigar Cones/ Cigar Wraps
Dane Rivera
If you hate the hassle of rolling blunts, Slapwood’s Cigar Cones makes life waaaaay easier. The cones are packaged three to a pack and feature thick aromatic wraps pre-assembled in a tall conical shape with a corn husk tip filter. The packs have everything you need for the perfect blunt — each cone is loaded with a Slapwoods insert that helps the virgin cigar cone retain its shape and serves as a funnel for your bud, which can be better-packed thanks to the wooden pick that comes supplied in each pouch.
The leaf itself is pretty sturdy, without being dry, and can handle a dense pack with a lot of handling. Nothing is worse than ruining a wrap because you have rough hands. When I tried Slapwoods, it was able to stand up to some considerable abuse.
Be warned though, you’re going to need a lot of weed to fill one of these things, and I mean a lot.
Dane Rivera
I double ground 1.5 grams of fresh herb and still had more room than I’d like to spare, but each cone can be easily cut or folded in to make up for any gaps. This makes the wrap perfect for sharing with a circle of friends, a loved one, or for a sustained smoking session for those Snoop-level stars who like a long session.
When I finally lit up, soothing coffee-like tones filled my immediate vicinity (important to consider if you have smoke-hating neighbors, this stuff is powerful) and the Russian Cream flavored cone helped add some smooth vanilla and earthy tobacco and chocolate notes to my bud, supplying a smooth drag with a savor-worthy flavor. The quality of the tobacco leaf is great, it’s hand-rolled in the Dominican Republic, burns evenly, and never comes across as harsh or dirty tasting, like more low-quality leaves.
The Cigar Cones are definitely worth picking up if you love smoking blunts but hate rolling them, but let us make the case for Slapwoods Cigar Wraps as an even better option.
Dane Rivera
I know I just spent paragraphs applauding Slapwoods for making the act of hand-rolling rolling cannabis in tobacco leaves more convenient, but the wraps are where it is truly at. They slap. Coming five to a pack in an easily resealable pouch, these are made to retain freshness. You still get that same smooth luxurious Russian Cream flavor, with leaves that are a noticeable step up in quality. They’re remarkably supple, soft to the touch, and incredibly natural. They feel like… well, exactly like a dried leaf, and if all you’ve ever had is a Swisher wrap, this is a whole other world.
It’s like comparing well-level Jack Daniels to a Lagavulin 16. If you’re smoking high-quality bud that is truly worthy and wanting of a premium delivery method, you have to make it Slapwoods Cigar Wraps.
The Bottom Line:
Dane Rivera
If you value convenience, grab the Slapwoods Cigar Cones. If you’re all about a supreme and luxurious experience, you have to go with the Cigar Wraps. Either way, at the end of the day Slapwoods levels up your smoking game like few brands can.
So, instead of focusing on those negative things, why not focus on what it must be like to spend a day in the life as Megan Thee Stallion? Being successful, beautiful and talented is a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it, and a new artist spotlight from Youtube gives fans a chance to peek inside Meg’s brain. Who else is up there? Suga, Tina Snow, and Hot Girl Meg, of course, all three of these brain divas round out the cast of characters in this ten-minute short. In the clip, Megan goes about her day assessing potential suitors, remembering old flames, and plenty more shenanigans that only Megan Thee Stallion would be involved in. Check out the carefree clip above.
BlackRock investment management company and Warner Music Group have made a huge investment in female and diverse artists according to The Wall Street Journal, putting $750 million into a fund dedicated to collecting rights catalogs from such artists in what the Journal calls a novel approach to the current trend of funds buying up artists’ catalogs.
While many of those efforts have focused on collecting older artists’ catalogs such as Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen — both of whom recently sold their catalogs for huge payouts — the new fund is buying up music rights from artists who are still actively writing, particularly women, who want to maintain stakes in their catalogs. So far, $300 has been paid out for 20 catalogs, including those of Tainy, the reggaeton star who has worked with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, the Stereotypes, who co-wrote “24K Magic” with Bruno Mars, and popstar Jessie Reyez.
Some commentators, according to WSJ, consider these investments higher risk; while older catalogs have proven to be safe bets — think about how many songs from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s are still being used in movies, let alone other commercial uses — newer music isn’t as sure to still be popular in 20 or 30 years. However, some artists have maintained their popularity, so some investors like BlackRock are willing to go all-in as newer music finds more use in streaming, video games, fitness apps, and social media.
Meanwhile, by allowing songwriters to maintain stakes in their own work, it gives them the incentive to not only accept investors’ terms but keep actively promoting their works to keep the checks rolling in.
Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
If there’s one thing we all know Drake loves, it’s Toronto (Especially the Raptors). So it should come as no surprise that when one of the city’s staple Jamaican restaurants, Randy’s Patties, announced that they would be closing, Drizzy stepped in immediately. According to a local Toronto site, BlogTO, the restaurant is closing due to supply chain issues related to the pandemic. “Randy’s often holds number one spots on lists of the best patties in the city,” BlogTO noted. “[It] has been around since 1979, often inspires long lineups and is known for their signature red boxes… Randy’s has not made an official announcement yet, but a Randy’s staff member tells blogTO that they’re closing permanently because of manufacturing issues and they’re unable to get their supplies.”
This can’t be right – nahhhh Toronto’s iconic Jamaican patty joint is permanently closing due to supply issues https://t.co/wvgdMmpi6U
When ETalk anchor Tyrone “T-rex” Edwards posted his dismay about the closure on Twitter and Instagram, Drake immediately got into the comments.
“Feel like we need to save @randyspatties,” Edwards wrote. “Listen big up all the Patty places in the city (done know @pattystopinc ahh ahh ) but something about the fact that lil Jamaica is slowly being erased just doesn’t sit right with my soul – during black history month at that.” Clearly, the 6 God agreed because he chimed in: “I’ll buy Randy’s right now,” he wrote, continuing “And give it back to them.”
Instagram
Edwards responded to Drake’s comment and is apparently trying to link Drake with the owners, so this might just happen.
Instagram
Never have I wanted to try a Jamaican patty more in my life! Let’s hope the city comes together to keep this institution open.
When I was in high school 20-something years ago, I would get up early every Saturday to watch Zatoichi movies on cable. One of Japan’s longest-running film series (seriously, think the Marvel movies but solely about the adventures of a blind samurai in 1830s and ’40s Japan), the movies were the equivalent of Saturday morning cartoons for me, but for the longest time, I felt totally alone in my love for them (I know I wasn’t — The Boondocks even referenced Zatoichi in the episode introducing Grandad’s feud with Colonel Stinkmeaner) but now, it looks like I have something in common with Florida rapper Denzel Curry.
Today, Curry, who has been promoting his upcoming album Melt My Eyez, See Your Future, dropped off the video for the album’s latest single, titled — you guessed it — “Zatoichi.” Apparently, he was also a big fan of the visually impaired swordsman, who he references in both the lyrics (“I’m Zatoichi, leading the blind,” he raps over an ambient drum&bass beat) and the video, which finds him training in the martial arts against a blind teacher on the banks of a sheltered, river in a verdant landscape. The song also features UK rapper Slowthai, who drops in to offer a spirited chorus.
Denzel’s Melt My Eyez campaign has so far also included references to space opera in the video for “Walkin” and Spaghetti Westerns in the trailer. He’s letting his movie geek flag fly in the build-up to the album’s release and I, for one, am truly enjoying it as a fellow cinephile.
Pete Davidson isn’t a big social media guy, but he gave it a shot recently by joining Instagram. He seemed to be happy on the platform, as his first post offered a behind-the-scenes look of his upcoming movie The Home and came accompanied by the hashtags #welcometomyinstagram and #thisisthetypeofstuffyoucanbeexpecting. As BuzzFeed News notes, though, Kanye West fans, who are standing by the rappers side as he has expressed discontent with Davidson and Kim Kardashian’s relationship, flooded the post with comments telling him to “find God” and pestering him with the non-laudatory nickname Ye has given him, “Skete.”
Taking to his own Instagram today, West shared a screenshot of Davidson’s blank account and took credit for Davidson leaving the platform, writing, “Ran Skete off the gram Tell your mother I changed your name for life.”
Kanye West brags about pushing Pete Davidson off Instagram after the comedian deactivated his account:
West has been antagonistic towards Davidson since his and Kardashian’s relationship became more serious. On Valentine’s Day, he expressed hope for a reunion with Kardashian, writing in an Instagram post, “I DON’T HAVE BEEF WITH KIM I LOVE MY FAMILY SO STOP THAT NARRATIVE IM NOT GIVING UP ON MY FAMILY […] I HAVE FAITH THAT WE‘LL BE BACK TOGETHER.” In a post shared shortly after that one, he asked that if fans see “Skete” in real life, they “SCREAM AT YHE LOOSER AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS AND SAY KIMYE FOREVER.”
2 Chainz’s new album Dope Don’t Sell Itself — which he’s promised is his final trap album — has been out for a little under a month and in that time, he’s released no fewer than five music videos from it, including clips for “Million Dollars Worth Of Game” with 42 Dugg, “Pop Music” with Beatking and Moneybagg Yo, “Neighbors Know My Name,” and “Free B.G.” Today, he released the latest, “Kingpen Ghostwriter,” which features an electric verse from Lil Baby.
In the video, 2 Chainz performs to the camera in a garage decked out in an outrageous-looking puffer jacket and his usual assortment of diamond-covered jewelry while leaning on a trio of matching luxury cars. Intercut between his performance scenes are shots of a model in a diaphanous white gown taking selfies in a room full of fans and white columns, who also shows off her twerking skills. Lil Baby appears in the latter half of the video to rap his verse while wearing a Baja jacket (which is looking like an emerging trend lately). It’s a simple but effective treatment that should help keep Chainz’s last trap album at the top of mind until he’s ready to move onto his next phase.
Watch 2 Chainz’s “Kingpen Ghostwriter” video featuring Lil Baby above.
Dope Don’t Sell Itself is out now via Def Jam. You can get it here.
New Jersey rapper Chris Patrick may have a relatively unassuming nom de plume, but when he steps to the mic to perform his song “Up Now” for the latest episode of UPROXX Sessions, his star power becomes evident. Coolly switching from punchy, rapid-fire rhymes to crystal-clear crooning, he proves to be proficient at both rapping and singing, all while showing off quick-witted wordplay revealing a quirky worldview that complements his deceptive rap name.
“Sunroof down so the rays hit the melanin,” he smirks. “Spun through town tryna bathe in the element.”
Patrick might be flying under the radar now, but with co-signs from the likes of Black Thought and JID, the lanky East Orange MC’s time in the sun might not be metaphorical for very much longer (well, yeah, it still will be but it’ll mean something different). His 2020 album, From The Heart, Vol. 2 has drawn comparisons to early efforts from relatable rap everymen such as J. Cole and Saba, which bodes well for his earnest, down-to-earth approach. Working with Deante Hitchcock on Deante’s new EP and building his buzz with tracks like “Up Now” and “Gang Activity,” expect to see Chris Patrick to not only elevate to radar level but fly high as his career takes off in 2022.
Watch Chris Patrick perform “Up Now” above.
UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.
