Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation teamed up with the Southern Black Girls and Women’s Consortium and Roc Nation to make the dream of an 18-year-old high school student, a reality. In January 2023, Jemiah Swinney received a surprise phone call from Megan Thee Stallion congratulating her with the exciting news that she would […]
Today, Grammy-winning artist, record executive, and entrepreneur DJ Khaled announced intentions to provide a full-ride, four-year scholarship to a student wishing to attend Long Island University’s Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, and Entertainment (LIU).
Applications for Khaled’s scholarship formally open at https://apply.liu.edu/rn and the University will accept submissions until 11:59 pm ET on April 15.
Prospective applicants must plan to enroll in the Fall 2023 semester to be eligible for the scholarship. Applicants must also submit a written or video entry (maximum three minutes) answering the following questions:
How do you define success?
Please share how the DJ Khaled Scholarship will help you be the best version of yourself.
Where do you see yourself in ten years, and how will you get there?
“Me and my queen ever since we been together, even before we met each other, we both had a love for giving back,” Khaled said. “Giving back has always been a priority in my life and her life. We’re raising our kids to see that you have to work hard but also always give back and show love. We have a team that works year-round nonstop on how can we give back, do more, uplift, inspire, motivate and hug all the kids in need. Inspire them to keep going and not just the kids, but also the families, the mothers and fathers and give out scholarships.”
Khaled joins a growing list of celebrities who have donated scholarships to the Roc Nation School of Music, Sports, and Entertainment at LIU, including three-time Grammy winner Megan Thee Stallion, 2021 NBA Rookie of the Year and Charlotte Hornets guard LaMelo Ball, and Grammy Award-winning audio engineer and producer Gimel “Young Guru” Keaton. PUMA, an international sportswear brand, also founded the PUMA Hope Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance to Roc Nation students.
Over the past year, the University has also expanded its famed Roc Nation School Speaker Series, bringing in Grammy-nominated singer Fat Joe, NFL SVP of Global Brand and Consumer Marketing Marissa Solis, and SiriusXM on-air personality Swaggy Sie, among many others.
The Roc Nation Brunch on Saturday (February 4) hosted many of the most notable names in the music industry today. Moreover, some in attendance were of course Beyoncé and Jay-Z, but also Miguel, Lil Kim, and Tems. While everybody dressed to impress as they celebrated before the Grammys, people had their favorites online. In particular, a lot of people showed love to Reginae Carter. “Reginaeeee went to her secret weapon side of the closet lol she looks good,” one user commented. “Reginae ATE ERBODY UP!!!” another affirmed. However, one of the most eye-catching arrivals during the whole event was Lil Uzi Vert and their… peculiar hair.
Furthermore, the Philly artist rocked slicked-back hair, with small little wings coming out near their ears. People might be divided on the look, but they actually predicted such fashion on their Pharell collab from Luv Is Rage 2, “Neon Guts.” “Slick my hair back like I’m Chico DeBarge,” they rapped on the track. Still, despite their vision and clearly unique style, some people weren’t feeling it. Or, at least, they found it too peculiar to not crack a few jokes at. “Uzi got the Vampire In Brooklyn joint,” someone wrote on Twitter. “Lil Uzi hair got me crying real tears,” another added, while others made note of their crazy evolution. “This is NOT the same n***a that made LIR2,” a fan wrote.
“I always had a vision for my style,” they told GQ way back in 2018. “But before, I didn’t really get it. Even when I got money, my style wasn’t all the way there yet. But with traveling the world and seeing different stuff, I get it now.” While their comments certainly hold up, it’s insane to think how much their style has changed over the years.
Meanwhile, other celebrity attendees at the Roc Nation Brunch included James Blake, Benny the Butcher, and many more. However, even with all the celebrities there, one Instagram user pointed out there seems to be something missing in the pictures… food. “I’ve never seen food at the Roc Nation brunch,” they wrote with a laughing emoji. “Where are the cheese grits?! Chicken and waffles…All I see is alcohol and outfits from Zenon Girl of the 21st Century and Uzi dressed like the Duke of No Hastings.” Still, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest on Roc Nation, the upcoming 2023 Grammys, and whether these stars get fed. Also, check out some more reactions to Uzi’s hair down below.
The ongoing legal battle between Megan Thee Stallion and 1501 Certified Entertainment recently received another ruling. The rapper has been hush-hush following Tory Lanez’s conviction, and as she gains support from her followers, a judge ruled about Roc Nation’s CEO, Desiree Perez.
According to Billboard, Perez will have to sit for a deposition in the case. Megan’s legal team attempted to have the deposition blocked, citing 1501 was “harassing” the industry leader.
The rapper and her label have been at odds for years. She wants out of her contract and stated she’d fulfilled all necessities to end her agreement with 1501. However, they claim she still owes them another record because one of her projects shouldn’t be counted as an album.
Things have also spilled over onto social media as 1501 boss Carl Crawford often appears with opinions about the Houston Hottie. Following Megan signing a management deal with Roc Nation, the company’s attorneys reportedly told her that the 1501 deal was “well below industry standards.”
The label wanted Perez to sit for a deposition because they called her a key witness. However, Megan’s team tried shielding her with the apex doctrine.
The apex doctrine states that “busy top officials only need to testify when they have unique info that can’t be derived from other less burdensome sources,” writes Billboard.
However, 1501 responded by saying Perez was “directly, personally, and substantially involved in the underlying facts of the lawsuit.”
A date hasn’t been shared for the deposition, nor has one been set for the jury trial.
Megan Thee Stallion is known to have problems with her label, 1501 Entertainment, but someone new could have issues with them. She is accusing the record label of harassing Roc Nation CEO Desiree Perez. Leave Her Alone! Houston rapper Megan Thee Stallion, who just received justice in her case against Tory Lanez for shooting her, […]
He has come a long way from a rapper to a politician, and Shyne is ready to share his story. In 1999, Shyne was enjoying his successes when an incident at a nightclub shifted the direction of his life. He was out with Sean “Diddy” Combs and the Bad Boy mogul’s then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez when a confrontation erupted. Gunshots were fired, and three people were injured.
Shyne was convicted of several charges, including assault and reckless endangerment. He served nine years of a 10-year sentence, and upon his release, he was deported to his home country of Belize. While there, Shyne began community building, and later, he started his political career.
Although he’s left his rap aspirations behind him, Shyne’s time in the industry is much talked about. According to an Instagram post, his story will soon hit the big screen in a feature produced by Roc Nation and DJ Khaled.
“Very pleased to partner with Walt Disney, ESPN & Andscape to tell the Shyne story,” he wrote. “With @djkhaled and @rocnation executive producing you can expect nothing short of a riveting film that takes you on an unfiltered journey of my life from birth in Belize to the dreams, nightmares, triumphs and tragedies involved in selling millions of albums, winning Grammy Awards, sacrificing my career and freedom to defend myself and friends, incarceration to reincarnation, fury to forgiveness, hurt to healing poverty to patriotism and purpose.”
“Legendary Rapper to next Prime Minister of Belize!”
As football fans and regular old schmoes anticipate the 2023 Super Bowl, hip-hop and R&B fans have an extra reason to celebrate. Jay-Z will reportedly help Rihanna with her Super Bowl halftime show on February 12th. Moreover, capitalfm.com reported that Roc Nation as a whole is also involved in the process.
Furthermore, this news is exciting for the “Umbrella” collaborators, although not at all surprising. After all, Hov is the live music entertainment strategist for the NFL. Also, he signed RiRi back in 2004 when he was the president and CEO of Def Jam. All in all, audiences expect a crazy event when she lands at Glendale, Arizona’s State Farm Stadium. Here’s hoping they perform some hits together.
Meanwhile, all parties understand the excitement behind the show. The “B***h Better Have My Money” artist teased her performance on Instagram last week. In the snippet, the recently-turned mother walks towards the camera in a black bodysuit with a yellow fur coat. While she reaches the camera, you can hear soundbites of people lamenting the lack of music from her. Then, RiRi puts a finger to her lips, shushes the haters, and “Needed Me” plays. Even if it’s a teaser for new music and not the show itself, that prepared fans with hype regardless.
However, one question on everyone’s mind is whether she’ll bring out special guests. It’s a Super Bowl staple, as last year brought us a legendary hip-hop team-up.Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, Mary J. Blige, Kendrick Lamar, Eminem, Anderson .Paak… RiRi’s got some competition. Still, any information on the fashion mogul’s show is top-secret, though we’re sure she will stun. Although guests are expected, she did tell E! News last November that she might perform alone given her short 12-minute slot.
“Twelve minutes?” the 34-year-old exclaimed. “You could actually do that by yourself, but it’s one of those things where you can decorate it however you want. So whether I choose to do it for myself or whether I choose to bring some of my peers on, it’s…I don’t know what I’m gonna do yet. It’s gonna be great either way.” Regardless of her show format, the football will commence at 6:30pm ET on Fox Sports. Meanwhile, the “Bad Gal”‘s halftime show is set to start at 8pm ET.
What do you think of Jay-Z helping organize Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl halftime show? Do you think he’ll pop out for a verse or two? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, check back in with HNHH for the latest on RiRi’s upcoming spectacle.