This Saturday, Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will square off in their Heavyweight World Championship rematch at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Ahead of the fight, Fury congratulated Saudi Arabia on being named the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup. “First of all, congratulations to Saudi on getting the FIFA World Cup. I think it’ll be a fantastic event,” Fury said. “Any sports event that’s held in Saudi is usually a marvellous event. So I’m sure the biggest sporting event on earth – the FIFA World Cup – will be even bigger.”
Fury expressed gratitude for the opportunity to fight in Saudi Arabia, calling it a prime stage for the “biggest fights possible on earth.”
Pharrell Williams, Alicia Keys, and Martin Garrix were among the performers at Formula 1 Grand Prix’s post-race show in Saudi Arabia on Saturday (March 9). However, when the Louis Vuitton designer took the stage for his performance, he took issue with fans throwing their wristbands at the stage. “This is the liveliest city right now on the planet but we have also got to be the safest,” he told the crowd. “I know you guys are excited and I know you are wanting to throw your wrist gadgets and lights and all that, but you can’t as the girls are dancing. And me? I love women, how about you?”
Folks may remember something similar to this happening to Kid Cudi at Rolling Loud Miami 2022. Nevertheless, Pharrell continued: “We must protect our women so if you want to throw them lights you have to throw them the other way, not at the stage. Who understands what I’m saying?” When the crowd kept going, he decided to cut the show 15 minutes early. “Let’s take those stup*d wristbands and throw them in the air right now when I count to three. And now we are done. Okay, I’m going to let you all finish,” the Neptunes legend said before storming offstage.
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – MARCH 09: Pharrell Williams walks in the Paddock prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on March 09, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Peter Fox – Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images)
It doesn’t look like there’s any easily accessible video of this incident online at press time, but check out the “Via” links below for pictures. Regardless, Pharrell and company also had other criticisms to deal with given Saudi Arabia’s controversial laws against women and the fact that this performance was so close to International Women’s Day. “Alicia Keys and Pharrell Williams should not be performing in Saudi Arabia,” human rights activist Peter Tatchell remarked to The Sun. “It’s a dictatorship that persecutes women, LGBTs and religious and ethnic [groups].”
“I am thrilled to be back on stage, this time in Jeddah, performing in a place I have never performed in before, and in a way I never have in this region,” Alicia Keys said of her participation. “I’m also so inspired to connect in a meaningful way with the amazing women there to discuss cultural, creative and boundary-pushing narratives we are collectively and individually leading. In light of International Women’s Day, it’s the perfect time to discuss important issues affecting us.” For more news and updates on Pharrell, stay posted on HNHH.
North West has been in the public eye since before she was even born, and while having paparazzi follow you everywhere constantly isn’t fun, the 10-year-old certainly knows how to keep us entertained. She and Kim Kardashian have plenty of fun together on TikTok, and we’ve felt North’s presence front and centre on the latest season of her family’s reality show. A few episodes back, she seemingly threw shade at her famously hard-working mother by brushing off a question about her expansive career – all while eating an onion as if it were an apple.
On newer installments of The Kardashians, we see the sisters preparing for the annual Met Gala. Kim has been a regular fixture on the red carpet for the past decade, and though her looks don’t always win public approval, they do get people talking. For 2023, she adorned herself in a gown from Maison Schiaparelli, and while North’s mom likely felt beautiful in the custom piece, her daughter quickly burst her bubble as we’ve seen Kanye West similarly do in the past.
“It’s looking, like, beachy,” the content creator critiqued Kardashian. “And the pearls look fake,” she sassily added, even with the designer standing nearby. “This is my worst nightmare,” he replied. Despite what Northie had to say, the SKIMS founder still went forward with wearing the look for the Karl Lagerfeld-themed event, which went down on the first Monday of May.
While that plays out on the small screen, the California native seems to be overseas with her father once again. She and West were photographed out together in Saudi Arabia, where he’s hard at work on a joint project with Ty Dolla Sign. The rapper’s face was mostly covered with a black shirt, and his daughter rocked a Harley Davidson long-sleeve for their outing.
If you were one of the four Kardashian-West kids, do you think you would prefer staying grounded in Kim’s luxury compound, or being constantly on the go with Yeezy? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.
In a surprising twist of fate, two giants from different worlds came together in Saudi Arabia. Kanye West and Mike Tyson, both renowned figures in their respective domains, recently crossed paths in the Middle East. They even posed for a memorable photo. Fans couldn’t help but notice how Kanye flexed his muscles a bit while standing next to the professional boxer. This unexpected encounter has set the internet abuzz and left fans speculating about Kanye’s upcoming music. He recently revealed that he has not one, but two projects in the works. While one is a solo endeavor, the other is a collaborative project with Ty Dolla $ign. These announcements have kept fans on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the release of new music from the iconic artist.
Adding to the intrigue surrounding Kanye’s musical ventures, Ye is in Saudi Arabia to attend the highly-anticipated fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. This explains why Mike Tyson is also in Saudi Arabia. Fans made comments on the video of the two that’s quickly circulating social media. “Kayne look nervous af,” someone wrote. “the two s,” someone else wrote. “He wanted to make sure his arm looked big,” another fan pointed out.
In summary, while in Saudi Arabia, Kanye West had the opportunity to connect with the legendary Mike Tyson. As Tyson is the former world heavyweight champion and an enduring figure in the world of boxing, it’s only right they snap a pic to capture the moment. As HNHH reported previously, it has been reported that Kanye West played his upcoming album for the influential music executive J Prince during his visit to Saudi Arabia. This secretive album preview has heightened the anticipation surrounding Kanye’s solo project, as fans and industry insiders await more details and insights into what the enigmatic artist has in store. J Prince said the album was “hot.”
The unexpected link up between Kanye West and Mike Tyson in Saudi Arabia has created a buzz that’s hard to ignore. With Kanye’s two upcoming projects and a surprise album preview for J Prince, the rapper’s trip to the Middle East has become a moment of its own. Fans can’t help but speculate about potential collaborations, influences, and what the future holds for the upcoming music.
Kanye West once again refused to smile for a fan selfie while in Saudi Arabia. The rapper agreed to take a picture with an unidentified VIP dressed in traditional garb. While the man is smiling happily, Kanye is neutral at best. Ye was in the Middle Eastern nation to attend the high-profile boxing match between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou. He has spent the last few months living in Italy with his wife, Bianca Censori.
Fans were surprised to see West at the event, which led to some confusion over what the rapper was wearing. Eagle-eyed fans on social media spotted what appeared to be an old logo for the Premier League, England’s top soccer league, on West’s shirt. This led fans to speculate what black jersey with yellow stripes he was rocking. It appears that the most likely answer is a Liverpool goalkeeper’s jersey from the early 2000s.
Kanye was one of several celebrities who were in attendance for the showdown between champion boxer Tyson Fury and MMA veteran Francis Ngannou. Many experts believed that, given it was Ngannou’s boxing debut, this would be an easy victory for Fury. However, that wasn’t the case. Ngannou proved a valiant foe bell to bell, even knocking down Fury in the third round. Despite this, Fury’s experience won out, with the British boxer edging his Cameroonian opponent on points in a split decision.
Fury was humble in victory, a rare occurrence from one of the world’s best active fighters. “That definitely wasn’t in the script. He’s a very awkward man and he’s a good puncher and I respect him a lot. He wasn’t coming forward. He was standing back waiting for me. He’s given me probably one of my toughest fights in the last 10 years. He’s a good boxer, He’s a lot better than I thought he’d be and he gave me a good fight. I would like to do it again down the line, and I’m sure Francis would like to do it as well.” The fight should serve as a wakeup call for Fury, who has long complained about the lack of a competitive fight. He is next due in the ring later this year or early next year for a historic unification fight against Oleksandr Usyk.
Tyson Fury was able to overcome a knockdown to defeat Francis Ngannou via split decision on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Fury secured tallies of 96-93 and 95-94 from two of the judges while Ngannou got one judge to tally 95-94. The loss for Ngannou marked his pro boxing debut in his first fight overall since January 2022.
“I might have come up short today, I might be wounded but I can bite, I’m just a fighter and I’m ready to fight any time soon,” he said afterward. “We can run it back soon and I’m sure I can do better. This was my first boxing match, I’m not making excuses but I can come back even stronger.”
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – OCTOBER 28: Francis Ngannou knocks down Tyson Fury during the Heavyweight fight between Tyson Fury and Francis Ngannou at Boulevard Hall on October 28, 2023 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Fury spoke about the fight afterward, praising Ngannou. “That definitely wasn’t in the script,” he said, as noted by The Athletic. “He’s a hell of a fighter and a hell of a lot better boxer than we thought he would be. He’s an awkward man and a good puncher and I respect him a lot. He was very awkward, he wasn’t coming forward and was waiting for me to throw. He’s given me one of my toughest fights of the last ten years.” Of the knockdown specifically, he added: “I was caught behind the head for the knockdown. I got back up and got back to my boxing, I don’t know how close it was. I got the win and that’s what it is.”
With the win, Fury is set to compete for the undisputed heavyweight championship against Oleksandr Usyk. “It will be our next fight guaranteed,” Fury said. Be on the lookout for further updates on Fury’s next bout on HotNewHipHop.
Recently, Kanye West was spotted touching down in Saudi Arabia for the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight. The controversial performer was captured walking into the building, where he was greeted by a modest crowd of excited onlookers. Ye kept it casual, rocking an all black fit with a pair of his signature sock-shoes.
He appeared to be in good spirits, despite some new damning allegations that have recently come to light. While Ye may be on the cusp of a highly-anticipated new album with Ty Dolla Sign, he continues to receive backlash for his antisemitic remarks. A recent Times piece calls back to an alleged encounter one Jewish Adidas executive had with Ye, which saw the artist asking him to kiss a portrait of Hitler every day.
Ye’s also accused of showing pornographic videos to several other executives out of nowhere. Kanye’s antics over the years have managed to chip away at his once robust fanbase. Regardless, he continues to have some listeners eagerly awaiting his next project. He was previously reported to have a massive performance in Italy with Ty Dolla Sign scheduled for this week. It was ultimately scrapped, however. Their joint album doesn’t have an official release date yet, but the pair will reportedly debut it at various stadiums at listening parties on November 3.
Recently, he was also visited at his Florence, Italy villa by Metro Boomin, who’s rumored to be assisting with the LP. The award-winning producer later shared a Tweet, which seemingly referenced the upcoming project. This only further fueled the speculation. What do you think of Kanye West visiting Saudi Arabia for the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.
Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, has said that the nation will continue to engage in sportswashing as long as it makes them money. “If sportswashing [is] going to increase my GDP by way of 1%, then I will continue doing sportwashing. I don’t care,” bin Salman told Fox News. “One percent growth of GDP from sport and I’m aiming for another one-and-a-half percent — call it whatever you want, we’re going to get that one-and-a-half percent,” he continued.
Sportswashing is the term used to describe the use of sport to improve a country’s image. Infamous for its human rights violations and oppression of women and the LGBT community, Saudi Arabia’s attempts to use sports to improve the nation’s image have become more and more aggressive in recent years. Prime examples include the acquisition of professional golf’s PGA Tour, over $1 billion spent this summer to acquire world-renowned soccer stars, and major investments to acquire major esports companies.
A great example of Saudi sportswashing occurred earlier this year with a prominent esports figure. Bolden, a caster, analyst, and former coach in Rainbow Six Siege, is openly a member of the LGBTQ+ community and lives with her partner in Italy. On a stream in 2022, the Australian made her view on Gamers8 very clear. “Out of all of the places in your entire region that you probably shouldn’t hold something, Saudi Arabia is absolutely one of them. It’s so funny to me because people are going to find excuses for it. Like every fucking excuse under the sun they can find and then the people that worked it are going to be like, ‘I needed the opportunity.’ Shut the fuck up.” However, Bolden received fierce backlash after announcing that she would be attending Gamers8 2023.
In her statement on the issue, Bolden claims that she withdrew from Gamers8 2022 out of fear after receiving “serious messages.” These messages came after announcing her intention to attend. She had initially intended to attend in order to “represent women and the LGBT community.” She goes on to say that she “used this fear to make statements about others attending that were completely unfair and not opinions I hold anymore.” Bolden goes on to explain that after speaking with ESL FACEIT Group, she agreed to attend the 2023 event. Furthermore, Bolden lauds the “immense amount of respect and professionalism” afforded to her at the event. Additionally, the reception she received has “quelled” her pre-existing fears. Finally, Bolden expressed “deep shame” for her 2022 comments and said she hopes to continue growing.
Lionel Messi is one of the greatest soccer players to have ever touched a ball. The iconic Argentinian forward claimed his first World Cup title in 2022. However, at the club level, drama and controversy have persisted ever since he left Barcelona in 2021. Despite joining perennial French champions PSG, questions surrounding just how long he will remain in France have dogged the veteran player. In recent weeks, the notoriously harsh crowd at PSG’s Parc des Princes has begun to boo Messi. This has been exacerbated as PSG has dropped back-to-back matches at home.
All of this culminated in a new destination being floated for the next stop in Messi’s career. Saudi Arabia has become increasingly prominent on the soccer world stage in recent months. First, the Arab nation shocked Messi’s Argentinian side in their opening match of the 2022 World Cup. Then, fellow soccer legend Cristiano Ronaldo signed a massive deal to join the Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Now rumors suggest that Messi might soon become Ronaldo’s club rival.
Lionel Messi Linked With Saudi Club
Lionel Messi is considering a move that would see him join Al-Hilal, the city rivals of Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al-Nassr FC, a source has told ESPN. pic.twitter.com/kKJGMjavHg
According to a report from ESPN, Lionel Messi has been linked with a move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. Al-Hilal is the biggest and most successful club in Saudi Arabia. They have won a record 18 league titles, including a three-peat in the last three seasons. Al-Hilal has also won the Asian Champions League a record four times. In 2022, they also finished runners-up in the Club World Cup, falling 5-3 to Real Madrid in the Final. They are currently managed by former Argentinian international Ramón Díaz.
The most intriguing aspect of the potential Messi move is who Al-Hilal’s rivals are. Al-Hilal has an inter-city rivalry with Al-Nassr, the side that Cristiano Ronaldo joined in 2022. Messi and Ronaldo have faced off 36 times in their club careers, most notably as domestic rivals during Ronaldo’s stint with Real Madrid. If Messi were to join Al-Hilal, it would not only reignite their head-to-head rivalry but also make the Saudi league must-see soccer. While nothing has progressed beyond rumors at this time, the ESPN report may point to the next chapter of Lionel Messi’s storied career.
Additionally, things went from bad to worse during the World Cup. Firstly, Portugal had him coming off of the bench in the knockout round. Secondly, his rival Lionel Messi won the World Cup thus ensuring himself as the GOAT of this generation.
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal Looks on prior to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 quarter final match between Morocco and Portugal at Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Cristiano Ronaldo To Al-Nassr
The 37-year-old has subsequently been looking for a new team to play for. Over the past few weeks, there have been rumors that he would go play in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nassr FC. Today, those rumors were confirmed as the team announced they were signing him for two years at $200 million per year.
“History in the making,” the team wrote on Twitter. “This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves.”
History in the making. This is a signing that will not only inspire our club to achieve even greater success but inspire our league, our nation and future generations, boys and girls to be the best version of themselves. Welcome @Cristiano to your new home @AlNassrFCpic.twitter.com/oan7nu8NWC
Ronaldo went on to make a statement of his own, saying “I’m thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring.”
Cristiano Ronaldo on Al Nassr move: “I’m thrilled for a new experience in a different league and a different country, the vision that Al Nassr has is very inspiring”. #Ronaldo
“I’m very excited to join my teammates, and to help the team to achieve more success”. pic.twitter.com/MYaeO6rr4Z
Overall, a move to Saudi Arabia is quite shocking. However, it is hard to say no to that kind of immense salary. There is no doubt that Ronaldo will make an impact with that team, and we can’t wait to see how this all plays out.
Let us know what you think of Ronaldo’s decision, in the comments down below.
North is becoming an icon! 
North West rates mom Kim Kardashian’s Met Gala look in the latest Kardashians episode 
s,” someone else wrote. “He wanted to make sure his arm looked big,” another fan pointed out.
(@nojumper)
