The music world is still processing the death of Rico Wade. The producer was considered by many to be the cornerstone of the Dungeon Family, and the music that allowed the collective to transform hip-hop in the 1990s and 2000s. Wade died from heart failure at the age of 52, but his native Atlanta is making sure that he won’t be forgotten. The city has launched a training program in Wade’s name, with the intention of mentoring the next generation of executives.
The program was announced the same day as Wade’s funeral, April 27. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens made a statement on the program following the service at Ebenezer Baptist Church. It bears the official title of the Rico Wade Music Executive Training Program. It will be an initiative ran by Atlanta’s Office of Film, Entertainment and Nightlife. “Rico left an indelible mark on music and culture around the world and for that, the South will always have something to say,” Dickens added.
Rico Wade’s Program Will Mentor Aspiring Music Execs
The program will help musicians learn the business and establish connections within the music industry. Dickens pointed to those in attendance as proof that Wade was successful at an extraordinary level. He aims to give up-and-comers access to the “music executives like the 500 hundred or so gathered” at the producer’s funeral. These executives include L.A. Reid, Chris Hicks, and Sylvia Rhone, the chair and CEO of Epic Records.
Rico Wade’s business acumen has been a consistent point of praise. He not only helped Outkast and En Vogue break through in the 1990s, but he did the same for Future in the 2010s. The “Like That” rapper talked about Wade’s impact during a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone. “Rico supported me 1,000 more times than anybody ever could,” he admitted. “Nobody could ever do what Rico Wade did for me … Everything I know about music, I know because of Rico.”
CeeLo Green, another Dungeon Family member, likened Wade to the comic book character Professor X. “He was Dr. Xavier of the world-renowned Dungeon Family,” he wrote on Instagram. “Yet so humble and understated with all his power. even the name Rico Wade rings bells, and sounds so prestigious & regal.”
A launch date for the Rico Wade Music Executive Training Program not yet been announced.
The Met Gala, the fashion world’s most prestigious event, seems to be gearing up for a transformation this year. The gala, famous for its glamour, elegance, and creativity, has been criticized in recent years. Insiders say it’s being overrun by influencers and reality stars. Among the most famous are the Kardashians, who showed up as a pack last year, wearing some questionable outfits. According to insiders, Anna Wintour, Vogue‘s editor-in-chief, has had enough of the infamous family.
It’s argued that the Kardashians simply aren’t interesting, relevant, or A-list enough. Additionally, Wintour is rumored to be furious that Marilyn Monroe’s iconic gold dress was irreparably damaged. Although Kim lost weight to fit it, her overfilled backside made the dress impossible to fasten.
Wintour is the undisputed queen of fashion and style. Her guidance has been instrumental in shaping the Met Gala since she first took charge in 1995. Under Wintour’s leadership, the event has become an iconic and exclusive gathering. It pushes the boundaries of fashion and attracts the industry’s biggest names. The gala is known for its unique themes and Wintour’s love of creativity, style, and risk-taking.
Anna Wintour Is Cracking Down On The Guest List
However, in recent years, the Met Gala has seen a shift. Social media influencers, reality TV stars, and B and C listers with massive online followings have replaced real talent. The Kardashian clan is only one example. Although Kim debuted at the event in 2013, it’s commonly accepted that it was only because she was Kanye West’s plus-one. Additionally, sources close to Wintour say that even West is out now following his xenophobic and anti-Semitic statements.
However, it appears that the tide is turning. Insiders claim that Anna Wintour wants to return the event’s focus to its roots. She is prioritizing true fashion icons and established celebrities over influencers. The 2023 Met Gala’s theme, “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line of Beauty,” hints at a return to high fashion’s core values. Meanwhile, the Kardashians are adamant that this is not true. Taking to social media, momager Kris and the rest of the girls have vehemently denied these rumors. Theories run the gamut, from a PR stunt to haters spreading lies.
Met Gala 2023: Bethenny Frankel’s Hot Takes
Although Wintour is tight-lipped about the guest list, insiders are spilling. The latest round of invite drama is that Kim is back in. However, sources swore just a week before that the Kardashians were cut from the 2023 Gala guest list. Bethenny Frankel, former Real Housewives of New York City star, weighed in on the situation. In a recent Page Six item, Frankel said that Wintour might be aiming to “class it up.” She further said that distancing the event from reality TV and social media stars is no accident.
Frankel also touched on the relationship between the fashion industry and the mega-wealthy. She suggested that money’s influence has allowed some stars to buy their way into the style spotlight. This sentiment echoes Wintour’s past statements and her focus on maintaining the integrity of the exclusive Met Gala event.
Anna Wintour’s commitment to fashion is evident throughout her career, having navigated the challenges of an ever-changing industry. In a 2019 interview with CNN, Wintour spoke about new trends. She noted how social media has transformed fashion and given her brand a larger audience. She also stressed the importance of staying true to her values, despite criticism.
By reclaiming the gala’s original mission, Wintour may be sending a message. To the fashion industry, it’s loud and clear; the event is returning to its roots. The 2023 event is a celebration of elegance, glamour, creativity, and true innovation. Fans of Wintour stress that it’s not an issue of snobbery but of having a real understanding of fashion itself.
Honoring Karl Lagerfeld
PARIS, FRANCE – JANUARY 21: (EDITORS NOTE: This image has been retouched) Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld poses backstage after the Chanel show as part of Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture Spring/Summer 2014 on January 21, 2014 in Paris, France. (Photo by Bertrand Rindoff Petroff/Getty Images)
This year’s Met Gala co-hosts reportedly include Dua Lipa, Penélope Cruz, Roger Federer, and Michaela Coel. Clearly, these are real artists, all of whom are prominent figures in their respective fields. This year’s theme will also honor the late Karl Lagerfeld’s illustrious career and his work with Chanel, Fendi, Chloé, Balmain, and more.
Of course, not everyone is a fan of Anna Wintour. Some critics have openly called her elitist and downright mean. Who can forget former Wintour assistant Lauren Weisberger’s thinly veiled tell-all, The Devil Wears Prada? Still, Vogue sources stress that the guest list is always a source of speculation and has nothing to do with Wintour throwing shade.
Lagerfeld’s Cat, Choupette, Invited To The Event
However, in the latest guest list upset, Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, is now officially on the guest list. “She got the invitation,” the My Pet Agency owner said to Page Six. “It’s an event in honor of the legacy of Karl Lagerfeld. Choupette is obviously a central part of the legacy.” Choupette, a blue-cream tortie Birman, is rumored to be one of the late Lagerfeld’s heirs. The designer, who died at 85 in 2019, left an estimated $125 million fortune.
Additionally, Choupette is included in the May 2023 Vogue cover story in honor of the late designer. In a preview of the issue shared with Good Morning America, Naomi Campbell holds the fabulous feline on a Parisian bridge. Campbell is wearing a black Balmain trouser suit, white shirt, and Lagerfeld’s signature black tie. Page Six added, “The cat model looks extra fluffy in the photo as she looks straight at the camera, curling up her feet as she relaxes in the supermodel’s arms.”
With the Met Gala 2023 fast approaching, fashionistas eagerly await the drama, surprises, and style. With Wintour at the helm, this year’s gala will be the event of the year again. Hopefully, the fete will return to its old-school roots—a true reflection of the glamour and elegance that has defined high fashion for decades.
How these recent events play out, one thing is sure: the fashion world is watching closely. As Anna Wintour continues to redefine the Met Gala and, by extension, the industry, heads will roll. And, as the May 1st event approaches, suspense is mounting. All eyes will be on the red carpet to witness the return to true high fashion and, undoubtedly, a lot of extra.
Adin Ross is no stranger to controversy. In the past, those controversies have primarily centered on his streaming career. Most recently, he received his eighth Twitch ban for “displaying hateful content”. While Ross primarily streams on Kick, a new rival site to Twitch, many believe Ross is now permanently banned from Twitch.
Ross is a big fan of controversial lifestyle guru Andrew Tate. In December 2022, Ross said he would be discontinuing the “female-oriented” content to which he attributed his success to. Notably, he recently said that the promotion of hot tub streams by Twitch was “promoting poison.” However, in a new series of videos, Ross has opened up about a deeply personal issue. He has stated that he is doing so in order to be able to help others suffering from the same thing.
Ross Wants To Use Platform To Help Others With Addiction
In a series of videos collated by nojumper on Instagram, Ross opened up about his opioid addiction. Specifically, Ross said that he was addicted to Lean. Lean, colloquially known as purple drank among other names, is a mixture of a soft drink and prescription-strength cough medicine. Ross says that he “became a version of himself that he was not familiar with,” during his addiction. Ross went on to confirm that he believes himself to have kicked the addiction. However, he does note that he has only been clean for “about a week” at the time of filming.
However, Ross wasn’t simply opening up about his addiction. As part of his video, Ross states that he wants to “use his platform”. It’s unclear what Ross means by this as he offers no actionable plan. What he does offer are affirmations and encouragement. “I just want to let other know that you’re not alone,” Ross says, “and that this addiction stuff is real….All these things like drugs and alcohol…You can be better, bro. I get that it’s an escape, but it’s a trap. You’re you and I love you.” Opioid addiction affects over 2 million individuals in the United States. Ross is hoping that opening up about his story will inspire others to battle their own addiction, as he did.
Racism in soccer is a deep and dark issue. While anti-racism campaigns and several penalties for fans exist, reports of racism at soccer events remain all to common. As the issue continues to persist, all levels of the sport, from players to governing bodies, continue to be deeply affected.
Italy in particular has a long history of soccer racism. In 2012, Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport published a cartoon depicting Italian striker Mario Balotelli as King Kong. In 2014, Italian club Atalanta were fined 40,000 euros after fans threw bananas at two Black players during a match against AC Milan. Fans of Lazio, a club with long-standing ties to Italy’s political far-right, were filmed giving Nazi salutes at an away game in Glasgow, Scotland in 2019. However, even players have been found culpable of racist actions. Juventus was forced to apologize in 2021 after they posted images of their women’s team mocking Asian individuals.
On Tuesday night, a Coppa Italia semi-final between Juventus and Inter Milan ended in chaos. Inter Milan, trailing 1-0, was awarded a 95th-minute penalty, which Romelu Lukaku calmly converted. Afterwards, Juventus began to direct monkey noises at Lukaku. When the Black striker, who has a long history of receiving racist abuse, responded angrily, he was sent off. Lukaku calmly slotted home the equalizier, Juventus fans began to make monkey noises at the Black player. Furthermore, Lukaku’s equalizer led to an additional two red cards issue after the final whistle.
On Wednesday morning, Roc Nation, the entertainment agency founded by Jay-Z, took out a full-page ad in La Gazzetta dello Sport. The ad, titled “Enough is Enough” lambasted Italian sports culture, calling on them to “Do Better. Want Better. Be Better.” in response to the Lukaku incident and others. Furthermore, the ad went on to “call on the worldwide community of sports” to better tackle the issue of racism. It is a powerful statement from one of the biggest entertianment agencies. Additionally, there was an added layer to the ad as La Gazzetta dello Sport was the same paper that published a racist carton of Mario Balotelli a decade ago. With Roc Nation joining the fight against racism in soccer, perhaps bigger steps will now be taken to combatting the issue.
President Biden stored more classified documents than we previously thought. According to White House attorney Richard Sauber, authorities unearthed five more items following recent discoveries since November of last year. Moreover, Sauber found the documents while he handed over one of the discovered items to the Department of Justice.
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 12: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks on the economy and inflation in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on January 12, 2023 in Washington, DC. Biden spoke on his Administration’s actions to lower the inflation rate, reduce gas prices and create manufacturing jobs for Americans. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Furthermore, this marks the fourth time Biden’s secret docs came to life, which stem from his days under President Obama. First, during November, authorities found some in his personal office in D.C., and additional items in his Delaware home’s garage in December. Meanwhile, an extra search just a couple of days ago resulted in another unearthed document.
While the first discoveries could’ve been anything, the fourth “bust” started to cause some significant concern. According to TMZ, the DoJ has appointed a special counsel to discuss these documents and their implications. Even though the White House didn’t provide the most clear answer, they maintained that the documents were misplaced with no deeper intent.
“He was surprised that the records were found,” said White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre when asked about them. “He does not know what’s in them. That has not changed.”
“He was surprised that the records were found,” White House press sec. Karine Jean-Pierre says when pressed by @MaryKBruce about classified documents found at Pres. Biden’s Wilmington home.
Meanwhile, the current Commander-in-Chief has addressed some documents, but not all the discoveries. Moreover, many criticized his administration for not bringing news of these discoveries to light when they were immediately conducted. In fact, the first “bust” occurred before the midterm elections in 2022. However, his legal team stood by their actions and said they were balancing transparency with the integrity of a DoJ probe. They were already looking into the files before they instated this week’s special counsel.
As representatives and Joe Biden himself have said, the nature, content, or motive of storage of these documents is unknown as of writing this article. Given their classified nature, authorities called on the DoJ and National Archives officials to retrieve each batch of items.
Also, these developments have angered Republicans, who see parallels between Biden’s secret stashes and former President Trump’s mishandling of documents. While many are distinguishing Biden’s apparent honest mistake from Trump’s deliberate obfuscation, the difference is harder to identify with each new batch found. Still, Trump has bigger legal fish to fry at the moment, and a whole lot of taxes to pay.
What do you think of these new classified documents allegedly misplaced harmlessly by President Joe Biden? Whatever the case, let us know in the comments down below. Also, as always, check back in with HNHH for updates on the biggest stories in politics and beyond.
It’s probably very unlikely that you had Andrew Tate and Greta Thunberg beefing on your 2022 bingo card. Nonetheless, here we are.
The teenage climate activist recently received an arrogant and boastful public message from the notorious media personality on Twitter.
Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg attends a ‘Fridays for Future’ movement protest at the Mynttorget square next to the Swedish Parliament Riksdagen in Stockholm, on November 11, 2022 (Photo by PONTUS LUNDAHL/TT News Agency/AFP via Getty Images)
It all began when Tate decided to send a shot at Thunberg on Tuesday (December 27). This was seemingly unprovoked. “Hello @GretaThunberg I have 33 cars. My Bugatti has a w16 8.0L quad turbo. My TWO Ferrari 812 competizione have 6.5L v12s. This is just the start. Please provide your email address so I can send a complete list of my car collection and their respective enormous emissions,” he writes in the tweet.
Please provide your email address so I can send a complete list of my car collection and their respective enormous emissions. pic.twitter.com/ehhOBDQyYU
After being made aware of the tweet, Thunberg decided to respond soon after. “yes, please do enlighten me. email me at [email protected],” she explicitly claps back.
It’s still unclear at this time as to why Tate decided to take aim at the teenager in the first place. However, she is a well-known environmental activist who regularly challenges world leaders to take action against climate change. With this in mind, the controversial figure’s comment was obviously an attempt to harass her.
Of course, the world was witness to Tate’s Twitter account, along with his other social media accounts, being banned earlier this year. This stemmed from his numerous comments rooted in misogynistic and sexist beliefs.
After the world was witness to Elon Musk officially purchasing Twitter in October, the media personality was subsequently let back onto the platform.
The exchange is certainly generating some entertaining responses on social media. Check out a few of them below.
It’s been nearly three years now since Pop Smoke’s tragic murder from a fatal home invasion gone wrong. He was only 20 years old. Unfortunately, a mural put up in his memory was allegedly vandalized yesterday.
DJ Akademiks took to his Instagram to report the news. “Someone vandalized Pop Smoke’s mural in Brooklyn,” reads the caption from the streamer. “Word to my dead[,] yall n*ccas are mad childish like wtf,” says a screenshot of a Snapchat of the damage. Based on the photo, it appears as though somebody is responsible for writing “Woo K” over top of the mural.
The mural was finished shortly after his passing, in July of 2020. It honors the late rapper’s legacy in Canarsie, Brooklyn, where Pop grew up. According to Complex, Hattas Public Murals is responsible for undertaking and painting the tribute.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends and fans of the late and beloved Pop Smoke. Much love to you all. And thank you to the community of #Canarsie for your overwhelming support as we painted this memorial mural,” the company wrote in an Instagram afterwards.
Four men have since been charged in Pop Smoke’s murder. They broke into the rented home while intending to rob the rapper of his jewelry. They took his watch during the invasion and subsequently sold it for $2,000. The alleged shooter is only 15 years old.
Ever since the “Dior” rapper’s untimely death, his estate has released two posthumous albums. The first of which is Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon. Releasing just five months after his passing, the project serves as a celebration of life and honors his legacy through songs like “Make It Rain” and “Got It On Me.”
The second one, Faith, saw a release in July of 2021. However, it isn’t as successful as its predecessor in continuing the Brooklyn native’s legacy. Fans and publications alike critique the album for containing too much filler content. Additionally, a common sentiment is that it has too many songs that are seemingly unfinished.
Long Live Pop Smoke. It’s certainly heartbreaking to see someone do this to a mural meant to honor him and his music.
What’s your favorite song of his? Comment down below. Finally, make sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest updates in music and pop culture.
It’s been five years since the deadly shooting that occurred at a show in which Cousin Stizz was on the bill.
A new development regarding the incident shows that Sony is actually partly responsible for the tragedy.
Rapper Coustin Stizz performs onstage during day one of the Rolling Loud Festival at Banc of California Stadium. (Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)
As the 2017 performance at the Atlanta venue, The Masquerade was ongoing, a shooter opened fire on the crowd. The Boston native was one of the performers getting ready to take the stage later in the night. The shooter is responsible for hitting four innocent members of the audience. Two of them, Giovan Diaz and Ewell Ynoa, passed away from their injuries sustained that night.
The police were later successful in identifying the suspect as 25-year-old Jonathan Bautista. He was subsequently arrested and charged with two counts of murder.
On December 15, a DeKalb County judge ordered Sony Music Holdings to pay $160 million in damages for the incident. The judge labels the company’s failure to protect concertgoers as the reason. Additionally, the victims’ families allege the venue didn’t have proper security present. The awarded money will go to the families of the victims.
Furthermore, the Beasley Allen Law Firm is responsible for filing the lawsuit in 2018. They named Sony and RCA Records, as well as Live Nation and Masquerade as defendants in the case.
To make matters worse, reports indicate that Sony never even showed up for the trial.
Consider what the court elocutions of rappers like Gunna or Slimelife Shawty mean in terms of civil liability. Musicians are stating plainly that their label was a front for criminal activity. There are dozens of victims of violent crime – all potential litigants – in this case.
“One of these men had been told he would be a father just a few hours before the shooting happened. Combine that with the fact the concert endangered everyone, and this Defendant refused to participate in the legal process, and you get the type of verdict we saw here,” Atlanta lawyer Parker Miller says in a statement, explaining the outcome.
Earlier this year, Cousin Stizz dropped off his latest project, Just For You. Boasting a feature from Curren$y, the 13-track album finds the 30-year-old reflecting on years of abiding by label restrictions.
What are your thoughts on the ruling? Comment down below. As always, make sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest industry and pop culture updates.
Regardless of your thoughts on Amber Rose, it’s undeniable that she’s continuing to make a name for herself in the industry.
Murda Mook, however, wasn’t shy in sharing his thoughts on women with “no talent” getting famous. Rose was quick to take exception.
Amber Rose attends 2022 Revolt Summit at 787 Windsor on September 24, 2022 in Atlanta, Georgia.(Photo by Prince Williams/Wireimage)
The interaction took place on the set of Drink Champs, where the pair appeared along with Loaded Lux on Sunday (December 25).
“Think about it, having no talent that’s the new talent / I saw a b*tch on red carpet and I said ‘tell me what you do’ / She said, ‘I’m pretty, I pierced my cl*t, my t*tties, my belly button too / I twerk for the ‘Gram, my videos get a hella bunch of views,” the “100 Dollar Bill” rapper says in an impromptu freestyle.
Evidently, the TV personality wasn’t here for the comments. Rose subsequently challenged the Harlem native’s thinking, asking him if there’s a problem with “untalented” women being famous. “But who do you blame for that? Is it the girls’ problem or the consumer?” she asks.
“Let’s say, me, Kim Kardashian, Jada, Ari[ana].. it should never be a conversation amongst men because it’s like, you have to then blame the consumer, right? Because these girls, us, are known as not having talent, but like, we make a lot of money,” the 39-year-old continues afterwards.
Furthermore, Rose went on to challenge the Harlem rapper for his use of belittling terms aimed at women. “Don’t hate the b*tch, hate the consumer. You’re observing a b*tch making money because she’s pretty and twerking. Let the b*tch twerk and make her f*cking money,” she says in the clip below.
Earlier this year, the social media personality dropped her first of four singles in 2022. Aptly-titled “GYHO,” short for “Get Your Hoe On,” the track showcases her embrace of being sexually active. Although it wasn’t generally well-received among rap fans on social media, the song and her debate with Mook certainly fit her sex-positive brand.
All in all, the back-and-forth appeared to simply be a healthy debate for the most part. Check out the interview in its entirety down below.
Finally, what are your thoughts on Mook’s comments? Sound off in the comments below. As always, make sure to stay tuned to HNHH for the latest updates.
(@nojumper)
