vaccine

Nicki Minaj Talks COVID Vaccine Controversy In New Interview

by

Earlier today, Nicki Minaj and Vogue shared their new cover shoot. Included in the collaboration was, of course, the magazine cover with a photo shoot that included Nicki’s son Papa Bear. She also took part in a new episode of the magazine’s beloved 73 Questions series. In the video, she answers questions about a variety of subjects. Though she does notably declined once again to reveal the real name of her son publicly.

In the actual interview she gave for the magazine, she got even more detailed on some of her past public controversies. One of the more notable ones is the vaccine skepticism she famously endorsed back in 2021. The controversy began when she revealed that she wouldn’t be attending the Met Gala because it had a vaccine requirement and she didn’t want to get vaccinated. She shared a piece of anecdotal evidence that informed her decision but was called out repeatedly by scientists for representing an inaccurate understanding of what vaccines do. Relive some of the controversy below.

Read More: Nicki Minaj Reflects On Her Past Body Comments & Thoughts On Her Curves

Nicki Minaj’s COVID Controversy

When given the opportunity to clarify in her new interview, Nicki didn’t change her tone. “I’m one of those people who doesn’t go with a crowd. I like to make my own assessment of everything without help from everyone,” she explained in the interview. She doesn’t seem to be any more inclined to discuss sensitive topics on a public forum now than she was at the time.

“Every time I talk about politics, people get mad. I’m sorry, but I am not going to be told who I should get on social media and campaign for. There’s a lot we don’t know that’s going on in the government, and I don’t think it changes whether you lean to the left or right,” she explained. What do you think of Nicki Minaj choosing to double down on her controversial COVID-19 vaccine takes? Let us know in the comment section below.

Read More: Nicki Minaj Sparks Rumors Of Reconciliation With Remy Ma In Cryptic Instagram Post

[Via]

The post Nicki Minaj Talks COVID Vaccine Controversy In New Interview appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

50 Cent Trolls Redman Over Explanation For “Power” Departure

by

50 Cent has reacted to Redman’s recent explanation as to why he left the tv series, Power. The rapper had revealed that he refused to return to Season 3 of Power Book II: Ghost because vaccination was mandatory to be on set. 50 Cent shared a clip of the comments on Instagram, Saturday.

“I walked away from Power,” Redman explained. “I walked away from Power after the second episode because everybody on the show had to have the jab and I wasn’t with it. That’s what I’m saying. You have to stand your ground. Like, would Power have been a game changer for me? Yes. The money was good. It’s a well-known show that could’ve helped my career. But, is my health less important than being on the show? Fuck no!”

Read More: Method Man Explains Redman’s Absence From “Power Book II: Ghost”

50 Cent Attends “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” Premiere

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 15: 50 Cent attends the “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” New York Premiere at Hammerstein Ballroom on July 15, 2021 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

He added: “My health is more important to me. And I had to make a choice. Either I was going to sacrifice myself with this third-world order bullshit or I just walk away.” In the caption of the interview clip, 50 Cent remarked: “He’s not lying he walked right away [walk away emoji] from the #1 show in African American and Latino house holds. SMH [laughing and squinting eyes emoji] I took the shot fuck that. LOL.”

Method Man previously explained Redman’s departure on The Breakfast Club, last month. He also claimed that the rapper “wouldn’t get the jab” but admitted he didn’t feel the need to press him on the matter. “Redman, he made a decision and I stick by whatever that decision was. If he feels that was best for him, I agree with him,” he said at the time.

50 Cent Reacts To Redman

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by 50 Cent (@50cent)

Redman previously played the character of Theo Rollins before it was recast to Jordan Mahome. Starz renewed the series for a fourth season, earlier this year.

Read More: Method Man Announces Redman’s Role In “Power Book II” Season 2

[Via]

The post 50 Cent Trolls Redman Over Explanation For “Power” Departure appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Method Man Explains Redman’s Absence From “Power Book II: Ghost”

by

Method Man has confirmed why Redman was absent from the third season of Power Book II: Ghost. He previously played the character of Theo Rollins, but Method Man has confirmed that the role was recast because Redman wouldn’t get the coronavirus vaccine. Method Man discussed the situation during an appearance on The Breakfast Club.

“He wouldn’t get the jab. Did I talk to Redman about it? No, we close-close. Shit like that don’t even need to be said. He’s not the first or the last person that’ll probably happen to,” Meth said, before referencing another actor who experienced a similar problem. “Redman, he made a decision and I stick by whatever his decision was. If he feels it was best for him, I agree with him.”

Read More: Method Man Announces Redman’s Role In “Power Book II” Season 2

Method Man With Redman At The MTV Movie Awards

Method Man and Redman during 2003 MTV Movie Awards – Arrivals at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

When The Hip-Hop Wolf reposted the clip to Instagram, fans had mixed responses. One noted that Method Man and Redman can’t be as close as they say. “Fuck all that…they not as close as I thought they was [crying emoji]. I heard what he said but u don’t jus not speak on that… u ain’t ask y u wasn’t at work,” they commented. Others sided with Redman in his decision: “It’s too bad but I’m glad redman stuck to his guns n didn’t fold like a lot of people did.”

The third season of Power Book II: Ghost ended up premiering on Starz back in March and concluded in May. Jordan Mahome took over the role of Theo Rollins for the new episodes. Starz renewed the series for a fourth season, earlier this year. Elsewhere in the Wu-Tang Clan rapper’s latest appearance on The Breakfast Club, he discussed apologizing to Destiny’s Child, working with Mary J. Blige on “All I Need,” and more.

Read More: “Power Book II” Cast Says 50 Cent Replaced T.I. With Method Man Due To Beef

[Via]

The post Method Man Explains Redman’s Absence From “Power Book II: Ghost” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

John Legend Teams With Pfizer For COVID-19 Booster Video

by

John Legend stars in the latest promotional video for the COVID-19 booster shot from Pfizer, prompting backlash from many of his anti-vax fans. In the clip, Legend explains that he and his family got their updated COVID-19 booster shots. Many users on Twitter labeled him a “sellout” in response to the partnership. Pfizer later ended up turning off replies to the video on social media.

“For John Legend, there is nothing better than being a dad and enjoying special moments with his family. That’s why he considers his health a top priority and why he got an updated #COVID19 booster. His eligible family members got theirs too!” the Pfizer Twitter account captioned the video. In the piece, Legend says, “I wouldn’t trade being a dad for anything in the world. I love being there for my special moments with my kids. That’s why my health is such a priority to me. And why I got an updated Covid-19 booster. My family did too. I encourage you to talk to your healthcare provider and go to vaccines.gov to check eligibility and schedule an appointment today.”

John Legend’s Pfizer Video

John Legend and his wife, Chrissy Teigen, previously shared that their then-5-year-old daughter Luna got the vaccine in 2021. “Took my big girl to ice cream to celebrate her 2nd shot,” Legend wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “Second shot queeeeen! go big girl go big girl go!” Teigen further added.

Legend was an early voice in promoting the Pfizer vaccine when the company released it widely in 2021. Speaking with USA Today at the time, he explained, “It gave me a sense of greater optimism and relief as well. I’m just excited that the vaccine has proven to be effective and to be safe, and that we’re on our way to opening back up more and more people get vaccinated.” As for potential side affects, he also added: “If you’re getting vaccinated – preventing yourself from getting the virus, preventing yourself from giving the virus to any of your relatives and loved ones, and getting the nation back closer to opening up slowly – it’s a small price to pay.”

Users’ Responses

[Via]

Mannie Fresh Responds To Critics Of “Vax That Thang Up” Remix

by

Mannie Fresh has come to the defense of his recent song, “Vax That Thang Up,” a remix of Juvenile’s song, “Back That Azz Up.” He released the track back in 2021 as an effort to promote the COVID-19 vaccine.

Speaking with AllHipHop for a new interview, Fresh addressed the backlash he received for releasing the song.

“When we did the ‘Vax That Thang Up’ song or whatever, it wasn’t a song. It was just a parody telling people to get vaccinated,” he explained. “But it was something that I believed in and I was saying to folks, ‘If you don’t, it’s OK. You don’t have to go and do this. It’s not that serious.’ But there were people saying, ‘You destroyed the song and this song was the greatest song!’ And I’m like, ‘Do you know the title of the song?’ It’s called ‘Back That Azz Up.’ I’m like, ‘Did you listen to the lyrics of this song?’”

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – FEBRUARY 19: DJ Mannie Fresh performs during Shorty Gras at Mardi Gras World on February 19, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. 2021 Mardi Gras parades were canceled in an effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (Photo by Erika Goldring/Getty Images)

Afterward, Fresh discussed the idea of cyberbullying and how it felt to experience it for the first time.

He added: “I never understood cyberbullying until that came out. It didn’t mess with me because I feel like I’m a strong person. But I know kids got to go through this shit sometimes with people. If you got to go through that, it’s tough because folks was going crazy. They really felt angry. They were saying stuff like, ‘You ruined my childhood by doing this’ and blah, blah, blah. You need therapy if this ruined your life [laughs].”

Fresh also says that he’s currently working on new music with Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz. He also wants to release more of his own work. For now, he says that he’s working on building confidence. Fresh released his last studio album, Return of the Ballin’, back in 2009.

Revisit “Vax That Thang Up,” featuring Mannie Fresh, Juvenile, and Mia X below.

[Via]

Logic Celebrates His Return With Overt Nonchalance On ‘Vaccine’

by

In case you haven’t noticed yet, Logic has returned to the hip-hop world from somewhat of a retirement. Last summer, he called it quits from rap world with the release of his sixth album, No Pressure. While he did step away from the game for some time, it wasn’t long enough to be deemed a short retirement as new music slowly arrived from his camp. He confirmed his official return last week and with it came the release of The YS Collection Vol. 1, a project composed of songs from his Young Sinatra days. Now, the Maryland rapper is back with brand new music.

Logic arrives with “Vaccine,” his first new song since returning from retirement. The track uses hard-hitting production to surround the rapper’s nonchalance as he takes his first few steps back into the game. “Came back with a team / Like rap ain’t a thing I’m a do anything,” he says on the song. “I’ma rap, I’ma sing / Yeah I’m back as the king.” Elsewhere he seemingly teases the upcoming release of Bobby Tarantino 3, the third installment in the mixtape series he launched back in 2016. “Ready to f*ck up the game,” he raps. “BT3 now we at it again, mane.”

In addition to the possible arrival of Bobby Tarantino 3, Logic has also teased a joint project with Madlib over the past couple of months. The pair has released singles that include “Raddest Dad” and “Mafia Music.”

You can press play on Logic’s “Vaccine” in the video above.