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Swizz Beatz Revs Up Verzuz Relaunch With Major Announcement

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Swizz Beatz riled Verzuz fans up on Thursday (Nov. 7) with an Instagram preview of its return in 2025. The super producer shared a video of a new hoodie tagged with the Verzuz account, captioned “2025 Loading…” The teaser follows the brand’s announcement of its partnership with X, formerly Twitter, over the summer. Founded by Swizz and Timbaland in 2020, Verzuz became a huge success during the pandemic with viral clashes by the biggest names in music, including Rick Ross, Ne-Yo, Babyface, and more.

After a high-profile lawsuit against Triller over contract disputes, the brand announced a new distribution partnership with X on June 20. Triller and Verzuz settled in 2022, but the superproducers filed another lawsuit in 2024, alleging Triller failed to honor the agreement. Verzuz’s new deal reveals that the relaunch will be exclusively distributed on X. After announcing a hiatus in 2022, Swizz Beatz and Timbaland shared that they are “beyond excited” about working with the social media platform. “Beyond thrilled to have found the best partner for Verzuz,” they wrote in an official statement.

Read more: ​​Swizz Beatz Impresses Jadakiss With Diamond-Encrusted Ruff Ryders Chain

Swizz Beatz & Timbaland Ready Verzuz For 2025, Previews New Merch

Elon Musk‘s involvement in the new distribution deal has received mixed reviews on social media. Swizz Beatz addressed the backlash immediately after the announcement, assuring fans that the production value would be preserved. “We will show you better than tell you,” Swizzy wrote in an Instagram post about the new deal in June. Verzuz’s legal battle with former partner Triller remains unresolved in 2024.

A lineup for the relaunch has yet to be announced. In June, Timbaland mentioned taking the match-up worldwide and explained, “Our goal has always been to bring Verzuz to the world which we can now do bigger than ever.” Are you ready for Verzuz’s return? Which dream matches do you want to see in the relaunch? Any rematches? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates.

Read more: Swizz Beatz Dismisses Backlash To His & Timbaland’s “Verzuz” Deal With Elon Musk

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The post Swizz Beatz Revs Up Verzuz Relaunch With Major Announcement appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Diddy Named Among Investors In Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover

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According to a newly unsealed list of the platform’s shareholders which was first unveiled by The Washington Post, troubled Bad Boy founder Diddy was one of the investors who helped Elon Musk turn Twitter into X after he purchased it for $44B in 2022.

The document, which went public today(August 22), lists almost 100 entities as part-owners, with Diddy listed under the name ‘Sean Combs Capital, LLC’ alongside other notable names such as Bill Ackman, Saudi Prince Al Waleed bin Talal Al Saud and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey.

How much Diddy invested into isn’t clear and names of current company shareholders are not known to the public.

The full revealing comes after U.S. District Judge Susan Illston initially granted a motion filed by independent tech journalist Jacob Silverman.

Silverman stated he was seeking transparency in the best interest of the public. Former Twitter employees have alleged in court the company violated their arbitration agreements by not paying certain fees after Musk took over, forcing the company to file for the sealed list.

The post Diddy Named Among Investors In Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover first appeared on The Source.

The post Diddy Named Among Investors In Elon Musk’s Twitter Takeover appeared first on The Source.

Swizz Beatz And Timbaland Ink New Distribution Partnership Between Verzuz & X 

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Making a monumental power move, VERZUZ—the online award-winning, multi-media platform launched by Swizz Beatz and Timbaland—has cemented an exclusive partnership with X for distribution. Swizz and Timbaland personally broke the news at an activation in Cannes, France today. 

Earlier this year, Swizz and Timbaland reacquired VERZUZ from previous partner Triller, now owning 100% of the platform, while retaining their equity (along with the artists who participated in VERZUZ) in Triller. Upon resuming complete control, they sought out the perfect channel for independent distribution.

The partnership journey with X has now begun! 

Together, the companies orchestrated a mutually beneficial alliance where Swizz and Timbaland maintain their full ownership and creative control, while X receives exclusive distribution rights. As a result, VERZUZ will now broadcast to an audience of over 550 million active users, exponentially expanding its viewership and international reach like never before. Since the inception of VERZUZ, the conversations around each VERZUZ naturally evolved on X from fans and enthusiasts alike. Viewers will now be able to watch for FREE exclusively on X, bringing the visual series, and viral conversation, all to one platform! Stay tuned for the announcement of the next VERZUZ matchup coming soon.

About this chapter, Swizz stated, “We are beyond thrilled to have found the best partner for Verzuz. Not only are we excited to have Verzuz on X, we’re excited to help X build the biggest entertainment company in the world. I would like to thank Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Brett Weitz, Mitchell Smith and the entire X team for believing in the Verzuz vision. We can’t wait to get to work.”

Timbaland added, “We are thrilled to partner with X, the most innovative platform globally. Our goal has always been to bring Verzuz to the world which we can now do bigger than ever.”

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As they have since the first VERZUZ, the founders uplift the culture and community into the spotlight in the center of the world’s stage. However, they preserve the same grit, honor, authenticity, and integrity that makes hip-hop, rap, R&B, soul and ALL genres of music so special. They have the opportunity to magnify its resonance, thanks to Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X, and the entire X team championing their unfiltered voices.

Linda Yaccarino stated, “X is so proud to partner with trailblazing creators, artists, and entrepreneurs Swizz Beatz & Timbaland. Our platform stands at the forefront of innovation, and Verzuz defines the essence of an innovative content experience. As we continue to work with the most exciting voices to bring premium content to X, there is no better fit than this series. Together we will redefine how consumers engage with their favorite entertainment, one Verzuz at a time.” 

VERZUZ has partnered with Uncontained Media, led by Christian Sarabia, and Raymond Garcia. Together, they have produced multiple hit shows including Emmy Winner DRIVE WITH SWIZZ BEATZ and will serve as the production company and Executive Producers of VERZUZ. 

The influence and impact of VERZUZ has proven to be undeniable. So far, it has produced over 40 episodes, generating 100 million-plus live views and over 70 billion impressions. It has naturally encompassed other verticals with VERZUZ SPORTS, and VERZUZ COMEDY, all which play well to some of the most highly engaged communities on X. Not to mention, the power of the #VERZUZEFFECT cannot be overstated. Every artist that has participated in a VERZUZ have seen dramatic increases in streaming, ticket sales, merchandise, and overall revenue from just one appearance.

The post Swizz Beatz And Timbaland Ink New Distribution Partnership Between Verzuz & X  first appeared on The Source.

The post Swizz Beatz And Timbaland Ink New Distribution Partnership Between Verzuz & X  appeared first on The Source.

Ice Cube Went Scorched Earth On Elon Musk In Response To A Dumb, Silly Meme He Shared On X/Twitter

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Over on X (formerly known as Twitter), Elon Musk is well familiar with sharing memes that aren’t particularly funny, or may have once been somewhat amusing during an earlier internet age. Yesterday (September 14), for example, he posted a side-by-side image of the vintage Success Kid meme and a photo of Thanos, holding his fist up in a similar position, captioned, “Remember this kid? This is him now. Feel old yet?”

X users responded with similar memes, some of which got laughing emoji responses from Musk. He liked one of them so much that he re-shared it himself: A similar “Feel old yet?” side-by-side of Ice Cube and a glass of water. Ice Cube saw an opportunity to go after Musk and took it: He responded with a meme of his own, featuring a side-by-side of the now-former Twitter logo and a literal dumpster fire. It’s captioned, “Remember Twitter? This [is] it now, feel stupid yet?”

Ice Cube isn’t the only musician to express criticism over how Musk is running X. Dionne Warwick was recently asked about Musk’s decision to remove the ability to block users on X and she responded, “I have yet to speak to that young man and I intend to because I am not quite sure what he’s doing or if he knows what he’s doing. So until that happens, I’ll reserve my answer to that question.”

Twitter/X Is Auctioning Off Its Selection Of ‘Essential’ Vinyl Records And More Stuff As It Continues To Rebrand

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Twitter, as you may have heard, is currently in the process of re-branding to X. The social media platform currently refers to itself as X, but its website is still twitter.com. Another part of the process on the in-person side of things is the company’s headquarters. The office is going to need a facelift, so they’re clearing out space by auctioning off some old Twitter stuff.

The online auction, dubbed “Twitter Rebranding: Online Auction Featuring Memorabilia, Art, Office Assets & More!,” is set to start on September 12 through Heritage Global Partners. Of note to music fans might be the numerous guitars, drum sets, amps, keyboards, and other music gear.

Another particularly interesting item is a record player that comes with a collection of 24 records dubbed “The Twitter Essential’s.” Included in the exclusive collection are albums by artists like David Bowie, Tom Petty, Marvin Gaye, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, ABBA, Pink Floyd, John Lennon, Nirvana, Elton John, Prince, Bee Gees, Madonna, and Fleetwood Mac. More contemporary releases include My Morning Jacket’s Z, Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour, and the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack.

Beyond that, there’s just a bunch of Twitter signs and office stuff. X/Twitter had another auction earlier this year which included similar lots of workplace miscellany.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Decoding Elon Musk’s Vision: Twitter Rebranded as X

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Decoding Elon Musk's Vision: Twitter Rebranded as X

In a surprising move that set the internet abuzz, Elon Musk, the entrepreneur and visionary behind Tesla, decided to rebrand Twitter as “X.” This momentous decision, holds more significance than meets the eye. It reflects Musk’s relentless pursuit of innovation, disruption, and a bold vision for the future of social media.

The name change symbolizes Musk’s desire to transform the platform from its original concept into a more multifaceted and expansive entity. By adopting the single-letter “X,” Musk embraces a sense of mystery and open-endedness. The letter X, historically, has been associated with the unknown and the limitless, mirroring Musk’s commitment to pushing boundaries and exploring uncharted territories.

Elon Musk’s ambitious plan for “X” goes beyond a mere cosmetic change. His vision for the platform involves a combination of social networking, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality. He envisions “X” as the ultimate hub for real-time information sharing, connecting people in ways previously unimaginable. Integrating AI algorithms will enable the platform to curate personalized content and foster meaningful interactions, while augmented reality will allow users to experience social media in a new dimension.

Moreover, “X” aims to revolutionize the decentralized nature of social media, placing power back into the hands of its users. Blockchain technology will ensure data privacy and security, shielding users from intrusive data harvesting and manipulation.

Musk’s decision to rebrand Twitter as “X” also seeks to break free from past constraints and pave the way for the future. By moving away from the term “Twitter,” which conjures images of short messages and character limits, Musk aims to redefine the platform’s identity. “X” will embody boundless creativity, encouraging users to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences with unparalleled freedom.

As with any major change, the decision to rename Twitter as “X” has sparked both excitement and skepticism. Critics argue that rebranding alone won’t address the fundamental issues social media faces, such as misinformation and online toxicity. However, Elon Musk has never avoided taking risks and challenging conventional norms.

Ultimately, the rebranding of Twitter as “X” represents Elon Musk’s unyielding determination to create a more dynamic and impactful digital realm. Only time will tell if this audacious move will revolutionize how we connect and communicate.

The post Decoding Elon Musk’s Vision: Twitter Rebranded as X first appeared on The Source.

The post Decoding Elon Musk’s Vision: Twitter Rebranded as X appeared first on The Source.

Tinashe Dons Dominatrix Gear In A Fiery ‘X’ Performance On ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’

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Nearly a year after its release, Tinashe is still riding the highs of her most recent album, 333. The album is her second studio album since leaving RCA Records, and her fifth overall, and as one would expect from a freshly independent artist, Tinashe is enjoying her creative freedom. She stopped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night to deliver a performance of “X,” the latest single from 333, and a fan favorite.

During the lusty, fiery performance, Tinashe channels her inner dominatrix, wearing leather and fishnets. She is joined by an army of subs, as she leads them with elaborate choreography.

Fans shouldn’t be shocked by the performance, as the lyrics to “X” themselves are rather racy.

“X marks the spot, now can you find it?,” Tinashe sings over an electronic, Hitmaka-produced beat. “Turnt up, you wanna get behind it. I wanna feel your body it’s on fire.”

Tinashe is no newbie to conceptual visual elements. Last month, she released a video for “Naturally,” from the deluxe edition of 333, which takes inspiration from ’70s horror films. Last year, Tinashe told MTV News that 333 is inspired by “the nature of reality and potentially the fact that we’re living in a simulation and how all of those things intersect moving forward.”

Check out the “X” performance above.

Kid Cudi Sports A Killer Porn-Stache In The Trailer For A24’s New Period-Horror Film ‘X’

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A24 has developed a righteous reputation for releasing some of the most innovative — and deeply disturbing — horror films over the past couple of years. Films like Hereditary and Midsommar have kept audiences up at night while helping to launch the superstar career of actors like Florence Pugh, and today, the studio shared the trailer for its latest chiller, X which stars Mia Goth, Kid Cudi (who’s been expanding his film resume of late), Jenna Ortega (who pops up in Foo Fighters’ own horror comedy), and Brittany Snow.

A period horror directed by Ti West, the film is set on a farm in the 1970s, where a film crew has just arrived to shoot an X-rated movie. The porn-staches are glorious (Kid Cudi’s is downright impressive), the photography looks suitably washed-out, the girls all have magnificent blowouts, and the overall mood of a low-budget, questionable ’70s nudie film shoot is just perfect.

The farmer from whom they rent lodging/their film set, however, has one request: Consideration for his wife. Unfortunately, he probably should have phrased it the other way around, because she turns out to be the one harassing the actors and crew — to bloody, fatal results, apparently. The trailer wisely keeps the shocks and scares off-camera, but ends on a definitively funny line delivered by one of the sheriff’s deputies in the clear aftermath of whatever carnage takes place.

X is scheduled to be released on March 18, 2022.