With the pandemic finally slowing down, it seems as though we’re nearing a return to normal. As more people are vaccinated against COVID-19, people are getting excited about a return outside this summer. At the rate people are being vaccinated, it looks like music festivals are ready to return this summer. On Tuesday, the lineup for California’s HARD Summer Music Festival was announced and today, Bonnaroo 2021 is revealing its lineup.
The Manchester, Tennessee festival is a favorite for music fans across the nation. After being forced to suspend operations for a year, Bonnaroo is returning with a solid lineup for the upcoming four-day festival, which takes place September 2-5, 2021. The first day doesn’t present many opportunities for hip-hop fans to have fun but on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, there are plenty of acts to keep you entertained.
On the first big day of the festival, Megan Thee Stallion is headlining with additional performances from Run The Jewels, Janelle Monáe, Young Thug, Jack Harlow, Nelly, Omar Apollo, and more. On Saturday, Lizzo and Tame Impala are headlining with openers G-Eazy, Kevin Gates, J.I.D, and more. For the final day, there will be performances from Tyler, The Creator, Lil Baby, Leon Bridges, Flo Milli, Jamila Woods, and others.
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While it may feel premature to announce a major festival return like this, by September, many of us will be vaccinated fully so this could end up being safe. However, with COVID mutations continuing to pop up, current vaccines may be rendered useless by the end of the year. Read more about that here.
Will you be buying a ticket to Bonnaroo 2021? Tickets start at only $35 down.
Many have criticized Justin’s use of the MLK samples mainly because the album’s lyrical content doesn’t seem to match up to the messages in MLK’s speeches, and some fans have even called out the singer-songwriter for possibly drawing a parallel between himself and the legendary civil rights activist. According to Uproxx, Justin recently hopped on the emerging social media app Clubhouse to set the record straight about the MLK snippets.
“I want to keep growing and learning about just all social injustices and what it looks like for me to be better, what it looks like for my friends to be better. And I know I have a long way to go,” he revealed. “I love that when people are listening to my album, these conversations are coming up and they’re like, ‘Well, how is he going from Martin Luther King into a love song?’ I’m not trying to make a connection between me and Martin Luther King.”
Justin further explained his decision to use the MLK speeches on Justice by saying, “That’s why I never try to talk about social injustice or I didn’t want to be the one to talk about it because I just have so much more learning to do. But I have this man who was ready to die and what he believed to be true. If I’m not willing to face some sort of ridicule or judgment of people wondering my motives or whatever that is for me, it was a no-brainer.”
Despite the disconnect surrounding the MLK snippets, Justice and its standout track “Peaches” have both been performing well, with both the album and single hitting the top spots on the Billboard 200 and Hot 100, respectively.
Have you been listening to Justin Bieber’s new album Justice?
Rap artist Renni Rucci is really, really, really making her push for Foogiano. The curvy artist and model has hit up social media to encourage fans to show support by pushing to land her jailed boyfriend onto music publication XXL’s annual Freshman list. Renni Rucci Pushes Foogiano To Make Cut Rucci went to her Instagram […]
Just as the story was beginning to die down, Saweetie and Quavo’s high-profile split was back in the news after a video was released showing a physical altercation that reportedly took place while they were still together. In the video, which was filmed in an elevator in North Hollywood, Saweetie attempts to throw a punch at Quavo, which the rapper dodges. Then, he physically drags Saweetie into the elevator as they struggle over an orange Call of Duty briefcase. Quavo gains control as Saweetie stays on the ground for over a minute before limping out of the elevator.
“@quavohuncho innocent,” said Trouble in the statement that Offset co-signed. “Ain gon say it noooo mo!… Afta she swung on em dawg even used da same call of duty case to hold da door open for da lady to get up an walk out. Yall Brazy af man.”
It makes sense that Offset would try and back his family up by “liking” this kind of post. The Migos have not issued a statement on the video, nor has Saweetie. We’ll keep you posted on what happens next.
R&B singer Jason Derulo and Jena Frumes have a prince on the way. The couple have announced they’re expecting their first child to be a boy when the birth goes down. Jason Derulo + Jena Frumes Expecting Baby Boy Both Jason and Jena went to their Instagram pages to break the massive news to the […]
50 Cent’s accomplishments continue to grow, and though he’s largely left the rap game behind, his television empire has been truly impressive to behold. With his upcoming BMF series currently in production, 50 Cent took a moment to announce that he’ll be returning to the director’s chair to helm the seventh episode of the debut season.
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“Oh yeah I’m directing again, you already know,” captions Fif, sharing a peek at the screenplay’s cover page. “BMF Green Light Gang.” From the look of it, the episode he’ll be directing is titled “All In The Family,” written by executive producer Terri Kop. It’s not the first time Fif has stepped behind the camera to call the shots, as he previously directed the sixth season Power episode “Forgot About Dre” in 2019.
It’s certainly a good look for Fif, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him continue to grow as a director throughout the coming years. After all, he has given no indication of slowing down his television output, and should BMF follow Power’s example and run for several seasons, there will be plenty of time for the legendary rapper to ply his trade. Those interested in the cinematic arts should pay special attention to “All In The Family” when it eventually airs, as it should be exciting to observe 50’s directorial habits and stylistic inclinations.
Check out the big BMF announcement below, and sound off if you’re excited to see 50 in the director’s chair once again.
The Emmy-winning adult animation Rick and Morty is a fan-favorite and critical darling, so several people will be happy to know that the fifth season of the acclaimed Adult Swim sci-fi romp is finally returning for its fifth season this summer. Contrary to the endless wait between Seasons 3 and 4, the latest season of Rick and Morty will arrive roughly one year after the show’s Season 4 finale last May. On Tuesday, the release of Rick and Morty Season 5 was confirmed with a hilarious new trailer, and its first episode is set to air on Sunday, June 20.
As reported by Complex, thenew trailer shows that Rick and Morty Season 5 will build upon Season 4 and feature more episodes of the entire family going on classic Rick and Morty adventures together. Clips of different wonky sci-fi adventures, parodies, and series callbacks are also scattered throughout the thrilling two-minute trailer, giving fans more than enough to look forward to when the fifth season airs in June.
According to Complex, the number of episodes that will be featured in Rick and Morty Season 5 has not yet been confirmed. The show’s fourth season was split into two five-episode halves, with the first batch premiering from November 10 to December 15, 2019, and the second batch airing from May 3 to May 31, 2020. Whether the fifth season goes that route or adds more episodes to the lineup is yet to be seen, so stay tuned for updates.
Watch the trailer for Season 5 of Rick and Morty below.
Lil Nas X is good at the internet — and he should be. At just 21 years old, he was born into a world with social media, smartphones, and all the cultural byproducts inherent to both. He’s a representative member of the first generation to never know a world without PCs, MacBooks, iPhones, and DSPs.
Still, though, he’s better at playing the game than most, a fact best evidenced by the now-well-known circumstances of his rise to stardom. “Old Town Road” didn’t become a mega-hit by accident. Instead, Nas, disillusioned after the lukewarm reception of his debut mixtape Nasarati, shifted gears, putting all of his considerable knowledge and experience at social media trolling into making his country-fried joke song blow up.
Now, those computer troll instincts are again making him the center of attention. Someone less adept at manipulating the narrative and processing the invective he’s taken would crumble under the weight. But Nas, bred in the fires of Stan Twitter flame wars and well-versed in the weird humor of convoluted Reddit memes, has turned every slight against him into another chance to promote “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” and its ancillary products.
His gift mirrors that of another colorful and gifted troll who recently lived out his rise and fall in the burning spotlight of internet scrutiny. Tekashi 69 also blew up by playing on social media users’ attraction to controversy. Feeding the algorithms that shove outrage fodder in our faces 24/7, the New Yorker goaded opponents, leaned all the way into his role as a hip-hop heel, and kept up a steady stream of new material to capitalize on the trainwreck quality of his online persona.
Of course, we all know what that got him. While he continues trolling establishment rap media and other artists, the effect is beginning to show diminishing returns. The nonstop negativity he generates may have a sideshow quality, but eventually, there’s only so much you can gawk at the bearded lady before you get bored and look around for something else. In contrast, Lil Nas X is doing the opposite: Using his troll powers for good — or maybe for redemption.
After all, those skills were honed at the cost of childish jokes at the expense of marginalized groups back when Nas just ran a Nicki Minaj stan account. Like many of the Barbz online, he could be seen lashing out at just about any target. Yet, in light of his coming out as gay and knowing the angst that comes along with hiding your identity, his past behavior is understandable, if not acceptable. Hurt people hurt people.
Behind just about every nasty troll comment is insecurity; Nas eventually came to terms with his and is now using his wicked sense of humor to thrash his detractors — people he can likely relate to on some level as a result of his prior experiences — with sarcastic wit and cleverly-planned rollouts that use their criticisms as free promotion.
So when his music video’s Luciferian lapdance prompted accusations of devil worship, Nas judo-flipped those complaints by pointing out the fire-and-brimstone recriminations that have been leveled at queer people for the past century — and that he’s not the first to use such imagery, highlighting the potential hidden agendas of those accusers. When his customized Nike Air Max collaboration with MSCHF was demeaned by Fox News, he smoothly noted the hypocrisy of freedom-of-speech advocates with a humorous knock on Chick-Fil-A’s proud support of anti-gay groups and legislation. The shoes sold out in 60 seconds, adding insult to injury for his haters.
By offering up this provocation, not only does Nas generate streams, views, and ultimately, dollar signs, he also provides an example that he didn’t have growing up: A gay, Black man standing up to the establishment — and winning. He’s laying a blueprint for the kid who feels that they can’t be themselves without facing persecution, who would otherwise turn into the bullies they feared through online trolling.
The anonymity the internet provides allows the opportunity for reinvention, but it also incentivizes our worst impulses. Clap backs get the most engagement, algorithms guide lost souls down dangerous roads of conspiracy theory and hatred, and outrage is more valuable than Bitcoin, DogeCoin, and Ethereum put together. What Lil Nas X has done with “Montero” and his so-called “Satan Shoes” has exposed these tendencies and silently invoke the query, “What are you going to do about it?”
By calling out the silliness of outrage culture, he’s also subtly calling out the absence of anything better — and challenging us to create that missing alternative. For every hell, there must be a heaven; if Lil Nas X’s fantastical video bothers you so much, maybe you need to find somewhere positive to put that energy. After all, you’re unlikely to see a pair of those Air Max 97s out in public and you won’t have to watch the “Montero” video unless you go to YouTube searching for it. That’s the thing about trolls; the more you feed them, the stronger they get. At least this one is trying to make the world a slightly better place.
Shortly after his death, XXXTentacion’s mother revealed that the rapper had left behind a “final gift” for his fans before revealing that he had a son on the way. Months later, X’s ex-girlfriend Jenesis Sanchez gave birth to a healthy baby boy named Gekyume, which is the name that X had chosen for him. As Gek grows up, his family has been sharing pictures of him at every stage of his life. Fans regularly mention how he got most of X’s facial features. In the latest photo-set shared by Jenesis, that much is clear as the toddler looks more and more like his father by the day.
Sharing a gallery of four pictures of Gek sitting on the stairs, the baby boy smiles with his “legend in the making” shirt and Jordan 1’s. “All I can see is x,” said one fan in the comments.
Despite growing up without his father to guide him, Jenesis and XXX’s mother Cleopatra have been sharing all kinds of adorable content with the little one, proving that he’s well taken care of. Gek also spends a lot of time with X’s friends, including DJ Scheme and others.
