New Hip Hop News

Film Director Lee Daniels, who produced and directed Hulu’s newest film, The United States vs. Billie Holiday, says that Hugh Jackman once tried to get him to direct a Wolverine film, but studio executives shut it down.

After being swept away by his film, Precious, Jackson apparently approached Daniels and told him that he wanted him to do the next Wolverine film.

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“He sent me into the studio to Fox… And I had never done a studio film before and it was a disaster,” Daniels explained during a recent interview with Collider. “Pitched my way right out of the room.”

He added that it was the worst meeting of his life: “I pulled over to the Kentucky Fried Chicken afterward and ate a whole six-pack of wings. It was the worst meeting of my life. I don’t know how he gets Wolverine from Precious, but I love him and he’s a friend to this day.”

Andra Day, who stars in Daniels’ The United States vs. Billie Holiday was awarded with a Golden Globe for her performance.

Speaking about why he chose to focus on the story of Billie Holiday, Daniels recently told The Guardian, “Part of the reason I wanted to tell Billie’s story is, I understand addiction and the artist. I also understand the feeling of a lack of self-worth, thinking that you aren’t talented. When your father tells you things like that at a young age, no matter how old you get, that voice is in your head.”

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Drake’s newest track, “What’s Next,” off of his three-song project, Scary Hours 2, is expected to debut at the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, according to Chart Data. With 6.856 million global streams on Spotify, it is set to be the biggest debut of the year.

Following the release of his new EP, Drake gave fans an update on his upcoming album, Certified Lover Boy, which fans are eagerly awaiting.

“Certified Lover Boy is being cheffed,” the rapper said on OVO Sound Radio. “I don’t have an exact date, but it’s in the pot. It’s coming soon.”

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Drake has been teasing the album’s release throughout the year. Back in January, he confirmed it would be dropping at some point in 2021.

“I was planning to release my album this month but between surgery and rehab my energy has been dedicated to recovery,” he said at the time on Instagram. “I’m blessed to be back on my feet feeling great and focused on the album, but CLB won’t dropping in January. I’m looking forward to sharing it with you all in 2021.”

Elsewhere on Scary Hours 2, fans theorized that Drake hinted at an affair with Kim Kardashian. “Yeah, I probably should go link with Yeezy, I need me some Jesus / But soon as I started confessin’ my sins, he wouldn’t believe us,” he raps on “Wants and Needs.”

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Lizzo discussed her weight in an Instagram video on Saturday, during which she was asked how she deals “with being obese every day.” The “Good As Hell” singer responded by bragging about her bank account saying, “my bank account is so obese.”

She explains in the video:

I put on my obese Louis Vuitton house slippers, and I walk into my massive, obese bathroom and I just stare into my wall-to-wall, obese mirror and lather myself in the most obese, expensive oils and creams, and — oh, god — I walk into my obese, gorgeous, mid-century modern kitchen, and by the time I’ve made it into my kitchen, I’ve already made another obese million dollars.

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She also pretends to cry, adding, “My bank account is so fat. My bank account is so obese, and, like, I tried to put it on a diet but she’s just so stubborn, like, she won’t listen.”

Earlier this week, Lizzo revealed that BFB Da Packman sent her a $339 flower arrangement for Valentine’s Day. Additionally, in honor of V-Day, Lizzo paired up with SZA to pose in red lingerie on Instagram.

“God sent me some angels forreal,” She wrote in a caption with red heart emojis. “Thank you for holding me down all quarantine we got more to go but thanks for keeping me healthy and sane.”

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Chrissy Teigen took a moment to defend Meghan Markle, Friday, after a group of Kensington Palace staffers alleged that the Duchess of Sussex subjected them to “emotional cruelty and manipulation.” Since giving up their official royal duties, Markle and Prince Harry have received ample criticism from the public. 

“This Meghan Markle shit is hitting too close to home for me. these people won’t stop until she miscarries,” Teigen tweeted, Friday. “Fucking stop it.”

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Both Teigen and Markle have suffered miscarriages, something Markle reflected on in 2020, following Teigen and her husband John Legend’s announcement. 

A spokesperson for Markle denied the accusations of bullying, saying that she herself has been the victim of bullying.

“[Markle is] saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma,” the spokesperson said. “She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good.”

Markle and Prince Harry recently revealed that they are expecting their second child.

A new interview with Oprah Winfrey and the royal couple is set to premiere this Sunday at 8:00 PM.

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The NBA has reportedly sent out approximately 200 cease-and-desist letters in preparation for the All-Star Game, this weekend, targeting party promoters in Atlanta. The letters were sent out in an effort to crackdown on large gatherings which would violate health and safety recommendations during the coronavirus pandemic.

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“The message within the NBA community is that we’re going to be operating in a mini bubble,” NBA commissioner Adam Silver told ESPN this week. “There will be no NBA functions [for fans] to participate in. We appreciate their support and hope they’ll watch our All-Star Game on television … this is a television-only event in Atlanta.”

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms spoke out regarding the issue, earlier this week, advising basketball fans not to travel to the city for parties.

“People should not travel to Atlanta to party,” Bottoms said in a statement to ESPN. “Under normal circumstances, we would be extremely grateful for the opportunity to host the NBA All-Star game, but this is not a typical year. I have shared my concerns related to public health and safety with the NBA and Atlanta Hawks. We are in agreement that this is a made-for-TV event only, and people should not travel to Atlanta to party.”

The All-Star Game is set to tip-off at 8:00 PM EST on Sunday.

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Caroline Rose Giuliani, the 32-year-old daughter of the infamous former mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, penned a new essay for Vanity Fair, in which she praises three-ways and discusses polyamory. Caroline’s piece, titled “A Unicorn’s Tale: Three-Way Sex With Couples Has Made Me A Better Person,” details her experience using a dating website for “Unicorns,” women who act as the third partner for couples.

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“I am typically more sexually submissive, but as we were texting (which quickly turned into sexting), I tried on this authoritative sexual persona,” she explained. “I was pleased to discover that, having been submissive myself, finding the language to turn Isabella on came naturally to me.”

She celebrated the experience writing, “Many aspects of the encounter were pleasurable and fun, but the most engrossing sensation was feeling Oliver’s palpable love for Isabella … his desire to fulfill her was the deeper motivation for filling me.”

“I am attracted to people based on their presence and energy regardless of their biological sex, gender, or gender identity,” she said, explaining that she identifies as pansexual.

Caroline has spoken out against her father’s role as former President Donald Trump’s attorney and admitted that she would vote for President Joe Biden, according to Page Six.

“The incredible moments of connection and transformation I’ve shared with these couples reminds me that my expansive mind is a gift,” she wrote.

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NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has responded to Lakers’ star LeBron James’ criticism of the league’s decision to hold an All-Star game during this unusual regular season, which has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Silver says he respects James’ stance and believes the differences can be worked out internally.

“We’re all part of a community. I respect him and his point of view. Also, at the same time, I appreciate his professionalism,” Silver told reporters during a press conference, Saturday. “It seems like issues that can be worked out in the family so to speak.”

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James slammed the announcement of the 2021 All-Star game, following a game against the Denver Nuggets, last month.

“I have zero energy and zero excitement about an All-Star Game this year,” James told reporters. “I don’t even understand why we’re having an All-Star Game.”

The Lakers had just 71 days off following their NBA Finals victory, last year, to prepare for the 2020-21 Regular Season.

“We’re also still dealing with a pandemic,” James added. “We’re still dealing with everything that’s been going on, and we’re going to bring the whole league into one city that’s open? Obviously, the pandemic has absolutely nothing to do with it at this point when it comes to that weekend.”

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A new study from the University of Michigan has found that vaping THC could, in some ways, actually be worse for you than smoking weed or cigarettes, or vaping nicotine. The researchers discovered that adolescents aged 12 to 17 have a greater chance of developing the symptoms of a lung injury such as a dry cough or wheezing.

“We found, and it was something that surprised us a bit, that it was the lifetime vaping cannabis that was associated with a far greater number of symptoms and a higher likelihood of having each of these symptoms than using either e-cigarettes or cigarettes,” explained Carol Boyd, co-director of the University of Michigan’s Center for the Study of Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking and Health.

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“I think that industry would probably like to show that vaping e-cigarettes is healthier, that it’s the cannabis vaping causing these respiratory symptoms, not the e-cigarettes. This is not true. E-cigarette vaping also causes symptoms among youth,” Boyd continued. “However, in our study, and when we took into account their e-cigarette use, we found higher odds of having these respiratory symptoms among youth who had vaped cannabis.”

In recent years a growing number of illnesses and even deaths have been linked to vitamin E acetate, according to the CDC, which is used as a cutting agent in e-liquids containing THC.

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