Janelle Monáe And HER Will Join The First-Ever Black Music Collective Pre-Grammy Event

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For years, people have criticized the Grammys for historically recognizing white artists over talented Black and brown musicians, and this year the Recording Academy received similar backlash. Three musicians nominated for Best Children’s Album even asked for their nominations to be removed this year in protest of the all-white category. But the Recording Academy is trying to appease their critics by breaking ground on the first-ever Black Music Collective pre-Grammy event, which will highlight iconic Black musicians making waves in the industry today.

The event will feature performances by Grammy-winning artists HER, PJ Morton, and Yolanda Adams. Freddie Gibbs, who is now a first-time Grammy nominee, is also set to perform with The Alchemist. Along with live music, honorary chairs John Legend, Janelle Monáe, Issa Rae, Jimmy Jam, Quincy Jones, and activist Tamika Mallory will join in for fireside chats about racial justice and the Black experience.

In a statement about the inaugural event, chair and interim president/CEO of the Recording Academy Harvey Mason Jr. said they intend to “amplify Black voices” with the event:

“As the first of its kind, we created this event with every intention to amplify Black voices and each of our experiences within the industry. The BMC will continue to foster a space for members and industry professionals to educate and elevate Black creators during Grammy Week and beyond.”

Echoing Mason Jr.’s statement, BMC chair and Atlantic Records executive Riggs Morales expressed his excitement about the event: “We are thrilled to announce this virtual program as the BMC continues to celebrate Black music and those who share our mission to foster and accelerate Black representation, equity and inclusion throughout the music industry. The Black Music Collective will continue to tailor events for Black creators to feel uplifted and supported and we are excited for this Grammy Week kickoff.”

The Black Music Collective pre-Grammy event kicks off 3/10 at 5 p.m. PST. Watch it here.

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

Bobby Shmurda Gains Nearly 3 Million New Followers In 24 Hours

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Bobby Shmurda is finally a free man, spending six years in prison and being released on Tuesday morning. His first day out was packed with a lot, getting picked up by Quavo in a private jet and seemingly spending a few hours together before reuniting with his family. Quavo and Bobby were seemingly followed by a camera crew, so we’ll surely be seeing all of the fun experiences they shared together.

As the world found out about Bobby’s freedom, people were quick to show their support for the rapper on social media, prompting a massive boost in his follower count on all platforms. Perhaps that growth was most apparent on Instagram, where he gained nearly 3 million followers in less than a day.

As reported by DJ Akademiks, Bobby Shmurda’s @realbobbyshmurdags9 account on IG started Tuesday with 900,000 followers. Right now, the page stands at 3.6 million followers and it continues to grow. 

The first post that Bobby made upon his return was a picture of him and his godchildren at a gathering that was planned to celebrate his homecoming. “My God Babiesssssss,” he wrote, rocking a Dior sweatshirt with a 3M design.

As Bobby Shmurda continues posting updates from his return home, he’s sure to gain even more followers in the coming days. Welcome back!

Knicks Welcome Bobby Shmurda Home With Massive Billboard

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After six long years, Bobby Shmurda finally came home yesterday. It’s a moment that hip-hop has been anticipating, even after a few moments of false hope. Shmurda left just as he was about to blow up but clearly, the energy was never lost. He was picked up by Quavo who arrived in a private jet with a couple of racks before enjoying a homecooked meal cheffed up by Mama Shmurda.

Many began paying tribute to Bobby. “Big Blood” Chris Brown shared a massive salute on his IG story to Shmurda. 21 Savage celebrated the Brooklyn rapper’s release, as well. But it’s the New York Knicks that made a grand statement after Shmurda came home. Plastering the iconic photo of the rapper wearing a Knicks hat in the “Hot N***a” music video in front of Penn Station, they shared a welcome home message to the rapper.

It seems like Bobby wasn’t wasting any time after his release. He apparently paid a visit to Ice Box to get himself some new jewelry before linking up with Rowdy Rebel and the crew for his welcome home celebration.

In a matter of hours, Bobby’s Instagram following skyrocketed by a few million. Before he came out, his account was sitting at 900K before shooting upwards of 3.2M and counting.

Welcome home, Bobby! We’re excited to hear what he has coming. 

Tokyo Vanity Threatens To Expose Men’s Sexual Habits

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Tokyo Vanity Threatens To Expose Men's Sexual Habits

Rap artist Tokyo Vanity isn’t here for men hating on her sexiness. The hip-hop artist steps forward to warn grown men she’s on the verge of pulling out big receipts. Vanity explains on Instagram why guys are hating on her getting flirted on by rap star Game has a lot to do with their closeted […]

The post Tokyo Vanity Threatens To Expose Men’s Sexual Habits appeared first on SOHH.com.

“The Simpsons” Star Harry Shearer Steps Down From Voicing Black Character

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Hollywood appears to finally be taking diversity and representation seriously, as news surfaces that yet another white actor has stepped down from voicing a Black animated character. Harry Shearer, a famed comedian and voice actor who has appeared in projects like The Simpsons and The Truman Show, will no longer be voicing one of The Simpsons‘ most well-known Black characters.

Harry Shearer attends the "This Is Spinal Tap" 35th Anniversary during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

According to the New York Post, Shearer has voiced the Black character Dr. Hibbert, Springfield’s most skilled doctor, since 1990 in addition to other Simpsons characters like Ned Flanders and Principal Skinner. Ahead of its February 28 episode, The Simpsons has announced that the role of Dr. Hibbert has been recast, removing Shearer from the role in favor of The Cleveland Show alumnus Kevin Michael Richardson. The upcoming episode this Sunday will officially mark the show’s recasting

Kevin Michael Richardson attends Entertainment Weekly's Comic-Con Bash
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The Simpsons‘ decision to recast Shearer follows several other moves by white voice actors following the Black Lives Matter protests of last summer. Most notably, Jenny Slate resigned from playing Missy for Netflix’s Big Mouth, and Mike Henry stepped down from the iconic role of Cleveland Brown on Family Guy.

What do you think about the Dr. Hibbert recast and Hollywood’s shift towards proper representation in animation? 

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Yaya Mayweather Clowned For Whining About Pooh Shiesty & Lil Durk Song

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Yaya Mayweather has been living her best life after giving birth to her first child. The socialite has been partying during Floyd Mayweather’s birthday week, posting videos of herself on a yacht, which were picked apart by fans who called her “irresponsible” for bringing her newborn son on the party boat. She’s also been getting some flack for a viral video that’s been circulating, showing her reaction to Pooh Shiesty and Lil Durk’s hit record “Back In Blood” coming on at a party.

Yaya was seemingly gathered with her friends as they enjoyed some music but, when Pooh Shiesty’s song with Lil Durk started blaring over the speakers, she ordered the DJ to turn it off. The entire thing was captured on Instagram Live, with Yaya yelling at the DJ to turn off the “weak ass song”. Yaya has been linked to Youngboy Never Broke Again, who has ties to Quando Rondo. Thus, she may have an aversion to Durk over what happened between his affiliate King Von and Quando last year. 

The new mother has been getting roasted across social media for whining about the song, getting the meme treatment after the video went viral. 


Johnny Louis/Getty Images — YaYa Mayweather (C) and friends attend her father’s Futuristic-themed Birthday Party Experience

Despite all the drama that seeps onto the internet, Yaya Mayweather has been raving about motherhood, saying that she’s the “happiest [she’s] ever been.”

Safe to say that Pooh Shiesty isn’t Yaya Mayweather’s dawg…

Dr. Dre Requests 5-Day Trial To Determine Validity Of Prenup: Report

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Dr. Dre and his estranged wife’s divorce case has taken many twists and turns. The pair have been duking it out in court but the main issue at the center of their separation is the prenuptial agreement. Nicole Young claims that Dre ripped it up after feeling bad for pressuring her into signing it. Meanwhile, Dr. Dre said that anything altered in their agreement must happen in writing.


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According to TMZ, Dr. Dre is now trying to move forward with determining their prenuptial agreement as soon as possible. Documents were filed in court by his attorney Laura Disso requesting a 5-day trial to confirm whether or not the prenup is valid.  

Dre also requested that their divorce case be moved out of the public eye and handled by a private judge, which Nicole has pushed back against. Nicole reportedly rather have a traditional case. 

Though Dr. Dre has remained quiet about the whole ordeal, we did get to hear his first commentary on the matter during a recent song snippet. DJ Silk recently previewed an upcoming collaboration with Dr. Dre and Kxng Crooked where the legendary producer divulges on his marital woes. “Trying to kill me with them lies and that perjury,” he raps on the record. “I see you tryna f**k me while I’m in surgery / And ICU, deathbed on some money shit / Greedy bitch, take a pic / Girl, you know how money get.”

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Chance The Rapper Launches A $3 Million Countersuit Against His Former Manager

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Two months after being sued by his former manager, Chance The Rapper has filed his own countersuit for $3 million, according to The Chicago Tribune. Chance filed the lawsuit in Cook County court, accusing Pat Corcoran of incurring millions of dollars in unreimbursed expenses while promoting Chance’s third mixtape Coloring Book.

Chance’s suit also seeks the dismissal of Corcoran’s complaint about breaching their contract, requesting $3 million in damages for breach of fiduciary duty; interference that led to the loss of business opportunities and profit; and breach of contract — $1 million for each charge.

In a statement, Chance’s rappers told the Tribune, ““Mr. Corcoran has been paid in full under his management services contract with Mr. Bennett. Yet he chose to file a groundless and insulting lawsuit that ignores his own improper self-dealing and incompetence. Mr. Bennett has moved to dismiss the majority of that meritless lawsuit, and filed his own lawsuit to remedy the harm that Mr. Corcoran caused through his breaches of duty. Mr. Bennett trusts the legal system to reveal the truth of the parties’ relationship in due course.”

While Pat’s lawsuit focuses on the explosive success of Chance’s third mixtape, Chance’s countersuit calls the Coloring Book success a direct result of his popularity from Acid Rap, which he recorded and promoted without Pat’s help. The two made an oral agreement after the mixtape’s success, but Chance says that Pat used his position to “convert Mr. Bennett’s opportunities for himself and to advance his own separate business interests” — among them, requesting Live Nation to invest in his wine business and adding himself as co-producer on a movie Chance was to write and produce.

Corcoran allegedly also requested various kickbacks while negotiating Chance’s business opportunities, such as demanding stock from Lyft in exchange for Chance’s participation in its philanthropic campaign in 2018. And while Corcoran’s suit claimed that The Big Day was a rush job, resulting in its disappointing reception among fans, Chance says Pat failed to live up to his role as “The Manager,” delegating responsibilities, skipping media appearances, and refusing to return inquiries from media. The idea to release Chance’s mixtapes to streaming ahead of The Big Day in lieu of a larger marketing plan allegedly came from Pat, who Chance says didn’t get the proper sample clearances, exposing him to more potential lawsuits. Finally, Chance claims it was Pat’s responsibility to have the debut album pressed on vinyl — but he never did, resulting in a wave of refunds that hurt Chance’s brand.

NBA Fans React To Devin Booker, Trae Young, & More All-Star Snubs

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Every year, there are some players that don’t make the cut in the annual NBA All-Star Game, and fans are always sure to let the world know who they think was snubbed. With the All-Star reserves being announced on Tuesday evening, a few notable omissions were pointed out almost instantly as people were rightfully upset with a number of players that were not selected to play in the exhibition game.

For starters, Devin Booker and Trae Young are two names that people were livid not to see on the list. Booker is averaging 24.7 points on 50.1 percent shooting, taking the back seat to Chris Paul who got the nod over him. Many NBA analysts point out that, should there be an injury replacement, Booker will be the first to get the call. “Devin Booker is the most disrespected player in our league!!! Simple as that,” tweeted LeBron James about the snub.

Trae Young is averaging over 25 points and 9 assists and, with his snub, he becomes the first player to have these kinds of numbers in thirty years and not be selected for the All-Star team. 

Similarly, Domantas Sabonis is the first player in NBA history to average 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists without being chosen. 

Other notable snubs were Jimmy Butler, who has been lighting up the court this month, DeMar Derozan, Mike Conley Jr. (who has still never been selected for the All-Star game), Fred VanVleet, and more.

Who do you think deserved a spot on the reserves?

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