Watch: Halle Bailey as Ariel in First Teaser for Live-Action 'The Little Mermaid' Movie

Over the weekend the world finally got a sneak peek at Disney’s controversial live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid,” starring Black R&B singer and actress Halle Bailey as Ariel.

A teaser trailer for the adaptation of the animated Disney classic was released Friday at Disney's D23 expo and already has more than 104 million (more than those of any other tease for a live action Disney adaption) views globally according to reporting from Variety.

Racists losing their minds because Halle Bailey is the new Little Mermaid.
Bro it's only the top half and guess what? Mermaids aren't real 😂😂🤷🏾‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/FfMcZDnakP

— Lorraine King (@lorrainemking) September 12, 2022

It has also drawn praise from celebrities, parents and the original voice cast for Bailey —who has faced criticism of "blackwashing" since taking on the iconic role of the fictional red-headed mermaid who dreams of a life above the waves.

Jodi Benson (Voice of Ariel from 1988) shows love to Halle Bailey via ig story 💕🧜🏽‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/iEgE8XpGKA

— Cxh Center ™ (@CxhCenter) September 11, 2022

Following the premiere, Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the original 1989 animated film praised Bailey on Instagram writing, "Halle, you were absolutely amazing! I'm SO proud of you and your beautiful performance as Ariel."

The 60-year-old actress added that she had a great time celebrating the achievement with Bailey, 22, at D23 and shared some words of adulation for the film's director Rob Marshall as well.

She added, "Thank you for creating such a stunning film!!!"

The clip gives fans a brief look at the underwater world Marshall has created for the film and Bailey in action as Ariel — red hair and all — as she hits the beginning notes to bring to "Part of Your World."

Watch the teaser below:

Megan Thee Stallion Joints MCU to Twerk With She-Hulk

Courtesy Marvel Studios

Megan Thee Stallion is officially a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Houston-based rapper who rose to international fame with her 2019 breakout hit "Hot Girl Summer" appears in this week's episode of Marvel’s "She-Hulk: Attorney At Law" series on Disney+.

We won't spoil the plot of the blink-if-you-miss-it appearance, but a post-credits scene featuring the rapper twerking with the big green law machine to her song “Body," is burning up the internet.

Watch the scene below:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Megan Thee Stallion (@theestallion)

This is not the first foray into acting for the rapper, who released her latest album "Traumazine" last month. She appeared as her alter ego Tina Snow earlier this year in Starz’s "P-Valley." She is also scheduled to star in the upcoming R-rated A24 musical comedy "F—ing Identical Twins."

The movie is reported to be a new spin on "The Parent Trap," and will also star Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally and Bowen Yang.

Z-Ro Claims Trae Tha Truth Ambushed Him Before Fight Caught on Viral Video

Instagram/Z_Ro

A legendary Houston rapper is accusing his cousin and sometimes partner-in-rhyme of sucker-punching him after 50 Cent's Tycoon Houston charity event this past weekend.

Z-Ro has issued a statement to XXL, saying that a viral video of an altercation between himself and Trae Tha Truth's entourage on Saturday began with the equally renowned third-coast rapper pulling him aside to speak before unexpectedly assaulting him:

I was at 50 charity dinner on Saturday [Aug. 27] and some supporters asked for a pic... then I saw Trae approaching. He asked if he could Holla at me... I turned around to see who he was talking to and he asked if I could follow him to the side of a sprinter bus," he told the magazine. "I'm thinking we [about] to talk like 2 grown men, but I was sucker punched. When that happened... several other dudes (who I don't have affiliation with) jumped in.

He added that the video making the rounds shows just a portion of what took place writing, "The beginning, where I was asked to come over, is not shown! At the end of the day, I came to the event One Deep and to meet my artist Lolita Monreaux so we could support 50. I didn't anticipate any altercation to take place especially since I've been asking that man for a 1 on 1 for charity for at least [two] years."

Z-ro and Trae (ABN) fight
Can’t believe they jumped my nigga mayne 🤦🏾‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/V5HWhrVADh

— True Hero Under Godひ (@T_Nealy91) August 30, 2022

Z-Ro insisted to TMZ that he is not upset about the incident.

"I think people in the streets are taking this s—t harder than me," he told the entertainment outlet in an interview.

There is a long history of collaboration between the two artists.

They formed two-thirds of the group Guerilla Maab, along with their friend Dinky D, releasing the well-received project "Rise" in 1999. Trae Tha Truth had previously made his rap debut on Z-Ro's 1998 premiere album "Look What You Did to Me" as a guest artist.

They later teamed up to form the group Assholes By Nature (ABN). The group released two albums, an eponymous one in 2003 and "It Is What It Is" in 2008.

The latter proved to be one of the biggest commercial successes for both artists, peaking at No. 10 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and peaking at No. 62 on the Billboard 200.

"People just grow apart," Z-Ro said of the dissolution of that fruitful relationship. "It wasn't no beef. We just stopped [working together] I think around 2012."

As for how to resolve the dispute going forward, Z-Ro —who has long been asking Trae Tha Truth to settle things with a charity boxing match —said his hands are tied but implied that others are not.

"I can't answer you when you're talking about a resolution," he told TMZ, "because I have my thought as a man, I have my thought as a n—a, ya know what I'm saying, and I'm kind of siding with this man s—t right now."

Will Smith Addresses Oscar's Slap in Emotional Apology Video

Screengrab: Will Smith/YouTube

Less than a week after Chris Rock finally addressed the incident, and four months after delivering the slap that shocked the cinema world, Will Smith posted a video to YouTube Friday to apologize again for striking the comedian during the live TV broadcast of the Academy Awards ceremony.

“I spent the last three months replaying and understanding the complexities and nuances of what happened in that moment,” Smith, who earned his first Oscar for "King Richard" moments after striding onto the stage and delivering a backhand to Rock, following a G. I. Jane joke at the expense of his wife Jada Pinkett Smith who has been candid over the years about her struggles with the hair-loss triggering condition alopecia.

He continued, “I’m not gonna try to unpack all of that right now, but I can say to all of you, there is no part of me that thinks that was the right way to behave in that moment. There’s no part of me that thinks that’s the optimal way to handle a feeling of disrespect of insults.”

Smith had previously posted an apology on Instagram hours after the incident. The video message, however, strove to answer questions about his motivations for his bad behavior as well as extend apologies to the comedian's family.

See the UNCENSORED version of now Oscar winner Will Smith slap to Chris Rock#Oscars #WillSmith #ChrisRock #Academy #Awards #Winners #Movies #Film #News pic.twitter.com/DUYJGT4VNW

— Que Onda Magazine (@queondamagazine) March 28, 2022

"It's been a minute," the opening credits of the video read. "Over the last few months, I've been doing a lot of thinking and personal work. You asked a lot of fair questions that I wanted to take some time to answer."

Among those answers were two that fans, television talking heads and entertainment rags had been speculating on for some time. Did his wife have anything to do with the attack, and why did he not apologize on stage when he accepted his award?

“I made a choice on my own, from my own experiences from my history with Chris. Jada had nothing to do with it," Smith said, making it clear that he was to blame for any actions he took that night. As for why he didn't immediately apologize to Rock during his acceptance speech for best actor, the Grammy winner said, "I was fogged out by that point. It’s all fuzzy."

Kevin Hart and Dave Chappelle surprised fellow comedian Chris Rock with a live goat—which they jokingly named ‘Will Smith’— during a recent comedy performance at Madison Square Garden. pic.twitter.com/n7AmRXbcQG

— NowThis (@nowthisnews) July 28, 2022

Seemingly holding back tears, Smith went on to offer apologies to Rock's mother, Rose, and brother Tony, as well as musician Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, who picked up his best documentary Oscar for Summer of Soul in the awkward moments following the slap.

The star also acknowledged that his apology, though sincere, might be too late.

"I've reached out to Chris and the message that came back is that he's not ready to talk, and when he is he will reach out," he said. "So, I will say to you, Chris, I apologize to you. My behavior was unacceptable, and I'm here whenever you're ready to talk."

Rock has been tight-lipped concerning the subject in public. His first comments came over the weekend while headlining stand-up shows in New York and New Jersey.

“Yeah, that s—t hurt, motherf—ker, but I shook that s—t off and went to work the next day,” Rock said.

He added, “I’m not a victim, motherf—ker. I don’t go to the hospital for a paper cut.”

Watch the full apology video embedded below.

Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg Join Forces to Slay Vampires in 'Day Shift'

They say religion is the opiate of the masses. That may be true, but if so, entertainment is not far behind, and movies are perhaps its most effective delivery method.

There are likely several reasons "Top Gun: Maverick" clocked a billion dollars at the box office 36 years after the original, but one of them is surely the collective need for a break from reality.

In a world where global warming, class wars, political unrest and a persistent pandemic have made life — less than optimal— sometimes 120 minutes in a fantasy world is the perfect prescription for the new-millennium blues.

With that in mind, the mad doctors at Netflix may have stumbled onto this summer's best remedy for that ailment with their latest offer.

Combining the talents of two of hip-hop and R&Bs finest, "Day Shift" is a modern-day take on the vampire genre that looks better than it has any right to be if the final cut lives up to the action-packed trailer.

Tha Dogg gone Vampire Huntin. #DayShift out on @netflix August 12th 👏🏿👏🏿🍿 pic.twitter.com/lfF0F9rL8n

— Snoop Dogg (@SnoopDogg) July 11, 2022

Rap legend Snoop Dogg and Oscar-winning actor Jamie Foxx, who has also been nominated for eight Grammys for his musical contribution and won one, portray unionized vampire hunters in the tale. It's a twist that Starbucks' corporate is sure to hate but it provides context for the motivation of Foxx's character, who has fallen out of favor with the union and is doing jobs on the side when not cleaning pools to make ends meet. The duo is joined by Dave Franco in a role that plays to his talents as a straight-man and comic relief.

Netflix boasts the film is “from the people who taught John Wick how to kick ass" in the trailer, and the movie does have strong ties to the highly praised action trilogy.

Director JJ Perry was a second unit director and stunt coordinator whose previous credits include the John Wick franchise, and the movie was adapted from an original script by Tyler Tice that has been revised by Shay Hatten ("John Wick: Chapter 3- Parabellum" and "John Wick: Chapter 4").

Check out the synopsis below and watch the official trailer.

Day Shift tells the story of longtime vampire hunter Bud Jablonski (Jamie Foxx), a man whose relationship with his wife (Meagan Good) and daughter (Zion Broadnax) is somewhat strained because of his secret line of work. While Bud’s family generally goes with the story that he works as a pool cleaner, in reality, he’s one of the many vampire hunters operating around the world to take out the blood-sucking ghouls for sizable bounties. Unlike Bud, who somehow managed to get himself booted from the union in the past, hunters like Big John Elliott (Snoop Dogg) count on their membership to get paid and stay involved in the larger fight against evil.

Archie Eversole, Rapper of Popular Sports Anthem 'We Ready,' Dead at 37

Courtesy Atlanta United 

A day after Georgia radio station Hot 107.9 FM announced his death citing "close sources" to the family, authorities confirmed the death of Atlanta-based rapper Archie Eversole, Thursday.

According to a statement released by the DeKalb County Police Department, the musician born Arthur Eversole, 37, and best known for his 2002 hit single "We Ready," was shot on March 25 in Decatur, Georgia, and was taken to a hospital where he later died from his injuries.

"On March 25, 2022, Officers responded to the Chevron at 4410 Snapfinger Woods Drive in reference to a person shot," the statement reads. "Upon arrival, they located the victim suffering from a gunshot wound," the statement read. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries on April 3, 2022."

The police went on to say that officers had located the suspect at the location of the incident and taken him into custody and that he had been identified as Alexander Kraus, Eversole's brother. Kraus was initially charged with aggravated assault, but his charges were upgraded to murder after Eversole died.

A veteran of the Atlanta rap scene, Eversole's 2002 collaboration with Bubba Sparxx, "We Ready," rocketed up the charts and became the hip-hop stadium anthem of choice for multiple sports teams and leagues following its release.

The man who gave us “We Ready, the greatest Game Day anthem ever, has passed away at 37 years old.
Rest In Peace Archie Eversole.
Prayers up to his family and loved ones.
pic.twitter.com/Y4q55WzgWt

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) April 13, 2022

The track which heavily sampled the 1969 hit “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” by Steam, helped his debut album, recorded when he was just 17-years-old, "Ride Wit Me Dirty South Style" to be certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.

While he never matched the success of "We Ready" he continued to record, contribute and participate in the local rap community.

In 2018, he was chosen by Major League Soccer’s Atlanta United to create an anthem for the fledgling team. The result was “United We Conquer,” a rousing piece popular with supporters. Following the announcement of his death, the club released a statement saying, "we are heartbroken to hear of the tragic passing of Archie Eversole."

"A staple in the Atlanta hip-hop scene, Archie adopted Atlanta United before our first season and continued to be one of our club’s most fervent supporters," it read.

Club statement on the passing of Atlanta hip-hop artist Archie Eversole. pic.twitter.com/PuT8xQUuUg

— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) April 14, 2022

"In addition to his decorated musical career, his voice will long live in our supporters’ minds as ‘We Ready’ billows through the speakers for kick-off at Atlanta United matches. Our deepest sympathies go out to his family and friends.”

Fans and friends also took to social media to memorialize the fallen artist.

Former NFL Player Robert Griffin III summed up a lot of their sentiment on Twitter writing, “The man who gave us ‘We Ready,’ the greatest Game Day anthem ever, has passed away at 37 years old. Rest In Peace Archie Eversole. Prayers up to his family and loved ones.”

Precocious Prince Revealed in Rare Footage

Screenshot: WCCO - CBS Minnesota

The keen eye of Minnesota news production manager Matt Liddy, unearthed a long-lost treasure recently in the Land of 10,000 Lakes.

A Minnesota native, Liddy, was looking through archival footage for WCCO, where he works, last month when he spotted a familiar face in a story about a school strike that took place in 1970.

The resemblance to Minnesota's Muse, the Purple One himself —Prince, as an 11-year-old speaking in support of the teacher's strike was so stunning that Liddy immediately ran to the newsroom to confirm that he was not crazy.

"I immediately just went out to the newsroom and started showing people [the footage] and saying, 'I'm not going to tell you who I think this is, but who do you think this is?" he told WCCO.

According to Liddy, every single person responded "Prince."

Still, after being advised by experts that pre-teen videos of Prince are nearly nonexistent, the team at WCCO had to go the extra mile to verify the video and confirm that their footage contained a rare look at the legend who came to embody the Minnesota music scene as a child.

After restoring the video, the station found Kristen Zschomler, a professional historian, archeologist and researcher who has written extensively on his journey from Minneapolis’ northside to Paisley Park and the world.

When she was shown the clip, in which the young boy is called Skipper by his classmates (a nickname Prince had as a child), she was convinced it was the star immediately.

“I think that’s him, definitely. Oh my gosh! Yeah, I think that’s definitely Prince,” Zschomler said. “This definitely looks like Lincoln Junior High School where he would have been attending school in April of 1970."

The news team got its final confirmation when it hunted down Terrance Jackson, a childhood friend and former neighbor who was also in the singer’s first band, Grand Central, as teens.

“We go far back as kindergarten at John Hay Elementary in north Minneapolis,” Jackson told WCCO.

“That is Prince! Standing right there with the hat on, right? That’s Skipper! Oh my God!" Jackson exclaimed.

So, what did the star, who died at age 57 in 2016 from a fentanyl overdose, have to say about the striking teachers?

“I think they should get some more money because they be working extra hours for us," he said.

Watch the clip below for the entire story:

Video Surfaces of Dead Rapper, Goonew, on Display at Memoriam Party in DC Nightclub

©Instagram

While most of the music world was focused on the 2022 Grammy Awards Sunday night —with more than a few viewers tuned in to see if the celebration would top the fireworks at the Academy Awards the previous week —a party in memoriam of rapper Goonew, went viral for a moment more shocking than Will Smith's Oscar-night slap of Chris Rock.

The Baltimore, Maryland, based musician, born Markelle Morrow, who died after being found shot last month in a parking lot at the age of 24, had his corpse put on display at a shocking memorial service at Washington, DC’s Bliss nightclub.

Video leaked from the event shows Morrow's body propped up on stage with a crown on his head while patrons danced and drank at the event, which was reportedly set up by the rapper's friends and family to honor his memory and required a $40 entry fee.

Reaction to the display was swift once the footage hit social media with most people decrying the display as disrespectful and demeaning to the deceased.

Tbh goonew deserved way better in my opinion, long live him tho❤️ pic.twitter.com/BdNs9fX6tB

— t3❤️‍🔥 (@3babyrackz) April 3, 2022

if y’all saw that video with Goonew’s body y’all can’t tell me this society ain’t already collapsed…

— silent hater (@doompeyton) April 4, 2022

Monday, Bliss posted an apology on Instagram saying the venue was not aware of the details of the service before it took place.

“Our deepest condolences to Goonew’s family, friends and fans,” the venue wrote. “Bliss was contacted by a local funeral home to rent out our venue for Goonew’s home-going celebration.

“Bliss was never made aware of what would transpire. We sincerely apologize to all those who may be upset or offended,” the venue continued. “Please keep Goonew’s family and friends in your prayers at this difficult time.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BLISS NIGHTCLUB : D.C. (@blissclubdc)

The Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit detectives are still investigating Morrow's death, which the family believes was a robbery that ended in murder and are working to identify and arrest the suspect or suspects who shot and killed him. There is currently a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest of a suspect in the shooting.

Watch: Aretha Franklin's Granddaughter Auditions for 'American Idol'

Grace Franklin on "American Idol."

Even coming from a royal lineage is not a guarantee to get you a spot on "American Idol."

Grace Franklin, the 15-year-old granddaughter of the Queen of Soul, found that out the hard way when she auditioned for the long-running musical talent show on its 20th season premiere Sunday.

When asked how she came to stand before the judges, the teenager said, "My grandma is Aretha Franklin."

The statement elicited surprise from R&B legend Lionel Richie.

"Stop right there, that's your grandma!" exclaimed the "All Night Long" singer.

Unfortunately for young Grace, the elation would not last.

The music neophyte, who shared with the audience in a pre-taped segment before the audition, "I don't think I could fully grasp the fact that she [Franklin] was known worldwide, because to me she was always just grandma," sang two songs.

Her take on "Killing Me Softly," as popularized by Lauryn Hill of the Fugees, was called "a little sleepy and subdued" by country superstar and "Idol" judge Luke Bryan. Her next attempt at Franklin's hit "Ain't No Way," was agreed to be more "in her lane" by the judges, but that was not enough to sway Bryan and Richie who voted for her not to advance.

Bryan sternly declared, "For right now I'm a no," before Richie took a slightly gentler approach on the deciding vote.

"Grace Franklin, I love you and I think the best thing for you in life is to take a shot at going backwards," he said. "Go back and get a running start and come at this again."

Perry, who voted her through to the show's next round, stormed off the stage following the decision.

As she exited the judges' chambers the "Teenage Dream" singer said, "She's got stardust on her! There's something wrong with your ears. Y'all are insane!"

Richie, however, was not done. He rose from his seat to address Grace directly and told her, "Trust me! If you go and come back and put the shyness behind you and the voice in front of you, you're going to be something amazing and I don't want to be the one to make you tip over and fall at this stage," and gave her a hug.

Watch the full audition below:

Watch: The Queen Bee Impersonates Adele on 'Carpool Karaoke'

Adele's rendition of Monster, while appearing on "The Late Late Show with James Corden" during a “Carpool Karaoke” segment in 2016, is the stuff of legend.

Both viewers and the musically-inclined host were left impressed by the 15-time Grammy Award winner's effortless flow and familiarity with the subject matter.

At the time the Queen Bee herself even co-signed the performance. She tweeted, "Adele is mad ratchet. I can’t take her #UK #WutsGood,” with the laughing emoji, seeming impressed with the take on her verse.

This past Thursday (Feb. 3) it was Minaj's turn to return the favor. While appearing on the talk show, she did her own take on the superstar chanteuse that was just as stunning.

“First of all, it’s Adele. Second of all, it’s ‘Monster.’ You guys made such an amazing freaking tag team,” Minaj said about the Adele impersination. “That made my day, my year. I probably got a thousand phone calls about that one thing.”

Nicki then got into character as Adele and spoke with a British accent.

“All right, in order for me to channel Adele, I sort of have to think like a black lady in London, right?” Nicki said while getting into the accent.

Adele is mad ratchet. I can't take her😂 #UK #WutsGood

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 14, 2016

She continued, “Because the thing is, normally, everybody knows … my British accent is sort of like a posh white lady. A rich white lady, right? But with Adele, I sort of have, like, to transform. She might have used to sell crack. Maybe she used to be hustling nickels and dimes in the hood and then she got her big break.”

Watch the entire video below:

Watch: Hip-Hop Legends Come Together in Epic Super Bowl Halftime Trailer

Last year we reported that Dr. Dre had assembled some of hip-hop's greatest talents to headline the 2022 Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show Feb. 13 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Today, with the game closer on the horizon, the rapper and producer dropped a hype video for the event that has expectations soaring for the halftime experience at the first Super Bowl in Los Angeles since 1993.

In the nearly four-minute clip directed by F. Gary Gray, who had the same role on "Straight Outta Compton," the biographical movie about Dre's former group N.W.A. released in 2015, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar answer "The Call" from Dre and unite to head to the stadium together in their own unique ways.

Eminem opens the video battle-rapping his alter ego Slim Shady before getting the nod and jumping on his private plane. Snoop Dogg cruises the California streets to his frequent partner in rhyme in his custom lowrider. Blige announces she's back in a high-fashion photoshoot before jumping in her own slick ride, and Lamar wrestles with his own verses and smoking pen in an empty room before jumping on his custom bike to heed the call.

The soundtrack, scored by Adam Blackstone, transitions into Tupac Shakur's 1999 hit "California Love" as they come together and approach the stadium. It is in an homage to the deceased star who was a pivotal part of Death Row along with Dre and Snoop and the city in which the game will be played.

"The opportunity to perform at the Super Bowl Halftime show, and to do it in my own backyard, will be one of the biggest thrills of my career," Dr. Dre said in a statement when the lineup was originally announced.

"It will be an "unforgettable cultural moment," he added.

Whether or not that is true remains to be seen but the hype video has certainly made some fans believers. Watch the entire clip below:

Travis Scott Finally Opens up About Astroworld Festival Tragedy

Over a month after a deadly crowd surge at his hometown Astroworld music festival in Houston on Nov. 5 left 10 people dead and hundreds injured, rapper Travis Scott set down with radio and television personality Charlamagne Tha God Thursday to talk about the mass casualty incident.

In his first interview since the tragic events unfolded the 30-year-old, born Jacques Bermon Webster II, said he had no idea of the carnage that ensued while he was on stage.

“I didn’t know the exact details until minutes before the press conference [after my set],” he said. “And even at that moment, you’re like, ‘Wait, what?’

Scott went on to say that he would have stopped the show if he had heard signs of distress in the crowd.

“It’s so crazy because I’m that artist too — anytime you can hear something like that, you want to stop the show,” he said. “You want to make sure fans get the proper attention they need. Anytime I could see anything like that, I did. I stopped it a couple of times to just make sure everybody was OK. And I really just go off the fans’ energy as a collective — call and response. I just didn’t hear that.”

The "Sicko Mode" artist, who is currently facing more than 140 lawsuits and a mass litigation suit by 1,500 show attendees against himself, Live Nation, Apple Music, and Drake amongst others —added that the band, lights, pyrotechnics and other elements of the performance obscured his vantage point from the stage.

“You can only help what you can see and whatever you’re told, whenever they tell you to stop, you stop,” he said," noting how difficult it would be to perceive the difference between fans in danger versus enjoying the show.

Asked by Charlamagne if he did all he could to make the event safe Scott, choking back his emotions, said, “Everything I physically [could], sure, yes. And, if knowing what was going on … you just wish you could have done something better. But, standing there, 1,000 percent.”

Watch the entire interview below:

Blue Ivy Carter Steals the Show in Jay-Z Tribute Video

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that's true recent Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jay-Z must be basking in pure adulation. 

While the rapper was officially inducted to the hall in October, a new video was released shortly after the ceremony aired Saturday on HBO. In it a long list of luminaries, including his wife Beyoncé, pay tribute to the artist by reciting iconic lyrics from his body of work.

However, it was his nine-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter, who stood out from the pack of 30 celebs — including the likes of Kevin Hart, Rihanna, Halle Berry, David Letterman, Chris Rock, Ed Sheeran, Idris Elba, Lin-Manuel Miranda and LeBron James, reciting a censored line from her father's 1998 track "Ride or Die."

"Congrats S. Carter, ghostwriter. You paid the right price, so we just make your hits tighter," recites Blu before bursting into laughter.

What the entire video below:

Vaccine Rant by Blac Chyna at Miami Airport Caught on Film by Fans

Photo Credit: TikToc Screen Capture

Music-adjacent reality TV star Blac Chyna is a bit of an enigma. 

She went from strip club to second-tier stardom early last decade, largely thanks to a name drop by Drake and earning the role as Nicki Minaj's booty, err body double, in the video for Kanye West's "Monster."

Since that breakthrough she's kept in the public eye through celebrity relationships, some genuine entrepreneurial efforts and a raft of reality television appearances — including headlining her own eponymously named show, "The Real Blac Chyna," on the neophyte Zeus Network.

So, who is Chyna? Is she the hardworking student, born Angela Renée White, that took jobs stripping to finance her education at Johnson & Wales University before dropping out due to exhaustion? Is she the video-vixen, turned instant "it girl" that captured the hearts of a hip-hop generation with her exotic looks? Or maybe she's something totally different. 

That's something for her fans and haters to debate, and maybe "The Real Blac Chyna" to shed some light on in its second season. The one thing we know the 33-year-old is not, however, is a vaccine denier... at least if you can believe her own words.

Reportedly after being triggered by a lady holding a baby getting in her personal space and asking for a photo, according to TMZ, Chyna had some harsh words for those who don't believe in the vaccines that have taken center stage in the fight against Covid, and she wasn't shy about sharing them Sunday with fellow customers at Miami International Airport.

"Nobody wants to get checked out,” she yelled, beginning a long and rambling tirade to anyone within earshot. “Go get checked out! It's sad and it really blows the f–k out of me.”

Blac Chyna is trending on Twitter over outburst at Miami International Airport telling people to get vaccinated. pic.twitter.com/xo9IgKvZCl

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) October 12, 2021

Chyna also added, “Go get the f–king vaccine and stop being stupid, hoe!” and "Go get the shot! The same thing that you have to do to enroll your kids [in school].” And, “this is why people’s grandparents are dying and s–t.”

 

Isley Brothers Cover the Hits in ‘Tiny Desk (Home) Concert'

 

Times are tough all around, but whoever scheduled the latest episode of NPR’s Tiny Desk (Home) Concert made a valiant attempt to put a little boogie back in our steps by bringing funk, soul and disco legends The Isley Brothers into our homes, from theirs.

Filmed at the group’s home studio in St. Louis, Missouri, the four-song set that began streaming Wednesday morning, attempted to put the hump back in Humpday, as the Isleys opened with their classic bed burner “Between the Sheets” before moving on to “Footsteps in the Dark” followed by 70s classic “For the Love of You” and closed out the set with a showstopping version of “That Lady.”

Along the way the Isleys shared stories about the songs and made several callouts to the legion of popular artists who have sampled them, including Ronald Isley (aka Mr. Biggs) opening “Between the Sheets” with, “I like it when you call me Big Poppa,” in a nod to the late Notorious B.I.G. who sampled the song in his breakthrough hit. 

While the runtime on the concert is just under 13 minutes it stands as an adequate reminder of the power, poise and talent of this iconic band which has been putting out hits for nearly seven decades.

Lil Nas X Goes on Trial In Latest Video

 The viral country-rap hit "Old Town Road" made Lil Nas X a star in 2019, going from background music

Lil Nas X

in TikTok videos, to a diamond certified (10,000,000 copies sold) music industry phenomenon — spending 19 weeks atop the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. It is the longest-reigning single to top the chart since its debut in 1958. 

Then with the spotlight on him and the industry waiting to see what he would do next he did the unthinkable, at the height of his popularity he came out as gay. The move could have ended his burgeoning career, driven largely by the country and rap markets, neither known to be bastions of tolerance for non-conforming artists. Instead, the social media savvy star turned his supposed weaknesses into a strength rallying new fans to his work and earning the support of celebrities like Niki Minaj. 

some of y’all already know, some of y’all don’t care, some of y’all not gone fwm no more. but before this month ends i want y’all to listen closely to c7osure. 🌈🤩✨ pic.twitter.com/O9krBLllqQ

— nope 👶🏾 (@LilNasX) June 30, 2019

While not everyone has embraced him, his talent and Internet acumen have continued to keep him wining in the music game, releasing platinum single after single to follow-up to his initial hit. Controversy has continued to follow his nascent career. In March of 2021 his collaboration with New York-based art collective MSCHF, a modified pair of Nike Air Max 97s called Satan Shoes with a drop of human blood featured in all 666 pairs put up for sale sparked outraged. Christian groups, politicians and others said he was promoting Satan. Nike eventually stepped into the storm to protect its image and sued the collective for trademark infringement. Lil Nas took the lawsuit in stride with a legendary Twitter response and the companies eventually settled the suit. 

The artist didn’t forget the fiasco and brilliantly used the scenario as the basis for his latest single “Industry Baby” a track co-produced by Kanye West and Take A Daytrip and featuring Jack Harlow that releases Friday. Watch as Lil Nas turns another potential misstep into a win: 

WATCH: Snoop Dogg Shows Dr. Dre His Old School Car Collection

Watch two hip-hop legends link up as Snoop Dogg shows Dr. Dre his old school car collection:

Watch: Weird Super Bowl Bets You Can Actually Make [VIDEO]

Forget who wins the Super Bowl! For some fans, there's money to be made on betting on the color of Gatorade poured. Watch the weirdest Super Bowl bets below:

Shaq Breaks Down In Tears Talking about Kobe Bryant

 Watch Shaq break down while talking about his legendary teammate Kobe Bryant below:

Who Was MF DOOM? A Brief History Of A Rap Legend

Watch a brief history of rap legend MF's Doom career in hip-hop: