Pepsi MAX's Campaign Pays Tribute to Biggie's Enduring Influence

Pepsi MAX has announced a collaboration to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, paying tribute to the enduring cultural impact of The Notorious B.I.G. through an international campaign.

The campaign, developed in close coordination with Biggie's estate and family, promises an immersive experience that artfully blends his unique personality, style, and lyrical flow with contemporary music, engaging a new generation of fans while honoring the rapper's immeasurable influence on hip-hop and popular culture.

The diverse virtual and physical experiences planned for the celebration will include street art installations in major cities worldwide and exclusive limited edition Pepsi MAX cans.

Voletta Wallace, the mother of the late star, born Christopher Wallace, and Founder of the Christopher Wallace Memorial Foundation, expressed her enthusiasm in a statement: "As we celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Hip Hop and its profound cultural impact, we're thrilled to honor Christopher's legacy and continue introducing his music to a new generation of fans. His art is truly timeless, and we believe that Pepsi's collaboration will bring his talent to even more music enthusiasts."

CJ Wallace, Biggie's son, added, "My dad is synonymous with rap, and his influence is unmatched. Bringing one of his unreleased flows out of the vault and partnering directly with Pepsi, a brand he loved, is incredibly special."

Pepsi proudly asserts that The Notorious B.I.G. was a dedicated fan of its product. To celebrate his posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020, Pepsi released a remastered freestyle from 1997, featuring Biggie enthusiastically praising Pepsi. The track includes the lyrics: "Nothing can beat the P-E-P-S-I, yes I drink it constantly / Something 'bout the taste feels great, less filling / Tell 'em Biggie said to drink it all, don't test me / Nothing else beats a Pepsi / If it is, let's see/ I'm thirsty."

Accompanying the track is a short animated video by Antnamation, paying homage to Biggie's Brooklyn roots and his fondness for Pepsi.

Born Christopher Wallace in Brooklyn, New York, The Notorious B.I.G.'s artistic journey began with inspiration from a generation of hip-hop artists. Signing with Sean "Puffy" Combs' Bad Boy Records in 1993, Biggie quickly rose to prominence and became one of the most influential rappers of the 1990s era.

Stay updated on the campaign by following @PepsiGlobal's Instagram and Facebook channels.

Lizzo Addresses Sexual Harassment Lawsuit from Former Dancers

Grammy-winning artist Lizzo, whose real name is Melissa Viviane Jefferson, has addressed the civil lawsuit filed against her by three former dancers, Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams and Noelle Rodriguez. In a statement released on Thursday via her Twitter and Instagram accounts, Lizzo expressed the difficulty and disappointment she has experienced due to the recent allegations.

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A post shared by Lizzo (@lizzobeeating)

“These last few days have been gut-wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” Lizzo wrote. “My work ethic, morals, and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually, I chose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous to not be addressed.”

Lizzo went on to clarify that the allegations were coming from former employees who had already admitted to being warned about their inappropriate and unprofessional behavior during the tour. She expressed her desire not to be seen as a victim and stressed the importance of respect for women in the world. The singer vehemently denied ever body shaming anyone and stated that she would never criticize or terminate an employee based on their weight.

The original lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, accused Lizzo of sexual harassment and creating a hostile work environment during the employment of the three dancers. The plaintiffs alleged that Lizzo pressured them to engage with nude performers at a club in Amsterdam after a concert and claimed that she led a chant pressuring one of them to touch the breasts of a nude performer during a sexually themed show in the city's Red Light District.

In addition to the sexual harassment allegations, the lawsuit also included charges of religious and racial harassment, disability discrimination, assault, and false imprisonment against Lizzo and her production company, Big Grrrl Big Touring, Inc. Shirlene Quigley, captain of Lizzo's dance team, was also named as a defendant.

The dancers accused Lizzo of overworking them, subjecting them to a 12-hour rehearsal, and firing those she was dissatisfied with. One dancer claimed to have been fired for challenging Lizzo's claim that the group was drinking before performances, while another alleged being dismissed after recording a meeting while suffering from an eye condition.

The lawsuit sought unspecified damages and brought attention to the need for accountability and fair treatment within the entertainment industry.

As the legal proceedings continue, Lizzo thanked her supporters for lifting her up during this challenging time.

Steph Curry Stuns Fans With Rap Prowess in 'Lil Fish, Big Pond' Music Video

Screengrab "Lil Fish, Big Pond" video via Twitter

Golden State Warriors' star Steph Curry proves he's a man of many talents as he showcases his musical prowess in a new rap song that's taking the internet by storm. Teaming up with Houston-based rapper Tobe Nwigwe, Curry's debut on "Lil Fish, Big Pond" has already racked up over 16,000 views on YouTube within just four hours of release.

In the music video, Curry and Nwigwe are seen bonding over a fishing trip, but it's the lyrics that have fans buzzing. Curry opens the song with his smooth delivery, boasting lines like "Daddy taught me how to flick my wrist, I'm my father's son" and "They should put the basket in the casket after I am done." It's clear that Curry's skills extend beyond the basketball court.

Watch the video below.

The official music video for "Lil Fish, Big Pond" from the one and only @tobenwigwe and me is live! Check out the full video on YouTube and watch #UnderratedFilm on @AppleTV. pic.twitter.com/Jv7jFgfy4O

— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) August 2, 2023