JumpinJack AJ

The album is coming!

https://people.com/will-smith-bad-boys-4-had-to-shoot-around-pregnant-vanessa-hudgens-baby-bump-8650836?utm_campaign=peoplemagazine&utm_content=new&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1LrWzA3xZ0iEAcdDIlrjUI6vkiZogNfAZk5MOYqn12cgEnWm2O0PGbWq4_aem_AYG2qnM5Sbuk4oJWeZhWxvxjrVLMUtZeM4OmUhqj7jmsOk5WLrZObyIej_84Q1rjenatYhPtt3jCSRQFEcVkV-1J Will Smith Reveals How Bad Boys 4 Had to 'Shoot Around' Pregnant Vanessa Hudgens' Baby Bump Smith recalled that his words of encouragement to the actress when she struggled on set were, "You'll always be able to tell your child that they were in this scene" By Esme Mazzeo Published on May 18, 2024 09:12PM EDT Will Smith and Vanessa Hudgens. PHOTO: GETTY(2) Will Smith had sweet words of encouragement for his Bad Boys: Ride or Die costar Vanessa Hudgens when filming got complicated amid her pregnancy. Filming on the fourth installment of the action-comedy franchise began in March 2023, but was stalled during the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike, which lasted 118 days from July to November 2023. Hudgens, 35, debuted her baby bump at the 2024 Oscars in March, and Smith, 55, told Entertainment Tonight that when filming resumed on Ride or Die after the strike, her baby bump presented a bit of a challenge. Will Smith attends the photo call for Sony's 'Bad Boys: Ride or Die' on May 17, 2024. KEVIN WINTER/GETTY The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now! "So the strike happened [and] when she came back and we had to finish the movie, it was really [about] trying to figure out how to shoot around [the bump]," the Men in Black star said. Smith praised the High School Musical alum, who plays weapons expert Kelly in the franchise, as "a hard worker." Everything to Know About Bad Boys 4 He said he offered Hudgens words of encouragement when stunts proved to be a challenge because of her pregnancy. "I was like, 'No, don't worry. You'll always be able to tell your child that they were in this scene with you,' " Smith told ET. Vanessa Hudgens attends the 2024 Vanity Fair Oscar Party hosted by Radhika Jones. TAYLOR HILL/GETTY Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Hudgens is expecting her first child with her husband, baseball player Cole Tucker, whom she married in December 2023. The Princess Switch star recently told Bustle why she decided to skip Coachella for the second year in a row. "The walking is aggressive. It's a lot of walking," the mom-to-be admitted. Bad Boys: Ride or Die hits theaters June 7.

While I can't deny Puffy was a part of many songs I liked in the mid-90's to early 2000's, I never liked the guy. His claim to fame as a producer was jackin' beats or leaning on the Bad Boy producers who actually had talent. He sucked as an emcee. Those opinions are all throughout old posts on this board. And we know from how he treated his artists, among other things, he sucks as a human being. This video, should be the last nail in the coffin of his career. May he suffer every deserved consequence that comes his way. https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/17/entertainment/sean-combs-cassie-ventura/index.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR1uXkLF4geMlUtr7u5ohKttdOhcsMLg-nEpPN_hJsTe45nAreVbw146aPA_aem_AaQAtHXHCCkhZWBmdgUrJ__n_862d_a7QenD0wMw3R7qDu158PtR9RmQeIr0V_O8Pwb5y0_LiU0bH7jhPuEFBs2E Exclusive: Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN By Sandra Gonzalez and Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN 5 minute read Updated 1:00 PM EDT, Fri May 17, 2024 Surveillance video shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting former girlfriend in 2016 02:46/02:46 Surveillance video shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting former girlfriend in 2016 Video Ad Feedback Surveillance video shows Sean 'Diddy' Combs physically assaulting former girlfriend in 2016 02:46 - Source: CNN CNN — A 2016 surveillance video obtained exclusively by CNN shows Sean “Diddy” Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura during an altercation that matches allegations in a now-settled federal lawsuit filed by Ventura in November. The footage, compiled from multiple camera angles dated March 5, 2016, appears to show the rapper, producer and business mogul during an incident that, according to Ventura’s complaint, occurred at the now-closed InterContinental Hotel in Century City, Los Angeles. CNN verified the location based on publicly available photos of the former hotel’s interior. In the video, Ventura exits a hotel room and walks to a bank of elevators. Combs, holding a towel around his waist, runs down a hall after Ventura. He grabs her by the back of the neck and throws her to the floor. Still holding his towel closed with one hand, he then turns to kick her, the video shows. As Ventura is on the ground, Combs retrieves a purse and suitcase from the floor near the elevators. He turns around and kicks Ventura again as she lies motionless on the floor. About four seconds transpire between the two kicks, according to the video. He then briefly drags Ventura by her sweatshirt toward a room before walking away. Ventura is then seen slowly standing up. She gathers items from the floor and moves to pick up a phone on the hallway wall near the elevators. Combs, still in a towel and socks, returns. A mirror directly across from the security camera shows Combs appearing to shove Ventura. Seconds later, he sits down on a chair, grabs an object off a table and forcefully throws it toward Ventura. Combs is seen walking away, then turns toward Ventura once again when an elevator door opens and someone appears to exit. Ventura, who reached an undisclosed settlement with Combs, declined to comment on the video obtained by CNN. Ventura’s attorney, Douglas H. Wigdor, said: “The gut-wrenching video has only further confirmed the disturbing and predatory behavior of Mr. Combs. Words cannot express the courage and fortitude that Ms. Ventura has shown in coming forward to bring this to light.” CNN has reached out to representatives for Combs and InterContinental Hotels for comment. Combs has previously denied Ventura’s allegations. Ventura’s lawsuit Combs and Ventura, a model and singer known for songs like “Me & U,” were in an off-and-on relationship from 2007 – 2018. The two were photographed together at the Los Angeles premiere of the film “A Perfect Match” on March 7, 2016. According to Ventura’s complaint, which cited the altercation as occurring “around March 2016,” Combs became “extremely intoxicated and punched Ms. Ventura in the face, giving her a black eye.” After Combs fell asleep, Ventura attempted to leave the hotel room, but he woke up and “followed her into the hallway of the hotel while yelling at her,” the complaint said. “He grabbed at her, and then took glass vases in the hallway and threw them at her, causing glass to crash around them as she ran to the elevator to escape,” the complaint alleged. After Ventura got in the elevator, her complaint states that she took a cab to her apartment. “Upon realizing that her running away would cause Mr. Combs to be even angrier with her, and completely stuck in his vicious cycle of abuse, Ms. Ventura returned to the hotel with the intention of apologizing for running away from her abuser,” the complaint claims. “When she returned, hotel security staff urged her to get back into a cab and go to her apartment, suggesting that they had seen the security footage showing Mr. Combs beating Ms. Ventura and throwing glass at her in the hotel hallway.” The complaint alleges Combs paid the InterContinental Century City $50,000 for the hallway security footage from that. The incident was part of a number of allegations made in the November lawsuit in which Ventura claimed she was raped in 2018 and subjected to years of repeated physical and other abuses by Combs. Sean "Diddy" Combs with Cassie Ventura attend the premiere of 'The Perfect Match' in Los Angeles on March 7, 2016. Chris Delmas/AFP/Getty Images/File Ventura, who was formally signed to Combs’ label, claimed in her suit that he “exerted his power and influence” over her throughout the course of their professional and romantic relationship. According to the complaint, she was 19 when they met and Combs was 37, and their business relationship lasted until 2019. It detailed claims that Combs was physically violent toward Ventura and forced her to engage in various sex acts with other men during that time. Ben Brafman, an attorney for Combs, said in a statement to CNN on the day it was filed, “Mr. Combs vehemently denies these offensive and outrageous allegations.” The suit was resolved the following day. “A decision to settle a lawsuit, especially in 2023, is in no way an admission of wrongdoing,” Brafman told CNN in a statement at the time. “Mr. Combs‘ decision to settle the lawsuit does not in any way undermine his flat-out denial of the claims. He is happy they got to a mutual settlement and wishes Ms. Ventura the best.” Details of the settlement were not disclosed. Ongoing legal issues Since November, Combs has faced five other civil lawsuits accusing him of a range of sexual misconduct and other illegal activity. He has denied the allegations, and the cases remain active. Authorities searched Combs’ homes in California and Florida in April as part of a federal investigation carried out by a Department of Homeland Security team that handles human trafficking crimes, according to a senior federal law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. The investigation stems from many of the same sexual assault allegations put forth in the civil lawsuits, according to a second law enforcement source familiar with the searches. Aaron Dyer, an attorney for Combs, issued a statement at the time, calling the searches a “gross overuse of military-level force.” “This unprecedented ambush – paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence – leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits,” he said. “There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.” CNN’s Kevin Flower and Megan Thomas contributed to this story. Editor’s Note: If you or someone you know is struggling with intimate partner violence, there are resources available, including the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

https://foxync.com/5422030/mc-lyte-announces-album-release-after-nearly-a-decade/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3riJZHkvUj7w4V1S9Qa833nzE9g_p6rsY4u963QTLoP5JCeU9kmDWpibM_aem_AXYECK3xYY4rIeuh-tbMznVtL2L5L7PwBBVlxE4LkBviLchMwZ_7yXJwA2KQKIgCa0dgTWgSvx9nR5FXTT2pIhGr Source: Variety / Getty Renowned rapper MC Lyte is gearing up to make a comeback and solidify her status as a pioneer in female rap. The Brooklyn native recently revealed that she will be dropping her first album in nearly ten years this summer. During an appearance on the Rock The Bells show That’s The Joint with MC Sha-Rock and Grandmaster Caz, MC Lyte excitedly shared the news, saying, “I got a new record. I’m working on it right now. The new single is out. It’s ‘Woman.’ The new record is coming. We’ll have another single coming in June for Black Music Month, which is going to be spectacular.” The album, set to release on August 9th, promises to feature some notable collaborations. MC Lyte hinted at this, mentioning, “Of course, I’ve got some winning folks on this album, now I gotta talk to Major.” Fans have eagerly awaited new music from MC Lyte, as her last album, Legend, was released in 2015. Her latest single “Woman” featuring Big Daddy Kane, Raheem DeVaughn, and Cheryl “Salt” James, dropped in March and has been well-received. Related Article: MC Lyte On The Lack Of Successful Female Rappers In Hip Hop While MC Lyte has been relatively quiet on the album front, she hasn’t been absent from the music scene altogether. In recent years, she made guest appearances on tracks like Slimkid3’s “Roots, Love & Culture” in 2022, “Partners In Rhyme Unstoppable” with Precious Way and Xhaania in 2021, and “Hot” with DJ Shoni and Skales. Beyond her musical endeavors, MC Lyte was recognized for her impactful storytelling at the SEED Summit+ Awards in March. She expressed her gratitude for the honor in a heartfelt post, thanking the event organizers and congratulating her fellow honoree MC Lyte Announces Album Release After Nearly a Decade was originally published on rickeysmileymorningshow.com

Willow feat. St. Vincent "Pain For Fun"

This is so good.

I love this idea, finding a way to work around all of the music record labels have held hostage. I hope he has a lot of success with this company.

https://retropopmagazine.com/daniel-bedingfield-to-release-lost-mariah-carey-collaboration/ Daniel Bedingfield to release ‘lost’ Mariah Carey collaboration by Connor Gotto May 1, 2024 Daniel Bedingfield will finally release his ‘lost’ Mariah Carey collaboration, Thousand Life Times, after two decades. The If You’re Not The One hitmaker is launching a tech company to help artists release recordings from the past and is planning to drop the ballad through his new venture. He told the Daily Star’s Wired column: “It really burns a hole in my heart, just sitting there unreleased. The fans would love it.” His company, H00ks, came about when the chart-topper became aware of how many unheard songs are sat “on hard drives” after being overlooked by record labels. “There are hundreds and thousands of songs that are recorded and left on hard drives, hundreds of the best albums I have ever heard that record companies have just never released,” he added. “And so what I am fascinated with right now is creating a system to get those unreleased songs released. Because the record companies don’t care about them but the artists really do, and the fans do.” His plan is to share a 40-second “TikTok length” clip of an older, unreleased recording and see if it hooks fans. “Then fans create videos for them blow them up on socials and then the artist knows, ‘Oh actually this music that is unreleased is the hit as it’s going viral’,” he explains. It comes after Daniel revealed he is eyeing a return to the charts with a remake of one of his classic hits, after his sister Natasha recently bounced back into Top 20 with 2004 single Unwritten, which featured in the movie ‘Anyone But You’ “I’m gonna redo Gotta Get Thru This,” he said. “I’ve got people that made some classic drum and bass/ garage songs, and we’re working on a new version which I am very excited about. “I just did a drum and bass festival in Tulum and I did all the new songs I’ve got. All the old songs, I realized, are suited to true drum and bass. “That’s because I was raised on reggae. My parents’ best mates were Jamaican in London.

To be fair, we've known he's been recording music, and we haven't gotten an official album announcement yet. It's like they are using the title as a way to create curiosity, as opposed to saying "my new album is dropping this _______". Once the first single or something big happens, a handful of the regulars will visit and actually leave a comment.

https://rockthebells.com/articles/the-legend-of-charlie-mack/ CHARLIE MACK: PHILLY'S FAVORITE HIP-HOP FOLK HERO By Stereo Williams Published Wed, October 28, 2020 at 6:00 PM EDT - The Fresh Prince, "Charlie Mack (The First Out the Limo)" Charles Alston has been called "The Big Brother of Philadelphia." The man affectionately dubbed "Charlie Mack" has been a mainstay of the city as both folk hero and community leader for more than 40 years, and his longtime friendship with megastar Will Smith has made him one of the most intriguing "behind the scenes" personalities in popular culture. “He actually basically jumped in front of a bullet for me before," Smith said in August. "He literally, like, ran toward a guy who was shooting.” Mack has made a name for himself as one of the most impactful influencers in entertainment; and Will Smith has so much love for his old friend. The entertainment icon hired Mack as his security guard early in DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's run, and Smith shared this past summer that Mack would eventually save the young rap star's life. “In another country, I’d just be able to give him a goat and we’d be even," Smith jokingly said. "But for whatever reason here, I owe him my life.” A young Charlie Mack would host house parties in West Philly in the late 1970s, and made such a name for himself as a promoter that he landed an A&R gig for April Records. But he was heavy in the streets throughout the early 1980s -- at least until he met a young up-and-coming Philly DJ named Jeff Townes who was making a name for himself as DJ Jazzy Jeff. Jeff remembers how he first connected with the legendary Charlie Mack. "Charlie Mack has been at the epicenter of Philly Hip-Hop from the beginning," Jeff tells ROCK THE BELLS. "Even before Will, Charlie [booked] me for a show in Southwest Philly. I heard about Charlie and came and did it -- it was a great show. And we kinda established a friendship. When Will and I got together, and things started moving, I remember saying 'Yo, if we're going on the road, we need some security.' And I picked up the phone and called Charlie." "He always tells this story: I was like 'Charlie, I can't promise you the money that you made in the street. But I can guarantee that you'll see the world.' At that time, Charlie had gotten into some trouble and was like 'Yeah, I'm done.' Our very first tour, Charlie was on those shows. And he's been with us ever since." Jeff more than made good on his promise. As DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince grew from local sensation to bonafide stars on the success of their debut album Rock The House, Charlie Mack became the duo's head of security, and eventually evolved into executive assistant to the Grammy-winning pair. They gave their longtime friend a salute on their best-selling album He's The DJ, I'm The Rapper with the upbeat track "Charlie Mack (The First Out the Limo.)" The shoutout gave the world a glimpse of who Charlie is. But his work with DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince was only the beginning. As Will Smith transitioned from platinum-selling rapper to TV star and movie icon, Charlie Mack was right there. And as he got more connected in the entertainment industry, Mack began to carve out his own niche and built a staggering resume and enviable reputation. He worked with everyone from Smith's Fresh Prince Of Bel Air co-star Tatyana Ali to Atlanta rap superstar T.I. and actors like Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx. Mack was an executive producer on the Chris Robinson film ATL. In his hometown, Mack became one of the city's most successful promoters; he hosted 2Pac's final Philadelphia show, put Lil Kim and Foxy Brown on the same bill early in their careers, and worked as a consultant with Electric Factory Concerts, East Coast Express, Clear Channel and Live Nation. Charlie Mack has done it all. "Charlie had something to do with the discovery of Boyz II Men. Charlie had something to do with the discovery of Meek Mill," Jeff explains. "Charlie has always been in or around Philly Hip-Hop, he's Philadelphia's Forrest Gump. He has the greatest picture collection with almost anybody on the planet. Nothing ceases to amaze me when it comes down to Charlie." Smith believes that his entire circle was focused on pushing forward, and Charlie came to embody that ethos. "We were all about growth. You couldn't be down with us if you weren't growing. [Charlie] started out with us in security and evolved into road manager," Will said. Along the way, Charlie Mack came to embody an up-from-the-streets hustler spirit as a Philadelphia success story. The leap from gun charges to red carpets is heady for anyone to make, Mack navigated it to tremendous returns. Everyone would eventually have a Charlie Mack story, as he became inextricably linked to so many movers and shakers through the strength of his tireless work ethic and engaging personality. And Charlie Mack's heart and soul have always belonged to Philadelphia. He relocated back to Philly in the early 2000s and his roots have never been hard to see. He founded the Charlie Mack Cares Foundation and his Party 4 Peace charity event would attract celebrities every year. He's been a manager or a consultant for Philly-based stars like Meek Mill and Empire star Bryshere "Yazz" Gray. Following a promise from Jazzy Jeff has led Charlie Mack down his own remarkable road. In August, during a YouTube interview with Jeff and Charlie, Will shared another anecdote about how he and Mack found themselves in a life-threatening dilemma. “We were in a situation and a police officer went to pull his gun on Charlie, and I grabbed the gun,” Smith said. “And wouldn’t let it go.” “He said 'let it go,' you said ‘I’m not letting it go unless you let that go,’” Mack confirmed. “I would not let go, I was not gonna let him point it at my man, yeah that was bad luck, that was bad times,” Smith said. “That’s when you know that—you know I love you, right? That proved it, that was a terrible day.” “Hey man, I love you back,” Mack replied. That love between those friends is an extension of the love Charlie seems to get from all who have come into contact with him. According to Jazzy Jeff, the man's success isn't tethered to anyone else -- it's just Charlie's way of being Charlie.

https://hiphopdx.com/news/dmx-posthumous-no-1-song-surprising-category?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2Gaq0otEQxhCuKOrz97Q7YmP2jGrSTgPes_wziRlF4Zp5tWggmPDkR9D0_aem_AWW7YLa8MqRNAcRxkdj_a6Gf5yUYBDj8xmPfJDlZ40kHAN9GdDQ1PLG1vHvq9LpMYLP9yAXnRcihR_-FEXbvr7Pm DMX GETS POSTHUMOUS NO. 1 SONG IN THIS SURPRISING CATEGORY by RUTH HAWKINS DMX has achieved a new career milestone by securing No. 1 song in an unexpected category just days after the four year anniversary of his death. During a recent interview with Loudwire Nights, guitarist Zoltan Bathory of Five Finger Death Punch discussed details surrounding the release of a deluxe version of the group’s 2022 album Afterlife. The project’s lead single, “This Is the Way,” happens to be a fusion of the band’s “Judgement Day” and X’s “The Way It’s Gonna Be.” “I was always a fan,” Bathory told host Chuck Armstrong.. “Ivan [Moody] loves DMX, so there was always a conversation where we’re like, ‘How cool would it be if we could work with DMX.'” Bathory went on to disclose that although the discussion about collaborating with DMX arose nearly six years ago, their schedules never aligned. Then, tragically, in 2021, the “Ruff Ryders’ Anthem” rapper passed away. “Eventually we got an opportunity with some of [DMX’s] master recordings,” Bathory told the outlet. “We got a green light on that — we can use these verses, these lyrics. So we had the masters and we basically reverse-engineered it. There was music under it, we took off the music and wrote new music and then sort of melded it with our style.” The song appears to be what fans have been eagerly anticipating, as this week, Billboard announced that “This Is the Way,” featuring DMX, topped the Hard Rock Digital Song Sales category, securing the No. 1 spot. The surprising achievement comes just weeks after the Ruff Ryders made a pilgrimage to the late MC’s resting place in Yonkers’ Oakland Cemetery to honor his life. “You already know what time it is,” a member of the crew said in a video of the visit while pointing his smartphone camera at all the motorbikes and buggies present at the gravesite. “Got the whole pack out here, ya heard? Rest in peace, DMX.” Some of those in attendance reflected on the legendary rapper’s distinctive position in the music industry and his unwavering authenticity throughout his career. “Let’s give it to X because he stayed true to himself and he never sold out,” one person said. “He kept it real till the casket dropped, y’know what I’m saying? You don’t get real cats like that, that represent from the beginning to the end.”

Obviously I'm excited to hear new music. I'll remain open minded, but I'm not looking forward to a "modern" sound, if that's what he's bringing. I can only associate that with mainstream urban radio, and I find that sound boring, even annoying. Lyrically, I welcome serious subject matter, but I don't want to miss out on his comedy and story telling. I can't say I want to hear him cuss on the album much. I kind of share the mind state that his grandmother had; that makes someone sound common, less intelligent. It makes you wonder...what is his audience these days? I think it's safe to say that those who are checking for his music are generally looking for classic hip-hop, fun music, and something you don't have to second guess about playing around young people. All I want is a classic JJ+FP record.

If that's the album title, it's interesting. I gives the impression that there could be some heavier, series stuff mixed with fun, upbeat stuff.

Will just launched a text service. You can sign up here: https://willsmith.ffm.to/signup or text 215-244-9455. There's a WhatsApp option, too. I suppose this is his new attempt to keep in touch with his supporters, following the app he launched back in 2016.

The appearance was a good look. Just a fun, light moment. The MIB-accurate suite is on point. I'm not sure why the first video was removed. Here's one from the audience. He sounds great.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/will-smith-men-in-black-j-balvin-coachella-surprise-appearance-1235874074/ Will Smith Performs “Men in Black” With J. Balvin at Coachella in Surprise Appearance The rapper-actor was dressed in sunglasses and a black suit, like his character in the 1997 film. BY KIMBERLY NORDYKE APRIL 14, 2024 10:11PM Will Smith performs at Coachella on Sunday night. ARTURO HOLMES/GETTY IMAGES FOR COACHELLA Will Smith was a surprise guest at Coachella on Sunday night. The rapper-actor hit the stage alongside J Balvin to perform his hit song “Men in Black,” from his 1997 box office blockbuster film of the same name. Smith appeared in sunglasses and a black suit, the standard uniform of his character in the film, which starred Smith and Tommy Lee Jones as investigators in a secret organization who monitor and police extraterrestrials. Smith and Balvin rapped the song together, while backup dancers dressed as aliens and a giant alien head prop added to the effect. At the end of the performance, Balvin was dragged off by two people in black suits. Then, Smith was seen holding up the device used in the movie to erase the memories of people who witness alien activities, in addition to wiping out the memories of agents ready to retire. The movie, which made $250.7 million at the domestic box office (not adjusted for inflation), spawned three sequels: 2002’s Men in Black II, 2012’s Men in Black 3 and 2019’s Men in Black: International, the latter of which was considered a stand-alone movie set in the same universe but did not feature Smith or Jones. Coachella’s performances were full of surprise guests this weekend, including Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Shakira, Paris Hilton and Kesha, the latter of whom changed the lyrics to her hit song “Tik Tok” to say “**** P. Diddy” during her performance with Reneé Rapp. Watch part of Smith and Balvin’s performance below.

https://hiphopdx.com/news/q-tip-new-music-teaser?fbclid=IwAR0pplwj8RRmJpkApKGpcsQhEK_s6n3mwEn5CG0YkRyPEMmL_Qcw69IC0eU_aem_AajERYxMn995o2KWWXJA4x0V0AH9mY_4Jse7M7PQvwBDUkzSfjOXTBM2L8sq8n_9naWm7KrySwgE0NCl4WJM3CR7 by JOE WALKER Published on: Apr 12, 2024, 5:30 AM PDT Q-Tip fans have been waiting for a new album from the A Tribe Called Quest legend for well over a decade, but they’ve been given renewed hope that the drought will soon be over. While thanking fans for their birthday wishes on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday (April 11), the now 53-year-old Tip dropped a teaser that new music is on the way. “Love you guys and thanks for the wishes,” he wrote. “Music coming stay tuned.” When a fan asked: “when you say Music…..do you mean all 3,” he replied: “3 but some title changes on 1 of em. No algorithm. A new seed has sprouted.” The “all 3” comment refers to the three solo albums Q-Tip announced he was working on in 2020: AlGoRhythms, Riotdiaries and The Last Zulu. “Thank u for all the bday love… but I have something to share w u… 3 albums,” he wrote at the time alongside a video of himself playing the guitar. He then revealed the album titles and added: “Thank u God willing I will get with u soon.” Q-Tip released his last solo album Kamaal the Abstract in 2009. The project was intended to come out in 2002 as the follow-up to his 1999 debut Amplified, but it was shelved by his record label at the time. Since then, Tip has briefly reunited with A Tribe Called Quest to release the group’s final album, We Got It from Here… Thank You 4 Your Service, which dropped in 2016 shortly after Phife Dawg’s death. The critically acclaimed effort featured the likes of André 3000, Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Busta Rhymes and Anderson .Paak. Meanwhile, The Last Zulu has been in the works for over a decade, with Q-Tip previously detailing the album during an interview with Vibe Magazine back in 2012. “It’s gonna be me straight up and down … I’m coming with that boom-bap, unrelenting, lyrical, thoughtful, edgy, street, I’m just gon’ put it all in compass,” he said at the time. “So I’m really excited about it. It’s called The Last Zulu. And it’s gonna be a thing, so I’m looking forward to it.”

https://rockthebells.com/articles/rock-the-bells-exclusive-rakim-dj-jazzy-jeff-jazz/ ROCK THE BELLS EXCLUSIVE: RAKIM & DJ JAZZY JEFF TALK JAZZ AHEAD OF THEIR KENNEDY CENTER APPEARANCE By Jay Quan Published Wed, April 10, 2024 at 8:00 AM EDT Jazz music has always been an integral part of Hip-Hop. Many of the culture's foundational breakbeats were created by jazz artists. JAZZ & HIP-HOP: AN EARLY MERGER From "Take Me To The Mardis Gras", and "Nautilus" by Bob James to "Kool Is Back" by Funk Inc. and "Mr. Magic" by Grover Washington Jr., jazz records have always been part of Hip-Hop's "sacred crates", a term popularized by Grandmixer D.ST. In the early days of rap recordings, jazz artists such as Pieces of A Dream ("Mt. Airy Groove"), and Herbie Hancock ("Rock It") have experimented with Hip-Hop to great commercial success. In Hip-Hop's sample heavy era of the mid 1980's through the early 2000's many artists scored hit records, and established their signature sounds with samples from jazz records. Ahead of The Rakim & DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ravi Coltrane Project Produced by Jill Newman Productions at D.C.'s Kennedy Center on Friday April 19, Rock The Bells sat down for an exclusive interview with Rakim and DJ Jazzy Jeff about how jazz informed their formative years. Rakim, who has long compared his game changing cadence and flow to that of a saxophone, comes from a lineage of great musicians, and music played a major role in his upbringing. "My mother sang everything from jazz to opera, and one of her favorite artists of course was Ella Fitzgerald," he explains. "There was also Sarah Vaughn and so many others," he said further. - DJ Jazzy Jeff to Rock The Bells, 2024 GROWING UP WITH JAZZ Rakim, the youngest child in his household credits his siblings with contributing to his love of jazz. "We listened to a lot of jazz, and a lot of r&b/soul," he revealed. "I was the youngest, and my oldest brother and sister went out and bought vinyl, and I had the privilege of enjoying music from all generations. There was Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye from my parents, and then Sly & The Family Stone from my brother, and Stephanie Mills from my sister." DJ Jazzy Jeff shares a similar childhood experience with the God MC. "I was the youngest of six, and being the youngest, I was the last person that was able to pick music," he recalls. "I became a sponge because my dad who passed away when I was ten was an MC for Count Basie, and we had all these 78's [78 RPM vinyl records] in the house. Records by Wes Montgomery, Jimmy Smith, and Arthur Prysock, and my brothers were into the Mahavishnu Orchestra, Chick Corea, and Herbie Hancock, while my sisters were into Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder." Jeff explains that as a result of the musical melting pot that he experienced growing up, he had a stack of music that was played in his house, once Hip-Hop hit the scene. "I have to give credit to my brother for showing me how to take a record out of a jacket when I was eight years old. You put your thumb on the side so you don't get fingerprints on the records. He showed me how to put a record on the turntable, and he gave me the ability to use a hi-fi system when he wasn't home. I was making Herbie Hancock mixtapes at 9 years old. I didn't know what I was doing, but the music that made me feel a certain way, I'd put on tape. RAKIM: THE SAXOPHONIST The musicianship in Rakim's family rubbed off on him, leading to him playing instruments early in his childhood. "My oldest brother played piano, and my brother above me played the saxophone," he explained. "Luckily my brother was lazy and would put his sax down and lay it on the sax case, and when he left I'd pick it up and try to play what he just played, or my favorite song that was out at the time. I got a chance to experience the sax early before kindergarten. I played the recorder until I was able to get my sax in the fourth grade." Being able to play his brothers piano and saxophone really gave Rakim a little more love and understanding of music, he says. "My oldest brother Ronnie was in [Kurtis Blow's touring band] Orange Krush, and he played with Mighty Sparrow, so it was dope to hear those stories. My brother just above me, Stevie Blass played on my records, and was a go to whenever I needed a bassline or something replayed. Actually both of my brothers played on my records, but Stevie was my go to." Rakim remembers his parents basement as a place that he would go to zone out to music. "I was sitting in the basement kinda wrapped up in the music, and my mom and pops had a little section in the basement where they had all their records on the shelf. If they played a record, the album cover would be sittin' there, and we read the covers a lot while the song was playing." Ra says that as he went through the album covers in the basement, he was immediately inspired by a Coltrane tune. "I remember this day sittin' in front of the album covers, not focused on any one in particular," he says. "My mother was playing a John Coltrane record, and I don't remember him playing the same melody twice. When it went off, it felt like the world cut off. It was just so dope how he attacked the record. He basically solo'd or improvised through the whole song. I remember saying 'That's how I wanna flow. I don't wanna repeat a cadence throughout a song. I'm gonna change by cadence every few bars.' It just felt like an adventure that he took us on, that's why when it went off it felt like everything stopped. I felt like if I could emulate that, I figured my songs would have an energy, like he took me on a journey." "I fell in love with the sax, and I felt that if I wanted energy on a track, nothing did it like the horns," Rakim says. "It's a sound that stands out, the bass is the backbone, but them horns set the scene and let you know that something is about to happen, or if this is a laid back scenery. I always love incorporating the horns to bring that energy." A TOUCH OF JAZZ "When Hip-Hop came along, it was a natural evolution for me to fuse what I grew up with to what we were doing,' Jazzy Jeff says. "It wasn't a stretch for me to use 'Mr. Magic', 'Fallin' Like Dominoes, and Bobbi Humphrey because these were records that we had in the house, and just from your siblings and parents you started a record collection. My love of jazz started because I was a victim of being the youngest and listening to whatever was in the house." As far as his later years as a producer and DJ, Jeff says that his "love of music brain" didn't mix with his "producer brain". "I'm a massive fan of Pat Metheny, The Yellow Jackets and stuff like that, but never in a million years thought about using any of it until later on in life. I was using what my brothers played. For my enjoyment I knew the CTI label because of Bob James, and when I started getting into production I learned that all of these labels had a sound. Most of the songs were recorded at the same studio, and I wondered 'how do they make it sound squished', before I knew about compression and limiting." When speaking of Jeff's classic "A Touch of Jazz" from Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince's debut album Rock The House, Jeff says that the records that he used on it - Donald Byrd's "Change", Bobbi Humphrey's "Harlem River Drive", and "Mr. Magic" by Grover Washington Jr. were all records introduced to him by his brother. "Those were the records that my brother played, that I'd put on a mixtape," he explained. "One day I decided to make a beat and cut those records in, but I was really self conscious about playing it for anyone. Me and Rakim often talk about this. Early on me and Will did a show with Eric B. & Rakim in a place like North Carolina or somewhere, and after the show we were hanging out in my room and there were a bunch a people and a boombox. I walked into the bathroom, and one song was going off and my rough version of 'A Touch of Jazz' was coming on. I ran out of the bathroom to cut it off, and Eric B. asked 'What the **** is that?' I said 'Something I'm working on.' He was like 'That **** is incredible', and that's what made me do it. That song wasn't supposed to ever see the light of day." THE PHILLY CONNECTION As early as 1982 major jazz figures were experimenting with Hip-Hop. "Mt. Airy Groove" by Pieces Of A Dream was produced by the late great Grover Washington Jr., and contained an instrumental as well as a rap version. Eight years later Grover Washington Jr. would collaborate with Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince for "Jazzy's Groove". "Pieces Of A Dream were my age, and some of the members actually did my prom," Jeff reveals. "Pieces Of A Dream are from Philly, so I knew them from Philly. Grover Washington Jr. is from Philly as well. Once me and Will started, we got love [from older musicians]. Kenny Gamble [of Gamble & Huff and Philly International Records] is like one of my big brothers, so we got love from Teddy Pendergrass and Gamble & Huff. It was like we were being accepted as part of the Philly lineage. I remember Kenny Gamble being like 'That Touch Of Jazz is bad man!'" Jeff says that he had no problem securing Washington for the collaboration. "We put together 'Jazzy's Groove', and he said that he'd love to do it. This was pre Tribe Called Quest, when everybody started diggin' for jazz records. The music was so new that we were still searching for legitimacy, and that's what Grover gave us. " When discussing "A Touch Of Jazz", Jeff explains that the original version released by Word Up records was an instrumental, but when they signed to Jive Records Will wanted to rap on it. "We were in the studio, and Will wanted to rap over it, and I was mad," says Jeff. "That was my piece, but once he put the rap on, it was kinda hot. It was good having two versions though, because there were stations in Philly that only played the instrumental, then the Hip-Hop stations played the one with Will's vocal. BOB JAMES Jeff shared that during the Covid pandemic he received a call with an offer to remix some Bob James songs for an upcoming project. "Bob James actually sued us many years ago for sampling 'Winchester Lady' on 'Here We Go Again'," Jeff shares. "Hip-Hop was new and we were using ****, and people didn't know. During the pandemic, I was forced to shut down and spend a lotta time in the studio and I've never been more creative. During that time I got a call to remix some Bob James classics. I was excited initially then I thought, Bob James isn't dead. Instead of remixing something, I'd like to do something new with him. So we got on the phone and the first thing he said was 'Is this the DJ Jazzy Jeff that we had an issue with?' We laughed about it, and I explained to him why we sample in Hip-Hop. I explained to him that I was able to produce Jill Scott and Musiq Soulchild because I went down the rabbit hole and discovered who played on his records, and he loved it!" Check out The Rakim & DJ Jazzy Jeff & Ravi Coltrane Project Produced by Jill Newman Productions D.C.'s Kennedy Center on Friday April 19. Tickets available here.

https://www.vibe.com/news/movies-tv/de-la-soul-fresh-prince-of-bel-air-1234857817/?fbclid=IwAR1C0NpztmRK2IzaGkGVgGi7faHPpIAzumEmyICZ3oT3mKOznTfUpuNu13c_aem_Aa0aYgiraUXIh-qylSJgW5eMRe-SNNhhCsU-31eUt8alB2aLsPvN5FSWVCk4H4Urajc9104XVaRxi4Tt-la9o5ph De La Soul Reveals They Almost Starred In ‘Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’ The group revealed the information on their new Apple Music 1 show, 'Art Official Intelligence Radio.' BY MARC GRIFFIN MARCH 5, 2024 3:22PM Members of De La Soul arrive at the 43rd Annual Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA on February 21, 2001. Photo credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images Winter/Getty Images De La Soul revealed they were initially approached with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air show before Will Smith. The rap group discussed the fun fact on their new Apple Music show Art Official Intelligence Radio. Queen Latifah joined the iconic group for the conversation as they took a trip down memory lane. Posdnuos explained why the group didn’t go forward with the television series, stating they were “scared.” “A lot of people don’t know, yo, the Fresh Prince thing was offered to us,” Posdnuos said, recalling the early stages of the hit show. “They want us to do this? Russell [Simmons] was like, ‘Yo, y’all need to try out. Go out there.’ We was like, ‘Nah. We do rap and stuff.’ Honestly, we were scared. Seriously, we were scared. And sh*t, I could have been Will Smith. I could have got married to Jada. Damn.” Queen Latifah reassured the emcee, expressing to him that his life still turned out just fine. “You definitely could have. But I think you good where you at right now. I think you good,” she said. Art Official Intelligence Radio with De La Soul debuted on Tuesday (Mar. 5) on Apple Music 1. The show is a limited five-episode series honoring the magical 35th anniversary of their debut album, 3 Feet High and Rising. The show, hosted by Posdnuos and Maseo, will feature new interviews, never-before-heard De La lore, and more. Guests set to appear on the show are a wide range of artists and creatives who have been influenced by or worked with the group. Fans can expect appearances from Tyler, The Creator, Common, Questlove of The Roots, Queen Latifah, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch, DJ Prince Paul, Rapsody, and Dave Chappelle. The show will also feature a segment called “DemoListen,” where “De La rarities, demos, and early versions of signature hits will be shared with fans for the first time,” according to the official press release. The show is also dedicated to their childhood friend, band member and brother, the late Trugoy the Dove. “Having this show means us being able to connect into every ear listening to serve up our Art soaked in Official Intelligence,” Posdnuos said about the show. “We’ve been blessed to do this since 88 up to 2024 and god willing beyond!” “Having this show is an extension to a dream already fulfilled,” Maseo added. “So, from here on out everything is truly a blessing beyond our expectations.”

https://www.vibe.com/news/entertainment/montell-jordan-officiates-young-mc-wedding-joke-1234864227/?fbclid=IwAR3RP0sgTVONkDghjTr17pT8ec1SUI7YOlD-4FJulHgcvxYr_i15YZG1gCM_aem_AcSbHoluB4eyAM2257pdp-4REl6S9A4AxMydEyJpAGsYmYBQwSluygy2NlyK4fO88-u7ITeyP2DghtFtmJDGg5Z_ Montell Jordan Officiates Young MC's Wedding, Says “This Is How We Do It” The two musicians have been longtime friends. BY DEMICIA INMAN MARCH 26, 2024 10:26AM Montell Jordan performs during Black Music Honors 2021 at City Winery Nashville on May 5, 2021 in Nashville, Tennessee; Young MC arrives at Studio 54 inside the MGM Grand Hotel/Casino on September 5, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jason Kempin/Getty Images; Jacob Andrzejczak/Getty Images for MGM Resorts International As the officiant for Young MC‘s wedding, Montell Jordan referenced his hit track “This Is How We Do It” at the altar. According to TMZ, the two musicians, who have been longtime friends, shared the moment on Sunday (March 24). “People should see your marriage and know that God is real, and that’s why we’re here today,” detailed the R&B singer-turned-pastor to the couple before moving into a non-traditional call for objections in footage shared by the tabloid. “Please feel free to leave now,” joked the Los Angeles native to guests after the bride delivered the cutthroat gesture. “This is how we do it,” he continued as the witnesses laughed. Young MC performs on stage on day two of the Falls Music Festival on December 30, 2011 in Lorne, Australia. Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images According to the outlet, Young MC married his longtime girlfriend Chantal in an intimate ceremony in Scottsdale, AZ., surrounded by friends, family, and fellow artists. Guests included Tone Loc, C+C Music Factory’s Freedom Williams, and members of the band All-4-One. The veteran rapper is best known for his 1989 hit “Bust A Move” which was featured on his debut album Stone Cold Rhymin’. The song took home the trophy for Best Rap Performance at the 32nd annual GRAMMY Awards in 1990. Young MC also co-wrote Tone Loc’s two hit records, “Wild Thing” and “Funky Cold Medina.” “I had extra pressure because, by the time I’m making this, ‘Wild Thing’ is already platinum. People are talking to me, saying, ‘Why didn’t you do that song?’ But I had no intent of doing ‘Wild Thing.’ That was Tone’s — I made it for Tone; I wrote it with Tone’s voice in mind — but having said that, I played a part in a record that was so big, I’m hoping that someone even listens to my song,” reflected Young MC on the origin of “Bust A Move” to SPIN in April 2023. “It’s slower. It’s not rock. It’s more R&B… is it going to cross? It’s got the woman singing in it. It doesn’t have rock guitars in it. ‘Funky Cold Medina’ was breaking around that time as well. So I’m seeing both of those records do what they did with the sounds that they had, and my record sounded so much different, and it was slower. I’m like, ‘Uh-oh. Hopefully something can happen he

It's been a while since since MC Lyte released new music. It was worth the wait. Give this song love on all platforms.

https://rockthebells.com/articles/will-smiths-nephew-k-smith-drops-video-for-love-kills/?fbclid=IwAR1L2p8OsDFCvdCGK7G2U7cH0_2OGTVgZU2A6Uknzs1iDISvmMX8u0s0vqM WILL SMITH'S NEPHEW, K SMITH DROPS VIDEO FOR 'LOVE KILLS' By Jay Quan Published Tue, March 19, 2024 at 11:50 AM EDT K Smith, the nephew of Will Smith has dropped a new video for "Love Kills" featuring Yung Kash Capre. This collaboration explores the harsh and devastating consequences of misplaced loyalty on the streets. Set against the gritty backdrop of Philadelphia, the "Love Kills" video starkly visualizes the song's cautionary message. For K Smith, stepping away from the microphone to explore and excel in executive roles has brought an enriched perspective to his craft. His reemergence in the music world is a narrative of evolution, as he brings newfound depth to his music. Check out "Love Kills" below.

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/bad-boys-4-release-date-moved-up-sony/?fbclid=IwAR3Gst4En24CzGzUE_NKXzTX4PPAOrCrlm9BlmEe7cqejLD5Lqxq225ud-8 Bad Boys 4 Release Date Moved Up The Will Smith and Martin Lawrence movie will now debut on June 7th. By JENNA ANDERSON - February 26, 2024 08:37 pm EST The fourth Bad Boys movie is about to arrive a little bit earlier. On Monday night, Sony Pictures announced that Bad Boys 4 will be moving to June 7th, after previously being scheduled to debut in theaters on June 14th. With this new release date, the currently-untitled movie will now screen in IMAX and premium large formats. This new release date will now place Bad Boys 4 against The Crow and The Watchers, while it was previously slated to debut on the same week as Inside Out 2. Bad Boys 4 will see the return of franchise stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, as well as Bad Boys for Life directors Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. It is being described as the "culmination" of a lot of the franchise's story beats, which have been entertaining moviegoers throughout the past three decades. What Is Bad Boys 4 About? Plot details are currently under wraps about the fourth Bad Boys film, outside of the notion that it will follow the ongoing adventures of Mike Lowrey (Smith) and Marcus Burnett (Lawrence). The ensemble cast will also include Vanessa Hudgens as Kelly, Alexander Ludwig as Dorn, Paola Núñez as Captain Rita Secada, John Salley as Fletcher, and Tasha Smith as a recast Theresa Burnett. Eric Dane, Ioan Gruffudd, Rhea Seehorn, and Joyner Lucas have also been cast in currently-unknown roles. "We had a great experience on the first one, both through the development process with Tom Rothman [chair of Sony] and his team, and then through the editing process and filming process… We put together, along with their help, a movie that's very satisfying for the audience, and we'd like to do it again, and I think they'd like us to do it again. We're currently working on a draft for the fourth one," franchise producer Jerry Bruckheimer said during a 2020 interview. What Is Bad Boys 4 Titled? At the moment, Bad Boys 4 does not currently have an official title — although El Arbi has teased that Bad Boys Ride or Die could end up being a possibility. "Well, you know, the title that we like – I don't know that they're going to go for it yet – would be like Bad Boys Ride or Die because Bad Boys 4 Life is already taken. We didn't know there was going to be a fourth one, you know?" El Arbi told The Playlist's The Discourse podcast. "But yeah, what's going to happen in this one is, I think that there's going to be way more comedy. The third one had the dramatic tone. With this one, it's really our purpose to get people laughing and having a good time in the theater. Martin [Lawrence] is going to a higher level in this one. This is the culmination of the Marcus Burnett arc."

https://blackamericaweb.com/2024/02/19/will-smith-signs-on-for-role-in-thriller-sugar-bandits/?fbclid=IwAR0Pyeyrqec_DIrMqt5zyJWHugsKemXqzZfZijRXbTZAkg3pW1t1uCz9R5U TELEVISION Will Smith Signs On For Role In Thriller ‘Sugar Bandits’ Smith will play an Iraq veteran in the movie based on the book "Devils in Exile." Written bytonyapendleton Published onFebruary 19, 2024 Source: Eric Charbonneau / Getty Will Smith has found his next post-Oscar role in Sugar Bandits, a movie that’s been in development for over a decade. It’s based on the 2010 book Devils In Exile written by Chuck Hogan, who’s also writing the script as he did for The Town, also based on one of his books. Smith, 55, has several projects in the pipeline after winning an Oscar for the 2021 film King Richard, playing the father of Venus and Serena Williams. Of course, at the 2022 ceremony, he famously slapped presenter Chris Rock over a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. That moment has now been thoroughly dissected by Smith, Pinkett Smith and Rock between interviews, memoirs and Rock’s comedy special Selective Outrage. But even though he’s has been banned from the Oscars until 2031, Smith’s career continues with other high-profile projects. He’s doing the Bad Boys 4 project with Martin Lawrence, reprising their roles as Miami detectives Mike Lowery and Marcus Burnett respectively. He’s also confirmed a sequel to I Am Legend with Michael B. Jordan, as previously announced. Sugar Bandits is about a group of Iraq war veterans who start ripping off drug dealers in Boston while being hunted by both the DEA and the hitmen for another drug crew. Neal Maven is the book’s lead character, so it’s likely Smith is playing him as the announcement said he’d be leading the cast. No word on a director or release date yet. Sugar Bandits is being pitched to buyers at the European Film Market happening this week. Smith’s last film, Emancipation was done at Apple TV+, directed by Antoine Fuqua. The fictionalized story of the slave known as Whipped Peter, who escaped from the South to fight with the Union Army and was photographed with a pattern of whipped marks on his back, didn’t take with audiences and was called out for its historical inaccuracy. However, Smith did win an NAACP Image Award for the role. Will Smith Signs On For Role In Thriller ‘Sugar Bandits’ was originally published on cassiuslife.com