According to a report from the Associated Press, a second woman has died from her injuries following a deadly stampede at the GloRilla/Finesse2Tymes concert in Rochchester, New York this past Sunday.
The melee began at the Main Street Armory shortly following the performances of GloRilla and Finesse2Tymes after it was falsely reported that one of the attendees of the concert had a gun, which led concert goers to made a mad dash for the exit.
“We do not have any evidence of gunshots being fired or of anyone being shot or stabbed at the scene,” Police Chief David M. Smith said during a press conference on Monday.
Three people were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, including 33-year-old Rhondesia Belton, a Buffalo Traffic Violations Agency employee, who died at a local hospital. On Monday(March 6), a second woman, 35 years old, died from her injuries. One woman remains in critical condition while seven other people were treated for non-life threatening injuries.
“I am devastated & heartbroken over the tragic deaths that happened after Sunday’s show. My fans mean the world to me praying for their families & for a speedy recovery of everyone affected. praying for their families & for a speedy recovery of everyone affected.”
I am devastated & heartbroken over the tragic deaths that happened after Sunday’s show. My fans mean the world to me praying for their families & for a speedy recovery of everyone affected
On Wednesday, whose real name is Scott Mescudi, got on Twitter to answer fan questions. One question was whether a rumored “The Scotts” (referring to Travis Scott and Cudi’s real name) album would be happening.
In response to the fan question, Cudi answered: “Naw im not doin that. The moment has passed.”
The news was met with sad reactions from fans who posted a series of sad memes and gifs.
However, Cudi, who worked with Scott on numerous projects, including songs on Cudi’s 2018 LP Passion, Pain & Demon Slayin’ and Scott’s Astroworld and Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight as well as a 2020 song “The Scotts,” did not rule out future collabs, replying “most def” when asked if they might ever collab on a song together.
Kudi did not address questions such as whether or not Kanye West ever apologized to him or other questions about his personal life and rumored celebrity beefs.
Kim Kardashian has finally broken her silence following Balenciaga’s controversial ad involving children holding BDSM-style dressed teddy bears. The mother of four took to Twitter on Sunday to release her first statement since the controversy began.
“I have been quiet for the past few days, not because I haven’t been disgusted and outraged by the recent Balenciaga campaigns, but because I wanted an opportunity to speak to their team to understand for myself how this could have happened,” Kardashian said on Twitter.
“As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.”
As a mother of four, I have been shaken by the disturbing images. The safety of children must be held with the highest regard and any attempts to normalize child abuse of any kind should have no place in our society — period.
Following public backlash, Balenciaga removed their disturbing images. The ad for their Spring ’23 collection also included a printed copy of the US Supreme Court’s decision on child pornography laws in the background of an image, according to Page Six. Kim Kardashian added to her initial statement regarding her future with the fashion brand while offering empathy.
I appreciate Balenciaga’s removal of the campaigns and apology. In speaking with them, I believe they understand the seriousness of the issue and will take the necessary measures for this to never happen again.
“As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children,” she tweeted.
As for my future with Balenciaga, I am currently re-evaluating my relationship with the brand, basing it off their willingness to accept accountability for something that should have never happened to begin with — & the actions I am expecting to see them take to protect children.
Sean “Diddy” Combs and his son, Christian “King” Combs, each soared to the top of the charts with their new hit songs “Gotta Move On” featuring Bryson Tiller and “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” featuring Kodak Black, respectively.
Diddy topped both the Billboard Adult R&B Airplay chart and the R&B Airplay Mediabase chart with “Gotta Move On” as Christian dominated the URBAN Airplay Mediabase chart with “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.”
This is a proud moment for the legendary mogul, whose recent return to music has been met with nothing but love and to experience it alongside his son, Christian, who’s worked hard to forge his own legacy with Bad Boy Entertainment, makes it all the more significant for Diddy.
“Seeing me and my son Christian climb the charts together is a dream come true and I’m so proud of all the hard work to reach No. 1, but this win is much bigger than music,” said Sean “Diddy” Combs. “This milestone is about carrying on the legacy of our family and showing the world that 30 years from now, we’ll still be on top.”
“Locking in my first #1 record is crazy. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into getting this record to where it is, we’re finally here and we can’t stop now!”, states Christian.
With “Gotta Move On” hitting number 1, this marks 11 number 1 hits total for Diddy and King Combs’ first number 1. The song has 95.8+million streams and the official video directed by Teyana “Spike Tey” Taylor has more than 13 million views on YouTube. Not only is Diddy one of the highest-selling artists in history, he is also one of the most accomplished music producers of all time. LOVE RECORDS represents Combs’ triumphant return to R&B as an Executive Producer, Curator and A&R of his forthcoming album. Combs will continue his oversight on his successful Bad Boy Entertainment label.
“Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” featuring Kodak Black was released in July and has quickly become the unofficial song of the summer. The track has over 14 million views on YouTube and 33 million+ streams. The single was derived from the 1996 Bad Boy classic “Crush on You” by Lil Kim and Lil Cease. This is Christian’s first number 1 smash record.
Ray J has just entered the fast-food industry, ladies and gentlemen.
Along with enlisting Grammy award-winning recording artist 2Chainz as the new Head of Creative Marketing, Krystal — a long-standing Atlanta-based fast food chain — has increased its star power with the announcement of the chart-topping entertainer and serial entrepreneur as the company’s new Brand Strategist.
In the last decade, Ray J transformed from an established entertainer to a high-profile businessman with instinctive business moves, numerous company launches, and smart tech investments that have amassed millions. After promoting everything from electronics to eyewear to 100% electric-powered bike/scooters, for the first time, the 41-year-old mogul will help guide the southern food chain into a new era and compete against rival food chains in popular chicken sandwich race.
In late September, Ray J stepped away from the drive-thru to take a video call with us during a pop-up event in Atlanta to discuss his new position with Krystal, working with 2Chainz, venturing into the food industry, new music and more. Check out the complete interview below.
[Bryson “Boom” Paul]: Venturing into new territory is not a bad way to transition following the latest news that your tech company, Raycon, is being valued at $31 million dollars…?
[Ray J]: Ha. Listen, I never talk money. I always just talk customers satisfaction, you know what I mean? Customer satisfaction. Now, at my tech company, we’re over 3 million customers now. Over 3 million people have purchased some Raycon earbuds, but now I’ve shifted into another focus because my company is on autopilot. Now, with Krystal bringing me on to strategize about some things, I think we hit the ground running with our late night campaign. I’m excited about all the things that we plan to do now with Krystal. Super stoked about it for real.
Now, congratulations on becoming a brand strategist for Krystal.
Thank you.
Now, I have to ask, if you have one wish for Krystal’s success, what would it be?
[Smirks] Well, I think my wishes are coming true from the jump.
They’re letting me create the way I want to and put together my own campaigns that have us up late night, 20%, right? I’ve been focusing mainly on the late night campaigns and we’re already up a significant number in my opinion, and I think we got a really long way to go because I want to drive this thing through the moon.
And for them to just let me have the freedom to create the way I want to create, it’s definitely not only just helping our energy moving forward, but it’s also bringing better numbers to the company, so it’s all flowing the right way. I think wishes are definitely already in play.
Krystal is your introduction to the food industry. How were you approached to become the company’s brand strategist?
Well, I approached Krystal myself online. It was a pure manifestation, go online, pitch my idea. I had this idea called snacks and sides and shakes and fries. Snacks and sides and shakes and fries. Snacks and sides, shakes and fries. Snacks and sides, shakes and fries. Snacks, sides, shakes, and fries.”
You know what I’m saying? Like the mask. And I pitched that online and as corny as that might be to certain people, it worked, and I was just in a very manifestation mindset. Got to 2Chainz, and then from Chainz, it got to the owner and then from the owner, shout out to JC, and it went from JC to giving me a shot.
We shot about a hundred different drops. I did a few hours of radio promo I felt would be strong. And then we shot about five commercials right there in two days. And so after they saw my drive, they understood how hungry I am, not just for food and for the side chick, but also just hungry to create success for brands that I like and that I feel are strong and that are long term. Krystal’s are over 90 years. 90 year business. Even before I was born. And so to give us a shot at just revamping it to 2022 is a major blessing and I won’t let the team down.
You’ve joined Krystal with 2Chainz as the newly appointed head of creative marketing. Tell us some of the conversations you two have had about renovating Krystal’s relevancy?
I think it’s just about freedom to create, freedom to let your creative skills flow through the company.
And so I pitch my ideas, but then they give me a open canvas to just do what I need to do. They’ve seen what we’ve done with my scooter company, with my tech company and how we know how to target audiences that work for the brand. It’s just all about who’s supporting, finding those people and scaling it, but at the same time, trying to find the supporters that haven’t tapped in yet and get them involved without risking the budget going over.
For me, they’ve been letting me have freedom to create my late-night campaign. Again, we’re up 20% late night, and that’s the most important thing is just continuing to build the numbers. And I’m happy that they let me do what I want to do in the beginning because it’s working. It allows me to do more of what I want to do as we continue to grow together.
Well-known for your late nights in the studio. What were some late-night experiences that you were able to adapt to the new campaign?
Well, right now, I’ve been working inside. You see [pointing at Krystal visor], welcome to Krystal’s, how may I help you?
I’ve been working inside the store and so, in LA we don’t have Krystal, so I’m not able to benefit like I would when I’m always in Atlanta. But what you can get now is the prices are real good for late night. $3.99, $4.99, that’s solid when you just want to come grab something to eat and get a nice good hot Side Chik, you know what I mean? That Side Chik, I mean, you know what I mean. Not the side chick, side chick, but the Side Chik, Side Chik from Krystal. But just to grab that value pack at that number is solid.
And I think people are now starting to have fun with it, seeing our campaigns. I mean, we’re flooding it online, we’re flooding it on TV, we’re flooding it on radio. I think we waking people back up. But again, I met a lady that said she used to go to the Krystal drive through in the seventies and that used to be the hangout spot, even besides the club. It was just Krystal outside, all the cars just having a good time. We want to recreate that in a safe environment and see what happens in that world too.
As the new brand strategist, Krystal brings you a new idea, “All right, we pushing the Side Chik with Brittany Renner as the face of the campaign.” What was your initial reaction when you saw it?
I liked it. I like it a lot. I think we’re trying to create this Geico experience in some of the commercials where we’re just playing off of a lot of stuff that people are familiar with and we’re just keeping it like we’re not that serious.
It’s one of those make you laugh, make you think, and then you go and get you some side chicks at Krystal. I think it’s dope. I think it’s dope. I got a few ideas for myself and Brittany, too, that I’m about to put in next week in the email, so hopefully, my ideas stick because I got some funny stuff. But I like it, though. I really like it.
If you could customize your own Krystal combo meal, what would it be?
Well, I mean, you got to have the snacks, sides, shakes and fries, but you got to have a Side Chik too. They say you can’t have your side chick and french fries and shake and eat it too? At Krystal, you could have it all, you know what I mean? Give me the snacks, but then give me the Side Chik, give it to me plain so I can dress it up myself, you know what I mean? I want to mix it in with all my little sauces that I got and then give me the fries and then give me a strawberry and vanilla shake mixed together. You feel me?
Okay. Okay. Now, while enjoying the combo. I have to ask you, what 2Chainz song would you like to play while you’re enjoying your combo?
Well, since it’s the Side Chik campaign, all I want for my birthday is a Side Chik.
Now, it wouldn’t be a Source interview, without asking you about music. What can we expect from you and when can we expect it?
Yeah, I’m doing a “One Wish” anniversary album; it’s called Radiation X. Just all the songs that tapped in on that album. We redid new vocals, melody, “One Wish.” I got Jacquees, I got Tamar Braxton. We did a crazy movie too that’s star-studded with all actors that’s been on all of the big shows. It’s a short film tied into the “One Wish” anniversary project.
And then on another note, we got the big group coming, RSVP, Ray J, Sammie, Bobby Valentino, Pleasure P. Album’s done. We just did our album photo shoot, album cover shoot. Now we going to do the video and we launch it. And this album is a very RnB sexy driven album that’s uncut that I think is definitely missing in the industry right now. I think it has its own lane. And what’s dope about the RSVP thing is that we all just came together and did it. We don’t have a deal. We all put up our money and just spent two months together from the Dominican Republic to L.A. to New York and we did a dope album in Atlanta. That’s the big play coming along with the “One Wish” anniversary project from me.
And lastly, you’ve grown into one of the most successful black entertainers of our generation. How does it feel to become a role model?
Yeah, it’s tough putting myself in a role model position. I feel like I got a lot more work to do as far as to be titled that. But I do want to eventually show people how we do it because it’s totally different from even my mentors or the people that’s at the top spot. The way we’ve climbed through these systems and been able to survive and move the needle forward, it’s a whole different ride. And so, hopefully I can show people how it looks on this side, but I got a lot more work to do. Once I get somewhere past where I’m at now, I would love to run it down.
But again, I’m not a celebrity. I’m an entertainer for sure because in just day to day, I just entertain for fun. But I’m more just a worker, man. I like to just title myself a worker. I’ll never sit in a CEO position or a COO position, even if I founded the company, because I feel like you have to hire the right people to do justice for the company. And so, having experts in these different areas matter. And for me, I’m a just stay strategy, stay finding these companies and if I’m buying it or if I’m coming on board with Krystal, just making sure I do my part and make sure we win…
Because people don’t understand you can be lit. I don’t hide behind my litness, it’s just you can be lit and still get work done all day. You just be lit in the office, be lit in the creative room, instead of wasting your litness out doing nothing. I want people to see how I balance the two and see how it works because then all this stuff that they might think is boring starts to become fun if they could tap into them and just be themselves through the whole process, you get me?
Houston rap legend Scarface celebrated his 52nd birthday with a star studded roast event held at The Astros exclusive lounge at Minute Maid Park.
The private event brought out many of H-town’s familiar faces including Rap-A-Lot CEO J. Prince, Slim Thug,Willie D, Bun B, Wreckshop Records CEO D-Reck, and Comedian Grossman. Comedian Joe Torry, Former NFL Players Adrian Peterson, Andre Johnson, and Terrell Owens, and other guests enjoyed top-tier lite-bites while listening to sounds by Def Jam Blaster.
It was good to see Face in great spirits after becoming ill last year prior to his Kidney Transplant. Scarface’s son, Chris Jordan informed the audience about his Kidney Foundation. During the pandemic, Scarface caught Covid-19 which caused him to have kidney failure. His health began to decline at a rapid level which caused him to need a Kidney Transplant. Chris was a perfect match for his father and provided him with a kidney.
As the celebration progressed, some of Scarface’s friends roasted the legend in front of a crowd of over 300 guests. Laughs filled the room as Joe Torry took the stage and talked about the original Geto Boy.
See the photos below courtesy of Lemon-Lime Light Media/Almeda Hospitality Group.
Houston rap legend Scarface celebrated his 52nd birthday with a star studded roast event held at The Astros exclusive lounge at Minute Maid Park.
The private event brought out many of H-town’s familiar faces including Rap-A-Lot CEO J. Prince, Slim Thug,Willie D, Bun B, Wreckshop Records CEO D-Reck, and Comedian Grossman. Comedian Joe Torry, Former NFL Players Adrian Peterson, Andre Johnson, and Terrell Owens, and other guests enjoyed top-tier lite-bites while listening to sounds by Def Jam Blaster.
It was good to see Face in great spirits after becoming ill last year prior to his Kidney Transplant. Scarface’s son, Chris Jordan informed the audience about his Kidney Foundation. During the pandemic, Scarface caught Covid-19 which caused him to have kidney failure. His health began to decline at a rapid level which caused him to need a Kidney Transplant. Chris was a perfect match for his father and provided him with a kidney.
As the celebration progressed, some of Scarface’s friends roasted the legend in front of a crowd of over 300 guests. Laughs filled the room as Joe Torry took the stage and talked about the original Geto Boy.
See the photos below courtesy of Lemon-Lime Light Media/Almeda Hospitality Group.
With all of the fervor surrounding the cannabis business and marijuana sales from Capitol Hill to company boardrooms, Hip Hop mogul Diddy closed out last week wit h the big announcement that he plans to make a major investment in the legal marijuana game with a $185 million deal to acquire licensed weed businesses in three states.
Diddy’s deal would then create the largest Black-owned cannabis company in the nation, spawning motivation in Black and Brown people to invest and participate more in the cannabis market.
“It’s diabolical,” Combs, 53, told the Wall Street Journal in an interview about his goal of getting into the weed business to help address age-old disparities that have caused Black people to be disproportionately arrested and jailed for marijuana crimes. “How do you lock up communities of people, break down their family structure, their futures, and then legalize it and make sure that those same people don’t get a chance to benefit or resurrect their lives from it?”
Many Black entrepreneurs looking to get into the biz have said they’ve faced stumbling blocks in finding financing, capital and banking services. Black cannabis entrepreneurs currently account for less than 2% of the nation’s marijuana businesses, which employs around 500,000 people.
“Two percent?” Diddy said. “All the years, all the pain, all the incarceration… To me, it was important to do a big deal like this.”
Diddy will begin his takeover by purchasing the cannabis operations of Cresco Labs Inc., which is valued at $1 billion, and Columbia Care Inc., which is valued at $500 million; two of the biggest cannabis companies in the country. The buy-in, which includes a $110 million cash payment and $45 million in debt financing, will give the Bad Boy general nine retail stores and three production facilities in New York, Massachusetts and Illinois, according to a press release announcing the deal.
“My mission has always been to create opportunities for Black entrepreneurs in industries where we’ve traditionally been denied access, and this acquisition provides the immediate scale and impact needed to create a more equitable future in cannabis,” said Combs in a statement. “Owning the entire process, rom growing and manufacturing to marketing, retail, and wholesale distribution, is a historic win for the culture that will allow us to empower diverse leaders throughout the ecosystem and be bold advocates for inclusion.”
The newest collaboration between Dapper Dan, a fashion legend from Harlem, and the global sportswear company PUMA honor their shared history and creative fusion. The PUMA x DAPPER DAN collection’s initial drop will be available exclusively on Kith.com and in Kith stores in the US, Paris, and Tokyo starting today.
The partnership pays homage to the democratization of hip-hop culture by Dapper Dan in the 1980s, a period in which PUMA also became a mainstay in the streetwear industry. The four-piece capsule will feature a wide selection of modernized classics, including the designer’s interpretation of timeless items like the T7 tracksuit, PUMA Clyde sneaker, and embellished t-shirts. Dap designed a unique monogram for the product to give it a distinctively PUMA feel. The line had its runway debut in September during PUMA’s NYFW FUTROGRADE presentation.
Dap says of the collection, “The spiritual magic embodied by the puma as an animal is coming to life in the collaboration between Dapper Dan and the PUMA brand.”
In addition to commemorating the 40th anniversary of the PUMA Clyde, PUMA x DAPPER DAN will release a statement-making version of the classic sneaker with upscale additions like premium leather and jacquard, a molded metal plaque on the heel tab with an embossed co-branded logo, and a leather formstripe adorned with crystal finishings.
DAPPER and PUMA The debut collection by DAN will only be sold at KITH stores and online at www.kith.com for a suggested retail price of $70-$300. This will contain a velour t-shirt, a new graphic Clyde sneaker, and an all-over monogrammed tracksuit studded with rhinestones.
Quality Control’s self proclaimed “Female Goat” Lakeyah announced her ‘No Pressure’ Tour, kicking off November 4 at Hakkasan in Las Vegas, NV.
The U.S. tour will make stops in Detroit, Houston, New York, and Chicago, and will wrap up in Los Angeles on November 30.
The ‘No Pressure’ Tour arrives on the heels of the Milwaukee-born rapper and singer’s explosive run on the festival circuit and the recent release of her No Pressure Part 2 EP, out now via Quality Control Music/Motown Records.
The projects boast breakout singles “Mind Yo Business” feat. Latto and “Real Bitch” feat. Gloss Up.
praying for their families & for a speedy recovery of everyone affected
(@GloTheofficial) March 7, 2023
