On Saturday, August 24, hip hop duo Clipse took the stage at the FREE Pepsi Dig In Day Block Party in Chicago, held at the DuSable Black History Museum. The event marked the fourth year of Pepsi Dig In Day, which celebrates and supports Black-owned restaurants nationwide, bringing the community together for a day of culture and unity.
Attendees enjoyed live music, games, and delicious food from local Black-owned restaurants and businesses. Complimentary dishes were offered, and food trucks from S2 CITY GRILL, Uncle Remus, CHKN Box, Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat, and Lexington Betty Smokehouse served up mouthwatering meals. Guests also shopped from Black-owned vendors like Justice of the Pies, Moore Poppin, and Dat Donut.
Chicago designer Don C highlighted the event, celebrating his new Pepsi x Just Don collection, which fans could win at Pepsi.com.
The day culminated with Clipse (Pusha T and Malice) delivering an electrifying performance ahead of their upcoming reunion album, playing hits like “Grindin,” “Mr. Me Too,” and “What Happened to That Boy.” Other performances included Karrahbooo, Reese Laflare, Rockie Fresh, Jack Freeman, and Adé.
Mary J. Blige and Pepsi announced the second annual Strength Of A Woman festival. The upcoming event will include an all-star lineup with artists such as Busta Rhymes, Summer Walker, and more. Mary J. Blige alongside soft drink company Pepsi announced the dates for the Strength Of A Woman festival and summit for May 11-14 […]
Chloe Bailey struts in her new campaign for Pepsi which borrows from the 1984 American classic, Footloose, created by screenwriter Dean Pitchford. Miss Bailey is a showstopper in her latest Pepsi campaign. The talented singer mirrors singer and songwriter Kenny Loggins’s original song Footloose, coined from the original 1984 classic film. During the ad, the […]
Chloe Bailey struts in her new campaign for Pepsi which borrows from the 1984 American classic, Footloose, created by screenwriter Dean Pitchford. Miss Bailey is a showstopper in her latest Pepsi campaign. The talented singer mirrors singer and songwriter Kenny Loggins’s original song Footloose, coined from the original 1984 classic film. During the ad, the […]
The rainy weather didn’t keep Brooklyn and the rest of the New York from showing up and showing out for the exclusive, black-tie Notorious B.I.G. 50th Birthday Gala. Last weekend, the city’s biggest influencers and tastemakers were all on hand the bring in what would’ve been Biggie’s 50th born day(May 21). Sponsored by Pepsi and put on by the Christopher Wallace Estate, Manhattan’s Guastavino’s was the locale of the prestigious bday bash for the game’s most celebrated emcee, which drew celebs from all facets of urban entertainment.
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B.I.G.’s real friends, family and diehard supporters were in attendance for this second annual event. Everyone impactful in his career was in attendance; from his original Brooklyn family/crew, Lil’ Kim , Lil Cease and Junior M.A.F.I.A., to his extended family in the Hip Hop community, including Fat Joe and Sway Calloway, who conducted Biggie’s last radio interview just four days before he was killed in Los Angeles on March 9, 1997.
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The night began with an exclusive full course dinner while a live band called The Frank White Experience played some of Biggie’s most revered hits, which preceded some of his “Notorious” hits being played in digital format by none other than HOT 97’s DJ Enuff for the capacity crowd to enjoy. A large ice sculpture with the letters “B.I.G.”graced the stairs to the entrance of the upper level gala, where many of the attendees took their “I was there” pics.
Some of the other notables who came through to show Biggie sone Brooklyn love include Biggie’s children T’Yanna and C.J. Wallace, Havoc of Mobb Deep, Smif N’ Wessun, Caesar Emanuel of Black Ink, Karliee Redd of Love And Hip Hop ,Don Pooh, Bri Steeves, Coodie (director of Kanye West’s Jeen-Yus documentary}, Lil Kim’s business partner Alyi V, marketing guru Greg Walker, entertainment attorney/The Source Magazine owner Londell McMillian and countless others.
Performances included a set by Lil Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A., including a “Quiet Storm” cameo with Kim and Havoc. The surprise of the night was watching “Lil Biggie” Christopher “C.J.” Wallace perform his one of his father’s premiere hits, “One More Chance”, as the crowd felt the spirit of Biggie through his only son.
Lil Kim paid tribute to the icon The Notorious B.I.B. in classic New York City form with a star-studded gala presented by Lexus and Pepsi. Last night, May 20th, 2022, the biggest names in hip hop gathered to commemorate Biggie’s 50th birthday. Biggie’s legacy was recognized with a star-studded black-tie gala and concert at Guastavino’s (409 E 59th St, New York, NY 10022), which featured performances of Biggie’s most iconic singles.
Lil’ Kim, Lil’ Cease, Junior M.A.F.I.A., CJ Wallace, T’yanna Wallace, Fat Joe, Havoc, Sway, Smif-N-Wessun, Tek and Steele, Prayah, Ceaser Emanuel of Black Ink Crew, and others gathered to honor the late rapper.
The event honored Biggie, who is widely regarded as the greatest rapper of all time, with performances of his most popular classics. Biggie’s impact to hip hop continues to inspire future generations. His illustrious career has left an indelible mark on mainstream culture. B.I.G. is still alive!
On Biggie Smalls and Lil’ Kim‘s official Instagram sites, as well as Lil Kim’s YouTube channel, fans can get a behind-the-scenes peek at the spectacular event. Culture Creative, a Black-owned Emmy Award-Winning firm, organized the event. Culture Creative’s mission is to link businesses with growing cultural marketing destinations through new and inventive forms of authentic storytelling.
Biggie’s and music industry giants “Don Pooh” Brooklyn Chophouse Times Square hosted the after-party. Around 230 AM, Lil’ Kim, Lil’ Cease, and Junior M.A.F.I.A. arrived, and Brooklyn Chop House fired up the kitchen to serve Lil’ Kim and her team!
In collaboration with Live Nation Urban, Mary J. Blige and Pepsi proudly announce the inaugural “Strength of a Woman Festival and Summit.” Between May 6th and 8th, 2022, the festival will take place in the lively metropolis of Atlanta, GA, with three days dedicated to music, comedy, and community development. The presale begins at 10 a.m. ET on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, and the general on-sale begin at 10 a.m. ET on Thursday, March 10th.
The festival is designed for and by women on Mother’s Day weekend in Atlanta, GA, a hub for creativity and culture. Mary J Blige has dedicated the majority of her career to magnify, empower, and give voice to BIPOC women via the art of music and truth-telling. She is a 9-time Grammy Award-Winning Singer, Songwriter, Actress, Producer, Philanthropist, and Global Superstar. The progression of her life’s mission and purpose is this multi-touchpoint event, which focuses on Music, Wellness, Technology, Beauty, and Financial Literacy.
“The idea for the festival came to us after early listening sessions of my latest album with my family and friends and women in the industry. Each time, the people in the room would share a story, oftentimes of heartbreak or pain, but they always ended with joy and love and how their girlfriends or mom or sister helped them find their voice and strength. We felt like after two years of being inside and having to endure so much, that this was the type of experience that people, especially women, deserved,” said Blige. “I’m so grateful to all of the performers, vendors, and participants for committing themselves to our inaugural event and I am so excited to do this in a city that has been rocking with me since the very beginning of my career. I am proud to create this with my sisters and I look forward to an undeniably beautiful and special experience.”
Blige and her colleagues Nicole Jackson, Vice President of MJB Inc., and Marketing Maven Ashaunna Ayars of The Ayars Agency created the festival. They’ve put together a team of women to run every aspect of the festival, from production to communications, in an attempt that reflects the festival’s mission and vision.
Ayars says, “This festival and summit were created for our friends, mothers,sisters, and the countless women who walk unapologetically in their truth and strength. Being able to bring an experience like this to fruition, especially with a dynamic team of Black women at the helm, is a dream come true. I’ve lived in Atlanta for several years and am thrilled that we’ll be able to give back to a city that has nurtured, supported, and amplified to the global stage so many Black artists and entrepreneurs. We are so grateful for Pepsi’s support in celebrating and honoring women, but also with their commitment via grants for the larger Atlanta creative & entrepreneurial community.”
Due to its reputation as a hotspot for young Black creatives and entrepreneurs, Blige and her collaborators chose Atlanta as the setting for this inaugural event. To ensure participants have the greatest experience possible, the festival has partnered with dozens of local, minority, and female-owned companies and vendors. The festival’s involvement in the local entrepreneurial community, as well as the performers and hosts for the numerous events during the weekend, demonstrate the festival’s affection for Atlanta.
You can see the full lineup for the festival below and learn about all of the events of the weekend here.
The world has been waiting to see what happens next since Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar were announced as the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show performers. Pepsi has released an enormous Halftime Show teaser called “The Call” in collaboration with filmmaker F. Gary Gray in the lead-up to what could be one of the most epic Hip-Hop moments of all time.
Pepsi teamed up with F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton, Friday, The Fate of the Furious) to direct the trailer, which celebrates the cultural significance of all five artists ahead of their historic Pepsi Halftime Show performance. The Call unfolds like a high-octane blockbuster film, inspired by nearly two decades of legendary music videos and tunes, with Dr. Dre, one of our generation’s most recognizable hitmakers and a proud LA local, at the helm. The camera quickly shifts between Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar, highlighting their respective artistic journeys and influences. Dr. Dre, each artist’s buddy and partner, then calls them to gather at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood for what will be the greatest Pepsi concert ever.
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The Call 2 – Pepsi SBLVI Halftime Show Trailer
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“Each time I collaborate with Dre, it seems to mark an important moment in entertainment history, from projects like Friday, Set It Off, Straight Outta Compton, to now the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show,” shared F. Gary Gray. “As a super fan, I consider it an honor and privilege to authentically build and create this moment with five of the most legendary artists in music history. It’s been a blast!”
F. Gary Gray has been the megaphone for culture and hip hop for decades, from groundbreaking music videos to the South-Central cult classic film Friday and the epic N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton. He is the most authentic voice to showcase the journey from the streets of LA to SoFi stadium next month. Adam Blackstone, the omni-talented Emmy-nominated music director and Grammy-winning writer who compiled the legendary compositions “Rap God,” “The Next Episode,” “Family Affair,” “HUMBLE.,” “Still D.R.E.,” and “California Love,” composed the score for “The Call.”
“Now that we are just weeks away from the most anticipated Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show performance of all time, we’re bringing fans closer to the magic of what will certainly be a colossal moment in pop culture history. Given our epic lineup of five superstar talents, we wanted to deliver a cinematic experience that could properly honor each of the artists and celebrate their role in music and culture as they descend upon Los Angeles to deliver a performance for the ages,” said Todd Kaplan, VP of Marketing – Pepsi. “It was critical that we tell this story in an authentic way, so we partnered with the creative genius of both F. Gary Gray and Adam Blackstone to deliver this impactful piece of content. The trailer will be available on our Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show app along with a range of behind the scenes footage, fan giveaways, and so much more to ensure fans continue to get hyped for the show in the coming weeks.”
The good doctor is taking over the Super Bowl and he is bringing some friends. Pepsi, the NFL, and Roc Nation have announced Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, and Kendrick Lamar as the headliners for the Pepsi Super Bowl LVI Halftime Show.
As a part of the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime SHow collaboration, Pepsi and the NFL have also joined together to support the launch of Regional School #1, a magnet high school in South Los Angeles that is set to open for students next fall as part of the LA Unified School District. The high school is based on the nationally recognized USC Iovine and Young Academy, a program founded by Jimmy Iovine and Andre “Dr. Dre” Young, that will offer a unique educational model focused on the theme of Integrated Design, Technology, and Entrepreneurship.
“Artists like Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg were at the forefront of the West Coast hip hop revolution, so to be able to bring them back to LA, where it all began alongside Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar will prove to be an epic, unforgettable celebration of the impact hip hop has today,” said Todd Kaplan, VP of Marketing, Pepsi. “The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show has become a landmark cultural moment, bringing about some of the most iconic performances over the years – from JLo and Shakira to Lady Gaga to The Weeknd – and we are thrilled to bring together such an incredible array of talented, record-breaking musicians to put on a performance for the ages.”
“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,” said Dr. Dre. “I’m grateful to JAY-Z, Roc Nation, the NFL, and Pepsi as well as Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Mary J. Blige and Kendrick Lamar for joining me in what will be an unforgettable cultural moment.”
“On February 13, 2022, at the Super Bowl LVI in Inglewood, CA, in the new SoFi Stadium, Dr. Dre, a musical visionary from Compton, Snoop Dogg, an icon from Long Beach and Kendrick Lamar, a young musical pioneer in his own right, also from Compton, will take center field for a performance of a lifetime, said Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter. “They will be joined by the lyrical genius, Eminem and the timeless Queen, Mary J. Blige. This is the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show. This is history in the making.”
Just a week after dropping his “Save Your Tears” video just weeks before his Super Bowl LV halftime performance, singing sensation The Weeknd appears in one of many famous ads that will come across television screens on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Pepsi-powered commercial features the famed crooner’s music being performed by everyday Americans, including a security guard at a parking area that is jamming so hard, he has to take a second look at The Weeknd to make sure it’s really him.
