celebrity news
Page: 2
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: NurPhoto / Getty
There is no doubting Pharrell Williams had a historic fashion run in 2024. So it is only fitting that GQ Magazine has named him Designer of the Year.
This week, the gentleman’s magazine started to unveil their annual Men of the Year selections. In it, the editorial staff have crowned Skateboard P as the style industry’s number one creative. Shot by Eli Russell Linnetz, GQ captures the “Happy” performer in his top eclectic luxury form. As expected, Pharrell Williams effortlessly pairs items from different Louis Vuitton collections with various vintage pieces resulting in a photoshoot that produces all the feels, ranging from western to military to runaway ready.
Even more note worthy is his interview. Full of “Pharrellisms,” GQ’s Global Editorial Director Will Welch got him to discuss a bevy of topics related to his creative process. During the Q&A, Welch revealed that the Grammy Award winner was working on three different music projects simultaneously with a dedicated engineer to each.
“I had three different rooms for three different artists. That’s the way I like to cook,” Pharrell said. “I like to go from room to room, because one room reminds me that the other room isn’t as hot as I thought it was before I left. Having different rooms going makes you zoom out. Because you zoom in to make it, but then you zoom out to judge whether it’s fire.”
Later on he was asked about his Joopiter platform where he auctioned off many of his signature pieces. When asked if it struck him that Drake purchased his jewelry and then bragged about he simply responded “It didn’t.” When pressed further about Drizzy buying the pricy charms he made it clear he didn’t give it much thought. “I guess some things are not for me to understand. When you let things go, a huge part of it is actually letting go” he explained. “Not just of the physical item, but letting go of your connection to what it’s supposed to mean, or the memory. You’re literally letting them go. That was the purpose.”
You can see Pharrell Williams answer questions from his fans below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Young Thug ain’t been home but a minute and already the OG ATLien is back in the studio looking to give the streets what they’ve been missing since he was taken into custody in 2022.
In a blurry photo that made social media rounds Monday night (Nov. 11), Young Thug was spotted in a studio session with the likes of Future, Lil Baby and the one and only, Travis Scott. While it can be assumed that the foursome was simply kicking it and making up for lost time, many social media users are hoping that this particular session would lead to a “damn banger” as this is a collaboration of mammoth proportions.
Not-so-conspicuously-missing is the likes of Young Thug’s protege, Gunna, who many felt threw Young Thug and YSL under the bus in order to get himself a reduced sentence and out of prison while Thugger remained behind bars to fight the RICO charges against him. Thug even posted a tweet disavowing any connections to Gunna after he was released from prison but ultimately took it down.
While we don’t know if these men actually laid down a track on the night they all linked up in the studio, it will be interesting to see what kind of bars Thugger dropped as part of his release conditions include him refraining from dropping any gangsta music. So it seems like he’ll be walking a tight rope when it comes to his music going forward.
Are y’all looking forward to this possible collaboration? What kind of music are you expecting from Young Thug now that he’s home? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Ethan Miller / Getty
Ray J is claiming that certain celebrities are paying off those victimized by Diddy to keep their names from being revealed.
As Diddy sits in a New York City jail awaiting his criminal trial, more speculation has grown surrounding his alleged sexual assault. And according to Ray J, prominent celebrities are allegedly paying off Diddy’s victims to keep their names clear. The reality television star and R&B artist claimed that he had been “hearing about all these [people] paying victims to keep their name out of” the case on Wednesday (Nov. 13) while being interviewed for TMZ’s documentary, The Downfall of Diddy: Inside the Freak-Offs. The documentary is now airing on the TUBI streaming platform.
https://www.tmz.com/watch/2024-11-11-110824-diddy-promo-ray-j-1926928-929/
“People do catch and kills all day,” Ray J stated as Harvey Levin was interviewing him. “Somebody has the truth, somebody pays you to keep it quiet and hopefully that money that you got paid secures your happiness while you watch the lie continue to succeed.” He described it as A-listers going to those people and saying, “I’ll give you money. Please don’t talk.”
When Levin asked if those scenarios were currently happening, Ray J confirmed it. “They want to talk to me about what happened to them. They call me. They feel like they can trust me. They want to tell me about certain things that happened with them and Diddy,” he said. The 43-year-old would then express some hesitancy about sharing that info. “I don’t even know why I just said it, but I said it,” he added. “So what? They’re gonna be mad. Come get me.”
Ray J’s allegations come as the embattled mogul is housed in the Brooklyn Detention Center after pleading not guilty to federal charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and prostitution. Tony Buzbee, a Texas attorney representing a slew of alleged victims of Diddy, aka Sean Combs, also made a claim to TMZ in October that he sent a letter to several A-list celebrities to talk with them.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: CHRIS DELMAS / Getty
Diddy’s fight for bail continues. His lawyers have submitted a new request and mention that his relationship with Cassie was consensual.
As per E Online, the Bad Boy Entertainment mogul is trying his absolute best to get out on bail. Last week, his representatives filed an additional motion Friday (Nov. 8), asking the presiding judge to reconsider the prior denial of Diddy’s bail due to “changed circumstances” and new evidence. The newly submitted documentation makes it “clear that the government’s case is thin.” His defense also pointed to the infamous footage of Diddy assaulting Cassie in a hotel hallway claiming it’s “a minutes-long glimpse into a complex but decade-long consensual relationship between Mr. Combs and Victim-1.”
This is fourth time the “All About The Benjamin’s” rapper has requested bail. His previous attempts included large monetary offers for collateral and promises that he will not flee the country. On Tuesday (Sept. 17), U.S. Assistant Attorney Emily Johnson referred to the damming footage in her reasoning of why his bail should be denied. “Following a Freak Off at the InterContinental Hotel, the defendant violently assaulted the victim who was trying to leave the hotel room and was walking down the hall to the elevators,” she explained.
“He punched her, he threw her to the ground, he kicked her. He attempted to drag her back to the hotel room, and then later, he threw a vase at her. And it’s after this assault that the coverup started.” Johnson would later argue that this is just one of many incidents where he used his money, fame and power to suppress evidence of his wrongdoings.
Diddy’s trial is set to commence in May 2025.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Jason Sudeikis won’t ever be confused with being a world-class rapper but that doesn’t mean he can’t get his bars off when the time calls for the act. At a recent fundraiser event, Jason Sudeikis rapped Chuck D’s verses from a popular Public Enemy track and was joined onstage by Flavor Flav.
As reported by TMZ Hip Hop, Jason Sudeikis hosted the annual THUNDERGONG charity concert event this past weekend and was captured onstage at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City taking to the stage with a band backing him. Sudeikis chose Public Enemy and Anthrax’s version of “Bring The Noise” and capably did well on the rapping portion of the track. Flavor Flav joined the Ted Lasso star onstage in his familiar hype man role, bringing necessary energy to the performance.
THUNDERGONG is the creation of Jason Sudeikis and Billy Brimblecom who founded the star-studded musical event to raise funds for the Steps of Faith organization which assists uninsured or underinsured amputees and provides care and prosthetics for those individuals. At this year’s THUNDERGONG, Ted Lasso actors Brendan Hunt and Cristo Fernández joined the festivities along with actor Will Forte, who performed a duet of Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go” with musical satirist Weird Al Yankovic.
Check out Jason Sudeikis and Flavor Flav rocking out below.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Denzel Washington has enjoyed a storied career that transfers seamlessly between the big screen and the stage, and he appears to be looking toward the sunset. In a recent interview, Denzel Washington says that director Ryan Coogler is writing him a part for Black Panther 3 and has a clear idea of how he wants to head into his impending retirement from acting.
Denzel Washington, 69, sat down with the Australian show TODAY in support of the upcoming Gladiator II film starring the veteran actor and was joined on the program by costars Pedro Pascal and Connie Neilsen.
The chat opened up with the cast members praising Gladiator film series director Ridley Scott on creating a lavish set that called back to the mighty days of the Roman Empire.
When the conversation turned to delivering a sequel to the beloved original Gladiator film, Washington was asked if he felt any type of pressure in stepping into the massive franchise. In his typically cool fashion, Washington says he embraces this phase of his career especially as he eyes an end to appearing onscreen.
“For me it’s about the filmmakers. Especially at this point in my career, I am only interested in working with the best,” Washington shared. “I don’t know how many more films I’m going to make. It’s probably not that many. I want to do things I haven’t done.”
After stating that bombshell, Washington delivered another toward the end of the junket conversation.
“I played Othello at 22. I am about to play Othello at 70,” Washington added. “After that, I am playing Hannibal. After that, I’ve been talking to Steve McQueen about a film. After that, Ryan Coogler is writing a part for me in the next ‘Black Panther.’ After that, I’m going to do the film ‘Othello.’ After that, I’m going to do King Lear. After that, I’m going to retire.”
The news of Denzel Washington having a role in the upcoming Black Panther sequel had folks expressing excitement on the X social media platform. We’ve got reactions below.
—
Photo: Getty
12. There is always one.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Lil Durk and his ongoing legal woes that led to his arrest are mounting after new information provided additional details connected to an alleged murder-for-hire plot. With the Chicago rapper already facing serious charges, two additional charges were handed down as Lil Durk awaits his fate.
In a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Central District of California last Friday (November 8), it was revealed that Lil Durk, 32, will face two additional charges connected to the brazen 2022 shooting at the Beverly Center shopping mall in Los Angeles.
From the Justice Department’s public relations hub:
Durk Banks, 32, a.k.a. “Lil Durk,” “Blood,” and “Mustafa Abdul Malak,” of Chicago, is charged with one count of conspiracy, one count of use of interstate facilities to commit murder-for-hire resulting in death, and one count of using, carrying, and discharging firearms and a machine gun and possession of such firearms in furtherance of a crime of violence resulting in death.
The indictment adds two felony charges against Banks, who previously was charged via criminal complaint in this case.
The four-count superseding indictment, returned late Thursday, adds Banks as the lead defendant to a previous indictment returned October 17 and charging the following defendants in connection with the August 2022 murder:
The other defendants named in the press release were Kavon London Grant, 28, a.k.a. “Cuz” and “Vonnie,” of Atlanta, Deandre Dontrell Wilson, 33, a.k.a. “DeDe,” of Chicago, Keith Jones, 33, a.k.a. “Flacka,” of Gary, Indiana; David Brian Lindsey, 33, a.k.a. “Browneyez,” of Addison, Illinois; and Asa Houston, 36, a.k.a. “Boogie,” of Chicago.
Lil Durk was arrested while reportedly looking to leave the country on October 17 near Miami International Airport. He was ordered jailed without bond until his transfer to Los Angeles for arraignment. He was charged in the 2022 shooting death of rival Quando Rondo’s cousin, Saviay’a Robinson, aka Lul Pab, in retaliation for the 2020 death of King Von in Atlanta.
Durk and his co-defendants have not entered any pleas.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
As tensions between Young Thug and Gunna seem to have been renewed, DJ Akademiks shares details that potentially explain the situation better.
Since his release, Young Thug has made it clear to former collaborator and Atlanta rapper Gunna that the two aren’t cool, and DJ Akademiks has shed some light on what’s going on behind the scenes. The rapper shared his thoughts on Gunna in a post on X, formerly Twitter, writing: “Gunna stop acting like we friends on the internet. I don’t know you, my guy.” The post has since been deleted.
Akademiks took to X to share his perspective on Young Thug’s post in a thread. “I been told y’all.. Thug told Durk, Baby and a few other rappers that Gunna was no good while he was incarcerated… meaning.. it ain’t no way he can come back out and justify rockin’ wit Gunna when he told n—s not to rock wit Gunna when he was locked,” he wrote.
I been told yall.. Thug told durk baby and a few other rappers that Gunna was no good while he was incarcerated… meaning.. it aint no way he can come back out and justify rockin wit gunna when he told niggas not to rock wit gunna when he was locked.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) November 9, 2024
“Thug originally wanted to Drop on Gunna release date and was gonna have Baby and Durk as features,” DJ Akademiks continued. “Those features didn’t end up on his project but he literally sent the message to them saying ‘I Don’t Fk w that f–k n—a.. and I wanna drop on his date’ … he also didn’t drop on his date.”
Thug originally wanted to Drop on Gunna release date and was gonna have Baby and Durk as features. Those features didn’t end up on his project but he literally sent the message to them saying ‘I Don’t F*ck w that f*ck nigga.. and I wanna drop on his date’ … he also didn’t drop…
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) November 9, 2024
Lastly, the media personality closed out with this thought: “Thug had to carve out communicating w/ Gunna in the plea deal because there is biz still to be done. He has Gunna in contracts that aren’t completed. If he was barred from having any communication with Gunna.. that would have gave Gunna a legal out in trying to get out the deal.”
Thug had to carve out communicating w/ Gunna in the plea deal because there is biz still to be done. He has Gunna in contracts that aren’t completed. If he was barred from having any communication with Gunna.. that would have gave Gunna a legal out in trying to get out the deal.
— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) November 9, 2024
Gunna hasn’t publicly made any comment on the now-deleted post by Young Thug. The explanation could make a lot of sense to those who’ve noted how Lil Baby, Lil Durk, Future, and 21 Savage have kept their distance from him. Young Thug is currently serving a lengthy probationary sentence after being released by Fulton County days ago. He’s been busy working on the community service element, speaking to Emory University students along with his lawyer, Brian Steel, recently.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Timothy Norris / Getty
The list of the 2025 Grammy Awards nominees has been announced, and Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé are among those with the highest amount.
Last Friday (Nov. 8), the Recording Academy announced the list of nominees for the 67th annual Grammy Awards. Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar stood out among the nominated artists, respectively, for their groundbreaking work during the nomination period of September 2023 to August 2024. The reading of the nominees in each category was helmed by CBS Morning’s host Gayle King and comedian Jim Gaffigan, who were joined by previous Grammy winners, which include last year’s Best New Artist winner Victoria Monét, Mark Ronson, and Hayley Williams of Paramore.
Related Stories
The fierce beef between Kendrick Lamar and Drake will be publicly displayed once again as the Compton native’s hit song “Not Like Us” directed at his Canadian rival, was nominated for Song of the Year. It was also one of his two nominations for Best Rap Performance, the other being for his verse on “Like That” from Future and Metro Boomin. Kendrick Lamar has five total nominations, and Drake has none.
Beyoncé leads all artists with 11 nominations across the 94 categories for her Cowboy Carter album, which was released this year. The album primarily has nods in the pop and country music categories, and the number of nominations beats her previous record of 10, which she received in 2009. The nominations also made Beyoncé the most-nominated artist ever in the history of the Grammys, with 99 in total dating back to her first in 2003.
André 3000 has also been nominated for this year’s Grammys for his instrumental album New Blue Sun in the Album of the Year category. Other notable rap figures attaining nominations include Common and Pete Rock for The Auditorium Vol. 1 and Doechii for Alligator Bites Never Heal. Veteran MC Rapsody was also nominated for her song, “Asteroids,” from her critically acclaimed recent release, Please Don’t Cry. The 67th Grammy Awards will air Feb. 2, 2025.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: @JustInMyView / R1 Digital
As we all know Tekashi 6ix9ine is no stranger to jail time, but unfortunately for him, he’s no longer aligned with anybody to throw under the bus to save his own rainbow-colored ass.
According to TMZ, the most famous snitch in Hip-Hop history is once again facing more jail time as he and feds have reached a plea deal after the “Gummo” rapper was booked for violating the terms of his release just last month. While Tekashi has agreed to own up to his transgressions, prosecutors are set to recommend he stay in jail for another 30 days before he undergo another year of supervised release once he completes his bid.
Per TMZ:
During the first 90 days after his incarceration, the feds want Tekashi on home incarceration for 30 days, home detention for the next 30, and on a curfew for the last 30.
After this period, the government says he may travel domestically for work with his probation officer’s approval. The government also recommends he submit to random drug testing.
Worth noting … this is just what the feds are recommending — a judge still hasn’t signed off on the proposed sentence yet.
Given his history of run-ins with the law, we wouldn’t be surprised if the judge overseeing this case agrees to the terms that the Southern District Of New York is proposing.
The news comes on the heels of Tekashi 6ix9ine being booked for performing at Las Vegas without permission from his probation officer. After testing positive for meth and refusing to show up for another drug test, 6ix9ine was arrested and has been locked up since.
The man is doing meth now? He’ll be back in the bing before the year is out. Just sayin’.
What do y’all think of Tekashi 6ix9ine’s latest setback? Let us know in the comments section below.