State Champ Radio celebrity news
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Source: @ludacris / Instagram
This past Saturday (June 22), Ludacris had a scheduled concert in Milwaukee canceled due to bad weather conditions, but being the man that he is, Luda decided to give an impromptu performance at a local market, and we love him for it.
With his team in tow and a huge portable Bluetooth speaker on his person, Ludacris headed down to the 3rd St. Market Hall and surprised shoppers with a free concert that he was more than happy to bestow upon them. With a mic in his hand Luda had everyone in attendance rapping along to “Move B*tch” while they pulled out their camera phones and recorded the memorable moment that they were lucky enough to be a part of.
Taking to Instagram to post the video of his performance, Luda explained the situation writing, “My Show In Milwaukee Got Cancelled Last Night Due To Rain & Thunderstorms But I DEFINITELY Wasn’t Leaving The City Without Touching The People. Shouts to @stevedastoner4149 for the #freeconcert inspiration.”
We’re not sure how many songs he performed, or if this was just a quick one-shot drive-by, but regardless, it was still hella dope. And we’re sure everyone who was there left feeling happy about what they just witnessed.
Check out Ludacris’ free concert below, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section.
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Source: Andrew Chin / Getty
Love him or hate him, 50 Cent has proven over the years to be a helluva business man, and now he’ll be sharing some of his knowledge to the good people of Atlanta this coming August.
According to TMZ, the multi-platinum rapper-turned entrepreneur will be headlining Earn Your Leisure’s Invest Fest in the A where he’ll be giving attendees some insight and information he feels can help them on their way to their first million. Naturally, many won’t have the platform that 50 had before getting into the film and TV industry, but it should still be quite the insightful event.
Per TMZ:
The event is right up 50’s alley … he and attorney Ben Crump recently went to Washington, D.C. in the name of Black entrepreneurship, pushing for minority representation in the alcohol biz … and we’re told he’ll speak to that topic and much more during the annual event.
Even more fittingly, 50 will succeed Diddy, who hosted last year’s Invest Fest, and we all know how “competitive” he’s been with Puff for years, and especially lately … in the wake of the latter’s slew of legal issues.
Earn Your Leisure co-founder Troy Millings tells us 50 represents “the powerful blend of culture and business,” — so, recruiting him for the coveted gig was an easy call.
Rashad Bilal believes 50 will leave attendees with invaluable lessons — “We believe [50’s] insights and experiences will inspire and empower our audience to pursue their own paths to financial freedom.”
Honestly, we wouldn’t be surprised if 50 accepted the invitation just to spite last year’s host, Diddy. Heck, the man’s so petty he might throw a few jabs at the embattled music mogul while sharing his knowledge.
Invest Fest will be going down from Aug. 23 to the Aug. 25 and will feature the likes of T.I., Stephen A. Smith, Monica and Pinky Cole amongst others.
Will you be checking it out? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Live Nation / Live Nation
Lauryn Hill will be back on tour with The Fugees this summer in a new tour honoring her classic first album, which will also feature YG Marley.
On Tuesday (June 25), Ms. Lauryn Hill announced that she was going to head back out on the road as the headliner for the extension of The Miseducation Anniversary Tour, celebrating her standout album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, which has been highly acclaimed since its release in 1998. Joining her for the tour will be her bandmates from The Fugees as well as her son, singer and songwriter, YG Marley. The tour will also feature music from The Fugees’ smash second album, The Score, with the music from Miseducation, which was recently named as the top album on Apple Music’s Best 100 Albums list.
The tour will begin on Aug. 9 in Tampa, Florida. That city was to be next on the previous tour last November before Hill had to cancel the dates due to considerable vocal strain and a doctor’s advisory to rest. The tour will wind through several cities including Atlanta, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Los Angeles and Houston before closing out with four European dates in the United Kingdom and France before the final date on Oct. 22 in Amsterdam. Per the press release, $2 from each ticket sale will go to the MLH Fund which will “benefit a list of local and worldwide organizations benefiting initiatives concerning Mental Health, Women’s Wellness, Community Small Business Development, Education and more throughout the diaspora.”
Those looking to attend The Miseducation Anniversary Tour can purchase tickets beginning on Friday (June 28), at Live Nation’s website. Citi credit card holders can purchase tickets through a presale taking place at 10 a.m. local time through Citi Entertainment. Those with Mastercards in France and the Netherlands can get their tickets early in a presale beginning at 10 a.m. local time on Wednesday (June 26). VIP packages, which can include photo opportunities with the artists as well as premium tickets, are also available at vipnation.com and vipnation.eu.
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Source: Lyvans Boolaky / Getty
Earlier this year Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign were hit with a copyright infringement lawsuit by Donna Summer’s estate for their unauthorized sample of her 1977 hit, “I Feel Love.” But luckily for Ye and Dolla, the issue has been settled and everyone can avoid going to court over the issue.
According to Digital Music News, the issue over Ye and Dolla $ign’s sample of the song on their cut, “Good (Don’t Die),” has officially been put to rest. Interestingly enough, the court documents, which were filed June 20, don’t outline any specifics as to what agreement was reached other than stating that the case itself was “being dismissed with prejudice.” In other words, this case cannot be brought back to court under any circumstances. You have to wonder what led to this final resolution.
Digital Music News reports:
In his lawsuit, Sudano claimed that although the artists sought a clearance request for the use of Summer’s song, they were denied by both the estate and her label, Universal Music Enterprises. Instead, according to Sudano, Ty and Ye “used the song’s iconic melody as the hook for their infringing song and essentially re-recorded almost verbatim key, instantly recognizable portions of “I Feel Love” using a singer soundalike to Summer, with slight changes to the lyrics (also done without permission.”
Ye and his team really got creative trying to get around the copyright infringement didn’t they? Donna Summer’s estate wasn’t the only one to deny Kanye permission to use Summer’s work on his and Ty Dolla $ign’s duo album, Vultures 1, as he found he didn’t quite hold the same weight he did just a few years ago.
Both Nicki Minaj and Ozzy Osbourne confirmed on social media that they refused to authorize samples of their music on the album in the wake of Kanye’s very public descent into antisemitism and hate groups. “West is known as a controversial public figure whose conduct has led numerous brands and business partners to disassociate from him,” Sudano’s lawsuit reads.
Don’t be surprised if more artists (both alive and deceased) deny Kanye permission to sample their work as his MAGA ways have turned off many of his music peers. He might end up with options like Kid Rock and Ted Nugent for his music creations going forward. Just sayin’.
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Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
Rob Stone, the co-founder of the Cornerstone Agency and the Fader magazine, has died according to a social media post. The post shares that Rob Stone succumbed to cancer and kept the diagnosis private to shore up the bond with his family.
Rob Stone was born July 12, 1968, and graduated from the State University of New York at Albany in 1990. From there, Stone entered the music industry and joined SBK Records becoming the now-defunct label’s director of promotion. He then joined EMI, which reportedly owned SBK Records, and became its vice president of promotion. Stone then began working with Arista Records and Clive Davis and worked with several Bad Boy Records artists during that period.
In 1996, Stone co-founded the Cornerstone Agency with Loud Records chief Steve Rifkind, a Manhattan-based marketing firm, and was joined by his childhood friend, Jon Cohen after Rifkind stepped aside. The pair transformed the company of one of the leaders in the branding and music space. In 1999 Stone and Cohen founded the Fader, becoming one of the entertainment industry’s top magazines and digital outlets.
From Rob Stone’s Instagram page:
It is with a heavy heart and sadness we share the news of the passing of Rob Stone. Rob bravely fought cancer over the past year. He chose to keep his diagnosis private in order to focus on his family. He was a truly amazing person who lived an incredible life.
Here is another statement from Joh Cohen:
I will love you forever Rob Stone. Our partnership was incredible. The things we accomplished together we could have never dreamed of doing when we were 15. Yes we did want to kill each other at times but the love and respect we had in building our company for 28 years was special. But way bigger than our success was our friendship. There is no one I loved having at my side more than you. We experienced so much together. I will tell your story and our stories together for the rest of my life. There are so many incredible ones. Thank you for all that you taught me. Thank you for always having my back and thank you for always making me laugh. I will think of you at every Knick game, I will feel your presence every time I hear a Biggie song and laugh with you during every ridiculous NY Jet loss.
Stone was 55.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Timbaland, Elon Musk, Swizz Beatz / Verzuz
Swizz Beatz took to social media to respond to backlash after announcing the Verzuz partnership with Elon Musk and X, formerly Twitter.
On Friday (June 21), Swizz Beatz shared a set of photos in a post on his Instagram account showing himself attending the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity with fellow star producer and artist Timbaland. It was at the festival on Wednesday where he and Timbaland made the surprise announcement of a deal with Elon Musk to release all future content through X, formerly Twitter. The first photo shows the two in t-shirts highlighting the move, with a phrase by Swizz emblazoned on it in cursive, saying, “We will show you better than tell you.” That was repeated in the caption of the post, with Swizz Beatz adding, “Blessings to all” with emojis.
The comments on the Instagram post weren’t as cheerful, as individuals called out the two mega-producers for striking a deal with a polarizing figure such as Musk and announcing the news on Juneteenth. “It’s cool to ‘show us’ but don’t play in our faces and act like folks don’t have a valid reason to question this partnership,” one commenter wrote. “But nobody said anything before we been on that platform since Verzuz started,” Swizz Beatz wrote in response.
Another commenter wasn’t as civil, writing: “It’s crazy how we always have to go and get the oppressor to help us. What did you need #verzuz to do, broadcast from the moon??? Y’all didn’t need that man. Owning something 100% & then having your oppressor have a say in your business is working backward.” Others also pointed out how Swizz needed to be more understanding since returning from the hajj with his family prior to the Cannes Lions Festival.
The post comes after the joint announcement with Timbaland, where the Ruff Ryders CEO spoke effusively about the partnership. “We are beyond thrilled to have found the best partner for Verzuz,” he said in the statement. “Not only are we excited to have Verzuz on X, we’re excited to help X build the biggest entertainment company in the world. I would like to thank Elon Musk, Linda Yaccarino, Brett Weitz, Mitchell Smith and the entire X team for believing in the Verzuz vision. We can’t wait to get to work.”
They both also promised to build “Entertainment Businesses” on X in the future.
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Jonathan Majors still has a harrowing road to redemption in the eyes of some, but part of that upward swing of the arc occurred this past weekend. At the 4th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards, Jonathan Majors tearfully accepted the Perseverance Award while thanking a host of people during his trials.
As seen in The Hollywood Reporter, Jonathan Majors, 34, was honored at the 4th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards. Hollywood Unlocked is the platform founded by media personality Jason Lee. The Impact Awards, also founded by Lee, was hosted this year by Tiffany Haddish and held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. this past Friday (June 21).
Majors was there to receive the Perseverance Award, which an Impact Awards press statement says was to recognize “an individual who has shown that no matter what adversity they face, they will continue to aspire to inspire.”
Taking to the podium, Majors, who attended the event with his romantic partner, Meagan Good, was rendered emotional as he spoke.
From THR:
“I reckon folks want to know about the last year,” Jonathan Majors began at the Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards on Friday, where he was honored with the Perseverance Award, before beginning a tear-filled, 17-minute long speech about his much-publicized trial and misdemeanor conviction for domestic assault in April.
“As a Black man in the criminal justice system, I felt anger, I felt sadness, hurt, surprise. When they snatched me up out of my apartment in handcuffs, I didn’t feel like all that,” the actor said, gesturing to the screen that had just played a highlight reel of his onscreen performances. “I didn’t feel like Jonathan Majors, Mr. Creed, Mr. Kang; I felt like a little scared, weak boy, despite the support and evidence that was in my favor, I knew shit was bad. And it was bad because of who I was and what I am. This is what happens to Black people all too often.”
A video of Jonathan Majors’ speech can be viewed below.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty
It’s been a turbulent few months for Remy Ma, but she is now facing one of the toughest moments a parent can face in their lifetime as her son, Jayson “Jace” Scott, has been arrested and charged with murder.
According to People, the 23-year-old was taken into custody on June 18, along with another suspect as police say both men were involved in the murder of 47-year-old Darius Guillebeaux. Police have charged Jayson Scott with first and second-degree murder, reckless endangerment in the first degree, and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. The second suspect, 22-year-old Richard Swygert, was hit with the same charges for the June 7, 2021 killing.
People reports:
The NYPD told PEOPLE that the 2021 shooting was in Queens. At the time, officers responded to a 911 call of a male shot at the intersection of 148 Street and Rockaway Boulevard on June 7, 2021.
“Upon arrival, officers observed a 47-year-old male, unconscious and unresponsive, with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest,” police said. “EMS responded to the location and transported the victim to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased.”
While Remy Ma herself has remained mum on the arrest, a representative for her did release a statement addressing the issue:
“As many have heard, Remy Ma’s son, Jayson Scott was recently arrested and very serious unfounded allegations have been made. Remy Ma wished to address this situation personally, but has been strongly advised by our office not to say anything publicly – as most people in this situation are, as the case is still active. To be clear, Jayson Scott is innocent and Remy Ma is committed to proving his innocence and fully supporting her child during this time.”
“We stand by Jayson’s innocence and hope the NYPD will conduct a complete and thorough investigation to reveal the truth. This has undoubtedly been a trying time for Remy Ma and her family. While she sincerely appreciates the love and support she has received, we kindly ask that her privacy be respected as their legal team works to prove Jayson’s innocence.”
No word on what led police to identify Scott and Swygert as their suspects.
What do y’all think of Remy Ma’s son being booked for murder? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
Reggaeton icon Don Omar revealed that he received a cancer diagnosis, breaking the news via social media to his fans before sharing that he was “cancer-free” after surgery hours later.
On Monday (June 17), the reggaeton star Don Omar shocked the public when he posted a photo of his wrist, which bore a wristband from a specialty care hospital in Orlando, Florida. The caption, originally in Spanish, said: “Today yes, but tomorrow I won’t have cancer. Good intentions are well received. See you soon,” with the hashtag #f—cancer at the end. There were no further details revealed by the Puerto Rican artist at that time.
The news prompted many to send their well-wishes and other messages of support to Don Omar through social media, including former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres who wrote, “DON! God does not abandon us … ever. God is good … Always. Strength and faith.” The 17-time Billboard Latin Music Award winner went back on social media Tuesday (June 18), to share that he had undergone surgery and was officially cancer-free.
In the caption of the Instagram post where Don Omar is holding up a peace sign while looking at the camera, he wrote: “I woke up today cancer-free and grateful,” he said. “Thank you for your good wishes, prayers and thousands of messages. My surgery was a success now to recover.”
Don Omar is hailed as one of the first to propel reggaeton into a global phenomenon with his first album, The Last Don, in 2003, which featured two of his biggest hits, “Dile” and “Dale Don Dale.” He also appeared in The Fast & Furious movie series as Rico Santos.
The 46-year-old was set to embark on the second part of his Back to Reggatón Tour, with the next date to be in Oakland, California, at the Oakland Arena on Aug. 7. The tour, which will roll through other new cities such as Tampa and San Diego, is set to conclude on the East Coast with a date at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Sept. 14 and the finale at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, Sept.15. It comes on the heels of his recent album, Forever King, which was released last year.
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Source: Bernard Smalls / @PhotosByBeanz83
NLE Choppa is making it clear that he is very accepting. He recently checked a troll over his LGBTQ+ support.
As reported by Blavity, the Memphis, Tennessee, rapper is standing on business when it comes to respecting individuals with different sexual orientations. On Thursday, June 13, he expressed his appreciation on how the LGBTQ+ community have embraced his latest single. “I want to perform Slut Me Out 2 at a pride event in return of the love y’all showed me !!” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. While his sentiment seemed to be genuine he did get a negative response from one user who wrote, “This n***a zesty ass be tweakin.”
The “Shotta Flow” rapper served the troll a very mature reply that confirms he gets it. “I’m secure, I know who I am. Show love it won’t hurt and also You do know women are apart of the LGBTQ community right you gone hate them too ? I mean at the least appreciate the women in that community if everything else make you uncomfortable king.”
NLE Choppa’s response quickly went viral as he received praise for his being accepting. “I swear, this man is not only beautiful on the outside, but on the inside too,” one user wrote while another said, “this is how every rapper should be, but they only worried about their image instead of showing love and not spreading hate”.
You can view the video for NLE Choppa’s “Slut Me Out 2” below.
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