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Source: David Berding / Getty / Rudy Gobert
Minnesota Timberwolves big man Rudy Gobert has once again stepped into it. This time, he threw his support behind one of Donald Trump’s heada** picks for his presidential cabinet and is getting roasted for it.
Felon 47, aka Donald Trump, is putting together what is easily one of the worst cabinets in the history of the presidency. His latest pick is Robert Kennedy Jr., a constant promoter of conspiracy theories related to health and vaccine hater, to run the Health and Human Services Department.
While the rest of the country knows just how BAD that is, Gobert took to Elon Musk’s dying platform, X, formerly Twitter, to express his excitement for the failed presidential candidate, landing a job he has no business having, writing in the post, “Let’s go @RobertKennedyJr (praying hands emoji).”
Now, why is this bad, you ask? Well, let’s quickly break it down. The former environmental lawyer turned his attention to public health and wrote numerous books that promoted baseless conspiracy theories, many of them about the use of vaccines, which ironically gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, a subject he also had conspiracy theories about.
Then there are reports about Kennedy Jr’s nonprofit group, the Children’s Health Defense, causing a measles outbreak in American Samoa in 2019 because they believed his nonsense about vaccines, leading to vaccine skepticism, which is on the rise globally and led to the death of 70 people.
You Know It’s Bad When People Actively Root For Draymond Green Against You
Combine the worst Kennedy’s track record and Gobert’s presser incident, which many believe was the catalyst to the NBA shutting down after the pro hooper caught COVID-19; it’s no wonder people are now saying on social media Draymond Green was right for putting him in a chokehold and constantly being a thorn in Gobert’s side.
The backlash to Gobert’s post on X has been epic, and honestly, we wouldn’t be shocked if it made him cry like when he got “snubbed” for participating in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.
On top of that, Minnesota Timberwolves fans and superstar Anthony Edwards might want their overpaid big man to put down his phone and focus on basketball because he’s struggling right now, and the Timberwolves are not looking like the team they were last year.
Granted, the Timberwolves are not the same team from last year, but there were big moves made, with Karl-Anthony Towns being traded to the New York Knicks for Julius Randle, who is off to a great start, while Donte DiVincenzo struggles to fit in on his new team.
Welp.
You can see more reactions to Rudy Gobert celebrating our health going down the drain in the gallery below.
1. We understand Draymond, we understand
4. The timing is immaculate
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Source: Paras Griffin / Getty
There are certain ideas that make you say, “What took so long?,” when they finally come to fruition. Case in point, Pusha T has launched a coffee line called Grindin.
For the sake of those who are very new to this Hip-Hop music thing, the Neptunes-produced “Grindin” was the breakthrough hit of Pusha’s group the Clipse way back in 2002.
Hypebeast reports that Push A Ton is launching his coffee brand with a pop-up shop in Los Angeles this upcoming weekend. Reportedly, Grindin is being touted as this premium, high-caffeine black coffee blend that will be available first at OG LA coffee shop Café Tropical.
Reportedly, and per Hip-Hop marketing in 2024 protocol, the brand launch also includes a capsule collection of apparel. That aspect is being handled in conjunction with Carhartt WIP that includes a limited-edition hoodis, tees and tote bags. Fans who will be attending Tyler, The Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw music festival will be able to get their hands on the merchandise at the event.
Recently, Clipse announced it had signed a new record deal with Def Jam Records, with a new album out…soon? Produced entirely by Pharrell Williams, the new album is titled Let God Sort Em Out.
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Source: Reebok / Reebok
On Tuesday, (Nov. 12) Reebok launched their “Sport Is Everything” campaign that showcases athletes from across the globe to show and prove that sports isn’t defined by one country or place, but is limitless when people from all over the world participate in the games.
Source: Reebok / Reebok
With Reebok continuing to add superstar athletes like Angel Reese to their roster and getting back to basics as they look to once again be part of the big three in sports brand attire, the new campaign aims to remind everyone that we’re all in this together regardless of race, gender or nationality.
The new 60-second spot is narrated by the one and only Tobe Nwigwe and showcases some of Reebok’s most popular athletes and artists such as NFL quarterback Justin Fields, Puerto Rican artist Anuel AA and, of course, WNBA superstar Angel Reese.
Reese expressed her love and support for Reebok’s new initiative and explained why it mattered in today’s day and age. “I love the ‘Sport is Everything’ message because it’s something that resonates with all of us,” said WNBA All-Star in a statement. Angel Reese. “Whether you’re a world-class athlete, gamer, chef, or musician, sport is about anything that excites you—it’s a community we can all share.”
Looks and sounds like a winning message.
Check out Reebok’s “Sport Is Everything” campaign clip below and let us know your thoughts on the message in the comments section.
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Source: YouTube / E!
Everyone’s favorite gangsta rapper, Snoop Dogg, is inviting the world into the world of his daughter Cori “Princess” Broadus and her engagement. But, since it’s a 3-part docuseries that debuts December 5 on E!, you just know it won’t be as easy as just planning a wedding.
Along the way, with Snoop occasionally popping in, fans will get to see Princess deal with wedding planning, engagement drama with he fiancé Wayne Duece and her daddy’s hilarious concerns about her familiarity with ordering alcohol while eating out. We also get a glimpse of unexpected health issues as well as relationship drama that threatens to derail the pending nuptials.
The health scare isn’t manufactured, as back in January, Cori revealed that she suffered a severe stroke. Cori’s support system that includes Snoop, her mother Shante and her brothers Corde and Cordell.
Check out the superteaser for Snoop Dogg’s Fatherhood: Cori and Wayne’s Story below.
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Source: BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club / Photos courtesy of BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club
A pair of streetwear stalwarts, Anti Social Social Club (ASSC) and A BATHING APE (BAPE®), have linked up, once again, for a Fall/Winter 2024 collab.
The good folks at BAPE and ASSC have teamed to brush a rose floral pattern on BAPE’s familiar 1st CAMO print. Also in the collab, is a new SHARK STA sneaker from BAPE and as well as old reliable BAPE STA model.
As for design, the readily recognizable APE HEAD graphic gets combined with also familiar Anti Social Social Club word logo. The 1st CAMO print is throughout the collection, and gets three colorways; yellow, green and pink. They won’t be able to say you’re moving that lowkey rocking these wares in those aforementioned colors. For those who care, there’s also a “special embossed treatment” for “a touch of luxury,” per BAPE and ASSC.
The full Anti Social Social Club & BAPE collection includes the full zip hoodie, tees, accessories and the aforementioned BAPE SHARK STA kicks, which feature black patent leather along with the floral 1st CAMO and an APE HEAD logo on the heel to go with the white laces. There’s also a skate deck and trucker hat, but we can’t co-sign the latter just yet, respectfully.
You can pick up the ASSC x BAPE collection starting October 26 globally at antisocialsocialclub.com, selected BAPE stores and BAPE.COM. Check out some detailed photos below.
Source: BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club / Photos courtesy of BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club
Source: BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club / Photos courtesy of BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club
Source: BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club / Photos courtesy of BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club
Source: BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club / Photos courtesy of BAPE®/Anti Social Social Club
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Source: Marc Piasecki / Getty
Another luxury brand has formally embraced Black excellence. Chanel has announced Lupita Nyong’o as their newest brand ambassador.
As reported by Hypebeast, the Academy Award-winning actress will lend her star power to the French fashion house. In an exclusive statement to Women’s Wear Daily, Lupita explained that the brand has been outfitting her for years. “They were one of my first supporters. I remember wearing them as early as 2013 right when my first film, 12 Years a Slave, came out. And over the years, they’ve often invited me to things and treated me with wonderful hands, and so when they approached me to be an ambassador, I felt very honored,” she said. The New York Times bestselling author added, “of course, this is an important brand, a legacy brand, a historical brand, and I’m happy and very proud to add to that legacy.”
Lupita Nyong’o was born in Mexico City, Mexico, to Kenyan parents. She got her start in Hollywood as a production assistant and made her acting debut in 2008 via the short film East River. Soon after receiving her masters in fine arts from Yale University, she landed her breakout role as Patsey in 12 Years a Slave. Her portrayal won her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture. She would go on to star in several blockbuster films including Black Panther and Us. Last month, she launched her own podcast Mind Your Own, which highlights the stories of Africans.
You can listen to it here.
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Source: Jacopo Raule / Getty
It seems LVMH is looking to increase their portfolio within the luxury apparel sector. The conglomerate has made an investment into Moncler.
As spotted on Hype Beast the French holdings company announced on Thursday, September 26 that they acquired a 10% stake in Remo Ruffini (the investment vehicle controlled by Ruffini Partecipazioni Holding) which owns a direct stake in Moncler. The move will not only increase Double R’s ownership from 15.8% to 18.5%, but also affords LVMH the right to appoint two board seats at Double R. According to Yahoo! News long tenured LVMH executive Antonio “Toni” Belloni will get one of the seats while the other has yet to be announced. Remo Ruffini will remain as Moncler’s CEO and Chairman.
He expressed his enthusiasm in a formal statement. “This partnership reinforces Double R’s position in Moncler and provides the stability needed to execute my vision for the future” he said. “I have long admired Bernard Arnault’s entrepreneurial spirit and unique understanding of the luxury sector, and I am delighted he so clearly supports my long-term ambitions for our Group’s extraordinary brands.”
Bernard Arnault, Chairman and CEO of LVMH, also commented on the agreement. “Moncler has been one of the most significant entrepreneurial success stories in the industry over the past twenty years. Remo Ruffini’s vision and leadership are remarkable and I am delighted to invest in his holding company to reinforce his position as leading shareholder on Moncler and support the independence of the Moncler Group.”
Moncler is an Italian luxury ready to wear apparel company based in Milan. They are most known for their down jackets
Source: @conradclifton / Hip-Hop Wired
Legendary Hip-Hop icons Common and Pete Rock sat down for the latest edition of I Got Questions.
For Common and Pete Rock, their collaborations in the past have been a blessing for Hip-Hop culture. And the public got to see one of their dreams realized as the duo released The Auditorium, Vol. 1 as the summer began. Now, as the two are finishing off their tour in support of the album in New York City this week, HipHopWired got them both to sit down and discuss their careers and partnership in the latest edition of the digital series I Got Questions.
Source: @conradclifton / Hip-Hop Wired
The conversation starts with a bang as Common discusses their first collaboration, the scathing 1996 diss track “The B*tch In You,” which was part of the feud the Chicago rapper had with Ice Cube.
“That was a tough time, but what made you decide to do that beat?” Common asked. “Just being in your house at that time, meeting your moms, and being concerned. Like, calm down,” Pete Rock said with a laugh. At that point, Common revealed that a lot of producers had initially turned him down for that track, surprising Pete. “I know what it’s like to want to get something off your chest,” he replied, as Common agreed and said he’s glad the team up happened and that it’s now a part of Hip-Hop.
Both discussed their first steps into rap, with Common sharing how he started rhyming through his late cousin’s crew in Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as being part of a group with veteran producer No I.D. and opening for Big Daddy Kane and N.W.A. Pete Rock reminisced on when he first met C.L. Smooth in high school and getting signed off the strength of their demo tapes. “That bugs me out to this day,” he said, “because I was just learning how to formulate music, and to get signed off of that by a major label…it was cooking.”
Source: @conradclifton / Hip-Hop Wired
Other gems from the conversation include Common revealing that The Source had planned to do an album full of Unsigned Hype artists like himself including The Notorious B.I.G., Mobb Deep, and Eminem, as well as Pete Rock detailing how he and Nas got together with the help of Large Professor to make the classic “The World Is Yours” track from the Queensbridge MC’s Illmatic.
Check out the entire I Got Questions episode featuring Common and Pete Rock above.
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Source: Matt Jelonek / Getty /Fatman Scoop
The Hip-Hop community suffered a tremendous loss with the tragic passing of Fatman Scoop, and now we are learning what led to his death.
Spotted on HipHopDX per the Los Angeles Times, Connecticut’s Chief Medical Officer has revealed what caused rapper and legendary hypeman Fatman Scoop to collapse during a performance last month.
According to the CMO, Fatman Scoop’s death was caused by “hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,” and it was ruled as caused “naturally.”
Per the Cleveland Clinic, hypertensive heart disease is described as “a long-term condition that develops over many years in people who have high blood pressure. It’s a group of medical problems ― like heart failure and conduction arrhythmias ― that can happen when your high blood pressure (hypertension) is unmanaged.”
The Mayo Clinic defines Atherosclerosis as a “buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque also can burst, leading to a blood clot.”
Fatman Scoop’s Legacy Was Celebrated By His Family & Friends
Fatman Scoop, born Isaac Freeman III, was only 56 years old at the time of his passing. His family issued a statement after he was pronounced dead at the hospital hours later.
“It is with profound sadness and very heavy hearts that we share news of the passing of the legendary and iconic Fatman Scoop,” his family said. “Last night, the world lost a radiant soul, a beacon of light on the stage and in life.”
The statement continues, “Fatman Scoop was not just a world class performer, he was a father, brother, uncle and a friend. He was the laughter in our lives, a constant source of support, unwavering strength, and courage.”
A memorial for the “Put Your Hands Up” crafter was held at the legendary Apollo Theater in Harlem on September 12. Many in the Hip-Hop community came out to pay their respects and honor the late musician’s legacy.
We hope Fatman Scoop’s passing will remind Black and Brown men to take their health seriously.
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Source: Blavity / @blavity
In an exclusive Blavity feature, the cast of the hit series Power Book II: Ghost sat down to discuss the show’s legacy and the bonds they’ve formed during the series.
In 2014, a new show premiered on the Starz network, becoming a fan favorite and changing the landscape of television in the process. That show was Power. Ten years later, its spinoff Power Book II: Ghost has attained the same levels of fan loyalty as its final season is set to begin. The cast members of Power Book II: Ghost sat down for a cover profile story with Blavity and Shadow and Act, and spoke about the journey of the show and how they’ve grown closer as a cast.
Michael Rainey Jr., who plays Tariq St. Patrick, revealed that he had some misgivings about the spinoff before it was officially announced. “When they first told us what it was going to be, [or] when they first told me at least, I was like, ‘No, what are you all thinking? This is not going to work.’” He would expound on his initial thoughts: “I’m not saying that because I didn’t trust Courtney and her writing and stuff. I just know the fans really stand on business, and they was not liking Tariq. So I’m like, ‘I don’t know how it’s going to work.’ But it worked.” It also was bolstered by Gianni Paolo, who plays Brayden Weston, and Alix Lapri, who plays Josefina “Effie” Morales as original Power actors being part of the Book II cast.
The addition of superstar Mary J. Blige to play Monet Tejada, along with The New Edition Story star Woody McClain and LaToya Tonodeo and Lovell Adams-Gray as Lorenzo “Cane” Tejada Jr., Diana Tejada and Dru Tejada respectively filled out the show’s universe and added more depth to the show. The cast also spoke about their closeness on and off set. “Just literally coming to work and looking forward to working with people that I’m super close with, super cool with, and just super comfortable with,” Rainey said. “That, within itself, just makes work so much easier and so much more comfortable.” The legacy is also something they spoke about distinctly and feel proud about as actors of color. “We make changes. We make things happen. So I hope that it continues to influence those that need to be influenced,” Tonodeo stated.
Read the full story right here.