Current Events
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Source: XXL / XXL
One of the most highly anticipated announcements of the year is here. XXL Magazine has revealed their 2024 Freshman class.
The storied Hip-Hop publication is continuing their yearly tradition of spotlighting new talent. Last week XXL unveiled the 11 rappers chosen as those to watch for the remainder of the year and beyond. Labeled as “Not Like Us” the lineup features artists who are already buzzing due to popular singles. Included are the likes of BossMan Dlow who recently gained national attention with his catchy track “Get In With Me”. Representing New York City is ScarLip who originally went viral in 2022 with her single “Glizzy Gobbler”. Her popularity would really skyrocket with the release of her gritty “This Is New York.”
The 2024 ensemble also shines a much deserved light on some Cash Cobain and his sleeper hit “Fisherrr”. The slow melodic effort has given the New York Drill scene a new lane; “Sexy Drill”. So sexy Ice Spice jumped on the remix further extending the lifeline of the song. Lay Bankz, That Mexican OT, BigXthaPlug, Rich Amiri, Hunxho, 4batz, Maiya The Don and Skilla Baby round out the rest of the list. Southside is the producer slotted to make the beats for the 2024 cyphers.
You can see the promotional trailer for the 2024 XXL Magazine Freshman Class below.
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Source: Fulton County Jail / Fulton County Sheriff’s Office
Donald Trump ally Trevian Kutti denied the deaths of 6 million Jews in the Holocaust in a social media post.
As a co-defendant in the Georgia election interference case of former President Donald Trump, Trevian Kutti has become infamous for her grinning mugshot photograph. But her most recent claim that six million Jewish people did not perish in the Holocaust has shocked many. Kutti made that claim in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“I’ve been to both Dachau and Auschwitz. They could have NEVER ‘ovened’ that many Jews. There weren’t even that many ovens. The number is not 6M. Jews died but it was NOT 6M. If you take a trip, you’ll know that number is a lie. And no, ovens weren’t destroyed,” she wrote, quoting a post that contained a video that was also a denial of the Holocaust.
The backlash was swift as a user responded with a callout referencing Trump’s recent election interference case in New York City: “I mean, you are part of the Trump cult, do we expect anything less from you lot? Ps – he is guilty- 34 counts – take a seat.” Kutti replied, “You are the reason America is broke. Hush,” referencing the poster’s use of the Ukrainian flags in their profile. She then got into an exchange with another commenter who wrote: “Oh man she went full Nazi wow,” to which she replied, “Reading is fundamental.” When challenged, Kutti then stated: “I studied in Germany, speak FLUENT German, AND HAVE READ MEIN KAMPF IN GERMAN. please stay in your place.”
According to data from the United States Holocaust Museum, 2.7 million Jews were killed in gas chambers operated by the Nazis with facilities commonly referred to as “ovens” disposing of those bodies by incineration. Six million Jewish people were estimated to have lost their lives during the Holocaust along with other groups such as the Roma people, ethnic Poles and those with disabilities.
The post is the latest situation involving Kutti, who is currently awaiting trial for her role in the alleged election interference scheme orchestrated by Trump in November 2020 to overturn the results of the presidential election in Georgia. Kutti was indicted along with Trump and 17 others after a two-and-a-half-year investigation. Last December, her attorneys filed a motion to withdraw as her council shortly after she allegedly threatened a witness in the case during an Instagram Live session she was hosting.
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Source: Rolling Stone / Getty / Yungeen Ace
It didn’t take long for Julio Foolio’s death to take an interesting turn.
Rapper Julio Foolio became another victim of senseless gun violence over the weekend when he was shot and killed on his 26th birthday.
Another rapper, Yungeen Ace, threw more fire onto the situation, releasing a new video for an old “diss track” named “Do It, which some believe is aimed at the dead rapper.
In the video, a hooded person can be seen being shot and being relieved of his jewelry.
Per The Vibe, on the song Ace raps:
“Seven days a week, we run this bi**h, we spinnin’/ Any day this week, I bet a ni**a come up missin’/ Ni**a better stay on point (What), he better not be out here slippin’/ Ayy, let’s call his bi**h, these bi**hes up in here/ Ayy, ni**a be tryin’ and sh*t, ni**a be dyin’ and sh*t, uh, uh/ Tell him go free that h* ‘fore Tillie go blam the bi**h, uh, uh.”
In a deleted post on X, formerly Twitter, right after word hit the internet of Julio Foolio’s death, Yungeen Ace wrote, “That boy going back the same day he came in *crying laughing emoji*.”
Yungeen Ace & Julio Foolio’s Beef Timeline
According to The Vibe, the two rappers’ issues stem from a larger beef involving Ace’s crew ATK and Foolio’s crew KTA. Things escalated when Ace appeared on SpinaBenz’s record “Who I Smoke.”
In the song, Ace mentions several of Foolio’s dead associates.
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Foolio quickly responded with “When I See You,” in the song, he featured audio from the news coverage of Ace’s brother’s death.
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Just ridiculous. Of course, the internet is still talking about this sad situation.
Hit the gallery below for those reactions.
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Source: Marc Piasecki / Getty / Elon Musk
The Donald Trump of technology, Elon Musk, is out here making babies like his company drops poorly designed electric vehicles.
Elon Musk is one of the few clowns who believe in the made-up theory that the world is suffering from a depopulation crisis, and apparently, he is out here trying to fix the problem.
According to a Bloomberg report, Musk has another secret child with an executive at his brain implant company, Neuralink.
The woman’s name is Shivon Zilis. According to the report, she is a Neuralink director who reportedly gave birth to the child earlier this year.
This is even more interesting because, according to a court document dug up by Business Insider in 2022, Zilis already has twins with Musk.
If you happen to be keeping count on Elon Musk’s children, the world’s phoniest genius has three children with singer Grimes and six other children from previous relationships. Add the latest three to the bunch, and Musk will have a total of 12 children.
Bruh.
Musk out here acting like he’s the biblical figure Adam or N’Credible seed spreader Nick Canon isn’t because he doesn’t know how to use contraception; according to The Verge, he truly believes that making all of these kids is his attempt at keeping the human population up.
Per The Verge:
On Thursday, Musk reposted a chart that claims Europe is suffering from a “fertility crisis,” saying “civilization may end with a bang or with a whimper (in adult diapers).”
As noted by Bloomberg, Musk has repeated that line several times in the past, including during a 2022 interview with Tucker Carlson and again during an interview at the Milken Institute conference in May. He told Carlson “a collapsing birth rate is the biggest danger civilization faces, by far.” In 2021, Musk’s nonprofit organization donated $10 million to the University of Austin to fund the Population Wellbeing Initiative, a research group that studies the human population.
Elon Musk’s History of Being A Horny Sh*tty Boss
This latest news comes on the heels of Musk being put on blast for his behavior. Multiple reports have accused the Tesla chief of inappropriate conduct at the workplace and with his subordinates.
According to a Wall Street Journal report, a SpaceX Intern later became one of the company’s executives after having a sexual relationship with Musk.
Another employee told Musk nah after he asked her several times to have his children, according to a scathing Wall Street Journal report on his behavior with women.
There’s also that time he propositioned a flight attendant for sex.
Just last week, six former SpaceX employees hit Musk with a lawsuit claiming he “knowingly and purposefully created an unwelcome hostile work environment based upon his conduct of interjecting into the workplace vile sexual photographs, memes, and commentary that demeaned women and/or the LGBTQ+ community.”
Yeah, he’s never beating the he’s more Donald Trump than Tony Stark allegations.
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Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg requested last week that a gag order against Donald Trump remain in place, alluding to the fact several threats have been made against those working on the case. The gag order, which has been in place since April, prevents Trump from issuing threats and attacking witnesses, jurors, court employees, and the relatives of New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan.
As seen in Mediaite, Alvin Bragg requested the extension on Friday, June 21, pointing to an alarming number of threats — 56 to be exact according to a New York Times report — and this comes as Trump is attempting to have the gag order lifted as he continues his presidential campaign.
Bragg and other prosecutors added that while Justice Merchan would not need to enforce the order for witnesses, the other barriers should remain until Trump’s sentencing on July 11. Trump was convicted by a New York jury back in May on 34 felony counts in the hush money trial.
The muzzling of Trump is typically a difficult task as the former president is known for his unfiltered views and bold tone. Trump has had choice words for Bragg, Justice Merchan, and the justice system, citing that his current legal ordeal is politically motivated as he attempts a return to the White House.
Among those threats mentioned above, an employee of Bragg’s office was doxxed with their home address getting leaked online, and two other individuals connected to the case faced bomb threats. Beyond those instances, the Manhattan District Attorney’s office has seen a deluge of emails and phone calls levying all manner of threats.
Trump is stating that the gag order violates his right to free speech and is hoping to have the order lifted as he continues to appeal to his base ahead of the November election. It hasn’t been reported if Justice Merchan will honor the extension request from DA Alvin Bragg or from Donald Trump to lift the order.
We’ve got some reactions from X below.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Patrick Smith / Getty Sha’Carri Richardson
We love a good redemption story. Three years after losing a spot on the U.S. Olympic track team due to outdated doping rules regarding marijuana use, Sha’Carri Richardson will get another opportunity to represent Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Even after getting off to a bad start, Richardson knew she had the race in the bag, ending her race with a resounding victory. Putting an exclamation mark on her “I’m No Back, I’m Better” tour with an impressive 10.71-second sprint in the 100 meters during U.S track trials over the weekend.
Her performance on Saturday cemented her as the fastest woman on the planet. Richardson was also .09 seconds ahead of training partner Melissa Jefferson, the 2022 U.S. champion.
After her win, Richardson spoke about her performance, saying, “I feel honored,” Richardson said. “I feel every chapter I’ve been through in my life prepared me for this moment.”
After easily punching her ticket to the Summer Olympics, Richardson, overwhelmed with emotion, went down on one knee. She also spoke on that moment.
“The emotion was just joy because of the hard work I put in, not just physically on the track, but mentally and emotionally to grow into the mature young lady I am today,” Richardson said.
She also entered the stands to embrace her family in a touching moment.
A Tale of Redemption For Sha’Carri Richardson
Richardson’s redemption has been a pleasure to watch. Only three years ago, we saw her dominate the same race, only to see her lose her chance to compete on the world stage because of a positive marijuana test.
The fallout revealed that Richardson was also struggling with depression while shining a spotlight on the anti-doping agency’s out-of-date rule book.
Salute to Sha’Carri.
You can see reactions to her impressive showing in the gallery below.
2. Love to see it
3. SAY THAT LOUDLY
4. LET’S GO!
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Source: Astrida Valigorsky / Getty / Megan Thee Stallion
Megan Thee Stallion is not missing any opportunities to bless a concert stage this summer.
Fresh off of ripping the stage at Kendrick Lamar’s victory lap, aka the Pop Out Concert, Tyler, the Creator, broke the bad news to his fans on social media that he won’t be performing at Lollapalooza and Outside Lands music festivals.
“i hate saying this but i have to cancel [my performances at] lollapalooza and outside lands. i made a commitment that i can no longer keep, and that bums me out knowing how excited folks were,” the 33-year-old Hip-Hop star told his follers on X, formerly Twitter.
He continued, “i made a commitment that i can no longer keep, and that bums me out knowing how excited folks were. that is not sexy at all. please please forgive me or call me names when you see me in person. love.”
As for the reasoning for the pullout, the Chicago music festival said, “Tyler, the Creator will not be able to perform this year,” while Outside Lands claims he can no longer perform due “to personal reasons.”
Those excited to see the “Yonkers” crafter this year, Lollapalooza and Outside Lands, are understandably disappointed in the news.
Lollapalooza & Outside Lands Wasted No Time Finding Replacements
But both Lollapalooza and Outside Lands didn’t waste any time filling in the massive void Tyler, the Creator left.
Megan Thee Stallion, currently twerking across the country with GloRilla on her Hot Girl Summer tour, will fill in for Tyler at Lollapalooza while Sabrina Carpenter takes his spot at Outside Lands.
Thee Stallion also just performed at Bonnaroo in Tennessee.
While it may seem like summer concerts and music festivals aren’t as popular as they used to be, ask folks like Jennifer Lopez, who had to put their tours on ice; Megan Thee Stallion is currently living her best tour life.
We love to see it.
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Source: Stacy Revere / Getty
Baseball legend Reggie Jackson recalled the shocking instances of racism that he endured in Alabama during an interview.
On Thursday (June 20), Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson was being interviewed by the Fox Sports broadcast crew covering the game between the San Francisco Giants and the St. Louis Cardinals at the historic Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama honoring Negro League Baseball. Alex Rodriguez, the former New York Yankees star player, asked Jackson what it was like being back there. Jackson, who’d go on to greatness as a power-hitting fielder for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees, started with the minor-league Birmingham A’s who played at Rickwood in 1967.
“Alex, when people ask me a question like that, it’s like, coming back here is not easy,” Jackson replied. “The racism that I played here, when I played here, the difficulty of going through different places where we traveled — fortunately, I had a manager and I had players on the team that helped me get through it. But I wouldn’t wish it on anybody.” The crew went quiet
as Jackson continued: “People said to me today — I spoke and they said, ‘You think you’re a better person, you think you won when you played here and conquered?’ I said, you know, I would never want to do it again.”
“I walked into restaurants and they would point at me and say, the n—– can’t eat here. I would go to a hotel and they say, the n—– can’t stay here,” the legend known as “Mr. October” said, the emotions from that time vivid in his face. “I walked into restaurants and they would point at me and say, the n—– can’t eat here. I would go to a hotel and they say, the n—– can’t stay here. We went to Charlie Finley’s country club for a welcome-home dinner, and they pointed me out with the N-word. ‘He can’t come in here.’ Finley marched the whole team out, finally they let me in there, he said, ‘We’re going to go the diner and eat hamburgers. We’ll go where we’re wanted.” Reggie Jackson would go on to thank his Birmingham A’s manager, Johnny McNamara, and teammates Rollie Fingers, Dave Duncan, and Joe Rudi who with his wife Sharon gave Jackson a place to stay – until racists threatened to “burn our apartment complex down unless I got out.”
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Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Vice President Kamala Harris took part in a panel discussion with Quavo at an event honoring Takeoff in Atlanta, Georgia.
On Tuesday (June 18), Vice President Kamala Harris joined Quavo for an event honoring the life of the late Migos member Takeoff in Atlanta, Georgia. The inaugural Rocker Foundation Summit was also attended by Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens who declared it “Takeoff Day” on what would’ve been his 30th birthday. The event was held at the Carter Center and included a “fireside chat” between the rapper and Vice President Harris among other discussions throughout the day.
The chat was moderated by Gregory Jackson, Jr., the Special Assistant to the President and Deputy of The Office of Gun Violence Prevention, and follows a landmark meeting between the two last year.
“I’m a victim — [but] I got a second chance,” Quavo said during the talk which focused on community violence intervention and the importance of youth support systems. “When I saw [Takeoff] laying there, I felt like I saw me laying there. So when I’m doing something like the Rocket Foundation, I just wanted to uplift his legacy and keep his name alive. That’s why we are here.” At one point, Vice President Harris addressed Quavo and the panel: “To translate that pain and grief into something that is about creating strength and empowerment in the community — including our young — is pretty extraordinary. You have chosen to use your celebrity and the gifts you have as an artist to talk about and actually work on with action. You are an incredible leader — a national leader on this.”
Ms. Davenport, also known as “Mama Rocket”, was overcome with emotion as she got to address those gathered, expressing how “incredibly proud” she was. “I miss my son everyday and wish he was still here on this earth.” Programs launched by the Rocket Foundation include the Sparks Grant program, an initiative aiding community organizations fighting gun violence. The program will direct $100,000 in funding toward their efforts. “I feel like a lot of people just announce foundations and keep it moving for nonprofit purposes or even financial issues,” Quavo said. “But I’m on the ground. I’m actually working. We’re getting things done. We’re getting results. We’re raising real money. We’re going down into the real communities where the problem has been an issue.”
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Source: ROBERTO SCHMIDT / Getty
It feels like just a few months ago that Nelly and Ashanti announced their engagement along with Ashanti’s pregnancy—and that’s because it was, in fact, just a few months ago. The “Hot In Here” rapper and the “Rock Wit U” singer announced their engagement in April of this year, which is why some might find it surprising that the celebrity couple was actually married—in December of last year.
That’s right, documents obtained by PEOPLE show Nelly and Ashanti actually jumped the broom on Dec. 27, 2023.
Yeah—y’all got some ‘splaining to do.
Nah, it makes sense that the couple might have wanted to keep their marriage out of the public eye while it was happening. Even iconic R&B and rap artists have a right to privacy when they really need to exercise it. And considering that the 49-year-old and the 43-year-old first started dating in the early 2000s before breaking up in 2013 and rekindling that flame a full decade later, it would make sense if they just wanted to sit back and enjoy their union post-limelight.
Anyway, when Ashanti recently sat down for an interview with Entertainment Tonight, she still didn’t talk about her marriage that already happened, but she did discuss the “beautiful, intimate moment” when Nelly proposed to her, and she talked a lot about celebrating Mother’s Day for the first time.
From PEOPLE:
In May, Ashanti celebrated her first Mother’s Day as an expecting mother, sharing the festivities on Instagram. In the photos, she posed with Nelly and other family members cradling her bump and smiling.
“This Mother’s Day was so special,” Ashanti captioned the post. “Having our families together as we are about to embark on such an incredible journey was amazing. Wishing all of the amazing Moms and Moms to be a beautiful Mother’s Day…!!!! 😆😆😆😆❤️🙏🏽🥳 #grateful 🙏🏽🥰”
She added: “Yeah yeah I know I’m late… it was so much food I got distracted 🤣🤣 Ps… I only had 1 plate tho 🤣🤣👀”
Congratulations to Nelly and Ashanti on your marriage and your soon-to-come bundle of joy! We wish you continued happiness.