Current Events
Page: 5
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty / Wendell Pierce
Legendary actor Wendell Pierce is excited about the summer, and he should be because he will be in two of the biggest films this year.
The Wire star is the textbook definition of “booked and busy” these days. You can’t turn on your televisions and not see Pierce’s face in one of your favorite television shows.
This summer, the same can be said about the big screen as well. Pierce will star in James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman reboot, which is set to jumpstart Gunn’s newly created DCEU. He also popped up in the trailer for the upcoming Marvel Studios film Thunderbolts*.
Speaking alongside his girlfriend and Power Book III: Raising Kanan co-star, Erika Woods with CASSIUSLife’s Bernard “Beanz” Smalls, Pierce expressed excitement about being a potential summer blockbuster and being in a rare space because he will be in both comic book movie universes.
Pierce Says He’s Looking Forward To This Summer
“I’m looking forward to this summer. It’s going to be a great summer, ” Pierce said to CASSIUSLife. “As an actor, you tried to build a body of work. And while you’re doing it, you’re not conscious of it. You want to build a body of work where you can look back and then appreciate how many different things you did and how diverse and eclectic your body of work is. It shows your range and how one of the things you want to be as a character actor is an actor of character that has the ability to do a multitude of things, and still bring something to it, and it affects people.
Pierce Reveals He Didn’t Realize How Big The Comic Book Movie Universe Was
Pierce continues, “I did not know how big the comic book world and the movie universe world was until I was shooting these movies. And so I’m looking forward to the response. Good and bad, is going to come from all sides. The affinity that people have for the material and the worlds, I really appreciate it. I was not of the world. I wasn’t the comic book guy, but the thing I love about the fandom is the fact that you see the fervor that people have, and if you don’t have it, you’re envious of it.
“You want to be a part of it. It’s infectious. And that’s the thing that I love about it. It’s so infectious that even though I may not have been a part of that fandom, I am drawn to it and now want to know more and to now be a part of that, a small part of that is going to be exciting. And actually it’s been really interesting being in both of the worlds. I’m one of the few rare people who have gotten to be in both, so I’m looking forward to that as well.”
We hope Mr.Pierce keeps that schedule clear, he’s going to be in a lot of comic book movies.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Allen Berezovsky / Getty / Stephen A. Smtih
Stephen A. Smith is getting called out for giving his confrontation with LeBron James uncessarry extra life, and those people may have a point.
It’s been 7 days since LeBron James took time to confront ESPN’s loudest and well paid voice Stephen A. Smith about comments he made about his son, Bronny James, during a timeout, and Smith still is talking about it.
While LeBron James has seemingly moved on, Smith has gone on what many are calling a media tour to talk about the situation. Smith waited till a Monday, March 10 epsiode of First Take and later his podcast the Stephen A. Smith Show to speak about the situation because he felt he needed to after video of LBJ checking him went viral.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter annoucing his decision to address the moment Smith wrote, “I didn’t want to have to address this. I wouldn’t have, either, had it not gone viral. Now I have no choice. @FirstTake first at 10am EST. Then….The Stephen A. Smith Show on YouTube! Some things just have to be said.
Hilariously, James former Cavaliers teammate, Kevin Love, clowned Smith’s reasoning for making the moment he claimed he “didn’t wan’t to have to address,” in a quote response writing, “You have no choice? lol Because it went viral? lol You didn’t want to have to? lol You wouldn’t have? lol.”
Following that, the wannabe politcal pundit has spoken about the situation on Sean Hannity’s FOX News show and on a Thursday episode of the Gilbert Arenas podcast where he described James checking him as “weak,” and “some bulls—.”
Users On X Accuse Stephen A. Smith of Going On A Media Tour About The LeBron Moment
Social media is also laying the virtual smackdown on Stephen A., accusing him of going on a “media tour” after James told him to stop talking about his son.
“Stephen A going on a MEDIA TOUR to complain about being bitched by Lebron is a different type of bitch made,” a user on X wrote about the situation.
He’s got a point.
We hope Stephen A. Smith has gotten it all out of his system because we are all over it.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Kayla Bartkowski / Getty
Democratic Senator Charles Schumer declared that he would vote with Republicans to avoid a federal shutdown, drawing anger from the public.
As the federal government is on the brink of a shutdown, Senate Minority Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer is facing serious backlash from the public and fellow Democrats for declaring he’d vote for a GOP spending bill to keep the government open. In an op-ed for The New York Times, the New York senator explained that his decision didn’t come lightly as he sees a shutdown as a way for President Donald Trump and his ally, tech billionaire Elon Musk to use DOGE to effectively get more control.
“For sure, the Republican bill is a terrible option,” Schumer wrote. “It is deeply partisan. It doesn’t address this country’s needs. But even if the White House says differently, Mr. Trump and Elon Musk want a shutdown. We should not give them one. The risk of allowing the president to take even more power via a government shutdown is a much worse path.” The spending bill to avert a federal shutdown needs 60 votes. The Republicans currently have the majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives, but all Democrats except one – Representative Jared Golden of Maine – voted against the bill. Presently, Schumer and Pennslyvania Senator John Fetterman have openly declared their support for the continuing resolution, while several other Democrats have declared their opposition. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told the press that she was mobilizing other members to push Schumer to change his vote. Other Democrats have also begun to push her to primary Schumer, to which she offered no comment. Nancy Pelosi spoke out against Schumer without naming him in a statement, saying “Democratic senators should listen to the women.”
Schumer’s choice has incurred ire from many on social media who are calling for him to step down from his post as Senate Minority Leader. Columnist Max Kennerly wrote online, They’re not ‘taking one for the team,’ they’re giving up leverage against Republicans so they can give Republicans a blank check to continue doing everything they’ve been doing — including wrecking the country illegally shutting down every part of the federal gov’t they don’t like.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Tierney L. Cross / Getty
Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert attempted to defend her racist attack on Congressman Al Green by asking about “white pimps”, which led social media users to mock her.
Controversial Republican Congresswoman Lauren Boebert has come under fire for doubling down on a racist remark using a curious statement. Boebert zeroed in on Texas Democrat Al Green after his protest of President Donald Trump at the State of the Union address. “Al Green was given multiple opportunities to stand down, to sit down, to behave, to show decorum. And he did not,” Boebert said at the time. “For him to go and shake his pimp cane at President Trump was absolutely abhorrent.” Her comments would lead another Democratic Representative, Chrissy Houlahan, to introduce a resolution condemning Boebert. The Colorado politician expressed surprise in an interview with Grant Stitchfield on the Real America’s Voice Network.
https://x.com/RonFilipkowski/status/1899631976245498035
“To attack me for referencing his cane as a pimp cane, and Grant, I stand by it,” Boebert began, “I have never seen Al Green actually use his cane as a support to walk. I have seen him shake it for years, all throughout the Capitol during any meeting that I’ve ever been present with him in, and if that gold-plated cane isn’t a pimp cane, I don’t know what is.” But she didn’t stop there. “But maybe Hula Hoo is really the racist here. Are only blacks pimps? Is that what I’m hearing? Are there no cisgendered white pimps in America?” As she spoke, the graphics team for the show put up an artist’s rendering of Boebert in a purple fur coat holding a jeweled cane.
Boebert and fellow Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene have a history of being openly disrespectful, including repeatedly heckling President Joe Biden during his State of The Union address in 2022 which led some of their fellow Republicans to criticize their behavior as “unbecoming.” Social media users took immediate notice of her using “white pimps” as a way to justify her remarks, with some bringing up her ejection from a performance of the Beetlejuice musical in 2022 for vaping in the audience and visibly groping her date at the time. Others called her out for being ableist. Bluesky user Boops McGee honed in on that point, writing: “It’s not a pimp cane. It’s a cane. Al Green is a politician who uses a tool to help him walk, just like many of his constituents who are dependent on Medicaid assistance.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Kevin Mazur / Getty
New York City is calling out Mayor Eric Adams to his face. He was recently booed by locals at the reopening event for Planet Hollywood.
As per Page Six, the politician attended the VIP event to celebrate the restaurant returning to Times Square. In the house were the likes of several high profile celebrities including 50 Cent, Arnold Schwarzenegger and his son Patrick, Pete Davidson, Alec Baldwin, Whoopi Goldberg and more. While the aforementioned A-listers received a warm welcome from paparazzi and onlookers alike, Mayor Eric Adams was openly booed by crowds as he walked the red carpet.
According to reports, the jeers were loud enough for anyone in a 10 foot radius to hear, prompting a nearby Uber driver to jump in on the heckling from the comfort of their car. Spies on the scene said Mayor Eric Adams seemed unfazed by taunts and proudly stood at the red carpet entry to get his photographs taken by the press.
Later on that night he took to social media to promote Planet Hollywood’s re-grand opening. “Planet Hollywood is back! It’s a reminder that businesses shuttered by the pandemic still want to return home to the greatest city in the world! While they’re creating jobs and investing $20 million into NYC, we’re welcoming them with a strong local economy and safer streets.”
Back in September, Mayor Eric Adams was charged with bribery and campaign finance offenses. President Donald Trump has since asked that his case be dismissed with prejudice.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: @6ix9ine / Instagram
Uncle Sam is collecting on 6ix9ine’s unpaid tax debt. The IRS has sold his jewelry and more of his personal items at auction for over $500,000.
As per Complex the rapper turned federal informant had many of his prized possessions seized by the government back in April of 2024. According to the agency a raid was exercised on 6ix9ine’s Lake Worth, Florida home for “nonpayment of internal revenue taxes.” During the visit agents took several high ticket items including his diamond jewelry, luxury automobiles, record plaques and more. This week an auction was hosted to sell off the 63 items taken during the haul.
While his signature jewelry pieces eventually went under the hammer it was his music plaques that received the most interest. The certifications were linked to some of his most popular works including his breakout single “Gummo”, “Fefe”, “Gooba” and his Dummy Boy album. “This was the sleeper hit of the auction,” said Jacob Kodner of Market Auctions. “Collectors and fans alike recognized these plaques as irreplaceable pieces of music history.” Most of his possessions were purchased adding up to about $510,000. The only items that did get sold were a pair of cuban link necklaces.
This is not the first time 6ix9ine had his personal belongings sold by the state to make up for his tax debt. Back in July his 2019 Lamborghini Urus and 2017 Bentley Continental GT Speed were sold at a separate auction. 6ix9ine has not publicly commented on the matter.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: WWE / Getty
Lil Yachty expressed his belief that the Black Lives Matter Foundation—not to be confused withe concept of “Black Lives Matter”—is a “scam” while appearing on a recent YouTube show.
Lil Yachty has gone viral due to his expressing a belief that the Black Lives Matter Foundation is fraudulent. The Let’s Start Here rapper was a guest on the recent episode of the Feeding Starving Celebrities show on YouTube. Quen Blackwell, a comedian and social media star, asked Lil Yachty at the 31:51 mark of the interview how much he contributed to charities for the year. “You spent $100,000 on a trip to Disney World once. How much have you spent on charitable causes this year?” Blackwell asked. He struggled to come up with an answer, and Blackwell then suggested, “BLM? Since you want to be so Black power.” Lil Yachty quickly replied, “BLM is a scam.”
“Clip that! Send it to the f*cking news,” Blackwell joked, staring into the camera. “BLM was a—it was literally a scam,” Yachty replied. “They had bought mansions. You wouldn’t know anything about that, ‘cause you don’t care about Black people.” The two then verbally sparred a bit, with Blackwell stating “I’m the most pro-Black person in this room,” to which Lil Yachty responded, “But you have an all-white staff?” Blackwell defended the group, claiming they were “POC.”
Lil Yachty was referencing allegations against the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation of misusing donations it received after it was revealed in 2022 that the foundation purchased a property in the Studio City neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, with an estimated value of $6 million. The six-bedroom and bathroom home with a soundstage and office space was meant to be a compound for Black artists and activists, said Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors in an interview with the Associated Press at the time. “We really wanted to make sure that the global network foundation had an asset that wasn’t just financial resources,” Cullors said. “And we understood that not many Black-led organizations have property. They don’t own their property.”
Cullors, Alicia Garza, and Opal Tometti formed the Black Lives Matter Global Network Foundation in 2013 as an organization with a decentralized network of local chapters. Supporters had criticized the purchase of the home, stating that it could be used as a tool by opponents to force others not to donate to Black-led social justice organizations. Cullors stepped down as the foundation’s executive director in 2021, with Monifa Bandele and Makani Themba stepping in.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: WWE / Getty
A few weeks ago at WWE’s Elimination Chamber event, Travis Scott made his “in-ring” debut where he accidentally injured WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes, with a Southern pimp slap from hell. But that isn’t deterring Scott from continuing to work towards his newfound WWE dreams as he’s gearing up for some future matches.
According to Newsweek, the “SICKO MODE” rapper is officially in training for future WWE events and while his physical degree may lack in comparison to other WWE superstars, Snoop Dogg himself did participate in some wrestling matches over the years, so anything is possible. Looking to really get into the groove of things, AEW’s Swerve Strickland revealed that Travis Scott is apparently training with the legendary Booker T to unlock whatever wrestling skills that Cactus Jack may have in him. And if Scott can at least become a quarter of the wrestler that Booker T was, he might be good for a match or two against someone like Dominik Mysterio.
Per Newsweek:
Booker T owns a wrestling school/promotion, Reality of Wrestling, in Houston, Texas. The top AEW star shared this information during an interview on The Bootleg Kev Podcast, where he was also asked about his thoughts on Scott’s recent involvement in the Cody Rhodes situation.
“That’s a very excited artist who finally got to do his dream, you know what I mean? You’re in there, and you’re in there with the two biggest icons that we have left…that’s ever done it,” he said. “So of course, you’re excited, and you’re with the world champion. So this is the guy that’s gonna be the one for this era moving forward.”
“So that’s a lot of excitement, that’s a lot of pressure, and that’s what happens when you get excited with someone who’s not in our industry. It’s an exciting moment. It’s like, what the hell would we do if a wrestler got on the stage? They would do dumb sh*t too on a concert. But that’s not industry etiquette. So it’s just a crossover thing. He doesn’t know.”
We don’t know if Travis Scott will actually be able to convincingly bodyslam another human being or fly off the top rope and stick the landing. But if Booker T can at least get him to nail his famous “spinaroonie,” we’d be good with that. Just sayin’.
What do y’all think about Travis Scott actually joining the WWE roster as an active wrestler? Do y’all think the man can pull it off? Who would you like to see him go up against? Let us know in the comments section below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Win McNamee / Getty
The U.S. Department of Education announced that it was firing nearly half of its workforce, preparing for a move by President Donald Trump to shut it down entirely.
On Tuesday (March 11), the U.S. Department of Education announced that it was firing 1,315 of its employees, thoroughly impacting the agency responsible for tracking student achievement and managing federal loans for college, in addition to enforcing civil rights in scholastic institutions. It is a significant move toward the goal of shutting down the agency completely (coinciding with another express goal of the conservative group behind Project 2025), although President Donald Trump cannot do that without the approval of Congress.
“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department.”
In addition to those fired, 63 probationary employees were let go last month and 572 employees accepted buyout packages with 300 receiving severance packages worth $25,000. Security guards were seen locking the doors of the Department Of Education’s Washington, D.C., headquarters at the end of the day, as the building would be closed on Wednesday (March 12). The Department of Education will also close regional offices for its Office of Civil Rights in New York City, San Francisco, Dallas and Boston.
McMahon had expressed that other federal departments would be responsible for the handling of areas under the Department of Education—for example, student loans would be handled by the Treasury Department, while civil rights cases (including the backlog of cases related to collegiate protesters under the Biden administration) would be referred to the Department of Justice and cases involving disabled students would be under the purview of the Health and Human Services Department.
“What is clear from the past weeks of mass firings, chaos, and unchecked unprofessionalism is that this regime has no respect for the thousands of workers who have dedicated their careers to serve their fellow Americans,” American Federation of Government Employees Local 252 president Sheria Smith said in a statement about the firings. “We will not stand idly by while this regime pulls the wool over the eyes of the American people.” Other education professionals and advocates noted that the move would increase the costs of higher education.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty
It appears Wendy Williams might be one step closer to gaining unsupervised release. She was taken to a hospital after dropping a note from her assisted living facility.
As per The Huffington Post Wendy Williams took matters into her own hands on Monday, March 10. According to reports she dropped a written note from her window asking the public for aid. “Help! Wendy!!” the piece of paper read. She was then spotted waving her hands to the public and reporters who were on the scene. These tactics proved successful as local police and an ambulance soon arrived at the property located in Midtown Manhattan.
According to The New York Post she was then escorted by lawmen into a vehicle which whisked her away to Lenox Hill Hospital. There medical professionals ran independent tests to examine her cognitive skills. TMZ is exclusively reporting that they have spoken to a source close to the situation and say that Wendy Williams aced the test with a perfect score. While this might be a small win for Wendy those results vary greatly from the assessment made by completed by her guardian.
In 2023 the media personality was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. Wendy Williams is set to appear on The View on Friday, Mar. 14. You can see footage of Wendy Williams being escorted to the hospital below.