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Kendrick Lamar rocked what many call the best hip-hop concert of the year, and the good vibes kept flowing while filming the “Not Like Us” video in his hometown of Compton this weekend. Via social media, many were able to witness some behind-the-scenes footage featuring Kendrick Lamar in Hub City basking in the glow that carried over from The Pop Out concert.
The momentum that Kendrick Lamar managed to create on the heels of engaging in a war of words with Drake culminated in his hitting the top of the charts with “Not Like Us,” a fiery diss track produced by Mustard and has been fodder for memes, reels, and more.
At last week’s The Pop Out concert in Inglewood, Calif. on Juneteenth, K-Dot brought together several West Coast acts, including his former Top Dawg Entertainment labelmates in ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, and Jay Rock, proving there was no love lost between them.
Further, other mainstays of the greater Los Angeles region were present at the Kia Forum in YG, DJ Hed, Tommy The Clown, Roddy Ricch, Ty Dolla $ign, and more. There were also images of Dot speaking with his former label boss, Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, and TDE’s president Punch.
It was rumored that a video for “Not Like Us” would be shot in Compton over the weekend and now we’ve gotten plenty of footage and reactions online to suggest that all has been confirmed on X, formerly Twitter. The film crew took shots of famous Compton locations such as Tam’s Burgers along with other prime spots.
We’ve got reactions listed below.
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Photo: Getty
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The Game has been one of the more vocal champions of West Coast Hip-Hop but fans couldn’t help but notice he was noticeably absent at Kendrick Lamar‘s concert on Juneteenth. Fans on X are saying that The Game was frozen out of the West Coast show due to his affiliation with K-Dot’s chief rival, Drake.
In the wake of The Pop Out: Ken & Friends Concert, which featured Kendrick Lamar and a large host of his famous pals, the absence of The Game alongside a variety of West Coast acts stood out as a curious moment. While it doesn’t appear that the former Aftermath is bothered by being excluded from the show, fans on X are speculating that the artist born Jayceon Taylor was left off the bill due to his alignment with Drake.
Back in April, Game posted a video of him listening to Drizzy’s “Energy” track which some took to mean he was on the side of the so-called 6 God. In the now-deleted post, fans blasted Game for seemingly going against his fellow Compton native in Lamar although the rapper never publicly chose a side.
Still, the optics of it all have fans believing this is why Game, a capable rapper despite what some might say, was not part of the epic cameo performances that included the likes of YG, TDE mainstays Ab-Soul, Jay Rock, and ScHoolby Q, and others.
On X, the jokes are flying about The Game now appearing on the bill and we’ve got the best we could find below.
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Photo: Getty
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Angela Alsobrooks is preparing to represent the Democratic Party this fall in the upcoming elections for one of Maryland‘s U.S. Senate seats yet is enduring a harrowing event in her home state. A sign featuring Anglea Alsobrooks was defaced in the city of Laurel with racist imagery and police are now investigating.
Angela Alsobrooks, a former state’s attorney for Maryland’s Prince George’s County and also its former county executive, is currently vying for the U.S. Senate against former Republican Party Maryland governor, Larry Hogan.
Maryland, a traditionally Democratic Party-leaning state, handily positioned Alsobrooks against her party rival, Sen. David Trone, en route to earning the right to become just the third Black woman elected to the U.S. Senate. However, unknown forces are looking to dull Alsobrooks’ momentum by defacing a sign.
According to a report from local outlet Fox 5 DC, the perpetrators placed “KKK” symbols on the sign along with placing crosshairs on Alsobrooks’ forehead in the photo. Alsobrooks’ campaign issued a statement to the news station, essentially saying that this brazen attempt to rattle Alsobrooks won’t deter the team’s plans.
“We were made aware of this very unsettling incident, and our paramount concern is Angela’s safety. However, this sort of hateful threat will not deter Angela or her campaign,” read the statement to Fox 5 DC.
Hogan also took to X and posted a statement that hate crimes have no place in the state.
“Hate, threats of violence, and racism must be condemned in the strongest possible terms. They have no place in Maryland,” Hogan wrote, which prompted a flurry of negative replies on not being critical enough of the act.
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Photo: Getty
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Ime Udoka, currently the coach for the Houston Rockets, found his name trending on X this morning (June 18) after his former team, the Boston Celtics, captured their 18th NBA championship on Monday. Because the game is the game, Ime Udoka is getting cooked on the social media network for fumbling the bag and other choice digs as expected.
The Boston Celtics put on a masterclass in basketball efficiency last night, taking out the Dallas Mavericks with ease after getting walloped last Friday on the Mavs’ home court. The team the Celtics put on the floor last night was comprised of players Udoka coached, during his years with the franchise.
As most know, Udoka was suspended by the Celtics organization for the entire 2022-23 season for engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a woman who also worked for the team. Assistant coach Joe Mazzula assumed head coaching duties, leading the team to victory in the 2024 NBA Finals with Jaylen Brown earning the Finals MVP trophy.
Udoka was a beloved coach for the Celtics and got the team to the 2022 NBA Finals, but bumped into a still feisty Golden State Warriors team despite going up 2-1 in the series. It was assumed that the Celtics would eventually reach this level again under his leadership but the controversy proved to be too meddlesome.
Further, Udoka’s relationship with actress Nia Long also suffered an end due to the issues stemming from the relationship with the Celtics employee. If there is one bright spot, Udoka, despite the stain on his name, managed to secure another head coaching gig with Houston, although the team didn’t perform up to the standards befitting of its young and talented core.
On X, formerly Twitter, fans are frying up Ime Udoka as his former team basks in glory. Check out the replies below.
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Donald Trump, America’s top felon, is continuing his presidential campaign by employing some of the same smoke and mirror tactics to attract the Black vote. During a “Blacks For Trump” event in Detroit over the weekend, observers online couldn’t help but notice that there was a significantly high number of white folks in the crowd despite the aims of the rally.
Donald Trump made his way through two campaign events on Saturday (June 15) and from several accounts, one side showed support while the other side was less than enthusiastic.
According to Politico, Trump’s campaign stop at the Turning Point Action conference in downtown Detroit was filled with some of the former president’s loyal flock decked out in the finest of MAGA wear as expected. It was the kind of spectacle Trump relishes and positions him as a larger-than-life character ready to take on the so-called “radical left.”
On the other side of town at the 180 Church, it frankly didn’t appear to be that many Black folks there for Trump although the business mogul somehow managed to get Dr. Ben Carson out of his conservative coffin for a spell to speak to the crowd. From the outlet’s account and those seen online, Trump has a long way in winning over Black voters in the battleground state of Michigan and especially its urban centers.
Seeing through the okie-doke, a heckler at the church event asked Trump about his handling of the COVID-19 situation and also told the presidential hopeful to “drink some bleach” among other comments. Further, attendees didn’t clap for Trump’s anti-immigrant jab about stolen jobs by illegal aliens but did support an attack on “gender ideology.”
Earlier that day, Trump’s campaign team began pushing messaging out for a “Black Americans for Trump” initiative set to launch along with the Juneteenth holiday. The initiative boasted support from prominent Black figures from all walks of life, including beleaguered former Detroit Mayor and fellow felon Kwame Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick most likely did the solid as Trump commuted his sentence.
In response, the campaign team for President Joe Biden released a comment from Detroit Pastor James Perkins who aimed shots at Trump.
“Every time Trump opens his mouth to talk to Black folks, he demonizes us, insults us, and makes empty promises he’ll never keep,” Perkins said.
These efforts may have some effect but slim as Trump lost Wayne County to Biden in the last presidential election. The entire county leans towards the Democratic Party and polls suggest those results will be repeated.
On X, formerly Twitter, folks are reacting to Donald Trump and his struggle “Blacks For Trump” event. See those replies below.
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Photo: Getty
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LL COOL J doesn’t need to prove himself as a rapper as he’s cemented in the annals of Hip-Hop history as one of the culture’s living legends. However, a spark still exists within the Queens star, and his new track “Saturday Night Special” featuring Fat Joe and Rick Ross proves that his comeback promises were not a fluke.
LL COOL J has been teasing his upcoming 14th studio album, The FORCE ((Frequencies of Real Creative Energy), with fellow Queens native Q-Tip executive producing the project.
Produced by Q-Tip, who also shows up on the hook, “Saturday Night Special” displays LL COOL J giving a grim warning about a tough street cat that you shouldn’t cross. Sounding invigorated, LL doesn’t appear to have lost any of the fire that he displayed over the 1980s and 1990s and finds an interesting pocket atop the A Tribe Called Quest legend’s airy production.
Rick Ross takes over for the second verse, sounding comfortable over the soulful boom-bap, and Fat Joe, no stranger to this type of bop, added his flair. Even better, all three MCs stick to the same common theme and each verse has its standout moments among them.
LL’s return to music was a long time coming as it has been over a decade since he’s lost put out a project. Fans were curious to know how LL would sound over Q-Tip’s production and the results are seemingly pleasing even to the most hardened online critics. Of course, there are your requisite detractors but that’s to be expected in the “keyboard kourage” era.
For now, check out the video for “Saturday Night Special” below and keep scrolling to see reactions from X, formerly Twitter.
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6. Can’t win ’em all.
10. This facts.
The beauty of Father’s Day is that it is a time to celebrate the old man who was always in your corner, or just had an ear for you when it was a tough time. Dads are also versatile people and some of them are cannabis enthusiasts or maybe a little curious so we’ve whipped together a handy Father’s Day gift guide for the Canna-Dads out there.Similar to the guides I’ve done before, I’ll mention some cannabis brands we’ve either tried or hope to do so very shortly. I also want to make clear that some of these products have limited availability and I’ll try to add that information in the description.Lastly, I always want to let readers know that cannabis is intended for individuals over the age of 18 and always want to encourage moderation, even if it’s for therapeutic use. At the end of the day, there is a medical component to cannabis that shouldn’t be ignored.The stigma around cannabis is largely moving into the realm of acceptance and as a cannabis user myself, I appreciate that science and data are highlighting the benefits versus putting an emphasis on getting stoned although there isn’t anything wrong with that.For now, enjoy our 2024 Father’s Day Cannabis gift guide, and Happy Father’s Day to you all.
1. 22Red
Source:22Red
22 Red comes from the mind of musician Shavo Odadjian and covers all your cannabis delivery methods via flower, prerolls, vapes, and more. There is also a merch line and other goodies. Only available in Arizona and Nevada for now.
Learn more here.
2. Airgraft
Source:Airgraft
Airgraft takes the art of vaping far more seriously than I’ve ever seen in the industry in my short time covering it. For starters, the pods are uniquely preset and have to be unlocked using a smartphone to scan a QR code and from there, the magic happens. I don’t want to give it away because it’s genuinely cool. Available in California, Ohio, Missouri, and Washington state.
3. Alien Labs
Source:Alien Labs
Founded in 2014 by Ted Lidie, Alien Labs is a brand that leans into a bit of skater and pop culture, but not in the corny way that some do it. With expertly curated strains delivered via edibles, flower, and vapes, live resin, Alien Labs has everything you need to take off to the stars.
Learn more here.
4. Autumn Brands
Source:Autumn Brands
Autumn Brands stands out in a crowded field due to its wellness segment. Not every Dad into cannabis is looking to ingest their medicine. And if Dad has some creaky bones, Autumn Brands has some infused salves that will come to the rescue.
5. Betty’s Eddies Beachtime Betty’s Strawberry Lemonade Chews
Source:Betty’s Eddies
I’ve mentioned Betty’s Eddies in these gift guides before and I always have to share that these are still the best-tasting edibles I’ve experienced. The brand’s latest drop is the Beachtime Betty’s Strawberry Lemonade Chews. Try saying that three times in a row! Available in Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts & Puerto Rico.
Learn more here.
6. Blazy Susan
Source:Blazy Susan
Blazy Susan is the ultimate one-stop shop for the Dad who Dabs or the Papa who Puffs. From rolling trays, papers, dab tools, and vaporizer batteries, Blazy Susan won’t let you down.
7. Breez
Source:Breez
Specializing in infused mints, tinctures, flower, prerolls, and beverages, Breez aims to take the fuss out of choosing your preferred path whether you’re ready to turn up or turn down. Available in California with plans to expand.
Learn more here.
8. Bubby’s Baked
Source:Bubby’s Baked
As a man of a certain age, making infused brownies has always been hit or miss. Either I’m using too much of the good stuff or not enough. Bubby’s Baked takes the guesswork out by creating tasty, well-balanced treats that won’t have Dad too baked, pardon the pun. Available in Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, and Rhode Island.
9. Cookies
Source:Cookies
Cookies is a brand that focuses on the lure of potent strains with flavor and freshness at the top of the list. Berner has created something of an empire with the brand and its new dual-chamber vapes are about giving Dad a 1-2 punch of cannabis he won’t soon forget. They also have a variety of flowers and CBD too. All of it is quality.
10. Connected
Source:Connected
Founded in 2009 by Caleb Counts in California, Connected remains committed to providing quality cannabis options to its customers and stellar collaborations with the likes of Lost Farm. Prerolls, flower jars, and vapes make up the bulk of their inventory and there is plenty of heat to choose from. Check out their new 1G live resin all-in-one vapes too.
Learn more here.
11. CQ
Source:CQ
Some readers may be aware that I cover adult beverages too and sometimes, I want to sip something that isn’t booze. A brand like CQ would be perfect for those who want to sip their cannabis or take a break from alcohol. I also appreciate they have both a high and low-dose offering and are rolling out their new 2oz shots. The high-dose option is only available in select states so check the website.
12. Dazed X Stache Co Update
Source:Dazed X Stache Co
Dazed and Stache Co have been featured in past guides and they’ve got a fly hoodie collaboration along with Stache’s smell-proof bag so you can, ahem, stash your goods.
13. Fable
Source:Fable
The booze-free life isn’t one I’m living just yet but if I do, I’ll be drinking a lot more cannabis. Fable is another brand that’s entering the sippable cannabis space and doing so while bringing something new to the non-alcoholic drinking space. Available for shipping nationwide.
14. GALYNA
Source:GALYNA
The intersection of skincare and cannabis hasn’t been something I’ve examined much in my coverage but GALYNA certainly piqued my interest. The topical application of CBD isn’t new, but the brand is serious about providing benefits using well-researched data and science to bring their product to market.
Learn more here.
15. Gelato
Source:Gelato
Gelato Canna Co. has a product I’ve yet to see on the market with its infused mini-sugar cones. They also have a clever product known as Cookie Crumbs, which is shake and buds from the bottom of the bag. The company also partnered with surfing legend and cinematographer Greg “Geebs” Browning for a brand-new Geebs product line. Available in California and Michigan.
16. G Pen
Source:G Pen
G Pen has, in my opinion, the best budget-friendly dry herb vaporizer I’ve ever used. I’m not big into flower, as I always say in these gift guide roundups, but the Dash makes it easy for folks like me. They also have collaborations with Berner’s Cookies brand, B-Real of Cypress Hill fame and the Dr. Greenthumb brand, and Mike Tyson’s Tyson 2.0 cannabis brand.
Learn more here.
17. Happy Eddie
Source:Happy Eddie
Eddie Osefo is one of the new players in the cannabis scene in the DMV (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) region and is slowly building an empire along with products that match his cool vibe and positive energy. We haven’t tried Happy Eddie yet (shame on us) and we’ll correct that soon.
18. Hippy Feet
Source:Hippy Feet
Switching things up a bit, sometimes your Dad might want to rep the flower of which this gift guide is all about. Hippy Feet, easily one of my favorite brands to cover, has some cannabis crew socks for the Dad who likes to stay lit, literally.
Learn more here.
19. iGrowcan
Source:iGrowcan
With cannabis laws around the nation slowly relaxing, curious Dads who enjoy the plant can now try their hand at growing via the innovative iGrowcan. This looks a lot better than those huge fish tanks disguised as terrariums when we were in college. Not that I know anything about that.
Learn more here.
20. I Love Growing Marijuana (ILGM)
Source:ILGM
I Love Growing Marijuana, or ILGM was founded by Robert Bergman, a marijuana enthusiast who became interested in the growing process. Now, ILGM helps other prospective growers on their journey in growing plants with all the tools and guidance stemming from Bergman’s 25 years of experience.
Learn more here.
21. Insa
Source:Insa
Focusing on the recreational user, INSA covers lots of ground with topicals, flower, tinctures, edibles, and more. I’ve never tried the brand but they literally appear to have every cannabis user’s preference covered. Available in Connecticut, Florida, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
Learn more here.
22. Lavinia
Source:Lavinia
There are just a handful of brands that were wise to link cannabis with physical intimacy but few are doing it on the level of Lavinia. With before and after sex gummies, and infused lubricants, Dad can reciprocate some of the love he received on his special day if you catch our drift. Available only in California.
Learn more here
23. Muha Meds
Source:Muha Meds
Muha Meds specializes in high-potency infused prerolls, vape cartridges, gummies, and concentrates. What I thought was dope was the brand’s verification system because you need to know what you’re ingesting out here. Only available in California and Michigan.
Learn more here.
24. Nature’s Heritage
Source:Nature’s Heritage
I don’t do a lot of flower but Nature’s Heritage could make me a convert. Their infused prerolls are for those who can handle flower with a 25 percent boost of bubble hash. They also have vape pens, concentrates, and Rick Simpson Oil on deck. Available in Maryland and Massachusetts.
Learn more here.
25. OCB Brown Rice Cone Bundles
Source:OCB
OCB has been in the business of rolling papers since 1918 in the country of France and carry a wide selection of papers made of brown rice, rice paper, organic hemp, and other options. They also design practical trays for all of your rolling needs. Seth Rogen, a champion of cannabis, also has a collaboration with OCB known as Houseplant. Get into it.
Learn more here.
26. Puffco Plus
Source:Puffco
Puffco is a mainstay of my cannabis gift guides and for good reason. The brand builds high-quality devices to deliver your cannabis on terms that fit your vibe. Want to get ripped but still feel functional? The Peak Pro is where it’s at. Want to keep it low? The Plus Pen lets Dad get his dabs in while on the move.
27. Silly Nice
Source:x
You’re reading this gift guide on a Black-owned publication so we’re always going to highlight brands that share that story. Making waves all across New York, Silly Nice is Black and veteran-owned, so salute to them for that. On my next trip up north, I’ll be showing my support.
28. Stündenglass
Source:Stündenglass
Those of us of a certain age are familiar with the gravity bong concept. Stündenglass takes that idea and flips it on its head in a good way. This is like the top-of-the-line EV of gravity bongs.
Learn more here.
29. THC Design
Source:THC Design
THC Design proudly grows over 75 strains in sativa, hybrid, and indica expressions, and their product can be found in medical and recreational dispensaries across California. The brand also has prerolls for those who want to get right into the business of things. Learn more here.
30. VESSEL
Source:Vessel
I like to think of VESSEL as an accessory shop for the classy cannabis connoisseur. Of course, luxury options in the cannabis space are on the rise but few can match the product lineup VESSEL has in the market. Pictured is the brand’s Compass Rise, which protects your cart, allows you to store it upright, and looks damn cool.
Learn more here.
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As Rasheed Wallace reportedly said, even the sun shines on a dog’s ass twice a day and Candace Owens is a perfect example of that phrase. Candace Owens was a recent guest on the Piers Morgan Uncensored show and in their discussion, the conservative pundit checked the host on the nature of the Israel-Hamas and the media’s reluctance to refer to the happenings as genocide.
Candace Owens, 35, sat down with Piers Morgan, 59, and the tense discussion surrounding the Isreal-Hamas war turned towards Owens making note of the fact that journalists are seemingly fearful of critiquing Israel’s actions. At one point, Owens included Morgan in that group.
“You too, Piers, seem a little fearful to critique Isreal and coming off as trying to be a little understanding of everything,” Owens said. Morgan, perhaps anticipating this, dodged the assertion. For her part, Owens clearly articulated what the word genocide means and did manage to get Morgan to throw a very soft jab at Israel’s PM, Benjamin Netanyahu.
The 90-minute conversation between Morgan and Owens touched on her leaving The Daily Wire, her political positions, her connection with Ye FKA Kanye West, the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, and much more.
Check out the clip in question below and keep scrolling to see reactions to the Israel-Hamas segment. Also, let’s be clear, we’re not on her side about much of anything. On this point, however, she called it straight and that’s all we’re noting.
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Bad Boys: Ride or Die, the fourth film in the Bad Boys franchise starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, proved that audiences are still locked in with the pair. As a result, fans are saluting Will Smith for bouncing back from the shocking Oscars slap incident with many saying they never intended to abandon him.
Bad Boys: Ride or Die opened to $56 million in box office sales in the United States and an additional $48.6 million globally, bringing the total haul to $104.6 million, according to a report from Variety.
There have been rumblings of the lack of huge hits at the theater. Yet, it appears that by most metrics, the buddy-cop action flick is a huge success and proved that audiences have stuck by Will Smith. While Hollywood seemed set on leaving him behind after he slapped Chris Rock during the live broadcast of the Oscars two years ago, fans are rallying around him like never before.
The film also highlights the comedic and acting talents of Martin Lawrence, who has to continually assure audiences that he’s in good health while proving he’s still got great onscreen chemistry with Smith. Some reports online suggest that Lawrence, playing the straight man, stole many of the scenes.
Smith also witnessed the warm embrace of his fans in person after secretly attending a premiere of Bad Boys: Ride or Die and revealing to attendees he was in the audience with them the entire time. If the early success of the film isn’t an indicator that fans are back on the side of Will Smith, the interactions with those excited fans certainly stand as confirmation.
On Twitter, fans are praising the success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die and Will Smith. Check out the reactions below.
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Stephen A. Smith offered his viewpoints on Will Smith just as the celebrated actor is enjoying some success due to the latest film in the Bad Boys franchise going number over the weekend. Stephen A. Smith, using his podcast platform, believes that Will Smith should address the Black community regarding the slapping incident involving Chris Rock at the Oscars, although it appears the community in question still loves The Fresh Prince.
Via an X reply from The Art of Dialogue page, a clip of Stephen A. Smith went wide with the host opening the clip saying that forgiveness aside, Will owes the Black community an explanation. Smith did go on to add that he doesn’t harbor any hatred towards the Philadelphia native and even said that conversations with Charlie Mack, a longtime friend of the rapper and actor, helped him see the light.
That said, Smith is committed to the idea that enough wasn’t done to ease the minds of the community and that Chris Rock is owed more than what he’s received. As most would know, apologies have long been issued for the Oscars slap, which were inspired by Rock making jokes about Jada Pinkett-Smith’s appearance.
It has been a long climb back to glory for Smith after largely staying out of the public eye before resurfacing and allowing himself to provide content and entertainment to his legion of fans. Alongside Martin Lawrence, the success of Bad Boys: Ride or Die has inspired some people to say it deserves the same sequel-heavy treatment as the Fast & Furious franchise.
Check out the video from Stephen A. Smith regarding the Chris Rock Oscars incident, along with reaction to this latest clip and more, below.
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2. He’s probably not the only person that feels this way but point made.
13. Now that needs addressing.