GALLERY
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Martha Stewart is one of the most beloved famous figures in the world due to her many business interests as it relates to home goods, cooking, and entertainment. Also known as one of Snoop Dogg‘s best buds, fans of Martha Stewart were alarmed by an X trending topic reading “RIP Martha” but it appears that Stewart is just fine.
On Monday (December 4), the trending topic “RIP Martha” took hold on X, formerly known as Twitter, and it was immediately assumed that it was about Stewart, who turned 82 this year. As a result, fans have been online thanking their lucky stars that the Martha in question was not Ms. Stewart. That said, that hasn’t stopped the mountain of replies we’ve seen so far.
We did some digging and discovered that the Martha folks are sending off to glory is Martha Zolanski, one of the alter-egos of Nicki Minaj and the mother of the Roman Zolanski character. This “funeral” for Martha Zolanski took place in an X Spaces chat, which a portion of can be heard below.
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Photo: Getty
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Boosie Badazz might be the first rapper to be told to “get over it” after someone blatantly stole his lyrics and hook for a song. After Rod Wave recorded and released the track “Long Journey” without giving Boosie any writing or publishing credit, the Lousiana rapper says he’s ready to get litigious with his younger peer.
In recent Instagram Live videos, Boosie Badazz explained that he and Rod Wave did try to work things out behind the scenes over the track “Long Journey,” which appears on Wave’s Nostalgia album. The track shares the same name as Boosie’s 2010 track and has the same chorus.
In one video, Boosie says he would’ve called off the suit for $200,000 and 25% in royalties going forward but Wave tried to talk Boosie down on the cost according to his account. Boosie also raised a fair point in saying that the use of the track and him speaking out from a legal standpoint made fans, quote, “choose sides.”
In another video, Boosie shares that he doesn’t own 100% of “Long Journey” but he does have songwriting and publishing credits on the track and just wants his fair share. The video below displays Boosie’s side of things.
The pushback from fans without law degrees is that they’re framing Boosie Badazz as trying to shake down Rod Wave for money he doesn’t deserve. Further, some are speculating that the label that put out Boosie’s “Long Journey” track might be pulling a fast one but that doesn’t explain if Wave and his producers actually cleared and paid for the use of the song and hook.
Check out some reactions from X, formerly known as Twitter, below.
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Photo: Todd Kirkland / Getty
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Ari Lennox comes across as one of the sweetest souls on the planet so we’re not understanding why someone would provoke her to anger by disrupting her set. During a performance, Ari Lennox had a water bottle tossed in her direction, prompting her to cuss out the person.
Ari Lennox is currently on tour with Rod Wave, and it can be assumed that the video footage going viral online at the moment was from one of the tour stops, although we’re not completely sure of the date. As it stands, Lennox, 32, was onstage in the middle of a song when a water bottle came crashing down in front of her.
Lennox immediately paused her set as security rushed to the stage to find the culprit, but the singer had plenty to say to the tosser in a very eloquent fashion. The tongue-lashing was, in a word, exquisite and very much passionate, with fans online noting that the DMV native went back to her roots.
We’ve seen before how fans tossing water at performers can work out negatively in their favor so we’re not sure what kind of moment the fan was having that they saw fit to do something that is sort of high-key dangerous. What if she tripped over the bottle and her herself, or what if it hit her in the face? All kinds of things could’ve gone wrong.
On X, formerly Twitter, Ari Lennox is seeing her name trend as the video of the moment continues to go wide. We’ve got the best reactions below.
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Photo: Getty
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The Golden State Warriors and the Sacramento Kings locked horns for a thrilling NBA In-Season Tournament contest that appeared to be all but handled by the visiting Bay Area squad. However, the Kings took care of business on their home court and won the game while eliminating the Warriors from tournament play and advancing.
The first half of the contest on Tuesday (November 28) saw the Warriors, led by Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson’s scoring, go up big on the Kings and looked to be cruising to an easy win and advancing to the knockout round of the tournament. However, the second half saw an offensive explosion from Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, who the Warriors couldn’t seem to stop.
There were also a number of careless turnovers due to errant passing by the Warriors. that led to fast-break opportunities for the Kings. The game was also the return of Draymond Green after a five-game suspension for slapping a rear-naked choke onto Rudy Gobert during an on-court altercation.
De’Aaron Fox led all Kings scorers with 29 and was equally unstoppable down the stretch. Fox and Huerter’s burst in the second half was timely as Kings big man Domantas Sabonis only contributed 9 points.
The story of the game and the topic of discussion online was the play of Stephen Curry, who also scored 29 points but made just 4 of 12 three-point attempts, including some way outside the arc while heavily guarded. This has led to some calling the Warriors’ loss a choke job online. We’ve got some of those reactions to the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings game below.
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Photo: Lachlan Cunningham / Getty
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Young Thug and his legal team delivered opening statements on Tuesday (November 28), with an attorney telling the court that the rapper’s lyrics are not evidence of crimes. Instead, the lawyer argued that the music told stories about the rough upbringing Young Thug experienced in the streets of Atlanta and not that of an assumed crime lord.
The RICO trial brought by the state of Georgia against Young Thug and over two dozeon other defendants connected to the alleged street operation YSL opened on Monday (November 27) with prosecutors stating that the rapper, born Jeffrey Williams, was the mastermind of a criminal organization.
As seen in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, attorney Brian Steel pushed back at the assertion that Thug’s success was tied to street crimes instead of his successful music career. Framing Thug’s humble upbringing in an Atlanta housing project as one of 11 children, Steel says that the music the rapper would go on to make was nothing more than him unpacking the things he saw as a young person.
Steel’s statements contrasted with those made by Fulton County’s chief deputy district attorney, Adriane Love, who referred to Young Thug under another name: King Slime. Love stated that as King Slime, Thug directed the YSL gang that, quote, “moved like a pack” under his leadership.
Judge Ural Glanville granted prosecutors passage to use 17 sets of lyrics from Thug in the trial to prove their case. Steel argues that the use of the lyrics is nothing more than artistic expression and a violation of free speech.
On X, formerly Twitter, fans are reacting to Young Thug and his current ordeal. Check out those replies below.
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Photo: Getty
Now that Thanksgiving is back around, families and friends are gathering for some good eats, drinks, and sports. For those of us who like to partake of cannabis, we’d love it if you would check out our very first cannabis-themed gift guide for Turkey Day.I wasn’t able to get this guide up earlier in the week in order to help the readers prepare but we’re looking at the long game here as Thanksgiving leads into the weekend. Also, depending on what style of cannabis you consume and the method, the leftovers will come in quite handy.What I enjoyed the most about compiling this guide was the variety of ways to experience the vast wide world of cannabis. Speaking for myself, I use cannabis chiefly for its therapeutic benefits and not for leisure but there’s nothing wrong with adults looking for a natural way to unwind from the stresses of their day.From topical applications, infused drinks, and powders that can be added to all kinds of foods, flower, vaporizers, concentrates, and beyond, there is something for every kind of cannabis enthusiast below.I’m fairly new to covering this growing industry and I’m excited to see how the innovative minds behind these companies expand their wares. I want to thank everyone for allowing me the opportunity to share your products with our audience. We’re very, ahem, “dank-ful.”Check out Hip-Hop Wired’s Thanksgiving Weekend cannabis gift guide below.
1. A Golden State
Source:A Golden State
A Golden State was founded under the shadow of the Cascade Mountains and specializes in flower of exceptional quality. The plants grown by A Golden State use snowmelt water from Mount Shasta, just to let you all know how official their stuff is.
Learn more here.
2. Alchemy Naturals x Sleep
Source:Alchemy Naturals
I’ve featured Alchemy Naturals in past guides and while I haven’t tried out their THC gummies, I can vouch for the CBD version.
Learn more here.
3. Betty’s Eddies Sweater Weather Fruit Chews
Source:Betty’s Eddies
Not going to mince words here. I’ve been chomping on Betty’s Eddies for a while now since they’re available in Maryland. The brand creates some of the tastiest edibles in the game with various selections for the desired effect.
Learn more here.
4. Big Island Grown
Source:Big Island Grown
Big Island Grown is a brand that prides itself in being homegrown and perfected under the sunny skies and within the pristine soil of Hawaii. A heads up: the company only serves medical patients and visitors from outside the islands are able to purchase products under a special program. The company offers flowers, edibles, and more.
Learn more here.
5. Blazy Susan X Grateful Dead
Source:Blazy Susan X Grateful Dead
Blazy Susan is one of my favorite brands when it comes to rolling papers and accessories, and they’re rolling out a new collaboration with The Grateful Dead. So to all the Deadheads out there, this is your time to shine.
Learn more here.
6. Bubby’s Baked
Source:Bubby’s Baked
Bubby’s Baked is a welcome addition to the edibles space, which usually is just gummies or hard candies. With a manageable dose in a sweet treat, these are some of the best edibles around. Only available in Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Puerto Rico for now.
Learn more here.
7. Budwell
Source:Budwell
The one-hitter might not be in style amongst modern cannabis users but they still have a large audience. Budwell is one of the leaders in the space and their Buddy pipe is part of a new collection launch known as 199X.
Learn more here.
8. Cali Sober
Source:Cali Sober
Cali Sober bills itself as the “totally legal THC mocktail” and it achieves this distinction by using hemp-derived THC while keeping under the legal weight. It’s not meant to get you super buzzed but instead, it’s an alternative to hard seltzers and infused drinks. The company is aiming to launch nationwide and we’re excited to see what’s next.
Learn more here.
9. Clarity CBD Caps
Source:Cookies
Cookies aren’t just about high-end flower, they also dabble in the CBD space too. The company’s Caps line offers functional CBD capsules along with mushrooms that help promote the desired effect of getting things done in the day to laying it down for the night.
Learn more here.
10. Cookies X That Badu
Source:That Badu
Cookies, the brand founded by rapper and entrepreneur Berner, partnered with the talented Erykah Badu for her That Badu line. That Badu’s Black Magic tea is a daytime blend boosted with mushrooms and contains caffeine. We’re interested.
Learn more here.
11. Countdown
Source:Countdown
Infused beverages are a category seeing exceptional growth and Countdown is emerging as a brand to watch. Available in eight states, Countdown offers an alternative method of consumption for folks looking to get their medicine.
Learn more here.
12. Dizzies
Source:Dizzies
Dizzies is a brand that’s new to us and their approach to cannabis is to boost its products with a touch of flavor. That includes infused flower, soda pop-styled gummies, and infused flavor-filled pre-rolls. The products are not yet widely available. Fingers crossed to hoping they get some nationwide love.
Learn more here.
13. dompen x Evol x Future
Source:other
We’re new to dompen but they’ve collaborated with the likes of Mike Tyson and other entities over the years. The brand’s latest collaboration is with Future and the Evol all-in-one vape pens, which come in three strains. Salute to young Pluto.
Learn more here.
14. High Heads x CAMP Double Stuffed Infused Pre-Rolls
Source:High Heads/CAMP/The Source
High Heads and CAMP, two brands that have established their foothold in the industry, joined forces for a new double-stuffed infused pre-rolls which is available in Nevada via The Source. The pre-roll features .7 grams of CAMP‘s flower, .2 grams of CAMP Solventless Hash, and sprinkled with .1 grams of THCa Diamonds. That sounds like a haymaker. Hopefully, as the laws relax across the nation, this product can cast a wider net.
Learn more here.
15. High On Plants
Source:High On Plants
Founded by Alice Moon and Caroline Murphy, High On Plants ups the ante when it comes to cannabis-theme jewelry. With a selection of colorways and two sizes, there exists a set for everyone.
Learn more here.
16. Highsman x Ricky Williams x Helix x Vessel
Source:Vessel
Vessel specializes in accessories for cannabis consumption that not only look like the premium products that they are, but also deliver the promised results. The brand partnered with retired NFL great Ricky Williams and his Highsman brand for the new Helix dry flower/herb pen.
Learn more here.
17. Huxleys
Source:Huxleys
Huxleys is in the business of what we like to refer to as “cannabis that does things.” With four chief products consisting of gel caps for intimacy, energy, and lifting moods, and gummies for sleep, the brand doesn’t miss any marks. It’s only available in California for now.
Learn more here.
18. Ladylike 1:1 Mints
Source:Ladylike
Ladylike is made by women and for women, so amen to that. The brand is only available in Arizona and Utah and if they ever expand their operations, they’ll stand out in a field that sometimes ignores our canna-sisters.
Learn more here.
19. Mountaintop Extracts Oasis
Source:Mountaintop Extracts
Mountaintop Extracts is a standout company out of Nex Mexico that offers flower, vaporizer cartridges, and edibles. A product that really displays a ton of versatility is the company’s Oasis, a powdered form of THC that can be applied in different ways.
Learn more here.
20. MXXN
Source:other
MXXN (said as moon) is a hemp-based alternative to spirits meant to mimic their boozy counterparts. With flavors Kentucky Oak, meant to replace bourbon, Jalisco Agave, to be used in place of tequila, and London Dry, to be mixed in lieu of gin, you’ll be uniquely buzzed and headed for lift-off in no time.
Learn more here.
21. Nature’s Heritage
Source:Nature’s Heritage
Nature’s Heritage gets props for bringing back a classic strain to the masses in Lamb’s Bread (1990s Hip-Hop fans definitely have heard of the strain before on many a song). Available in Maryland and Massachusetts, the company also features infused mini pre-rolls that we’re very interested in.
Learn more here.
22. OCB Brown Rice Cone Bundles
Source:OCB
With roots in France dating back to 1918, OCB is a premium rolling paper brand. The company has a new product, brown rice cones, made with rice fibers harvested from France’s Camargue River delta and water from the French Alps. The brand is now offering a bundle package with the cones and a rolling tray.
Learn more here.
23. OOKA x Seven9
Source:OOKA
OOKA is easily the illest device I’ve ever seen up close and personal. Sure, I’ve had hookah before as it’s unavoidable in the Washington, D.C. area, but nothing this slick-looking and functional. Further, OOKA takes the guesswork out of fumbling with coals and the like with its pod system. Even better, Seven9 offers a selection of cannabis-infused pods for the session.
Learn more here.
24. O.Pen Sesh
Source:O.Pen
One of the things I love in covering cannabis products and devices is being privy to all of the new ways companies are improving the user experience. O.Pen, a leader in the vaporizer space, has a new device, Sesh. With the ability to load concentrates or use a 510 thread cartridge, O.Pen’s Sesh is both striking visually and super convenient.
Learn more here.
25. Puffco x Cupsy
Source:Puffco
Puffco makes a gang of cool stuff. Cupsy adds to that legacy. Have a little morning coffee with your morning coffee on the low ski, if you catch our drift.
Learn more here.
26. Puffco New Plus
Source:Puffco
Puffco got its start in 2013 with its Plus device, a convenient portable dab pen. The device got an update last month and the New Plus adds the ability to twist on a 510 cart. That’s fire.
Learn more here.
27. Puffco New Peak Pro
Source:Puffco
Again, more Puffco, more heat. The New Peak Pro is the grand champion of its dabbing device. Couple this bad boy with the 3D XL chamber, an improvement on the joystick cap, and you’re ready to rock.
Learn more here.
28. PHASES
Source:PHASES
PHASES is all about creating cannabis experiences for, quote, “every mood” and a quick look at their lineup certainly lives up to that potential promise. With flower and vaporizer options, there’s a strain out there with your name on it.
Learn more here.
29. Shorties
Source:Shorties
Shorties, sold exclusively in Arizona, is exactly what it sounds like. The pack of smaller pre-rolls is perfect for tokers who just want to get a quick session in before going about their day.
Learn more here.
30. Stortz & Bickel VENTY
Source:Storz & Bickel
In full disclosure, I prefer consuming flower via dry herb vaporizers and I’ve had the honor of experiencing the classic Volcano device from the famed Stortz & Bickel brand years ago. The company’s latest device, the Venty, promises to be its fastest device yet and debuts an adjustable airflow.
Learn more here.
31. Susan’s Own
Source:Susan’s Own
Susan’s Own is Blazy Susan’s calmer sis. CBD is what the company specializes in, with balms, bath bombs, tinctures, and gummies that open up avenues of possibilities.
Learn more here.
32. Vibations
Source:This image was given to us by the agency repping the brand in support of the story and does not need to be deleted.
Vibations is an infused electrolyte drink mix with energy-boosting capabilities. I can vouch for the brand as I ran through a pack during a rough week of work and it got me through. Salute.
Learn more here.
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Rashad McCants, a former first-round NBA draft selection, is now enjoying a second career as a broadcaster who talks basketball and other matters. A clip of McCants is now going wide after the North Carolina native said that he believes Kevin Durant will go down as a better basketball player than LeBron James when it’s all said and done.
The statement in question came courtesy of the No Chill with Gilbert Arenas podcast with Rashad McCants comparing the career tracks of Kevin Durant, who turned 35 this past September, and LeBron James, who will be 39 this December.
In McCants’ view, “real hooper” to use his words would place KD over King James when it comes down to it. Both are definitely world-class basketball players with James having a championship advantage with four rings compared to Durant’s two rings. James is also the leading scorer of all-time in the NBA and showing no signs of slowing down as he leads the Los Angeles Lakers. Durant, currently playing for the Phoenix Suns, is still an explosive player capable of taking games as anyone else in the league.
Arenas didn’t push back heavily on McCants’ statement but did say something interesting about the NBA and the whispers some observers have shared that the league promotes different teams based on their market. Arenas said that the NBA thrives and makes more money when the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, and Los Angeles Lakers are powerhouses.
There has to be more to this conversation as the clip never offers any manner of closure or following thoughts from Rashad McCants but on X, formerly known as Twitter, the segment of users known as NBA Twitter has plenty to say.
Also, to all the accounts trying to go viral off the clip, why not give those views to Arenas so he can keep feasting? That’s nasty work. We’ve added the clip of Arenas’ account below to help.
Check out the reactions below.
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Photo: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images / Getty
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Boosie and Rod Wave represent Hip-Hop at differing generational points and it appeared that the two may have been crossing into some avoidable static. Boosie is reportedly considering a lawsuit against Rod Wave over the uncleared use of one of his songs.
For those unaware, Rod Wave, who has had several high-charting singles and projects since his career boomed in 2018, released his latest album Nostalgia this past September. The album features the track “Long Journey,” the same title of a Boosie Badazz song of the same name that was released in 2010 via the rapper’s Incarcerated album.
Wave’s hook is identical to the original and it’s clear where the Florida rapper got his inspiration.
From Rod Wave’s “Long Journey”:
Dear God, I thank You for (I thank You)Everything You gave to us, uhYou kept them devils away from us, uhAnd You finally made a way for us, so I sayDear God, I thank You for (I thank You)Everything You gave to us, uhYou kept them devils away from us, uhAnd You finally made a way for us, I say
Amazingly, fans of Wave are targeting Boosie and calling him out of his name for demanding royalties for artists using his song. He had a similar issue with Kodak Black in recent times and even said in a now-viral clip that the artists are often using the exact song titles as was the case for Wave.
Rod Wave caught wind of Boosie’s demands and shared a video to social media saying that he’ll pay the cost as long as the number isn’t crazy.
Check out the reactions from all sides below. We also posted the songs in question below as well.
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Photo: Getty
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Tyla, a rising South African singer with one of this year’s biggest hits, is known as coloured in her homeland, a term that is widely used to describe people of mixed heritage. In the United States, the term “colored” has a checkered racist past, thus sparking an unnecessary debate between the nations on social media.
Tyla, 21, is riding the wave of her massive hit “Water,” which has sparked dancing trends, covers from other artists, and an interest in what the Johannesburg native will do next. With the rise of the song and Tyla’s ethnicity becoming a topic of discussion, the term coloured has struck a nerve among some of the singer’s stateside fans.
Based on our quick study of the term, coloured South Africans are a wide tapestry of mixed races that include groups from Asia, Europe, and Africa. Further, coloured is seen as a racial classification in South Africa simply meant to designate those individuals who are both not white or from one of the aboriginal groups across Africa.
The current debate over the term isn’t new. Since the rise of Tyla’s “Water” single and American fans learning more about the artist, some were shocked to learn that coloured was an actual thing in modern times. During times of slavery, “colored” was an attempt to otherize Black slaves and spread further division.
This discussion is playing out again on X, formerly Twitter, with some American fans stating that Tyla should be referred to as Black while others from her country are pushing back to say that her choice to be seen as coloured should be respected.
The back-and-forth over Tyla and the word coloured is still bubbling although we’re still struggling to see why. That said, we’ve got reactions from all sides below.
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Photo: @tyla / Instagram
15.
Would you look at that? Nuance!
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Drake released his eighth studio album For All The Dogs back in October and the opinions on the project were passionately divided even among his fans. The Boy went back into the to deliver For All The Dogs: Scary Hours Edition with six additional tracks that have X fans largely reacting positively.
Drake has his fair share of detractors who have a voracious appetite for letting the world know how much they detest the Canadian superstar. For the rest of fair-minded listeners, the artist born Aubrey Graham earned his superstar status despite the heavy criticism.
For All The Dogs: Scary Hours Edition, released on Friday (November 17), appears on its surface a response to the critics that the OVO honcho lost his way. Further, a back-and-forth with Joe Budden inspired by the podcaster’s thoughts on the album overshadowed the fact that Budden was far kinder about his critiques than others in the media space.
That said, this latest project features Drake in straight rap mode with the help of Kevin Durant returning to his executive producing role and Lil Yachty flexing his co-production muscles.
Talented Oakland rapper and producer ovrkast provided Drake with production for “Red Buttons” and “The Shoe Fits” with Lil Yachty credited as co-producer on both tracks. Conductor Williams also gets another placement with “Stories About My Brother,” which some fans believe contains a shot at Buddens and other foes.
The Alchemist provides an atmospheric platter for “Wick Man” that seems to feature a jab aimed at Pusha T, which is followed by “Evil Ways” with a feature verse from J. Cole and production from Boi-1da FnZ, Vinlyz, and Fierce. The album closes with “You Broke My Heart” with production from Vinylz and FnZ, highlighting more of Drake’s crooning vocals.
Based on the early comments since the album’s release, it appears that Drake showed and proved with For All The Dogs: Scary Hours Edition. However, as expected, there are some who aren’t impressed and we feature reactions from all sides below.
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Photo: Getty