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Source: @OG2Low / Instagram
OG 2 Low, a rapper who reportedly has ties with Rap-A-Lot Records, was a guest on a recent podcast discussing the finer points of his career, which dates back to the 1990s. During the chat, OG 2 Low is seen in a clip adjusting his fireman in his pocket, which suddenly goes off and narrowly misses the rapper’s leg while sparking a flurry of comments online.
As reported by Chron, OG 2 Low sat down with the One on One Wit Mike D podcast, also known as the Tha Dirty 3rd podcast, hosted by Mike D of the Screwed Up Click and one-third of the Southside Playaz group.
In a clip posted by @CollinRugg over the weekend, OG 2 Low, 45, is seen on the set of One on One Wit Mike D fumbling around in his pants when viewers suddenly hear a loud pop and a pained look on OG’s face. Mike D asks if anyone was shot while the podcast producer is heard in the background with some light commentary. Taking the moment in stride, Mike D took a quick pause and resumed the chat with OG 2 Low, who did appear to be okay despite blasting a hole in the left thigh portion of his jeans.
The video, which has been viewed over 2 million times and clipped by other content creators and outlets, is continuing to make its rounds with some saying the moment reminded them of the time former NFL star Plaxico Burress shot himself in the leg while carrying a gun in his pants. Others online preached about gun safety while others just went in for the jokes.
We’ve got a few reactions below, avoiding those that bordered on racist with some tough guy gun owners acting like they’re John Wick online and using it as an excuse to dump on the perceived intelligence of rappers.
NEW: Rapper 2 Low accidentally fires his gun while reaching his hand in his pocket during an interview, finishes the episode anyway
The incident happened during the 1 on 1 With Mike D podcast.
After taking a quick break, the two continued their highly intellectual conversation. pic.twitter.com/UeGlOw2hFH
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) January 4, 2025
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Photo: Screenshot/IG
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January 6, 2021, the United States Capitol was attacked by a mob of largely white domestic terrorists operating under the orders of Donald Trump as part of his “Stop The Steal” movement. On the fourth anniversary of the heinous attack on democracy, many on X are remembering the January 6 insurrection just as Trump is gearing up for a second term in the White House.
The events of January 6 were an example of how unchecked power in the White House could be dangerous, and how the lack of checks and balances might essentially doom our democracy. Under Trump’s guidance and fueled by misinformation and conspiracy theories from the darkest corners of the Web, the mob of Trump supporters swarmed the Capitol under the veil of misguided justice in the name of their leader.
The group, sparked by politically motivated bloodlust, was sent to attack Vice President Mike Pence for failing to block the confirmation and there were clear intentions to harm any elected official who was a perceived enemy of Trump. This mob felt ordained to carry out Trump’s justice as wayward vigilantes fighting under a false flag.
Given the level of meddling Trump engaged in on the state level regarding losing votes over what he thought would be shoo-ins for his reelection, the weaponizing of his base to enact a coup of sorts should have had its day in court before winning the election last fall. Even members of Trump’s party sought a path where the president-elect would face the facts of his actions.
However, procedural delays, political hand-wringing, and an unprecedented move by the United States Supreme Court empowered Trump and will most likely allow him and the January 6 insurrectionists to sidestep justice unscathed. The embers of hope that Trump would have his day in court were effectively snuffed out after Department of Justice Special Counsel Jack Smith filed to have felony charges against Trump dropped.
The election interference matter Trump has been accused of was marred by the typical tug-of-war of politics, with Trump supporters stating that the DOJ was on a “witch hunt” and a true denial of any sort of accountability from Trump. It is sobering that Donald Trump yet avoided penalties for his actions yet again, and the populace at large is bracing for another four years under Trump’s reign.
On X, formerly Twitter, many are remembering the January 6 insurrection attack, and the reactions are centered on the truth of what happened, not centering on any political side.
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Photo: Getty
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A bombshell lawsuit brought by a former hairstylist for the Fox Sports network is alleging that former network host Skip Bayless offered to pay her a high sum for sex while accusing an FS1 executive of sexual misconduct. Further, the lawsuit named network co-hosts Emmanuel Acho and Joy Taylor, with claims that Taylor slept with several key figures at the network for advancement.
Front Office Sports reports that Noushin Faraji, who worked at Fox Sports from 2012 until August 2024, named Fox, Fox Sports, FS1, FS2, Fox Sports Executive Vice President Charlie Dixon, Skip Bayless, and FS1 host Joy Taylor as defendants in the lawsuit that was filed last Friday (Jan. 3).
Source: Travis P Ball / Getty (Dixon is to the right in the photo)
Among the more explosive claims, Faraji says that Bayless offered her $1.5 million to have sex with him after working with the host on the set of Undisputed and allegedly faced sexual harassment and unwanted advances from Bayless. In addition, the suit says that Bayless accused Faraji of sleeping with his former Undisputed co-star, Shannon Sharpe.
The suit also shares a depiction of an exchange between Faraji and Bayless where she attempted to rebuff Bayless by mentioning his wife and Bayless allegedly mentions Faraji’s Muslim faith and the assumption that her father had more than one spouse. Faraji told Bayless that her father was dead.
Faraji added in the suit that Dixon, who was the head of content for FS1, allegedly grabbed Faraji’s bottom at a West Hollywood birthday party. Faraji claims she went to Taylor to report what happened and Faraji said that Taylor allegedly told her to “get over it.”
According to Faraji’s account, she believed that Taylor and Dixon began their affair in 2016 despite both being married. Taylor allegedly invited Faraji out for a drink in Santa Monica, Calif. and when arriving to the bar, she found Taylor sitting with Dixon. Faraji claimed that the body language between the pair suggested a sexual connection. The suit also states that Taylor’s slot on Undisputed was a “reward” for sleeping with Dixon.
Source: ETIENNE LAURENT / Getty
The lawsuit also points to allegations that Taylor used sex to get herself in the door for some of the coveted time slots in the FS1 and Fox Sports space, including sleeping with Acho. Faraji claims she warned Taylor about sleeping with Dixon and Acho at the same time, a warning that was allegedly dismissed by Taylor who believed she had enough leverage to get whatever she wanted out of Dixon.
Faraji is seeking unspecified monetary damages and wants to take the matter to trial. Fox Sports has released a statement regarding the matter while Bayless, Taylor, and Acho have yet to respond to the claims.
On X, the news of the lawsuit have spread wide with reactions going all over the place and zeroing in on the more salacious aspects while largely ignoring the harm Faraji claims to have endured. We’ve got those reactions listed below.
For those who want to go through the 47-page lawsuit, click here.
[h/t Daily Mail]
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Photo: Getty
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Lil Baby last dropped a full-length album in 2022’s It’s Only Me which was a solid outing from the southwest Atlanta rapper and was thought by many to be the next step in his burgeoning stardom. Three years later, Lil Baby dropped his fourth studio album WHAM (Who Hard As Me) and the early returns on X are in with fans giving their knee-jerk opinions as expected.
Hype for Lil Baby’s latest project bubbled at a steady rate in 2024 with Young Thug dropping cryptic tweets suggesting that the pair were soon to cook up something for the masses. As the months rolled on, LB dropped a series of teasers, including sharing a partial tracklist on social media before he officially announced his new album at his birthday concert last month.
Now that the project is here, our first listen to the album reveals that LB hasn’t lost his gift for melody while keeping the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach to the music. The guests on WHAM are also perfectly hand-selected with Young Thug and Future showing up for the early standout track “Dum, Dumb, and Dumber” and GloRilla put on a scene-stealing show on “Redbone.”
Other features include “By Myself” featuring Rylo Rodriguez and Rod Wave, and Travis Scott shows up for the “Stuff” track. What many fans online are zeroing in on is 21 Savage’s feature verse on the track “Outfit” with some believing the Slaughter Gang star is shouting out Drake while throwing a slight shot toward Kendrick Lamar.
Lil Baby should get most of the credit for carrying the project as his mix of sing-song trap anthems and some rare moments of vulnerability highlight how well-rounded an artist he’s become over the years. However, and we’re not sure why, but the reactions are mixed with some believing the production doesn’t match LB’s talent while other fans are enjoying the output.
On X, the reactions to WHAM are still coming in and we’ve got them listed below.
Where I’m from, your heart and your hustle is everything.
WHAM | 1-3-25 | Pre-Save https://t.co/znTirK9Gho pic.twitter.com/HcnTYhpRcl
— Lil Baby (@whamcbfw4) December 30, 2024
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Photo: Prince Williams / Getty
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Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy have been vocal proponents of the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump and their proposed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) office along with their stances on H-1B visas. After feeling the wrath of the MAGA faithful, Elon Musk shifted his tone while Donald Trump showed support for the visa program for foreign workers which has angered the many figures within the GOP and the wider base.
On Christmas Day, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy made their case for the support of H-1B visas with the suggestion that the program allows business leaders to find the best engineering minds possible. Ramaswamy found himself in the thick of it when he casually suggested that Americans and the media they consume might be contributing to their lack of engineering or intellectual excellence. Musk, a recipient of an H-1B visa himself, likened the recruitment of the foreign workforce to selecting the best players of the NBA, which too has several foreign-born players who are near the top of their class.
Over the weekend, Trump joined the fray and expressed his approval of the aforementioned visa program.
“I’ve always liked the (H1-B) visas, I have always been in favor of the visas, that’s why we have them,” Trump said in an interview with the New York Post. “I have many H-1B visas on my properties. I’ve been a believer in H-1B. I have used it many times. It’s a great program.”
This comment from Trump was an exaggeration of facts as reports came forth that many Trump staffers who work at his properties on visas did so through the H-2B visa program, which gives companies the ability to recruit foreign workers for temporary jobs such as hospitality work. According to a CNN report, Trump last used the H-1B visa program in 2022 in order to hire a data analyst for the Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.
This has sparked right-wing infighting with key figures such as former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Laura Loomer aiming at both Trump and Musk for walking back the campaign promises of the so-called America First agenda that focused on mass deportation and the hiring of more American workers at some of the top companies.
Elonn Musk has been defiant in his unique way and issued a profane reply on X towards Christian conservative Steven Mackey, who criticized Musk’s endorsement of the H-1B visa program.
“The reason I’m in America along with so many critical people who built SpaceX, Tesla and hundreds of other companies that made America strong is because of H1B. Take a big step back and F*CK YOURSELF in the face. I will go to war on this issue the likes of which you cannot possibly comprehend,” Trump wrote to Mackey.
The Tesla founder has since softened his rhetoric, writing on his X platform, “Please post a bit more positive, beautiful or informative content on this platform” which garnered several passionate and colorful responses. This also sparked a still unproven rumor that Musk is using X under the “Adrian Dittman” alias.
We’ve got X comments regarding Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Vivek Ramaswamy, H-1B visas, and the MAGA kerfuffle below.
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Photo: Getty
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Source: Andrew Harnik / Getty
Elon Musk‘s X is now firmly the main meeting space for all things MAGA, offering a safe haven for the hateful and belligerent who fell in line with the movement. However, “First Buddy” Elon Musk and his DOGE Bro Vivek Ramaswamy are catching MAGA wrath on Musk’s social media platform.
To illustrate what is happening with the proposed DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) coalition of Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, we look into their recent activity on X as the impetus of the critique both are receiving. On Christmas Day (Dec. 25), Musk posted a missive on X shooting down the idea that more American engineers should be hired over foreign workers, sparking a testy debate.
“The number of people who are super talented engineers AND super motivated in the USA is far too low. Think of this like a pro sports team: if you want your TEAM to win the championship, you need to recruit top talent wherever they may be. That enables the whole TEAM to win,” Musk wrote.
An X user fired back with, “There are over 330 million people in America. Surely, there must be enough among them to build your ultimate team? Why would you deny real Americans that opportunity by bringing foreigners here?” to which Musk fired back and doubled down with, “Your understanding of the situation is upside-down and backwards. OF COURSE my companies and I would prefer to hire Americans and we DO, as that is MUCH easier than going through the incredibly painful and slow work visa process. HOWEVER, there is a dire shortage of extremely talented and motivated engineers in America.”
The H-1B visa, which allows foreign nationals to work for American companies in special capacities, has been criticized by President-elect Donald Trump in the past and he has shown his preference in hiring American workers first.
Ramaswamy added fuel to the proverbial fire by siding with Musk, who is an immigrant, and pushing the concept of hiring outside of the United States to bring a standard of excellence to the nation. It was a lengthy post from Ramaswamy and we’ll share a portion below.
From Vivek Ramaswamy’s X account:
The reason top tech companies often hire foreign-born & first-generation engineers over “native” Americans isn’t because of an innate American IQ deficit (a lazy & wrong explanation). A key part of it comes down to the c-word: culture. Tough questions demand tough answers & if we’re really serious about fixing the problem, we have to confront the TRUTH:
Our American culture has venerated mediocrity over excellence for way too long (at least since the 90s and likely longer). That doesn’t start in college, it starts YOUNG.
A culture that celebrates the prom queen over the math olympiad champ, or the jock over the valedictorian, will not produce the best engineers.
A culture that venerates Cory from “Boy Meets World,” or Zach & Slater over Screech in “Saved by the Bell,” or ‘Stefan’ over Steve Urkel in “Family Matters,” will not produce the best engineers.
The posts from Musk and Ramaswamy have created quite a firestorm of comments from the likes of Laura Loomer and other conservative figures who believe that the pair are getting this wrong. You can read one of Loomer’s X replies to Musk here.
On X, observers are taking note of the MAGA infighting and potential for implosion within the incoming Trump administration and he hasn’t even been sworn in yet. We’ve got reactions below.
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Terrence “Punch” Henderson, the president of Top Dawg Entertainment and, according to his bio, SZA‘s manager, found himself at the center of social media discussions regarding the talented songstress. Although we haven’t been able to determine all the fine points, fans on social media believe there is beef between SZA and Punch, but in typical TDE fashion, those on the outside aren’t privy to the facts.
SZA has been enjoying plenty of fanfare lately after the surprise drop of her SOS Deluxe: Lana project, a reissue of 2022’s SOS. The singer, real name Solána Rowe, posted and later deleted comments Punch reading, “And to be clear, I love Punch deeply! NO ONE should be attacking him or being cruel on my behalf. Sometimes people grow apart, and that’s okay.”
We’ve tried to find the original space where the CTRL singer wrote the comment but only the Hip-Hop screenshot accounts online are pushing this supposed split. However, upon deeper examination, Punch still has in his bio that he’s still SZA’s manager and eagle-eyed fans are slowly realizing that the beef is something they may have imagined, seizing upon the past creative rifts.
A quick scan of the (formerly?) feuding twosome’s social media accounts doesn’t seem to point to any issues. Punch’s timeline seems to give the most direct clues that whatever transpired is behind the two and that it’s all peace and love.
“Also, nothing real can be threatened. Relax ppl. lol,” read one X reply with another reading, “SMH. Change your bio and everything goes haywire. Sheesh. I’m beginning to suspect some of you guys don’t fancy me very much.”
Punch’s last reply on X featured him asking fans what their favorite songs from SOS Deluxe: Lana was, sharing a couple of his selections.
On X, fans are still trying to make this beef with SZA a thing. We’ve got reactions from all sides below.
Listen to SOS Deluxe: Lana below.
Lmao closed my eyes for two seconds for the first time in 36 hours and missed the damn drop ! SOS DELUXE ( Lana ) OUT NOW ON ALL PLATFORMS !!! https://t.co/AlJpuNRp7c pic.twitter.com/bvNiwknUOk
— SZA (@sza) December 20, 2024
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Photo: Getty
KISS OF LIFE, true to their name, are breathing new life into the K-pop scene. Debuting with their first mini-album KISS OF LIFE on July 5, 2023, the group has steadily gained both recognition and sales in the Korean market. Their first single album “Midas Touch” earned them their debut on the Billboard Global 200 chart, peaking at No. 165 and remaining on the chart for two weeks. In a K-pop industry increasingly dominated by major corporations, KISS OF LIFE has been dubbed the “miracle of mid-sized companies.”
For the group’s growth, Belle shared, “We used to only dream about moments like these, and now we made our dream come true. Winning our first music show trophy with ‘Sticky,’ a song we particularly love, made us feel like our hard work and confidence in our music had finally paid off.”
The group’s uniqueness is evident in both the concept and tracks of their mini-album KISS OF LIFE. They chose to present their album in a “magazine” format, showcasing their visuals in a distinct way. Moreover, from the very beginning, all members included solo tracks on the album, with Natty’s “Sugarcoat” achieving even greater success than the title track “Shhh,” solidifying KISS OF LIFE’s name in the public’s mind.
One of the group’s defining traits is their nostalgia. Tracks like “Bad News” left a strong impression with its incorporation of 1990s and 2000s hip-hop elements, including iconic phrases like “ain’t no diggity” and “from the east side to the west side.” Their latest single “Get Loud” evokes the Neptunes-era sounds of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. However, the group’s music isn’t confined to these influences. Their summer anthem “Sticky” brought them their biggest success yet, while “Igloo,” with its minimalist production and powerful choreography, marked their re-entry on the Billboard 200 chart. These diverse approaches continue to raise anticipation for what lies ahead.
By seamlessly blending American hip-hop/R&B elements with K-pop, KISS OF LIFE has emerged as a rookie group worth watching. Stepping outside the conventional paths to success, they’ve proven that K-pop can still offer fresh sounds and styles. Just over a year after their debut, they completed a successful North American tour and are now preparing for a European tour — a remarkable feat for such a young group.
Below, find Billboard Korea’s Q&A with the rising group.
It seems like KISS OF LIFE has had a really busy year!
Belle: It’s been an incredibly busy year. Thanks to all the love we’ve received, we were able to have multiple comebacks, hold our first concert, and even complete our first tour in such a short time. It really feels like a year of tremendous growth — both as a group and as individual artists exploring our own paths.
Haneul: I thought last year was hectic, but this year really felt like we poured all our youth into it. [Laughs]
As mentioned, you achieved a lot this year, including another Billboard Global 200 entry, your first world tour and first music show win. What has been the most memorable moment for you?
Belle: Winning our first music show trophy is something I’ll never forget. It was a dream we always talked about, and achieving it with “Sticky,” a song we love so much, made us feel like all our hard work and confidence in our music finally paid off.
Haneul: It’s amazing that the song kept charting even after our next album came out!
Julie: Every moment we achieve something, it feels unforgettable and precious, but for now, I’d say our U.S. tour stands out the most. We gained so much experience and grew a lot, and I already miss those memories!
Natty: I was so happy to see so many overseas fans knowing and singing along to our songs!
Many artists say that after their first world tour, their perspective broadens and they begin to see things they hadn’t noticed before. What has changed for KISS OF LIFE after their KISS ROAD tour?
Julie: It’s hard to pick just one thing, but I’d say our attitude toward the stage. I’ve started to think more deeply about the mind-set I bring to every performance.
Belle: I realized I don’t need to be nervous onstage. People enjoy seeing me have fun and relax while performing, and I loved the connection we shared with the audience — it’s the joy of music at its best!
Upward trajectory is often seen as the most beautiful graph. The response to KISS OF LIFE has been just that, with sales and reactions steadily increasing from mini-album 1 to mini-album 3.
Belle: We’ve kept moving forward with nonstop comebacks and activities, but I think the key has been focusing on what makes us unique and keeping our fans engaged. Above all, I believe our genuine love for music has resonated with people.
While “Get Loud” from “Lose Yourself” didn’t receive the response you had hoped for, “Igloo” was met with a hot response, particularly for its performance. Who came up with the concept of the sunglasses performance?
Belle: It was the idea of our performance director, who’s been with us since debut. They understand us so well and always come up with unique performances that highlight each of our individual charms. The moment we all put on sunglasses felt like a Super Bowl performance and was both cool and playful.
Haneul: The company was concerned about covering our faces, but we all agreed to go ahead with it and in the end, it worked out perfectly.
Natty: At first, we were all a bit worried! It was our first time covering our faces during a performance, so there were some concerns, but we trusted the vision, and the response was amazing! Fans even bring sunglasses to our concerts now!
“Igloo” presented a different vibe compared to previous KISS OF LIFE music and performances.
Haneul: I expected it to be cool, but I didn’t expect such a hot response. [Laughs]
Julie: This was a style I always wanted to try, and personally I felt most confident in it, so I believed people would recognize it, and I’m so happy that we received so much love!
Belle: We had a feeling that the “Igloo” choreography would be well-received when we first started practicing it. The song, with its trap hip-hop base and refined yet playful choreography, felt like it would stand out in a new way.
KISS OF LIFE who had previously shown a ‘summer’ vibe presented a new side with ‘Igloo’. What other new things can we expect?
Belle: We will continue to evolve and reveal even more new sides of ourselves. While the future is uncertain, we will definitely bring fresh music and performances that will entertain both the eyes and ears of our fans!
Each member is involved in songwriting and composing. How do you want to express yourself through KISS OF LIFE’s music?
Belle: I believe only those who fully understand the music they make can produce a certain vibe. We always want to show our fans authentic and sincere music.
Haneul: Music feels like a diary to me, capturing my emotions and experiences. When I’m sad, I listen to music and cry. When I travel, I listen to music and feel even more excited — music becomes a way of saving those personal experiences.
Natty: I feel particularly confident in R&B, and I’d love to explore a variety of styles when I have more time!
You always present a “magazine” concept for your albums and even do magazine shoots. How are the two different?
Belle: In our album photo shoots, we focus on bringing out KISS OF LIFE’s identity, but in actual magazine shoots, the focus is more on showing a new side of me. Both are enjoyable!
Julie: I think magazine concept photo shoots feel less pressured than our album ones. Since the photos are for our KISS OF LIFE albums, we feel more encouraged to push our boundaries!
Natti: They’re quite similar! I really enjoy photo shoots, so I have a great time during both album and magazine shoots!
Finally, what can we expect from KISS OF LIFE in 2025?
Belle: It will be a leap forward. I believe we will achieve even more growth and take a big step forward!
Haneul: Beyond our planned European tour, we’ll have more opportunities to meet overseas KISSY, and Korean KISSY will also get to see a lot of new sides of us.
Julie: We’re going to achieve amazing things! We’re planning to fill 2025 with even better music and incredible stages!
Natty: We’re going to make it big!
Natty
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
I love it when fans call me: Hot Girl Natty
My position in KISS OF LIFE is: All-rounder
My favorite song at the moment: “Nothing”, “Igloo” by KISS OF LIFE
But my favorite song of all time is: “Sugarcoat” by KISS OF LIFE
Julie
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
I love it when fans call me: Sexy
My position in KISS OF LIFE is: Leader
My favorite song at the moment: “Toxic Till The End” by ROSÉ
But my favorite song of all time is: “Igloo” by KISS OF LIFE
Haneul
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
I love it when fans call me: Bob Sky, Haneul-e, neul-e
My position in KISS OF LIFE is: Lead Vocal, Maknae
My favorite song at the moment: “Back to Me” by KISS OF LIFE
But my favorite song of all time is: “Says It” by KISS OF LIFE
Belle
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
I love it when fans call me: Gifted, talented
My position in KISS OF LIFE is: Main vocalist, songwriter. Mainly in charge of the musical process!
My favorite song at the moment: “Toronto 2014” by Daniel Caesar & Mustafa
But my favorite song of all time is: “Feather” by Sabrina carpenter
KISS OF LIFE
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
What can fans expect from KISS OF LIFE in 2025? “We’re going to achieve amazing things!” Julie promises. “We’re planning to fill 2025 with even better music and incredible stages!”
Natty
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: “You’re doing great, You’re killing it!!”
The concept I’d love to try most in KISS OF LIFE is: Y2K, Original Hip-Hop
Julie
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: Hard work pays off
The concept I’d love to try most in KISS OF LIFE is: Hip-Hop
Haneul
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: Hard work pays off in the end
The concept I’d love to try most in KISS OF LIFE is: Dreamy, Rock Punk
Belle
Image Credit: Sungjae OH/Billboard Korea
My favorite quote or best advice someone gave me: Trust your gut!
The concept I’d love to try most in KISS OF LIFE is: bright pop music
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The end of 2024 is upon us and that means holiday festivities, gift swapping, and a lot of eating and drinking if we’re lucky. For those of us who indulge in cannabis products, this is a fine time to get gifted or hand out some holiday cheer so let’s get into it.
As my coverage of cannabis continues to take shape, I’m learning more and more about the wide uses for the plant and how it doesn’t always have to end up in a blunt, joint, or bong for me to get the relief and effects I want. I’ll level with readers and say I’m not much into flower but if it’s already rolled, I’ll indulge in a fresh “j” here and there. My preferred method of use is vaporizers, edibles, and concentrates and I’m more of a sativa or sativa-leaning hybrid kind of guy. I find it helps me with my ADHD, joint pain, and general mood.
In this short list, I’m listing brands I’ve tried in my travels across the country along with brands that have select locales but are still worth highlighting. Heck, you might be one of those frequent flight hoppers like myself so this can aid in your search for good products.
I do want to say that before we end this post and lock it down until 2025, please indulge in cannabis safely and observe the rules and laws in your respective hometowns. I hope all of you have an amazing holiday season and we’ll see you at the top of the year.
For now, enjoy this handy cannabis gift guide. Let us know in the comments what some of your faves are.
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Photo: Getty
1. 22Red
Source:22Red
22Red is the brainchild of Shavo Odadjian, who some might know is a member of System of A Down. The cannabis brand specializes in a wide variety of flower, prerolls, concentrates, infused flower, and vapes.
Learn more here.
2. CAKE She Hits Different
Source:CAKE
CAKE She Hits Different, co-founded by Chloe Kaleiokalani, is dope for the fact we need more women-owned brands in the cannabis space. The brand’s Designer Distillate vaporizers are the first to boast a 1.25 capacity and boosted with terpenes.
Learn more here.
3. Housing Works Cannabis Co x Cartography NYC—Stoner Nameplate Necklace
Source:Cartography NYC
We’ve featured Housing Works Cannabis Co in previous gift guides and love what they’re doing up in New York. They also have a collaboration with Cartography NYC via the Stoner Nameplate Necklace now available for preorder. Peep the other gear in the eShop too!
Learn more here.
4. iGrowcan
Source:iGrowcan
For the novice home grower, iGrowcan is a handy option to help those with an aspiration for having “green” thumbs, if you get our meaning. Salute to the Royal Queen Seeds crew!
Learn more here.
5. Jeeter
Source:jeeter
Jeeter bills itself as the number one preroll brand in the world and they certainly have a wide reach in the game. They also have infused prerolls with TCHA diamonds, live resin concentrates, and more.
Learn more here.
6. Live ORO
Source:Live ORO
Live ORO is billed as a drinkable sleep aid boosted with 10 MGs of THC and 10 MGs of CBD, promising a relaxing night’s sleep in every bottle.
Learn more here.
7. Reefresh
Source:Reefresh
Reefresh is another drinkable cannabis option but without the bubbles. Sometimes, you just want a crushable sip and they have a 10 MG canned option, along with a concentrated 100 MG flavored shot that you can dose at your comfort.
Learn more here.
8. Royal Queen Seeds — TYSON 2.0 Collab Seeds
Source:RQS
For home growers, Royal Queen Seeds is a name most should come to know. And now, they’ve partnered with Mike Tyson, a known cannabis enthusiast with his own Tyson 2.0 seeds.
Learn more here.
9. Voila!
Source:Voila!
I drink quite a bit of sparking mineral water and having an infused, flavored version of the drink is right up my alley. Voila! is a brand that’s new to us but we hope to try them out soon.
Learn more here.
10. WYNK
Source:WYNK
Wynk is actually the first cannabis-infused hard seltzer I tried and I appreciate the fact that it’s a very mild dose that’s perfect for social settings and also for those who want to take a break from alcohol.
Learn more here.
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Tony Buzbee, the high-profile attorney representing the alleged victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs and Jay-Z, is facing a heavy accusation himself. A woman has launched a lawsuit against Tony Buzbee alleging that the Texas lawyer gave her a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
As reported by TMZ, the lawsuit filed by Jane Doe in New York Superior Court claims that Tony Buzbee has been connected with her since 2018 after initially meeting online. Doe wrote in the filing that Buzbee interacted with her to the point of convincing her to go on a date and travel to his hometown of Houston for a night out.
Doe stated further in the filing that Buzbee booked a hotel room and laid on the charm before the pair engaged in intercourse. Doe claims that Bubzee failed to disclose his status and passed on the unnamed STI to her. The next day, Doe says she noticed pain around her groin area, and after an examination, the STI diagnosis was revealed. Doe says she contacted Buzbee, who allegedly apologized and appeared to note that he knew of his status before having sex with the woman.
Despite the diagnosis, Doe continued to date Buzbee despite feeling shame about the matter. She also claims that Buzbee used his power and influence to manipulate and control Doe on his terms and to keep his disease a secret from the public.
Buzbee told TMZ that the lawsuit from Jane Doe is a shakedown tactic connected to his pursuit of Combs, calling the claim “false, frivolous, laughable and ridiculous” and believes it will be dismissed.
Tony Buzbee was sued for assault in November for allegedly using a champagne flute as a weapon according to a former client of his.
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Photo: Getty