Houston
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Source: Kendrick Sampson / Kendrick Sampson
Many people recognize Kendrick Sampson, 37, as a talented, charismatic TV and film actor—with leading roles in Issa Rae’s cultural phenomenon Insecure, and 2022’s meet-cute romcom, Something from Tiffany’s, among others. But alongside and intertwined with building a prolific career in Hollywood, the multi-hyphenate entertainer is building something else: Black Power.
Source: @LuvByDre / De’Andre Silas
Through his organization BLD PWR, Kendrick Sampson is laying the foundation for a movement that centers joy, art, pleasure, and creativity—all Black birthrights to claim—while also walking through the fire this time.
“I started BLD PWR to give radical changemakers a place to belong—building solid, grounded relationships between grassroots movements and the entertainment industry,” Sampson tells CASSIUSLife in an exclusive interview. “We wanted to create a safe space where we could navigate the messiness of community-building, work through our differences, and create new art and pop culture movements that support true freedom and health.”
“BLD PWR is for the misfits like me,” Sampson continues. “The ones who want to change the world and are willing to get our hands dirty, make mistakes, and do the real work needed to create beautiful art that shifts culture toward the healthiest and freest version of our story.”
Yes, there is power in the wells of revolutionary storytelling and radical truth-telling—a people power rooted in Black freedom and liberation. Movement elders often teach us that if we allow the machinations of white supremacy to steal our joy, what beloved poet and ancestor Amiri Baraka calls in Wise I our “oom boom ba boom,” then they’ve already won. If we buy into the narrative that Black bodies, steeped in generations of trauma, only have the right to bleed, not dance, then our enemies have won. If we fall victim to the lie that we can only use our voices to wail in grief, not sing, then our enemies have already won.
As this capitalist system cracks and splinters, fault lines exposing themselves before it all comes tumbling down, it will be the misfits, the time-travelers, who reach into the past to see the future. It will be the artists and teachers, dancers and musicians, healers and apothecaries, poets and storytellers, who will remind us that a new world is not only possible but that it already is and already was.
“Storytelling, like civilization, originated as an Indigenous practice in Africa,” says Sampson. “Story is at the core of community-building—it’s how we build civilization, culture, and belonging. The more control we have over our story, the more control we have over our health.”
“Hollywood has done an effective job convincing us that storytelling and art are ‘just for entertainment,’ but stories shape movements, shift perspectives, and inspire change,” he continues. “That’s why people manipulate and twist narratives—it’s a tool of control. Abusive systems use stories to justify harm and maintain power.”
BLD PWR disrupts that narrative by not only making the connections plain but also by providing insights into the film industry that can shape movement building.
“At BLD PWR, we recognize that everything needed to build a film is the same thing needed to build a healthy community,” Sampson explains. “Think about it—storytelling requires:
• Carpenters
• Medical staff
• Consultants
• Legal teams
• Food & water services
• Educators
• Housing & infrastructure
• Electrical & tech crews
• Transportation
• Performers, artists, and camera operators
• Managers, government support, payroll, and community organizers
“It’s literally community-building.”
Sampson went on to say, “Some films require thousands of people to come together to bring a vision to life. That’s not different from activism. I used to think that acting and organizing were separate, but they’re not—they’re the same thing. Storytelling is activism. For so long, I was told ‘It’s just acting’—but it’s never just acting. Stories are powerful, and those who claim they aren’t are the same people using stories to manipulate, control, and shape minds. They just don’t want you to tell the truth because it messes up their game.”
So, what do we do about it?
“More than ever, we must reclaim our stories—protect them, heal them, and nourish them,” Sampson says fiercely. “Right now, we’re seeing book bans, attacks on Black history, and AI being weaponized to rewrite truth. Social media is controlled by some of the most disconnected, dishonest, and abusive people, making it even more critical to get back to the basics: talking to each other, passing down truth, and keeping our stories alive.”
ONE TIME FOR THE BIRTHDAY BOY
Source: @LuvByDre / De’Andre Silas
If there’s one thing Sampson is going to do—besides pursue justice with a passion—that’s party with a purpose. A favorite son of Houston, Texas, specifically Missouri City, he’s made it his mission to strengthen the bonds of human connection and community by curating spaces where Black folks can be free to find our rhythm in systems that try to bury us.
To that end, each year, he uses his birthday celebration, “Who All Gon’ Be There”—because Black folks have to know before we even think about planning to leave the house—to pour back into the communities that raised him in H-Town, Mo City, and LA. He also makes certain that it’s a guaranteed back-bone twisting, hip-shaking, soul-stirring, line-dancing, solo cup sipping, Black ass good time.
“‘Our joy is resistance’ has become like a slogan—but it’s not a slogan, a talking point, or a self-help tip,” Sampson tells CASSIUS. “We are in a war for our stories, our freedom, and our people’s futures. America has always functioned as an occupying force—a settler-colonial system designed to keep us controlled through false narratives.
“But joy is a war strategy. It’s our North Star—a reminder of what we deserve, what we fight for, and the world we want to create. People get so caught up in what liberation will look like, but you can feel liberation right now through joy. That’s why the systems we fight against try so hard to strip joy away.”
Years before WAGBT grew into a major annual fundraiser for BLD PWR, Sampson envisioned what it could be.
“When I was 18 years old, I moved to LA alone. I prayed for Black mentors in entertainment, and for a long time, I thought I didn’t have them—but I did. Just not in the way I expected,” he says.
“I met Ben Guillory, who co-founded Robey Theatre Company with Danny Glover, Sampson said. “They led me to the legacy of Paul Robeson, one of my greatest inspirations to this day. Through them, I learned about Toussaint L’Ouverture, the resistance leader of the Haitian Revolution, and why Hollywood actively fights to erase figures like him from our stories.
Sampson added, “I met Richard Lyons, an acting coach who forced me to read The Autobiography of Malcolm X and reenact a scene from Spike Lee’s Malcolm X film. I met Nate Parker, who was developing a short film about Nat Turner at the time. So those became my Black mentors: Paul Robeson, Toussaint L’Ouverture, Nat Turner, and Malcolm X.
“At the same time,” Sampson recalls, “I met Pastor Frank Wilson from Fifth Ward, Texas, who taught me about giving back on birthdays. My first Christmas in LA, he took us to serve at a shelter for unhoused people in the community. I’ll never forget what he said: “How would you like it if someone came to your birthday party and asked for gifts? Well, that’s what people do to Jesus every year—say they’re celebrating his birthday but only asking for things for themselves.”
“That moment transformed my thinking. I left that shelter feeling more whole than ever—rooted, aligned, and connected to something bigger than myself. From that point on, I dedicated my birthday to giving back. What started as small gatherings at shelters grew into an annual tradition—first with foster youth, then assisted living communities, and now full-fledged community fundraisers,” Sampson concludes.
WHO ALL GON’ BE THERE?
Source: @LuvByDre / De’Andre Silas
If you are not familiar with The Session, a monthly R&B jam session in Houston created by the visionary Isaiah Parks, then please rectify that immediately. The live music scene in the city is already second to none, with supernovas like Marium Echo holding court several nights a week in front of mesmerized audiences. What Parks has done, though, is take that intoxicating, vibrant, sexy feeling one gets at the hole-in-the-wall and elevate it into the stratosphere.
By bringing together sangers like Desz, who has a voice that transports listeners to another dimension with its otherworldly power and beauty; Patrice Dominique, whose raspy growl and pitch-perfect tone reaches deep into your heart and your memories with each note; Spud Howard, king of the jukebox, who will one day be mentioned in the same breath as Johnnie Taylor, and Kirk Richmond, whose buttery rich vocals conjure tears and smiles on demand, Parks has created something sacred. The Session is a place of healing, joy, love, laughter, and community. It makes sense, then, that Sampson and Parks have partnered to bring Who All Gon’ Be There (WAGBT) x The Session R&B Jam from the Third Coast to the West Coast.
On March 9, at Axelrad Beer Garden in Houston, Sampson was joined not only by his community, friends, and family but also by his chosen family, including hometown hero and Hip-Hop luminary, Trae the Truth; Issa Rae, who toasted him with her very own Viarae Prosecco; Carl Payne, who was in town directing Je’Caryous Johnson’s Games Women Play; and Amber Riley, who sang a stunning rendition of Lauryn Hill’s “Ex-Factor.”
Source: @LuvByDre / De’Andre Silas
Now, this Sunday, March 23, Who All Gon’ Be There (WAGBT) x The Session R&B Jam touches down in Los Angeles, bringing that sticky, sweet southern heat to the City of Angels.
Lucille Clifton teaches us that we must “celebrate that every day something has tried to kill us and has failed.” Yes, we are living in occupied territory surrounded by people terrified and envious of Black brilliance, power, beauty, ingenuity, creativity, and joy. But they did not create our joy, so it will never be theirs to destroy.
And believing, living, breathing, sharing, and fighting for that truth, collectively and internally? That’s how we build power.
“When we lean into joy, it’s a release, a reminder, and a reunion with our freest selves,” Sampson teaches us. “It’s about building spaces where we can breathe, laugh, and celebrate our power—not just spaces of struggle. That’s what WAGBT is about.”
To support BLD PWR, donate directly at www.bldpwr.com/donate.
This support helps fund:
• Community organizing initiatives
• Programs for Black storytellers and filmmakers
• Grassroots movement-building
• Activism, education, and leadership development
Your contributions fuel real change, ensuring that art, storytelling, and activism remain powerful tools for liberation.
1. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 4
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 4 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
2. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 5
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 5 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
3. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 7
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 7 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
4. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 8
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 8 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
5. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 9
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 9 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
6. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 17
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 17 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
7. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 16
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 16 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
8. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 6
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 6 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
9. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 15
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 15 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
10. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 14
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 14 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
11. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 11
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 11 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
12. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 12
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 12 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
13. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 4
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 4 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
14. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 22
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 22 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
15. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 29
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 29 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
16. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 23
Source:other
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 23 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
17. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 24
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 24 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
18. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 25
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 25 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
19. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 26
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 26 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
20. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 27
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 27 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
21. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 28
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 28 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
22. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 30
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 30 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
23. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 20
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 20 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
24. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 21
Source:Semetra Samuel
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 21 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
25. Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 18
Source:De’Andre Silas
Kendrick Sampson BDay Party R&BJams with The Session 18 birthday,houston,kendrick sampson,bld pwr
Source: Logan Riely / GettyWhile he’s always repped his city hard, his connection to H-Town goes beyond just business—it’s real love. One of the most unforgettable moments was when he pulled up to the Houston Rodeo in full cowboy gear—boots, hat, everything. That was 50 showing mad respect for the city and its culture.At last year’s Rodeo, 50 hit the stage and performed “In Da Club,” and the crowd went crazy. The response was like no other, proving 50’s star power is still on top, even in a city with a deep hip-hop history. His love for Houston ain’t just about performing. The unofficial mayor of Houston has also been making moves with his brand, launching Branson Cognac, and holding meet-and-greets for his Texas fans. 50’s not just passing through—he’s tapped in.It doesn’t get more Houston than when 50 showed up at an Astros game, decked out in full Astros gear and rocking a 50K Houston Texans necklace. That’s respect right therePlus, two years ago, 50 announced during an interview with 97.9 The Box that he had officially moved to Houston, saying, “Every time I experienced Houston, I ran into random acts of kindness. The people have been good to me.” When the pandemic hit, it was Houston or Miami on his mind, especially after seeing how locked down New York was. Bottom line: 50’s bond with Houston is real, and you can tell the city’s got a special place in his heart.
1. Playboy Party With TAO At Spire Nightclub
Source:Getty
HOUSTON, TX – FEBRUARY 04: Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson onstage at the Playboy party with TAO at Spire Nightclub on February 4, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Playboy) photography,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,party – social event,usa,texas,houston – texas,nightclub,gulf coast states,playboy magazine
2. Toronto Raptors v Houston Rockets
Source:Getty
HOUSTON, TEXAS – FEBRUARY 03: Rapper 50 Cent attends a game between the Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors at Toyota Center on February 03, 2023 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) photography,people,attending,horizontal,usa,rapper,sport,medium group of people,texas,basketball – sport,nba,gulf coast states,match – sport,nba pro basketball,50 cent – rapper,houston rockets – basketball team,toronto raptors – basketball team
3. Houston Chronicle
Source:Getty
50 Cent performs at the Street Ballers Tour concert at H’Town’s Arena Theater Sunday, Feb. 23, 2003, in Houston. (Photo by Brett Coomer/Special to the Chronicle) (Photo by Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) vertical,photography,usa,concert,performance,texas,houston – texas,gulf coast states,human interest,town,2003
4. Houston Chronicle
Source:Getty
Students give business presentations during the G-Unity Business Lab for HISD students pitching their business ideas at the University of Houston Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022 in Houston. The students of G-Unity are a part of a 28 week business lab program following a curriculum that will prepare them all for the ultimate pitch in May entitled “The Hustle Tank” which will be held in front of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and a host of stakeholders to be possibly have their business idea funded. (Photo by Brett Coomer/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,business,ideas,texas,houston – texas,student,gulf coast states,human interest,giving,business finance and industry,presentation – speech,2022
5. Houston Chronicle
Source:Getty
Boxer Canelo Alvarez left, boxing promoter Curtis “50 Cent ” Jackson center, and boxer James Kirkland right, pose for photograph during a press conference announcing the May 9th boxing match between Alvarez and Kirkland at Minute Maid Field Tuesday, March 3, 2015, in Houston. ( James Nielsen / Houston Chronicle ) (Photo by James Nielsen/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) photography,horizontal,usa,coin,texas,houston – texas,human interest,press conference,promoter,us coin,physical position,saul alvarez,kirkland,boxing – sport,james kirkland
6. Astros Opening Day
Source:Getty
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 28: Musician 50 Cent smiles after making the ‘play ball’ call before an MLB baseball game on Opening Day at Minute Maid Park, Thursday, March 28, 2024, in Houston. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images) color image,photography,horizontal,musician,usa,smiling,sport,baseball – sport,major league baseball,texas,gulf coast states,making,match – sport,new york yankees,day 1,sports activity,houston astros,american league baseball,thursday,sports ball,2024
7. Canelo Alvarez v James Kirkland – Weigh-in
Source:Getty
HOUSTON, TX – MAY 8: Rapper 50 Cent on stage at Minute Maid Park on May 8, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Golden Boy/Golden Boy via Getty Images) horizontal,usa,sport,texas,houston – texas,gulf coast states,stadium,minute maid park,2015,stage – performance space,50 cent – rapper,boxing – sport
8. Phoenix Suns v Houston Rockets
Source:Getty
HOUSTON, TEXAS – MARCH 16: American rapper, actor and entrepreneur 50 Cent sits court-side as the Phoenix Suns play the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on March 16, 2022 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) color image,photography,celebrities,people,arts culture and entertainment,horizontal,usa,actor,music,rapper,sport,sitting,coin,medium group of people,texas,houston – texas,basketball – sport,nba,gulf coast states,match – sport,front row,us coin,courtside,phoenix suns,toyota center – houston,nba pro basketball,50 cent – rapper,houston rockets – basketball team
9. 50 Cent In Concert – Houston, TX
Source:Getty
HOUSTON, TEXAS – AUGUST 24: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Image has been convert to black and white) 50 Cent performs on stage during The Final Lap Tour 2023 at Toyota Center on August 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Marcus Ingram/Getty Images) vertical,color image,photography,celebrities,people,full length,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,music,concert,performance,texas,houston – texas,gulf coast states,incidental people,popular music tour,toyota center – houston,stage – performance space,50 cent – rapper
10. Pittsburgh Pirates v Houston Astros
Source:Getty
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 30: Rapper 50 Cent looks off prior to the game between the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park on July 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) color image,photography,people,horizontal,usa,rapper,headshot,sport,baseball – sport,four people,texas,gulf coast states,stadium,match – sport,pittsburgh pirates,houston astros,minute maid park,american league baseball,national league baseball,50 cent – rapper
11. Pittsburgh Pirates v Houston Astros
Source:Getty
HOUSTON, TEXAS – JULY 30: Rapper 50 Cent looks off prior to the game between the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates at Minute Maid Park on July 30, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images) color image,photography,people,one person,horizontal,usa,rapper,headshot,sport,baseball – sport,texas,gulf coast states,stadium,incidental people,match – sport,pittsburgh pirates,houston astros,minute maid park,american league baseball,national league baseball,50 cent – rapper
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
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
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
—
Photo: Screenshot/IG
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
When Queen Bey calls, the BeyHive answers.
While some fans are gearing up to watch Beyoncé headline the Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens halftime show on Netflix next month, others are planning to see the performance in person. VividSeats saw a 40% spike in resale ticket prices following Sunday’s (Nov. 17) surprise announcement, Forbes reports.
The holiday matchup, taking place at Houston’s NRG Stadium, will mark Beyoncé’s first live performance since the release of her Grammy-nominated Cowboy Carter album and a must-watch moment for members of the Hive. For those who want to watch from the stadium, we’ve rounded up the best ways to score tickets.
Keep reading for more information on game day tickets.
Trending on Billboard
How to Get Beyoncé Tickets
Beyoncé is no stranger to packing stadiums, but the Houston native took a break from live performances after wrapping up the Renaissance Tour last fall, meaning the Ravens vs. Texans game will be the only chance to see her perform live before the year ends.
Game day tickets are available at SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, StubHub, TicketNetwork, GameTime and Ticketmaster. Prices range from approximately $243 at StubHub, $238 at SeatGeek and as low as $219 via Vivid Seats. The most expensive seats can cost you anywhere from $375 to more than $1,900.
If you happen to miss out on tickets to the game, there are a few passes left for the Premium Tailgate Party hosted by Tailgating Hall of Fame. The party starts at 11:30 a.m. local time.
No matter how you watch, whether it’s at home, a watch party or in person, the performance will be a treat for fans. The halftime set will reportedly include “special guests” featured on Cowboy Carter.
Released in March, Beyoncé’s eighth studio album earned 11 Grammy nominations including album of the year and country album of the year. This latest round of Grammy nods brings Beyoncé’s total to 99 – the most nominations of any artist in history.
Meow Wolf, the arts and entertainment company known for its fantastical immersive installations, will open its newest location in Houston’s Fifth Ward neighborhood on Oct. 31.
News of the Halloween opening comes alongside the reveal of the theme for the venue: Radio Tave, an explorable radio station that will transmit visitors to, a press release says, “unexpected frequencies.” A play off of “radio wave,” the installation is set in a radio station in an alternative dimension and thus has a special focus on sound. Radio Tave will be made up of dozens of rooms designed by more than 100 artists, more than half of whom are based in Texas.
“Music and sound play an even bigger role in this exhibition than before,” Meow Wolf’s senior creative producer Susie Cowan tells Billboard. “We’ve got some incredible interactives that transform how people experience sound — things you can play with and explore that are just as fun to listen to as they are to look at. It’s a true audiovisual feast — it’s vibrant, one-of-a-kind and totally captivating.”
Trending on Billboard
Cowan adds that the space plans to “host musical performances and special events, just like what you’ve seen in our Denver and Santa Fe exhibitions” with programming announcements forthcoming. (The upcoming music calendars at the Denver and Santa Fe spaces include bands and DJs including The Polyphonic Spree and Tycho.)
Meow Wolf Houston
Tarick Foteh | Courtesy of Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf Houston marks the fifth Meow Wolf location in the U.S. and the second in Texas; its Dallas/Fort Worth installation opened in July 2023. The original Meow Wolf in Santa Fe, N.M., opened in 2016, with subsequent expansions to Denver, Las Vegas and Los Angeles, where an installation inside a movie theater is set to open in 2026. Each installation has a theme, with visitors working to unravel the storyline and mystery built into the design of each venue.
These concepts each typically take two to four years to create, with artists, storytellers, engineers and more contributing to each one. “For Radio Tave specifically,” Cowan says, “we wanted to create something that expanded the worlds we’ve built in Dallas with The Real Unreal and Santa Fe with House of Eternal Return. Starting with the idea of a community radio station, we used sound — music, audio, voice and sonic energy — as the central theme, driving the story and shaping the participant’s experience.”
Tickets for Radio Tave open to the general public on Oct. 1, with season pass holders and email subscribers able to get earlier pre-sale tickets later this month.
Meow Wolf Houston
Tarick Foteh/Courtesy of Meow Wolf
The space will also feature Cowboix Hevvven, a honky-tonk inspired working bar and restaurant with a jukebox offering 30 licensed songs by Texas artists. The Texas influence runs deep in the project, with many Texans working on the project and the team fabricating a fictional small East Texas town as the setting for the radio station.
“On top of that,’ says Cowan, “we’ve got 35 collaborating artists from Texas who have contributed to their own unique spaces, drawing inspiration from their roots, plus an additional 10 Houston artists who are part of our Art Team Task Force.” The space will also feature a plethora of Houston-specific Easter eggs for guests to discover.
“Houston is such a cultural hub, and we were immediately drawn to its vibrant complexity and rich artistic scene,” adds Cowan. “The city’s deep love for art really aligns with what Meow Wolf is all about — there’s creativity everywhere you look. We’re always inspired by the places we go, but working with Texas artists has been something special.”
HipHopWired Featured Video
While the legend of Bun B’s Trill Burgers continues to grow and people who live outside of Texas can only daydream about getting a bite out of what Good Morning America dubbed the best burger in the U.S., the rapper and educator is out here doing more good with his food franchise as the people of Houston recover from the damage left behind by Hurricane Beryl.
Uproxx is reporting that over the weekend, Bun B’s Trill Burgers collaborated with Kroger’s grocery chain to help give away 500 meals to residents of Houston as they deal with the fallout of the monstrous hurricane that left tons of damage in its wake. With the help of Bun B and dozens of volunteers, hundreds of people were able to get themselves some good grub for free after making their way down to Bethel’s Family Church.
Not one to shy away from helping his fellow Houstonians in need of a hand, Bun B rubbed on some elbow grease and took part in the handing out of meals himself while at the church.
But the grind didn’t stop there. Bun B and his team continued their mission the very next day (July 13) and with the help of Levis, Lone Star Tents & Events, and Kroger, they handed out 713 burgers and bottled waters at Houston Galleria.
In a video promoting the giveaway, Bun B explained how to get your burger if you happen to be in the area.
Put some respeck on that man’s name if you haven’t already.
What do y’all think of Bun B’s initiative to help those affected by Hurricane Beryl? Let us know in the comments section below.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Monica Morgan / Getty
The BIG3 basketball league founded by Ice Cube is putting down roots as it expands with home teams in Miami and Houston.
As the seventh season of the BIG3 three-on-three basketball league featuring former NBA, collegiate and international players created by Ice Cube is underway, it’s expanding to include two new teams in a traditional city-based format. The 12-team league usually plays in a barnstorming format during the summer – last season, the league played games in Chicago, Dallas, Brooklyn, Memphis, Miami, Boston, Charlotte and Detroit. Miami is one of three cities that will have a dedicated team, along with the cities of Houston and Los Angeles.
Houston’s BIG3 franchise was announced in a post on Instagram Thursday (July 4). Energy executives Eric Mullins and Milton Carroll were named as owners of the franchise. The news comes weeks after an investor group led by hospitality executive Heath Freeman secured their franchise in Miami for $10 million. The first city-based franchise will be in Los Angeles after a deal was struck with the DCB Sports investor group for $10 million. All three franchises are set to begin play next season. Ice Cube spoke about the move in a post on Instagram when the Los Angeles deal was announced in May, writing: “We need to plant our roots in cities so we can be more than a rolling all-star game coming through. It’s really about growing the sport and the league.”
“We can plant our roots in these cities,” the “Jackin For Beats” rapper stated about the moves in an interview with the Athletic. “It is great to come through with, like, a rolling All-Star event, but if you want to really unlock the fan-base potential, connecting to cities does that.” BIG3 co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz agreed with the veteran rapper’s position in the same interview. “We do things in the cities when we go there,” he said. “We do the Young 3 and try to get involved with a lot of youth organizations and charities. The truth is that you can only do so much, you know, dropping in a city for four days than you can if you have a team rooted in the city.” The move is the latest from the league, coming after the extension of an offer to women’s college basketball phenom and current Indiana Fever player Caitlin Clark to sign with the league for $5 million instead of going to the WNBA.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images / Getty
A new exhibition by Kehinde Wiley in Houston displays his work in a captivating array of light and darkness.
At the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, a new exhibition by the venerated artist Kehinde Wiley is drawing heavy attention as part of a burgeoning movement by other Black artists utilizing light and darkness to enhance the impact of their artwork. The exhibition, entitled “An Archeology of Silence”, shows Wiley’s prowess at conveying the enforced silence of systemic oppression and violence inflicted on Black and Brown bodies. “That is the archaeology I am unearthing: The specter of police violence and state control over the bodies of young Black and Brown people all over the world,” Wiley writes in the description of the exhibition on the museum’s website, which continues the artistic path of his 2008 exhibition “Down”, which was inspired by works from 16th-century artist Hans Holbein the Younger, particularly “The Dead Christ In The Tomb”. Wiley’s artwork is highlighted with “framing projectors”, fixtures at each installation that focus the light in the perimeter of the artwork, thus avoiding spillage or shadows. The effect gives paintings the same visual effect of light upon stained glass.
The usage of strategically placed light on the artwork is in syncopation with other notable Black artists with exhibitions, such as the renowned Betye Saar’s “Drifting Towards Twilight” at the Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Garden in Southern California and photographer Dawoud Bey’s “Elegy” exhibition which recently closed at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, where the somber lighting lent “emotional weight” to his large-scale pictures of sites near the Underground Railroad and the Richmond Slave Trail. “Twilight is the magical time, we know that,” said Saar, 97, of her latest work connecting to the human life cycle. “That’s when nothing is definite, it’s always changing, that’s the way life is.”
Wiley began to create these works with the rise of the Black Lives Matter movement and the COVID-19 pandemic, which feature Black and Brown individuals dressed in contemporary fashion down to fitted baseball caps and Timberlands styled after saints, martyrs, heroes, and other figures from the European historical painting masters such as Goya, Titian, and Michaelangelo. After its run ends in Houston on May 27, the exhibition will travel to the Perez Museum of Art in Miami, Florida where it will be on display until January 12, 2025, then moving on to the Minneapolis Institute of Art until next June.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Houston Chronicle/Hearst Newspapers via Getty Images / Getty
Bun B recently discussed his involvement with the Houston Rodeo as well as the lineup for his upcoming All-American Takeover, including Rick Ross.
[embedded content]
Veteran rapper Bun B is a true representative of his home state of Texas, and in a recent interview, he shared how he got to be involved with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for his Takeover concert series celebrating Black cowboys and their contributions to Western culture. In speaking with The Madd Hatta on his Majic 102.1 radio show, the UGK MC was asked about how he got involved.“So, I had been part of a sounding board for the rodeo for a couple of years,” Bun B began, “They would come and sit with me and ask my opinion on different directions they wanted to go in.” Bun B had first performed at the event back in 2007 when Beyonce delivered her concert performance.
He continued: “There was a relationship that was formed. And then two years ago they asked, “Hey if we gave you a day, what would you do?” Just like that. And I had this very grandiose idea of bringing all these people in and we just gotta get a jet, and all that.” The “Still Trill” rapper then revealed that his wife helped him scale down his plans a bit. “That just seems like a whole lot of trouble. Why don’t you just bring a bunch of Houston people ‘cause they all live here, they can just drive,” he said.
That led to the H-Town Takeover, which featured Paul Wall, Lil Keke, Lil Flip, and Slim Thug in 2022. In its second year, the Southern Takeover featured Erykah Badu, Big K.R.I.T., Big Mike, David Banner, MJG, and Scarface. For this third year, the All-American Takeover looks to be just as huge as Rick Ross will take the stage along with Nelly, Too Short, and E-40 along with That Mexican OT. More artists are expected to be announced. The show will take place on March 12 to close out the festivities, and it will be held at Houston’s NRG Stadium. The rodeo itself will kick off on February 27. Tickets for the All-American Takeover can be found on the Houston Rodeo’s website.
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE
Roda Osman, a Texas woman largely referred to as “Brick Lady” on social media, has been charged with making a false assault claim where she said she was hit in the face with a brick. Osman went viral after sharing a video of injuries that were linked to the assault, raising over $40,000 on GoFundMe in the process.
Local outlet KPRC 2 reports that Roda Osman, 33, was charged with felony theft by deception after investigators discovered that Osman’s story didn’t add up. According to the report, Houston police responded to the scene of the alleged assault on Sept. 3 of last year, meeting with Osman and another woman. According to the officers, Osman was reportedly under the influence and hostile.
Osman told police that she was walking in the city when a man threw a brick at her for not giving up her phone number, according to findings from the court documents. Adding to this, Osman claimed that the driver of an Uber car service she ordered was the man who assaulted her and said that the man was part of a human trafficking scheme.
Almost two weeks later on Sept. 15, detectives attempted to contact Osman by phone but the number belonged to the woman that was on the scene of the alleged assault. The woman said she was not a native of Houston and went out drinking with Osman that night and added that Osman called male friends to provide transportation.
The woman said that when the pair entered the vehicle, Osman yelled out “why you hit me” but said she didn’t hear any sort of argument or discussion beforehand. Off the record, the woman said she didn’t think Osman was hit by a brick. The woman then said that the man suspected of hitting Osman exited the car and entered another vehicle before driving off. It was then that Osman decided to go live on Instagram with the woman suggesting she contact the authorities.
Days later on Sept. 20, Houston detectives obtained surveillance video footage and located Olan Douglas, the man Osman claimed hit her. Charging documents say that Douglas and Osman were arguing with Douglas reportedly swinging his right hand and striking Osman in the face with what appeared to be a plastic water bottle. This information has some supporters of Osman saying she was indeed assaulted but there was also an alleged account that Osman struck Douglas first.
As it stands, the issue is that the story Osman gave police neglected to reveal that she knew the man who allegedly struck her instead of it being a random person who was harassing her during her night out. This prompted Daphne Sutton, a popular TikTok user, to call Houston police and suggest that Osman made everything up because of an incident that allegedly place in Minnesota in 2020.
Sutton gave Houston police the GoFundMe link from 2020 that shared a similar bent to the Houston attack story and also obtained statements from Osman’s former roommate and friends. Minneapolis police said to Houston officials that Osman never reported the alleged assault despite launching the GoFundMe page. The roommate that Sutton spoke with also reached out to Houston police and said that Osman was scamming people out of money.
Roda Osman, who had prior criminal charges in the Virgin Islands, Minnesota, and across Texas, is currently out on bail for felony assault and domestic violence connected to an incident in Minnesota.
On X, formerly Twitter, many are reacting to the news. We’ve captured comments from all sides below.
—
Photo: Getty