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On Monday (March 3) evening at Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, the 38th annual Tibet House US Benefit Concert brought out an eclectic range of genre-spanning talents to help support Tibet House US in its “mission to protect, preserve and empower” Tibetan culture. With Philip Glass and Laurie Anderson serving as co-artistic directors, the night included […]
Mike Epps just confirmed something fans have been waiting for since 2002.
While sitting down with The Breakfast Club to promote his new comedy tour, the actor and comedian revealed that the fourth installment of the Friday film franchise has finally been green-lit after Charlamagne Tha God asked if he and Ice Cube have talked about Last Friday yet.
“He called me the other day, said we just finished the deal,” Epps said before giving the West Coast legend his flowers. “So, we doing the last Friday, man. And big shout-out to Cube; that’s another brother that has put so many brothers on, man, and don’t really get the props for it. Put me, Chris Tucker, Bernie Mac, I mean name ’em. This dude gave dudes opportunities.”
While he hasn’t seen a script for the film yet, Epps promises to continue Friday‘s legacy of introducing new comics to a wider audience. “I haven’t seen the script, but I’m pretty sure it’s good,” he said. “And we’re gonna bring in the new comics. We’re gonna put the DC Young Flys and all of them in with the OGs. It’s going to be a good a– time.”
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He also remained hopeful that Chris Tucker will be onboard this time around, as the actor and comedian has been hesitant to reprise his iconic role as Smokey over the years. “People still love Chris Tucker, he’s still Smokey,” Epps said. “He laid it down, he positioned me to do it. So Chris, if you’re listening, we need you, baby boy. Come on back.”
Tucker seemed open to coming back to the film franchise that made him a star when talking with Big Tigger last year, ultimately putting the onus on studio executives. “It’s studios, and they gotta want to do it, and then it’s producers and all that stuff,” Tucker said. “It’s a lot that goes with it.”
The Friday franchise started with the original film starring Ice Cube and Tucker in 1995 followed by two Tucker-free sequels: 2000’s Next Friday and 2002’s Friday After Next.
You can watch the full conversation with Epps below.
As a solo artist, LISA has worked with quite a few A-list collaborators — but there’s still one she has her eye on.
While doing an on-camera interview with Wall Street Journal Style, the BLACKPINK star had an immediate answer to a question about which artist she most wants to team up with. “Charli XCX!” LISA said after doing a snippet of the British singer’s viral “Apple” dance.
The Thai rapper/singer added in reference to Charli’s hit Brat album, “I wanna be one of the Brats.”
The interview comes just a few days after the release of LISA’s debut solo album, Alter Ego, which featured several all-star duet partners. Megan Thee Stallion guested on a track called “Rapunzel,” while Future appeared on “Fxck Up the World” and Tyla co-starred on “When I’m With You.”
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Plus, the LP featured previously released singles “New Woman” with Rosalía and “Born Again” with Doja Cat and RAYE. The latter two recently joined LISA onstage at the 2025 Oscars, where the trio took part in a James Bond tribute medley.
Following the release of Alter Ego, the “Money” artist is now gearing up to reunite with BLACKPINK bandmates ROSÉ, JISOO and JENNIE for a world tour kicking off in July. All four members have spent the past year or so working on solo projects, which, in addition to the album, included an acting stint on HBO’s The White Lotus for LISA.
While speaking to WSJ Mag, the K-pop star recalled filming the opening scene, in which her character — an employee of the fictional hotel chain’s Thailand location — welcomes guests arriving on a boat. “That day was so hot,” she said. “I have to run three hours straight with the sun.”
“My mom was on set as well,” LISA added, covering her shoulders as if to protect them from the memory of the UV rays. “She was like, ‘Oh, I feel bad for my daughter.’”
The performer also revealed the small item she took from set: her character, Mook’s, uniform name tag.
Watch LISA’s full video interview above.
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Serena Williams has been away from the game of tennis for just three years, but she’s now making new moves in the world of sports. The WNBA’s latest team, the Toronto Tempo, shared in a press release that Serena Williams has joined an ownership group for the organization.
On Monday (March 3), the WNBA’s website Team News section shared the official press release of the Toronto Tempo.
From the press release:
I am thrilled to announce my ownership role in the first Canadian WNBA team, the Toronto Tempo,” said Serena Williams. ‘This moment is not just about basketball; it is about showcasing the true value and potential of female athletes – I have always said that women’s sports are an incredible investment opportunity. I am excited to partner with Larry and all of Canada in creating this new WNBA franchise and legacy.
Williams joins an ownership group along with Larry Tanenbaum, Chairman of Kilmer Sports Ventures. The press release also noted that Williams made her professional debut in Canada and her inclusion the ownership group was met with glowing marks from Tempo team president, Teresa Resch.
“Serena is a champion,” Resch shared. “She’s the greatest athlete of all time, and her impact on this team and this country is going to be incredible.”
Resch added, She’s set the bar for women in sport, business and the world – and her commitment to using that success to create opportunities for other women is inspiring – we’re thrilled to be marking the lead-up to International Women’s Day with this announcement.”
Williams will also have some input into jersey designs and will also help the club’s visibility in other ways during her tenure in the ownership group.
Tanenbaum echoed Resch’s statement and made mention of Williams’ image and influence and how it lines up with the mission of the Tempo.
“Serena Williams is an icon, a role model and a force for change in the world” Tanenbaum said. “She’s earned every bit of her incredible success with hard work, tenacity and determination in the face of countless challenges. She exemplifies the very best of what the Tempo stand for – we couldn’t be more honoured to have Serena in our court.”
The league still needs to approve Williams as an owner. The Toronto Tempo will have its first tip-off in 2025 at the Coca-Cola Coliseum
Learn more here.
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Photo: Dia Dipasupil / Getty
Ione Skye is giving fans a peek behind the curtain in her new memoir, fittingly titled Say Everything, as the Say Anything star delves into the rollercoaster of Hollywood life. Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news At one point in the memoir, she opens up about her […]
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As one of the most influential hip-hop groups of the ’90s, A Tribe Called Quest is no stranger to basketball. In fact, one of the group’s founding members, the late Phife Dawg, was a big fan of the New York Knicks, and he immortalized former Knicks shooting guard John Starks in the song “8 Million Stories” from their 1993 album Midnight Marauders.
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To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the group’s formation, A Tribe Called Quest partnered with the NBA for a new collection with sports apparel brand HOMAGE. Right now, the collection is 20% off list prices for a limited time.
The new NBA collection mashes up iconic lyrics from A Tribe Called Quest songs, like “We on Award Tour,” “I’m Above the Rim” and “Represent, Represent,” with NBA teams, including the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors, L.A. Lakers, Houston Rockets and much more.
There’s even new tees and hoodies showcasing Phife Dawg’s favorite NBA team, the New York Knicks.
Ahead, you’ll find our recommendations for A Tribe Called Quest x NBA collection from HOMAGE.
HOMAGE
A Tribe Called Quest x Cleveland Cavaliers ‘Represent’ Tee
$30.40
$38
20% off
HOMAGE
A Tribe Called Quest x New York Knicks ‘I’m Above The Rim’ Tee
$30.40
$38
20% off
HOMAGE
A Tribe Called Quest x Golden State Warriors ‘We On Award Tour’ Tee
$30.40
$38
20% off
HOMAGE
A Tribe Called Quest x Houston Rockets ‘Can I Kick It?’ Hoodie
$59.20
$74
20% off
HOMAGE
A Tribe Called Quest x Los Angeles Lakers ‘We On Award Tour’ Hoodie
$59.20
$74
20% off
HOMAGE
A Tribe Called Quest x Detroit Pistons ‘Represent’ Hoodie
$59.20
$74
20% off
As part of the collaboration, New York Times best-selling author Hanif Abdurraqib compares why A Tribe Called Quest and basketball go hand-in-hand.
“I came to the music of A Tribe Called Quest as a young guy, a short guy who played basketball — streetball — on the East Side of Columbus, Ohio,” says Abdurraqib. “What I loved about A Tribe Called Quest is the same thing I loved about what pushed me to thrive on the basketball court. You have to be inventive. You have to be innovative. You have to see a hundred different things inside of one thing. For me, there’s not just one move. There’s a movement that opens up several other movements.”
Still looking for your favorite NBA team? Shop A Tribe Called Quest x NBA collection at HOMAGE below.
Want more? For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best Xbox deals, studio headphones and Nintendo Switch accessories.
The recorded music assets of the $uicideBoy$, the rap duo from New Orleans that has evolved into an indie powerhouse with its own label, a touring brand and a mega-merch business, are up for sale, sources tell Billboard. The properties on the block consist of the group’s recorded music masters and its music publishing catalog, those people say.
The deal is being shopped by Tim Mandelbaum, a partner with the law firm Fox Rothschild, who reached out to potential key strategic buyers including the majors and some financial music asset buyers. While some sources indicate the masters and publishing assets are being shopped together, others indicate that some potential suitors have bid solely on the publishing.
Sources say the asking price for the duo’s masters — including a go-forward deal covering an unknown number of future releases — is above $300 million alone, while it’s unclear what the asking price is on the publishing; the duo’s blockbuster merch business is not part of the proposed transaction. In addition, some sources say the duo’s G*59 label, which has a roster that includes releases by Night Lovell, Ramirez, Germ, Shakewell and Chetta — who combined for 450,000 album consumption units in the U.S. in 2024 — is not up for sale, though others disagree.
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The cult hip-hop act has averaged an impressive 2.4 million album consumption units in the U.S. and 4.6 billion global streams annually over the last three years, even though their songs have rarely charted. Nevertheless, they’ve landed four songs on the Hot 100 — “Us Vs. Them” (No. 96), “Thorns” (No. 91), “Burgundy” (No. 86) and “The Thing Grey Line” (No. 71), all of which hit the chart in 2024 — and four of their seven albums have reached the top 10 of the Billboard 200. The group’s most-streamed songs include “Kill Yourself Pt. III” with nearly 708 million streams; “And to Those I Love, Thanks for Sticking Around,” with nearly 675 million streams; and “Paris,” with about 526 million streams.
According to Luminate, since the rap duo began their career, their masters have accumulated 11.21 million album consumption units, including 15.7 billion on-demand streams — and that’s just in the U.S. What’s more, the duo’s U.S. popularity has been picking up steam: the catalog generated 842,000 album consumption units in 2020, growing to 1.22 million in 2021, then to 1.93 million in 2022, 2.46 million in 2023 and 2.71 million last year, according to Luminate. So far this year, $uicideBoy$ has already garnered 325,000 album consumption units, including 439 million on-demand streams.
However, unlike many other huge recording acts, $uicideBoy$’s popularity mainly is in the United States. Over the last three years, the U.S. market annually accounts for about 70% of the catalog’s streams and almost 83% of its song downloads. On the other hand, that could translate into more upside for potential sales and streaming activity going forward, if a concentrated effort is made on establishing the brand globally.
But even with the group’s already impressive numbers and further potential for increased sales and streaming activity abroad, the price tag that sources say the catalog fetched also comes with some peril. That’s because streaming activity is still spiking and decay hasn’t yet set in, meaning there’s no telling where the group’s catalog activity will level out in the future. But the going-forward component of the deal provides financial safety rails for the acquirers, especially if that is structured as a joint venture.
Billboard estimates that the $uicideBoy$ catalog averaged almost $24 million in revenue annually over the last three years. After paying out for cost of goods including distribution and publishing, Billboard estimates that net label share is about $20 million.
On the publishing side, Billboard estimates the duo’s masters generated about $6.5 million in royalties annually over the past three years, with the two members serving as the sole co-writers on the vast majority of their songs. It’s unclear if all the publishing is up for sale, or the amount of publishing advances already paid out, but not recouped; either could impact the valuation.
Between the master recordings and the publishing, the combined net label/net publisher share (or gross profit) could be in the $24 million to $26 million range, Billboard estimates, depending on how much unrecouped publishing advances play into the deal. Applied against a potential blended 16 times multiple, the combined assets could be worth as much as $400 million. But that might be an over-valuation considering the catalog’s activity is still on the rise; most sources say the combined assets are likely to wind up bringing in upwards of $300 million if a deal is finally completed.
Currently, the catalog resides at The Orchard, the Sony Music company that signed the band and its label G*59 to a distribution deal in 2021. Prior to that, the band and the label had been with Virgin Music, a distributor in the UMG portfolio. It’s expected that the $uicideBoy$ catalog will move in the event of an acquisition.
As of press time, reps for UMG, a lawyer for $uicideBoy$ and The Orchard either declined to comment or had not responded to requests for comment.
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Baggu’s beloved Crescent Bag has become a go-to for almost every occasion, from music festivals and travel, to work and weekend errands. The accessories brand now offers its Crescent Bag in a range of materials and colorways, from nylon to recycled leather, and the shoulder bag has been seen on everyone from musicians to influencers alike.
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But Baggu’s bags rarely go on sale and the Crescent Bag on Baggu.com can run upwards of $180 online. That’s why we’re jumping on this Urban Outfitters deal, which gets you the Baggu nylon bag for 25% off.
LIMITED-TIME DEAL
Baggu Medium Nylon Crescent Bag
$39
$52
25% off
Urban Outfitters’ surprise sale gets you Baggu’s Medium Nylon Crescent Bag on sale for just $39 — a 25% discount from its regular price of $52+. Made from 100% recycled nylon, the bag features a zippered compartment, two interior pockets and an adjustable carry strap. This medium size measures approximately 8 x 14 inches.
LAST CHANCE
Medium Crescent Nylon Shoulder Bag
$22.47
$52
57% off
Nordstrom Rack, meantime, has this ivory colorway on sale for a whopping 57% off. The bag is soft and lightweight yet super durable thanks to the nylon construction. As for most products at Nordstrom Rack, this one is on clearance and selling quickly, so we recommend grabbing this Baggu deal while it’s still live.
Crescent Belt Bag
$32.97
$48
31% off
Nordstrom Rack also has the Baggu Crescent Belt Bag on sale. The crossbody bag measures 7 x 12 inches in size and comes with an adjustable buckle-style strap. This bag is our go-to for travel, as it keeps our passport, camera, charger and accessories safely within reach. We’ve also used this bag while out for a light jog as well.
BEST BAGGU DUPE
No Boundaries Hands Free XL Hobo Bag
If you want the look of the Baggu bag but not the price tag, this No Boundaries Hobo Bag from Walmart is a great alternative. This extra large size measures approximately 14 x 14.5 inches and is made from 100% polyester that wipes clean easily with a damp cloth. Choose from multiple colors on sale at Walmart.com.
AMAZON ALTERNATIVE
Medium Nylon Crescent Shoulder Bag
And you can find this best-selling Baggu alternative on Amazon. The crossbody sling back features a similar nylon material and moon-shape silhouette. Amazon says the bag is lightweight, waterproof, durable, and tear-resistant. Choose from ten colors online. See full details here.
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A Complete Unknown may not have walked away with any Oscars this year, but thanks to the film’s success, Bob Dylan‘s memoir Chronicles: Volume One is charting on Amazon’s best-seller list right now. Ranking at No. 3 on the best-selling rock list, the book explores the legendary singer-songwriter’s personal experience in Greenwich Village, circa 1961, similar to the recent Dylan biopic starring Timothée Chalamet.
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The 304-page book covers three selected points from Dylan’s long career: 1961, 1970, and 1989, while he was writing and recording his debut namesake album, New Morning and Oh Mercy, respectively. The memoir is an incredibly detailed window on the singers thoughts, influences, and personal reflections during these key moments in his life.
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“I’d come from a long ways off and had started a long ways down. But now destiny was about to manifest itself. I felt like it was looking right at me and nobody else,” Dylan writes in his memoir.
The autobiography also explores more candid moments like nightlong parties, literary awakenings, transient loves and unbreakable friendships. Taking side trips to New Orleans, Woodstock, Minnesota, and points west, Chronicles: Volume One is an intimate and intensely personal look at the revolutionary artist. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “for those who have followed his career since the beginning it’s a real treat, a long awaited boon to add to the long list of memories, lines and memorabilia.”
The book spent 19 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover nonfiction books, as well as, being nominated as one of five finalists for best biography/autobiography by the National Book Critics Circle Award for the 2004 publishing year.
Bob Dylan’s Chronicles: Volume One is available to purchase on Amazon and is currently 47% off right now. Act fast and grab this must-have collector’s item for only $10. If you’re a more audio listener, grab the book on Audible, which new users can get a 30-day free trial when signing up.
Bob Dylan ‘Chronicles: Volume One’ Book
$9.99
$18.99
47% off
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This is The Legal Beat, a weekly newsletter about music law from Billboard Pro, offering you a one-stop cheat sheet of big new cases, important rulings and all the fun stuff in between.
This week: Jay-Z goes on the legal offensive to clear his name of rape allegations, Drake’s lawyers cite Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl show in legal filings, Cardi B wins a re-payment plan from a bankrupt gossip blogger and much more.
THE BIG STORY: Jay-Z Strikes Back
When an unnamed woman accused Jay-Z in December of taking part in one of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ alleged sexual assaults, it was a shocking expansion of the already-sprawling claims against the hip-hop mogul — made all the more explosive by the claim that she was only 13 years old at the time.
But less than three months later, the case against Hov has already been dropped without explanation and without a settlement — and now the superstar is filing his own case aimed at fully clearing his name.
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In a lawsuit filed in Alabama federal court, he accused the Jane Doe plaintiff and her lawyer, Tony Buzbee, of carrying out an “evil conspiracy” to extort a settlement from him by leveling the “false and malicious” allegations of rape. Notably, the new lawsuit said the Doe accuser had “voluntarily admitted” directly to Jay-Z’s team that the star did not assault her and that Buzbee “pushed” her to make those allegations.
“Mr. Carter does not commence this action lightly,” his lawyers wrote. “But the extortion and abuse of Mr. Carter by Doe and her lawyers must stop.”
Go read the full story here, including access to the actual lawsuit Jay-Z’s attorneys filed in court.
Other top stories this week…
THAT DIDN’T TAKE LONG – Just two weeks after Kendrick Lamar’s blistering Super Bowl performance, Drake’s attorneys called out the halftime show in court documents filed in their defamation lawsuit against UMG over Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” The star’s lawyers cited the show as evidence of the ongoing harm that Drake is “continuing to suffer” while the case is delayed in court. And it paid off: Following Drake’s filing, the federal judge overseeing the case sided with the rapper and refused to let UMG postpone an initial hearing.
DEFAMATION DEBT – Gossip blogger Tasha K agreed in bankruptcy court to pay Cardi B more than $1 million in small installments over the next five years — a plan necessary to start paying down a $3.9 million defamation judgment Cardi won against her for making outlandish claims about drug use, STDs and prostitution. Under the terms of the deal, Tasha will still owe the rest of the damages award even after she finishes the repayment plan, and she is barred from “derogatory, disparaging, or defamatory statements” about the superstar while the plan is in effect.
LILES ABUSE LAWSUIT – Kevin Liles was hit with a lawsuit alleging the 300 Entertainment CEO sexually harassed and raped an unnamed executive assistant while serving as the general manager of Def Jam Recordings in the early 2000s. Liles immediately denied the “outrageous claims,” vowing to “fully clear my name” and file a defamation lawsuit against the accuser and her attorneys.
GRACELAND SCAMMER – A Missouri woman named Lisa Jeanine Findley pleaded guilty to a bizarre plot to defraud Elvis Presley’s family by trying to auction off his Graceland mansion. According to prosecutors, Findley falsely claimed that Presley’s daughter had pledged the home as collateral for a loan before her death; Findley then threatened to sell Graceland to the highest bidder if Presley’s family didn’t pay $2.85 million. Following her guilty plea, Findley is scheduled to be sentenced on June 18 and faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
DRAKE DROPS IHEART – Drake and iHeartMedia reached a settlement to end a legal action claiming iHeart received illegal payments from UMG to boost radio airplay for Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” — a preliminary action that Drake filed last fall in the lead up to his defamation lawsuit against UMG. In a statement to Billboard, the radio giant said it had agreed to provide Drake’s attorneys with documents showing that iHeart had done nothing wrong and that no payments had been made by either party.
ROCKY NOT CLEAR YET – Just over a week after A$AP Rocky was acquitted on criminal charges that he shot former friend A$AP Relli, a Los Angeles judge lifted a hold on Relli’s civil lawsuit against Rocky. As reported by Rolling Stone, Rocky’s lawyer argued at a hearing that “there’s no longer a basis” for the case following the not guilty verdict, but Relli’s lawyer vowed to proceed: “The standard in a criminal case is much higher than … in a civil matter. We still believe that our claims have merit, and we intend on fully litigating them.”
THUG TOURING SETTLEMENT – Young Thug and concert giant AEG quietly settled a multi-million dollar legal battle over a touring partnership gone sour. The lawsuit, first filed in 2020 but delayed for years by Thug’s high-profile criminal case, claimed that the star owed more than $5 million under a 2017 touring agreement — and that he was obligated to hand over some of his music rights to pay down that debt. The settlement came as Thug is gearing up to start performing in concert again for the first time since he took a plea deal to end the years-long criminal drama in Atlanta.