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Ha*Ash shares how performing at Viña del Mar in 2018 changed the trajectory of their career, how they’re able to maintain their energy after 23 years, working with Thalia on “Amiga Date Cuenta,” an upcoming release for a new single, red flags they have for men and more. Ingrid Fajardo:Hi, friends at Billboard! Today we’re […]
Eminem’s epic 8 Mile rap battles have long been part of hip-hop movie lore. Anthony Mackie, who played Papa Doc and lost the final battle to Em’s B-Rabbit character, revealed that Em actually used part of the actor’s real life story to diss him in the 2002 film.
Mackie joined The Pivot Podcast on Tuesday (March 11), during which he recalled confiding details of his life to the Grammy-winning rapper, such as growing up in a two-person household and attending The Juilliard School, which ended up backfiring.
“Eminem is such a brilliant dude,” he said. “We’re on set one day and he’s like, ‘Yo, it doesn’t make sense that we’re beefing.’ I was like, ‘Right!’ He says, ‘I need something on you.’ So we talked for, like, two hours, chilling.”
Mackie continued: “I go to the casino. The next day we’re shooting the battle scene, and that’s why I’m standing there like, ‘You’re talking about me, you’re not talking about Clarence. That has nothing to do with the character. ‘You’re an a–hole, Eminem!’ I’m like, ‘I wanna fight this motherf—-r!’ I’m like, ‘Yes, my parents are still married.’”
8 Mile arrived in 2002 and served as the first credited acting roles for both Eminem and Mackie. Em went on to win a best original song Oscar for the film’s “Lose Yourself,” while the actor went on to star in multiple Marvel films.
In an interview earlier this year with Esquire, the actor evealed his role was originally supposed to be much smaller as Papa Doc, and he pitched the idea of his character delivering a better performance in the final battle.
“When we’re doing the scene, it was like everybody there was a rapper, so everybody was kind of talking trash cause they knew I wasn’t a rapper,” he told the magazine. “And I was like, ‘Yo, I’m tired of this, man.’”
Mackie added: “This was nothing about Papa Doc — this was Anthony Mackie had to live with being murdered this awfully forever. So yeah, it was an awful moment in my life.”
Watch Anthony Mackie’s full interview with Pivot below.
The teachers down at Abbott Elementary are ready to sing their hearts out on tonight’s (March 12) episode, as seen in a brand new preview video.
In the minute-and-a-half clip shared exclusively with Billboard, the teachers are seen hanging out in the break room as Barbara Howard, portrayed by Sheryl Lee Ralph, walks in requesting a “final head count” for an upcoming karaoke night.
“I’ll be there,” Mr. Johnson, played by William Stanford Davis, says, before making a reference to his karaoke song of choice: “Baby Got Back” by Sir Mix-a-Lot. “I like big butts, but someone out there thinks I’m lying about it and I’ve got to set the record straight,” he explains.
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Janine Teagues, played by Quinta Brunson, then asks if she can bring her newly heartbroken friend Erika to the karaoke event. Howard agrees, only if she agrees not to “throw it back, forward or to the side.”
The scene wraps up with Ava Coleman, portrayed by Janelle James, explaining that she’ll miss out on the karaoke fun because she has a date planned — leading to a slew of music-themed puns by her co-workers.
Abbott Elementary has been a massive success since its premiere in 2021. The series stars Brunson as a second-grade teacher at the underfunded public school in West Philadelphia. The star-studded cast includes Ralph, Davis, James, Tyler James Williams, Lisa Ann Walter and Chris Perfetti.
Throughout the years, the ABC series has been nominated for 24 Primetime Emmy Awards, winning four in the comedy categories including outstanding lead actress for Brunson and supporting actress for Ralph. Abbott Elementary has also won three Golden Globe Awards. The show has already been renewed for a fifth season, set to premiere in the 2025-26 television season.
Abbott Elementary airs on Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC and is also available to stream on Hulu. Watch the sneak peek below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
TSMC, the world’s leading chip manufacturer, has approached several United States-based chip designers for a new joint venture to oversee operations for Intel factories, according to a new report. If the deal goes through, TSMC, which is based in Taiwan, will take over half of Intel’s foundry division, reportedly at the request of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Reuters revealed that, via sources, TSMC has approached Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and Qualcomm about a potential joint venture to run half of Intel’s foundry division, which creates a variety of chips made for specific customer needs. Intel’s stock price, which has been nosediving since last year, saw a spike in the market on Wednesday (March 12) after the Reuters report went wide.
In the ongoing tech wars surrounding the rapid development of AI tools and the items needed to run the massive computing demands of said programs, Intel’s stake in the chipmaking game was widely report to be slipping and reports point to the fact other chipmakers have far outpaced the one-time giant of the space, especially Nvidia in this case.
The outlet also learned via sources that the Trump administration formally requested that TSMC lend its expertise to rescue Intel from floundering further as President Donald Trump and his “America First” agenda continue to take shape across the nation. The prevailing thought is that this would be a beneficial partnership, albeit a reluctant one, as Trump has been clear in wanting the United States to be a leader in manufacturing its tech goods and passing premiums on other countries via tariffs and the like.
The deal would give TSMC a 50% stake and no more than that, but it would need to be approved by President Trump. The outlet adds that, via a quartet of sources, the deal would face some requisite challenges as TSMC has vastly different operating rules than Intel.
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Photo: VCG / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
TSMC, the world’s leading chip manufacturer, has approached several United States-based chip designers for a new joint venture to oversee operations for Intel factories, according to a new report. If the deal goes through, TSMC, which is based in Taiwan, will take over half of Intel’s foundry division, reportedly at the request of President Donald Trump’s administration.
Reuters revealed that, via sources, TSMC has approached Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, and Qualcomm about a potential joint venture to run half of Intel’s foundry division, which creates a variety of chips made for specific customer needs. Intel’s stock price, which has been nosediving since last year, saw a spike in the market on Wednesday (March 12) after the Reuters report went wide.
In the ongoing tech wars surrounding the rapid development of AI tools and the items needed to run the massive computing demands of said programs, Intel’s stake in the chipmaking game was widely report to be slipping and reports point to the fact other chipmakers have far outpaced the one-time giant of the space, especially Nvidia in this case.
The outlet also learned via sources that the Trump administration formally requested that TSMC lend its expertise to rescue Intel from floundering further as President Donald Trump and his “America First” agenda continue to take shape across the nation. The prevailing thought is that this would be a beneficial partnership, albeit a reluctant one, as Trump has been clear in wanting the United States to be a leader in manufacturing its tech goods and passing premiums on other countries via tariffs and the like.
The deal would give TSMC a 50% stake and no more than that, but it would need to be approved by President Trump. The outlet adds that, via a quartet of sources, the deal would face some requisite challenges as TSMC has vastly different operating rules than Intel.
—
Photo: VCG / Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
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Source: Kojima Productions / Debra Wilson / Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Debra Wilson is a legend in the world of video games, and gamers are letting one user on X, formerly Twitter, know that after he complained about the actress’s appearance in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
When you speak of Debra Wilson in the video game space, make sure you respect her name. Wilson’s likeness and voice have been credited in roughly 111 games over the years, including the Star Wars Jedi franchise, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Diablo IV, and Avowed.
You can head here to check her entire resume.
Most recently, it was revealed during Hideo Kojima’s latest, and epic trailer for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach that Wilson would be in the game playing the role of “Doctor,” who has two right hands, in what is the most Kojima twist ever.
Following the reveal, while everyone was left excited for Kojima’s next video game magna opus, one person complained about Wilson being in the game.
One User On X Is Tired of Seeing Debra Wilson’s “Very Distinctive Face”
A user on the X who goes by the handle @Endymion shared a screenshot of Wilson from the trailer with the caption, “Oh my god enough of this woman being in everything man.”
He wasn’t done making an a** out of himself adding in a follow-up post, “And before anyone says anything else, she can act just fine I’m just tired of seeing her very distinctive face in everything.”
He continued, “Every time her face shows up in some game it’s a legit jump scare to me. And western devs will say, “it’s hard to translate a female actors face to a game”. And yet every fcking time this lady is in something every studio seems to get her likeness to a T. These mfers are gaslighting me bro I swear to god.”
Very interesting comments, especially the ones about Wilson’s looks.
Gamers Accuse The Debra Wilson Hater of Being Racist
Anyway, gamers formed like Voltron to take down the hater, making very salient points about actors/actresses who work in the video game industry and basically accusing him of racism for his comments about Wilson’s face.
“Very distinctive face.” Just fucking say it dude. It’s not like Elon will ban you for it anymore,” one user on X wrote in response to his post.
Another user on X wrote, “There’s no way you have an issue with Debra Wilson of all people. Why are you tired of seeing her face? What’s the real problem? I want a legit answer, none of that grifter bullshit you’re peddling either.”
Then there is the fact that Death Stranding 2: On The Beach also features Troy Baker, who happens to be in more games than Wilson. But @EndySimon wasn’t complaining about that. We wonder why he had nothing to say on that matter.
“Ten minute trailer and this dipshit finds the few seconds with a Black woman to complain about when Troy fucking Baker is ALSO in this trailer and he’s in WAY more games than Debra Are you starting to see the grift yet?,” another post on X read.
Debra Wilson will be protected at all costs.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
HipHopWired Featured Video
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Source: Kojima Productions / Debra Wilson / Death Stranding 2: On The Beach
Debra Wilson is a legend in the world of video games, and gamers are letting one user on X, formerly Twitter, know that after he complained about the actress’s appearance in Death Stranding 2: On The Beach.
When you speak of Debra Wilson in the video game space, make sure you respect her name. Wilson’s likeness and voice have been credited in roughly 111 games over the years, including the Star Wars Jedi franchise, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, Diablo IV, and Avowed.
You can head here to check her entire resume.
Most recently, it was revealed during Hideo Kojima’s latest, and epic trailer for Death Stranding 2: On The Beach that Wilson would be in the game playing the role of “Doctor,” who has two right hands, in what is the most Kojima twist ever.
Following the reveal, while everyone was left excited for Kojima’s next video game magna opus, one person complained about Wilson being in the game.
One User On X Is Tired of Seeing Debra Wilson’s “Very Distinctive Face”
A user on the X who goes by the handle @Endymion shared a screenshot of Wilson from the trailer with the caption, “Oh my god enough of this woman being in everything man.”
He wasn’t done making an a** out of himself adding in a follow-up post, “And before anyone says anything else, she can act just fine I’m just tired of seeing her very distinctive face in everything.”
He continued, “Every time her face shows up in some game it’s a legit jump scare to me. And western devs will say, “it’s hard to translate a female actors face to a game”. And yet every fcking time this lady is in something every studio seems to get her likeness to a T. These mfers are gaslighting me bro I swear to god.”
Very interesting comments, especially the ones about Wilson’s looks.
Gamers Accuse The Debra Wilson Hater of Being Racist
Anyway, gamers formed like Voltron to take down the hater, making very salient points about actors/actresses who work in the video game industry and basically accusing him of racism for his comments about Wilson’s face.
“Very distinctive face.” Just fucking say it dude. It’s not like Elon will ban you for it anymore,” one user on X wrote in response to his post.
Another user on X wrote, “There’s no way you have an issue with Debra Wilson of all people. Why are you tired of seeing her face? What’s the real problem? I want a legit answer, none of that grifter bullshit you’re peddling either.”
Then there is the fact that Death Stranding 2: On The Beach also features Troy Baker, who happens to be in more games than Wilson. But @EndySimon wasn’t complaining about that. We wonder why he had nothing to say on that matter.
“Ten minute trailer and this dipshit finds the few seconds with a Black woman to complain about when Troy fucking Baker is ALSO in this trailer and he’s in WAY more games than Debra Are you starting to see the grift yet?,” another post on X read.
Debra Wilson will be protected at all costs.
You can see more reactions in the gallery below.
Director Dan Reed is planning a third chapter in his ongoing Leaving Neverland series about allegations of sexual abuse against late pop icon Michael Jackson by dancer/choreographer Wade Robson and James Safechuck.
According to Variety, the second sequel will focus on the upcoming trial pitting Robson and Safechuck against Jackson’s companies over their allegations that the organizations neglected to protect them from the alleged abuse detailed in the bombshell 2019 two-part doc. In the original film, the men described in graphic detail how the late King of Pop allegedly molested them at his Neverland Ranch in California when they were both minors; Jackson’s estate has continuously and emphatically denied the allegations.
The reported third film will serve as the follow-up to the upcoming Leaving Neverland 2: Surviving Michael Jackson, which will premiere on Channel 4 in the U.K. on March 18 and on YouTube in the United States. The 50-minute movie will primarily focus on Robson and Safechuck fighting to have their lawsuit against Jackson’s estate go forward; the case is slated to go to trial next year.
“It’s taken an awful long time just to get to a trial date that looks as though it could actually happen,” Reed told Variety about his plan to have cameras in the courtroom, despite his belief that the Jackson estate will “find a way to try and sideswipe this whole thing and make sure it never goes to court… But who knows. Maybe justice will prevail and there’ll be a trial. And if there is a trial, I want to be there.”
While we will have to wait to see what will happen when the men have their day in court, Reed is aware that it’s possible that the judge in the case might not let cameras in their courtroom. “It’s really the judge’s discretion,” he said. Reed was allowed to film inside the Santa Monica Courthouse for several hearings depicted in Leaving Neverland 2, which mainly focuses on the legal back-and-forth leading up to Robson and Safechuck being granted a trial.
“It’s a bridge film in between what was a pretty high-profile start and what I hope will be a very dramatic ending,” Reed said. “We could have kept it to include all this material and the trial. But I think the trial will be so dramatic, and you won’t have time for all the stuff in between.”
The original Leaving Neverland won an Emmy for outstanding documentary or nonfiction special, even as it drew fire from Jackson’s family and estate and, in 2019, resulted in a $100 million lawsuit by the estate against HBO over claims that the documentary violated a 27-year-old non-disparagement clause the network signed to air a 1992 concert film for Jackson’s Dangerous World Tour; the case was sent to private arbitration that year and is still pending.
Jackson’s estate has consistently denied a series of allegations of sexual abuse against the singer who died in 2009, often noting that Jackson was acquitted in a 2005 criminal trial and has never been convicted or held liable for any such claims. The estate has also claimed that accusers are looking for a payday from an artist who cannot defend himself because defamation laws do not cover dead people.
As for why he’s planning the third chapter, Reed said that he hopes to keep telling Robson and Safechuck’s story because he thinks it will help viewers “realize that these are real people, with a real story, with real families who are doing this… They’re not just a couple of people who popped up because they saw a pot of gold. These are people who have really dedicated a decade, at least, of their lives to getting justice.”
On The Tonight Show Tuesday (March 11), Sting and Shaggy explained the current tumultuous state of the United States economy the best way they know how: through song. In a hilarious segment on the episode, the duo answered host Jimmy Fallon’s questions about the Donald Trump administration’s financial policies with lyrics from their own songs. […]
Venezuelan singer-songwriter Joaquina has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, the company tells Billboard. This marks her first worldwide administration agreement since her best new artist win at the Latin Grammys in 2023, which made her the youngest act to win that category at age 19. “I believe a huge part of […]