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14 Aug 2023

Mimi Valdés & Nina Yang Bongiovi Launch Media Company To Focus On Hip-Hop Narratives In Film

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Special Screening of the Netflix Film

Source: Jamie McCarthy / Getty

Two cinema powerhouses are teaming up in name of the culture. Mimi Valdés and Nina Yang Bongiovi are launching a company that will focus on Hip-Hop in film.

As spotted on Variety, the two producers are joining forces to ensure the narrative that represents over 1.85 billion people worldwide is told correctly. Their venture Fly Green Socks; which is an homage to the classic line by Slick Rick on “La Di La Di”, will focus on telling “fun, bold stories inspired by the world of Hip-Hop”.

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The duo expressed their enthusiasm in a joint statement. “Hip-Hop is a culture defining superpower, influencing fashion, technology and even politics. But it’s severely underrepresented in Hollywood as its own film genre,” the ladies said about the partnership. “Our goal with Fly Green Socks is to create a new lane of films dedicated to uplifting the Hip-Hop ecosystem.” They went on to add further detail to their mission. “With Hip-Hop celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, there’s a goldmine of untapped stories for us to champion with innovative filmmakers. We look forward to using our combined experience and deep relationships in music and film to deliver high-quality storytelling that impacts culture.”

This is not the first time Valdés and Bongiovi have collaborated. They originally first met when producing Dope and then ran it up again with Roxanne Roxanne, a biopic about Roxanne Shanté.

Photo:

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14 Aug 2023

BTS’ V Stars Alongside His Adorable Pomeranian Yeontan in Concept Photos Previewing ‘Layover’ Solo Debut

V may be about to embark on his solo career, but that doesn’t mean he can’t bring a buddy with him. In a couple dozen new concept photos previewing his upcoming debut album Layover, the BTS band member costars alongside his pet dog, Yeontan.

In some of the snaps, V — real name Kim Tae-hyung — poses with Yeontan in his arms, looking adorable in front of the camera. In one, the Pomeranian looks on as his owner strikes a pose with an electric guitar; in another, Yeontan tries on Tae-hyung’s red baseball cap.

“Yeontan is the most happiness dog ?” commented one ARMY member.

And while Yeontan definitely steals the show, Tae-hyung does appear without his sidekick in many of the images. The moody photoshoot alternates between black and white and color pics and shows the 27-year-old singer modeling a variety of looks, from a plaid short suit to a “Funk” sweatshirt.

The concept images arrive as V gears up to release Layover in September, his first full album apart from the K-Pop boy band that made him internationally famous, BTS. Last week, he gave fans a taste of the six-track record by releasing two new singles and music videos: “Love Me Again” and “Rainy Days.”

The first song showed off V’s smooth R&B skills, while the second leaned more relaxed pop. Also on the upcoming album: “Blue,” “Love Me Again,” “Slow Dancing,” “For Us” and a bonus track piano version of “Slow Dancing.” 

V’s solo debut follows individual releases from fellow BTS members, including Jung Kook’s “Seven” featuring Latto — which topped the Billboard Hot 100 — Suga’s April album D-Day and Jimin’s March EP FACE.

See V’s Layover concept images below:

14 Aug 2023

6 Cool Lunch Boxes for Adults That Will Keep Your Food Fresh in Style

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.

Lunch boxes today have modernized way past the brown paper bags some of us used to carry around. Now, you can carry anything from a purse-style lunch sack, to stackable models or even ones that heat up. It’s all centered around your preferences and what you want to get out of a lunch whether you’re taking it to work, college or a picnic.

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The best adult lunch boxes are travel necessities as they’re usually durable, feature insulating materials and can keep your food and beverages fresh for long periods of time. Parents may be tempted just to carry their children’s lunch box to the office, but with so many trendy and modern designs out there, you can bring a trendy lunch box to work that doesn’t feature a graphic of Coco Melon.

If you need a little inspiration to get you started, we rounded up a few of our favorite cool adult lunch boxes based on reviews that’ll keep your food and drinks fresh in style.

Keep reading to check out our picks.

green Bentgo lunchbox

Amazon

Bentgo Classic – All-in-One Stackable Bento Lunch Box Container

$16.99 $29.99 43% OFF

The Bentgo lunch box container has gained heaps of praise — like over 31,000 five-star reviews on Amazon. Reviewers can’t get enough of how durable the material is and how it “doesn’t stain easily.” The design also comes with compartments to separate food in and, as an added bonus, includes matching utensils.

green and blue digital patterned lunch box

Urban Outfitters

BAGGU Puffy Lunch Bag

$38

BAGGU’s Puffy Lunch Bag is a trendy take on the traditional lunch box as it comes in a vibrant pattern that’ll make it easy to spot your lunch in a lineup. Shoppers are obsessed with how spacious and insulating the material is saying, “I love the size of this lunchbox, it always fits exactly everything I need plus it’s very well insulated and super lightweight.”

gray and white electric lunch box adult with food and supplies surrounding it

Amazon

FORABEST Electric Lunch Box

$39.99 $46.99 15% OFF

You won’t have to worry about microwaving your food at work again once you use this electric lunch box. It’s designed to keep your food fresh and warm from the comfort of your desk or car as it comes with two different types of plugs. The stainless steel dish will help heat things up fast, while the included carry bag makes it easier to take from place to place.

gray yeti adult lunch box

Amazon

YETI Daytrip Lunch Box

$80.00

Yeti won’t just keep your drinks cool, the brand also has a lunch box that’ll keep your food and drinks fresh for long periods of time. While it’s more of a splurge, the 4.7 star rating proves it’s worth it as it comes with a heavy duty material that’s water- and leak proof, which will make cleaning it a total breeze.

black rectangular lunch box with rounded edges

Amazon

Hydro Flask Insulated Lunch Box

$54.95

Featuring two layers of insulating material, you won’t want to skip out on Hydro Flask’s lunch box. It’s built to keep your food as fresh as the moment you packed it and comes in two sizes to customize to your needs. It also comes with a 4.6 star rating with shoppers loving how it “stays cold for hours” when you add an ice pack.

orange and pink swirl patterned lunchbox

Calpak

Calpak Insulated Lunch Bag

$37.80 $42 10% off% OFF

Calpak’s take on a lunch box combines the style of a purse with the insulation and spaciousness of a modern lunch box. You’ll almost want to switch out your purse for your lunch bag as it comes in a variety of trendy patterns. Reviewers note that it’s also easy to clean and comes with a variety of pockets for holding snacks, beverages and more.

“It’s a great size for all my lunch and snacks, or even when I go on long drives keeps my food cool and I also love its pockets,” one shopper said.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best cookware deals, portable grills and robot vacuum deals.

14 Aug 2023

‘Barbie’ Becomes Highest-Grossing Film by a Woman Director: Here’s the Top 30 of All Time

Barbie has delighted audiences and critics alike – and has made history in the process. The Greta Gerwig-directed film has become the highest-grossing film that was directed or co-directed by a woman in U.S. box-office history, according to boxofficemojo.com.

Barbie has grossed $526.3 million in the U.S. as of Monday (Aug. 14), which puts it at No. 18 on boxofficemojo’s list of the 1,000 all-time top-grossing films. From that massive list, we extracted the 30 highest-grossing films that were directed or co-directed by women for this custom-made list.

While women have made great strides as directors of successful movies in recent years, men still dominate in the field. The film at No. 30 on our list – Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken – is far down at No. 637 on boxofficemojo’s top 1,000 list. But the barrier has been broken. All signs are that women directors will continue making gains in years to come.

The Wachowskis directed three of the 30-highest grossing movies by women directors – three films in The Matrix series. Lana Wachowski (formerly known as Larry Wachowski) and her sister Lilly Wachowski (formerly known as Andy Wachowski) are both trans women. Lana publicly revealed her transition in 2008. Lilly followed suit in 2016.

Nora Ephron, Nancy Meyers, Betty Thomas, Jennifer Yuh Nelson, Vicky Jenson and Jennifer Lee have each directed or co-directed two of the top 30 highest-grossing movies by women directors.

Barbie: The Album has climbed as high as No. 2 on the Billboard 200. The soundtracks to seven of the films on this list reached No. 1 on that chart – Wayne’s World, Sleepless in Seattle, Mamma Mia!, Pitch Perfect 2, Twilight, Frozen and Frozen 2.

Here are the 30 highest-grossing films in the U.S. that were directed or co-directed by women, according to boxofficemojo.com. These figures are not adjusted for inflation.

14 Aug 2023

Hacked?: Internet Rapper Lil Tay Confirms She’s Alive After “Death” Reports

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Lil Tay

Source: @liltay / Instagram

Lil Tay, the young Internet rapper and influencer thought to be dead a day ago, confirmed she’s alive after what appears to be a hoax.

On Thursday (Aug. 10), the family provided a statement to TMZ from the rapper debunking previous reports that spread Wednesday (Aug. 9) citing an Instagram post claiming that Lil Tay and her brother had died. “I want to make it clear that my brother and I are safe and alive, but I’m completely heartbroken, and struggling to even find the right words to say,” her alleged statement read.

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“It’s been a very traumatizing 24 hours. All day yesterday, I was bombarded with endless heartbreaking and tearful phone calls from loved ones all while trying to sort out this mess.” The family also claims that her Instagram account “was compromised by a 3rd party and used to spread jarring misinformation and rumors,” especially concerning her name. My legal name is Tay Tian, not ‘Claire Hope.’”

The since-deleted Instagram post was published with the statement reading: “It is with a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of our beloved Claire’s sudden and tragic passing. This outcome was entirely unexpected, and has left us all in shock. Her brother’s passing adds an even more unimaginable depth to our grief. During this time of immense sorrow, we kindly ask for privacy as we grieve this overwhelming loss, as the circumstances surrounding Claire and her brother’s passing are still under investigation.”

The announcement caused some confusion as the Vancouver Police Department and the Los Angeles Police Department and its county medical examiner stated that they had no information on Lil Tay’s death and that there was no current investigation. Adding to that, her father Christopher Hope said to Insider that he couldn’t comment on the post and declined to comment on whether she was alive.

Lil Tay shot to fame as a social media influencer at the age of 9, dubbing herself “youngest flexer of the century,” while creating foul-mouthed Instagram videos boasting of a luxurious Hip-Hop lifestyle. One video showed her purchasing a $200,000 sports car despite not knowing how to drive. It led her to be associated with Chief Keef and XXXTentacion, the latter whom she dubbed a “father figure.” She received heavy backlash for using the N-word, later apologizing for it in another post.

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14 Aug 2023

Watch Jennifer Lopez Casually Crush ‘I Will Survive’ at an Italian Bar While on Vacation

Even while chilling in a pub on vacation Jennifer Lopez can’t help being the star of the show. In a video posted by the Taverna Anema e Core (Heart and Soul) in Capri, Italy over the weekend, the singer/actress dazzles the crowd in the crowded bar when she busts into Gloria Gaynor’s 1978 disco anthem “I Will Survive.”

In the clip from Saturday’s impromptu performance, Lopez, casually wearing an awards show-worthy sparkly silver dress, gamely hops into the fun when the song comes on the karaoke machine, holding a tambourine in her left hand and belting out the empowering lyrics while seated alongside a fellow patron.

And, because she’s a pro, Lopez hung on to the mic for a raucous run through one of her own, “Let’s Get Loud” from her 1999 debut album, On the 6.

Though husband Ben Affleck wasn’t anywhere to be seen in the karaoke video, Lopez was clearly having a blast in another video she posted from the summer getaway in which she chows down al fresco on some delicious ravioli while Dean Martin’s “Mambo Italiano” plays in the background.

Lopez has been gearing up to release her as-yet-unscheduled ninth studio album, This Is Me… Now, the sequel to her 2002 This Is Me…Then collection. She recently teased her latest ode to Affleck, “Midnight in Vegas,” an homage to the couple’s 2022 Sin City wedding. It’s at least the third song she’s written to honor her actor hubby, following up on the 2002 album’s “Dear Ben”; “Dear Ben Pt. II” is slated to appear on Now.

Check out video of the wild night out from the tavern’s Instagram below.

14 Aug 2023

Billy Ray Cyrus & FIREROSE Sign New Management, Agency Representation Deals: Exclusive

Multi-faceted entertainers Billy Ray Cyrus and FIREROSE have signed with Scott Adkins for exclusive management representation, and with Nick Meinema of Action Entertainment Collaborative for global agency representation.

Adkins also manages country singer-songwriter and Country Music Hall of Fame member Tanya Tucker and is president/CEO of public relations firm Adkins Publicity. Meinema’s Action Entertainment Collaborative also represents Trace Adkins, Terri Clark, James Barker Band, Sawyer Brown, Thompson Square and more.

“Billy Ray Cyrus is royalty in all aspects of the entertainment business who continues to reign as a true visionary, and FIREROSE is a multi-talented gem whose talent blew me away the moment I heard her stylistic voice. I’m thrilled to continue representing both artists in a management capacity after working with Cyrus for more than eight years,” Adkins said via a statement.

“We’re thrilled we got the call and opportunity to represent Billy Ray Cyrus and FIREROSE, and are excited to put into motion the plan they have for their future, while building off of Cyrus’ indelible career as a bonafide hitmaker and entertainer, as we embark into the next chapter with FIREROSE,” added Action Entertainment Collaborative founder Meinema.

Cyrus and FIREROSE recently issued their new duet, the Diane Warren-written “Plans.”

“Like our song says, ‘It’s a new day.’ ‘New Day’ was FIREROSE and my first Top 20 radio hit together. It sowed the seeds for a lot of change still yet to come. A new beginning. This moment in time marks not only a new chapter but to be honest, it’s a brand new book,” Cyrus said in a statement.

“I am honored and thrilled to be represented by Scott Adkins and Nick Meinema,” FIREROSE added. “I’m very much looking forward to this next exciting stage of my career and taking my artistry to the next level with this power team. There’s a great synergy in our creative vision and trajectory for my artistic goals.”

Cyrus earned his breakthrough hit in 1992 with “Achy Breaky Heart,” which enjoyed a five-week run at No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart beginning on May 30, 1992. One week later, his Some Gave All album hit the summit on Top Country Albums for the first of 34 total weeks, setting a precedent at the time for a debut album. He followed with country hits including “Some Gave All,” “It Won’t Be the Last,” and “It Could’ve Been Me.”

He went on to diversify his career, taking on acting roles in series including Doc and Still the King, as well as the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana with his daughter, singer-songwriter-actress Miley Cyrus. In 2019, he united with Lil Nas X for a remix of “Old Town Road,” which spent 19 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and is now certified 17-times multi-platinum by the RIAA.

FIREROSE and Cyrus previously collaborated on the song “New Day,” while FIREROSE is known for her indie-pop tracks “Fragile Handling,” and “Way Out,” which have each earned more than 1 million views on YouTube.

See the official video for the couple’s song “Plans” below:

14 Aug 2023

Clarence Avant, Former Motown Chairman and ‘Godfather of Black Music,’ Dies at 92

Clarence Avant, whose decades of trailblazing work as an artist manager, mentor, executive and record label owner earned him the title of “Godfather of Black Music,” died Sunday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 92.

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“Clarence leaves behind a loving family and a sea of friends and associates that have changed the world and will continue to change the world for generations to come,” his family said in a statement. “The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss.”

As a manager early on in his career, the North Carolina native worked with Sarah Vaughan, Freddie Hubbard, Little Willie John, Jimmy Smith and producer Creed Taylor, among others. He went on to broker the sale of Stax Records in the 1960s and notably discovered and signed “Ain’t No Sunshine” singer Bill Withers. In the ’70s, Avant founded KAGB-FM (Avant Garde Broadcasting), one of the first Black-owned radio stations in the U.S.

He also launched two record companies, Sussex and Tabu, cultivating rosters that included Withers, Dennis Coffey, the S.O.S. Band, Wadsworth Mansion, The Gallery and The Presidents.

Avant’s connection with the S.O.S. Band sparked a introduction to emerging songwriting/production duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Avant played an instrumental role in the pair’s success (as well as that of another hit-making duo, Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds). He was also the promoter of Michael Jackson’s “Bad” tour, Jackson’s first ever solo world tour.

He was named Motown chairman in 1993 and four years later became the first African-American to serve on the International Management Board for PolyGram.

Avant ran his Interior Music Group and Avant Garde Music publishing companies until they were sold in 2018 to Universal Music Group.

Avant was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and in 2019, was honored by the Recording Academy with the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons award. Over the decades he also received a Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award, an NAACP Image Awards Hall Of Fame Award, a BET Honors Entrepreneur Award, and induction into the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2008, the Recording Academy honored Avant with its Trustees Award.

Involved in the social and political arenas, his relationships range from the presidential (Bill Clinton, Barack Obama) to the entrepreneurial (Oprah Winfrey). Avant was the subject of the Netflix documentary The Black Godfather (2019), directed by Hudlin and produced by his daughter, Nicole Avant.

14 Aug 2023

Ed Sheeran Sings ‘Lego House’ at the Mall After Working Shift at Lego Store

Maybe Ed Sheeran is just catching up on all the crummy retail and food service jobs the rest of us did in our 20s by cosplaying as customer service during stops on his massive Mathematics tour. A few weeks ago, he was slinging dogs at Chicago’s legendarily salty Weiner Circle and on Saturday he popped in to a Lego store at Minneapolis’ massive Mall of America for a shift at a “brick specialist.”

In a video on his Instagram, Sheeran posts up behind the counter as a shocked mom says, “are you kidding me!? Oh my God, my daughter’s gonna freak out!” Sheeran then turns to the camera to show off his official Lego store uniform, consisting of a blue Lego shirt, the signature yellow smock and, yes, an “Ed” name tag.

“I’m here at the Mall of America in Minnesota and I have my Lego outfit on to be a brick specialist at the Lego store and then play ‘Lego House!,” AFOL Sheeran tells the camera. In a montage, Sheeran helps some young shoppers find the right bricks, pushes stock around on a cart and signs a Lego house set for a young fan. Then, after his shift, Sheeran straps on an acoustic and strums the brick-themed third single from his 2011 debut album, +, for hundreds of Sheerios.

“That was super fun,” he says after the quick food court-adjacent gig, teasing a surprise at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis later that night. “I’ve got a bunch of these ‘Autumn Is Coming’ minifigures and I’m going to be giving them out at the gig. See you in a bit,” he says.

At previous stops on the tour, Sheeran popped into a pub to sing the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” slung philly cheesesteaks in South Philadelphia and visited a classroom to jam with some high school band students in Tampa.

Check out Sheeran’s video below.

14 Aug 2023

Rapper Magoo Passes Away At 50, Social Media Reacts

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Timbaland's Birthday Party

Source: Johnny Nunez / Getty

Rapper Melvin “Magoo” Barcliff of Timbaland & Magoo fame has passed away. He was 50 years old.

Magoo’s cause of death remains undisclosed. Digital Black of the group Playa took to Instagram to confirm his friend’s passing on Sunday (August 13). They both are members of the Bassment Crew and Superfriendz group of creatives.

Hailing from Norfolk, VA, Timbaland & Magoo would drop several albums, including their debut, Welcome To Our World, which had the hits “Up Jumps Da Boogie” and “Luv 2 Luv Ya (Remix).” With Missy Elliott, Ginuwine, Aaliyah and Timbaland, Magoo was party of some of Hip-Hop’s most innovative sounds in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s.

“I don’t even know how to say anything at this point , I have lost 3 friends now within a month to LIFE and it’s due date ….this dude , always pushed me …I will mis you maganooo that’s what we called him,” said singer and friend Ginuwine in a tribute post.

Rest in power Magoo. See social media reactions to Magoo’s untimely passing in the gallery.

This story is developing.