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11 Aug 2023

Tory Lanez Hops Off Booster Seat To Say He Isn’t Apologizing

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Tory Lanez, who was sentenced this week to a decade behind bars in connection to the Megan Thee Stallion shooting, still has access to social media somehow. The Canadian rascal is standing five feet tall, excuse us, 10 toes down in stating that he isn’t responsible for the shooting while saying he’s not apologizing.

In a brief Instagram statement, Tory Lanez highlights that the singer and entertainer is intending to remain steadfast in stating that he had nothing to do with the shooting of Megan Thee Stallion.

“I have never let a hard time intimidate me, I will never, never let no jail time eliminate me,” Lanez began. “This week in court, I took responsibility for all verbal and intimate moments that I shared with the parties involved. That’s it. In no way, shape, or form was I apologizing for the charges I’m being wrongfully convicted of. I remain on the stance that I refuse to apologize for something that I did not do.”

Lanez added, “I’ve faced adversity my whole life, and every time it looked like I’d lose, I came out on top. This is nothing but another moment where my back is against the wall, and I refuse to stop fighting till I come out victorious.”

The post concludes with Tory Lanez thanking his fans for their support and maintaining his proud defiance.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, onlookers have chimed in with their thoughts about the case, including all of the celebrity letters in support of him. Check out those reactions below.

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Photo: Getty

11 Aug 2023

Warner Records Launches Defiant Records With A&R Head Steve ‘Steve-O’ Carless

Longtime music executive Steve “Steve-O” Carless has partnered with Warner Records on a joint partnership to start his label Defiant Records. Carless, who is president of A&R at Warner, told Billboard that creating Defiant was a “lifelong mission.”

“I just believe in achieving what you set out to do no matter the risk, test, or obstacle,” he said. “It’s important to be brave and intentional to not lose sight of that. I wanted this to be representative of the career I’ve been privileged to have and also speak to the artists who dream to create their story on their own terms, who aren’t scared to be who they are unapologetically.”

Defiant Records houses burgeoning acts, including Bandmanrill, Sha EK, and McVertt, who teamed to craft the bulky 27-track project The Defiant Presents: Jiggy In Jersey. Executive produced by McVertt (who co-produced Lil Uzi Vert’s Hot 100 top 10 hit “I Just Wanna Rock), Bandmanrill and Sha EK thrive in a playground where Jersey Club and drill music coexist. Having previously worked with Pusha T, Big Sean and the late Nipsey Hussle, among many others, Carless believes his experience will come in handy when building out the careers of his signees. 

“I truly believe that my experience affords these artists an opportunity and mentorship that’s hard to duplicate,” Carless relayed to Billboard. “I have 10,000 hours of experience in management, A&R, digital, and promotions. I’ve been inside a record company for my whole career and have simultaneously operated outside of those buildings as well. I’ve helped build brands and companies and also understand the agency piece of it thoroughly. I think all of that super-serves these artists in a way that can create more unexpected opportunities and expedited learning because it’s a unique situation here at Defiant Records.”

Regarding plans to grow Defiant Records into a powerhouse, Carless has a simple rinse-and-repeat strategy he thinks will be the blueprint for his label. 

“The plans are simple, be authentic and detailed. We set attainable goals, achieve them, and repeat. We will always be the best in our space. The name of the game is to be consistent and curate our big-picture and individual stories simultaneously. Our focus has primarily been YouTube because it’s the most current breeding ground for global talent, and we’ve signed each one of our artists based on their following on the platform.”

Stream The Defiant Presents: Jiggy In Jersey below. 

11 Aug 2023

James Gunn Denies Gal Gadot’s Assertion That ‘Wonder Woman’ Will Return

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Wonder Woman 1984

Source: Warner Bros. / Warner Bros.

Just days after Gal Gadot announced that James Gunn promised to develop the next Wonder Woman film alongside her, Gunn poured ice cold water on that notion and refuted any such claims made by the MTV Movie Award winning actress.

According to Variety, Gadot might’ve jumped the gun when she revealed that the head honchos over at the DCEU, James Gunn and Peter Safran, informed her that Wonder Woman 3 would indeed be happening and that they’d help her bring it to life just months after it was announced that the film was scrapped. Many DCEU fans were heartbroken by Gunn’s “rash” decisions when he was given the reigns of the DCEU late last year which included canceling Wonder Woman 3, deading Henry Cavill’s return as Superman, but letting The Flash film fly even as it’s star, Ezra Miller, was embroiled in all kinds of controversies.

While many fans were excited to learn that Gal Gadot would be returning as Wonder Woman, others were peeved that she would be welcomed back while Henry Cavill was given the boot as he is indeed Superman in the eyes of millions of fans. Ultimately though, ain’t no one from the Zack Snyder era welcomed in James Gunn’s DCEU.

Variety reports:

The actor made a potential future for “Wonder Woman 3” appear even more likely during a recently published profile by Flaunt magazine. In this interview, Gadot said she was assured by Gunn and Safran that “Wonder Woman 3” would be developed.

“I was invited to a meeting with James Gunn and Peter Safran,” Gadot said, “and what they told me, and I’m quoting: ‘You’re in the best hands. We’re going to develop Wonder Woman 3 with you. [We] love you as Wonder Woman— you’ve got nothing to worry about.’ So time will tell.”

The sources added to Variety that nothing was ever promised to Gadot regarding “Wonder Woman 3,” nor was there any definitive discussion of Gadot’s Wonder Woman continuing with the new DC Universe. Gunn and Safran gave a presentation at the start of the year unveiling the first titles in their new DC Universe, including “Superman: Legacy,” and they continue to be laser focused on these new films.

Aight, someone’s lying because why would Gal Gadot put that out there in any manner unless something was said by someone at some point.

Many are saying the main reason that Gunn let the OG Justice League actors go was because he plans on utilizing younger actors as he plans on building a DCEU franchise that’ll run at least a decade. By that logic, both Gadot and Cavill would only be suited for a Kingdom Come DC film in which they’d basically be Super Old Man and Wonder Grandma. Ben Affleck’s Batman is basically already there, so y’all know he was going to go.

While we’re still in the dark about whether to not Wonder Woman will return and who’ll be playing the Amazonian warrior, we do know that Superman will be played by David Corenswet in James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman: Legacy. Other than that, James Gunn’s DCEU project still remains very much a mystery.

What do y’all think of James Gunn’s people shooting down Gal Gadot’s recollection of their meeting over Wonder Woman? Did he do her dirty or did she speak too soon? Let us know in the comments section below.

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11 Aug 2023

Katy Perry Teases ‘KP6 Era’ During Residency Show

Katy Perry put some hip into it when she dropped a playful tease about her upcoming studio album during one of her Las Vegas PLAY residency gigs on Wednesday. In video captured by fans, the singer alluded to her last two albums while offering a tantalizing confirmation about her next era.

“If you couldn’t love me in my Witness and Smile eras, then you can’t love me in my KP6 era,” the singer said on stage while throwing a playful hip swivel in for good measure. Witness (2017) and Smile (2020) failed to match the commercial success of of Perry’s 2010 breakthrough album Teenage Dream or 2013’s Prism.

Perry hasn’t released a new album since the birth of her daughter Daisy Dove in Aug. 2020, but in an interview with Good Morning America this week the singer said she’s hard at work on album number six, which she hinted was inspired by the birth of her child with fiancé Orlando Bloom.

“I haven’t put any new material out since my Darling Daisy. I think that I’m writing a lot and have written a lot from a place of love because I’m feeling so much of it – so much unconditional love, that love you never knew existed,” she told GMA.

“I’m always writing, I have been, but I think what’s really important to me is to be celebrating the world that I’ve got to build with all of these wonderful songs and to be responsible for a life for a three-year-old. I will be back, but let me get this right.” Perry did not offer a timetable for the release of the album.

After a two-year run of Katy Perry: Play that began in Dec. 2021 at the Resorts World Theatre at Resorts World Las Vegas, the singer is preparing to hit stop on the residency in the fall, with the last run of shows slated for Oct. 4-Nov. 4.

See a video of the tease below.

11 Aug 2023

Rihanna Shows Off Savage X Fenty’s Maternity Line With Breastfeeding Photos With Son RZA

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Rihanna RZA x Savage Fenty

Source: Savage Fenty / Savage Fenty

Rihanna may no longer be the CEO at Savage X Fenty, but she’s still representing her brand well, and now she’s promoting the company’s maternity bra with a photoshoot that features the “Umbrella” singer breastfeeding her 14-month-old son RZA.

“Not ur mama’s maternity bras…designed by @badgalriri, approved by baby RZA,” a caption on the company’s Instagram post read, while another post read, “Not @badgalriri giving us baby fever ? #SavageXMaternity ✨Our NEW maternity bras are HERE✨ A capsule collection that’s giving comfort, function and support for ur ??.”

Rihanna is currently pregnant with her second child with rapper A$AP Rocky, and she certainly hasn’t been shy about modeling for her fashion company and her fans, baby bump and all.

While the “Lift Me Up” songstress jokingly wore a t-shirt that reads “Use Condoms” to show off her pregnancy in June, the SavagexFenty site shows the company also has a t-shirt that reads “Make More Babies” available.

Speaking of making “more babies,” Rihanna says her current pregnancy feels “so different than the first one,” when RZA, named for the Wu-Tang founder, came into the world in May 2022.

“Just everything … no cravings, tons of nausea, everything’s different,” she said during a red carpet interview at the Met Gala in May of this year. “But I’m enjoying it, I’m enjoying it. I feel good. I feel energetic.”

Congratulations to Rihanna, A$AP and RZA, who will have himself a sibling soon. May the family continue to receive its blessings.

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11 Aug 2023

Hawaiian Wildfires: Mick Fleetwood ‘Heartbroken’ Over Loss of Maui Restaurant; Bette Midler, Barack Obama, Pearl Jam Send Message of Support

The Hurricane Dora-fueled wildfires that have killed at least 55 people and destroyed the town of Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui have transfixed the nation as the out-of-control flames have burned 2,000 acres and forced the evacuation of more than 11,000 people.

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Gov. Josh Green said in a news conference on Thursday that the the second-deadliest wildfire in the U.S. this century was the “largest natural disaster in Hawaii’s state history,” estimating that nearly 1,700 buildings had been destroyed.

One of those structures was longtime resident Fleetwood Mac drummer Mick Fleetwood‘s Maui restaurant Fleetwood’s. “MAUl and The Lahaina community have been my home for several decades,” the band co-founder wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “This is a devastating moment for MAUl and many are suffering unimaginable loss.
Fleetwoods on front Street has been lost and while we are heartbroken our main priority is the safety of our dear staff and team members. On behalf of myself and my family I share my heartfelt thoughts and prayers for the people of MAUI. We are committed to supporting the community and those affected by this disaster in the days month and years to come.”

Fleetwood — who opened the restaurant in 2012 — was just one of the many stars with ties to the island who’ve spoken out about the devastation and issued pleas for support for the island’s shellshocked residents. Among those expressing their grief over the loss of life and historic damage were fellow island residents Bette Midler, former President Barack Obama and Aquaman actor Jason Momoa (both born in Honolulu), Oahu native Jack Johnson and the members of Pearl Jam, who are offering a limited-edition signed tour poster as a fundraiser for the fire’s victims.

See their statements and find out how to help below.

Bette Midler via X: “The beautiful island of #Maui in the most beautiful state in the union, is suffering. My family and I send our deepest and most profound sympathies to everyone who has lost anything or everything in the #MauiFires.”

Pearl Jam via X: “We are devastated to see the impacts of the wildfires in Hawaii. In an effort to raise support for organizations helping those affected, we are offering a chance to win a limited-edition 2018 2XL print reissue of Pearl Jam’s 1998 tour poster from Hawaii, signed by all five current members of Pearl Jam plus touring keyboardist and lifelong Hawaii resident Boom Gaspar.”

Jack Johnson via Instagram (with support links): “Our friends and family on Maui have been devastated by fires. There are several ways you can kōkua.”

Barack Obama via X: “It’s tough to see some of the images coming out of Hawai’i — a place that’s so special to so many of us. Michelle and I are thinking of everyone who has lost a loved one, or whose life has been turned upside down. If you’d like to help, you can do so here. http://hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/maui-strong.”

Jason Momoa via Instagram: “We are devastated and heartbroken for our friends and ‘ohana on Maui who been impacted by the recent wildfires. ❗️Link in our bio to organizations that are helping❗️”

President Joe Biden via X: “Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones in the wildfires in Maui. Our prayers are with those whose homes, businesses, and communities are destroyed. We are grateful to the first responders putting themselves in harm’s way to save lives.”
You can help with disaster relief efforts by donating to the following organizations:

11 Aug 2023

Straightenin: Offset Drops His Lawsuit Against Quality Control Music

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It seems like Offset is no longer at odds with his recording home. He has dismissed his lawsuit against Quality Control Music.

As spotted on Variety Magazine the Lawrenceville, Georgia native is moving on from his legal woes concerning his solo work. Back in April it was revealed that the Migos member was trying to regain the ownership to his master recordings. TMZ reported that in 2013 he signed a contract with QC to produce solo albums. But in 2015 the record label signed a new distribution deal with Capitol Records that in turn reverted ownership of his solo works back to Quality Control. Naturally, Offset felt that the move violated the original 2013 terms thus he took the record company to court.

On Friday, August 4 Offset’s legal team requested the lawsuit be dismissed with prejudice. Neither Quality Control or representatives for the “Slipper” rapper have yet to publicly comment on the recent news. Back in May Offset spoke to Variety Magazine for their cover story and he discussed the situation. “This is me going full-fledged into my solo career,” he explained. “The objective is to do it fully and smash sh*t and f*** the game up as a solo artist. I’m coming through, bustin’ through the door. It’s all set, my next chapter. It’s my time.”

Most recently Offset released his new single “Jealousy” with his wife Cardi B. You can watch the video below.



Photo: Danielle James

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11 Aug 2023

Wynonna Judd, Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton & More Set for ‘A Tribute to The Judds’ Album

More than two dozen artists will pay homage to Country Music Hall of Famers The Judds (mother-daughter duo Wynonna and Naomi Judd) on A Tribute to The Judds, out Oct. 27 on BMG.

Among the participating acts are Dolly Parton, Jelly Roll, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Carly Pearce, Megan Moroney, Blake Shelton, Trisha Yearwood, Ashley McBryde, Gabby Barrett and LeAnn Rimes.

“To have all of these artists, most of which are my friends, come together and lend their voices and artistry to reimagine these songs, is so special,” Wynonna Judd, who also appears on the project, said in a statement. “These songs are so timeless and I am so excited for them to live on for generations to come.”

On Aug. 18, music lovers will get a first glimpse into the project with a song still to be chosen.

Among the collaborations on the set are Shelton and wife Gwen Stefani pairing for “Love Is Alive”; Wynonna and Yearwood performing “Cry Myself to Sleep”; Parton and Wilson teaming for “Mama He’s Crazy”; Jelly Roll, K. Michelle and The Fisk Jubilee Singers on “Love Can Build a Bridge”; and Wendy Moten playing “Had a Dream (For the Heart)” with O.N.E The Duo.

Nearly all of the upcoming album’s 14 tracks were produced by Brent Maher, The Judds’ original producer and a six-time Grammy winner. CMA Award-winning producer/songwriter/musician and Wynonna Judd’s husband, Cactus Moser, produced “Cry Myself to Sleep.”

“To all of you who listen to this music, I wish you could have been with us in the studio when we recorded these songs,” Maher said in a statement. “There was a joy and passion along with some poignant moments in re-recording these Judds songs that are impossible to describe.  I hope you enjoy this record as much as we enjoyed making it.”

A Tribute to The Judds

Allan Geiger

The album pays homage to The Judds’ 40th anniversary of being signed by music executive Joe Galante to RCA Records in 1983 and reunites much of the team that helped develop their success: Galante serves as an executive producer on A Tribute to The Judds, as does Renee Bell, an A&R exec at MCA Nashville when Wynonna issued her solo work for the label. Galante’s previous work with The Judds brought about numerous accolades, including six multi-platinum studio albums, five Grammy wins, nine CMA Awards and eight ACM Awards.

“Renee Bell and I were thrilled to be part of A Tribute to The Judds as executive producers,” Galante said in a statement. “After my signing of The Judds in 1983 and Wynonna going to MCA when Renee was director of A&R, it was a special reunion for all of us. With Brent Maher at the helm of producing all of the timeless Judds music we are honoring, it was the perfect combination. We couldn’t be more excited about the incredible artists that have brought their own styles to these great songs.”

A Tribute to The Judds will partner with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) in honor of Naomi Judd, who died by suicide at age 76 on April 30, 2022, one day prior to The Judds’ induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Six months after Naomi died, Wynonna continued on with The Judds’ tour, which had been planned and announced prior to her mom’s death. Many of country music’s female artists, including Yearwood and McBryde, joined Wynonna on various dates on the tour, helping her to honor Naomi’s life, as well as the illustrious career Naomi and Wynonna built together as The Judds.

Full track list for A Tribute to The Judds below:

Girls Night Out – Reba McEntire, Carly Pearce, Jennifer Nettles, Gabby Barrett
Mama He’s Crazy – Lainey Wilson and Dolly Parton
Why Not Me – Megan Moroney
Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good Old Days) [feat. Sonya Isaacs] – Cody Johnson
Rockin’ With The Rhythm Of The Rain – Ashley McBryde and Shelly Fairchild
Young Love (Strong Love) – Ella Langley and Jamey Johnson
Have Mercy – LeAnn Rimes
Love Is Alive – Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
Had A Dream (For The Heart) – Wendy Moten and O.N.E The Duo
I Know Where I’m Going – Barnett, Lynne & West
Let Me Tell You About Love – Carl Perkins and Raul Malo
John Deere Tractor – Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and Molly Tuttle
Cry Myself To Sleep – Wynonna Judd and Trisha Yearwood
Love Can Build a Bridge – Jelly Roll, K. Michelle, and The Fisk Jubilee Singers

11 Aug 2023

Malaysian Organizer Seeks $2.7 Million From The 1975 Over Same-Sex Kiss That Shut Down Festival

The organizer of a Malaysian music festival is seeking 12.3 million ringgit ($2.7 million) in losses from British band The 1975, after its lead singer’s on-stage protest of the country’s anti-gay laws prompted authorities to shut down the festival, the company’s lawyer said Friday (Aug. 11).

Future Sound Asia sent a letter to the band on Monday demanding compensation over a breach of contract, said FSA lawyer David Dinesh Mathew.

During the July 21 performance, Matty Healy used profanities in his speech criticizing the Malaysian government’s stance against homosexuality, before kissing bassist Ross MacDonald during the opening show at the Good Vibes Festival in Kuala Lumpur. Footage of the performance was posted on social media and sparked backlash in the predominantly Muslim country.

In Malaysia, homosexuality is a crime punishable by up to 20 years in prison and caning.

The government slammed Healy’s conduct, blacklist the band from the country and cut short the three-day festival. Some in the LGBTQ+ community also took to social media to criticize the band, saying Healy had disrupted the work of activists pushing for change and also endangered the community.

In the letter, Mathew said the band had given a written pledge before the show that it would adhere to all local guidelines and regulations. Instead, Healy’s “use of abusive language, equipment damage, and indecent stage behaviour” caused financial losses to FSA.

“Unfortunately, the assurance was ignored,” Mathew said Friday in a written statement to The Associated Press. “Their actions have had repercussions on local artists and small businesses, who relied on the festival for creative opportunities and their livelihoods.”

As such, he said FSA demanded that The 1975 acknowledge their liability and pay 12.3 million ringgit in compensation for damages incurred. On its website, FSA said it is in the midst of accommodating all refund requests.

The lawyer said FSA will take legal action in the courts of England if the band fails to respond by Monday, a week after the legal letter of claim was sent.

The band canceled its shows in Taiwan and Jakarta, Indonesia, after the fiasco in the Malaysian capital. It wasn’t the first such provocative on-stage display by Healy in the name of LGBTQ+ rights: In 2019, he kissed a male fan during a concert in the United Arab Emirates, which outlaws same-sex sexual activity.

11 Aug 2023

Dorothy Drops Innovative JVC RC-M90 Boombox Print In Honor Of Hip-Hop’s 50th Anniversary

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Hip-Hop @ 50 Dorothy Boombox Print

Hip-Hop turns 50 today (August 11) and the culture that was birthed in the Bronx back in 1973 has transformed into an entity with massive global influence. Dorothy, a United Kingdom-based art and print studio that focuses on honoring all forms of music and culture, released a new print in honor of Hip-Hop’s 50th anniversary and styled in the form of the iconic JVC RC-M90 boombox.

True B-Boys and B-Girls know that the boombox was the quintessential method in rocking one’s Hip-Hop tunes and none other more notable than the JVC RC-M90. Dorothy cleverly adds imagery into the shape of the boombox with several images for this “inside info” print with over 350 Hip-Hop artists featured. Much like their Hip-Hop Love blueprint and the Hip-Hop Stamps album print, Dorothy’s loving attention to detail is on display once more.

Hip-Hop @ 50 Dorothy Boombox Print

Read more from Dorothy:

The print celebrates some of the greatest moments in hip-hop history, all hidden inside this iconic boombox. Scenes include DJ Kool Herc at his Back to School Jam, Grand Wizzard Theodore inventing the scratching technique, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five performing, Sylvia Robinson assembling The Sugarhill Gang, and The Bridge Wars rivalry between Boogie Down Productions and the Juice Crew and the iconic rap battle between Kool Moe Dee vs Busy Bee at Harlem World in 1981

The print features cameos from over 350 hip-hop artists, grouping together musicians who worked together, and geographic scenes including West Coast artists N.W.A, Ice-T, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, 2Pac and Kendrick Lamar. East Coast artists Run-D.M.C. Beastie Boys, Public Enemy, Wu-Tang Clan, Lauryn Hill, Nas and Notorious B.I.G. Mobb Deep and Jay-Z. The Southern scene OutKast, Lil Wayne, T.I. and British hip-hop and grime artists Stormzy, Dizzee Rascal, Ms Dynamite and Little Simz. There’s also a sneaky little appearance from the dinosaur from the Wu-Tang Clan Gravel Pit video.

How dope is that?

Hip-Hop @ 50 Dorothy Boombox Print

To grab your own, please follow this link and peruse the site for more amazing prints which honor jazz, rock, and other art forms.

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Photo: Dorothy

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