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Ye AKA Kanye West Returns To Elon Musk’s Twitter Under The Condition That He Stops Spreading Hate

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Celebrity Sightings In Los Angeles - May 13, 2023

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Welp, it happened. After an eight-month ban from the platform, Ye aka Kanye West has returned to Elon Musk’s Twitter (or X, or whatever the hell Elon has arbitrarily changed the name to). But, according to Hip Hop DX, Yeezy’s return to Twitter comes with a couple of stipulations.

First, Musk reinstated Ye on Saturday under the condition that he refrain from using the social media platform to express his antisemitic or otherwise bigoted views. The second stipulation appears to be that Ye won’t be able to make money directly from his Twitter account.

From Hip Hop DX:

However, Musk also made clear that West won’t be able to monetize his Twitter platform, nor will advertisements appear next to his Tweets.

Twitter’s Help Center stipulates: “Any organization that purchases a subscription to Verified Organizations will receive a gold checkmark and square avatar if they are a business or non-profit, or a grey checkmark and square avatar if they are a governmental or multilateral organization.”

Ryan Mac, a tech reporter for The New York Times, claimed that the company chose to give West a gold checkmark because “Ye” is the rapper’s company. “The company tells me that Kanye’s account has a gold check because it views “Ye” as Kanye West’s overall brand,” he tweeted on Saturday (July 29). “It’s unclear if he will run ads, but as a gold checkmark verified organization, he has the ability to do so.”

The move to bring Ye back to Twitter comes as Musk and his social media company are threatening litigation against the Center for Countering Digital Hate, an independent non-profit research organization that found hate, racism and disinformation had increased substantially on Twitter in recent months, which, if true, would be no surprise since it was widely reported that the use of racial slurs skyrocketed on the platform shortly after Musk acquired it.

Hopefully, Kanye can keep his Nazi love to himself from now on instead of advertising it on social media. Better yet, hopefully, he truly has learned a lot from the backlash and consequences his antisemitism caused him to face. Hopefully, Ye has grown up a little.

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Karol G Unveils Release Date for New Album ‘Mañana Sera Bonito (Bichota Season)’

Karol G surprised fans on Monday (July 31) when she announced the release date of an upcoming album called Mañana Será Bonito (Bichota Season).

In a nearly 30-second teaser, the Colombian artist is seen drawing the album cover with grains of pink and black sand as she sensually models her long pastel pink hair and black, two-piece bikini. “Bichota Season,” says a high-pitched voice at the ending of the clip that’s backed by strong hip-hop beats.

In the caption on Instagram, Karol G shared: “…this tour would not be the same without the end of this story.” Bichota Season drops August 11 and can already be pre-saved here.

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The set will also be released on the launch of the “Provenza” singer’s Mañana Será Bonito stadium tour, kicking off at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The 15-date trek, presented by Live Nation, will also visit Pasadena, Miami, Houston and Dallas and before wrapping up Sept. 28 at the Gillette Stadium in Boston.

The announcement also comes on the heels of Karol’s latest single “S91,” an emotional and ultra-personal, EDM-trap fusion—produced by Ovy on the Drums—that was inspired by the popular Psalm 91 Bible verse and is about overcoming adversity.

It was at the ending of its music video, directed by Pedro Artola and produced by WeOwnTheCity, where Karol is seen running away from a group of people backed by a pack of wolves trying to bring her down that she revealed “Bichota Season” was coming soon.

“S91” debuted at No. 10 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and is a separate song from Karol’s history-making Mañana Será Bonito. The 17-songs set, home to collaborations with Romeo Santos, Quevedo, Sech, Carla Morrison, and more, became the first all Spanish-language LP by a female artist to top the Billboard 200 albums chart.

See the official announcement of “Bichota Season” below:



In 1991, MTV Gave Pee-Wee Herman a Perfect Comeback Moment at the Video Music Awards

In 1991, the MTV Video Music Awards exhibited both showmanship and class when they allowed Paul Reubens to begin his comeback on their stage. Reubens, who died on Sunday (July 30) at age 70, made the most of the opportunity.

Reubens, creator of the beloved Pee-wee Herman character, had been arrested in Sarasota, Fla. in July 1991 for masturbating in an adult theater. Even years before the Internet and TMZ, this was very big news – not important, to be sure, but deeply embarrassing and career-imperiling, especially for someone who had a big following among kids.

Such artists as Cyndi Lauper and Big Top Pee-wee director Randal Kleiser spoke out in Reubens’ support, but far more celebs were quiet, while comics and late-night talk show hosts, including Arsenio Hall, who hosted the VMAs for the fourth year in a row, had a field day at Reubens’ expense.

The MTV Video Music Awards, then at the peak of their influence, came to Reubens’ support. At the top of the Sept. 5, 1991 show, the announcer said “MTV is proud to introduce someone who has been a friend for a long time.” Reubens, in his Pee-wee costume, then walked on stage to a very warm response from the audience, which stood and chanted his name.

Reubens had a great line ready: “Heard any good jokes lately?,” followed by “So funny I forgot to laugh.” Reubens, who had probably spent the previous six weeks wondering if he still had a career, seemed genuinely moved by the audience response and said, “Thank you very much. That really means a lot to me,” before suggesting that he had something to say.

“I just one have thing that I’d like to say to all of you out there and to everyone in the nation – and that is, Welcome to the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards.”



MTV had created a perfect television moment – it wasn’t overdone or overwritten. MTV had made a statement, but the network also trusted the audience to get the statement without beating them over the head with it.

With the 2023 Video Music Awards set for Sept. 12, the network can only hope that they handle unforeseen developments with as much class and grace as the producers did that year. (Joel Gallen produced the 1991 show. Doug Herzog, Judy McGrath and Gregory Sills were executive producers.)

R.E.M. were the big winners on the 1991 show, with six awards, including video of the year for “Losing My Religion.” That top award was presented by George Michael and Cindy Crawford. Michael would experience his own embarrassing arrest for lewdness in April 1998. Again, MTV helped right the ship by airing his laugh-it-off video “Outside,” which was released six months later.

San Francisco Raps Phony Stark’s New Glowing X Sign

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Twitter Starts To Rebrand Its San Francisco Headquarters With Giant X Logo

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Officials with the city of San Francisco have stated that the new giant “X” sign of Elon Musk’s rebranding of Twitter was done without a permit.

On Friday (July 28th), the tech entrepreneur announced a rebrand of the social media messaging platform Twitter to X, removing the bird logo many have come to associate with the company from the company’s headquarters on Market Street, with the Twitter logo replaced with a huge “X” that lights up at high intensity as night falls. But a complaint by city officials charges that the billionaire didn’t have a permit for the change and barred entry to inspectors.

“NOV issued for work without permit. Site visited by MH and spoke with Twitter (sic) representatives and Building maintenance engineer representatives. I explained BID’s complaint investigation process and requested access to roof area. Twitter (sic) representative declined to provide access but did explain that the structure is a temporary lighted sign for an event. I explained to all representatives that the NOV requires the structure to be removed with a building permit or legalize,” the complaint read.

Another detail in the complaint revealed that officials were denied access to the roof in another attempt to review the new sign on Saturday (July 29th). Patrick Hannah, a spokesperson for San Francisco’s Department of Building Inspection said in an interview that “to ensure consistency with the historic nature of the building and to ensure the new additions are safely attached to the sign,” the city requires a permit. A Notice of Violation could mean that the company could incur permit fees in addition to those incurred for an investigation into why the situation occurred.

Residents have complained about the new sign’s brightness at night being a nuisance. KQED journalist Christopher Beale captured the sign’s strobe-light effect in a video he posted on the platform. “I feel like if I was a person that was maybe epileptic or had a sensitivity to bright lights and strobes it would be a major problem to live here. For now, it’s just an irritant,” he said to reporters. He did note that the X did go dark on Sunday night (July 30th).

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Kylie Jenner & Travis Scott’s Daughter Stormi Makes Her Musical Debut on ‘Utopia’

Stormi baby is following in her dad’s footsteps!

The five-year-old daughter of Travis Scott and Kylie Jenner makes an adorable appearance on the rapper’s freshly released album, Utopia, as her sweet voice is heard on the track “Thank God.” When Scott shouts out Stormi in the lyric, “Storm’s a minor, but you know she’s livin’ major,” she replies, “That’s right, Daddy.” 

Scott and Jenner share two children together: Stormi and one-year-old son Aire. Rumors began circulating that the couple had split over the holidays following unconfirmed reports that Scott had cheated on Jenner. The duo have dated on and off since 2017, briefly splitting in 2019 before reconciling a year later.

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The Kylie Cosmetics founder has since been romantically linked to actor Timothée Chalamet. Scott seemed to have made a reference to the new relationship on his song, “Meltdown,” when he raps, “Chocolate AP and chocolate the Vs got the Willy Wonka factory/ Burn an athlete like it’s calories/ find another flame hot as me, b—-.”

The Willy Wonka line is seemingly in reference to Chalamet’s lead role in the upcoming film, Wonka. Jenner and Chalamet have not publicly confirmed their relationship.

Listen to Stormi’s cameo on “Thank God” below.



10 Cool New Pop Songs to Get You Through the Week: Tori Kelly, Cafuné, Yeek & More

Looking for some motivation to help power you through the start of another work week? We feel you, and with some stellar new pop tunes, we’ve got you covered.

These 10 tracks from artists including Tori Kelly, Cafuné, LE SSERAFIM, Yeek and more will get you energized to take on the week. Pop any of these gems into your personal playlists — or scroll to the end of the post for a custom playlist of all 10.

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Yeek, “$$$$” 



With sparse 808s and a “cash flow” vocal loop at the top of the song (not to mention the title), “$$$$” seems like it’s gonna be a midtempo hip-hop song — until Yeek’s moody, velvety voice transports it to Weeknd-adjacent territory, fit for late-night cruising down empty streets. Befitting the genre-liberated musician, “$$$$” closes out with a dynamic drum break, which nicely sets up the bedroom alt-rock vibes of the single’s B-side “ETA2” feat. Paris Texas. – JOE LYNCH

Ethan Tasch, “Shell”



Ethan Tasch began his career as an indie-folk artist in 2020, most notably releasing breakout single “Room.” Now, as he prepares for the release of his debut album this month, the artist’s latest offers a sneak peek into the project. On the midtempo “Shell,” Tasch sings of being a shell of himself over a twangy guitar and steadying beat — capturing what it feels like to chug along the best one can, even on the not-so-great-days. – LYNDSEY HAVENS

Tori Kelly, “cut”



Tori Kelly has returned after four years with a captivating EP that makes clear she’s at her most self-assured. “Cut” is a prime example, as the singer’s powerful vocals glide over a beat that fuses ’90s R&B production with a sped-up and shimmering dance-inspired chorus. Not convinced? Take her word for it: “I’m the only one you know who take control,” she asserts. – L.H.

Madeline Kenney, “Reality Mind”



Some of the most effervescent pop moments of 2023 are tucked in the crevices of Madeline Kenney’s just-released album A New Reality Mind, and on “Reality Mind,” the synths are something to behold: as Kenney processes her personal evolution, her voice is surrounded by laser-beam riffs and a lovely pile-up of keys, giving the impression that the singer-songwriter is floating in space as she repeats the titular phrase. – JASON LIPSHUTZ

Nicotine Dolls, “How Do You Love Me”



Looking for a track to scratch the epic alt-rock itch that bands like Snow Patrol used to regularly reach? Look no further than “How Do You Love Me,” a winning new belt-along from NYC group Nicotine Dolls, whose lead singer Sam Cieri wowed on America’s Got Talent last summer and now injects this song with palpable drama and soulful personality. – J. Lipshutz

Cafuné, “Demise”



Cafuné wrote new single “Demise” “about feeling mentally stuck in that internal dialogue of being unkind to yourself; trapped in decision paralysis, silencing yourself for fear of being misunderstood,” according to a press release. Ironic, considering how effortless every aspect of “Demise” sounds: as a preview of the New York duo’s upcoming EP Love Songs for the End, the single radiates strummy pop confidence, particularly in the way the vocal hooks careen off each other. – J. Lipshutz

Moss Kena, “Open Water”



When it comes to buoyant indie-pop, Moss Kena simply doesn’t miss: new single “Open Water” elevates the formula that the singer-songwriter showcased on past tracks “Primadonna” and “Light It Up,” pushing forward with natural metaphors, vocal somersaults and subtle, synth-led production. With a new EP due in September, Kena is continuing to demonstrate his gifts as a pop savant. – J. Lipshutz

Snakehips feat. Muni Long, “My Body // Your Body”



Sweaty and sumptuous, “My Body // Your Body” — released as a new single on the deluxe edition of British production duo Snakehips’ latest album, Never Worry — not only finds the dance veterans in top form, but allows recent R&B breakout star Muni Long depart her “Hrs and Hrs” tempo for a vocally captivating night at the club. It’s still technically July — plenty of time still left in the summer to add this to your favorite warm-weather playlist. – J. Lipshutz

Meernaa, “So Far So Good”



Fans of idiosyncratic, relatively chilled-out indie-pop a la Aldous Harding, Westerman and Nilüfer Yanya should embrace “So Far So Good,” the quietly effective new track from Oakland native Carly Bond, better known as Meernaa. The elegant instrumentation supplements the delectable hooks without overwhelming the song’s catchiest moments, resulting in a handful of blissful refrains that beg to have their details pored over. – J. Lipshutz

LE SSERAFIM, “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife (Rina Sawayama Remix)”



LE SSERAFIM’s latest K-pop banger, “Eve, Psyche & the Bluebeard’s Wife,” trades its synth driven instrumentation for something grittier, darker and more becoming of Rina Sawayama’s eclectic style. The “STFU” singer hops on the remix of the track — a perfect complement to the voices of members Sakura, Kim Chae-won, Huh Yun-jin, Kazuha, and Hong Eun-chae — and delivers her verse in a calm and collected manner, coolly boasting about women in history who have been movers and shakers, and suggesting women in the present have just as much fun. “We’re flawless and we’re fearless, deserve to have some fun/ Take the back seat, you know I like that,” she sings. – STARR BOWENBANK

Bob Geldof Says Last Texts From Sinead O’Connor Were Full of ‘Despair and Sorrow’ & ‘Ecstatically Happy’

Bob Geldof shared during a recent show that he had been in contact with longtime friend and labelmate Sinéad O’Connor just weeks before her death, according to Ireland’s The Independent. The Boomtown Rats frontman dedicated the band’s performance at Cavan Calling in Ireland on Saturday (July 29) to the late artist, and shared some details with the crowd about one of his and O’Connor’s final conversations.

“Many, many times Sinead was full of a terrible loneliness and a terrible despair,” he told the crowd, according to The Independent. “She was a very good friend of mine … We were talking right up to a couple of weeks ago.”

He continued, “Some of the texts were laden with desperation and despair and sorrow, and some were ecstatically happy. And she was like that.”

According to the publication, Geldof then went on to discuss O’Connor’s infamous performance of “Nobody Compares 2 U” on Saturday Night Live in 1992, during she condemned the Catholic Church, saying that she was inspired by him doing something similar. “She tore up the picture of the Pope because she saw me tearing up a picture of John Travolta on Top Of The Pops. It was a little more extreme than tearing up f–king disco — tearing up the Vatican is a whole other thing but more correct actually, I should’ve done it.”

O’Connor died July 26. Her family confirmed the news in a statement to BBC, which read, “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad. Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time.”

Gillie Da Kid Opens Up About His Son’s Death Online

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Gillie Da Kid went on social media to break his silence on the death of his son, who was shot and killed in Philadelphia last week.

On Saturday (July 29th), Gillie shared a photograph of YNG Cheese on his Instagram account. The rapper-turned-podcaster added a deeply stirring tribute to his son in the caption. “I Miss u like $hit Dev My heart will forever have a Black hole in it but u know ur father gotta be strong to hold the family up,” he wrote. 

“Thanks 4 all the support from family, friends, and all of my followers y’all really helping me get thru these ruff times Me, and my family appreciate and love y’all.” He concluded: “Rest Well dev and watch over us u know I got chase, love u Cheese”, adding five crying emojis at the end.

YNG Cheese, aka Devin Spady, was killed in a triple shooting on July 20th in the Olney neighborhood in Philadelphia. According to reports, the aspiring 25-year-old rapper had been shot once in the back and was taken to the hospital, where he died shortly afterward. Two other men who were shot at the scene were in stable condition. YNG Cheese leaves behind a son, Chase.

Wallo, Gillie’s co-host of the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, composed his own tribute to YNG Cheese on Instagram on July 24th. “Lil Cuz usually when I talk to you, I got a lot to tell you,” he wrote next to a photo of the rapper, accompanied by a slew of broken heart emojis. “Tonight the pain in my heart & tears spoke to you. I love you beyond life Cheese. I got your father, Rest Well!”

In another Instagram post before the Gillie Fest event this past Saturday, Wallo acknowledged all of the support that Gillie Da Kid has gotten. “

All your supportive words / love was heard & felt,” he began. “We greatly appreciate you all. Major love to all the friends / family who came through yesterday & put love / laughter on Gillie’s heart & mind. Please know that our mission to lift & educate the youngins will continue and become stronger. No matter what, we’ll never stop believing that tomorrow will be better than yesterday.”

Photo: Getty

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Disney Taps Donald Glover, Stephen Glover To Take On ‘Star Wars’ Spinoff Series, ‘Lando’

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Looks like Donald Glover is going to be quite the busy man for the foreseeable future as the actor/musician has been tapped by Disney to pen a new series centered around his Star Wars character, Lando Calrissian.

Months after it was reported that Glover would be producing and starring in a Spider-Man spinoff film, Above The Line is now confirming that Donald Glover and his brother, Stephen Glover, are working on a new Lando series for the Disney+ app. Reprising his role from Ron Howard’s 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story, Glover will once again don the intergalactic purple player cloak as he soars through the stars of the universe in search of new adventures and maybe a Colt 45 along the way.

Above The Line reports:

The Glover brothers replace Haunted Mansion director Justin Simien on the project, which was first announced by Lucasfilm boss Kathleen Kennedy back in December 2020 as part of Disney Investor Day. At the time, there was no word regarding whether Donald Glover or Billy Dee Williams would be returning as Lando, though current plans obviously call for Donald’s return, as it’s unlikely that he’d write the script for another actor to play the smooth-talking smuggler.

On Thursday, the Hollywood Reporter shared Simien’s response to the question of whether he was still attached to Lando: “I am attached, I think, but I don’t really know. (Laughs.) The last thing I was told was that they loved it but needed to put a pin in it until they could figure out everybody’s availability. I haven’t investigated further, but I’m not an idiot.”

It seems like I develop things with these companies and they just never happen for reasons unknown,” Simien added.

Unfortunately, Simien’s commitment to Disney’s Haunted Mansion film pulled him away from Lando, but luckily it turned into Glover and his brother picking up the project. After reaching out to Donald and Stephen Glover, Disney was apparently “excited” with Donald and Stephen’s take on the upcoming Star Wars spinoff series, so of course so are we as Donald has proven to be quite the creative mind when he puts pen to paper.

What do y’all think of Disney handing over the Lando reigns to the Glover brothers? Does this excite you for the Lando series? Let us know in the comments section below.

Photo: Getty

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Happy Harry Potter Day! ‘Hogwarts Legacy’ Is on Sale for Up to 34% Off

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Happy, Harry Potter Day! Wizards and muggles celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday every year on July 31.

Homesick x Harry Potter Candle Collection

Attention, Muggles! These Harry Potter Candles Are Perfect for Halloween

And for those of you who haven’t had a chance to play one of the biggest video games of the year, it’s time to explore Hogwarts Legacy. The bestselling game lets players star in their own wizarding world adventure as a fifth-year student at Hogwarts.

Hogwarts Legacy was released in February and sold 12 million copies in two weeks. Marking the biggest global launch ever for Warner Bros. Games, the video game went on to sell 15 million copies in two months, and has raked in $1 billion thus far.

“We are so thrilled and proud to see the player response to Hogwarts Legacy from gamers, fans who are new to gaming and reviewers around the world,” said David Haddad, president of Warner Bros. Games, said in a news release in February. “Our development team at Avalanche delivered an amazing, high-quality Wizarding World experience that truly fulfills the fan fantasy of life at Hogwarts and our publishing teams have executed a globally impactful launch campaign.”

The game, which was developed by Avalanche Software and published by Warner Bros. Games under the Portkey Games label, is available on PlayStation, Xbox and PCs. Hogwarts Legacy was scheduled to drop on Nintendo Switch on July 25, but will now be released on Nov. 14.

Hogwarts Legacy Nintendo Switch Deluxe Edition (Pre-Order)

$69.99

While an apparent job listing posted by Avalanche Software has fans wondering if Hogwarts Legacy 2 could be on the way, Hogwarts Legacy standard and deluxe editions are on sale at select retailers. The standard edition retails for $69.99 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series and $59.99 for PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.

The deluxe edition is $69.99$79.99 depending on the PlayStation or Xbox console, and $59.99 on Nintendo Switch. Hogwarts Legacy Deluxe Edition includes the Dark Arts Pack, which unlocks access to an exclusive wardrobe, a flying Thestral Mount that players can ride, and access to the Dark Arts Battle Arena, where players can “test their mastery of the Dark Arts against waves of challenging enemies,” according to the game description.

Where can you find Hogwarts Legacy on sale? The game is discounted at Amazon and Game Stop. Purchase below.

Amazon

Hogwarts Legacy – Xbox Series X

$46.00 $69.99 34% OFF

Hogwarts Legacy for PS5

$69.99