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It’s no secret that crime in New York City began to skyrocket during the COVID pandemic a few years ago. While it has since been declining, things might get a bit safer as authorities have rounded up 30 alleged gang members who turned Washington Heights and Inwood into a war zone.
According to the Gothamist, the NYPD have announced that they have indicted 30 alleged gang members who they say are responsible for roughly half of the shootings in Inwood and Washington Heights and have hit them with a range of charges, including conspiracy to commit violence, weapons possession, attempted murder, and murder. While one might think these are just wild kids looking to gain street credibility, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg says it stems from a yearslong rivalry between two street gangs that turned deadly back in 2018.
Per the Gothamist:
“The violence did not impact just these defendants and their associates,” Bragg said at a news conference detailing the indictment. “It impacted the entire neighborhood, [creating] a climate of fear among ordinary residents who had no part in this violence.”
Bragg said all of the shootings addressed in the charges were sparked by an alleged gang killing in 2018. The incident sparked 18 retaliatory shootings that claimed seven lives, including innocent bystanders, Bragg said.
Bragg blamed the gang war for approximately 50% of all this year’s shootings in the 33rd and 34th precincts, which include much of Washington Heights and Inwood in Uptown Manhattan.
Well, at least the residents of Inwood and Washington Heights can rest a bit easier now knowing that the gang bangers in their neighborhood have been taken into custody, but that PTSD may stay with them for a long time.
Stay safe out on those streets, y’all.
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Paris might be known as the “City of Love,” but it seems like Offset’s relationship with some of its residents got off to a rocky start as he found himself in a brouhaha during a recent visit to the home of the Eiffel Tower.
According to TMZ, Offset and his entourage found themselves in a wild street brawl with French rapper, Gazo, and his crew outside of Hôtel du Collectionneur (sounds like a hotel in a John Wick movie or something). The incident unfolded Wednesday night (Nov. 13) after the two crews got into a dispute over a music video shoot that Offset was paid to do for Gazo and company. Feeling like the former Migos rapper failed to meet their requirements due to his “laziness,” Gazo wanted a refund on the $150,000 he paid Offset for his appearance. Needless to say, the “Clout” rapper was having none of that.
After confronting Offset and his crew in front of Hôtel du Collectionneur, fists were thrown and Offset was even able to land a kick to someone’s head as his security team did their best to refrain him from participating in the sidewalk brawl.
TMZ reports:
The 2 sides began to brawl so hard in the Paris streets … one guy managed to land a swift roundhouse kick to the back of one of Offset’s guy’s head, which angered the rapper.
The guard was preventing him from jumping into the fight to even the odds!!!
The confusion even led to Offset’s crew fighting each other at one point — but Offset wouldn’t give up.
He managed to break free and whack one of his French opps with a designer boot kick to the head — before the guard rushed him back into the hotel.
The French rappers weren’t quitters either and bum-rushed the door, attempting to pull Offset out. A woman ended up taking a scary fall on the pavement when she fought off the attackers.
We’re not sure if that woman was a video model or part of anyone’s crew, but what we do know is that she was a ride or die chick for someone out there. Respect, shorty.
Eventually, police arrived on the scene and though no one was taken into custody, Gazo ultimately shared a pic of himself kicking it with Offset to promote their upcoming collaboration, “Wemby.” If he didn’t get his money back he might as well get his money’s worth and promote their collabo regardless, right?
What do y’all think of this situation? Who’s right and who’s wrong in your opinion? Sound off in the comments section below.
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It’s been five years since Marvel announced that Blade would be joining their ever-expanding Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since then, the rebooted franchise has suffered setback after setback, and it’s gotten to the point where fans doubt the film centered around the “Day Walker” would ever see the light of day.
Luckily for us, it seems like the President of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, hasn’t given up on the project and recently stated that Blade is still a priority and its star, Mahershala Ali, is still all in on becoming the latest superhero in the MCU. According to Deadline, Feige spoke with Brazilian entertainment website Omelete about Blade and a few other Marvel projects and revealed that not only is Blade still very much happening, but that Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch is still very much alive in the MCU and could be making a return sooner than later.
Though rumors had been swirling that Marvel was close to giving up on Blade (as was Mahershala Ali) after a few directors quit or passed on the project and the script was rewritten a few times, fans of the vampire killing are rejoicing as Feige says that they’re dedicated to bringing Blade into the MCU and resurrecting the franchise that technically kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Per Deadline:
“We love the character, we love Mahershala’s version of him. And rest assured: whenever we change direction with a project, or are still trying to figure out how it fits into our schedule, we let the public know. You’re up to date on what’s going on. But I can tell you that the character will be coming to the MCU,” Feige said.
We sure hope so. While the future of Blade was up in the air, there were whispers that Wesley Snipes would be reprising the role in Marvel’s upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars as his return in Deadpool & Wolverine showed that the man still had a lot left in the tank with the character.
As for Elizabeth Olson’s Scarlett Witch, who supposedly met her fate at the end of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she too will be making her return in the upcoming future, following the success of the Disney+ series, Agatha All Along.
“Since then (Agatha), there have been a lot of questions about Wanda on fans’ minds… So all I can say is that we’re excited to find out when and how the Scarlet Witch might return,” Feige said.
With word that Scarlett Witch may get her own film or series, rumors are already swirling that the X-Men’s Jean Grey could make her MCU debut in a potential Scarlett Witch project.
Another nice little tidbit in Feige’s interview with Omelete was the potential debut of Miles Morales Spider-Man who may get called into MCU action after Sony wraps up their Spider-Verse series.
“I hope that, shortly after that (Beyond the Spider-Verse), he can enter the MCU in live-action.”
Are y’all ready for a Black and Puerto Rican Spider-Man? We know we are.
What do y’all think about Kevin Feige’s revelations? Who should be cast as Miles Morales? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Over the past few months Plies did what he could to help get people to the polls and vote for their freedom and future. Now that the election is over the Floridian is getting back to business and taking a few of his Hip-Hop peers to court over copyright infringement.
According to TMZ, Plies has sued the likes of Megan Thee Stallion, GloRilla and Cardi B for sampling his song “Me & My Goons” without proper clearance. In the lawsuit Plies states that his 2008 cut was sampled on Megan and GloRilla’s collaboration song “Wanna Be,” which ultimately landed a verse from Cardi B on the remix. For her participation in the hit song, Cardi done got herself wrapped up in the lawsuit as well.
Interestingly enough, Soulja Boy seems to be the first to have taken Plies’ beat and ran with it on his 2010 track “Pretty Boy Swag.” After listening to all of these songs, the man might have a strong case.
Per TMZ:
The suit also names Meg’s Hot Girl Productions, Soulja’s former imprint Collipark Productions, and record labels Universal Music Group, Collective Music Group and Interscope as defendants.
If the suit is successful, the damages could cost everyone plenty of shiny pennies.
We’re not taking any sides on this one, but it looks like Plies might have an open and shut case. Just sayin’.
Check out all three of the songs after the jump, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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It’s been weeks since Future dropped off his latest mixtape, Pluto and though it hasn’t sparked any new memes centered around being a toxic boyfriend (those be hilarious), the man does have some bangers on the project and has dropped a visual for a fan favorite cut.
Coming through with some new visuals for “Brazzier,” the Toxic King politics in a parking garage with his crew and two big boy toys revving their engines before posing up a storm in front of a… giant spider?! Where the hell did that come from? Australia? Jesus!
Back in Florida, Kodak Black seems to mourn a bit differently than the average person and in his clip to “Catch Fire,” KB sparks a spliff as he attends an interesting funeral where the casket seemingly hovers off the ground and the women mourning are pretty damn sexy. Just sayin.’
Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Smoke DZA featuring Memphis Bleek, Icewear Vezzo, and more.
FUTURE – “BRAZZIER”
KODAK BLACK – “CATCH FIRE”
SMOKE DZA FT. MEMPHIS BLEEK – “SELLING SMOKE”
ICEWEAR VEZZO – “MUSTY”
MAXO KREAM – “BIG HOE ME”
PARIS NIGHTS FT. DEJ LOAF – “PAID DUES”
DC2TRILL – “SHE WANNA BE MY FREAK”
5IVE MICS & FREEWAY – “THE DROP IS IN”
GEECHY – “OUT THE LOOP”
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Over the last few years “swatting” has become the latest trend among Americans looking to annoy and disrupt the everyday lives of people they just can’t stand. Though it was mainly reserved for politicians, as of late celebrities have been swatted as people just have nothing better to do these days.
Now, it seems like streaming megastar, Kai Cenat, has fallen victim to the swatting trend as police were called to his residence right when he kicked off his highly publicized Mafiathon 2. According to TMZ, someone decided to swat Cenat right when he kicked off his month-long livestreaming marathon and called authorities to report a trespasser at Kai Cenat’s home. When police arrived they asked the people in the residence to leave while they combed the rooms to ensure things were on the up and up.
Once they realized it was much ado about nothing, the stream got back on track, but unfortunately, the swatting attempts didn’t end there.
Per TMZ:
The next day, though, cops got yet another call — this one being far more serious.
As KC documented on his stream, officers rushed to the scene after someone reported a shooting at the home … which was ultimately deemed a swatting call.
Unfortunately for Cenat, it didn’t stop there … ’cause on Sunday, cops got two more calls of alleged issues at the home.
After the last incident police are now monitoring calls made on Kai Cenat’s home and have a direct line to hit him on to make sure things are OK on his side. Though police are investigating the calls made, they haven’t made any arrests. With the rest of the month left to go, we won’t be surprised if another attempt or two are made. We just hope police catch whoever’s wasting everyone’s time with this childish game.
What do y’all think about the swatting trend on celebrities? Sound off in the comments section below.
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It has been months since rumors circled that Colman Domingo was being eyed to replace Jonathan Majors as Kang The Conqueror in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and while that’s still a possibility, the man is keeping himself busy with new and interesting projects.
On Tuesday (Oct. 29), Netflix dropped a new trailer to its new original series, The Madness, which stars Colman Domingo as political media pundit, Muncie Daniels, who finds himself accused of a murder he didn’t commit. After witnessing the murder of an infamous white supremacist (not Trump), Daniels is framed for the killing and can only rely on himself to clear his name while delving into the crazy conspiracy behind the crime.
Of course they’d frame a Black man for the murder of a white supremacist. Watch ya back out there Don Lemon!
According to Hypebeast, Domingo will be joined by the likes of Marsha Stephanie Blake, John Ortiz, Gabrielle Graham and Tamsin Topolski.
The Clement Virgo-directed series will be an eight-episode thrill ride that’s sure to have twists and turns at every angle. So y’all better buckle up because Colman Domingo don’t be signing up for no lame ish.
Per Hypebeast:
“Everything about this conspiracy thriller excited me. It was a unique protagonist, one that I had never seen or experienced,” Domingo told Netflix. “Someone who has very centrist beliefs, and now they’re being thrust into the world to really hard-core believe in something and to reexamine the people that they believed were possible enemies. You realize you have more in common with them than you thought you had in the beginning.”
“I think it says a lot about who we are now and what we’re willing to do, and also to look at who’s really pulling the strings and for whose benefit.”
The Madness premiers on Netflix Nov. 28. Check out the trailer and let us know if you’ll be checking for it come next month in the comments below.
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Source: Netflix / Netflix
It’s been more than a year since the sudden passing of legendary TV host Jerry Springer, and while many youngn’s wouldn’t understand why he’s held in such high regard among the older generation, they’ll be able to get an idea as to why he was beloved as a new documentary is set to release in the new year.
According to Variety, Netflix is set to release a two-part documentary dubbed Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action, which is set to release Jan. 7, 2025. The documentary will delve into how Jerry Springer went from a reporter at a local television station to hosting one of the most ratchet and entertaining talk shows of the 90s. It. Was. Amazing. Kids used to skip school, watch the show and risk getting “Cutting Cards” sent to their homes, but y’all youngn’s wouldn’t know anything about that.
The Hollywood Reporter reports:
Per Netflix, the “jaw-dropping” doc will feature “first-hand testimony and revelations from show insiders,” as well as interviews with producers and former guests who help uncover “a murkier picture” of “The Jerry Springer Show” and “the destruction it caused.”
“Fights, Camera, Action” promises to raise “renewed questions about who was responsible, and how far things should go in the name of entertainment.”
“The Jerry Springer Show” ran for 27 seasons, from 1991 to 2018, and became popular due to its trashy, unfiltered approach to controversial topics such as incest, racism and adultery. The guests were characteristically rowdy, often breaking out into fist fights and screaming matches, broken up by security guards. It also became a trend for women in the audience to flash their breasts in exchange for “Jerry Beads,” Mardi Gras-style necklaces with the show’s logo.
Again: It. Was. Amazing.
While most people felt it was staged, scripted and rehearsed, none of that mattered. It was junk food for the brain and we indulged in it every time.
Will you be checking out Netflix’s Jerry Springer: Fights, Camera, Action when it premiers on Jan. 7, 2025? Let us know in the comments section below.
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Source: Reebok / Reebok
Angel Reese might’ve missed out on the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year honors, but she sure as hell isn’t missing out on any bags anytime soon. We ain’t talking about no Birkin joints either.
Source: Reebok / Reebok
Reebok announced that the Chicago Sky’s new star forward would be joining their family on a multi-year deal and getting her own signature sneaker line, which is set to make its debut in 2026. With her college rival, Caitlin Clark, having already signed with Nike, it’s only right that she take her talents to Reebok to keep the brand wars that much more interesting.
In a press release for the big news, the 6-foot-3 stunner expressed her excitement over the new partnership as we all know that WNBA players don’t get as many sneaker deals as their NBA counterparts.
“I’m extremely excited to let you guys know that we are officially coming out with a Reebok by Angel signature shoe!” said Reese. “We’ve already kicked off the design process, and it means the world to me to have Reebok’s full support and confidence with this shoe and overall partnership.”
Why fans will have to wait until the spring of 2026 is anyone’s guess, but that’ll just give Reese more time to build on the brand that’s already making her a household name.
Would you cop Angel Reese’s signature Reebok sneaker? Let us know in the comments section below.
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It’s been years since the popularity of Popeye’s signature Chicken Sandwich led to all kinds of hype and violence out in these streets and though things have calmed down since then, some people still don’t know how to act when stepping into the fried chicken establishment.
According to USA Today, a Popeyes employee fought off and stabbed an unruly customer after they got into a dispute over said customers order and it had nothing to do with the infamous Chicken Sandwich. The incident took place a little after 11:00 p.m. at a Popeyes restaurant in Philadelphia where police say a 28-year-old man was stabbed after he began attacking one of the employees at the fast food chain over his order. Unfortunately for the aggressor turned victim, he messed around and found out.
USA Today reports:
According to the report, several Popeyes employees were present and attempted to help their coworker during the confrontation, which was captured on security video obtained by police.
“Other employees intervened and tried to push this 28-year-old back out from the front door,” Small said to the news station. “That’s when the 34-year-old employee getting assaulted and attacked pulled a knife and stabbed the 28-year-old.”
The man was struck in the torso and head, per the official. He fled the scene, but officers found him due to a blood trail that led them to a residence in the area, NBC Philadelphia reported. It’s unclear if he is facing any charges at this time.
Unless there was a deep fried rat in his three-piece meal, we don’t see any reason to attack a fast food worker on their turf. Imagine that man would’ve brought that nonsense to Beanie Sigel’s food truck Grab & Roll, Wings & Bowls? We would’ve been writing about his obituary. Just sayin.’
Police Chief Inspector Scott Small says that they’re still investigating the cause of the fight but added that the 34-year-old employee was indeed acting out of self-defense.
That man got the Popeyes Hawaii juice now.