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Flavor Flav is doing everything he can to make sure Red Lobster survives its financial woes. The Public Enemy rapper has partnered with the seafood chain for his own signature meal.
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Red Lobster announced the launch of Flavor Flav’s Faves on Monday (July 1), featuring all of the New York native’s go-to items when ordering at the restaurant. Hand picked by Flav himself, the off-menu Faves order includes Maine lobster tail, snow crab legs, garlic shrimp scampi and a bacon mac and cheese plus a choice of any one side.
Once Flavor Flav got word that Red Lobster had filed for bankruptcy protection in May, he sprung into action. Flav actually ordered every item off the menu for dinner to feed him and his family one night in June.
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“Ya boy said he wuz gonna do everything to help Red Lobster and save the Cheddar Bay Biscuits,,, ordered the whole menu,” he captioned a photo of his spread on Instagram in June.
About a week later, conversations were productive enough between Flav and RL to have him star in a Crab Your Way campaign ad. In celebration of Crabfest, Flav voices the commercial announcing the launch of new Cajun butter and roasted garlic butter flavors.
According to the Associated Press, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy protection in May after closing dozens of locations across the United States. However, the chain promised to continue operating its 600 restaurants while looking for a sale.
“This restructuring is the best path forward for Red Lobster. It allows us to address several financial and operational challenges and emerge stronger and re-focused on our growth,” company CEO Jonathan Tibus said at the time.
It’s a busy summer for Flavor Flav, who is also serving as an ambassador for the USA women’s and men’s water polo teams as they gear up to head to Paris for the 2024 Olympics. Flav signed a five-year sponsorship deal and made a contribution to the women’s Olympic team.
Flavor Flav was inspired by a post by the women’s water polo team captain Maggie Steffens looking for financial help for the team, and that’s when the rapper stepped in. Steffens and Flav joined CBS Mornings on Monday (July 1) to officially announce the sponsorship deal.
“These women out here, first of all, the women’s water polo team out here busting their butt to make the United States look good. And they chasing this dream, you know what I’m saying? And I learned they got three back-to-back gold medals,” he said. Flav added that he didn’t know much about water polo, but became aware of the team’s story through his manager and wanted to help as their hype man.
Find more about the Red Lobster meal and Flavor Flav’s involvement with the Olympic water polo team below.
Under the dazzling lights of the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles on June 30th, Usher Raymond IV, affectionately known as Usher (or Ur-Shur, if you’re fancy), received the night’s highest honor: the BET 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award.
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Usher, a name synonymous with R&B and pop, has continually redefined the music landscape with his smooth vocals, dynamic stage presence, and innovative artistry. From his breakout hits in the late 1990s like “My Way” and “You Make Me Wanna…” to the chart-topping success of “Confessions” and “Yeah!,” Usher has consistently delivered anthems that resonate across generations. His influence extends beyond music, impacting dance, fashion, and culture, including a longstanding relationship with Rémy Martin.
In a collaboration that epitomizes luxury and excellence, together, they have created a synergy blending music and refined living, producing exceptional cognacs and unforgettable cultural moments. Their partnership started with the OMG World Tour over a decade ago and includes exclusive celebratory events, and integrations in Usher’s projects, as well as the “Life Is a Melody” and “Team Up For Excellence – The Film” campaigns over the last three years, marking a mutual appreciation for excellence, and continuing to elevate entertainment, music, and spirits, celebrating the past and inspiring the future. Usher’s influence is as profound as his talent is unparalleled.
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From topping the charts with iconic hits like “Yeah!” to mentoring the next generation of artists on The Voice, and his recurring role on the 90s sitcom Moesha, Usher’s multifaceted career exemplifies versatility and impact. His recent triumph of reclaiming a top 20 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, following an illuminating halftime performance, further cements his enduring relevance.
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis took the stage and shared heartfelt words about the King of R&B, and the room roared in agreement, praising the act for still having more to come.
The award presentation was preceded by a medley of Usher’s greatest hits, performed by music’s hottest acts including an opening from Childish Gambino, and cameos from Keke Palmer, Victoria Monét, Teyana Taylor, Tinashe, Summer Walker, and Chlöe Bailey, before closing out the sixteen-minute compilation with Latto’s infectious Atlanta energy rapping to “Yeah!” Dressed in a suave white top and black-out shades, a proud Usher stood nearly the entire time at the front row of the theater cheering on the performances on stage and singing along to his hits.
With a career spanning over three decades, Usher’s comrades’ electrifying performances, soulful voices, and undeniable stage presences ensured all eyes were glued to the screen. It was clear that this Lifetime Achievement Award celebrated not just past accomplishments but an enduring legacy. Usher’s contributions to music, culture, and the arts continue to inspire and influence, making him a true legend.
Babyface and L.A. Reid and others then joined Jam and Lewis on stage as Usher made his way up to accept the honor. Usher then delivered a heartfelt speech off the cuff, a decision he said was rooted in being present in the moment rather than preparing a monologue in advance. Last night’s honor saw a humble artist reflecting on his journey from a young artist with a dream to a global superstar. He expressed deep gratitude to his fans, family, and mentors who fueled his rise to fame.
“You have to express your goals outwardly, no matter what people see, no matter what they feel…because that is the only way it will ever become a reality – you have to see it first and then move in action and decide this is what I am going to do, this is what I am committed to…so long as you stay connected to what you feel and love, something major will happen,” reflects a proud Usher as he takes the audience, both within the theater and watching at home, through his 30-year career culminating in this prestigious award tonight.
As he stood amidst roaring applause, the room filled with ad-libs and head nods in agreement at every word he said (regardless of how passionate or profound the delivery) and the world at home celebrated not just a performer, but a legend whose legacy continues to shape the sounds of today and tomorrow.
From rising stars to certified greats, a litany of the world’s biggest hip-hop and R&B artists took the stage at Los Angeles’ Peacock Theater to celebrate Black musical excellence at the 2024 BET Awards Sunday evening (June 30). And in case you missed it, every single one of those musicians brought the fire — in […]
Rick Ross appears to have been assaulted in Vancouver, B.C., Sunday night (June 30) following his performance at Ignite Music Festival. Video footage online appears to show Rozay being sucker punched, which starts a brawl.
According to TMZ, The Biggest Boss wrapped up his set around 10:30 p.m. local time and looked to be departing from the main stage area when he was punched, with video showing Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss “Not Like Us” booming through the venue speakers amid Ross’ own feud with the 6 God, who is a Toronto native.
Punches flew as the situation escalated. Another video angle of the brawl appeared to show one of Rozay’s associates knocked unconscious and being carried away to safety.
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“White boy,” one person can be heard shouting, which may be a reference to what Rozay nicknamed Drizzy on his “Champagne Moments” diss track.
Ross told TMZ on Monday morning that no one with him was seriously injured, and added that he “can’t wait to go back” to “beautiful” Vancouver, B.C.
Ross also posted a photo of himself laughing in front of a private jet on Instagram Stories Monday morning (July 1). “Vancouver, it was fun. Until next time,” he wrote over the image.
Billboard has reached out to Rick Ross’ reps, the Ignite Music Festival as well as the Vancouver Police Department.
50 Cent didn’t waste any time in clowning his rival Ross. He posted an alleged clip on Instagram of Ricky making a “great escape” to safety as the brawl went down. “LMAO THE GREAT ESCAPE! MEEKA CALL THE CHASERS, THEY ARE CHASING ME. LOL,” he captioned the post.
Drake, who was not involved in the incident, liked a post from Keep6ixSolid on Instagram recapping Sunday’s altercation that appears to involve Rozay.
It’s unclear what sparked the feud earlier this year between Drake and Ross, who were close collaborators throughout the last 15 years. Drake had sniped at Ross on his “Push Ups” diss track in April, and Rozay returned the favor with his “Champagne Moments” diss, in which he claimed the OVO honcho had a nose job and continued to call him “BBL Drizzy” because of the alleged cosmetic work.
The 2024 BET Awards on Sunday night (June 30) had something for everyone, including Will Smith’s gospel rap return to music, host Taraji P. Henson channeling Kendrick Lamar’s Juneteenth Pop Out concert look during a “Not Like Us” parody, as well as Ice Spice putting the censors into overdrive with her runs through “Phat Butt” […]
You can tell the presidential election is really heating up when the White House dispatches Vice President Kamala Harris to do some awards show politicking. On Sunday night (June 30), Harris made a surprise appearance during the 2024 BET Awards in a pre-taped bit paid for by the Biden/Harris campaign in which she sis’d down with fellow Howard University alum and awards show host Taraji P. Henson.
The two spoke to each other on FaceTime, with Henson dialing in from backstage and Harris appearing to connect from her residence as they chopped it up about the HBCU they both attended and Henson confessed to being worried about the upcoming presidential election. “Women’s reproductive rights are on the line, our Supreme Court is on the line,” Henson said. “Our basic freedoms are being tested Madame VP! I know you’ve been traveling across the country, what have you been hearing,” the Color Purple star added.
“Yeah, girl I’m out here in these streets, and let me tell you — you’re right, Taraji, there is so much at stake in this moment,” Harris assured her. “The majority of us believe in freedom and equality. But these extremists, as they say — they ‘not like us.’”
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“No, they not,” Henson said in response to Harris dropping the title of the recent Kendrick Lamar Drake diss track that debuted at No. 1 on the Hot 100.
Continuing the Biden/Harris campaign’s attack line that former president Donald Trump and his Republican followers are a threat to American democracy, Harris added, “There’s a full-on attack on our fundamental freedoms, the freedom to vote, the freedom to love who you love, the freedom to be safe from gun violence, the freedom for a woman to make decisions about her own body and not having her government tell her what to do.”
Elsewhere, Henson very adamantly urged the crowd to keep their eye on the ball. “Its’ time for us to play chess, not checkers. It’s about making decisions that will affect us as human beings… out careers, our next generations to come,” she said, referring to a just-announced Supreme Court ruling that enforces bans on sleeping outdoors that some have said is tantamount to criminalizing homelessness.
“Pay attention, it’s not a secret,” Henson said. “Look it up. They are attacking our most vulnerable citizens. The Project 2025 plan is not a game. Look it up,” she added vehemently about the conservative presidential transition project in place to radically reshape the U.S. government in a fashion that some have said has authoritarian overtones.
Henson also paid tribute to “Not Like Us” elsewhere in the show when she dressed up as K-Dot and performed verses with BET-specific lyrics as her dancers mimicked the moves of Kendrick’s dancers from his recent Pop Out concert.
The appearance by Harris came just days after what was widely viewed as a poor performance by Biden during his first debate with convicted felon Trump, during with the president appeared confused and meandering at times.
Check out Henson and Harris below.
OMG! Taraji P. Henson just called out Republicans for their INSANE Project 2025 plan live at the BET Awards “The Project 2025 plan is not a game!” BOOM! We need more of this. Keep calling out MAGA and their awful policy! pic.twitter.com/dx5lks2Kqb— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) July 1, 2024
From Will Smith to Ice Spice and Sexyy Red, Billboard ranks all of the performances from an action-packed 2024 BET Awards.
Kendrick Lamar‘s “Not Like Us” may have been a clear favorite of the audience inside the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles, CA last night (June 30), but the 2024 BET Awards were more concerned with highlighting that different types of “us” that make up global Blackness.
Between the world-stopping Kendrick Lamar and Drake beef, a Black country boom led by Beyoncé and Shaboozey and rap touring renaissance featuring Travis Scott, Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion, 2024 has been stacked with defining moments in contemporary Black music.
Megan Thee Stallion kicked things off with a bombastic medley of tracks from her newly-released Megan album, including “Boa,” “Where Them Girls At” and the Billboard Hot 100-topping “Hiss.” Thee Hot Girl Coaches fiery performance set the tone for several memorable female rap moments, with Sexyy Red, Latto, Ice Spice and GloRilla all delivering strong performances. GloRilla — who performed her reigning summer anthems, “TGIF,” “Wanna Be” (with Megan Thee Stallion) and “Yeah Glo!” — began her set suspended in the air before parachuting down to flawlessly execute her funky choreography.
Obviously, Usher was one of the biggest touchpoints of the night, with both his lifetime achievement award acceptance speech and tribute sparking scores of discourse across social media. Featuring Childish Gambino, Keke Palmer, Chlöe, Tinashe, Summer Walker, Coco Jones, Marsha Ambrosius, Victoria Monét, Teyana Taylor and Latto, Usher’s lifetime achievement award tribute performance highlighted not just the current dominance of women across mainstream R&B, but also the “Burn” singer’s seminal impact across dance and music.
As usual, a bulk of the awards were handed out off-screen. The Knowles-Carter household brought home a pair of trophies thanks to Beyoncé’s Viewer’s Choice victory for “Texas Hold ‘Em” and Blue Ivy Carter‘s YoungStars Award win for her performances on her mom’s blockbuster Renaissance World Tour. Nicki Minaj took home best female hip-hop artist for a record-extending eighth non-consecutive year, Kendrick Lamar won best male hip-hop artist for a record-extending seventh non-consecutive year, Chicago Sky rookie Angel Reese reigned as Sportswoman of the Year and ¥$ (Kanye “Ye” West and Ty Dolla $ign) was crowned best group.
Here are the 7 best moments of the 2024 BET Awards.
Childish Gambino Calls Out BET
Just hours after triumphantly returning to the scene of his Grammys night arrest to accept the BET Album of the Year award for MICHAEL, Killer Mike dropped a powerful new single and video, “HUMBLE ME,” in which he reflects on the incident and its aftermath.
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In the striking black-and-white music video, the Run the Jewels MC is seen stripped of his jewelry and placed in handcuffs, symbolizing the events of his Grammy night arrest.
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Through his lyrics, he draws parallels between his experience and the Biblical story of Daniel in the lions’ den. The video culminates in a hopeful note, with a cameo from his son Mikael “Pony Boy” Render, who recently received a life-saving kidney transplant.
Reflecting on his Grammy night ordeal, Mike raps, “I won at the Grammys / did that for Atlanta / swept up like a janitor / got sent to the slammer / treat me like an animal or some kind of Hannibal.” He then reveals, “I went to sleep as free as could be / and the next day my son got a kidney.”
“I believe that humility and worship granted me God’s grace in the face of that test,” the rapper says.
During his album of the year acceptance speech at the BET Awards, Killer Mike addressed his arrest and the subsequent journey, saying, “Technically, I was not supposed to be here. I was put in handcuffs and I was marched out of this building, but I want to tell you, look at God because I’m back baby. I’m back and I’m winning.”
“I want to tell Black people that because of BET I’m back. Not ’cause of no white person calling nobody. A Black man runs this business, a Black company put this show on, and they got my Black ass back in here. Thank y’all.”
Mike also took the opportunity to emphasize the importance of civic engagement, urging viewers to vote in the upcoming elections.
“Who we vote for on the big stage is important, but it’s more important you know who your city council person is, who your prosecutor is,” he said “And if you don’t like the people running, run your Black a** to the polls and run yourself.”
Killer Mike’s arrest on Feb. 4, 2024, after winning three Grammys, including best rap album for Michael, stemmed from an altercation with a security guard outside the Grammy pre-telecast in February.
Although he was initially charged with misdemeanor battery, the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office later declined to pursue criminal charges. Instead, Mike completed a community service requirement, leading to the case’s resolution.
Killer Mike is currently on a North American tour supporting his latest album, with upcoming performances at major festivals including Lollapalooza, Newport Folk Festival, and Montreal International Jazz Festival.
“HUMBLE ME” is slated to appear on the follow-up to MICHAEL – Mike’s first solo album in over a decade – which is expected to drop later this summer via Loma Vista Records.
The rapper, backed by the Mighty Midnight Revival choir, will be on tour through early fall with stops at major festivals and a Blue Note Jazz Club residency.
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The 2024 BET Awards took place on Sunday (June 30) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. The show saw Taraji P. Henson hosting for a third year. Drake had the most nominations, seven in total. Usher received the lifetime achievement award during the live broadcast.
Here’s a complete list of the winners.
Album of the year
Chris Brown, 11:11
Gunna, A Gift & A Curse
21 Savage, American Dream
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Usher, Coming Home
Drake, For All the Dogs (Scary Hours Edition)
Victoria Monét, Jaguar II
Killer Mike, Michael — WINNER
Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday 2
Best female R&B/pop artist
Beyoncé
Coco Jones
Doja Cat
H.E.R.
Muni Long
SZA — WINNER
Tyla
Victoria Monét
Best male R&B/pop artist
Brent Faiyaz
Bryson Tiller
Burna Boy
Chris Brown
Drake
Fridayy
October London
Usher — WINNER
Best group
¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign — WINNER
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne
41
Blxst & Bino Rideaux
City Girls
Flo
Maverick City Music
Wanmor
Best collaboration
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life” — WINNER
Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar, “America Has a Problem (Remix)”
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
¥$, Ye, Ty Dolla $ign feat. Rich The Kid, Playboi Carti, “Carnival”
Lola Brooke feat. Latto & Yung Miami, “Don’t Play With It (Remix)”
Nicki Minaj feat. Lil Uzi Vert, “Everybody”
Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Best female hip-hop artist
Cardi B
Doja Cat
GloRilla
Ice Spice
Latto
Megan Thee Stallion
Nicki Minaj — WINNER
Sexyy Red
Best male hip-hop artist
21 Savage
Burna Boy
Drake
Future
Gunna
J. Cole
Kendrick Lamar — WINNER
Lil Wayne
Best new artist
41
4Batz
Ayra Starr
Bossman Dlow
Fridayy
October London
Sexyy Red
Tyla — WINNER
Video of the year
Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
Lil Durk feat J. Cole, “All My Life”
Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice (With Aqua), “Barbie World”
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion, “Bongos”
Drake feat. J. Cole, “First Person Shooter”
Usher, Summer Walker & 21 Savage, “Good Good”
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama” — WINNER
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Video director of the year
Benny Boom
Child.
Cole Bennett — WINNER
Dave Meyers
Janelle Monáe & Alan Ferguson
Offset
Tems
Tyler, The Creator
Dr. Bobby Jones Best Gospel/Inspirational Award
Shirley Caesar, “Award All of the Glory”
Kirk Franklin, “All Things”
Halle Bailey, “Angel”
CeCe Winans, “Come Jesus Come”
Erica Campbell, Do You Believe in Love?”
Maverick City Music, Naomi Raine & Chandler Moore, “God Problems”
Tems, “Me & U” — WINNER
Kirk Franklin, “Try Love”
Viewer’s choice award
Doja Cat, “Agora Hills”
Lil Durk feat. J. Cole, “All My Life”
Gunna, “Fukumean”
Jack Harlow, “Lovin on Me”
Muni Long, “Made for Me”
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama”
Drake feat. Sexyy Red & SZA, “Rich Baby Daddy”
Chris Brown feat. Davido & Lojay, “Sensational”
Beyoncé, “Texas Hold ‘Em” — WINNER
Tyla, “Water”
Best international act
Asake (Africa)
Aya Nakamura (France)
Ayra Starr (Africa)
Bk’ (Brazil)
Cleo Sol (UK)
Focalistic (Africa)
Karol Conká (Brazil)
Raye (UK)
Tiakola (France)
Tyla (Africa) — WINNER
Viewer’s choice: best new international act
Bellah (UK)
Cristale (UK)
Duquesa (Brazil)
Holly G (France)
Jungeli (France)
Makhadzi (Africa) — WINNER
Oruam (Brazil)
Seyi Vibez (Africa)
Tyler Icu (Africa)
BET Her
Beyoncé, “16 Carriages”
Nicki Minaj feat. Tasha Cobbs Leonard, “Blessings”
Ayra Starr, “Commas”
Flo feat. Missy Elliott, “Fly Girl”
Megan Thee Stallion, “Hiss”
Victoria Monét, “On My Mama” — WINNER
SZA, “Saturn”
GloRilla, “Yeah Glo!”
Best movie
American Fiction
Bob Marley: One Love — WINNER
Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
The Book of Clarence
The Color Purple
The Equalizer 3
The Little Mermaid
Best actor
Anthony Mackie
Colman Domingo
Damson Idris
Denzel Washington — WINNER
Donald Glover
Idris Elba
Jeffrey Wright
Lakeith Stanfield
Best actress
Angela Bassett
Ayo Edebiri
Coco Jones
Danielle Brooks
Fantasia
Halle Bailey
Issa Rae
Regina King — WINNER
YoungStars Award
Akira Akbar
Blue Ivy Carter — WINNER
Demi Singleton
Heiress Diana Harris
Jabria McCullum
Jalyn Hall
Leah Jeffries
Van Van
Sportswoman of the Year Award
A’ja Wilson
Angel Reese — WINNER
Coco Gauff
Flau’jae Johnson
Juju Watkins
Naomi Osaka
Sha’carri Richardson
Simone Biles
Sportsman of the Year Award
Anthony Edwards
Gervonta Davis
Jalen Brunson — WINNER
Jalen Hurts
Kyrie Irving
Lebron James
Patrick Mahomes
Stephen Curry