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Jacob The Jeweler might’ve been the go to ice man for celebrities from the mid 90’s to the early 2000’s, but these days that title belongs to one Avi Davidov whose diamond studded work has made it’s way to the American Museum of Natural History.
According to the Gothamist, Davidov and his close friend, Ben Shimon have spent the last decade making a name for themselves through their business, Pristine Jewelers, and with a clientele that includes the likes of 2 Chainz, Fat Joe, and Cardi B, the diamond duo have become a force to be reckoned with.
With their names being mentioned amongst the stars whenever someone needs some exclusive diamond pendants and pieces, Avi Davidov and Ben Shimon have become the highly sought after plugs for your favorite music artists and movie stars. And now, even the American Museum of Natural History has even taken notice as their “Ice Cold: An Exhibition of Hip Hop Jewelry” exhibit features quite a few pieces designed by Pristine Jewelers.
The Gothamist reports:
It features dozens of pieces worn by hip-hop artists, including Slick Rick, Ghostface Killah, Nicki Minaj, and A$AP Rocky. It also includes two pieces designed by Pristine Jewelers: Nas’ Queensbridge pendant and Fat Joe’s Terror Squad chain.
Part of Pristine’s appeal is that its founders can match the swagger of some of their world-famous clients – jetsetting to Portugal, dressing head-to-toe in Louis Vuitton or Dior. As with many luxury brands, Pristine is selling a lifestyle as much as a product.
“It’s the way we travel, the kind of shoes and sneakers we wear,” said Davidov, who once traveled to Russia on a day’s notice for a client.
Not entirely new to the game, Davidov’s parents worked in the jewelry industry for more than 30 years operating a mom and pop jewelry spot on Fordham Road in the Bronx. Having migrated here from Uzbekistan before he was even born, his parents showed Davidov how to hustle as he worked there on most days after getting out of school, and now decades later the grind is paying off historically.
“As we were growing older, my sister and I, we saw their hardships, so we decided to help them out,” said Davidov. “And while we were helping them out, we learned more of the trade, more of the business. And I liked it.”
But it wasn’t until the year 2000 when iconic Reggaeton artist, Don Omar went to him to have some custom iced out pieces and watches made. Impressed with the work, word began to spread about Davidov’s skills and the rest if history.
Another win happened a few years later, when Davidov was tapped to upgrade Nas’ Queensbridge pendant, which became a nod to the ‘Illmatic’ rapper’s success, and is featured in the “Ice Cold” exhibition.
Gotta love the American dream when it manifests (not that MAGA sh*t).
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Big Latto is opening up about a time when she didn’t feel like the “biggest” and allowed insecurities to lead her to the surgery table.
On Monday (Jun 17) a clip taken from a live session with fans went viral after the ATLien shared that online critics of her natural body shape at 21 led to her going under the knife to get a BBL after signing her deal.
“My body was so tea,” Latto stated. “I gained a little weight ’cause I signed my deal when I was 21. When I had just turned 21, and I was just having money and living a whole new life, eating out. Y’all know I’m a foodie. So, now I have the funds to feed this foodie in me. So, I just, I gained a little weight and everybody on the internet was calling me ‘bad body’ and stuff, so I feel like that played a role, because I started to be a little insecure about my body.”
The reflection echoed her 2023 interview with Apple Music when she shared that she had a little “work” done, before giving women considering the option to go for a more natural look, saying:
“I got a little work done on my body or whatever,” Latto said at the time. “A little tea. A b***h look natural. It’s one thing about it, if you gon’ do it, do it right. I did it right. For a girl that have the little tweaky, tweaks, I be on your case about not touching nothing.”
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During the viral clip, Latto also opened up about the backlash she received for undergoing surgery, noting that the experience made her understand the importance of not caring what other people think.
“Every time I post a gym picture, people be like, ‘Oh, she got a BBL,’” Latto continued. “I’ve been so loud and clear about a BBL that I had four years ago. When I was 21, that y’all convinced me I needed, by the way.’ B***hes be on their third, fourth round by now. I got one BBL four years ago. This is all me now, know that. I get my a*s up and go to the gym! Moral of the story: I just think everybody should just stop worrying about everybody,” she expressed. “Natural girls are winning. Surgery girls… BBL girls are winning. Do what works for you and mind your own business. Make your own decisions based on what you want to do, not what other people are telling you to do.”
Latto is headlining Birthday Bash in Atlanta this Saturday, June 22.
Source: Radio One Atlanta / Radio One Digital
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The legendary Willie Mays, a trailblazing Black, pro baseball star, has passed away. He was 93.
On Tuesday, July 18, the San Francisco Giants and Mays family announced that he had passed early in the afternoon.
“My father has passed away peacefully and among loved ones,” said son Michael Mays in a statement. “I want to thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart for the unwavering love you have shown him over the years. You have been his life’s blood.”
Known as the “Say Hey Kid,” Mays’ talent included an incredible mix of power, speed and finesse, which made him one of the MLB’s most popular players during his heyday, no pun, and beyond.
Mays began his career with the Negro Leagues in 1948 and made his Major League debut with the then-New York Giants in 1951 at 20 years old, winning Rookie of the Year honors. Mays played in 24 All-Stars game and secured 12 Gold Glove Awards before ending his career with 660 home runs and a .301 career batting average when retiring in 1973.
In Game 1 of the World Series in 1954, the New York Giants were at home playing the Cleveland Indians, who were the favorites. With the scored tied 2-2 at the top of Cleveland’s Vic Wertz hit a fastball to deep center field in the Polo Grounds. Mays tracked the ball down, using all his speed to bring in the drive with an over the shoulder catch, with his back to home plate. The play would become known as “The Catch.”
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Mays was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 and his number 24 was retired by the San Francisco Giants. Mays was awarded the prestigious Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama in 2015.
Rest in powerful peace Willie Mays.
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Pharrell Williams seemingly doesn’t involve himself in the war of words that some of his past collaborators have, but fans are wondering if a new track takes a shot at Drake. Via the “Double Life” track, some have suggested that Skateboard P may have had light smoke for Drake but nothing has been confirmed.
Pharrell Williams has been part of the Despicable Me franchise since its early days, producing across a majority of the soundtracks for the corresponding films. For Despicable Me 4, “Double Life” serves as the first single for the soundtrack and the opening verse has been interpreted as Drake this on Genius and across social media channels.
From “Double Life”:
Hey, what are you hiding? (Watch)/What you do when you’re gone? (Hey)/Nothin’ wrong bein’ private (Watch)/Make sure it ain’t wrong (Yeah)/Your life double-sided (Watch)/Two-faced like coins/What side do I get? (Watch)/What side are you on?
As most know, Drake took shots at Pharrell Williams on the “MELTDOWN” track from Travis Scott’s UTOPIA album and also reportedly melted down chains owned by the Virginia producer as seen in the video for Drake’s “Jumbotron Sh*t Poppin.”
In our opinion, this seems like a strong reach but anything is possible. Check out the track below.
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Photo: Getty
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A new finding has disclosed that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to reveal three more trips paid for by billionaire Harlan Crow.
On Thursday (June 13), the Senate Judiciary Committee released documents that revealed that Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas failed to disclose that he had taken three additional trips on the private jet belonging to billionaire Harlan Crow. The documents were acquired by Democrats on the committee, and they show the details of the trips – one to Kalispell, Montana near Glacier National Park in 2017, one from Washington D.C. to his hometown of Savannah, Georgia in March 2019, and one to Northern California in 2021.
“The Senate Judiciary Committee’s ongoing investigation into the Supreme Court’s ethical crisis is producing new information – like what we’ve revealed today – and makes it crystal clear that the highest court needs an enforceable code of conduct, because its members continue to choose not to meet the moment,” Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee said in a statement. A lawyer for Justice Thomas said that he has “fully complied” with a new disclosure requirement from the Administrative Office of U.S. Courts from last year that compelled judges to disclose all gifts. In a statement, he felt these trips “fell under the ‘personal hospitality exemption’ and was not required to be disclosed by Justice Thomas,” said Elliott S. Berke. A representative for Harlan Crow, Michael Zona, said that the Texas billionaire provided the committee with “information responsive to its requests going back seven years.” Zona also confirmed that as a result of providing the information, the Committee agreed to end its probe into Crow’s actions.
The revelations have added more controversy and outrage over the unethical behavior of Thomas and fellow Supreme Court Justice Thomas Alito by accepting such lavish gifts from Republican donors throughout the years, as observers note that each donor had special interests in cases that came before the court. It’s led many to demand that there be a stronger code of ethics for the Court with more punitive effects, noting that the code adopted by the highest judicial body in the land at the end of last year was too weak.
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Source: press handout / FYI Brand Group
If we know anything about French Montana it’s that if there’s a gang of thick women congregating near a body of water, he’s probably somewhere close by and his latest music video all but confirms that theory as he and Skilla Baby enjoy some poolside fun.
In their visuals to “Skyami” French Montana and Skilla throw themselves a pool party and invite a team of stacked and thick women who don’t just enjoy the rappers company, but also their fellow bikini-clad female friends as they bump and grind on each other much to the rapper’s delight and give them a sneak peak of what can be done behind closed doors. Don’t invite your kids to a French Montana pool party cause they’re gonna have questions afterwards. Just sayin.’
Back in Houston Sauce Walka shows his hood some love while giving them some shine and in his clip to “5th Ward,” Sauce rolls through his old stomping grounds where he links up with his homies and gets poured up in the middle of the day.
Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Rah Swish, Sada Baby, and more.
FRENCH MONTANA & SKILLA BABY – “SKYAMI”
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SAUCE WALKA – “5TH WARD”
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RAH SWISH – “TESEHKI”
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SADA BABY – “MIDNIGHT KLUB”
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WANMOR – “ALONE WITH YOU”
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LARRY JUNE – “DREAMS”
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ANTHONE RAY – “TIME”
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SHAAN TZY – “STILL HERSELF”
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Source: @drvelasquez / Instagram
Tragic news is coming out of Colombia as well-known Reggaeton artist/manager Dr. Velásquez, was found murdered in his home earlier this week.
According to Digital Music News, Velásquez and his girlfriend, Sofia Valdez, were found shot to death in his home in Envigado, outside of Medellín, Colombia, this past Saturday (June 8). The sad news was announced by Velásquez’s record label, JMW Music, which put out a statement on social media informing his fans of the tragic news.
“With deep pain, we inform you of the death of Dr. Velásquez, renowned singer, composer, manager, businessman, and paisa [Medellín native] dreamer,” reads the statement written in Spanish. “Dr. Velásquez was a pioneer in the Medellín music scene, being the founder of the largest and first reggaeton hubs in our city. His legacy and passion for music left an indelible mark on the industry and in the hearts of those who knew him.”
“In this moment of pain, we ask for prudence and respect for his family, friends, and colleagues. We appreciate your understanding and support in these difficult times. We join in prayer for his eternal rest and solidarity with all those who feel his departure.”
While the motive behind Velásquez‘s murder is still unknown, authorities already have a person of interest in cuffs.
Digital Music News reports:
The label clarified in a separate statement that although the facts surrounding his death are being investigated, “the judicial authorities have ruled out suicide among the hypotheses. Thanks to the quick and efficient action of the authorities, the main suspect in the double homicide is already in custody.”
Velásquez, whose real name was Daniel Alejandro Velásquez Franco, enjoyed a solo singing career from 2014 to 2018, but he is better known for having propelled the music careers of many Colombian urban artists, including Reykon, Maluma, and J Balvin. He discovered Blessd in 2019 and signed him to his home label of JMW Music.
Some of the artists Dr. Velásquez has worked with include J Balvin, Blessd and Maluma, among many others.
Rest In Power, Dr. Velásquez.
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Source: @drvelasquez / Instagram
Tragic news is coming out of Colombia as well-known Reggaeton artist/manager Dr. Velásquez, was found murdered in his home earlier this week.
According to Digital Music News, Velásquez and his girlfriend, Sofia Valdez, were found shot to death in his home in Envigado, outside of Medellín, Colombia, this past Saturday (June 8). The sad news was announced by Velásquez’s record label, JMW Music, which put out a statement on social media informing his fans of the tragic news.
“With deep pain, we inform you of the death of Dr. Velásquez, renowned singer, composer, manager, businessman, and paisa [Medellín native] dreamer,” reads the statement written in Spanish. “Dr. Velásquez was a pioneer in the Medellín music scene, being the founder of the largest and first reggaeton hubs in our city. His legacy and passion for music left an indelible mark on the industry and in the hearts of those who knew him.”
“In this moment of pain, we ask for prudence and respect for his family, friends, and colleagues. We appreciate your understanding and support in these difficult times. We join in prayer for his eternal rest and solidarity with all those who feel his departure.”
While the motive behind Velásquez‘s murder is still unknown, authorities already have a person of interest in cuffs.
Digital Music News reports:
The label clarified in a separate statement that although the facts surrounding his death are being investigated, “the judicial authorities have ruled out suicide among the hypotheses. Thanks to the quick and efficient action of the authorities, the main suspect in the double homicide is already in custody.”
Velásquez, whose real name was Daniel Alejandro Velásquez Franco, enjoyed a solo singing career from 2014 to 2018, but he is better known for having propelled the music careers of many Colombian urban artists, including Reykon, Maluma, and J Balvin. He discovered Blessd in 2019 and signed him to his home label of JMW Music.
Some of the artists Dr. Velásquez has worked with include J Balvin, Blessd and Maluma, among many others.
Rest In Power, Dr. Velásquez.
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The way Snoop Dogg has been reuniting former Death Row artists after taking control of the label that made him a star makes us feel like Tha Doggfather has been planning this for quite some time and he’s been on his grizzly dropping off new work courtesy of many OG’s.
In the new visuals to “Who Da Hardest?” Snoop Dogg and Tha Dogg Pound once again ride with the likes of Lady of Rage and RBX to kick that ol’ gangsta ish to remind everyone that while rap is a young man’s game, Hip-Hop itself will forever be for artists of all ages. Dope to see Lady of Rage’s afro puff’s still poppin.’
Speaking of OG’s, Boosie Badazz is still living like a young man at his big age and in his clip for “Summer Time,” the Baton Rouge representative enjoys some pool side fun with some extra thick women who come in all colors but have the similar physical dimensions from the waist down. Boosie do like them big girls and we ain’t hatin.’
Check out the rest of today’s drops and some joints you might’ve missed over the weekend including work from Rich Dunk featuring DaBaby, Larry June, and more.
THA DOGG POUND FT. RBX & LADY OF RAGE – “WHO DA HARDEST?”
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BOOSIE BADAZZ – “SUMMER TIME”
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RICH DUNK FT. DABABY – “BIG DAWG”
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LARRY JUNE – “DREAMS”
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CAPPADONNA FT. KILLAH PRIEST – “THE BURN OUT”
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PIMP SQUAD CLICK, YOUNG DRO & T.I. FT. MAC BONEY & BIG KUNTRY KING – “RICO”
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RICH THE KID & PESO PLUMA – “GIMME A SECOND”
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YOUR OLD DROOG – “I THINK I LOVE HER”
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RYGIN KING & DAMIAN MARLEY – “THINGS DONE CHANGE”
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Source: Shareif Ziyadat / Getty
Howard University announced that it is rescinding the honorary degree it bestowed on Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2014. The decision comes after video footage was revealed in May of the disgraced Hip-Hop mogul beating his ex-girlfriend and Bad Boy recording artist Cassie Ventura in a hotel lobby in 2016.
On Friday, June 7, the Howard University Board of Trustees announced that it decided to rescind Combs’ honorary degree and to return the $1 million the former student (he never actually graduated) had pledged to the school.
“The Howard University Board of Trustees voted unanimously today to accept the return by Mr. Sean Combs of the honorary degree conferred upon him in 2014,” said an official statement from Howard’s Board of Trustees. “This acceptance revokes all honors and privileges associated with the degree.”
Also, HU is effectively wiping any association with Diddy, who attended the HBCU in the early nineties before dropping out to pursue his career in the music business full time.
The statement continued, “Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University. Mr. Combs’ behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor.”
Interestingly, although Diddy originally pledged the $1 million donation in 2016, the Board’s statement reveals that no payments had been made by him or the Sean Combs Foundation to date. So there is no money to return (under a 2023 agreement). The scholarship program established in Combs’ name will also be disbanded.
Diddy, who has always spoken fondly of his time as an undergrad, was the commencement speaker at Howard in 2014 when he received the honorary degree.
Howard is just the latest entity to sever ties with Diddy. Others include Revolt, the media company he founded, and Hulu, which nixed a reality series about his family.