NEWS
BBC Radio 1 Xtra Hosts Black Lives Matter Special with Seani B and DJ Ace
On Tuesday, June 2nd, the music industry participated in a sweeping blackout to align with the Black Lives Matter movement in light of George Floyd’s death. Whether they completely halted operations or paused activity on their social media accounts, nearly every company and brand in the industry implemented its own procedures in solidarity. BBC Radio 1 Xtra took their support a step further, though, by hosting a special program featuring Seani B and DJ Ace. The episode featured the London DJs facilitating a candid discussion about Floyd’s death and the protests that ensued, as well as music about Black empowerment. The station also invited guests to call in and share their own experiences, taking to Twitter to encourage listeners to get involved. “We know so many...
Pretty Lights Breaks Social Media Silence to Share Impassioned Black Lives Matter Statement
After two years of dormant social media use, Pretty Lights has broken his silence in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement in the wake of the death of George Floyd. Pretty Lights, who remains one of the most prolific and popular artists in dance music despite a lengthy hiatus from the scene, took to Instagram to share an impassioned note about his alignment with Black Lives Matter, stating that it is “clearly time to start participating” in social media again. “First off, I want to say I stand in complete solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, and I 100% stand with all the humans raising their voices for desperately needed change in the world,” Pretty Lights wrote. “Racism IS A PROBLEM across the globe,” he continued. “...
DC’s Biggest Nightclubs are Banding Together for Pandemic Rent Relief
While some non-essential businesses are finally being allowed to conduct business again in some US cities, like restaurants, barber shops, and gyms, nightclubs and music venues aren’t so lucky. Low on the priority list for reopening after the perceived peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, US music venues may still face a long road ahead before being allowed to continue operations. Clubs across the nation are feeling the financial strain of such a long shutdown period without the ability to bring in any revenue. According to a report from Eater, in Washington, DC, some of those nightclubs are now banding together to seek relief from the city, which would help to alleviate some of the burden of rent costs. 19 of the capital’s foremost club owners joined forces...
Kanye West Donates $2M To Families Of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor & George Floyd
Source: Consolidated News Pictures / Getty We’re up to day 10 of unrest across the nation and the world after the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis cops, and Kanye West has been quiet. But it turns out Yeezy has been cutting checks—he reportedly has donated $2M to the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor and George Floyd, who are all victims of racist violence. According to TMZ, a Kanye West reps says the “Jesus Walks” rapper has donated $2 million to set up a college fund for the late George Floyd’s daughter, Gianna, who is just 6 years old. Also, Yeezy has reportedly also made donations to cover the legal costs of the Arbery and Taylor families. West has also dropped coin on Black business back in his native Chicago as well as nationwide that have been affected by the protests a...
Amber Rose Expresses Solidarity With Movements For Change, Declares She’s “Pro Black,” “Pro LGBTQ,” & “Pro Hoe”
Source: The Amber Rose SlutWalk 2016 Featuring: Amber Rose Where: Los Angeles, California, United States When: 01 Oct 2016 Credit: FayesVision/WENN.com Amber Rose has never been one to sequester her opinion, so when fans asked her to speak out regarding her position on current events–of course she had a lot to say. On Wednesday (June 3), Amber Rose took to Instagram to stand in solidarity with everyone fighting the cause for change including Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ, and those who are advocating to legalize sex work. “I’m Pro Black af, Pro LGBTQ af, Pro Hoe, Pro Sex Work, Pro-Choice,” Rose wrote. “If ur Fatphobic, Transphobic or ever screamed ‘All Lives Matter’ get the f*ck off my page.” While the post received overwhelming support, there were fans that questioned why “All Lives Matter” w...
Kodak Black Claims Marshalls Violated His Rights By Releasing Perp Photo To Press
Source: INGLEWOOD, CA – AUGUST 27: Kodak Black arrives at the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/Getty Images) Yes Kodak Black is still around and kicking, and he now says that officials exposed his privacy. As exclusively reported by Bossip the Florida rapper continues to serve time behind bars. On November 13, 2019 he formally turned himself in to authorities and began serving his 46-month sentence. Since then he has claimed that the law has not exactly provided him a fair shot as an United States citizen. According to the report, the man now known as Bill Kapri filed a federal lawsuit against United States Marshals Service Chief Mark O’Loughlin. The accusation alleges that the serviceman purposely trie...
Sean Paul “Hold On To The Dream,” Dave East “Menace” & More | Daily Visuals 6.4.20
Source: photo: WENN During the early 00’s Sean Paul was one of the biggest artists in the music game alongside the likes of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and 50 Cent and though he’s been MIA for almost a decade, lately he’s been looking to show and prove he’s got some work. Coming through with some new visuals to “Hold On To The Dream” the Jamaican dancehall artist showcases the beauty of the island while calling for the masses to remain positive regardless of the dark clouds hovering over them. Back in the states Dave East recreates the most heartbreaking scene in Hip-Hop cinema as Ricky once again gets gunned down in an LA hood in his clip to “Menace.” You’d think he’d go with a scene out of Menace II Society with that title but noap! Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Key Glock, ...
Don’t Even Look at This Über-Hot Volkswagen Arteon Wagon You Can’t Have
You’ll be forgiven for having forgotten about the Volkswagen Arteon. The sleek-looking sports sedan ended up being less dynamic and more expensive than we were expecting, and we were left unimpressed with said dynamics and pricing (given its humble VW roots). However, just over a year after it went on sale in the U.S., the Arteon is getting a makeover we’ll see fully unveiled on June 24. Volkswagen teased us with artwork that previews some of the design changes to the Arteon yesterday, and we like what we’re seeing. The handsome sportback looks like it’s getting a brand-new front end with a LED light bar that stretches the full width of the front bumper. We assume there will also be changes to the rest of the exterior, as well, albeit limited to the usual mid-cycle ...
EDC Shares Another Sneak Peek at Rescheduled 2020 Installment
One of the world’s most renowned yearly electronic music festivals, Insomniac‘s EDC Las Vegas, opted to reschedule its event for a later date after the COVID-19 pandemic forced cancellations and postponements for events around the globe. Typically taking place in May, EDC’s Las Vegas installment for 2020 will now be held on October 2nd to 4th. The festival is keeping the excitement alive and hopeful attendees eager, sharing sneak peeks at stage productions that will be seen in October. Pasquale Rotella, Insomniac’s founder and CEO, has taken to Instagram to share another preview to further build the hype. Posting a photo of the kineticZEN’s stage production, Rotella revealed a little bit more of what’s to be expected for 2020. Optin...
ODESZA Announces They are Matching Donations to Various Organizations Fighting for Racial Equality
In the wake of the death of George Floyd and the ongoing nationwide protests that ensued, electronic duo ODESZA have announced that they are matching donations up to $5,000 to numerous organizations that are fighting for racial justice. Taking to social media to announce the initiative, which was cultivated by their Foreign Family Collective imprint, ODESZA announced that they will be donating to the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund, Black Lives Matter, and Color of Change, and invited their fans to join them “in the continued fight for racial justice.” For ODESZA and Foreign Family Collective to match your donation, simply send a screenshot to this email. For a deeper list of organizations to donate to and petitions to sign in the fight for racial jus...
Kevin Liles Endorses Biden, Talks Social Justice on Instagram Live: 5 Key Takeaways
On Thursday night (June 4), nearly 200 people tuned in on Instagram Live to hear co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment Kevin Liles discuss systemic racism, police brutality and how he and his company are fighting for change. After opening his Live by playing a brand new track from Trey Songz, called “How Many Times,” Liles started the conversation by talking about the murder of George Floyd, saying: “What bothered me the most is that he called for his mother… we have heard ‘I can’t breathe’ so much but to see a grown man reach and say ‘mama’… it just puts it all in perspective. It’s sickening. We’re in a state of emergency.” Over the span of two hours, Liles invited nearly 10 guests into the chat from Minnesota rapper and WEO...
Kanye West Donates $2M, Launches Education Plan for George Floyd’s Daughter
Kanye West is donating a multi-million dollar sum for college savings funds for George Floyd’s daughter, plus legal costs for the Arbery and Taylor families, Billboard can confirm. As the hip-hop star joins street protests in his hometown Chicago, Kanye has made a $2 million donation to assist the families of Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, whose murders have sparked protests across America and around the globe. According to several published reports, West set up a 529 education plan for Floyd’s six-year-old daughter, Gianna. Kanye was spotted joining in Chicago’s south side on Thursday night joining the #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd march, in protest of Floyd’s death during his arrest by Minneapolis police, footage of which was captured and seen by millions around the globe. Ahmau...
