Getting a co-sign from Jay-Z probably feels surreal for an artist that has been hustling to make it for years. Known globally as one of the best rappers of all time, the Roc Nation head honcho is respected as one of the premier faces in the music industry. His ideas surpass music though, heading over into all aspects of sports and entertainment.
As we near the midway point of the year (already!?). Jay-Z gathered together a list of his personal favorite songs of 2020 so far, showing love to some of the usual characters, and also taking notice of some younger talents.
Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
The list starts off with Lil Baby and "Emotionally Scarred," before the Atlanta rapper appears again with "Sum 2 Prove" and "Grace" with 42 Dugg. Jay-Z is also clearly a big fan of what Polo G has been bringing to the table, shouting out the rising star for "Heartless" with Mustard. At #3, his wife makes an appearance on the remix of Megan Thee Stallion's "Savage." Elsewhere on the 20-song gathering, Jay Electronica makes several appearances, which makes total sense given Hov's involvement in the release of his debut album.
Jay-Z was also busy listening to some of the newer releases, including Future's High Off Life, of which he included "Hard To Choose One." Drake and The Weeknd earn their spots before Westside Gunn, Boldy James, Benny The Butcher, and Conway of Griselda impress the legend.
Check out the full playlist below.
"The Simpsons" May Have Predicted Coronavirus & Murder Hornets
It looks like an episode of "The Simpsons" about a virus stemming from Asia and a swarm of killer bees may have predicted the entirety of 2020 so far.
This is starting to get freaky. It would appear as though yet another episode of The Simpsons has correctly predicted future events, after it was pointed out that the same episode that seemed to foreshadow the coronavirus pandemic also included a plot about a swarm of murderous bees. It's definitely not a new concept that The Simpsons writers are basically psychic, considering they seemed to have predicted tons of major occurrences like Donald Trump becoming president, but this one hits the nail on the head a little too closely.
Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Fox
Back when the coronavirus first began spreading, folks pointed out that the events in an episode of The Simpsons from 2004 called, "Marge in Chains" beared a striking resemblance to the real world events going on in the present day. In the episode, a worker at an overcrowded factory in Asia accidentally sneezes on a box of juice to be shipped to Springfield. Homer later opens the box, and unintentionally kicks off the "Osaka Flu" pandemic in the United States. While the connections between this storyline and the current global health crisis have already been made, a plot that occurs later in the episode proves that the writers weren't even trying to hide the fact that they can totally see into the future.
After the Springfield citizens are told that there isn't a real vaccine for the new virus yet, they begin searching boxes in an open truck to find placebos. However, the townspeople instead come into contact with a swarm of "killer bees." As you may know, it was recently revealed that a species of "murder hornets" have made their way to the United States, because 2020 was already going so well.
We may need to start studying The Simpsons from now on if we want to prepare ourselves for the worst.
Ryan Reynolds Gifts Free Pizza To Graduating Students At His Alma Mater
Ryan Reynolds is hooking students from his Alma Mater up with free pizza.
Actor Ryan Reynolds is gifting graduating students from his Alma Mater, Kitsilano Secondary School, a free large pizza from his favorite local restaurant.
Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images
Reynolds mentioned the gift during his commencement speech for the school’s virtual graduation.
“To this day I’m still friends with so many people I graduated with. So that says something. I’m probably not going to drop any mics here … but I can pass on this little chestnut of wisdom,” he said.”Some of you may consider me successful. I don’t know, some of you may have seen Green Lantern,” he quipped, before adding, “but I’ll tell you this — empathy has gotten me so much farther in not only in my life but in my career.” Reynolds assured that having empathy is “just about the most radical act of ambition that you can ever demonstrate.”
“To my surprise, [empathy] has made me money, friends, priceless memories. It’s allowed me to fully accept and provide love. It’s helped me recognize the mistakes I’ve made and learn from them. And above all, it made me happy. And it’s something I’ll probably be working on my whole life,” he added.
By the end of the video, he shouts out Nat’s Pizzeria and says, “every grad gets one large pizza on me.”
[Via]
New England Patriots Reveal New Jerseys For 2020
The New England Patriots are paying homage to their past while also adding a touch of futurism.
Tom Brady is no longer a member of the New England Patriots which is some pretty horrendous news if you're a fan of the team. Without a star quarterback at the helm, it remains to be seen how good this team will be next season. In fact, the Buffalo Bills are now favored to win the AFC East which would certainly be a change of pace from what we are used to. Regardless, the Patriots are excited about next season and are already teasing their fans with some new threads.
Today on Twitter, the Patriots celebrated Patriots Day with a fresh look at their new uniforms for 2020. As they describe on social media, these jerseys are a tribute to the team's history while also providing a look that screams "future."
Overall, these are incredibly clean and if you're a Pats fan, you will be happy to know that these are already on sale for your shopping pleasure. Numerous teams have been unveiling new uniforms as of late but so far, it seems like the Patriots have the best ones to date. As a lifelong Pats hater, that was incredibly painful to write.
Let us know what you think about these, in the comments below.
50 Cent Uses Coronavirus Pandemic To Troll Ja Rule
After WW3 scares, Australian bushfires, and now, Coronavirus, 50 Cent thinks that the organizers of Fyre Festival are running 2020.
If there’s one thing that we can all agree on, it’s that we’re only three months in 2020 and it’s been an already f*cked up year. The Australian bushfires and the scares of WW3 are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes down to headlines of 2020 but with the rise in Coronavirus, it appears that 50 Cent has a hunch that Ja Rule might have something to do with all of this.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images
Even as many fear the world coming to an end, 50 Cent still has time to be petty as hell. With everything that’s gone on in the past two and a half months, 50 Cent suggests there’s only one group of people that can possibly be behind the madness of 2020 and that is the organizers of Fyre Festival. Sharing a meme to Instagram that stated this year is being managed by the Fyre Festival organizers, Fif captioned it, “Now this shit is starting to make sense LOL.”
Of course, this includes Ja Rule who’s fed up with his name being dragged through the mud. Even though he was dismissed from the lawsuit, Ja Rule is still forced to respond to trolls who’ve attached his name to the failed festival. Just last month, he took aim at a few users, threatening to “slap the earth wind and FYRE out you clowns!!!”
Top 10 2020 Movies We’re Excited To See
You’ll have plenty of reasons to visit your local movie theater this year.
As the Coronavirus pandemic dominates most global markets and industries, the public is faced with the choice of continuing to go about their lives or stockpiling supplies in the event of quarantine. While the global box office is already feeling the effects, it’s likely to get worse before better. This is the clear reasoning behind Universal’s recent decision to move the new James Bond film, No Time to Die, from its April release to November. However, simply pushing back movie releases isn’t a universal solution. And what do you do when it’s a movie you’ve been eagerly awaiting? Regardless of the global health crisis at play, there are still a ton of great films releasing this year. Whether you’re into comic book movies, adult comedies, or The Sopranos – at least a few of the 10 films we’ve compiled below will get you excited for an old-fashioned dinner & a movie date night.
The New Mutants (April 3)
In an unexpected fusion between two of cinemas biggest genres – the horror film and superhero movie – comes Disney’s (by way of 20th Century Fox) latest comic book adaptation, The New Mutants. Written and directed by Josh Boone (The Fault in Our Stars) and starring a diverse cast of young talent including Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones), Anna Taylor-Joy (Split, Glass), Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things), Blu Hunt (The Originals), Henry Zaga (Looking for Alaska) and Alice Braga (Queen of the South) – The New Mutants was intended to be the perfect genre mash-up to help revitalize the declining X-Men franchise. Unfortunately, the film following a group of young mutants being psychiatrically monitored in a secluded and supernatural hospital was plagued by release delays due to the prioritization of fellow X-Men offshoots Deadpool 2, Dark Phoenix, and the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney. After two years of waiting, now unluckily in the throes of the Coronavirus impacting the global box office, The New Mutants appears to be firmly cemented in its April 3rd release date.
Bad Trip (April 17)
Deeply influenced by the work of famous pranksters Sacha Baron Cohen, Nathan Fielder, Johnny Knoxville and the entire Jackass cast – Bad Trip is a hidden camera road trip movie starring three of the funniest people working in Hollywood today. In the film, Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery play best friends on a prank-filled cross-country road trip to help Andre’s character find the girl of his dreams. Meanwhile, Tiffany Haddish portrays Lil Rel’s evil sister and the film’s villain – an escaped prison inmate reentering society. Directed by Kitao Sakurai (The Eric Andre Show) and executive produced by Jeff Tremaine (Jackass), Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland), and star/writer Andre – Bad Trip will have you belly-laughing yourself to tears from the start to finish. Similar to The New Mutants’ ever-changing release date, Bad Trip was originally scheduled for release last October, then moved to February 2020, before ultimately landing in its appropriately 4/20-adjacent release date of April 17th.
Black Widow (May 1)
In 2010, Scarlett Johansson made her first appearance as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow in Iron Man 2 – Disney’s third official entry to the Marvel Cinematic Universe film franchise. Since then, Marvel has been slowly developing a solo film for the fan favorite character. While waiting, devotees have been treated to Black Widow appearing in all four Avengers films, in addition to Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, and an uncredited appearance in Captain Marvel. Following last summer’s Spider-Man: Far From Home – Black Widow marks only the second MCU film in the year since Avengers: Endgame broke nearly every box office record you can think of, including supplanting Avatar as the highest-grossing film of all time.
Taking place after the events of Captain America: Civil War but before Natasha Romanoff becomes an Avenger – Black Widow follows Johansson’s character as she is forced to navigate on her own her complicated past as a spy. Co-starring a brilliant cast consisting of Florence Pugh (Midsommar), David Harbour (Stranger Things), O-T Fagbenle (The Handmaid’s Tale), William Hurt (Broadcast News), and Rachel Weisz (The Favourite) – Black Widow is the first of two MCU films (The Eternals) to see release in 2020; in addition to the second (Morbius) and third (Venom 2) entries in Sony’s Marvel Universe. The moral of this story is there will be plenty of comic book cinema this year.
The King of Staten Island (June 19)
Over the past 20 years, Judd Apatow has written, directed, and produced some of the funniest films and television series of a generation. Beginning with Freaks and Geeks, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Knocked Up, or more recently Trainwreck, Girls, and Crashing – he has single handedly helped shape the careers of such A-list comedy talent as Seth Rogen, Steve Carell, Jonah Hill, Jason Segel, Lena Dunham, and now for his latest film, The King of Staten Island – Pete Davidson. Perhaps best known as Ariana Grande’s ex-fiancé, or the tattooed guy who rarely appears on Saturday Night Live – Davidson is finally set to have his breakout moment this summer, with Apatow at the helm.
Partially autobiographical, The King of Staten Island tells the story of Scott (Davidson), a twenty-something pothead from the forgotten borough still affected by the loss of his firefighter father on September 11th. His life begins to change when his sister (Maude Apatow) heads to college, his mother (Marisa Tomei) starts dating another firefighter (Bill Burr), and he enters the stand up world. The summer comedy also features Pamela Adlon (Better Things), Bel Powley (The Morning Show), Machine Gun Kelly, and Steve Buscemi. Running over two hours like most Apatow-directed features, the dramedy was set to premier at South by Southwest (SXSW) prior to its cancelation due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The King of Staten Island is now scheduled to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on April 20th before a June 19th release.
[No trailer]
Free Guy (July 3)
After back-to-back Deadpool box office hits, a PG-rated Pokemon movie (Detective Pikachu), and a Michael Bay action thriller (6 Underground), Ryan Reynolds is back with potentially his next big adult comedy franchise, Free Guy. This time around, the Reynolds-starring sci-fi action-comedy leaves the superhero universe for the video game world. Set in an open world video game called Free City – a combination of the popular game franchises Grand Theft Auto and Fortnite – Reynolds plays Guy, a non-player character (NPC) bank teller who becomes aware of his Truman Show-esque simulated life. Upon discovering the truth, he sets out to be the game’s hero before the programmers realize he knows. Directed by Shawn Levy (Stranger Things) and written by Matt Lieberman (Playing With Fire) and Zak Penn (Ready Player One); the film co-stars a comedic ensemble of Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit), Jodie Comer (Killing Eve), Joe Keery (Stranger Things), Utkarsh Ambudkar (Freestyle Love Supreme), and Lil Rel Howery (Get Out). Various YouTubers, video game streamers, and professional gamers are also set to appear in the film.
Tenet (July 17)
“That test you passed… not everybody does. Welcome to the afterlife.” Even four months out from the release of Christopher Nolan’s latest feature Tenet, very little is known about the film’s plot. Hitting theaters exactly three years after his Best Picture and Best Director Oscar-nominated 2017 World War II film Dunkirk – what’s been extrapolated about Nolan’s 11th movie is it involves international espionage and evolution. A secret agent is assigned to prevent World War III time travel and rebirth. Originally titled Merry Go Round, the action thriller stars John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman), Robert Pattinson (Good Time), Elizabeth Debicki (The Burnt Orange Heresy), Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Nocturnal Animals), Dimple Kapadia, Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn), and Michael Caine (The Dark Knight). Tenet is set for release July 17th in IMAX, 35 mm, and 70 mm film formats.
Morbius (July 31)
A spinoff film for the Spider-Man villain, Morbius was announced as the second movie to be released under the new title Sony’s Marvel Universe, following the success of Venom. The comic book blockbuster stars Academy Award-winning actor Jared Leto as Dr. Michael Morbius, a scientist with a rare blood disease. After attempting to cure himself, Dr. Morbius becomes a vampire. While a film about bats, blood, and vaccines seems a little too on the nose at the moment, Morbius the Living Vampire has long been one of Marvel Comics’ most beloved antiheroes. Directed by Daniel Espinosa (Safe House, Life) and co-starring Matt Smith (The Crown), Adria Arjona (Good Omens), Jared Harris (Chernobyl), Al Madrigal (The Daily Show), and Tyrese Gibson (the Fast Saga) – similar to The New Mutants, Morbius aims to appeal to audiences of Marvel and horror/vampire movies alike.
The Many Saints of Newark (September 25)
Any legitimate list of anticipated films for 2020 would be crazy not to include The Many Saints of Newark. The long rumored and anticipated Sopranos movie is finally coming. However, the film fans had always dreamed of following the 2007 series finale died in 2013 with the passing of Tony Soprano himself, beloved actor James Gandolfini. Thirteen years later, The Sopranos movie is now a prequel titled The Many Saints of Newark with James Gandolfini’s son, Michael Gandolfini (The Deuce), playing Tony Soprano in his formative years. The drama set in 1960s/70s New Jersey was written by The Sopranos creator David Chase (and Lawrence Konner), directed by Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones), and stars Alessandro Nivola (A Most Violent Year), Jon Bernthal (The Punisher), Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air), Corey Stoll (The Strain), Billy Magnussen (Aladdin), and Ray Liotta (Goodfellas). Little else is known about the secretive film at this point, as a trailer has yet to be released. Only a September 25th release date has been announced, with an HBO airdate expected to follow shortly after. Sopranos fans rejoice, as the time has finally come to return to Jersey.
[No trailer]
No Time to Die (November 25)
With the sudden fear of Coronavirus spreading around the world, No Time To Die, Daniel Craig’s fifth and final film as James Bond, has been postponed until November. Now the 6th actor to ever play the iconic British spy gets an extra seven months to enjoy the perks of being Agent 007. Originally planned to be written and directed by Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire), the auteur left due to creative differences, paving the way for Cary Joji Fukunaga (Beasts of No Nation) to take the reigns. Picking up with Agent Bond no longer active service and relishing life in Jamaica, No Time to Die quickly evolves into one last mission for 007 to rescue a scientist from a “mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.”
Written by Bond veterans Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, Fukunaga, and star/creator of Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge – No Time to Die marks the 25th film in the James Bond franchise and the beginning of a new era for the MI6 secret agent. Even with Craig leaving the character behind, the future is in good hands with a talented cast including Academy Award winner Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody), Lea Seydoux (Spectre), Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel), Ben Whishaw (Mary Poppins Returns), Jeffrey Wright (Casino Royale), Christoph Waltz (Spectre), and Ralph Fiennes as M. With the potential losses estimated over $300 million had the film kept its April release date, its no surprise No Time to Die was pushed back. Now all we can do is wait a little longer to say goodbye to another 007 as a mysterious virus spreads around the world. Hmm, sounds like the plot of a James Bond movie.
Coming 2 America (December 18)
The final film on our list may be the most exciting. Thirty-two years later, Coming to America starring Eddie Murphy remains countless fans’ favorite of all his films. From the quotables to his co-stars Arsenio Hall and James Earl Jones’ performances, Coming to America has remained in the pantheon of comedy for over three decades. Per Paramount Pictures, Coming 2 America takes place after the original film when “Prince Akeem Joffer (Murphy) is set to become King of Zamunda when he discovers he has a son (Jermaine Fowler) he never knew about in America.” In order to honor his father’s (Jones) dying wish to groom this long-lost son to be prince, Akeem and Semmi (Hall) must come to America, again.
Directed by Craig Brewer after working with Murphy on Dolemite Is My Name, the 30-year-old sequel was penned by the original writers of Coming to America, David Sheffield and Barry W. Blaustein, co-written by Kenya Barris (Black-ish), with the story credited to Murphy. The film also features Tracy Morgan (The Last O.G.), Leslie Jones (Saturday Night Live), Shari Headley (The Haves and the Have Nots), John Amos (Good Times), and Louie Anderson (Baskets). At this time no trailer for the film has been released, but look forward to the sequel of the year come holiday season.
[No trailer]
Rick Ross Will Perform At Canalside’s 2020 Summer Series
Rick Ross has been officially unveiled as the first performer to bless Canalside’s 2020 concert season.
Today, Rick Ross has been announced as the first performer of Canalside’s 2020 summer concert season, performing in Buffalo on July 18th 2020. Tickets for the Eventbrite-hosted event can be purchased here, including a swanky VIP option for those looking to treat themselves in an appropriately boss-like fashion. Those who cop the high-end will be gifted access to a VIP Pavillion, a few free drinks, and most importantly, a private bathroom. Several alternative ticket bundling options are available for purchase, and the $40 general admission option will be made available at a later date.
It’s unclear whether his Canalside show will spark a rollout of sorts for The Boss, though it should be noted he’s still running off the momentum of last year’s Port Of Miami 2. It’s highly unlikely that Ross decides to come through with another new album, though given how prolific artists are these days, you never know. Either way, he’s set to bless the longstanding Buffalo-based Canalside concert series with his presence, kicking off a run that’s sure to include some fellow heavy hitters.
Should you be interested in seeing Rick Ross this summer, be sure to buy your tickets now while you still can. For those who have seen Renzel perform before, sound off in the comments with your take on his live game. Worth the VIP package price?
NFL Players Divided On 17-Game Season CBA Vote: Report
NFL players are still divided on the potential changes in the new CBA, including a 17-game season, playoff format changes and more.
Player representatives held a conference call on Friday to determine the ruling on the proposed changes to the collective bargaining agreement, which includes a 17-game season, playoff formatting tweaks and more.
David Eulitt / Getty Images
According to ESPN, player reps were divided into three groups, with some liking the proposed CBA, some being slightly timider, and others who flat-out oppose. “Anything is possible at this point,” a source told ESPN, describing the situation.
In the end, the NFL Players Association ruled to postpone voting and regroup at this week’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, which begins Sunday.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano says the players hope to have a ruling in by NFL officials on Tuesday and cast their formal vote the following day.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that the owners have no plans to renegotiate the CBA any further than has already been proposed.
Players’ top concerns include increased revenue share, pension, and improved working conditions.
The biggest changes fans will notice in the proposed CBA are a new 14-team playoff field that would include three wild card teams. Only one team from each conference would then get a first-round bye week, as opposed to the current two. The 17-game season would remove one preseason game and replace it with a regular-season game.
Pharrell Williams Joins Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame’s Board Of Directors
Pharell Williams is now a member of the Board of Directors for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Pharrell Williams is among five new members of the Board of Directors of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Kevin Winter / Getty Images
According to PageSix, he joins Michele Anthony (Executive Vice President Universal Music Group), Jody Gerson (Chairman & CEO Universal Music Publishing), Pam Kaufman (President ViacomCBS Consumer Products), and Jon Platt (Chairman & CEO SONY/ATV Music Publishing) as the new group joining the Board.
“We’re both fortunate and honored to welcome these creative leaders in music and entertainment to our Board,” said RRHOF Board Chairman John Sykes. “Each brings to our Board deep experience and extensive knowledge of music that will help us continue to grow the Foundation as a true cultural institution.”
As a member of the Board, Williams’ responsibilities will include the selection of the inductees into the Hall of Fame and to “support the Foundation’s mission to engage, teach and inspire through the power of rock and roll, recognizing the indelible role rock and roll music plays in modern life and culture,” as said in the announcement.
Depeche Mode, the Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, The Notorious B.I.G. and T.Rex are the Board of Directors’ selection for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s 2020 inductees.
The induction ceremony will air on HBO, Saturday, May 2.
Yo Gotti Shares His 15-Year Transformation From Gangsta To Gentleman
Yo Gotti used throwback Thursday to show us his style journey from baggy jeans to tailored suits over the span of 15 years.
Many of us would probably hide under a rock if someone tried to show us a pic of how we were dressing 15 years ago. However, rapper Yo Gotti is quite proud of his style transformation since 2005 and had no problem sharing his impressive progression for throwback Thursday yesterday.
Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage/Getty
The photo he shared Instagram took us back to the 2005 BET Awards red carpet (seen above), which saw Gotti rocking a pair of fresh shell toe adidas Superstars with the matching adidas Tracksuit jacket, extremely baggy jeans, a XXXL tee and a red headband to complete his look that was topped off with ice around his neck. Jump forward to today, you’d be hard pressed to spot Yo Gotti rocking anything less than a two-piece suit paired with a turtleneck or anything that actually fits his body and shows he knows how to dress as the 38-year-old grown man that he is. Just like his caption states, you gotta start somewhere. We absolutely agree, Gotti!
Take a look at his post below, and let us know what you think of Yo Gotti’s style transformation over the years:
