Bill Withers, the Grammy-award-winning singer-songwriter who wrote and performed soul music hits like "Lean On Me," "Ain't No Sunshine," and "Lovely Day," has died at 81 years old. His family said in a statement that Bill passed away on Monday (March 30th) in Los Angeles as a result of heart complications.
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“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved, devoted husband and father," the family's statement reads. "A solitary man with a heart driven to connect to the world at large, with his poetry and music, he spoke honestly to people and connected them to each other. As private a life as he lived close to intimate family and friends, his music forever belongs to the world. In this difficult time, we pray his music offers comfort and entertainment as fans hold tight to loved ones.”
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The three-time Grammy winner gained popularity in the 1970s for his impressive singing and songwriting skills. He was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2005, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ten years later in 2015 by his friend and fellow artist, Stevie Wonder. Plenty of stars took to social media to pay tribute to the legendary artist, including Chance The Rapper, Juicy J, Lenny Kravitz, Russell Wilson, and more.
Rest in peace to one of the greats. Our thoughts are with Bill's loved ones during this difficult time.
Cardi B Donates 20K Meal Replacements To NYC Doctors & First Responders
Cardi B has donated 20,000 bottles of OWYN, a vegan meal supplement drink, to medical professionals in NYC who cannot find time to eat amid the coronavirus crisis.
Cardi B is looking out for all the doctors and first responders in New York City who are struggling to find time to eat during their lengthy shifts as they risk their own lives to save others. The coronavirus pandemic has meant that hospitals have become overwhelmed with the influx of new patients who need care. As a result, many medical professionals are having an even harder time than usual finding time to grab a bite during their lengthy shifts.
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That’s why Cardi took it upon herself to donate tens of thousands of bottles of OWYN, a vegan meal supplement drink, to hospitals in NYC so that doctors and first responders don’t go hungry. Cardi is making sure that these heroes can get the nutrition they need to keep up their energy while they work to save lives. The product is completely plant-based and free of any dairy, soy, gluten, egg, peanut, tree nut, fish or shellfish.
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Cardi herself had a bit of a health scare recently. After the rapper had been experiencing severe pain in her stomach for several days, she was rushed to the emergency room on Tuesday night. However, she’s been sent home now and is reportedly feeling better. Happy to hear it, Cardi!
LeBron James Admits How Ridiculous TikTok Makes Him Look
LeBron James continues to live out his days in isolation on TikTok with his kids.
Now that we are all on a state-mandated quarantine, it has become apparent that there are only so many things you can do with yourself before you end up getting extremely bored with your situation. LeBron James has been starting to feel that pretty heavily as he is currently unable to play NBA basketball. Instead, he has been stuck at home where he is making the best of things. He now has more time to spend with his kids and they just so happen to be enjoying themselves on TikTok.
LeBron has become a bit of a TikTok star over the last little while thanks to Bryce and Bronny who always pull their dad into the antics. After the most recent video on Bryce's account went viral, LeBron took to Twitter where he made an admission about his foray into TikTok. As he explained, he looks pretty ridiculous at times although he seems to be enjoying himself just fine.
At the end of the day, LeBron gets to use this time to bond with his kids and reexplore his youth. While it may not be an ideal situation for anyone involved, it certainly comes with some positives, including father/son/daughter time.
Hopefully, LeBron continues to shine through with his newfound love of TikTok. We're sure it will lead to some great meme content further down the line.
Mac Miller & KXNG Crooked Connect In Epic Throwback Pic
KXNG Crooked took to Instagram to share a bittersweet picture of himself and Mac Miller, two hip-hop heads connecting.
The impact of Mac Miller‘s death continues to resonate throughout hip-hop fandom, especially considering the musical versatility of the late twenty-six-year-old rapper. Not only was he a melodically gifted songwriter and musician, as seen by his work on Swimming and the unfinished but still presentable Circles, but he could also get down with the lyricists on equal footing.
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Case in point, Mac held it down alongside Slaughterhouse‘s own Royce Da 5’9″ on “Dat Sound Good,” no easy feat. And while he never quite collaborated with Slaughterhouse in their entirety, he did manage to connect with KXNG Crooked and chop it up on a social level. The Crook’s Corner host slash legendary lyricist took to Instagram to highlight their link-up, tugging at the heartstrings with a throwback picture captioned “RIP.”
In light of the image surfacing, it makes you wonder how Miller might have fared trading bars with Crooked on wax. Though seldom included in round-ups of the game’s great lyricists, albums like Watching Movies With The Sound Off, Good AM, Faces, and Delusion Thomas proved that Mac had developed a complex and highly referential style that made him a completely unique figure in the rap game. History shows that he was capable of going bar for bar with the likes of ScHoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Royce Da 5’9″, Earl Sweatshirt, Action Bronson, and many more. Rest in peace, Mac Miller, and thanks to KXNG Crooked for holding it down in his honor.
Rex Ryan Viciously Roasts Amari Cooper, Calls Him A "Turd"
Rex Ryan had some very harsh words for Amari Cooper of the Dallas Cowboys.
Rex Ryan has been known for being a bit of a hot take artist ever since his foray into sports analysis. The former head coach was always an outspoken man back in his heyday and that still continues, even in 2020. ESPN's Get Up! is where he spends most of his time and on Friday morning, he came through with some slander for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, Amari Cooper.
Cooper recently signed a massive deal with the Cowboys worth $100 million over five seasons. Ryan trashed the deal saying the money they gave Cooper should be given to quarterback Dak Prescott. Ryan also went on to say that Cooper has been known to disappear and that he doesn't love football. He even went as so far as to hit with a personal insult, calling him a "turd."
“To me, this is the biggest disappearing act in the National Football League,” Ryan said. “He doesn’t show up on the road … when he’s against the top corners, that guy disappears…I wouldn’t have paid that turd.”
It's hard to say why Ryant felt the need to go so hard on Cooper although it's clear there is some kind of tension there. Cooper has been seen by many as a great teammate who you can rely on to make big plays. If you're a Cowboys fan, this rant certainly came out of left field.
6ix9ine Prison Release Inspires Domino Effect With Associates
Denard “Drama” Butler is requesting his early release from prison for the same reason as Tekashi 6ix9ine.
It would appear as though some of Tekashi 6ix9ine‘s former associates within the Nine Trey Bloods gang collective are looking for equal treatment behind bars. If he gets granted an early release from prison, they want one too.
It was revealed yesterday that the controversial rapper had been sent home from prison because he is at-risk of catching COVID-19 in prison. Tekashi 6ix9ine has asthma and if he were to contract the novel coronavirus, his symptoms would be bad. That’s why he was allowed to serve the remainder of his twenty-four-month sentence at home. Apparently, Denard “Drama” Butler wants his early release for the same reason.
Butler was sentenced to sixty months in January after he pleaded guilty to one racketeering charge. According to Complex, his attorneys are looking to get him sent home as a direct result of 6ix9ine’s release.
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Like the rapper, Butler has asthma. His lawyers Jacob Mitchell and Kenneth Paul say that he also suffers from bradycardia. That means that he is at particularly high-risk as it pertains to the coronavirus.
“The specter of death is a very real possibility given the circumstances,” writes his defense team to Judge Paul Engelmayer.
His lawyers are requesting for him to serve the remainder of his sentence in home confinement. However, if that is not approved, they would like Butler to at least be sent home and continue his sentence in prison once the COVID-19 pandemic ends.
It’s only fair… right?
Stephen A. Smith Offers LeBron James Lakers Hot Take
Stephen A. Smith doesn't have much faith in LeBron after this season.
LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers were having a magical season until the league decided to cease operations due to the Coronavirus. They were 49-14 and had the best record in the Western Conference. The Lakers were one of the favorites to win the entire championship but now, all of those plans seem to be in shambles. If the NBA doesn't come back, the Lakers' incredible season will be all for nothing and LeBron will lose a precious chance at winning his fourth NBA title.
Stephen A. Smith was on First Take this morning where he talked about LeBron and what his chances are of winning a title beyond this season. As Smith explained, this season is the Lakers' best chance. However, if they don't pull it off in 2020, it's likely that LeBron will never win a championship in Los Angeles.
This is certainly a hot take when you consider how the Lakers are probably going to get Anthony Davis back and will have an opportunity to acquire a third star trade. While LeBron will be 36, he certainly hasn't lost his touch and can continue to play at an elite level. Despite this, Smith feels like the Clippers will be too strong all while the East will consolidate into a stronger conference.
It remains to be seen what happens but hopefully, we can get the season back in full swing.
21 Savage Responds To Accusations He’s A "B*tch"
21 Savage chilled with his fans on Instagram Live this morning, addressing some recent comments that were sent his way.
It’s been a pretty wild time if you’re Young Chop right now. Apparently, the producer is going through it, and he’s been taking out his frustrations on social media, specifically targeting artists like Meek Mill and 21 Savage— and this morning, Mike WiLL Made It was added to his nemesis list.
21 Savage already issued a proper response to Chop, and he wasn’t mad, rather he should empathy with a side of shade to the producer who, according to Meek Mill, is having mental struggles. 21 wrote on Instagram “Make sure y’all go get his tape when it drop cuz he need da clout and pray for him cuz he done lost his mind.”
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Now, during a Instagram Live session with his fans this morning, 21 expanded his response to Chop, and opened it up to anyone who’s ever accused him of being a “b*tch.”
He starts, “I want y’all to go do your research now, don’t just take my word for it, in my five years of rapping have I ever been slapped, punched, kicked, robbed, shot at, has anybody ever took my chain, anything? 5 years now? Have y’all ever heard of any altercation of 21 Savage being a victim? Have y’all ever heard of 21 being victimized?”
21 continues, “Never, never, never, never…So where do all this “he a bitch” shit come from? What have I done to be labelled a bitch or a scary n*gga?” Of course, fans assumed this was directed at Chop, but 21 added, “This apply to everybody. I ain’t directing this to one person, this apply to everybody that feel like I’m a bitch. Where do y’all get this idea from?”
“5 years, and my shit ain’t never decline, my shit always been on the up, since the first mixtape I dropped. These are all facts,” he tells his followers.
As the Live session went on, 21 riffed with fans as he laid back on his couch, with a vape pen in hand. He talked about “Yessirski” and staying clean, revealing he doesn’t do any drugs any more, he just uses his vape pen.
If video becomes available of the Instagram Live session, we’ll add it here. Stay tuned.
Desus & Mero Predict Drake’s Son’s Commercial Success
Desus & Mero believe that Drake’s son Adonis will become a huge child star modeling in commercials for GAP and Go-Gurt.
Drake finally unveiled his son to the world this week, sharing family photos with his baby mama Sophie Brussaux on Instagram. Two-year-old Adonis has adorable blonde hair and bright blue eyes and, according to a duo of hilarious late-night hosts, he could be the next big child star.
Drake got his start in the entertainment industry as an actor on the Canadian teen drama Degrassi. If Desus & Mero are indeed psychic, which is not something they claim to be, the multi-platinum global superstar’s son will soon commence his own career in commercials for GAP and Go-Gurt.
On the at-home version of their show this week, Desus Nice and The Kid Mero spoke about the photos that Drake shared of his son, calling the kid “cute” and joking about how it took so long for the rapper to finally reveal him to the world. They also predicted that he would become a familiar face in no time.
“You know how much GAP commercials this kid’s about to be in,” asked Desus. “This kid is gonna get so many fucking commercials,” co-signed Mero. “He’s gonna be the Go-Gurt sponsor like next week. 100%.”
The two comedians went on to note how similar the child looks to Drake’s own mother before pondering what it would be like if he came out looking more like Dennis Graham, the singer’s dad. In case you’re not familiar with Graham’s look, he’s almost always rocking funky sunglasses, a durag, and a bushy mustache.
Watch below.
Air Jordan 5 "Top 3" Coming Soon: Official Images Revealed
The Air Jordan 5 “Top 3” combines some of the best silhouette’s best colorways.
If you’re an OG fan of the Air Jordans, then you know just how important the Jordan 5 is to the brand’s legacy. It was the first Jumpman sneaker to usher in the 90s and it brought some unique design traits into the fold. Overall, it was a dope sneaker that had a lot of roots in pop culture. The three OG colorways were “Grape,” “Fire Red,” and “Black Metallic.” Over the years, there have been numerous retros of these models but to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the shoe, Jordan Brand is coming through with something special.
Of course, we are talking about the Air Jordan 5 “Top 3” which combines the aforementioned colorways into one. There have been numerous teasers over the last little while but now, Jordan Brand is giving us the official images. The shoe is mostly black on the upper as “Fire Red” details make their way to the midsole. From there, “Grape” coloring is placed onto the tongue which adds a wild bit of contrast.
It is believed that these will drop on May 30th of 2020 although there is a real chance of these being pushed back due to the Coronavirus. Numerous sneaker releases have been messed up due to the pandemic and these could be no exception.
Stay tuned for details as we will be sure to bring them to you.
