Outside of Kendrick Lamar and the entire West Coast, the biggest winner from the rap battle of the century was Metro Boomin. When Drake told the talented producer to “shut up and make some drums,” Metro did just that and created the most popular diss of the year outside of “Not Like Us.”

Metro summoned the entire internet in a #bbldrizzybeatgiveaway that challenged artists across the world to rap over the instrumental, with the winner getting a free beat from the famed producer and $10,000.

Several unknown artists dropped their vocals over the instrumental, and the beat became a favorite among users on social media. But all the fun and games may have just come to an end.

Suno and Udio, two artificial intelligence companies, are being sued by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music Entertainment, according to CNN.

RIAA, which represents these three major labels, filed two copyright infringement lawsuits against these companies, claiming that they wrongfully used the work of some of their artists to create copyrighted music without their permission.

Udio, an AI music generator, is the firm that was used to create the original “BBL Drizzy” song, which was in turn sampled by Metro for the instrumental he allowed everyone to use on social media.

Suno uses ChatGPT to help create lyrics and titles of songs with only a few questions and prompts from the user.

In a press release sent to The Verge, RIAA chief legal officer Ken Doroshow said, “These are straightforward cases of copyright infringement involving unlicensed copying of sound recordings on a massive scale. Suno and Udio are attempting to hide the full scope of their infringement rather than putting their services on a sound and lawful footing.”

RIAA CEO Mitch Glazier added in the release that the music industry is already using AI in ways that put the music creators in charge of how they’re used.

Will this affect if the original BBL Drizzy song and Metro’s beat will continue to live on the internet? Only time will tell.

24

Netflix has just dropped the official trailer for its highly anticipated action thriller, The Union, starring Mark Wahlberg and Halle Berry. Directed by Julian Farino, known for his work on “Giri/Haji” and “Entourage,” and written by Joe Barton and David Guggenheim, the film promises a blend of intense action, espionage, and rekindled romance.

Plot Synopsis

Mark Wahlberg stars as Mike, a content construction worker living a simple life in New Jersey. His world is turned upside down when Roxanne, played by Halle Berry, his long-lost high school sweetheart, re-enters his life with an unexpected proposition. Roxanne enlists Mike for a perilous intelligence mission in Europe, pulling him back into a high-stakes world of spies and adrenaline-pumping car chases. As they navigate the dangerous mission, old feelings resurface, adding a layer of romantic tension to their high-octane journey.

Stellar Cast and Crew

The Union boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Mike Colter, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Jessica De Gouw, Alice Lee, Jackie Earle Haley, and J.K. Simmons. The film is produced by Mark Wahlberg, Stephen Levinson, and Jeff Waxman, with Jennifer Madeloff serving as the executive producer.

Creative Team

The screenplay, crafted by Joe Barton and David Guggenheim, is based on a story by Guggenheim. With Farino at the helm, known for his adept handling of both drama and action, the film is set to deliver a gripping narrative filled with twists and turns.

Release Date

Mark your calendars, as The Union is set to premiere on Netflix on August 16, 2024. The combination of star power, a thrilling storyline, and expert direction is sure to make this film a must-watch for action and thriller enthusiasts.

Stay tuned for more updates and get ready for a thrilling ride this summer with The Union.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vea9SdnRMyg

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Pharrell is back at it. After an incredible Louis Vuitton runway show in Paris last year that saw nearly all of Black Hollywood showing out in support, the legendary producer and designer did it again this year.

During his Men’s Spring-Summer 2025 Show at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, the LV creative director essentially showcased the fashion version of “We Are the World,” by including pieces that included a “world” theme.

Let’s highlight some of the best looks from the show.

38

Ariana Grande’s recent appearance on Penn Badgley’s podcast, “Podcrushed,” has sparked controversy after the singer revealed a surprising fascination with notorious serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer.

During the interview, Grande, known for hits like “Eternal Sunshine,” delved into the topic of supervillains while discussing Badgley’s role in her “The Boy Is Mine” music video. Around the 29-minute mark, things took a turn when Grande confessed, “No, but I was infatuated with serial killers when I was younger. I’m serious.”

Grande went on to detail a past encounter with young fans during her pre-pop star days, between her time on the show “Sam & Cat.” She described a Q&A where she was asked about her dream dinner guest, living or dead. “I was like, ‘Oh, you’re so cute. Mom and dad – is it okay if I give the real answer?’” Grande said jokingly, before revealing, “‘Jeffrey Dahmer’s pretty fascinating, I think I would have loved to meet him. Maybe with a third party or something. I have questions I want to…I have a lot to…” Her train of thought trailed off, leaving the hosts visibly surprised.

The comments, which some found insensitive, have divided Grande’s fanbase. While some fans expressed curiosity about the psychological intrigue behind serial killers, others were critical of seemingly glamorizing Dahmer’s horrific crimes. Dahmer, a serial murderer responsible for the deaths of 17 men and boys between 1978 and 1991, is remembered for his brutality.

Grande has yet to address the controversy surrounding her comments.

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Lauryn Hill and the Fugees are heading back on the road. 

The group is extending their tour, which celebrates the 25th anniversary of Hill’s 1998 album, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill,” and the Fugees’ hit album “The Score,” according to Variety. 

Hill’s son, YG Marley, will join the group, coheadlining all dates. Marley previously joined the Fugees during their performance at Coachella festival in April. The 21-date tour will begin in Florida on Aug. 9 with additional shows scheduled in Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Dallas, and other American cities. 

The European leg of the tour kicks off on Oct. 12 with stops planned in London, Manchester, Paris, and Amsterdam. “Tickets will be available starting with a Citi presale beginning Tuesday, June 25. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general onsale beginning Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. local time,” according to Variety. 

Hill was forced to cancel the tour’s original dates in November 2023 after coming down with a “vocal strain” and prescribed steroid use to treat the ailment.   

“I made it through each show by taking prescribed prednisone, but this can be detrimental to the body when taken in large amounts over long periods of time,” Hill said in an Instagram post at the time per Variety. “In order to prevent any long-term negative affect [sic] on my voice and my body, I need to take time off to allow for real vocal recovery so that I can discontinue the medication completely.”

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See full list of Hill and the Fugees’ 2024 fall tour dates below:

08-09 Tampa, FL – MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre

08-11 West Palm Beach, FL – iThink Financial Amphitheatre

08-16 Atlanta, GA – Lakewood Amphitheatre

08-18 Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion

08-21 Philadelphia, PA – TD Pavilion at the Mann

08-23 Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live

08-25 Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center

08-28 Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center

08-30 Milwaukee, WI – American Family Insurance Amphitheater

08-31 Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre

09-04 Huntsville, AL – The Orion Amphitheater

09-06 Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion

09-07 Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

09-13 Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre

09-15 Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre

09-17 Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

09-20 Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater

09-21 Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center

10-12 Manchester, England – Co-op Live

10-14 London, England – The O2

10-18 Paris, France – Accor Arena

10-22 Amsterdam, Netherlands – Ziggo Dome

Ryan Nichols, the 20-year-old white man who prosecutors accused of fatally shooting a Black man in Jacksonville near a dumpster in 2023, was sentenced to 40 years in prison last week. Daniel DeGuardia, 19, and Holden Dodson, 22, were charged with accessory after the fact.

The three men managed to avoid hate crime charges in the murder of Gary Jackson, 39. When the men were arrested, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office stated there was no evidence that racism played a factor in the killing.

During Nichols’ sentencing, Judge Anthony Salem said the murder showed a lack of respect for human life. “My heart breaks for Mr. Jackson’s family. I hope today, in some small way, brings some sort of closure,” Salem had said.

However, Dodson said that Nichols used a racist slur to describe Jackson after he shot him several times behind the dumpster. “[Nichols] said, ‘I just blew that N-word’s head off,’ was one the things that were said. And, ‘nobody steals from me.’ Almost bragging,” Dodson recalled.

According to detectives, surveillance footage from local businesses showed a man chasing Jackson with what appeared to be a handgun, as a Jeep Grand Cherokee followed them.

The Jeep was later seen driving south, but when the victim was seen running north, Nichols jumped out of the car and chased him on foot, according to his arrest report. Dodson called 911 to report a stolen gun — but not Jackson’s murder, prosecutors said.

Nichols later insisted he acted in self defense and that Jackson was armed. However, the report said Jackson was trying to hide. Nichols pleaded guilty to second-degree murder; Dodson and Deguardia both pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact for their actions.

Dodson and DeGuardia are scheduled to be sentenced on June 28. They face up to 15 years in prison.

11

Judge Christina Peterson has been removed from her position after an investigation revealed a series of ethical violations, culminating in an assault on a police officer captured on camera. The Georgia Supreme Court’s ruling marks the end of a tumultuous tenure marked by numerous breaches of judicial conduct.

The court’s decision was grounded in the findings of the Judicial Qualifications Commission (JQC), which conducted an exhaustive investigation into Judge Peterson’s actions since she assumed office. The JQC’s Director presented evidence for 30 counts of violations against the Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC), of which 28 were substantiated.

“We agree that removal is warranted here. The Hearing Panel found that the JQC Director proved by clear and convincing evidence 28 of 30 counts alleging that Judge Peterson violated the CJC, and that discipline is authorized under the Georgia Constitution for 20 of those 28 counts,” stated the Supreme Court.

The investigation was triggered by an incident where Judge Peterson was recorded on video physically assaulting a police officer. This incident raised serious concerns about her conduct both inside and outside the courtroom, prompting the JQC to delve deeper into her judicial record.

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