Colombia’s attorney general’s office has released an initial report on the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. He was found dead Friday.
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We’re rooting for everybody Black!
Source: Mike Coppola / Getty
For the past 20 years, prolific producer Will Packer has been the man behind billion-dollar blockbusters and hit TV shows like Stomp the Yard, Straight Outta Compton, Girls Trip, Being Mary, Jane Ready To Love, and the 2016 remake of Roots. According to the Tampa Bay Times, Packer will make history again on March 27 leading the first all-Black production team in the history of the 94th annual Oscars.
Just six years ago, Packer was one of the many industry leaders who called out the Academy Awards with #OscarsSoWhite for failing to represent and recognize Black creatives and other people of color. Now with producing partner Shayla Cowan, the FAMU alum is reviving the Oscars with a focus on representing and entertaining everyone, not just White Hollywood elites.
“I’m someone who always believes ‘I can show you better than I can tell you.’ I’m proud of ours being the first all-Black team but I don’t feel the need to talk about it inordinately,” he said.
“I’d rather show the world what we can do and then after the fact we can talk about how great the result was that this particular team produced. There is no doubt our skill sets and perspectives are allowing us to create a show that will be different than that of our predecessors.”
Despite record-breaking box-office success, the Florida native who built his empire in the South offers the fresh perspective of a Hollywood outsider. The media mogul was is determined to breathe new life into the Oscars by approaching them like one of the other most entertaining live events of the year, the Super Bowl.
“The NFL can never control who plays in the game,” he told Acting Up with Courtney Wills. “What they can control is who’s their half-time show, pregame show, who’s singing the national anthem to get everybody in. That’s my job. To get everybody in to celebrate the most talented people in the world.”
In addition to his historic trio of fearless women hosts, Wanda Sykes, Regina Hall, and Amy Schumer, Packer is spicing up Hollywood’s biggest night with stars from all corners of the entertainment industry, including music, sports, and social media influencers. The FAMU alumnus will also make his mark by featuring HBCU students during the show.
“We’ve got trophy presenters from an HBCU for the first time in Oscars history, and I love that. It’s going to look very different on that stage, and that’s a good thing because optics and imagery matter.”
Although this isn’t the first time the awards show approached Packer to produce the Oscars, this year he was willing to go all-in.
“The timing is never gonna be right,” he said. “This is a mammoth job. It is something that you either have to be all the way in and be fearless about or not do it. You got to go hard. We’re going 110 percent to try to make this the absolute best show possible.”
Of course, we’re all looking forward to an appearance from Beyonce, who will perform the Oscar-nominated original song “Be Alive” from King Richard. Packer also promised a few other surprises for Hollywood’s biggest night. While he admits the Academy and industry still have a long way to go when it comes to equality, Packer is leading the change with an Oscars show that is Black on both sides of the camera.
The 94th Annual Oscars will air on ABC on Sunday, March 27 at 8 p.m. EST, 5 p.m. PDT.
Will you be watching the Oscars?
The country performer — and a quartet of her tour openers — discusses her success, longevity and the reasons behind her pop-cultural influence.
Musicians and celebrities are mourning the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins, whose death was announced Friday evening. He was 50.
What up, Gangsta?
Source: Prince Williams / Getty
No matter how many film and TV projects 50 Cent has on his plate, the media mogul always has time for beef, especially when it comes to former G-Unit member, The Game. After almost 20 years, the label mates turned enemies are still going at it.
The Shade Room reports on Friday 50 posted a clip of The Game getting ignored at a recent Los Angeles Lakers game by Interscope Records co-founder Jimmy Lovine. It’s hard to tell from the clip if Jimmy was in a hurry when he pushed past The Game or whether he even recognized the rapper, who was responsibly rocking a mask at the time. Regardless of the details behind the stadium snub, 50 never misses an opportunity to fire a shady shot online.
“LOL The Man didn’t even look at him. Get this guy out of here 50 wrote the records. LMFAO @bransoncognac @lecheminduroi,” 50 wrote on his now-deleted post.
The Power producer clearly still needed to get something off his chest since The Game’s manager Wack 100 claimed on Clubhouse that the Compton rapper not only wrote most of his own debut album, The Documentary but also was a ghostwriter on 50’s iconic first album, Get Rich Or Die Trying. After rapping the hook to “What Up, Gangsta,” Wack 100 asked on Clubhouse earlier this month, “Who you think wrote that? I’m going to leave it alone.”
Of course, leaving it alone is the last thing 50’s mind, and The Game kept that same energy in the comments on the Lakers game post.
“N*gga, I ain’t even see Mr. Burns,” Game responded. “& if you wrote my records… write you one today & put it out n*gga !!! Your rap career died wit them loli pop strap tan tops .. you a actor, n that’s why you ran to tv… give us season 2 of that Tommy bullsh*t & leave this rap sh*t to n*ggas who can spell correctly & actually got bars goofy n*gga !!! #HeGoneDeleteThisCommentInTheCar”
The Game took it one step further with a post comparing 50 to rotisserie chicken when he recreated the infamous upside-down “In Da Club” at the Super Bowl, and even dragged 50’s girlfriend Jamirah “Cuban Link” Haines into the mix by claiming she slid in his DMs. Yikes!
“Hit @therealswizzz & @timbaland ASAP & stop runnin from this verzuz,” The Game wrote challenging 50 to go hit for hit in the music battle. “Oh’ n tell ya girl stay out my DM’s… if she don’t want her man overweight, fat as f**k hanging upside down like rotisserie chicken at the Super Bowl… come to @thenuminati #LeaveMeAloneImBingeWatchingPower”
The Game’s petty post about those DMs had at least a tiny bit of truth to it since he posted a screenshot of a pic Cuban Link sent with her number saying, “Video girl? Please keep in mind.” The fitness influencer and aspiring lawyer tapped in to set the record straight on Twitter.
“Naaa what,” she wrote. “Not from 2015 when everyone wanted to be a ViDeO giRl !! You irrelevant f*cking bozo. You thought you ate with that one.” Even though Cuban Link is the youngest in this fake love triangle by almost 20 years, she seems the most mature about the whole thing and kept it moving to plug her upcoming event with 50 this weekend.
If this is all a way to drum up new interest in a long-awaited showdown on Verzuz, it just might work. Between the hilarious smack talk, beef about who ghostwrote major hits for whom, and nostalgia for their classic songs, this battle would definitely be entertaining.
Who do you think would win in a Verzuz battle between 50 and The Game?
Who is beating the ghostwriting allegations?
Taylor Hawkins, the drummer of the band Foo Fighters, has died. He was 50.
They’re baaack!
Source: Courtesy WeTV / WeTV
The season premiere of “Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition” will air Thursday , March 31 at 9 PM ET and we’ve got an exclusive sneak preview clip from the episode. The clip below features Mariahlynn and Rich Dollaz standing up at the stands with Judge Toler and Dr. Ish to discuss why they are in the house. Rich admits to shady, disrespectful behavior and reveals he believes Mariahlynn is damaged! Mariahlynn says the most hurtful part is he doesn’t claim her.
Check out the clip below:
Wow. We can’t believe she’s STILL dealing with this creep! K. Michelle said it ALL at the end of the clip. You’re supposed to ADORE your woman.
This season, four hip hop couples face the music at Marriage Boot Camp. Dr. Ish & Judge Toler help them confront lies, betrayal, and bitter rivalries, but when secrets are exposed, will their relationships survive? Four new hip hop couples will be pulling up on an all-new season of “Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition.” This season stars Hip Hop superstar K. MICHELLE (K. Michelle: My Life) and KASTAN, RICH DOLLAZ and MARIAHLYNN, (Love & Hip Hop: New York) LYRICA and A1, (Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood) and GANGSTA BOO (First Female Member of Three 6 Mafia) and EMMET as they head to Marriage Boot Camp to face the music. New episodes become available on popular AMC streaming service ALLBLK, every Monday, following its premiere on WE tv.
The new season of ‘Marriage Boot Camp: Hip Hop Edition’ premieres on Thursday, March 31 at 9PM on WE tv.
Will you be watching?
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