19-year-old Jacksonville rapper Nehemiah Harden, better known as TikTok sensation SpotemGottem, was reportedly arrested by US Marshalls in his hotel room in Aventura, Florida, according to NBC Miami. Harden was scheduled to perform Rolling Loud’s return event next week in Miami, but now faces a litany of charges including aggravated assault. He was granted an $18,500 bond today.
Courtesy Miami-Dade Police Department
Marshalls had a warrant Spotemgottem from a June case in which the rapper and several friends broke the gate at a parking garage in Miami and reportedly threatened someone who tried to stop them — the story doesn’t make clear whether this was a passerby or the garage attendant — with a semi-automatic weapon. Marshalls say that Spotem had an AK-47 pistol lying on the bed next to him, which added a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon to his existing charges of aggravated assault with a firearm and accessory after the fact to a felony.
The rapper is best known for his viral single “Beat Box,” which has since received remixes from numerous rappers including DaBaby, Deante’ Hitchcock, Latto, Polo G, Lil Yachty, and NLE Choppa. The song is, fittingly, about SpotemGottem’s gun, which can “make a beat box” when fired. It became a TikTok favorite when creator Junebug created the #JunebugChallenge dance, which was used in numerous videos on the popular app.
Bad news usually grabs the headlines so it can be hard to remember that we live in a world full of beauty. Here are 10 stories that made us happy this week because they feature amazing comebacks, powerful acts of giving, and one super-amazing cow.
1. Man brushing his cow to Bruno Mars is a moment of pure zen
This video is the perfect example of how man and nature can live in harmony. Thor the cow is in pure bliss as his human friend brushes him at a farm in Emmett, Idaho.
2. Zalia Avant becomes the first Black American to win the Annual Scripps National Spelling Bee
Zalia’s achievement is even more spectacular being that she has only been competing in spelling tournaments for two years. The 14-year-old practices about 13,000 words a day for up to seven hours.
Three Guinness World Records and now the national spelling bee champ! Congrats, Zaila—your hard work is paying off.… https://t.co/kCUQNB2IhE
3. Visual effects guy transforms himself into random objects and it’s pure magic
Toronto-based animator and video wizard Kevin Parry has gone mega-viral for his mind-boggling collection of videos where he turns himself into random objects. In this series of quick clips he changes into everything from a pumpkin to a bright yellow banana and in most of the videos, he appears to suffer a ridiculous death.
A collection of me turning into random objects. https://t.co/ValPdPNJIj
4. High schooler mocked for wearing the same clothes every day surprised by football players
When Michael Todd started his freshman year at MLK prep school in Memphis, Tennessee, his classmates made fun of him because he only had one outfit to wear. “I really don’t have clothes at home,” he told KTVI. “My mom can’t buy clothes for me because I’m growing too fast.” But all of that changed when two football players surprised him with bags full of shirts, shorts, and shoes.
5. Record number of Americans are ‘thriving’—even more than before the pandemic, Gallup finds
Americans were asked to rank their current and future life on a ladder scale of zero to ten and the number who ranked themselves as seven or above reached 59.2% in June, eclipsing the previous high of 57.3% set in September 2017.
via Pixabay
6. 1980s cultural icon Michael Winslow made an emotional comeback on ‘America’s Got Talent’
Actor, comedian, and self-proclaimed “voicetramentalist,” Michael Winslow was just about everywhere in the ’80s. However, he put his career on the backburner to raise his family after the death of his wife in 1993. This week, he made a stunning comeback on “American’s Got Talent” winning four big yesses from the show’s judges.
America’s Got Talent 2021 Michael Winslow Full Performance & Judges Comments Auditions Week 7 S16E07
7. Hundreds offer to donate cars to South Carolina mechanic who fixes them for those in need
Mechanic Eliot Middleton fixes old cars and donates them to rural families without a ride. After being profiled on CBS News, people have donated nearly 8000 cars to the cause. “Whatever glowing feeling is inside me, it just transferred from that TV screen and went inside them,” he said.
8. Kenyan scientists genetically alter their bananas to save them from devastating bacteria
A bacterial disease was ravaging banana plants in Kenya. So scientists at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) created a genetically modified banana that was bacterial resistant.
via Pixabay
9. Japanese swimmer Rikako Ikee beats leukemia
The highly decorated swimmer was a shoo-in for the summer Olympics in Tokyo but had her hopes derailed when she was diagnosed with leukemia. Rikako fought hard, overcame the disease, and won the 100-meter butterfly race at the Olympic trials, earning her a spot in the 4X100 medley relay races at the games. “I was not expecting to win the 100 meters at all, and I was feeling far less confident than during the Olympic qualifiers five years ago,” she said. “It’s a miracle just to be sitting here – it’s a miracle I’m alive.”
Two years ago, swimmer Rikako Ikee was diagnosed with leukemia. Now, she’s qualified for the Tokyo Olympics japan… https://t.co/6onOqgcVnB
— Uplifting News by Qwyck (@upnewsbyqwyck) 1626417033.0
10. Track star Quanesha Burks goes from working at McDonald’s to the Tokyo games
After suffering a bone injury last year, Quanesha was unsure if she’d be able to compete in the Olympics. But by reflecting on her past, she was able to overcome the injury and made the Team USA roster.
“At one point, my coach told me, ‘I don’t know if you’re going to physically be able to go to the trials.’ The doctors didn’t know if I would be back in time… I was facing so much, but I kept going back to when I worked at McDonald’s. I had my goals set and I knew I could do it,” she said.
“I was facing so much but I kept going back to when I worked at McDonald’s. I had my goals set and I knew I could d… https://t.co/2Tp0xVNLtB
A few months back, LA hip-hop boy band Brockhampton released their album Roadrunner: New Light, New Machine. They’ve also got a needle-drop on the recently released reboot Space Jam: A New Legacy. Now, Brockhampton leader Kevin Abstract has an upbeat new solo single out called “Slugger,” which features guest spots from Slowthai and SoundCloud rapper Snot.
As Stereogum notes, “Slugger” is co-produced by Abstract, Al Hug and Brockhampton’s Romil Hemnani. Plus, its release coincides with the first collection from Abstract’s own Video Store Apparel. “Slugger” also has an accompanying video where Abstract and friends lay out verses in what looks like the Video Store warehouse, while, of course, modeling the clothes.
Back in March, Abstract, who released solo album Arizona Baby in 2019, announced that Brockhampton’s next two albums would be their last as a group. Addressing impending split on Twitter, he wrote, “We all love each other and we wanna continue making the best music we can,” he wrote. “Everybody just getting a lil older and got a lot to say outside of group projects. We’ve dedicated the last ten years of our lives to making music together. This next project we’re just doing what’s rite.”
Listen to “Slugger” above. The first Video Store collection is available here.
What followed was a trip to rehab for substance abuse issues following some strange appearances on the show, and some big changes in his personal life. But now Mulaney is out of rehab and headed back on the road. Mulaney had announced a return to stand-up in May, a residency at a single venue in New York, which quickly sold out. And with more shows now on the books, fans are getting excited about his return to the entertainment industry.
Mulaney posted on Twitter on Friday for the first time since December, sharing a tour announcement for four new cities following a second residency in Boston in mid-August: Philadelphia, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Las Vegas.
Mulaney’s post-rehab comedy has certainly been interesting according to those that have seen it, which is why fans are so excited about his return. It’s been a long and weird year or so, and seeing Mulaney trend on social media for positive reasons is certainly welcome news all around.
About seven months ago, Olivia Rodrigo was a star on a Disney Channel show, but probably didn’t have many fans beyond those who knew her from High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Now, she’s one of the world’s biggest pop stars who is earning invites to the White House. She held a press conference there a couple days ago, during which she encouraged vaccination, and now she and Dr. Fauci have teamed up for a fun new video.
In the clip, Rodrigo and Fauci do their own spin on the Jimmy Kimmel Live! “Mean Tweets” segment, except all the tweets are nice in nature and about vaccines. The pair seemed amused after Fauci read a tweet referring to the vaccine shot as a “Fauci ouchie.” Rodrigo was also pleased to hear about one Twitter user who listened to Rodrigo’s music on her way to get vaccinated, saying she’s proud to have provided the soundtrack for that moment.
Fauci also had a bit of a funny moment, not understanding that “ppl” is short of “people” and therefore reading out the individual letters. Rodrigo, ever the polite guest, opted to not correct him. Fauci also revealed the greatest concert he’s ever been to, saying it was a concert in the ’50s that featured The Temptations and The Four Tops.
Fauci has gotten to know Rodrigo a little better now, but before her White House visit, he didn’t seem to have a firm grasp on just how influential she has become this year. In an interview ahead of their meet-up, he noted of his knowledge about her, “I understand that she’s a very popular figure among young individuals.”
Willow’s new album Lately I Feel Everything is out today, and to celebrate, she’s shared a livestream on Facebook where she performs a few album cuts. One of those songs is “Grow,” which features cameos from Avril Lavigne and Travis Barker, who are also on hand for the livestream. It goes without saying that this feels like a highly appropriate collaboration, given the album’s myriad early Aughts pop-punk influences.
“I’m just so excited because me and Avril have never performed live together before, so this is going to be a whole completely different experience,” Willow said of performing with Lavigne during a behind-the-scenes moment in the livestream. “It’s a huge opportunity for me to be really able to do this to the fullest and to really connect with people who can inspire me and teach me. She’s just one of those people and I’m just so grateful that we got to meet.”
“To have Avril and Travis playing together on one song, I just think it’s going to be absolutely spectacular,” she added. “It’s just going to be pop-punk astronomical royalty and I’m so honored to be able to watch that happen and be there with them, and be able to perform with them.”
Look for Willow, Lavigne, and Barker performing “Grow” above around the 37-minute mark.
Lately I Feel Everything is out now via MSFTSMusic/Roc Nation. Get it here.
The eyes of the basketball world are on the NBA Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Phoenix Suns. But for a brief moment on Friday, those eyes turned to Portland, as Damian Lillard’s future with the franchise once again came into question. This time, a report popped up from Henry Abbott of TrueHoop indicating that Lillard has plans to request a trade sometime in the coming days.
Whether or not that is true remains to be seen — Lillard will apparently speak to the media later on Friday afternoon — but in a new piece from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Lillard spoke about the upcoming offseason and explained why it’s such a big one, both for himself and the Portland Trail Blazers.
“I think that’s the stage we’re at as a team where we all, not just me, not just my teammates, not just our new coaching staff, the front office, everybody in this organization must look in the mirror because we’ve constantly come up short,” Lillard said. “We have to look in the mirror and say I have to be better because whatever it is we’re doing is not working and it’s not giving us the shot to compete on the level that we want to compete on.”
Lillard then explained that as he’s getting older, he understands that time is running out on him to win a championship, and that he believes accountability on all levels is becoming increasingly important in Portland.
There are few reasons: One being I’m not getting any younger. Our environment has always been great. We’re not losing a lot, but we were eliminated by a shorthanded Denver team that I felt we should have beat. I just walked away from that really disappointed. I was like, ‘Man, this just isn’t going to work.’ We’re not winning the championship, but we’ve got a successful organization. We’re not a franchise that’s just out here losing every year and getting divided. We have positive seasons; we just don’t end up with a championship. So I feel like at this point, I basically made the decision that if you do what you’ve always done, you’ll always be where you’ve always been. Just like I hold myself accountable for a bad performance or hold myself accountable to make sure that I work my ass off when I’m training, I must be accountable for saying what needs to be said even if it’s not popular. And that just comes with age. When I was younger, I felt like maybe I’ll be out of place, but I feel like I’ve earned the right to say we must do better. We must do better if we want to win on that level.
While Lillard’s usually been pretty open about whatever’s on his mind at a given time, it does seem like he’s been more willing than ever to talk about what’s going on in Portland and how his aspirations of winning a championship are front of mind. Whether or not that leads to a trade request or a departure from the Blazers remains to be seen, but regardless, it’s evident the Blazers are at a crossroad this summer.
Just two days after the surprise reveal that Loki will be getting a second season, director Kate Herron has a reveal of her own: She won’t be coming back for the new season. In a new interview, Herron seems to hint that the announcement of season two arrived earlier than she expected, but she’s excited to see where the show goes next. There’s also no bad blood with Marvel, who she’d definitely love to work with again. Via Deadline:
I’m not returning. I always planned to be just on for this and to be honest, season 2 wasn’t in the — that’s something that just came out and I’m so excited. I’m really happy to watch it as a fan next season, but I just think I’m so proud of what we did here and I’ve given it my all. I’m working on some other stuff yet to be announced.
And while Herron has been a great sport in interviews, divulging secrets of Miss Minutes and cutting off Mephisto theories before they can take off, don’t expect her to spill any details about Loki Season 2 because she doesn’t have a clue what’s next thanks to the notoriously secret inner-workings of Marvel.
“I don’t know anything about it,” Herron told Deadline. “I feel like we’ve done a lot of amazing groundwork in setting up the TVA and Loki on a whole new journey. Yeah, what will happen? Where is Loki and where will he go?”
2020 was big for Megan The Stallion thanks to her debut album, Good News. It features hit singles like “Savage” and “Body” and achieved a peak at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album came out in November 2020, and now, about eight months later, it has reached a major milestone: The album is now certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association Of America (RIAA), making it her first Platinum album.
The certification was confirmed on July 14, and last night, Meg celebrated the feat on Instagram by sharing a message for her fans, writing, “HOTTIESSSS GOOD NEWS IS OFFICIALLY PLATINUM [crying emoji] This is my first platinum album and I’m so proud! I made majority of this album in my living room during quarantine and to see it really do it’s thing makes me so happy ! Thank you everyone involved and most of all thank you hotties for RUNNING IT TF UP [horse emoji] can’t wait for y’all to see what’s next.”
Mark Wahlberg stopped by The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on Thursday and actor opened up about his dramatic weight gain transformation for his new faith-based movie, Stu, about the true-life story of Reverend Stuart Long. Wahlberg plays Long, who started out as a failed boxer before moving to Los Angeles to try his hand at acting. When a motorcycle accident derailed those plans, Long turned to religion and joined a seminary where he faced his greatest challenge yet: a degenerative muscle disease that resulted in the need for a wheelchair.
As part of his commitment to the film, which Wahlberg has been trying to get made for years, he dedicated himself to an intense physical transformation that saw the normally jacked actor gain 30 pounds in six weeks. As he explained to Fallon, it was not the best time. Via IndieWire:
“Unfortunately, I had to consume, for two weeks, 7,000 calories, and then for another two weeks, 11,000 calories. And it was fun for about an hour,” Wahlberg said. “It’s such a hard, physical thing to do. Losing weight, you just kind of tough it out, you just don’t eat, and exercise. And this, even when you’re full, I would wake up after a meal and have another meal. I was eating every three hours. It was not fun.”
It sounds like the process was not as awesome as Wahlberg anticipated when he announced his goal back in April. At the time, he told Jimmy Kimmel that he was excited to go nuts by going to “bakeries, I want to go to Denny’s, I want to get pancakes, I want to get everything I can possibly get my hands on,” including “the 20-piece chicken nugget and 20-piece hot wings from Kentucky Fried Chicken with a six-pack of beer.” Granted, Wahlberg packed on the pounds in time for the film’s production, but he probably won’t be hitting any fast food drive-thrus anytime soon.
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