Month: July 2022

Bobby Shmurda has been living life to the fullest for the last year and a half since being released from prison. Along with the fun, he’s been getting his business in order as he officially parted ways with Epic Records. As both the fans and the “Hot N****” artist look toward the future, there have been questions as to when he will fully dive back into the music scene. In an official press release, Shmurda provided his answer with the announcement that his first post-prison EP Bodboy will release on August 5.

The project’s announcement comes along with the reveal of the 27-year-old’s new label GS9 Records, operating in partnership with ONErpm. The Brooklyn rapper is taking full control over his future, and Bodboy could be the start of his music career’s second wind after jail derailed his white hot momentum. In the time since Bobby left Epic he has released tracks such as “Getting Em Back,” “They Don’t Know,” “Cartier Lens,” “No Time For Sleep,” and “Shmoney” featuring Quavo and Rowdy Rebel in addition to appearing on Funk Flex’s “Hitta.”

With the announcements for GS9 Records and Bodboy comes official confirmation that last week’s “Hoochie Daddy,” a play on Uncle Luke’s “Hoochie Mama,” is the EP’s lead single. The EP is nine songs total and will feature Fat Tony and Shmurda’s longtime collaborator Rowdy Rebel.

Listen to “Hoochie Daddy” here. Below, find the Bodboy tracklist.

1. “Gorilla”
2. “From The Slums”
3. “Hoochie Daddy”
4. “Whole Back”
5. “No Sense”
6. “Glock Inside” ft. Fat Tony
7. “RSN”
8. “Bodmon”
9. “On God” featuring Rowdy Rebel

Bodboy is out 8/5 via GS9 Records.

The last week has been filled with controversy for Ricky Martin and it began when the singer was accused of domestic violence by his 21-year-old nephew who Martin was allegedly in a seven-month relationship with. Dennis Yadiel Sanchez, who also filed a protection order against Martin, made note of “physical and psychological attacks” that occurred during their relationship. Less than a week after the accusations were made against Martin, the singer’s nephew decided to withdraw the claims which resulted in the case being dismissed in Puerto Rican court.

Just a day after that case was closed, Martin took to the Hollywood Bowl for a performance, and it was there that he delivered a message about love to his audience. “Are you ready to have a good time? ‘Cause that’s why I came here,” he told the crowd at the show. “We’re going to go back in time. We’re going to be romantic at times. We’re gonna have some energy at times.” He concluded, “All I want is for you to forget all your issues tonight and just focus on the love and light and let’s just have a good time.”

After the court case was dismissed, Martin’s lawyer shared a statement about the matter. “Just as we had anticipated, the temporary protection order was not extended by the Court,” the statement read. “The accuser confirmed to the court that his decision to dismiss the matter was his alone, without any outside influence or pressure, and the accuser confirmed he was satisfied with his legal representation in the matter.”

It continued, “The request came from the accuser asking to dismiss the case. This was never anything more than a troubled individual making false allegations with absolutely nothing to substantiate them. We are glad that our client saw justice done and can now move forward with his life and his career.”

You can watch Martin speak to the crowd during the concert in the video above.

Day one of this weekend’s Rolling Loud Festival in Miami was eventful for not the best reasons. Kanye West made a surprise appearance at the showcase despite dropping out of the headlining slot and he was replaced by Kid Cudi. Speaking of Cudi, he closed out day one, but his set ended earlier than expected as he made an early exit due to fans constantly throwing objects at him onstage. “I will f*cking leave,” Cudi warned before leaving. “If I get hit with one more f*cking thing — if I see one more f*cking thing on this f*cking stage, I’m leaving!”

As we now know, Cudi stayed true to his word and made an early exit when a fan threw a water bottle at him after his aforementioned warning. Following last night’s incident, Rolling Loud took to their Twitter page to issue a statement and a note of support towards Cudi. “Rolling Loud is a family,” the platform wrote. “Our fans, the artists, and everyone involved need to look out for each other. Share the love and be respectful to everyone.” They concluded, “We love you, Cudi. Please take care of each other and let’s have an amazing day 2!”

Rolling Loud Miami’s second day is set to be headlined by Future with additional performances from Lil Uzi Vert, City Girls, Latto, and more.

You can view Rolling Loud’s tweet in the post above.

Earlier this year, Morbius became that rare beast: an underperforming comic book movie. Plagued with poor reviews and bizarre behind-the-scenes revelations, the DCEU entry fared much better as a social media joke, which became so voluminous that a) star Jared Leto got in on it and b) Sony added more theaters, hoping chuckleheads would go see it. (They did not.) But the jokes seem to have eluded one of its lead actors.

As per The AV Club, Matt Smith — second-billed in Morbius, as our hero’s surrogate brother-turned-villain — was at this weekend’s San Diego Comic-Con, where he’s there to promote House of the Dragon. The former Doctor Who lead was sitting on a panel, minding his own business, when one attendee thought it would be funny to make a Morbius meme joke.

“Matt Smith, it’s Morbin’ time!” the guy said, to which Smith responded with a legitimately confused-seeming “It’s what?”

The fan tried to rebound, awkwardly reminding Smith that he “starred in a movie recently called, uh, Morbius, which was great.” He then tried to salvage the bit, asking Smith, “My question for you is how would you character in Morbius fit into the Game Of Thrones universe?”

Smith then tried to sincerely answer his question. “Well, I mean he’s a vampire, so I think he’d struggle first off,” he replied. “I don’t know really know how he’d fit into the Game Of Thrones universe. I think he would be a fish of water, in truth. I don’t think he’s got the chops to do it.” Eventually, he tried his best to stay professional about a movie he’s in that he may or may not actually like, saying, “But I’m glad you watched a completely different movie.”

In any case, Smith has bigger fish to fry these days: He’s one of the stars of a prequel to a show that is widely perceived to have had a disappointing ending. Perhaps he’s already forgotten about poor little Morbius.

(Via The AV Club)

Earlier this month, Brent Faiyaz released his long-awaited second album Wasteland. While the project was his first official album since 2017’s Sonder Son, it was also Brent’s first body of work since 2020’s F*ck The World. Wasteland arrived with 19 songs and features from Drake, Tyler The Creator, Alicia Keys, Joony, and Tre’ Amani, however, there was a point where many thought the project would be released under a different title: Make It Out Alive. During a recent sit-down with Complex’s Jordan Rose, Brent explained that his second album did not undergo a name change, but rather a separate body of work was created.

“I still have a project I want to put out called Make It Out Alive,” Brent said during the conversation. “That’s still in the works—it’s just not this one, because I love the title Wasteland and I love what it represents.” He continued, “I have an idea in my head of what I want Make It Out Alive to be, but all of the songs that I have been making up until this point didn’t fit that title. I wasn’t in the headspace to put that body of work out.”

For what it’s worth, Make It Out Alive seems like the perfect transition from the events that conclude Wasteland. So, if the project does end up being Brent’s third album, it would be interesting to see where he takes things after the success of Wasteland.

You can read Brent’s full interview with Complex here.

Wasteland is out now via Lost Kids LLC. You can stream it here.

Jacksonville rapper Nardo Wick concluded his 2021 year with the release of his Who Is Nardo Wick? project. The body of work delivered 18 songs and features from Future, Lil Baby, Hit-Boy, G Herbo, Lil Durk, 21 Savage, Lakeyah, and Big30. Who Is Nardo Wick? was a great look for Nardo as it earned him co-signs from all over the rap world as well as an inclusion in the 2022 XXL Freshman Class. A little over seven months from that project’s release, Nardo returns with a deluxe reissue and a brand new video.

Nardo Wick gets back to work with a video for “Demon Mode,” one of twelve new songs that appear on the deluxe of Who Is Nardo Wick?. In the visual, Nardo is surrounded by his crew in a dimly lit room as they show their unity while flaunting their stacks of money and collection of jewelry.

The deluxe of Who Is Nardo Wick? features the previously released “Riot” and “Krazy Krazy” as well as guest appearances from Latto and The Kid Laroi, with the former appearing on a remix of “Baby Wyd?”

You can watch the video for “Demon Mode” above.

Who Is Nardo Wick?? (Deluxe) is out now via Flawless Ent. and RCA Records. You can stream it here.

Did you think that Las Vegas’ decadence couldn’t possibly reach greater heights? Wrong. Madison Square Garden Entertainment (MSGE) is nearing completion of a spherical arena that is in fact, the largest spherical structure in the world, and U2 is set to help kick it off in 2023 with a full-blown Las Vegas residency.

According to a Billboard report, the “MSG Sphere” is a $1.8 billion arena project that was originally announced in early 2018, but MSGE and head honcho James Dolan took over the construction in December of 2021. The MSG Sphere is off the Vegas strip, but close to the Venetian and will actually connect to the resort via a 1,000-foot-long pedestrian bridge. The report cites sources that promise the venue to be a “multi-sensory experience of sound and light inside the largest spherical structure ever created.” Concerts can hold up to 20,000 people standing or 17,500 seated. And you better believe there will be VIP suites; 23 of them.

U2’s residency will span across months, so the band will be a fixture on the Vegas scene for a while (watch out Celine Dion!) While no specific date has been set, the report says that the MSG Sphere at The Venetian should be ready in time for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix in the Formula One racing circuit. The race takes place on November 25th, 2023, which is two days after Thanksgiving.

MSGE is clearly expecting this to be a successful endeavor because word is they’re already planning to open a second sphere in London.

San Diego Comic-Con is upon us, yielding first looks at stuff like the new Beavis and Butt-Head and the COVID-delayed fourth John Wick. Then there’s the Shazam sequel. Subtitled Fury of the Gods, it brings back the DCEU’s goofiest superhero: the wizard alter ego of a Philadelphia teen, played by Zachary Levi and Asher Angel respectively. But this time there’s at least a reference to others in Warner Bros.’ cinematic universe.

The trailer opens with what looks like Levi’s Shazam in therapy. “I don’t deserve these powers, if we’re being honest,” he tells an off-screen figure. He then points out how redundant he is. “There’s already a superhero with a red suit with a lightning bolt on it,” he says, alternating with shots of the Flash (though the troubled Ezra Miller’s face is conspicuously never shown). He also notes that he’s not as “huge” or “manly” as Aquaman, nor as “cool” as Batman.

But he does have his own things going on. The trailer introduces some of the new characters, including the villains: Helen Mirren’s Hespera and Lucy Liu’s Kalypso, both devious daughters of the titan Atlas. And because Shazam is the silliest of the DCEU’s heroes, there’s a couldn’t-resist bit where he informs Hespera that he’s “seen all the Fast and Furious movies,” which now feature her.

You can watch the trailer in the video above. Shazam: Fury of the Gods hits theaters on December 21.

Another year, another season in which the Los Angeles Angels look set to miss out on the postseason. L.A. sits at 39-54 on the year, putting them 11.5 games behind a spot in the Wild Card and 22.5 games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West. Barring a miracle happening, the Angels will miss the playoffs for the eighth season in a row and the 12th time in the last 13 years.

All of this is happening despite the team having a pair of generational talents on the roster in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Apparently, Ohtani is piquing the interest of teams around Major League Baseball, with MLB Network reporter Jon Morosi bringing word that teams are calling the Angels about 28-year-old pitcher/outfielder’s availability. The bad news for those teams is that Los Angeles is apparently telling them Ohtani is not available as we get closer to the Aug. 2 trade deadline.

Ohtani came to MLB in 2018 after a productive career in Japan. In that time, he’s managed to make a pair of All-Star teams, got named the AL Rookie of the Year, and took home his first MVP award for his performance last season. Despite the individual accolades and his performance at the plate and on the mound, Ohtani has yet to make it to the postseason during his time in the league.

This year, Ohtani is hitting .256 with a .829 OPS and 19 home runs. As a pitcher, Ohtani is 9-5 with a 2.80 ERA. He is slated to become a free agent after the 2023 season.

The NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year award has been rather hotly contested over the last few years. Marcus Smart won it for his work spearheading the Boston Celtics’ defense during the 2021-22 campaign, while Rudy Gobert picked up the award for the third time during the 2020-21 season as the anchor of the Utah Jazz’s vaunted defense.

Each year, Miami Heat big man Bam Adebayo came in fourth place — he and Gobert are the only players to register top-5 finishes for both of those seasons. Adebayo has not been shy about his belief that he’s the best player in the league on that end of the floor and that he deserves to have a Defensive Player of the Year award in his trophy case, but so far, that has eluded the 25 year old.

Adebayo appeared at a youth clinic the Heat held this week, and after being asked about his career goals, he stressed that he hasn’t forgotten those two snubs while stressing he has his eyes on the award in 2022-23.

“I should have won it the last two years and I will win it this year,” Adebayo said, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Adebayo is perhaps the most unique defensive player in the NBA, as he is one of the few players who can legitimately guard anyone on the floor and do a good job against them. He’s the lynchpin of Miami’s defense, and last year, he made clear that he found it disrespectful that he wasn’t a finalist for the award.