Category: News

Believe it or not, it’s been almost 10 years since Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, Liam Payne, and Zayn Malik formed One Direction as part of the television series The X Factor. The boyband took the world by storm before parting ways in 2015 to focus on solo careers, a few of which have been distinctly successful. Next week marks the official 10-year anniversary and fans have been buzzing about a possible reunion for months. Now, the band has finally appeased their fanbase and revealed exactly what they have in store to celebrate a decade of One Direction.

According to the group’s PR firm, Simon Jones PR, One Direction is observing the major milestone with a 10-year celebration video made especially for fans. This commemorative video will take a look back on One Direction’s career — from their The X Factor debut to selling out the world’s biggest stadiums — and include clips, highlights, performances, and behind-the-scenes footage.

Along with the special video, One Direction is launching a website dedicated to their anniversary. According to the PR firm, the website “will be an immersive and exciting interactive fan experience” in the form of a timeline charting the group’s history. The timeline will act as an archive for music videos, artwork, TV performances, and exclusive content. The company added that there will be a special mixtape feature, which will curate a shareable playlist based on how fans have interacted with the site’s content and which era of One Direction they spend the most time exploring.

One Direction’s 10-year celebration kicks of 7/23.

Lil Xan may need to look into that name change soon. The San Bernardino rapper has long struggled with addiction but used the opportunity provided by COVID-19 to get sober after a health scare involving seizures, a white knuckle cold turkey session, and an ultimate second chance at life.

The “Betrayed” rapper posted a new photo with a long caption to his Instagram profile after taking a two-month hiatus from social media. His last major update was that he hospitalized in April after having a panic attack brought on by the pressure of quarantine. However, he says in the new post and in an interview with TMZ he managed to turn the curse of quarantine into a blessing, as he couldn’t get into too much trouble while on lockdown.

In the post’s caption, he recalls suffering from “multiple seizures.” “This was my second time in the last year I’ve been hospitalized for having seizures,” he admits. “I decided it was best for me, my friend’s, family and supporters that I quit all prescriptions pills.” He decided the best way to accomplish this was by quitting cold turkey, despite his doctor’s advice to wean him off the drugs slowly. Now, Xan is “happy to say that I’ve been sober from all prescription pills since the scare. This is the first time in along time that I have felt alive.”

He told TMZ that because he had nowhere to go, no shows, and limited access to his vices, he was able to focus completely on his recovery. He says that being clean allows his anti-drug messages to more thoroughly resonate because he’s now a living example instead of a contradiction. He’s now working on new music and looking forward to sharing it with fans.

Read Xan’s full caption explaining his sobriety above.

After abruptly retiring in May following his knock-out victory over Dominick Cruz, Henry Cejudo hasn’t completely shut the door on a UFC return. While he’s made an appearance in pro wrestling’s AEW and continues to tease a future in the sport, Cejudo, a former two-division champion, only seems interested in stepping back into the Octagon if the bout adds to his legacy. And that fight appears to be a showdown with featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski, who is coming off his second-consecutive win against former champion Max Holloway.

“I feel like me winning a third belt in the UFC would cement me as the greatest fighter of all-time in the sport of mixed martial arts, because nobody will be able to do that but ‘Triple C,’” Cejudo told Adam Glyn. (H/T MMA Junkie)

An Olympic gold medalist, Cejudo successfully won and defended both the flyweight and bantamweight titles during his UFC tenure. He was only the fourth UFC fighter in the organization’s history to win belts in two divisions and feels adding a third belt to his collection could ultimately separate him from the pack.

Cejudo has publicly dismissed an opportunity to battle Petr Yan after his dominant win over Jose Aldo, instead targeting an opportunity to “save” the 145-pound division. Cejudo said he hasn’t had any conversations with the UFC about returning as of now, but they know he’s interested.

Outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, there are villains out there that are no less devastating than, say, the Chitauri or Ultron when it comes to wreaking havoc on life as we know it. Even closer to home, threats to life and limb arrive on a daily basis, and only true heroes will come to the rescue. That was the case — as recognized by Chris Evans while channeling Captain America — of a six-year-old boy named Bridger, who saved his sister’s life from a dog attack but walked away with 90 stitches in the process. Now, Chris Hemsworth is pulling out his mightiest Thor presence to send a message to the boy as well.

Evans previously vowed to send Bridger his own authentic Captain America shield while praising the young boy as “so brave and so selfless,” and on Hemsworth’s Instagram stories, via ComicBook, Hemsworth recognized that Bridger did something that few people would do for anyone else. And he extended the virtual Thor hammer to invite Bridger as an honorary Avenger:

“I just want to say, mate, you’re an absolute inspiration. Your courage is beyond belief and we are all so impressed by you, and we’re thinking of you. I know you’re an Avengers fan and so myself and all the team, we’d be honored to have you on the team, and we love you and we’re sending you our support. Stay strong and we’ll talk to you soon, mate.”

Bridger might be the most powerful Avenger of all. Watch Hemsworth’s message below.

With just two weeks until the 2019-20 NBA season is scheduled to resume in Orlando, teams are beginning to ramp up activities, with practices underway and scrimmages scheduled within the campus environment. As a result, anticipation is high for competitive basketball action but, in terms of importance, the on-court action feels secondary to many things happening in and around Orlando, with a reminder arriving on Thursday morning. The New Orleans Pelicans announced that star rookie and No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson left the bubble in order to attend an “urgent family medical matter.”

“We fully support Zion’s decision to leave the NBA campus to be with his family,” said Pelicans executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin. “Out of respect for the Williamson family, we will have no further comment at this time.”

The Pelicans did indicate that Williamson plans to return to Orlando “at a later date,” although it is unclear when exactly he’ll return. With that said, Williamson will have to quarantine again upon re-entry and, with New Orleans scheduled to open its resumed season with a July 30 match-up against the Utah Jazz, it may be likely that the talented forward could miss at least a portion of his team’s schedule.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is set to make his debut in the NBA’s Disney bubble league on July 31, when the Milwaukee Bucks will take on the Boston Celtics in a matchup of two Eastern Conference juggernauts with NBA Finals aspirations. While Antetokounmpo will have his trusty Zoom Freak 1s on his feet, the reigning league MVP has something new in the pipeline, too.

The Bucks star became the latest Nike athlete to get a signature sneaker last year. His latest kick in that line debuted on Thursday, as Nike announced the Zoom Freak 2 in a collection of colorways.

Harris spoke to Ross Klein, the Senior Creative Director for Nike Basketball. Klein explained that Antetokounmpo’s three brothers — Alex, Kostas, and Thanasis — were all part of the process of creating and deciding on the various elements of the sneaker, which led to a number of nods to their family.

On the shoe you can find nods to their parents, Charles and Veronica. On the sockline you will find the words, “I am my father’s legacy”, and on the traction is a print of their roots and Giannis’ journey to the NBA.

“I am not gassing anything up at all. He is a joyful type of athlete to work with. So are his brothers,” says Klein. “What is so cool to me as a leader in basketball is that they are not following anything else. They are not seeing and saying we kind of want a little bit of this or that, they work within themselves to be creators and they are going off of this like there is nothing else in their life besides this and it is so refreshing. I think that makes the process of working with four people easier because they are all really at the same place. There is no differential components outside of them. The cool thing is for someone like Thanasis who we don’t talk about enough, but he is a crucial factor in all of this. Giannis and Thanasis go back and forth all the time but they are very authentic, and they don’t hide anything that they think and they are very nice people.”

According to Sole Collector, while Antetokounmpo will not wear these at the outset of the Bucks’ time in Orlando, the possibility exists that he will break them out at some point. As for when you can get your hands on the pair, the Zoom Freak 2s will drop in their green “Naija” colorway on July 25 for $120, with the black and white colorway coming on August 7.

Jeffrey Epstein died in jail last August, but the investigation (which was the subject of a recent Netflix docuseries, Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich), continues into those associated with the tycoon’s international sex trafficking ring. He was accused of abusing women and underage girls for decades, and his alleged accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, remains in jail and was denied bail after pleading not guilty. On CBS This Morning, accuser Virginia Roberts Guiffre told Gayle King that Maxwell was not simply an accomplice but “the mastermind” of the entire sex trafficking ring.

For the record, Guiffre does label Epstein as “a sick pedophile,” but she believes that Maxwell is “a monster… she’s worse than Epstein.” She continued to call Maxwell “vicious” and “evil” and reprehensible on another level as a woman who was actively participating in the sexual abuse of other women. As for Maxwell’s motives, Guiffre believes that “she did it to keep Jeffrey happy, for sure. She did it because she loves the control over people… Jeffrey was a sick pedophile. But she was the mastermind.”

On a related note, Maxwell has reportedly been discovered to have a secret husband, whose name she will not reveal. And on CBS This Morning, Guiffre also declares that Britain’s Prince Andrew needs to be held accountable for his alleged involvement in the sex trafficking ring because “we need to show the world that the rich and the mighty can fall too.”

50 Cent doesn’t exactly need extra reasons to troll people with whom he has issues, but given he was already at odds with the disgraced television and radio host Nick Cannon, it was a certainty he’d find a way to kick the man while he’s down. That’s just what he did, with new posts teasing Cannon for losing his deal with ViacomCBS, one of which has since been deleted.

The deleted one, according to HotNewHipHop, read, “Damn, Nikki, what the f*ck was you on that stupid ass podcast talking about? No More Wilding Out Hun! (Don’t worry Be Happy).” It’s since been removed from his page for unknown reasons.

However, his other posts remain intact. Both are parodic references to Wild’N Out, the long-running improv comedy show Cannon led along with a rotating cast of comedian friends and musical guest stars that dominated MTV’s late-night schedule for the better part of the last decade. 50’s posts advertise his own (fake) show, “Out Wild,” starring Instagram comedian Michael Blackson. 50 jokes that “it’s kinda like a show that got canceled,” and in a second post, urges Black to “sign TF contract. Let’s go, I ain’t got all day — and sh*t better be funny.”

50 previously needled Nick Cannon over his interminable beef with Eminem, calling Nick’s diss tracks late last year “trash” and advising Eminem to let sleeping dogs lie.

Cannon was ousted from his production deal with ViacomCBS after discussing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories on his Cannon’s Class podcast. He’s since issued an apology and been offered an opportunity to start over at Diddy’s Revolt TV.

In this week’s SNX DLX, we see a top-five that is representative of what this year has looked like across this series overall –with an even split falling between Nike and Adidas and an offering from New Balance to round it all out. Those three brands have been our favorites of the year and if they continue the consistent output they’ve produced so far, we’re sure they’ll come out on top by the year’s end. We’ve been really hoping for New Balance to overtake Nike this year, but not for any reason other than loving an underdog story.

On the apparel end, we’ve got Palace’s final summer t-shirt drop, some hiking fashion from Chinatown Market, and some nostalgia invoking hoodies from Teddy Fresh. Let’s dive into this week’s best!

Nike Space Hippie Volt Collection

Nike has a surprise hit on its hand this summer thanks to its new Space Hippie series of sneakers. Made from recycled materials, the debut Space Hippie collection dropped a couple of weeks back and now Nike is taking a victory lap by releasing Space Hippie 1-4 in the beloved Volt iteration. If you liked the 1, 2, 3, or 4 from the last collection, the Volt series doesn’t change up much from the originals but sports a brighter color palette and of course, the Volt-colored swoosh.

All of the sustainable features of the original collection are still in evidence here — the recycled polyester, the re-used yarn, the recycled foam midsole, even the box the sneakers come in are printed with plant-based ink. We’re looking at the future of sneakers ladies and gentlemen, and it’s trash! But like… in a good way.

The Nike Space Hippie Volt Collection is set to drop on July 16th for a retail range of $130-$180, depending on the pair you buy. Pick up your favorite through the Nike SNKRS app.

New Balance 1300 Made in Japan

If you really love New Balances, and we mean really love, this 600+ pair of the 1300s, made from a mix of mesh, suede, and leather from Japan’s highest quality suppliers is about to make you weigh some serious financial decisions in your mind. On one hand, paying over $600 dollars for a pair of New Balance 1300 seems insane, on the other hand… look at these babies!

This sneaker is so premium that the pair comes with wooden shoe trees to keep its shape. Definitely not a pair for everyone, but if you’re serious about New Balances, this is probably the nicest pair you can ever hope to own.

The New Balance 1300 Made in Japan is set to drop on July 17th for a shocking retail price of $630. Pick up a pair exclusively through HBX.

Nike ISPA Road Warrior Volt

We said we believe the future of sneakers looks like the Space Hippie collection, but if repurposed trash as sneakers kind of bums you out, you’re going to love this high-concept sneaker out of Nike that feels much more like an art piece than a traditional pair of kicks. The ISPA Road Warrior Volt looks unlike any shoe you’ve ever seen, it has a unique floating heel, double stacked zoom pods, and a Japanese-style split-toe cage to help center your stance throughout a long day spent on foot.

Even the sole on this thing looks nuts, taking on a drastically different appearance depending on which angle you’re looking at it from. The ISPA Road Warrior is definitely not for everyone (especially with that split-toe), but if you love sneakers as art, you’ll find a lot to buzz over here.

The Nike ISPA Road Warrior Volt is set to drop on July 17th for a retail price of $500. Pick up a pair through the Nike SNKRS app.

Adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 Zyon

It has been a minute since Ye dropped a new iteration of the 350 V2 — aka YEEZY Brand’s best selling sneaker — but this week sees the return of the silhouette in a new “Zyon” colorway that harkens back to one of the original 350s debut pairs. The Zyon is in every way an upgrade to the 350 Turtle Doves (though YEEZYheads will probably never admit that), with details like the semi-translucent BOOST midsole and the black monofilament side stripe putting the pair over the top in our hearts.

The Adidas YEEZY BOOST 350 V2 Zyon is set to drop on July 18th for a retail price of $220. Pick up a pair exclusively through YEEZY Supply.

Adidas x Jonah Hill Superstar

Jonah Hill’s ascent from lovable comedy sidekick to fashion icon surprised just about everyone who was introduced to the actor for the first time in Knocked Up or SuperBad. But Jonah is more than just another celebrity getting their own signature sneaker, his take on one of Adidas’ best silhouettes comes from a place of love, and it shows. Long a fan of the three stripes, Jonah set out to make the ultimate pair of Superstars based on a fantasy version of what a young Jonah Hill would’ve wanted. That personal connection is the recipe for a good sneaker — just look at the countless number of nostalgic Nike SB Dunks made by skaters.

Featuring a clean white leather upper, oversizes laces, a molded toe cap, and stitch and turn construction, the Jonah Hill Superstars are a love letter to one of Adidas’ greatest designs. Our only gripe is the typeface Jonah went with for the embroidered stitching. We don’t love it, but it harkens back to the mid-90s in a way we’ve come to expect from the director of… Mid 90s.

The Adidas x Jonah Hill Superstar is out now for a retail price of $140. Pick up a pair through the Adidas online store.

Palace Tri-Tex T-Shirts

We’ve finally come to the end of Palace’s summer season drops and to close out the collection, the brand is releasing a new Tri-Tex t-shirt design in your choice of black, grey, orange, green, navy, white or yellow. The shirt features a wavy Triferg logo over the left side, with a matching design on the back. It’s definitely one of the simpler pieces out of Palace this year, but it reaches back into the brand’s roots and is a cool way to close out a strong season.

The Palace Tri-Tex t-shirt is set to drop on July 17th at the Palace webstore.

Chinatown Market Corduroy Vest

Chinatown Market has taken two things that are inarguably lame — vests and corduroy — and have managed to make a cool piece that’ll complete your summer wardrobe. Featuring high visibility reflecting 3M detailing, Chinatown Market’s Corduroy Vest will turn you into the most fly hiker on the trail.

The Chinatown Market Corduroy Vest is out now and is shoppable at the Chinatown Market webstore.

Teddy Fresh x SpongeBob SquarePants Collection

H3H3 and SpongeBob SquarePants fans have one last chance to grab this final restock of the official Teddy Fresh x SpongeBob collection. The final restock is dropping in limited edition colors and features hoodies and t-shirts that feature dual SpongeBob and Teddy Fresh branding. It’s cute and colorful, everything you’ve come to expect from Teddy Fresh, but this link up with Nickelodeon feels like a big step for the brand.

How SpongeBob iconography remains cool in the streetwear scene, I will never understand. But it’s The Teddy Fresh and SpongeBob Square Pants Collection is set to drop — to much fanfare — on July 15th at the Teddy Fresh webstore.

One sticking point for a number of basketball players has been using the league’s restart in Orlando as an opportunity to keep the fight against police brutality and systemic inequality in the spotlight. For a number of players, this means doing things like putting a word or phrase across the backs of their uniforms that is related to the current moment in America.

For Denver Nuggets forward Jerami Grant, he sees this as a chance to keep one issue in particular in the spotlight. Grant spoke to the media on Wednesday, and instead of diving into the minutiae of what life is like in the bubble, decided to focus on the fact that the police officers that killed Breonna Taylor have not been brought to justice.

“I think it’s great to be here with my teammates,” Grant told the Denver Post. “It’s great to be back playing basketball. For me personally, and I think a lot of the players, I think it’s imperative that we focus on what’s really important in the world. One thing, for me, is Breonna Taylor’s killers still are roaming around free. I think I just want to focus on that with these interviews.”

Grant echoed this sentiment when asked about Nikola Jokic joining the Nuggets in the bubble. Jokic tested positive for COVID-19 in Serbia, delaying his arrival in Orlando, but he has since made it down to Disney. When asked about this, Grant said, “Like I said, it’s great to have my teammates here, it’s great to be here playing basketball, but at the same time, I want to keep the focus on what’s really important. Breonna Taylor’s murderers still are roaming around free.”

Grant joined the Nuggets last offseason as has been a productive member of the team’s frontcourt, averaging 11.6 points and 3.5 rebounds in 26.2 minutes per game, largely in a role off the bench. On March 13, 2020, Taylor, a 26-year-old EMT who lived in Louisville, was shot by three plainclothes police officers who were executing a no-knock warrant as she was asleep with her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, in an apartment that was incorrectly targeted in a potential drug bust. While all three officers were placed on administrative leave — one has since been fired — and laws have been introduced and passed in some places to outlaw no-knock warrants, none of the officers involved have been arrested for the killing.