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Noname Warns Fans Not To Call Trump The ‘Worst President In US History’

Noname won’t let her recent negative experiences with social media backlashes prevent her from continuing to share her thoughts on politics and social justice. Tuesday afternoon, she tweeted — and later deleted — another controversial opinion, this one relating to the current occupant of the White House.

While plenty of folks have expressed their distaste for Donald Trump, Noname warned against setting all of the current issues plaguing the world at his feet, reminding her followers that he’s just the latest in a long line of office holders who have supported harmful policies.

“Framing Trump as the worst president in U.S. history is unproductive and misleading,” she tweeted. “”You can’t measure presidents against each other when they’ve all in one way or another enacted crimes against humanity. Unless a president abolishes this U.S. colonial empire, they are all the same.”

She offered a few examples, writing, “Trump is horrible and has no business in any position of power but let’s not forget who expanded the prison industrial complex. Let’s not forget who had more drone strikes than any other president. Let’s not forget the 200,000 murdered during “War On Terror” which was imperialism.”

The tweets garnered a mixed reception — as they so often do. Of course, some commenters held the opinion that Trump has either severely mishandled a number of crises or outright attacked the civil liberties of marginalized people over the course of his first term. Others, meanwhile, thought that Noname had a point.

Noname herself previously admitted that she is no leader, but that she educated herself and started her book club to help others do the same. However, the outsized influence of her platform has certainly ensured that her opinions will reach a much wider group of people with diverse philosophies and beliefs and that not all of them will agree.

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Bartenders Pick The Best Rums For Bourbon Fans

Previously, we wrote about the best bourbons for rum fans. So it’s only fair that we flip the tables and shout out the best rums for bourbon fans. In the prior piece, we talked about the flavor notes found in both spirits. Vanilla, baking spices, and toasted oak, to name a few. From there, the tastes of the two spirits can either diverge wildly or stick to a parallel path. The fun is tasting them and testing for overlap.

Since we’re talking about rums for bourbon fans, you can go ahead and put away that bottle of white rum immediately. For sipping purposes, you’ll need the aged stuff to really match the notes found in bourbon. Zack Musick, beverage director at Merriman’s in Hawaii likes to switch out friends’ bourbons for similar rums to see if they can even tell the difference.

“A great aged rum has a very similar flavor profile to bourbon,” he says. “The longer it’s spent in oak the more your whiskey fan will enjoy it.”

To make sure you find rums that you enjoy just as much as your favorite bourbons, we enlisted the help of a handful of well-known bartenders to help us find the right bottles.

Real McCoy 5

Kurt Bellon, general manager and beverage director at Chao Baan in St. Louis

Real McCoy 5 year, aged in heavily charred oak bourbon barrels, can start a nice semantics-based discussion of what really constitutes a whiskey.

Zacapa XO

Lynnette Marrero, mixologist and founder of Speed Rack

I would recommend Zacapa XO for bourbon fans because Zacapa rum is aged in two different bourbon casks. Initially in uncharred barrels that previously held bourbon, then again in re-charred barrels. The char level is set at #4 which re-engages the flavors of the whisky it previously held. The aromas and characters of vanilla, cherry, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg, all come through and add to the complexity of the rum. It continues into sherry barrels — which a lot of scotch is aged in.

So Zacapa Rum is crafted and aged in a way that whiskey lovers can appreciate.

Diplomatico Mantuano

Zack Musick, beverage director at Merriman’s in Hawaii

The rum that I find works the best is the Diplomatico Mantuano Extra Anejo. Beautiful dried fruit qualities as well as plenty of oak and vanilla. Serve it neat to turn any bourbon drinker into a rum lover.

Papa’s Pilar 24

Leo Morjakov, bartender at The Ebbitt Room at The Virginia Hotel in Cape May, New Jersey

The Ebbitt Room carries great rum from Key West — Papa’s Pilar 24. This is a great Caribbean rum with the taste of fruits and the color of bourbon. If you like an old fashioned, you should try one with this rum.

The Real McCoy 12

John Marchetti, bartender at Dr. BBQ in St. Petersburg, Florida

In my humble opinion, The Real McCoy 12 Year Aged Rum is superior to any other that I’ve tried. While I’m not the biggest bourbon drinker, I can appreciate a good bourbon when I taste it. This Barbados-born rum, free of any added sugar and coloring I might add, mixes the best of both worlds. It’s got enough sweetness to remind you that you’re drinking a rum but the fact that it’s been aged for 10 years in charred American oak bourbon barrels, gives it those wood and spice notes that some of the best bourbons’ are known for.

Perfect for bourbon fans who want a bit of sweetness but don’t want that syrupy mouthfeel of something mass-produced.

Ten to One

Nazar Hrab, beverage director at The Pineapple Club in New York City

Ten to One aged rum is the best rum for bourbon fans. They age it in bourbon barrels and this one is the easiest way to trick people into drinking rum.

Rhum Barbancourt 8

Melissa Reigle, beverage manager and head bartender at Byblos in Miami

Rhum Barbancourt 8 Year is a great rum for bourbon lovers. Because it is a rhum agricole it has lots of depth and funk, and the French oak barrel aging imparts the vanilla and baking spices from the rickhouse that bourbon lover’s love. Barbancourt also has enough heat to light up the back of your pallet like a solid rye but ends with a sweet, grassy note.

Rhum Clément 10

Juyoung Kang, lead bartender at The Dorsey inside The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas

The best rum for bourbon fans is Rhum Clément 10 Year because, taste-wise, it’s in the same range as a 10-year bourbon. It also has a complex barrel essence and just enough vanilla and baking spices to mimic bourbon.

Ron Zacapa 23

Jorge Centeno, chief spirits officer at the Deer Path Inn in Lake Forest, Illinois

Ron Zacapa 23 is the best rum for bourbon fans because it has many of the same characteristics as bourbon — a body with a spicy note and hints of rich chocolate.

Santa Teresa 1796

Frantjasko Laonora, head mixologist at Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort in Curaçao

Santa Teresa 1796. With elements of bitter chocolate, nuts, and buttery biscuits combined, this rum makes for a dry yet smooth and balanced rum. Whiskey drinkers might opt to drink this rum for it has a lot of oak and cherry notes.

WRITER’S PICK: Flor de Cana Centenario 12

This ultra-premium aged rum was matured for 12 years in American oak barrels. The result is a highly complex, oaky rum with hints of vanilla, honey, and caramel. A slow sipping rum worthy of the was ardent whiskey fan.

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The Beths Confront Self-Doubt With Newfound Confidence On ‘Jump Rope Gazers’

The RX is Uproxx Music’s stamp of approval for the best albums, songs, and music stories throughout the year. Inclusion in this category is the highest distinction we can bestow, and signals the most important music being released throughout the year. The RX is the music you need, right now.

A fuzzed-out guitar teems with anticipation. It staggers before finding a confident stride as Elizabeth Stokes sings of giving up expectations. This juxtaposition between conviction and uncertainty defines The Beths’ sophomore effort, Jump Rope Gazers. Vibrant hooks like this one on their album opener, “I’m Not Getting Excited,” are what originally allured fans to the New Zealand indie rockers’ 2018 debut, Future Me Hates Me. Since then, The Beths have refined songs about anxiety and, through Jump Rope Gazers, speak to apprehension with the most confidence they’ve had yet.

The road to Jump Rope Gazers began with the success The Beths found in their debut record, which awarded them the opportunity to travel far from home. Subsequently, the band spent a year-and-a-half on the road, finishing off their world tour by sharing stages with the likes of Death Cab For Cutie and the Pixies. But despite the excitement, the rootlessness of life on the road also created a desire for stability.

The Beths returned home to discover more than themselves had changed — friends had moved to different countries and Stokes struggled to maintain emotional closeness with now long-distance friendships. Reflecting on these new challenges, Jump Rope Gazers wallows in nostalgia and grapples with self-doubt while leaning on the catharsis and comfort of shared experiences.

The record also makes use of all four members’ academic backgrounds in music — they originally crossed paths studying jazz at the University of Auckland — and they use their knowledge of theory to experiment more with tempos and time signatures, perhaps best heard on “Mars, The God Of War.” The drums thunder with a burst of energy before subsiding as Stokes lyrically details suppressed anger toward another. While they aren’t writing jazz compositions, they are using their knowledge and practice of music to pen tightly-packed power-pop.

But just as interesting as the musical construction of Jump Rope Gazers is how Stokes unpacks the intricacies of anxiety in a variety of ways, and songs like the album’s title-track touch on the subject more fluidly. Channeling contemporary songwriters like Soccer Mommy through Stokes’ scaling lilt, the cool-toned guitars leave a sense of sweeping sadness and nagging nostalgia. Stokes continues to wrestle with being direct, nearly disclosing her affection before second-guessing herself. “I’ve never been the dramatic type / But if I don’t see your face tonight / I… I guess I’ll be fine,” she sings.

Stokes has sung about battling self-doubt since the band’s inception but through Jump Rope Gazers, she has found new ways to cope with imposter syndrome. On “I’m Not Getting Excited,” lively chords contrast against Stokes’ lyrics, which speak to facing uncertainty with stoicism. But beneath the surface, Stokes knows this resignation really serves as a mask for insecurities. Piercing guitars offer a sonic metaphor for an all-encompassing sense of foreboding as Stokes sings of keeping her “grip on joy loose.” The guitar breaks down to a scaling solo during the bridge, evoking a bubble of anxiety as if it’s rising from the pit of the singer’s stomach.

Stokes is often guarded on Jump Rope Gazers but finds healing through leaning on loved ones for support. Tracks like “Don’t Go Away” overtly speak to the difficulties of losing relationships to distance. In between the effervescent power chords, Stokes reminisces on the times she took for granted before her best friend moved far from home while also recognizing the need for growth beyond a small town.

Through Jump Rope Gazers, The Beths learn age doesn’t promise self-assurance. Grappling with change and self-doubt can be daunting, but The Beths’ sophomore album finds solace through leaning on friendships while discovering that preparing for the worst can eclipse the joy in the present moment. Jump Rope Gazers recognizes that chasing dreams requires sacrifices but it’s ultimately worth the effort.

Jump Rope Gazers is out now via Carpark. Get it here.

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A Magical Pill Gives You Superpowers For Five Minutes In The Jamie Foxx-Starring ‘Project Power’ Trailer

Tired: the Limitless pill. Wired: the Project Power pill.

Instead of letting you access 100 percent of your brain, the pill in Project Power, a new Netflix movie starring Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Dominique Fishback, gives you “five minutes of pure power.” The upside is that you basically turn into a superhero, but the side effects include not knowing what power you’re going to get and, as explained in the trailer above, “they don’t talk about how one hit could kill you.” I, personally, would take the pill, but I don’t want any of the basic-ass superpowers, like invisibility or being able to fly or whatever. No, I want to know how I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry randomly became the fifth most-watched movie on Netflix this past weekend. Some would say that isn’t a power; but I’d call it the ultimate power.

Here’s the official plot synopsis:

On the streets of New Orleans, word begins to spread about a mysterious new pill that unlocks superpowers unique to each user. The catch: You don’t know what will happen until you take it. While some develop bulletproof skin, invisibility, and super strength, others exhibit a deadlier reaction. But when the pill escalates crime within the city to dangerous levels, a local cop (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) teams with a teenage dealer (Dominique Fishback) and a former soldier fueled by a secret vendetta (Jamie Foxx) to fight power with power and risk taking the pill in order to track down and stop the group responsible for creating it.

Directed by Ariel Schulman and Henry Joost, Project Power, which also stars Rodrigo Santoro, Amy Landecker and Allen Maldonado, premieres on Netflix on August 14.

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Nick Cannon Shares A Lengthy Response To Being Dropped By ViacomCBS Over ‘Anti-Semitic’ Comments

Yesterday, ViacomCBS revealed that it is ending its relationship with Nick Cannon following a controversial episode of the Cannon’s Class podcast. On the June 30 episode, Cannon said Black people are the “true Hebrews” and discussed anti-Semitic conspiracy theories involving the Rothschild family. Cannon said, “It’s never hate speech, you can’t be anti-Semitic when we are the Semitic people. When we are the same people who they want to be. That’s our birthright. We are the true Hebrews.”

A ViacomCBS spokesperson provided a statement to Variety yesterday, which reads:

“ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism. We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast Cannon’s Class on YouTube, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories. While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him. We are committed to doing better in our response to incidents of anti-Semitism, racism, and bigotry. ViacomCBS will have further announcements on our efforts to combat hate of all kinds.”

Now, Cannon has responded with a 1,400-word statement posted on his Facebook page. He opens the post titled “Truth and Reconciliation,” “I am deeply saddened in a moment so close to reconciliation that the powers that be, misused an important moment for us to all grow closer together and learn more about one another. Instead the moment was stolen and highjacked to make an example of an outspoken black man. I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation. I am disappointed that Viacom does not understand or respect the power of the black community.”

He goes on to reflect on his time with Viacom, criticize the company’s response to the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, and apologize to his “Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position.” He also demanded “full ownership of my billion dollar ‘Wild ‘N Out’ brand that I created” and an apology from Viacom.

Ahead of Cannon being dropped, he provided a statement about the episode on Monday, writing on Twitter, “Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hate in my heart nor malice intentions. I do not condone hate speech nor the spread of hateful rhetoric. We are living in a time when it is more important than ever to promote unity and understanding. Until then, I hold myself accountable for this moment and take full responsibility because My intentions are only to show that as a beautiful human species we have way more commonalities than differences, So let’s embrace those as well as each other. We All Family!”

Read Cannon’s full statement below.

“Truth and Reconciliation.

I am deeply saddened in a moment so close to reconciliation that the powers that be, misused an important moment for us to all grow closer together and learn more about one another. Instead the moment was stolen and highjacked to make an example of an outspoken black man. I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation. I am disappointed that Viacom does not understand or respect the power of the black community.

I was a member of the Viacom ‘Family’ for over Twenty years. Since I was a minor, we worked together to make great positive entertainment and I was handed many opportunities that I am grateful for. At17 years old, I was deemed the youngest staff writer in TV history on their various Nickelodeon series. In 2009 the wonderful and amazing Cyma Zarghami blessed me with the opportunity to become the youngest television Chairman in history, placing the teen division of Viacom solely in my hands as an executive. She along with the strong and brilliant Marva Smalls guided me through the corporate infrastructure that at times felt overwhelming due to many doubting my abilities as a black man. I am forever grateful to them for their love and kindness as leaders and their matriarch like care for me over the years. With their support, I rose to the occasion at Viacom creating philanthropic opportunities and award programing such as the HALO Awards which awarded youth grants for their nonprofit organizations to change the world and end everything from bigotry, homophobia, racism, and even attempting to find a cure for AIDS and Cancer. These young people had big ideas, big hearts and more importantly big optimism, just like myself. We successfully brought the world closer together for over 9 years with every big-name celebrity and major corporation you could think of, truly one of my proudest accomplishments in entertainment. Not because of ratings or numbers, but because I was able to empower the next generation. My time at Viacom also birthed one of my other greatest creative accomplishments; their longest running comedy series and the most successful Hip Hop programming in Television History ‘Wild ‘N Out’. An idea in which I self-financed out my own pocket and presented to MTV. I created a billion-dollar brand that expanded across a multitiered empire that is still Viacom’s biggest digital brand, touring business, talent discovery and incubation system and successful restaurant franchise. Based on trust and empty promises, my ownership was swindled away from me. For Viacom to be so deceptive is no surprise; they have been mistreating and robbing our community for years, underpaying talent on their biggest brands like Love & Hip Hop, all of BET programming and of course, Wild ‘N Out.

I don’t have to defend myself here, the proof is in the history. I believed that the corporation was becoming more progressive and willing to create helpful spaces and dialogue in these difficult and uncertain times of 2020. Instead they chose to recently ban all advertisement that supported George Floyd and Breonna Taylor who we are all still seeking justice for. I also went as far to reach out to Ms. Shari Redstone, the owner of Viacom, to have a conversation of reconciliation and actually apologize if I said anything that pained or hurt her or her community. Dead Silence! So that’s when I realized they don’t want a conversation or growth, they wanted to put the young negro in his place. They wanted to show me who is boss, hang me out to dry and make an example of anyone who says something they don’t agree with. But like the great Shirley Chisholm, ‘I am unbossed and unbought and unbothered’. I respectfully stepped away from oppressive corporations in the past. NBC threatened and mistreated me for years, but I was the bigger person and abandoned an 8-figure salary on their number one hit show ‘Americas Got Talent’ and currently stand by my friend and Queen Gabrielle Union in her fight against oppression.

I took my talents and executive creativity to my open minded and willing partners at the Fox Television network to create the current #1 hit show on television ‘The Masked Singer’ in which I host and executive produce. We are also gearing up to launch a daily talk show based in the historic community of Harlem, where the ultimate goal is to bring people closer together during these difficult times. Right now is the time for strong voices and compassionate thinkers to step up and create a dialogue of healing. Dr. King said, ‘We must learn to grow together as brothers, or we will parish together as fools’. Ironically at that time our government called him ‘the most dangerous Negro in the country’ and labeled him a Terrorist. As we all know Hollywood and the media is a dirty business. Still, I honestly can’t believe that Viacom has such poor council that would allow them to make such a divisive decision in the midst of protests and civil uprising within our current pandemic. Truly an unwise decision. For them to take it one step further and flat out lie in their official press release, saying that I didn’t attempt to reconcile the situation when on two separate occasions I specifically acknowledged and openly requested a forum to be corrected. Malcolm X said it best, ‘The media is the most powerful entity on earth, it will have you hating the people being oppressed and loving the people doing the oppressing; making the innocent guilty and the guilty innocent.’

My hope and original goal was to use this moment to show healing and acceptance and prayed that Viacom would use their powers for good. Instead I am now receiving death threats, hate messages calling me an ungrateful N***** and beyond. Viacom’s goal to keep me from providing for my family and lineage will be foiled. They can try to kick me while I’m down or force me to kiss the master’s feet in public for shame and ridicule, but instead I stand firm on my square with my fist in the air repeating my mantra, ‘You can’t fire a Boss!’.

In a pleasant turn of events and the best blessing in all of this hurtful attack is the outpouring of love and support from the Jewish community. It has been amazing. I have spoken with many Rabbis, clergy, Professors and coworkers who offer their sincere help. I must apologize to my Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people and together we will make it right. I have dedicated my daily efforts to continuing conversations to bring the Jewish Community and the African American community closer together, embracing our differences and sharing our commonalities. Through the guidance of my multicultural team which embodies several people from the Jewish Community, specifically Michael Goldman my business partner for 3 decades who discovered me at the Hollywood Improv when I was doing Stand Up as a kid. Through thick and thin he has been by my side. Yelling at me when I talk too much and laughing with me as we’ve always overcome adversity together. I love you my brother, thank you for helping me become the man that I am today. And as we embark on this next ‘Ncredible’ journey together we will bring our two persecuted communities together like we always planned. He and so many gracious people from the Jewish Community are showering me with love and helping to guide me to the Promise land, literally l am excited to announce that I have been invited to Israel which is a lifelong dream where I will receive teachings, lessons and truth about the Jewish history. As someone who is in pursuit for my PHD in Theology and Divinity and just received a degree in Criminal Justice from the Great Howard University, this will be an enriching, enlightening and overall exciting trip!

As for Viacom, who is now on the wrong side of history, I will continue to pray for you. I don’t blame any individual, I blame the oppressive and racist infrastructure. Systemic racism is what this world was built on and was the subject in which I was attempting to highlight in the recent clips that have been circulating from my podcast. If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize.

But now I am the one making demands. I demand full ownership of my billion dollar ‘Wild ‘N Out’ brand that I created, and they will continue to misuse and destroy without my leadership! I demand that the hate and back door bullying cease and while we are at it, now that the truth is out, I demand the Apology!”

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YBN Cordae Was Reportedly Arrested During A Protest For Breonna Taylor

North Carolina rapper YBN Cordae was reportedly arrested at a protest for Breonna Taylor outside the home of the Kentucky Attorney General, Daniel Cameron. Several protestors arranged a sit-in on Cameron’s yard to condemn his lack of action in addressing Taylor’s case. Fans posted video of the young rapper being detained by officers and social media reports that he is one of several. Tennis star Naomi Osaka, who is Cordae’s girlfriend, commented on the situation, tweeting, “They’re really arresting people for protesting, that’s crazy.”

Cordae has had a relatively quiet 2020, aside from his appearance on Young Money Radio last month. When the coronavirus epidemic first broke out, the already elusive 21-year-old Grammy nominee was already in stay-at-home mode after a breakout 2019 that included a world tour, a highly successful debut album, The Lost Boy, and a track record that included hits like “RNP” with Anderson .Paak. But as protests against police violence continue to take place in the name of Louisville EMT Breonna Taylor, Cordae got outside to add his voice to the chorus calling for justice.

Cordae’s apparent arrest led to calls to “Free Cordae” trending on social media.

YBN Cordae is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

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Tom Hanks Questions The Patriotism Of Any American Who Refuses To Wear A Mask

If it seems like the people refusing to wear masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are the ones wearing the most American flag gear, well, they say a picture’s worth a thousand words (most of those words are expletives written with random %&$#?@! symbols). But Tom Hanks questions the patriotism of these science-ignoring activists.

While appearing on Tuesday’s episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Hanks, who was diagnosed with the coronavirus back in March, was asked by host Stephen Colbert what it’s like to see people not wearing masks out in public. “Are they Americans? I don’t get it,” he responded, incredulously. “It’s literally the least you can do… [Wear] a mask and wash your hands and try to stay six feet away from a person. Is this impossible now? I think of George Washington’s troops at Valley Forge, you know, if you ask them to wear a mask, they’d love it, because it would keep them a little bit warm.” Take it from America’s Dad: wear a damn mask (and wash your damn hands).

This isn’t the first time the Greyhound star has come after non-mask wearers. “Those things are so simple, so easy, if anybody cannot find it in themselves to practice those three very basic things — I just think shame on you,” he previously said, calling anyone who doesn’t wear a mask a “p*ssy.” Normally, hearing Tom Hanks use a bad word would make my monocle pop out, but I’ll make an exception here.

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Snoop Dogg And DMX Are Facing Off In A ‘Verzuz’ Battle

The Verzuz livestream battles have become a hit during the pandemic. The events have drawn some important names to the virtual stage, and now two of the biggest rap stars of the ’90s and beyond are set to take part in the next one: Snoop Dogg and DMX will face off in a “battle of the dogs” on July 22.

Both rappers have had storied careers. DMX’s first five studio albums topped the Billboard 200 chart, while Snoop’s first three did the same. Snoop also has a handful of No. 1 singles. His only one as a lead artist was 2004’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot.” As a featured artist, his chart-toppers include Akon’s “I Wanna Love You” and Katy Perry’s “California Gurls.” Overall, he has had eight top-five singles. DMX’s biggest chart success was “Party Up (Up in Here),” which peaked at No. 27. He also featured on The Lox’s “Money, Power & Respect,” which topped out at No. 17.

Like the Verzuz showdowns that have come before, it’s all friendly in nature. DMX posted about it on Instagram, and Snoop took to the comments to write, “Doggs4life.” Before posting the promotional image himself as well, Snoop shared a photo of himself with DMX and also wrote, “Doggs4life.”

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Joe Rogan Has Addressed His Long-Standing Feud With ‘Joke Thief’ Carlos Mencia

On a recent episode of his popular The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, host Joe Rogan addressed his long-standing feud with stand-up comedian Carlos Mencia.

In 2005, Rogan called Mencia a “weak minded joke theft” and the “most disgusting joke thief [of] all” on his website, and two years later, he infamously confronted the Mind of Mencia star on stage at the Comedy Store “and accused him in front of the audience and fellow comics of plagiarism,” according to the Hollywood Reporter. “Rogan then posted the video online, spliced with a number of comics doing their versions of a joke compared to a later version by Mencia. One of the comedians in the video was George Lopez, who has also accused Mencia of stealing jokes,” a heinous crime among comedians. He’s changed his tune in the 13 years since that interaction, however.

“I don’t have any hate for that dude. And I hope he’s doing great, I really do,” Rogan told guest Bob Saget, who interjected, “I think he has learned his lesson.” Rogan replied, “I hope he has, and I hope people forgive him, too.” The NewsRadio actor said he was “angry” when he confronted Mencia at the Hollywood-based club (he was banned for years after the incident), adding, “I put all that time into that place, and that Mencia thing — I thought we were doing the right thing. I thought that was a real problem.”

You can listen to the entire below.

(Via the Hollywood Reporter)

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Kanye West Is Reportedly No Longer Running For President In 2020

Kanye West’s presidential campaign has been met with a lot of backlash and apparently not much voter interest. However, it appears now that Kanye is no longer running for the highest office in the land this year.

In a new piece from New York Magazine‘s Intelligencer, the publication spoke with Steve Kramer, who they describe as “a get-out-the-vote specialist who runs a firm that also helps candidates get on the ballot.” Kramer said he had been hired to help West get on the Florida and South Carolina ballots. In a July 9 conversation, Kramer told the publication of Kanye’s presidential bid, “He’s out.” When asked what happened, Kramer responded, “I’ll let you know what I know once I get all our stuff canceled. We had over 180 people out there today.”

Kanye himself has not addressed his presidential campaign since that day. Intelligencer says hours after Kramer broke the news, Kanye posted a video of himself registering to vote at the Cody, Wyoming county clerk’s office. Since then, Kanye has tweeted about talking with Charlemagne Tha God, Kid Cudi and Eminem’s new song, Yeezy Sound, a tribute to his mother, Dennis Rodman, and a chair that he likes.

Even without a presidential campaign, Kanye has a lot on his plate right now. He just signed a huge decade-long deal with Gap and is working on his own streaming platform.