Entertainment
Questlove’s suggestion that “hip hop is truly dead” because of Kendrick Lamar and Drake’s beef is a nonsensical, crazy take
I’m a fan of Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. Dot. I believe his cultural curation through his podcast (“Questlove Supreme”), documentaries (“Summer of Soul” and the upcoming documentary “Soul Train”), books and musical direction of award shows are essential and make him an important part of hip-hop and black culture.
With that said, and at the chance of never being a guest on “Questlove Supreme” – which, by the way in which, makes me very sad – his latest take states that “hip-hop is truly dead” attributable to the direction of the recording being the Kendrick Lamar dispute and Drake are truly silly, pointlessly short-sighted, and revisionist in a way that should impress even Malcolm Gladwell.
IN latest post on Instagram during which he needed to turn off comments because he was figuratively murdered, Questlove has this to say in regards to the feud between the aforementioned hip-hop top dogs (no pun intended):
Le sigh and IKYFL at the identical time.
I do know this is not the identical Questlove who played drums for Jay-Z “Take over” from the live album “MTV Unplugged” released in November 2001. Maybe it isn’t Michelle Leslie Brown from 225th Street playing soccer within the park… it’s Michelle Leslie Brown from 225th Street playing soccer within the park. Hell, throughout the live recording of the part where Jay-Z mocks Mobb Deep’s Prodigy, they even played clips of “Shook Ones Vol. II.” And then, as the Nas verse faded away, they played “Oochie Wally” and “NY State of Mind.” I’m sure social media identified to him ad nauseum that he was an energetic participant within the beef, but I mean how does everyone have a problem NOW when he was PART of the issue in 2001? Every week later, Nas released “Ether,” which was as big a buzz as there might have been on the time. Actual? Eh. Banger? Absolutely.
Everyone involved in rap revolves around facts. Do we all know needless to say that Tupac slept with Faith Evans, Biggie’s estranged wife? According to MOST people on the time, no. But he said it and that’s why “Hit ’em” is one of essentially the most scathing diss records of all time. Perhaps Questlove shared his disappointment with the album (which many individuals felt went too far, but in addition think was the largest diss track of all time) or a small step down, Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” (which many say is a candidate for the best diss track of all time), but I’d be surprised. “No Vaseline” is definitely an album that could have killed someone; the number of street people involved on this mess is astounding. Besides, it would not make sense because he played drums again on Jay-Z’s most iconic album in 2001. Deliberately. AFTER each Notorious BIG and Tupac were murdered because the beef had gone too far. It’s not like he didn’t know what songs can be played.
Just for the record, Nas is the principal character for this yr’s Roots Picnic, which can take place on June 1-2 in Philadelphia. The organizer and curator of the Roots Picnic is The Roots. Questlove and Black Thought are… Roots. By the way in which, I’ll be there. Because hip-hop.
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Then there’s the entire aspect of what he does NOT find disturbing. Drake and many other rappers JOKED that Megan Thee Stallion was shot within the video and called her a liar, despite the fact that we all know she was shot AND there is a verdict within the case. As far as I do know, he didn’t call there and say, “Enough!” This is only one example, however it’s quite telling, right? There has been a huge amount of diss records, diss posts from hip hop artists, and every kind of violence that has turned the hip hop community the other way up, which I’m sure Questlove respects, and it could possibly be regarded as going too far, but Drake and Kendrick’s beef Is this the moment hip-hop really died? Come on, brother.
Are innocent women and children dirty work? Yes, absolutely yes. Is this the primary time this has happened? Absolutely not. This is how hip-hop beef has all the time worked. Things all the time went “too far.” Misogyny, low blows. In fact, throughout the break “Message for BA”, which precedes the Ice Cube diss album “Real Niggas” from NWA’s album “EFIL4ZAGGIN” begin talking about raping Ice Cube with a broom.
I’m not suggesting that any of this is okay; but when mudslinging and wrestling match-level knockdowns aren’t hip-hop, then hip-hop died DECADES ago. I highly doubt Questlove would take it that way.
I do not see any significant difference, at the very least on the artist side, in the extent of vitriol that existed between Jay-Z and Nas in 2001. The only difference is the degree of fan involvement within the discourse. Does the audience want blood? Eh. I do not think anyone wants this to finish on the Tupac and Biggie bandwagon. Do people want their guy to win in any respect costs? Of course. People select sides and want their sides to win. But if that killed hip-hop, then hip-hop has been dead for many years.
Interestingly enough, I believe we got some of the very best raps from Drake on this battle, but they each took it into gossipy and evidence-free territory (to date) and THIS happened when Pusha T modified the diss game with “Adidon’s Story”. I’m wondering if Questlove felt like hip-hop was dead that day. I doubt it.
Perhaps Questlove is attending to the purpose where he has seen an excessive amount of as an elder statesman and thinks the beef is pointless. Maybe. Or perhaps he forgot that this art form to which he contributed a lot has all the time been this fashion, but now all of the conversations we needed to have in person are on social media. Does this modification it? Not to me. It’s all hip-hop. If you wish to argue that hip-hop is now and all the time has been problematic, especially for girls, then of course, let’s talk.
But THIS beef absolutely didn’t kill hip-hop anymore like The Roots being the support band on “The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” did – there was a time when THIS can be seen as just a sell-out move and definitely not hip-hop bullshit. Was it dead then?
In each cases, perhaps we just never thought hip-hop would go this far. Once again, I’m a fan of Questlove and I really like hearing how detailed his knowledge of music and hip-hop is. I learned a lot from listening to his podcast about artists I really like and people I do not even know who’ve influenced my life. But this approach is really bad, especially his execution.
Entertainment
An attempt to save the image of Jeff Bezos’ future wife backfired after weeks of outrage and ridicule over her skimpy outfit
Lauren Sánchez has apparently gained a popularity for her fashion hits and misses as social media users began following her every move.
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ current fiancée stepped into the highlight long before she met the Amazon co-founder, after years spent as co-host of “Good Day LA,” a reporter for “Extra” and host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and he even starred in a number of movies like “Ted 2.”
She faced criticism for posting a sultry selfie in November in a negligee-inspired gown by designer Laura Basca. In October, the 54-year-old again faced backlash when she showed off her latex Halloween costume as Catwoman.
Now, weeks after being deemed “cheap” and tasteless, the founder of Black Ops Aviation has turn out to be a subject of discussion.
On December 5, Sánchez and the business mogul attended The New York Times’ DealBook event in New York City. For the occasion, she wore a white Alexander McQueen suit and a white lace corset. The beaming bride-to-be sent two mirror selfies of her outfit, which she signed: “winter white.”
One follower particularly was stunned by the whole look he ejaculated that she was “very attractive and beautiful, gorgeous and stunning, charming and fantastic young lady, sexy, charming, charming and elegant” in the photos that Sánchez took.
Two other people swooned over the photos and wrote: “So chic and elegant!” and “You look great.” But as you would possibly expect from online viewers, not everyone was impressed.
Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, cropped a photograph of him in a jumpsuit and then set Instagram on fire with her look.https://t.co/n7YNGctQFE pic.twitter.com/DNKP2i9o9C
— Sean Joseph (@sjoseph_sports) December 2, 2024
When Page six published paparazzi photos from the trip, the critic commented: “It’s 30 degrees in New York and she gets out of the limo in a white Miami smock, her bra visible to everyone. No taste. Nothing. A cashmere turtleneck, flannel trousers and a wool jacket can be classy.
Someone else sharply asked: “Who can be the first to tell her that she looks tacky and not elegant and refined? Does she even know what sophistication means? A 3rd person noted: “She looks more like she’s wearing a bathrobe.”
Lauren Sanchez 2003 vs. Lauren Sanchez 2024
Nothing to see here, people, move on#LaurenSanchez pic.twitter.com/mgr4vj6mFq
— Occam was right (@OccamWasRight) November 21, 2024
Another person wrote in a comment from a licensed pilot: “White means…” possibly referring to rumors that Sánchez and Bezos are scheduled to exchange vows over Christmas. At least one person doubted the couple would have the opportunity to say “I do.” This person said: “This will be the longest engagement ever. They will NEVER get married and we all know why!!!!”
Sánchez told the “Today” show hosts that she was in the process of planning the big day last month. She didn’t comment on speculation about exchanging Christmas vows.
Renewed interest and scrutiny of Sánchez has increased as the pair have been spotted in various locations in recent months. The couple reportedly began dating in 2018. Their engagement was announced five years later, in May 2023. Their upcoming wedding can be a second journey for each of them.
Sánchez was previously married to celebrity agent Patric Whitesell, with whom she has two children. She can be the mother of a son, whom she shares with Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez. Bezos was married to the mother of his three children, Mackenzie Scott, for 25 years once they divorced in 2019.
Entertainment
Apart from the song with singer-songwriter India Shawn – Andscape
India Shawn is a contemporary muse with a chilled nature, crafting love stories and heartfelt tales in smooth, charming songs. With over a decade of experience in the music industry as a singer-songwriter, Shawn has incredible strength. She was born in Los Angeles, and her musical roots reach throughout the country. Beginning her profession in her hometown, Shawn eventually found herself in Atlanta, where she immersed herself in the city’s deep-rooted R&B scene, further shaping her artistry.
“I transferred to ATL, I was in 10th grade, and that’s when my music journey really started,” Shawn told Andscape. “I met people who were trying to get by, so I ended up recording and learned what songwriting was really early on.”
Before releasing her debut EP in 2012, Shawn wrote songs and collaborated with artists similar to Chris Brown, El DeBarge, Keri Hilson and Monica. In 2013, she gained much more notoriety when Solange Knowles published her song “I’m Alive” on the Saint Heron compilationmarking her as an artist value watching.
Following the release of the single “There Must Be a God” from the Andscape soundtrack, she caught up with Shawn to learn more about the muse behind the vibes.
Name:
India Shawn
Hometown:
Los Angeles
Artistic soundscape
Airy, soft, telling a story, multidimensional, soft, mysterious, atmospheric
The oldest musical memory
Shawn’s soulful sound is deeply rooted in her upbringing, with influences drawn from her childhood memories and the musical culture of her church. “I sing with my sister all the time, and I also grew up singing behind my mom in church. She was the leader of praise and worship. So I feel like most of us R&B kids have that experience,” Shawn said. “I had these little solos in church, and I believe what made me consider in it was that after the service people got here as much as me with tears of their eyes and said, ‘You really moved me while you sang.’ “These early moments of connection with music and audiences laid the foundation for conveying depth and sensitivity through her music.
Influences
For Shawn, music, especially R&B, has all the time held a special place in her life. “Me and my sister are harmonizing in the living room, just picking some of our favorite songs, including for me Mariah Carey, Babyface, Boyz II Men and (and) Brandy,” she said of her early music memories.
Creative process
Shawn often draws inspiration from real-life experiences and relationships that influence her music. She weaves this into the authenticity and atmosphere of her songs, but she didn’t immediately recognize where her inspiration got here from. “It’s funny that it took me so long to make that connection, but I realized that I was telling my whole story and presenting my business through my music,” she said. “It took me two albums to realize, wait a minute, I’m giving people a lot to understand here… these aren’t just songs. This is truly the life I live.”
Challenges and development
As Shawn’s profession grows, so do his moments of appreciation and reflection. “I literally just thought about a very gradual progression of my career. It’s like step by step, but there are more breakthrough moments. My first tour, which was so beautiful, I just knew I could pack a room and people knew my lyrics and sang my songs to me. Those moments that make the waiting not in vain.”
Shawn has plenty of recommendation for up-and-coming singer-songwriters. Her biggest sacrifice? Collaboration is essential. “I think (cooperation) is really why I’m still here. So find your people… you’ll know when it feels right, you’ll have that freedom and fluidity, and you’ll be able to really create things and create without having to think too much.” He also shares the importance of patience. “Just be patient during the journey. This has been a theme throughout my profession. Let it develop. I feel like more things come from being in that flow and being present reasonably than forcing all of it.
Current project
“There should be a God”, the lead single from Andscape , now streaming on Hulu, also serves as a teaser for Shawn’s solo album. “(This song) is such a manifestation of God’s love,” she said. “I think when you find yourself in a place of waiting, you can feel very hopeless. So when you see glimpses of God’s love again, or the fact that you know there is a higher power, there is a source that is thinking about you, has you in mind, has a perfect plan for you, it’s just like the clouds parting. And this is the moment, I understand. I understand that I had to go through all this to get here. And that’s exactly what I felt in the studio that day.”
Entertainment
ICYMI: Tessa Thompson’s Mocha Lip, Danielle Brooks’ Updo and More – Essence
With just a number of weeks left until the tip of 2024, the celebrities are setting the tone for the brand new 12 months this week. And although mocha mousse is anticipated to be fashionable in 2025, neutral shades in darker tones have gotten more and more popular. Paired with an array of beauty eras – from elegant Twenties updos to 2000s-style round pink, the brand new Hollywood showcases its best 12 months-end beauty moments.
Tessa Thompson and Issa Rae are the newest to debut mocha lips holiday shade near the season, and Coco Jones’ lipstick was cranberry red. Doechii’s perforated suggestions and signature face-lift tape made it probably the most avant-garde look of the week, and within the sweetest moment, Chloe and Halle Bailey’s round pink cheeks made pink cheeks a winter styling staple.
From makeup to hairstyles, Sabrina Elba and Alva Claire opted for light, coffee colours, and Jourdan Dunn’s short hairstyle proved relevant at any time of the 12 months. Meanwhile, Lupita N’yongo, Danielle Brooks and Venus Williams’ braided buns showed just how classic this style may be.
In case you missed it, take a take a look at 17 of the very best celebrity beauty moments from the week below.
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