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Lil Wayne’s absence is taboo during Super Bowl halftime show

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One aspect of the Roc Nation-led Super Bowl halftime show releases is the local aspect. When the sport was held in Miami, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira performed to appeal to the local Latino community. In 2022, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar showed up in InglewoodCalifornia, right in their very own backyards. Usher performed last yr in Las Vegas, where he had just accomplished a residency.

So when it was announced that the 2025 Super Bowl could be held in New Orleans, rapper Lil Wayne was at the highest of the shortlist for headliners. With the announcement that it could be one other rapper, Lamar, Lil Wayne’s exclusion might be a subject of controversy, speculation, and debate for the subsequent five months.

First, let’s get this straight: Lil Wayne is a sufficiently big artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. He’s one of the vital achieved artists in the sport and he can placed on a dynamic show. Songs like “Lollipop” and “A Milli” are crossover hits. Add guest appearances from the Hot Boys and shutting track “Back That Azz Up,” and you could have the makings of an unforgettable show that may appeal to a wider audience and pay homage to 504 in a single go.

Lil Wayne, for his part, was adamant about his desire to do the show. “I won’t lie, I didn’t get a call or anything,” YG said on his podcast 4HUNNID in February. “We’re praying. We’re keeping our fingers crossed. I’m working hard… I just want to make it harder for them to stop yelling at the boy.”

However, Roc Nation and the NFL selected Lamar, prompting many on social media to debate who deserved the spot more. Another New Orleans legend Master P chimed inleaving an Instagram comment defending Lil Wayne’s position: “As the Ambassador of Entertainment for the City of New Orleans, I have to agree with the fans that Lil Wayne should also be a part of this celebration.”

Much of the confusion has been over who ultimately made the choice, with people placing blame on Roc Nation, the NFL, and town of New Orleans itself. Jay Cicero, president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and a member of the Super Bowl LIX Host Committee, provided some clarity in an email to Andscape: “This is solely the NFL’s decision regarding all Super Bowl entertainment. We found out about it at the same time as everyone else, this past weekend.”

Rapper Lil Wayne performs with The Roots during Roots Picnic 2024 at The Mann on June 2 in Philadelphia.

Taylor Hill/Getty Images for Live Nation Urban

The whole debate is complicated, and there are arguments on either side. And two things could also be true. First, Lil Wayne is one in all the largest rap artists from New Orleans who could carry a show just like the Super Bowl. That’s not up for debate. But the opposite truth is that Lamar is arguably the larger star and largest name in rap straight away. And while the local thread is a pleasant tie-in for Lil Wayne, an area artist’s appearance on the Super Bowl has mostly happened in recent times, and the connection has been indirect at best, because the Snoop/Dre/Lamar show was the just one where the performers were of their hometowns. That’s to not say the league doesn’t pay homage to local artists during the Super Bowl halftime show. For example, when Super Bowl LIII was played in Atlanta in 2019, Maroon 5 headlined the night, and Atlanta native Big Boi of Outkast made a cameo appearance. So the door is still open for local representation, and I imagine it all the time might be.

I expected a lineup of New Orleans legends to take the stage, from Juvenile to Master P. No Limit and Cash Money coming together could be a triumphant moment and a continuation of Lamar’s message of unity he delivered at Pop Out earlier this yr.

Then in fact there’s the choice of Lil Wayne himself appearing. Lamar has made no secret of his love and admiration for Lil Wayne. The two share a song on Lil Wayne’s album, , and Lamar has quoted and referenced Lil Wayne in songs throughout his profession. The two would create some dynamic moments. The key to success here is Lil Wayne’s friendship/partnership with Lamar’s rival Drake. Lil Wayne stepping out on stage with Lamar could be a press release of loyalty to Lamar and one more blow Drake would should endure.

Maybe this has something to do with Lamar’s chess match with Drake. TDE CEO Punch has already posted a preliminary proposal on Twitter to Young Money Entertainment CEO Mack Maine, suggesting there’s potential for a collaboration, unless this is just trolling. An official collaboration would only strengthen Lamar’s stance on Drake. So much of Lamar’s perspective on this feud revolves around the concept Drake has no real friends and that the people closest to him cannot be trusted. There’s even a touch in “Not Like Us” that Drake cheated on Lil Wayne just a few years ago.

Now Lamar could put Lil Wayne able where he either plays a rival to one in all his closest friends within the industry or turns down a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to perform on the Super Bowl in his hometown out of loyalty to 1 guy. That’s a mystery to Mr. Carter, who has yet to say anything, whilst rappers Bird Man AND Nicki Minaj took to Twitter to precise their deep dissatisfaction over the incontrovertible fact that Lil Wayne was not invited to perform.

Regardless, I hope something happens that permits Lil Wayne to seem on stage in some capability. Especially one which honors his legacy and role in New Orleans rap history. The fans who spent the past day discrediting his contributions as a option to promote Lamar are as out of touch because the individuals who act like Lil Wayne cannot placed on an incredible show that might be worthy of a halftime show. The truth is somewhere in the center, and the largest truth is that Lamar is objectively the warmer act. The show will go on, and it could be an excellent greater spectacle if Lil Wayne were able where he was performing with other New Orleans legends and a child from Compton, California, with the world at his feet.

David Dennis Jr. is a senior author at Andscape and the creator of the award-winning book The Movement Made Us: A Father, a Son, and the Legacy of a Freedom Ride. David is a graduate of Davidson College.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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NFL star Terrell Owens signs a contract with Michael Strahan’s talent agency

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Terrell Owens, NFL, Football


NFL Hall of Fame receiver and podcast host Terrell Owens has signed with a talent agency to further strengthen his claims within the entertainment game.

According to , Owens was signed by SMAC Entertainment, headed by host and NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan and his business partner Constance Schwartz-Morini.

NFL insider Jordan Schultz has also joined SMAC Entertainment.

“We are excited to add TO and Jordan to the SMAC family. They are both at the top of their game and set the standard in their industry,” Schwartz-Morini said in a written statement. “TO and Jordan have already brought an infectious energy to our team, and we are excited to help them realize their vision for careers in media, business and branding.”

A five-time first-team All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler, Owens played for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas Cowboys, Buffalo Bills and Cincinnati Bengals. In 2018, he was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

A member of the 2000 NFL All-Decade Team, Owens finished his profession with 1,078 catches for 15,934 yards, 14.8 yards per catch and 153 touchdowns, rating third all-time in receiving yards and touchdowns.

Since retiring from skilled soccer in 2012, Owens has already made several moves. He has appeared in several movies and tv shows, including “,” and in addition had his own reality show, “, on VH1.

He currently co-hosts the podcast with former NFL player and sports analyst Shannon Sharpe.

SMAC Entertainment is home to stars similar to rapper and actor Common, Wiz Khalifa, Strahan, Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders and current NFL players similar to Stefon Diggs and DK Metcalf.


This article was originally published on : www.blackenterprise.com
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Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker brings an NBA championship desire with his Olympic experience

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The gold medal went to the USA Basketball team. Mission completed on the 2024 Paris Games. U.S. men’s basketball coach Steve Kerr just answered his final query during his final news conference on Aug. 10 after his team defeated France within the gold medal game.

However, before leaving the stage of the press conference in Paris, Kerr stopped to deliver an unsolicited message to media around the globe.

“Devin Booker is an amazing basketball player. Nobody asked about him. He was our unsung MVP. I just desired to say that,” Kerr said.

The “underrated MVP” compliment meant so much to the Phoenix Suns guard.

“It meant everything. No one really asked him,” Booker recently told Andscape. “That was probably something that was weighing on his mind throughout the entire process. A 12 months ago I said what I desired to do for this team and what we desired to do for the country.

“It was a lot larger than all of us. Survival was something we’d discuss for the remainder of our lives.

The USA Basketball team was centered around NBA star icons LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant. There has also been some discussion amongst media and fans in regards to the lack of playing time for Jayson Tatum and, to a lesser extent, Tyrese Haliburton. Lost within the shuffle was the all-around, unselfish play of sharpshooter Booker wearing the armband.

Guard Devin Booker throughout the final men’s basketball game between France and the United States on the Olympic Games on Aug. 10 at Bercy Arena in Paris.

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

Booker was fourth in scoring for the U.S., averaging 11.7 points, 3.3 assists and a couple of.2 three-pointers made early in all six Olympics, and likewise had the perfect plus/minus (plus-130) for an American. Kerr was impressed with Booker’s deal with a difficult defense, regardless that he is thought for his offense, ball movement and the way he has adjusted to not being one in every of the highest options on offense.

“I just understood what was at stake,” Booker said. “I’m proud to be from this country. I’m happy with playing basketball. Even though it wasn’t invented in America, we dominated for a very long time. Obviously the world is incredibly talented and the sport is growing, however it was just one other message to allow them to know who we’re.

Booker said he also learned in regards to the preparations from his all-star team, watching the preparations on and off the court. The 28-year-old added that he gained lifelong friendships.

“It’s cool to see that everyone has their own issues,” Booker said. “In my 10 years in the NBA, I’ve learned that you have to choose what you can use for yourself. But the level of detail, the attention to detail, the intensity – it’s all consistent across the board.”

As for Durant, Booker said the bond between the 2 Sun stars “is close and grows stronger every day.” They live about five minutes from one another within the Phoenix area and commonly spend time at home and on the road. Most recently, Booker had to steer the Suns without Durant, who was sidelined with an injury.

The amazing Durant averaged 27.6 points, 6.6 rebounds and three.4 assists, which were tops for the Suns. However, the 14-time NBA All-Star has been sidelined since November 8 with a left calf strain. Suns players Bradley Beal (calf) and Jusuf Nurkic (ankle) were also sidelined. The Suns are 1-5 without Durant, which incorporates 4 straight losses.

Booker and Suns sans Durant’s next rivals shall be the New York Knicks on Wednesday evening (ESPN, 10 p.m. ET). Over the last six games, Booker is averaging 24.1 points, shooting 43.2% from the sphere and making 16 of 43 three-pointers. Suns guard Tyus Jones said there was numerous pressure on Booker offensively due to the injury.

“We’re asking a lot of Book,” Jones said after Monday’s 109-99 loss to the visiting Orlando Magic. “It’s numerous pressure for him. We are very focused on it. They are physical with him, holding him and grabbing him, throwing two or three bodies at him all night long. So he’s got so much on his plate and we just need to proceed to seek out ways to get him open within the moments we will and proceed to assist him when other players are taking shots and making plays.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (left) with Suns forward Kevin Durant (right) during a game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Oct. 31 on the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

Booker currently has two Olympic gold medals, 4 NBA All-Star appearances and one NBA Finals appearance. The only thing missing from the Suns’ second-leading all-time scorer is an NBA championship. Since the Suns joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1968, they’ve yet to win a title.

After experiencing the joys of winning a gold medal, Booker as an NBA champion wants the gold Larry O’Brien NBA Championship Trophy much more.

“Most of the guys that were there did it,” Booker said of his Olympic teammates who were NBA champions. “They were champions. This is standard for them. Anything lower than that, they need nothing to do with it. It’s contagious…

“That’s all I want. That’s all I want.”

Marc J. Spears is Andscape’s senior NBA author. He used to have the ability to dunk on you, but he hasn’t been capable of do it for years and his knees still hurt.

This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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New Unrivaled Women’s League Reveals Team Rosters and Coach Allocations

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After months of introducing the players and coaches who will participate in its inaugural season, the brand new Unrivaled 3-on-3 women’s basketball league announced its team rosters and coaching assignments on Wednesday.

Founded by WNBA players Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart, Unrivaled consists of six teams of six players each. The league was created to offer WNBA players with a substitute for playing overseas in the course of the offseason.

Although initially announced as having 30 players, the league has since expanded to 36, which Collier attributed “above financial forecasts”. The league has announced 34 players publicly up to now.

The inaugural season of Unrivaled will begin on January 17, 2025, with all games going down in Miami. Here are the official teams for the inaugural season, as well season schedule.

Vinyl Basketball Club:

Arike Ogunbowale

Rhyn Howard

Aliyah Boston

Jordin Canada

Rae Burrell

Dearica Hamby

– Coach: Teresa Weatherspoon

Rose Basketball Club:

Chelsea Grey

Kahleah Copper

Angel Reese

Brittney Sykes

Lexie Hull

Azura Stevens

– Coach: Nola Henry

Mgła basketball club:

Jewell Lloyd

Dijon Carrington

Breanna Stewart

Courtney Vandersloot

Rickey Jackson

Aaliyah Edwards

– Coach: Phil Handy

Lunar Owls Basketball Club:

Skylar Diggins-Smith

Allisha Gray

Napheesa Collier

Natasha Chmura

Shakira Austin

– TBD: wild card

– Coach: DJ Sackmann

Phantom Basketball Club:

Jackie Young

Marina Mabrey

Satou Sabally

Tiffany Hayes

Brittney Grinner

– TBD: wild card

– Coach: Adam Harrington

Laces Basketball Club:

Kelsey Plum

Kayla McBride

Alice Thomas

Courtney Williams

KateMartin

Stefanie Dolson

– Coach: Andrew Wade

Mia Berry is senior HBCU author at Andscape, covering every thing from sports to student-led protests. She’s from Detroit (What’s up, Doe!), a long-suffering Detroit sports fan and Notre Dame alum who randomly shouts “Go Irish.”


This article was originally published on : andscape.com
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