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10K80 August 23, 2017
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Forbes names Mark Wahlberg highest paid actor, but shows gender pay gap

Forbes just dropped their highest paid list of actors and actresses and it’s looking fugazi.

Topping the list is Mark Wahlberg who brought in a whopping $68 million. Pulling up in second and third are Pain and Gain co-star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ($65 million) and Fast and Furious legend Vin Diesel ($54.5 million).

Don’t worry about The Rock, who led the pack last year, he’s still making millions of dollars. There should be no concern as Siri’s best friend will also be starring in a remake of Jumanji and continue to play Spencer Strasmore on HBO’s Ballers. 

According to a political poll done in 2017 in regards to the 2020 presidential election, Johnson would slaughter Trump in a race just based on popularity alone.

So, how has Markie Mark gotten so lit? Fuck a fluctuating salary, the rapper turned actor is on a fixed compensation. He’s making bank off an offer you can’t refuse (Vito Corleone Voice).

His deal means that no matter how well a movie does in the box office, bad or good, Wahlberg still walks away with a fat check. But it’s not just Wahlberg’s acting skills that are securing his bag.

The Transformers star is also pulling in bucks from his reality TV show on A&E the Wahlburgers. The show focuses on the Wahlburger restaurant franchise and has been on the air for 8 seasons.

Lest we forget the Time Warner cable endorsement.

What’s a surprising fact about the list? Bollywood is taking over. Beating actors like Tom Hanks (No. 12, $31 million) and Samuel Jackson (No. 13, $30.5 million) are Bollywood superstars Akshay Kumar (No. 10, $35.5 million), Salman Khan (No. 9, $37 Million), and Shah Rukh Khan (No. 8, $38 million).

Forrest Gump fall back.

The comparison of pay between actors and actresses will definitely be a point of discussion. This year’s list proved that there is unequal pay between genders as the highest paid actress, Emma Stone, would fall at No. 15 in the highest paid actors list.

According to Forbes, “The top 10 actors banked a cumulative $488.5 million–nearly three times the $172.5 million combined total of the 10 top-earning women. While only three actresses made more than $20 million in 12 months, 16 actors broached the mark.”

The article continued to describe the disparity,

“This pay disparity is due, in part, to roles: There are simply fewer main female characters in the superhero movies and blockbusters that pay the sizable backend profits that result in leading men’s large paydays, or the franchise sequels that permit aggressive negotiation for future installments. According to a 2016 study, women comprise just 28.7% of all speaking roles in movies.”

Shout out to Mark Wahlberg securing his bag this year, but sheesh that much of a difference in pay because of gender – not ok. Peep the top 30 list below and let us know what you think.

1. Mark Wahlberg, $68 million

2. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, $65 million

3. Vin Diesel, $54.5 million

4. Adam Sandler, $50.5 million

5. Jackie Chan, $49 million

6. Robert Downey, Jr., $48 million

7. Tom Cruise, $43 million

8. Shah Rukh Khan, $38 million

9. Salman Khan, $37 million

10. Akshay Kumar, $35.5 million

11. Chris Hemsworth, $31.5 million

12. Tom Hanks, $31 million

13. Samuel L. Jackson, $30.5 million

14. Ryan Gosling, $29 million

15. Emma Stone, $26 million

16. Jennifer Aniston, $25.5 million

17. Jennifer Lawrence, $24 million

18. Ryan Reynolds, $21.5 million

19. Matt Damon, $21 million

20. Jeremy Renner, $19 million

21. Chris Evans, $18 million

22. Melissa McCarthy, $18 million

23. Chris Pratt, $17 million

24. Mila Kunis, $15.5 million

25. Emma Watson, $14 million

25. Emma Watson, $14 million

27. Mark Ruffalo, $13 million

28. Cate Blanchett, $12 million

29. Julia Roberts, $12 million

30. Amy Adams, $11.5 million

heath ledger August 23, 2017
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Martin Scorsese is working on a new gritty ‘Joker’ 80s origin film

Warner Bros and DC Comics are looking to release another Batman Universe spin-off. According to Deadline, the spin-off will focus on the origin of Batman’s arch nemesis, The Joker.

Warner Bros. is looking to Martin Scorsese and The Hangover’s  Todd Phillips to produce the film. Phillips will also be directing the film and writing the story line with 8 Mile‘s scribe Scott Silver.

A very odd combination of creatives indeed. Perhaps it’s the perfect group for the setting in which the movie will be placed.

The studio is looking to depict Gotham in an ’80s environment. According to Deadline, “The intention is to make a gritty and grounded hard-boiled crime film set in early-’80s Gotham City that isn’t meant to feel like a DC movie as much as one of Scorsese’s films from that era, like Taxi Driver, Raging Bull or The King Of Comedy.”

Interestingly, for such a notable character, The Joker has only been featured in two Batman feature flicks played by Jack Nicholson (Batman, 1989) and Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight, 2008). Jared Leto also played a light role for the character in Suicide Squad.

Peep Jack Nicholson playing The Joker …

Heath Ledger delivered an unforgettable performance…

https://youtu.be/DqcC-a5I46s

And Leto is just getting started

So, who will play the Joker in this new spin off?

With Nicholson obviously too old to play a young Joker and Heath Ledger passing away in 2008 (RIP), it seems as if Leto would be the ideal choice for the role. Nope.

According to Deadline, “this new film will launch the character with a different actor, possibly younger.” Leto will be caught up with getting ready for a Suicide Squad sequel and a Harley Quinn spin-off.

No release dates have been confirmed yet, but Silver and Phillips are said to be “writing already.” Very exciting news and definitely looking forward to seeing the trailer, cast, and roll out.

Stay tuned.

action bronson August 22, 2017
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Action Bronson gets another late night TV show, album still on the way

Action Bronson cannot be stopped. Coming off of his second season of F*ck That’s Delicious, Viceland has decided to renew the TV show for a third season plus a new late night show hosted by Bronson.

Bronson has come a long way from the original  F*ck That Delicious web series that premiered on VICE’s Munchies series back in 2014. So far the show has also been the inspiration for a new age form of cookbook, “replete with orgiastic recipes, world travel, siren songs, and weed.”

The new late night show, which is still untitled, will drop some time during late 2017. But, that is not the only thing the Queens rapper turned TV star has up his sleeve for this year.

Besides receiving two TV slots on Viceland, Bronson will also be collaborating with Snapchat and Match to create a mini Snapchat series called Hungry Hearts. 

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Hungry Hearts will focus on “Bronson setting up young singles to go on curated dates. Match has signed on as the presenting sponsor for the Snapchat show. The series joins other shows on the app including A&E Networks’ Second Chance and NBC’s Take Two. ”

As Action Bronson is already known to be one of the braziest performers, I doubt that he will have any trouble keeping the Snapchat series a success.

Peep Action Bronson in the Hungry Hearts trailer below

Let’s not forget that Bronson is still working on Blue Chips 7000, which, after much anticipation, is due to drop this week on August 25. Thank God!

The 13 track album will feature his F*ck That’s Delicious homies, Big Body Bes and Meyhem Lauren. The tape will also include reggae legend Jah Tiger and the biggest boss, Rick Ross.

Peep the Blue Chips 7000  full tracklist

https://www.instagram.com/p/BYAf3y6g4gl/

While we wait for Action Bronson to absolutely kill the rest of 2017, check out his newly released track off of the highly anticipated project “9-24-7000,” featuring Ricky Rozay.

Sincere Dennis
gifs August 22, 2017
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BK photographer Sincere brings NYC underground to life with moving pictures

If the eye is the window to the soul, what is the camera to the eye?

An extension to a lens that captures the living spirit in front of you. Brooklyn-based photographer Sincere is doing just that and bringing a new definition to what it means to have an “eye.”

The images that Sincere has caught using a retro, 80s-era camera are literally alive as he turns his flicks into gifs. His unique technique of capturing the upper-echelon of the artistic underground is unmatched.

Rolling through Sincere’s Tumblr portfolio, viewers will find an aesthetic that captures a rude and urban vulnerability.

We pulled up on Sincere while he was working at an event called No Ends NYC, which is hosted by Doperoots and A$AP Ferg’s Traplord brand in partnership with X-Games benefiting the Stoked Organization. The event is a wild intersection of rap music, extreme sports, arcade games, dope food, and good will.

Already at such a fly stage in his life, Sincere’s main focus is waking those who are still asleep. His focus on his work proves that he is a professional when it comes to his craft. Although your network is a huge factor when it comes to excelling in your career the quality of your work is what pushes you ahead of everyone else.

Sincere spoke on his tenacity and confidence,

“Connections? I have just started getting legit access to these events, 2-3 years ago I was finessing my way into these events. No one can stop you when you act like you belong there. Confidence, determination, and consistency have gotten me the connections I have today. When these people see you over and over again at these events they tend to ask the question ‘who is he?’ ‘What does he do?’ and then when they see the work I produce it pretty much speaks for itself. Even though some are still sleeping, I’m working on waking them up.”

Sincere has been in the photography game for some time now and has been attending events like No Ends NYC for over 7 years, snapping photos of people like Marty Baller, A$AP Ferg, and Wee Man.

Seven-plus years deep in the game and Sincere has just started to promote his brand NewNYer. Sincere’s main focus when he pulls up to an event is to be an original and creative centerpiece — that’s what the NewNYer brand stands for.

Fuck talking to someone when the music is blaring. Sincere is all about embracing the environment he’s in and using that vibe to help capture moments.

“I’ve been attending these events for 7-plus years and only till just recently have I taken advantage of the networking aspect of said event, I go to these events to see/enjoy the performance and experience the things that are going on around me, not try talking to someone while loud music is playing I never seen the point in that. The statement behind NewNYer is to be original and creative.”

pop smoke gif

At any event, you can find Sincere at the best vantage point, sipping on Bulleit Bourbon (on the rocks), feeling out the vibes, preparing himself to encapsulate one event into multiple pictorial memories.

“When I go to an event to shoot I feel out the venue see what the best vantage points are for me to shoot and once I find the right spot I go to the bar and order a whiskey on the rocks preferably Bulleit Bourbon and I enjoy myself till its time to get work done. As far as my end goal, it’s just to get good photos.”

rihanna gif

Sincere is not trying to give up any of his baker’s secrets — yet. The BK-based shutterbug says his “eye” for turning still photographs into GIFs was inspired by the over saturation of lensman posers.

He explained just because you cop a fancy camera doesn’t mean you are a photographer, there’s more to photography than just buying a camera. Sincere uses GIFs as a way to separate himself from the masses,

“I see photography as over saturated pretty much like everything else in NYC. A person buys a camera and immediately wants to be seen as a photographer, having an ‘eye’ isn’t what it use to mean, which is why I searched for a way to separate myself from the masses buying DSLRs. I don’t see Gif images being the future but I do see it as a way to make my work look different from others, I took a step back and it allowed me to move forward because the camera that I use is from the late 80s they didn’t know Gifs were a thing of the future just like I didn’t know I could turn these images into moving works of art. I took my shot and I like where it’s going.”

Sincere is always looking to stay ahead of the curve. Hopefully, he will be able to bring inspiration to those looking to set themselves apart from the masses by just being original.

His wise words for the youth dem,

“Advice? Don’t be afraid to go and do something new even if it feels uncomfortable. You gotta step out of the box to progress mentally and physically. Coming from uptown I knew a lot of people who never left the block and they kept themselves in a comfort zone. I’m good at learning from other people’s mistakes.”

A wise man indeed. Stay on the lookout for Sincere’s GIF images and custom design t-shirts for his NewNYer brand.

Bless up!

kanye cudi album August 21, 2017
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Kanye and Kid Cudi are low key making secret album in Japan

Kid Cudi had a rough 2016 but 2017 is looking much better for the rapper as he has announced that he will be going on tour and is apparently releasing a secret project with Kanye West.

Last October Scott Mescudi took to Facebook to describe his deep depression and personal emotional ailments. I’m guessing all went well in rehab as the “Day and Night” artist did end up performing at Complexcon the following month.

Prior to checking himself into rehab last year, Kid Cudi also had some beef with mentor Kanye West. Cudi called out Ye in a Twitter rant suggesting that “Everyone thinks they’re soooo great,” he tweeted. “Talkin top 5 and be having 30 people write songs for them.”

Cudi also added, “The fake ones won’t be lasting too much longer.” Kanye and Cudi went tit for tat as Ye then stopped his “I Don’t Like” performance in Tampa, Florida on his Saint Pablo tour, to address the disrespect on his name.

“Don’t You Ever Mention Ye name, I birthed you.”

It seems as if the beef is over as the two artists have made amends and are now working on the project that is so top secret no one is in the studio but Kanye West, Kid Cudi, and the studio engineer.

According to Page Six, an inside source said, “nobody knows what it is — or what it sounds like… There are no professionals in the room. It’s just Cudi, Kanye and an engineer. They’re recording together in Japan.”

Wait a minute, Cudi and Kanye are making a top-secret project in Japan? According to the inside source, no one will know when the project is due to drop but they are working on it as we speak, “they’re going to drop some crazy collaboration out of the blue…” The source added, “They’re going to drop some surprise project on everybody. They’re recording it now.”

Hopefully the project is what we expect it to be — straight heat. Cudi and Ye fans everywhere will be anxiously wondering who will be featured on the project and what it will sound like.

Who knows? Maybe we’ll hear some exclusive previews on Kid Cudi’s newly announced Passion, Pain, and Demon Slayin tour that will be hitting the road this fall.

Really exciting news to know that Kid Cudi is doing well and will be making the illest comeback. Tickets are on sale now you can get them here.

Peep the trailer below for Kid Cudi’s Passion, Pain, and Demon Slayin tour.

https://youtu.be/58YNjiUEqRM

artist August 18, 2017
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How Bushwick artist ELO draws inspiration from the chaotic world

What inspires you to create? Is it the environment that surrounds you?

Perhaps it’s the passionate drive in your heart to succeed. There can be a plethora of drivers for creators to do what they do best, create.

For Bushwick based visual artist Evan Lorberbaum (better known as ELO in the streets) his expressionistic graffiti-like style sources inspiration from the controlled chaos that we call life.

Kulture Hub caught up with ELO to find out what has propelled him to success.

At the age of 26 (Happy Birthday ELO), he has already managed to design his own sneaker, has been featured in a two-month solo exhibition at the prestigious Citigroup Center, sold pieces to celebrities including the late Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and had his own News 12 Brooklyn feature.

His top five influences consist of some of the most legendary artists across different mediums, including Jay Z, Pharrell, KAWS, Marc Ecko, and Takahashi Murakami.

These influencers serve a certain purpose in the art ELO creates as they are all multi-faceted in the genres they work and create in.

ELO uses these inspirations as a blueprint. They all model a blend of art, music, fashion, media, and pop culture, he told us:

“All of these figures are influential in my life because they are multi-faceted in the genres they work and create in.  I am personally interested in the blending of art, music, fashion, media and pop culture and I use these inspirations as a blue print that exemplifies how to expand my personal brand into different avenues that may attract a larger audience.”

ELO pressed on about his influences:

As visual artists go, KAWS and Murakami are of particular interest because they have utilized their own aesthetic, brand, and business acumen to cross over to genres including music, fashion, and merchandizing.  I use their story lines and experience with brands such as (KAWS) Nike, Jordan, COMME Des Garcons, Hennessy, (Murakami) Louis Vuitton, Vans, Macy’s and Supreme among others to study how art, fashion, and product merchandizing can all come together.

His art symbolizes a light-hearted and positive energy using vivid and colorful palettes highlighting varying shades of gradation and hard edges that contrast between light and dark.

ELO said the drippy texture seen in his pieces are “cognizant of time and symbolically draw attention to the fact that our time is not guaranteed, therefore we need to make the most of it.”

The vibes surrounding him play a huge factor into the strokes he paints with his brush or the sprays he makes out of a paint can. Beyond the environment, music plays a big role impacting his mood and flow of paint that he applies.

“The vibe of the studio or environment I am painting in also impacts my use of color, stroke, expression and overall feel of the painting that I am creating. I am listening to various genres of Hip Hop, Jazz, and Reggae which impact my mood and flow of paint that I am applying, especially during pieces that I am purely creating as a “freestyle” within that moment in time.  In this sense, I am picking up the closest colors of acrylic, oil and spray paint in proximity and applying them to canvas or mixed media through brushes, palette knives, tape and other methods as they come into sight.”

Picasso Baby!

ELO described his hustle as “Always Hungry!” Although he was born in Manhattan, ELO moved to Armonk (somewhere deep in Westchester County for those who are unfamiliar) at the age of 2.

In high school, he was very involved in athletics, which probably explains his competitive drive. Towards the end of his high school career, ELO immersed himself in hip-hop, fashion, and street culture and had to take himself back to the city that never sleeps.

“I was born in Manhattan but really grew up in Westchester as I moved from the city when I was 2 years old.  I enjoyed the suburban lifestyle growing up I was more of an athlete than anything, but towards the end of high school, I really became more immersed in hip-hop, fashion and street culture which propelled me to want to come back to the city to pursue my vision, goals, and interests.”

ELO’s goals have inspired him to create a custom design sneaker that pays tribute to NYC. The idea for the sneaker came about while he was attending Tulane University in New Orleans where he would experiment with “various mediums for creation, which included graphic tees and the early beginnings of putting spray paint to canvas.”

Throwback … Motivation Monday @teamvic @rocnation

A post shared by ELO (Blue Check) (@egetlo) on

As he was very interested in sneaker design, ELO became infatuated with Nike ID, making sneakers for himself and his friends. Creatively restricted by the website’s design options, he took matters into his own hands. It was this limitation that sparked the drive to create something unique and original.

ELO spoke about his sneaker designs:

“I was also especially interested in sneaker design and was always designing new color silhouettes for myself and friends through NIKE ID.  From a design standpoint, I felt limited by the options that were available as I could only play around with different color patterns for the shoes I was making, but I wanted to create something that was truly original and with its own unique concept.

It’s those limitations that allow human beings to surpass themselves and develop further. ELO dipped out of the “Big Easy” back to NYC and paired up with Rich Franklin of Relevant Customs to create a sneaker with a unique canvas. Covered with items that breathe NYC, the custom design Nike SB Dunk is embossed with a metro card, an entire subway map, New York Times, lotto tickets, a pizza box, and crime scene tape.

It doesn’t stop there. The sneaker has turned into a movement called What the NYC. The inspiration for the movement came from ELO just going out in the NYC streets during his lunch break while working at the Sotheby’s auction house asking people how they felt about the sneaker and what NYC meant to them. But it was a little old lady in black sunglasses that really got the gears turning for the social experiment.

According to the artist:

“I was still working at Sotheby’s auction house in the Upper East Side at the time and decided to take the shoes out during my lunch break to hear from people first hand how they felt about them, but more importantly how they felt about New York City itself.  I spotted an older woman with big black sunglasses on who for some reason I felt had a distinctive look about her.  I initially asked her what she thought about the sneakers, but as she was holding the sneakers I also asked her what her three favorite things about the city were just because I was curious and felt like making small talk.”

Elo continued:

“She answered, ‘It’s art, theater, and food.’  That is where my light bulb went off in that I became fascinated with learning how other strangers felt about the city and how they perspectives and experiences might overlap or be completely different.  The rest is history…”

Peep the old lady that started it all

The What the NYC Campaign has furthered ELO’s work ethic into a realm of nonstop hustle. He always carries a pair with him just in case he runs into someone with an inspirational NYC story.

“Whether it is a sporting event, album release party, art show, or fashion showcase; I am always pushing the envelope by talking to as many people about their New York experience as possible.  These sneakers are LITERALLY with me 24/7 because I never know who I’m going to run into and I always need to be ready.  Through this project, I have been able to further my own work ethic because I am always willing to put myself in situations where I am with the right people who will further this project and keep it interesting for the community that has been built around it.  I enjoy speaking with everyday New Yorkers but it’s also fun to see how the athletes, musicians, artists, and celebrities who I interact with feel about the work as well.  From a social media aspect, people have enjoyed meeting me, holding the sneakers, and expressing their opinions about their NYC experience and then see Spike Lee, CC Sabathia, DJ Clark Kent, Just Blaze, ‘Biggs’ Burke, Stretch & Bobbito, for example, do the same.”

So what’s next for ELO? A whole lot. Motivation runs through his veins like blood as he is always experimenting with various styles and techniques looking for new opportunities to develop his brand, network, and practice.

He’s looking to further evolve his craft by partnering with other brands and artists. He currently has an installment which is the first part of an art series called “STILL LIFE” he curated with his partner Dmitry Larionov. The series looks to discuss the current status of the art world with successful artists, curators, journalists, and managers. Check out what ELO had to say about the first discussion:

In our first discussion, we covered topics like how branding and social media influence the value of an artist’s artwork, the process, and importance of artists being able to collaborate with major brands and corporations among other topics.  This was our first live in person event, but I plan to develop this series into an accompanying podcast that will highlight how artists and creatives alike are utilizing their social media and brand influence to become successful in the worlds of art, music, fashion, and media.” 

ELO has his eyes set on the goal to get the What the NYC movement where it needs to be – getting a Nike endorsement.

As of right now, the current sneaker that we all see on display is not for sale but receiving an endorsement from Nike would allow for mass production.

“My vision and the ultimate goal of the project is that the concept behind the project will eventually be picked up by Nike so that it will become a mass produced design that everyone who has seen or heard about the project can wear and feel a part of the experience … I’ve already been at this project for over a year and I have adopted the mentality that it is only a matter of time before it will be picked up by Nike.  It’s not a matter of if, but when.”

Things are looking up for the Bushwick visionary. He advises the youth and starving artists to “stay hungry.” The advances ELO has made in his career have not come easy and has made a name for himself by taking a huge leap of faith.

This includes ELO being invited to Roc Nation’s Gold Couch room to chill with Lenny S.

ELO’s official message for the youth dem is to go as hard as possible:

“My advice for the young “starving” artists out there is to ‘stay hungry.’  Hungry, drive, passion, focus, ambition and patience have been necessary traits I have had to develop to make it to this point in my life and career.  I took a HUGE leap of faith initially creating What the NYC and it was truly one of the best decision I have made in my adult life.  I had no idea how it would be perceived but I had to trust my instincts because I knew inside that it would make a splash.  Without What the NYC, I would have no reason to be invited to Lenny S of Roc Nation’s famous ‘Gold Couch Room’ (@kodaklensoffice) for an incredibly important day in my life journey and iconic photo shoot. To everyone out there looking for ways push boundaries and make a name for yourself… make your own version of what “What the NYC” might be for you… and don’t look back!”

Wise words!

10K80 August 15, 2017
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After his success with ‘Power,’ 50 cent is deadass tryna take over BET

Here comes 50 Cent with another ingenious idea.

The Queens rapper turned Power executive producer, is looking to take his TV talents to BET with his new late night variety show, 50 Central.

Fiddy is feeling extra cocky and his BET takeover is no joke. Wouldn’t you have a chip on your shoulder if you were an executive producer of premium cable’s second-most successful franchise?

BET is looking a little more tuff…

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXy76lNF2eY/

And 50 is still looking like a boss.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXlkYLlFso-/

50 Cent is looking to change the game with 50 Central, He thinks it’s time for a change and with BET giving him the freedom to do as Fiddy does, expect the show to be an edgier new wave of late night television.

Although 50 serves as an executive producer on the show he will also be hosting. The main objective of the show is to bring young, viral, and unrecognized talent to the big screen. A grip of comedians has also been cast for the show to help Fiddy out.

But, taking over the air with his new variety show is not the only territory the Get Rich or Die Trying artist is looking to conquer on BET. He’s looking for complete control. Last month he came at his homie Dwyane Wade’s bae, Gabrielle Union’s neck.

50 Cent gives no fucks, you can’t have a conscience in the TV game

https://www.instagram.com/p/BWvCyvcFDnu/

Mary Jane is not the only show on BET Fiddy’s coming for either

https://www.instagram.com/p/BXy8TJ2F0pI/

“I’m getting rid of a few shows because I have some good ideas. Watch how this plays out #50Centralbet.” A very bold caption from 50 indeed. Does the Queens rapper have some leverage? He just might.

When Season 4 of Power premiered it became the second-highest rated premiere in Starz history, according to Deadline. The first place holder is the Season 3 premiere of the show, which pulled 2.26 million viewers, got 50 and Courtney Kemp, the creator of Power, the go for Seasons four and five.

Besides Power, 50 Cent has been dabbling in the film and TV industry for some time now. 50 Cent currently holds 39 acting credits and 19 producer credits. Maybe a BET takeover is not such a bad idea.

Whatever Curtis Jackson touches turns to gold (this is a throwback, but I still drink Vitamin Water because of him).

Hopefully, he’ll bring his Midas touch to BET.

Bruh August 9, 2017
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Get the loud ready: Cheetos to open a 3-day pop up restaurant in NYC

Every stoner’s dream is about to come true. Cheetos has announced that they will be opening a restaurant for three days in NYC running August 15-17.

Famous Chef Anne Burrell will be running the kitchen alongside Chester Cheeto at 211 West Broadway, in NYC.

Diners will be able to select from a dangerously cheesy menu consisting of four cheesy appetizers, four big cheese entrees, and three sweet desserts.

Cheetos Mix-ups including Crusted Chicken Milanese, Cheetos Grilled Cheese, Flamin’ Hot Limón Chicken Tacos are a just a couple of crazy Cheeto concoctions that will be on the menu.

Peep the Cheeto influence

As someone that has eaten Cheetos their entire life, I was a little skeptical about adding Cheetos to anything but a deli sandwich. I’m not trying to roll up a fat one for some social food experiment, all just to be let down.

Could this go wrong? Nah, Chef Anne Burrell is filthy with the spatula.

Burrell has worked in some of the top restaurants with some of the best chefs all around the world.

Working alongside Mario Batali, penning two cookbooks, including the best seller Cook Like A Rock Star, and opening her very own restaurant in NYC, Phil & Anne’s Good Time Lounge, are just a few awesome feats on Burrell’s jam-packed resume.

Burrell beat Bobby Flay with a cheese cake

I heard she makes a lit spicy meatball

I’m a baller…a MEATBALLER!! Come and try my meatballs!!!@philandannesgoodtimelounge #letusfeedyou

A post shared by Anne Burrell (@chefanneburrell) on

Burrell stay cheffin’ on the television

Are you hype for this Cheeto restaurant pop up? You should be. According to Time Out New York, the dishes are for the low, ranging from $8 to $22. That’s lite.

This is definitely something the people have been waiting for. It seems as if every single table is booked for all three days but there is still a waitlist available and curious cats can still sign up to dine at The Spotted Cheetah.

Check it out for yourself and cop a reservation.

Bruh August 8, 2017
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‘It smells like gentrification’: New Yorkers react to new NYC-scented candle

Yo! Who’s tryna cop a candle with the smell of NYC on a hot summer day? None of us New Yorkers are.

Fragrance company Diptyque has created a candle that’s supposed to capture the scent of NYC and it’s getting a lot of heat on Twitter.

New York City actually smells like the inside of a wet gym sock mixed with garbage, onion, and cheese. So, why the fuck would I want to bring that scent into the crib?Steamy sewers and evaporating saliva are what encompasses the same oxygen we breathe out here.

Apparently, that’s not the scent Diptyque is looking to capture. We caught up with a couple of sales representatives at the Grand Central and Madison Ave. store locations. The candle which is only available in NYC is supposed to captivate a “1920s New York.”

The scent is supposed to encapsulate the Gatsby Era sprinkled with a cedar-like, smoky scent, from the inside of a Speakeasy.

To be honest, the inside of an NYC speakeasy did not smell like that as personal hygiene just started popping off in the early 1900s. The scent from the inside of an enclosed dark bar was probably more similar to that of a musky perfume covering a cheeky butt smell. So cheeky!

The $70 6.5 ounce candle has New Yorkers skeptical AF. Twitter fingers went straight to work flaming the shit out of the wax torch.

Factual smelly vibes in New York.

https://twitter.com/thecerrashow/status/894665344077484032

Chill, this tweet had me weak

Yummy!

Damn… flamed!

https://twitter.com/Notarobotno/status/894864089830260736

Musty hobo ayyee.

Even though it smells crazy gotta give it up for NYC being poppin’ af

https://twitter.com/NiceChess757/status/894704269298982912

Alright, the candle definitely smells fire but sheesh what a concept!

4:44 August 8, 2017
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Jay-Z’s ‘Moonlight’ reimagines an equal racial playing field in media

Jay-Z does it again with another mind-bending visual for the eighth track off of 4:44, “Moonlight.” Directed by Master of None co-creator Alan Yang, the video portrays an alternative view of Friends where the cast is all Black.

There’s definitely a fine list of prominent Black actors and actresses. The video for “Moonlight” casts Jerrod Carmichael, Lil Rel Howery, and Tiffany Haddish of the critically acclaimed Carmichael Show as Friends characters Ross, Joey, and Phoebe. 

HBO’s hit show, Insecure co-creator Issa Rae plays Rachel. Alongside Rae, Lakeith Stanfield of FX’s ATL and actress Tessa Thompson of Creed assume the roles of Chandler and Monica.

The video also casts Hannibal Buress at his best – himself.

As the “Moonlight” video is exclusively available for Tidal subscribers it will become available to the public via YouTube at some point later this week.

For now, peep a clip which shows the entire cast in an unorthodox introduction to Friends. The fact that the intro song is “Friends” by Whodini is sick AF.

“Moonlight,” as you should already know, is a very controversial song that addresses how Black people are portrayed in the media. Jay-Z only goes in for around two minutes but the lyrics present a very powerful message.

Do you remember when there was an envelope switch up at the Oscars this year for the Best Picture award? Nah, let me remind you.

Oscars 2017 GIF by The Academy Awards - Find & Share on GIPHY

This was the inspiration behind the song. “Moonlight,” which samples the Fugees hit single “Fu-Gee- La” on the hook while Jay-Z spits,

Y’all stuck in La La Land
Even when we win, we gon’ lose
Y’all got the same fuckin’ flows
I don’t know who is who
We got the same fuckin’ watch
She don’t got time to choose
We stuck in La La Land
We got the same fuckin’ moves

Before HOV get’s into a lyrical slaughter of the TV media and the current rap game, the seven-minute video takes viewers into an alternative Friends universe of Black doppelgängers.

The actors are portrayed in the same way, dress the same way, and act the same way as the characters in Friends. After going through a couple of lines the actors break for five. Jerrod Carmichael discusses the idea with fellow comedian Hannibal Buress who critiques the project as straight trash.

After getting ripped apart by Buress the cast resumes their positions but Carmichael is out of focus.

Upon realizing Carmichael is out of touch, Issa Rae’s character positions a finger on her mouth in the shush position and takes Carmichael through a door that is filled with studio lamps. Carmichael’s character then walks down the empty hallway and opens a back door to a revealing a room with grass, trees, a bench, and a big ass moon.

I’m guessing where Rae takes him is La La Land.

The video mimics what could’ve been. A year before Friends debuted on NBC a show with the exact same concept (six single friends living in NYC) debuted on Fox called Living Single. The only difference is that the Living Single cast was all black.

According to an interview with the LA Times done back in 1996 with the cast and creators of Living Single, the show wasn’t getting the same push as its copy cat Friends.

https://giphy.com/gifs/life-living-fvVxFgryW0Bu8

The shows creator and executive producer Yvette Lee Bowser, said,

“It’s disappointing that we have never gotten that kind of push that ‘Friends’ has had. I have issues with the studio and the network over the promotion of this show.”

At the time Bowser was one of the very few black female producers in the industry. Queen Latifah who was a part of the cast spoke out as well regarding the push Living Single wasn’t getting:

“It just pisses me off every time I see that ‘Friends’ billboard and the little piece of our billboard. I mean, how much more of a push do they need?”

This shadow cast over the accomplishments of African-Americans in the media is exactly what Hov is trying to articulate in the “Moonlight” song and video.

Every time Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight is brought up in conversation La La La Land will be associated with who won The Best Picture just because of an “accidental” envelope mix up. That’s just one example portrayed in the song.

Check out the song and video for yourself and let us know what you think.