The anticipation for the 2024 MLS All-Star Concert presented by Target is soaring as it’s announced that GRAMMY®-nominated artist and producer Marshmello will headline the event, joined by multi-platinum sensation PinkPantheress. Scheduled for Sunday, July 21, at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, this star-studded concert promises an unforgettable experience for music and soccer fans.

Tickets for the event will go on sale Thursday, April 25, on Ticketmaster.com. Prices start at $35. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Neighborhood Athletics, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing athletic and educational opportunities to underserved youth in Columbus.

The MLS All-Star Concert kicks off a week of festivities leading up to the MLS All-Star Game presented by Target on Wednesday, July 24, at Lower.com Field, home of the Columbus Crew, the reigning MLS Cup champions.

Marshmello, with over 16.8 billion Spotify streams and a GRAMMY® nomination, will bring his signature sound to the stage. Joining him is PinkPantheress, whose meteoric rise in the music industry has earned her critical acclaim and numerous award nominations.

“I can’t wait to kick off MLS All-Star week with a special performance on July 21. This is my first  major football…or as you guys call it soccer event in America and I look forward to seeing all my  fans in Columbus,” said PinkPantheress.

Neighborhood Athletics, the beneficiary of the concert’s proceeds, is committed to empowering youth in the Columbus community through athletics, education, and mentorship.

For more information on the concert and a complete list of All-Star events, visit mlssoccer.com/all-star. Don’t miss the 2024 MLS All-Star Game, where the best MLS will take on LIGA MX at Lower.com Field in Columbus, available to watch in over 100 countries and regions on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Marshmello and PinkPantheress to Headline 2024 MLS All-Star Concert in Columbus first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Marshmello and PinkPantheress to Headline 2024 MLS All-Star Concert in Columbus appeared first on The Source.

On this day in 1990, “The Verbalizer” Brother J, Professor X “The Overseer”, Paradise “The Architect” and DJ Sugar Shaft “The Rhythm Provider” collectively known as X-Clan, released their debut LP To The East, Blackwards on 4th And B’Way/Island Records.

Produced by the entire crew that was put together by Paradise, who at the time ran the NYC Hip Hop hotspot Latin Quarters nightclub, this album helped to pioneer a movement of Black empowerment in Hip Hop culture with an infusion of Parliament/Funkadelic that was attractive to the youth of that era. Their “Blackwatch” organization, which was led by Professor X’s father, Brooklyn activist Sonny “Abubadika” Carson, legitimized their involvement in raising the consciousness of the Hip Hop generation and their 11 track, debut project was one of the tools that they used to attract their cult-like followers.

Tracks such as “Funkin’ Lesson” and “Heed The Word Of The Brother” led to the album’s mainstream visibility, however, other songs like “A Day Of Outrage(Operation Snatchback)”, “Verbs Of Power” and “In The Ways Of The Scales” allow Brother J to instruct the listeners about the socio-political issues of people of African descent around the world, but primarily in the United States.

Salute to the original members of X-Clan as well as those who continue to carry the legacy of the Clan. Thanks for this timeless piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today In Hip Hop History: X-Clan Dropped Their Debut Album ‘To The East, Blackwards’ 34 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today In Hip Hop History: X-Clan Dropped Their Debut Album ‘To The East, Blackwards’ 34 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

n 2017, Phillip Leeds released the critically-acclaimed & wildly popular book BIG SHOTS! (Rizzoli). Described at the time as capturing a generation of artists and celebrities just as Andy Warhol: Red Books defined a previous era. Shot by Phillip with a unique vintage Polaroid camera called The Big Shot, the book offered a visual who’s who from the worlds of art, music, fashion and popular culture from 2004 through 2016. Volume 1 featured Rita Ora on the cover and contained over 400 portraits including global icons such as Lewis Hamilton, JAY-Z, Beck, Pharrell Williams, Andre Leon Tally, A$AP Rocky, Black Thought, Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, David Byrne, Jeff Koons, Justin Timberlake and Snoop Dogg. 
 

Now, in partnership with Blurring Books, Leeds is set to release BIG SHOTS!! Volume 2: More Shots from the Worlds of Music, Fashion and Beyond, a new collection of photographs that captures the faces from the epicenter of culture. A compilation of previously unpublished work, Phillip has continued documenting some of the biggest names in popular culture as well as behind-the-scenes tastemakers and influencers. BIG SHOTS!! Volume 2 offers more than 500 color Polaroid portraits. The book features GRAMMY award winner SZA on the cover, plus foreword by global music and fashion icon, and multi GRAMMY winner Pharrell Williams. This volume includes portraits of Chris Rock, Lee “Scratch” Perry, James Lipton, Brian “KAWS” Donnelly, Dave Grohl, George Clinton, Sister Nancy, Q-Tip, Snoop Dogg, Ari Melber, John David Washington, Mike Ness, Ndaba Mandela, Megan Thee Stallion, Swizz Beatz & Alicia Keys, plus countless others. 

The original Polaroid images of these world-renowned subjects have been showcased from New York City, to Tokyo, to Hong Kong. In November 2023, BIG SHOTS! photography lined the walls of the HK outpost of lifestyle brand, Pleasures, accompanied by a book signing by Phillip Leeds, for the apparel company’s N.E.R.D. capsule collection.  
 

BIG SHOTS!! Volume 2 provides readers a unique vantage point into an era of music and fashion as it crossed in front of Phillip’s camera and shared through the ever-nostalgic format of the Polaroid.

The post Pharrell Williams Pens Foreword For Celeb Photo Book ‘Big Shots!! Vol. 2’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Pharrell Williams Pens Foreword For Celeb Photo Book ‘Big Shots!! Vol. 2’ appeared first on The Source.

A true O.G. and undisputed West Coast Royalty, after three prodigious decades in the game, Spice 1’s longevity and influence speaks for itself.  The Bay Area legend’s brand of vivid, raw and uncut lyricism, venting on the complexities of street life, has resulted in three Gold plaques, standout soundtrack singles (“Trigga Gots No Heart” from the award-winning Menace II Society Film), and respect from Hip-Hop’s elite; including making classics with Tupac, Too Short, MC Eiht, E-40, Method Man, Ice-T and UGK among others.   

In the summer of 2019, Spice made a triumphant return with Platinum O.G., which debuted in the top 10 on DSP’s and included collaborations with comrades Too Short, Pimp C, MC Eiht, Kurupt, Devin The Dude, Tha Outlawz, Yukmouth (Luniz), Digital Underground’s Money B and more. 

After announcing Platinum O.G. 2 with “Gangsta Shhh” featuring Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross & Q Bosilini, and following it up with “Crumbs With Bums” featuring Conway The Machine, Spice 1 is back with a new focus track, “Since The Day,” which features DJ Premier, CL Smooth and Mike Epps.  “Since The Day” is now available!

“Since The Day” is really what my Platinum O.G. trilogy is all about, bringing the culture together that laid the foundation for making Hip-Hop what it is today” Spice 1 declares.   

The chilling and powerful story-telling that separates Spice 1 from his peers is still in effect with Platinum O.G. 2.  The album is narrated by Sway Calloway, and produced by N.O. Joe (Geto Boys, Scarface, UGK, Ice Cube, Devin The Dude, AZ, LL Cool J) & Ryan Elder; Elder who also executive produced the album states “I think Spice is the most underrated rapper of all time” he offers.  “His significance and importance on the culture should be recognized.  I truly care about preserving his legacy and would never do a sequel if I felt we couldn’t top the first one, and we did that.  No one likes a bad sequel.” 

Spice 1’s Platinum O.G.2 will be released on 5-3-24 and features appearances from Snoop Dogg, Rick Ross, Conway The Machine, DJ Premier, Paul Wall, Treach, MC Eiht, Devin The Dude, Bushwick Bill, KXNG Crooked, CL Smooth, Lil Flip, Sway Calloway and more. 

The post Spice 1 Feat. DJ Premier, CL Smooth And Mike Epps “Since The Day” first appeared on The Source.

The post Spice 1 Feat. DJ Premier, CL Smooth And Mike Epps “Since The Day” appeared first on The Source.

Former daytime talk show host Wendy Williams’ ex-husband, Kevin Hunter, made headlines on Friday as he arrived in court for a crucial day in his alimony battle. Representing himself, Hunter argued that Wendy’s court-appointed guardian, Sabrina Morrissey, was draining her finances and withholding crucial financial documents. Hunter accuses Morrissey of refusing to turn over the bank statements so he can be paid his percentage from the “Where is Wendy Williams” Lifetime documentary contract…

During the tense hearing, Hunter alleged that Morrissey, Wendy’s guardian, was depleting the host’s finances, leading to a heated exchange between the parties involved. Hunter cited concerns about financial mismanagement and accused Morrissey of being involved in a racketeering scheme, referring to a case where she was named as a defendant.

Hunter emphasized the urgency of the matter, expressing frustration over the lack of access to Wendy’s financial records. He claimed that Wendy had earned nearly half a million dollars from her involvement in the Lifetime docuseries “Where is Wendy Williams?” but argued that Morrissey was withholding vital information.

In response, Morrissey denied Hunter’s allegations and disagreed with his statements regarding Wendy’s earnings. The judge clarified that despite the allegations against Morrissey, the case did not qualify as an emergency.

Hunter expressed his concerns about the cessation of alimony payments and accused Morrissey of neglecting her duties as Wendy’s guardian. He highlighted the financial strain caused by the lack of access to funds and criticized Morrissey’s handling of the situation.

As the hearing concluded, Hunter appeared optimistic while Morrissey seemed visibly stressed, reflecting the intensity of the legal battle between Wendy Williams’ ex-husband and her court-appointed guardian.

Thoughts?

The post Wendy Williams’ Ex Demands Cut from Lifetime Documentary first appeared on The Source.

The post Wendy Williams’ Ex Demands Cut from Lifetime Documentary appeared first on The Source.

It’s been over a year since Brittney Griner boarded a plane headed home from Russia. The WNBA player spent nearly ten months locked up after a Russian court sentenced her to nine years in prison for attempted drug smuggling. Now, Griner is opening up in an upcoming ABC special about what she felt during her imprisonment.

Brittney Griner Sheds Tears Recalling Time In Russia

As mentioned, Griner recently sat with ‘Good Morning America’ host Robin Roberts and detailed her experience at length for the first time.

The full interview won’t be out until next month. However, in a special preview by PEOPLE, Brittney Griner became visibly emotional while recalling her thoughts of self-harm at the time. She described a moment where she had access to a knife and almost considered using it on herself.

“I was just so scared about everything,” Griner said in tears, recalling her sentencing.

See what else she shared below.

What Else Did Brittney Reveal?

As mentioned, Griner was ultimately sentenced to nearly a decade in a penal colony. This occurred in Aug., almost six months after Russian officials detained her at a Moscow airport in Feb. 2022. At the time, they had discovered vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage.

She had pled guilty to the charges in July 2022 but denied that she intended to break the law and admitted to making “an honest mistake.” She seemingly maintained this stance in her forthcoming ABC Special.

Speaking to Robin Roberts, Griner described the moment airport officials asked her to go through her bag. When she felt the cartridge, Brittney Griner says her first thought was, “My life is over right here.” 

The pro-athlete told Roberts that she had never brought cannabis into the country before. Before her arrest, Brittney had previously traveled to Russia to play ball there during the American off-season.

Her return home came in Dec. 2022 when the U.S. and Russia facilitated a prisoner swap–Griner for Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout.

RELATED: Brittney Griner Breaks Her Silence & Pens A Lengthy, Emotional Message After Imprisonment

Watch the full interview preview below.

Over A Year Later, Brittney & Her Wife Have Started New Chapters

Since her return home, Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle have written more positive chapters in their story.

In Feb. 2023, a year after her detainment, she re-signed with the WNBA Phoenix Mercury team on a $165,000 one-year contract. At the top of this month, she signed with the team again, per CNN.

More good news? The couple announced earlier this month that they were expecting their first child together. The baby is due in July.

Griner is already a parent of twins with her ex-wife, Glory Johnson. They welcomed the children in 2015 before ending their union the following year.

Meanwhile, Cherelle has added a couple of firsts to her roster. Besides being a first-time mother, she officially became a lawyer in April 2023, per PEOPLE.

Brittney’s ABC ’20/20′ special premieres on May 1. Her memoir about the experience will hit the stands on May 7.

RELATED: Brittney Griner Says She Would Never Play Overseas Again Except For This One Reason

The post WATCH: Brittney Griner Sheds Tears While Recalling Her Imprisonment In Russia  appeared first on The Shade Room.

Ray J is addressing the public’s concern after recently revealing his new face tattoos.

RELATED: Not Again! Princess Love Reveals Her & Ray J’s Decision To Divorce

Ray J Unveils His Face Tattoos

On Sunday, April 21, a YouTube video was published which seemed to feature clips from a recent Instagram Live of Ray J’s. In the video, the singer showed up-close shots of his face.

The right side seemed to feature a logo of his reality TV network, Tronix, and the name of his son, Epik. Meanwhile, the left side of his face featured three stars and the name of his daughter, Melody.

“Yep, there you go.I look real unattractive now,” he said to the camera, before pointing at the tattoos of his kids’ names. “Melody, Epik… tattoos on my face. That means I can’t do no more movies, I can’t host no TV shows… It’s all in for me now, n***a. I ain’t wearing no makeup, you feel me?”

From there, Ray J revealed why he tatted his face.

“I did this on purpose just ’cause I don’t want another call time,” he explained. “I only want to make the call time. And what better way to do that then decorating your body with what you believe in… I love ’em… I just don’t ever — and wouldn’t even know how to give a f**k. I don’t care.”

Check out the footage below.

The Singer Speaks Out After Sparking Public Concern

Then, on Tuesday, April 23, Instagram account @livebitez published footage from another Instagram Live of Ray J’s. In the clip, he appeared to be in a casino while he spoke to a woman on the stream.

“You see the tatt on my face, right?” Ray J said. “Everybody trippin’, they saying that I’m like, going through some kind of like — I don’t know. I had a few doctors call me and DM me and out of respect, I’m like, ‘Thank you.’ I appreciate the love because, you know, if you worried about me then… please let me know.”

The singer then concluded his stance.

“If I’m falling by the wayside. If I’m like, if I’m going left like, help me go right,” he continued. “And Imma listen, straight up.”

In response, the women told him that she thinks his face tattoos are fire.

“Yeah, I’m about to go get — I’m bout to go finish… some right now,” Ray J replied. “And Imma really go big today. But this s**t — once, I’m done with them, then I think everybody might f**k with them. But if they don’t then, you don’t gotta look at me.”

Watch the clip from the singer’s Instagram Live below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Watch Live Bitez (@livebitez)

On Tuesday, April 23, Ray J returned to his Instagram Story to share additional close-up shots of his face tattoos. The photos appeared to show that he added a “P” to the left side of his forehead.

Additionally, the singer captioned the photos with a few cryptic messages.

“DARK TIMES AGAIN 4 YOU OPPS… DESTROY AND REBUILD… PRAY 4 WHATS NEXT… WISH YOU THE BEST… EVIL WILL BE DONE TO THE BAD WHO CHOSE TO DO EVIL TO THE GOOD… POWER – PROFESSIONAL….”

A Brief Recap Of Recent Events Surrounding The ‘One Wish’ Singer

As The Shade Room previously reported, Ray J most recently made headlines in February when his estranged wife, Princess Love, revealed they decided to file for divorce. To note, this is the former couple’s fourth time making the filing.

At the time, Love revealed that despite “reflection, discussion, and counseling” she and Ray J realized their paths have just “diverged.” However, she added that she and the singer were committed to carrying a “positive” co-parenting relationship.

In March, footage surfaced of Love participating in karaoke with friends and John Boyega. The clip went viral as viewers noticed that Boyega had his arm around Love, per The Shade Room.

In response, Ray J reacted to the viral video with surprise.

Earlier this month, the singer reportedly responded to Love’s divorce filing with his custody request regarding their two kids, per The Shade Room. Then, earlier this week, the ‘One Wish’ singer also responded after photos of his lavish gifts to Sukihana went viral.

RELATED: What’s Tea With Them? Sukihana Thanks Ray J For THESE Lavish Gifts (Video)

The post Ray J Addresses Public Concern After Revealing His New Face Tattoos (WATCH) appeared first on The Shade Room.

In a truthful, yet hilarious back and forth banter, G-Unit soldiers Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda got into a heated debate on 4/20 as to whose movie career had the biggest impact. Murda only had two words for Yayo: Bruce Willis!

Power actor Gianni Paolo recorded the friendly argument as Murda is confident that his movie Reprisal with Bruce Willis is better than any on screen work ever done by Yayo.

“Bruce Willis! Who you did movies with?”, yelled the Don’t Come Outside rapper. “I did S.W.A.T too, stupid,” Yayo replied.

“Who was the lead actor? You can’t even name it,” the Brooklyn native responded before again yelling, “Bruce Willis!”

Yayo, on the other hand, was referring to his part in the 2011 Benny Boom-directed S.W.A.T: Firefight. He also landed a brief role playing himself in 2010’s Morning Glory, which featured an ensemble cast including Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton, Patrick Wilson and Jeff Goldblum.

The post [WATCH] Tony Yayo And Uncle Murda Argue About Who Has The Best Career On The Silver Screen first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Tony Yayo And Uncle Murda Argue About Who Has The Best Career On The Silver Screen appeared first on The Source.

The highly anticipated Earn Your Masters experience is set to embark on its three-city tour, commencing in Charlotte, N.C., on April 27. This innovative event series, organized by UnitedMasters in collaboration with Earn Your Leisure (EYL) and Ally, aims to inspire, educate, and connect artists while equipping them with the tools to succeed within today’s music industry landscape.

The event in Charlotte, themed “IGNITE: FINANCIAL CREATIVITY, SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES”, will focus on empowering artists to capitalize on their creativity and navigate the creator economy effectively to maximize their potential for success.

The Earn Your Masters Creator Investment initiative is the cornerstone of this year’s tour, strategically targeting key markets to empower creative communities. By providing valuable insights and resources, the program aims to assist artists in transforming opportunities into capital, ultimately yielding returns on investments.

“Empowering creators isn’t just about fostering their talent; it’s about providing the knowledge and resources necessary to turn creativity into a sustainable career path. At UnitedMasters, we’ve witnessed firsthand the transformative power of equipping artists with the tools they need to navigate the music industry. We’re bringing together industry experts, financial institutions, and emerging talent to foster a community of entrepreneurship. Through spaces like these, we’re empowering artists to own their futures.” – said Steve Stoute, CEO and Founder of UnitedMasters. Stoute, a pioneering figure in both advertising and music, has contributed significantly to shaping both industries and has achieved numerous milestones throughout his career.

Stoute’s involvement in this event underscores its importance and promises to bring valuable expertise and vision to the forefront. His dedication to empowering artists aligns perfectly with the mission of Earn Your Masters, making him a vital asset to the event.

Reggie Willis, Chief Diversity Officer at Ally, a financial services company with the nation’s largest all-digital bank, said Ally understands how important financial education is to helping grow the next generation of creators, people who historically have been underserved by financial institutions.

“Ally has a long track record of helping create pathways for communities of color to promote economic mobility and drive equity,” said Willis. “This collaboration with UnitedMasters continues that work.”

Furthermore, this event progresses the mission of Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings with Earn Your Leisure, as they continue their commitment to empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary for financial success. This follows the announcement on Bloomberg TV of their financial education program with high school students in the Bronx curriculum, starting with a pilot program in a few schools with goals to expand more in the city by next year.

The post UnitedMasters, Ally And Earn Your Leisure Kick Off Creator Investment Tour In Charlotte first appeared on The Source.

The post UnitedMasters, Ally And Earn Your Leisure Kick Off Creator Investment Tour In Charlotte appeared first on The Source.

During a recent performance on his Behind The Desk Experience Tour, Dirty South Hip Hop legend Scarface paid tribute to the late Tupac Shakur by recalling a time when the pop culture icon played a prank on him and blew his high when he first arrived in Los Angeles.

“First time I got to California, I’m in L.A., smoking LA weed. We ain’t ever had no shit like this before,” Scarface said. “I’m living in Burbank and recording the Untouchable album. It’s my first time getting high with some L.A. chronic.”

Scarface continues, “The homeboy[Tupac] pull up on me, he got a black Hummer with a fucking siren and loudspeaker on it. I’m in my apartment in Burbank high as fuck for the first time ever, and they come up and they go, ‘Brad Jordan, we know you’re in there, come out with your hands up.’ I’m on the couch like this and my motherfucking high says [does a walking away action]. He just blew my fucking high, man, and he wanted to go to the studio and record, right? He wanted me to ride in this Hummer with him. I’m not going anywhere with him because he does not have a driver’s license. And he can’t drive at all.”

Face then performed his classic track “Smile” which he shared with Tupac, becoming one of the Houston native’s biggest hits that dropped just months after Tupac’s untimely demise.

The post [WATCH] Scarface Recalls When Tupac ‘Blew His High’ With Police Prank first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Scarface Recalls When Tupac ‘Blew His High’ With Police Prank appeared first on The Source.