This year’s 89th Academy Awards celebrated the best films from the past year and rarely do award shows end without any controversy to heat up public discussion. During the night’s final award for Best Picture, Warren Beatty, who had fumbled with the card, read the wrong name, claiming Damien Chazelle’s La La Land to be the winner. The musical was a favorite to claim the top honor, and its cast and crew were on the stage accepting the award when they were interrupted with the words no Oscar winner wants to hear, “I’m sorry, there’s a mistake.” Host Jimmy Kimmel then came forward to inform the cast that Barry Jenkins’s Moonlight had indeed won, showing the envelope as proof. Producer Jordan Horwitz then passed his statue to the Moonlight producers, saying they deserved the win.
As one of the first awards of the night, Actor Mahershala Ali won Best Supporting Actor for his role in Moonlight. Directed by Barry Jenkins, Moonlight is a coming-of-age tale about a homosexual African-American boy living in Florida. Split into three stages of the protagonist’s life, the narrative is crafted like incisive poetry.
The very last picture taken of Tupac Shakur was of him and Suge Knight sitting in a 1996 black BMW 750iL, just moments before he was murdered on the Las Vegas strip in a drive-by shooting.
This car can be yours…for $1.5 million. Yes, the car is actually being sold to the public. No, the car does not still have bullet holes in it (besides a few indentations here and there on the inside door panels). It has since been restored and has had several owners since the rapper’s death.
According to TMZ, the BMW ended up at an auction house after the murder when Vegas PD impounded it and the car was auctioned off. “It changed hands several times before finding its most recent owner.” TMZ reported.
The vehicle may be over 20 years old and has had multiple owners, but it apparently only has 90,000 miles on it. According to Kelly Blue Book, an identical BMW with similar mileage sells for only about $2,758, but then again…a rap legend never sat in those seats.
This was not the first of Pac’s items to be put on the market. Back in May of last year, his vintage Hummer H1 was sold by an auction house for over $300,000. Not only his cars, but even his personal belongings including handwritten letters and lyrics, and a platinum RIAA plaque for his album Me Against The World.
Future is definitely off to a great start in 2017.
His eponymous project earned the rapper his fourth consecutive No. 1 album (following DS2, What A Time to Be Alive, and Evol), debuting atop the Billboard 200 chart with 140,000 album equivalent units. Meanwhile, the freshly released HNDRXX will likely debut at number one as well, enabling Future to the join the ranks of Tupac and DMX for having two No. 1 albums in the same calendar year.
With rumors of him dropping a new album this Friday after already releasing Future and HNDRXX within a week from each other, Future is definitely channeling mixtape culture in the mainstream rap game. Nonetheless, for an artist as established as Future, the back-to-back releases make you wonder: is this a clever strategy or just another marketing ploy?
In the current, instant gratification-filled streaming era, listener’s attention spans are shorter than ever. The immediacy from music platforms has given rise to consumers constantly moving from one album to the next, making the statement “An artist is only as good as their last hit” even more accurate. In terms of celebrity, Future is undeniably bigger than he has ever been; however, it is arguable that the novelty factor is beginning to wear off. So, could Future be capitalizing on this pitfall?
Critical reception has been generally favorable for Future (with reviews still rolling in for HNDRXX) but still far from the one-two-three-four punch from his mixtapes Monster, Beast Mode, and 56 Nights to his third studio album DS2. Although his self-titled album technically pushed more units than his previous studio effort Evol, its success was heavily influenced by the rise of streaming considering only 60,000 of those were actual album sales.
On the other hand, fans were pleasantly surprised with being spoiled with so much new music. Both albums performed exceptionally well on streaming (the new industry norm), occupying the top two spots on Apple Music and garnering tens of millions of streams on Spotify. With the contrast of his self-titled albumbeing the quintessential trap-filled hedonistic Future record and HNDRXX being marketed as the more soulful, introspective, and mainstream-appealing album with high-profile collaborations from Rihanna and The Weeknd, listeners were delighted to see the rapper’s multiple facets. Whether or not the rumors are true about the soon-coming third album in a two week span, the hype and anticipation is certainly there.
Gimmick? Sure. Genius? Too soon to tell. A little bit of both? Maybe.
Inspired by motorsport design of the 1970s, the BMW R Nine T Racer Motorcycle blends retro looks with modern performance.
Behind its signature half-shell fairing sits a 1,170cc two-cylinder boxer engine producing 110 hp, hooked to a constant mesh six-speed gearbox. A long wheelbase and low handlebars help give it a sporty look, as do the side stripes and comfortable solo seat.
For more information on the R Nine T Racer, read here.
Italdesign has been helping companies build cars for nearly five decades. This year, they’ve taken on a new client: themselves.
Conceived by the designers and engineers working in concert, the Italdesign Supercar is a potent mix of styling and performance. Built atop a modular carbon fiber and aluminum chassis, it has a body made entirely of carbon fiber. The upper portion has smooth lines in keeping with Italian tradition, while the lower half is meant to maximize aerodynamics.
As for power, it has a 5.2L V10 engine, good for a 0-62 time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of over 205 mph. Limited to just five examples for the 2017 model year.
With the intention of helping athletes break the two-hour marathon barrier, adidaspresents the revolutionary adizero Sub2, the result of years of extensive research and testing. The innovations include BOOST Light, the lightest ever variation of the brand’s energy-return technology, and an upper constructed from a single layer of ultralight fabric, made with weight-reduced mesh that features internal reinforcements and advanced Microfit, providing enhanced support, comfort and fit. Underneath, Continental Microweb outsole delivers maximum grip.
The first entrant in the brand’s ambitious Sub2 program, the adizero Sub2 debuts at this Sunday’s Tokyo Marathon on the feet of former world record holder Wilson Kipsang. A retail launch is expected later in the year. Stay tuned for details.
We’ve known for a while that Logan would be Hugh Jackman’s last outing in the X-Men franchise as Wolverine. Now it’s been confirmed another major actor is done: Patrick Stewart, who has played Professor X since the first film 17 years ago.
The actor made the announcement today during a SiriusXM Town Hall event alongside Jackman and Logan director James Mangold, according to Entertainment Weekly. During the event, Stewart talked about how the three had watched the film together last week in Berlin, and were moved to tears.
The movie ended… and we were going to be taken up on stage, but not until the credits were over. So, we had some time to sit there and, as I sat there I realized there will never be a better, a more perfect, a more sensitive, emotional, and beautiful way of saying au revoir to Charles Xavier than this movie. So, I told [Hugh] that same evening, ‘I’m done too. It’s all over.’”
Like Jackman, Stewart has been a constant fixture in the franchise since 2000’s X-Men, as well as X-Men 2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, The Wolverine and X-Men: Days of Future Past. Unlike Jackman’s Wolverine, the character was recast for 2011’s period piece X-Men First Class and X-Men: Apocalypse, in which James McAvoy played the part.
KFC may be famous for its calorie-filled Double Down creation, but that may change.
The fast-food giant has announced a new burger made out of cauliflower and kale.
It features a “chia-seeded cauliflower bun”, “unsweetened almond yogurt”, “ice cube relish”, “spiralised chicken breast” and “100 percent British kale”.
But things are not all as they seem, as it’s suspected the burger is part of an elaborate publicity stunt aimed at trolling “clean-eating” fanatics.
The new dish has been created in collaboration with Figgy Poppleton-Rice – a so-called “#CleanEating fanatic and cauliflower connoisseur” – whose Instagram account first appeared only a week ago.
Her account is filled with quotes like, “Cauliflower isn’t a food. It’s a lifestyle choice.”
It’s believed the marketing ploy was created to emphasize how good the Colonel’s fried chicken tastes in comparison to the clean-eating alternative, and it appears to have taken people in.
“What in the name of all that is holy is this? A clean burger…you mean a tie dye ..hug a tree… hippy burger….and who in the name of sweet muscular Jesus is figgy poppycock when she’s not backpacking in the Andes?” one confused commenter wrote on Facebook.
However, KFC is refusing to clarify whether the burger will actually be available to customers.
“The KFC spokesperson isn’t available to comment as they are currently looking into an increased cauliflower demand,” a press officer for KFC told Mashable in an email.
Frank Ocean announced on Friday that he will be hosting a show on Apple’s Beats 1 Radio. Whether the show will premiere any new music isn’t completely clear, at the moment. According to a tweet from Beats 1, the show appears to feature selections from Vegyn, Roof Access, and Federico Aliprandi.
In terms of streetwear culture, the unveiling of Kanye West’s YEEZY is by far the most anticipated collection in fashion. With his untouchable legacy as a style icon, Mr. West is undoubtedly a fashion trailblazer through his strong influence on urban apparel. Although reception from previous YEEZY collections was generally mixed, each selection seemed to offer something new.
YEEZY Season 5, on the other hand, feels different. Modeled after an Americana theme through a modern norm-core lens, this collection continues the baggy, disheveled look that we have grown to expect from YEEZY, from the nostalgia-evoking trucker jackets to the washed denim and camouflaged everything. Nonetheless, very few pieces truly stick out as fashionable.
Instead, Kanye seems to be offering staple items that we can either purchase at our local thrift store or probably already have in your closet. It’s safe to say that the homeless “chic” look is overdone and is in desperate need of retirement. Honestly, if the YEEZY brand was not attached, would this collection garner half (let alone, any) of its praise?
There are, of course, some standouts. The Adidas Calabasas line which consists of sleek athletic jackets and sweatpants as well as the YEEZY Runners seemed to be crowd favorites. Another show stopper on the runway was the long high-end fur coat sported by the Hijabi-wearing model Halima Aden as she effortlessly exuded luxury and elegance.
Although a relative disappointment, the Season 5 will not be a deal breaker in YEEZY’s streetwear appeal. However, Kanye may need to offer something a bit more fresh and original in the next collection before things get too stale.
The 2017 draft trade outcome has been one of the worst trade sequences by far. With numerous players being a part of mind boggling trades, the league left fans bewildered. For example, the most shocking trade came with, star player, Demarcus “Boogie” Cousins of the Sacramento Kings being sent to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield, and Langston Galloway, a top three protected 2017 fist round pick and a 2017 second round pick.
Additionally, another key trade included Lou Williams being sent to the Houston Rockets in exchange for a 2017 first round pick and Corey Brewer,who does not seem to bring the same game that is being left by Lou Williams.
Lastly, another key trade included the Philadelphia 76ers getting rid of Nerlens Noels for the Dallas Mavericks’ former, Andrew Bought, a player the organization seemingly planned to build the franchise around alongside Joel Embid. In lieu of that, the 76ers also got Justin Anderson and the top 18 protected first-round pick.
Lauryn Hill is officially a grandmother. Her and Rohan Marley’s 19 year old son Zion recently welcomed the newest addition to the family on Sunday: a baby boy named Zephaniah.
Rohan – the son of late reggae legend Bob Marley – took to Twitter to make the announcement, sharing pictures of both him and Zion holding by baby Zephaniah.
JAH RASTAFARI MORNING " In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem, Fear thou not: and to Zion, Let not thine hands be slack.#ZEPHANIAH 🦁👑 pic.twitter.com/DF6d4ftFU9
Zion Marley (who is an artist himself) is most notable for being the subject of his mother’s song “To Zion” from her classic album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in which she expresses the sacrifices she made for her son’s birth. Nonetheless, Zion now has a son of his own.
Among the methods described in their photo essay are swallowing condoms full of contraband — a time-honored drug-smuggling tactic that can kill the carrier if a condom bursts in their stomach — and the remarkable practice of stuffing copies of the Quran with pills.
“Recently the most common substance found has been Captagon tablets, which acts as a mental and physical stimulant. ISIS have previously been reported for having taken Captagon tablets to help keep them awake during the gun battles,” al-Arabiya observes. In fact, Captagon has been described as the drug of choice for 40 percent of Saudi Arabia’s young drug users.
Saudi police say smugglers have also been hiding their wares inside fruit, vegetables, auto parts, table lamps, and sheep intestines.
Drug smugglers often receive the death penalty in Saudi Arabia, usually through beheading with a sword, a practice that dismays human-rights activists. Damaging a copy of the Quran can also bring the death penalty for apostasy.
There have been a number of large drug busts in the Kingdom recently, one of them involving two Syrian nationals who were attempting to move 257,000 pills by hiding them in coffee grinding equipment.
Mediaite founder Dan Abrams plans to launch an online network dedicated to live courtroom coverage, according to The Hollywood Reporter. It will reportedly be called the Law Newz Network, as an extension of Abrams’ Law Newz blog.
Trial coverage will stream from 9AM to 5PM, with footage repeating overnight, at least to start. THR points out that Abrams worked at Court TV in the ‘90s, where he covered, among other things, the OJ Simpson trial. That trial, which was broadcast live to news networks, was widely watched by the American public, but some critics say the cameras in the courtroom had an effect on how the trial played out.
Still, the launch of the Law Newz Network seems like an obvious attempt to capitalize on a resurgent interest in true crime stories. FX’sThe People v. OJ Simpson and ESPN’s 7.5-hour OJ Simpson documentary were both popular and critically acclaimed. Then there’s Serial, HBO’s The Jinx, and Netflix’s Making a Murderer.
The first two trials to stream live will be those of former football player Aaron Hernandez, who has been indicted for a double-murder, and MMA fighter War Machine, who will face trial for sexual assault and attempted murder beginning on February 27th. In an email to The Verge, Abrams confirmed that after these two trials, coverage needs to be authorized on a case-by-case basis. Law Newz Network plans to file motions to permit cameras in the courtroom as trials arise.
Future is definitely off to a great start in 2017.
