Astroworld Festival Turns Deadly
Rapper Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival, which was set to take place in Houston over the weekend, turned deadly on Friday night when a stampede broke out in the crowd. The surge killed eight people and left more than 300 injured, according to CNN. Scott, a Houston native, first launched the festival in 2018. This year’s …
CAA to Acquire ICM Partners
Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is acquiring ICM Partners in the largest agency merger in nearly a decade, according to Variety. The deal, which, if approved, will significantly alter the entertainment landscape, is the latest push toward consolidation of the industry as a whole. “Today’s storytellers, athletes, thought-leaders, and trend-setters who can move, inspire, and attract …
R. Kelly Found Guilty of Sex Trafficking
R&B singer R. Kelly has been found guilty of sex trafficking, bribery, racketeering, and the sexual exploitation of a child, according to CNN. Kelly’s conviction was announced on Monday following a five-and-a-half-week federal trial and years of accusations dating back at least as far as 1994 when he illegally married the late singer Aaliyah – …
Lil Nas X Spoofs Controversy Over “Satan Shoes”
Lil Nas X has released a teaser video to promote his new song “Industry Baby,” set to drop this Friday, according to Rolling Stone. The clip depicts a courtroom scene spoof on his recent legal dispute with Nike, which unfolded this spring when the company filed a federal trademark infringement lawsuit against creative agency MSCHF …
Netflix Ventures Into Video Games
Netflix is delving into the video game space in its first major move outside of film and television. The streaming giant initially signaled its intent to head in that direction during the 2019 Electronic Entertainment Expo, where executives mentioned the concept of a mobile game based on the Netflix original series Stranger Things. The company …
Spike Lee Opens Cannes Festival as First Black Jury President
The 74th Cannes Film Festival kicked off yesterday for the first time since 2019 after its cancelation last spring due to the pandemic. Spanning almost two weeks, this year’s festival features a total of 24 films in the running for the Palme d’Or, a few more than typically included in the official selection, according to …
Bernie Mac Biopic in the Works from John Legend’s Production Company
The estate of the late comedian Bernie Mac is collaborating with John Legend and his production company, Get Lifted, to make a feature film biopic about Mac, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Legend’s producing partner Mike Jackson broke the news during a panel discussion at the 2021 Tribeca Festival. “We just partnered with Bernie Mac’s …
Snoop Dogg Takes on Executive Consultant Role at Def Jam Records
Rapper Snoop Dogg is joining Def Jam Recordings as an executive creative and a senior strategic advisor, according to Variety. He will be concentrating on creative development and A&R. “Now, you may wonder why, so late in my career, would I wanna work for Def Jam Records,” Snoops said in a video. “Well lemme tell …
The Weeknd was the Big Winner at Last Night’s Billboard Awards
The Billboard Awards took place last night, and The Weeknd was the biggest winner of the night, taking home awards in 10 categories, including top artist, top male artist, and top Hot 100 artist, according to CNN. His album, After Hours, was also named top R&B album, and his single “Blinding Lights” won for top radio …
Amazon to Possibly Make $9 billion Bid for MGM
Amazon is reportedly working on a deal in an attempt to buy MGM for around $9 billion, according to Variety. However, some experts speculate the deal could range from 7 to $10 billion. MGM executives will not confirm or deny the possible deal; neither will Amazon executives. Amazon “doesn’t comment on rumors or speculation,” a …
