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Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg Pay Tribute

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Nipsey Hussle, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg joining The Game in one studio. Who could ask for a better tribute? And even with Nipsey not in the room physically, his presence is definitely felt.

Two live videos surfaced on Facebook this past Monday recorded by The Game.  In one video, Game vibes off a beat fashioned by Dre while showing off the other members in the room.  The second video shows Game, Dre and Snoop Dogg enjoying the same beat, but featuring a few lyrics previously recorded by Nipsey:

“Charismatic on these corners like Tupac on stage, f**k a dream if it’s not gonna pay.”

The Game has been steadily at work for several months on his new LP Born 2 Rap. He’s been dropping pictures and video with several of his peers in the studio, including A$AP Rocky, Ferg, G-Eazy and Miguel. Nothing has been explained, whether these artists just came by to hear the music or to collaborate. It has also not yet been confirmed if that Nipsey verse will appear on the project.

Regardless, whether Nipsey appears on The Game’s upcoming LP or not, it is a true sign of recognition and respect for these legends to keep his art and legacy alive.  A major memorial will be held this Thursday at the Staples Center, with tickets sold out within minutes on Tuesday morning.

Diplo's Mad Decent Block Party

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Diplo always anticipated that “Mad Decent Block Party” would grow huge, it just needed to evolve and expand. Well buckle up, because it’s happening, and we’re all witness.

“The Mad Decent Block Party” started out as a touring event, featuring the likes of OutKast, DJ Snake and other superstars. This year, Diplo’s grand plan of making it into a festival has manifested, resulting in the “Super Mega Ultra Giant Mad Decent Block Party Festival.”

The extravaganza takes place from July 20-22 at Gillette Stadium, the house built by Brady and Gronk. Headliners at this years show include G-Eazy, Miguel, Major Lazer and Billie Eilish. But the lineup is as deep as it is big, with A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, Kodak Black, The City Girls, Grand Theft, J.I.D., Dillion Francis, EarthGang, Ape Drums and Saint JHN filling the stacked undercard.

In addition to music, the event is offering an array of activities, including paintball, go-kart racing and what is being advertised as “the world’s largest bounce house.”

With a party this big in his old house, maybe even Gronk will be tempted to come back for one last bash?

L.A. Pays Respect to Nipsey Hussle

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Nipsey Hussle will headline the City of Los Angeles one last time.  Yesterday, it was announced on his Instagram that the event “Nipsey Hussle’s Life Celebration” will take place on Thursday in Downtown LA.  The memorial service will be held at the Staples Center, and is for California residents only.  A public procession, spanning roughly 25 miles through South LA, will take place after the ceremony.  This will include a stop at Hussel’s Marathon Clothing store, where the artist and inspirational speaker was killed.

It’s been just over a week since Hussle was killed, and the news of his passing has impacted the world at large.  A peaceful gang rally took place lastThursday and Friday, which was said to have been the largest since the LA Riots in 1992.  Different factions came together in unity to honor Nipsey, including an appearance by  Minister Louis Farrakhan and The Nation of Islam.  Thousands more are expected to fill the Staples Center and line the streets of LA in memory of Nipsey.

On Saturday, J. Cole honored Nipsey at the first ever Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, NC.  Cole had these words to say about his friend’s passing and the impact on the community: "I just seen footage yesterday of all types of different sets and hoods walking together in L.A. to pay homage and pay respect to Nipsey Hussle. So, I need us to do the same thing tonight."

In Los Angeles, Kanye West opened his “Sunday Service” spiritual jam session the very next day with moving words recorded by Nipsey prior to his death.  “Just wanted to send some words of encouragement,” said Nipsey’s voice, powerfully emanating from the speakers. “Y’all stay focused, y’all keep working hard. Believe in y’all self. Prove everybody that doubt y’all wrong. Show up every day. Stay pure. Stay motivated. Stay smart. Show love to your people.”

“Nipsey Hussle’s Life Celebration” will take place at 10 AM this Thursday, April 11th, at the Staples Center. For fans that were unable to purchase tickets for the already sold out ceremony, information will be released soon regarding the procession.

Netflix Announces Beyoncé Film

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Beyoncé’s empire continues to expand. Last week, Adidas announced a mega-partnership with the music and fashion icon, and today Netflix trumpeted a new film in conjunction with Bey called “Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce.”

“Homecoming presents an intimate look at Beyoncé’s historic 2018 Coachella performance that paid homage to America's historically black colleges and universities,” according to the official synopsis. “Interspersed with candid footage and interviews detailing the preparation and powerful intent behind her vision, ‘Homecoming’ traces the emotional road from creative concept to cultural movement.”

Beyoncé’s Coachella performance was ranked as an instant classic by fans. Not only did she she electrify with her own hits, she also brought an inferno to the stage with a special dance break to O.T. Genasis’ “Everybody Mad,” which went viral. The trailer for the movie dropped today and shows Bey on and off stage, as well as bands from historically black universities. The film is set to be released on April 17.

Between "Homecoming" and the Ivy Park relaunch with Adidas, 2019 is clearly becoming the year that Beyoncé’s cultural empire expands in new directions, both watchable and wearable.

Beyoncé Signs Deal With Adidas

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Adidas may have completed its greatest coup ever, and the signing isn’t even an athlete. On Thursday, the company announced a partnership with Beyoncé and her Ivy Park clothing imprint. The word came in the form or simple Instagram post that flashed “Adidas", “Beyoncé” and “Ivy Park” against a yellow background. Yesterday on the ESPN’s basketball-focused "The Jump,” writer Nick DePaula revealed that the legendary singer has been courted like a premiere athlete by major shoe brands for the last few years. In the end, it appears she has decided to go with the shoe company that Run-DMC rapped about in the 1980s

“For her, it’s more than putting her name on a shoe,” he said. “It’s about having an imprint on the company and an impact as far as diversity.”

DePaula says he heard Reebok really dropped the ball.

“She had a meeting at Reebok and they had a whole presentation of everything, potential products, how this could all look, and she kind of took a step back and said, ‘Is this the team that will be working on my product?” he revealed. “Somebody said, ‘Yes,’ and she said, ‘Nobody in this room reflects my background, my skin color, and where I’m from and what I want to do.’ So, she took a step back and left and then it did not come to terms.”

As for the next superstar that has brands frothing at the mouth, it seems that Duke University basketball superstar Zion Williamson has the lead. He’s projected to declare for the NBA draft soon and widely expected to be the number one pick. In the meantime, it’s Beyoncé who’s rocking the shoe industry’s rim.

Here Come The ACMS

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The ACM Awards are this Sunday (4/7), and the list of performers and presenters is getting really big and really good.

Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Old Dominion, and Keith Urban have been added to the performance lineup that already includes reigning Entertainer of the Year and this year’s Dick Clark Artist of the Decade winner Jason Aldean, along with Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Brandi Carlile, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line, Khalid, Miranda Lambert, LANCO, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Reba McEntire, Maren Morris, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton, George Strait and Carrie Underwood.

If that list isn’t enough for you, check out the collaborations that will be happening on the show:

The presenting of awards to the winners will be done by artists and actors that include Lauren Alaina, Beth Behrs, Clint Black, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jessie James Decker, Hunter Hayes, Jay Hernandez, Lady Antebellum, Midland, Nancy O’Dell, Danica Patrick, Carly Pearce, Dennis Quaid, Michael Ray, Cole Swindell, and Wilmer Valderrama.

And once again, the legendary Reba McEntire will host.

You can listen to all the nominated artists and songs, hear artist reactions to their nominations, stories behind the songs and more on Slacker’s ACM Awards 2019 here. 

And after the show, head back to that station to hear the winners, show highlights and the songs performed on the awards!

Killers Defend Woodstock Performance

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You can kill the messenger, but you can't kill The Killers. The band’s frontman, Brandon Flowers, recently said that performing at the 50th anniversary of Woodstock was a no brainer once the promoter agreed to their financial terms. As for their set list being influenced by the ideals of the original festival, which was fueled by what was seen as hippie ideals of togetherness and love? Well, it sounds like they're pretty much going to do what they are known for: be The Killers.

“I think that’s always a good message,” he told NME earlier this week. “It makes sense. Is that what people are trying to get across at this 50th anniversary? I don’t know. When they asked us to play, it wasn’t like, ‘Oh, are we going to keep the tradition alive?’ I didn’t have to sign a waiver to deliver that message. They offered us a certain amount of money and we said yes. I don’t know what you want. It’s not 1969 anymore, but we’re gonna do our best.”

The original Woodstock took place in 1969 in Upstate New York. It was advertised as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music,” taking place August 15, 16, 17 and the morning of the 19th. Legendary performers such as The Who, Janis Joplin, Sly and the Family Stone, and Santana graced the stage, with a legendary headlining performance by Jimmy Hendrix that is still revered to this day. Over 400,000 people attended throughout that weekend.

In 2019, Santana returns to the Woodstock stage, but this time he’ll be joined by a modern megaroster anchored by Chance The Rapper, Miley Cyrus, The Black Keys, Common and Jay-Z. This iteration takes place August 16, 17th and 18th at New York’s Watkins Glen, and only time will tell how much of a message around togetherness and love is delivered by the entire lineup, including The Killers.

Lauren London Remembers Nipsey Hussle

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As Nipsey Hussle fans and friends share their grief, nothing can compare to the unfathomable pain his family is going through. Yesterday, his soulmate Lauren London broke her silence regarding Nipsey’s passing. Lauren posted pictures to Instagram of Nipsey with herself, as well as with their children. Nipsey’s grief-stricken queen also shared her heartfelt words that resonates profoundly.

“I am completely lost,'' she wrote. "I’ve lost my best friend. My sanctuary. My protector. My soul ... I’m lost without you. We are lost without you babe. I have no words.”

Nipsey’s close friend and collaborator YG responded on London’s page with a Blue heart emoji and a tear. Tyrese, Gabriel Union, Alicia Keyes and Jennifer Lopez were also among those to comment and send encouragement to London.

Nipsey and London have been together for five years and have a two-year-old son named Kross. Both have other children from previous relationships. The pair were one of the hip-hop and Black community’s most beloved power couples, recently interviewing each other in a hilarious segment for GQ.

Nipsey was killed on Sunday, shot multiple times in front of his Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles. He was only 33. Yesterday was extremely bittersweet as police apprehended the suspect in the murder Eric Holder.

In related Nipsey news, last night NBA All-Star Russell Westbrook paid a monumental tribute to the fallen hip-hop hero. Westbrook recorded a triple double of 20 points, 20 rebounds and 20 assists. The 60 was a symbolic homage to Nipsey and the Rolling 60s.

“That’s for my n***a, that’s for Nipsey,” Westbrook, a native of LA and close friend of Nipsey said after grabbing his 20th rebound and completing the astounding feat with just a minute left in the game. Other athletes such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry have also expressed their respects for their fallen comrade.

While Hussle was definitely successful in music, including a Grammy nomination, his biggest calling card may turn out to be his community activism. Before his death, he was planning to meet with the LAPD to better relations with police and the black community of LA. He invested heavily into the neighborhood as well from the aforementioned clothing store to restaurants even to a stem cell research center.

Lizzo Is Living Her Best Life Right Now

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If you’re not a fan of Lizzo yet, get ready, because she’s conquering the world one upbeat, body-positive track at a time. One look at the R&B superstar tells you she’s not what we usually see presented as sexy in the music industry, but sister is taking back self-love and adding a wink to tell us she’s been on this beat the whole time, we’re the ones who are just catching up.

Lizzo slayed the GLAAD awards last week in a mirrored body suit, bringing themes from the “Juice” video to life, and sang through some some major cardio with her backup dancers, daring anyone to body shame her. Just when you think you’ve seen the extent of her skills, she brings out “Sasha Flute” and shows off a quick flute solo, no bigs.

She’s also changing things up in Playboy this month, wearing fishnets, 500 carats of diamonds, and some bedroom eyes, offering up gems like “BEIN FAT BLACK AND BEAUTIFUL EVERYWHERE WHO GON CHECK ME BOO?!” The article offers insight on her rise to the top, her infectious self-love, and the way she’s trying to change gender politics. It’s worth a read.

Lizzo’s dropping an album, Cuz I Love You, on April 19th. And while we’re waiting, you can check out more of her bangers on Slacker Radio!

Steve Lobel Mourns Loss of Nipsey Hussle

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As with all murders in hip-hop, it’s impossible for the community to process losing another of its own in such brutal, shocking fashion. Yesterday, Nipsey Hussle was murdered in front of his Marathon Clothing store in Los Angeles. It was an area that the Grammy-nominated artist was so proudly trying to cultivate. Nip’s death is extra painful because he was so active in the community, becoming a leader in the culture, not just by words, but with his actions.

Police say he was shot six times and died at the hospital shortly after.  Following the devastating news of his death, fans and friends gathered at the crime scene. For legendary manager Steve Lobel, it was a horrific de ja vu. Hearing how Hussle died was a painful reminder of how another close friend, Jam Master Jay was slain.“It all started right here man. My man right here, me and big Yu, got [Nipsey’s] CD, put it in the car, the Slauson Boy,” Lobel reflected of first meeting Nipsey a decade and half ago. “The rest was history.”

Lobel, who currently reps Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Scott Storch among others, took Nipsey under his wing and was shopping a deal for him to no avail.

“When I took Nipsey around the industry, everybody told me I was crazy,” Lobel continued, visibly angry at the loss of such a great. “[They said he] looked like Snoop Dogg, Rolling 60 Crip. I told everybody ‘I don’t give a fuck what you feel. I go with my gut. From day one.’ That was 15 years ago. Now, after the man worked his ass off ... I was just with him yesterday at the Texas Tech game, we went to the game together yesterday. That was like my bro. People over there are saying ‘the white man killed him.’ I’m a white man, put him in the game. I don’t understand that. It’s not a color thing, race, religion. I started the game with Run-DMC. My man Jam Master Jay got shot in his own studio by somebody he probably knew. Nip gets killed in his own hood, trying to help his own hood. It’s fucking wack. It’s fucked up.  It took 15 years to do this and somebody takes his life. He was a father, he was a brother, he’s a son. It’s fucked up. God bless Nip.”Hussle’s murder in the very community where he was loved, and was trying to improve is baffling to everyone. People are coming up with theories as to who killed him and reasons why, including that he was murdered by someone in the military. At the time of writing, police have no suspects, further stoking the speculative fires.

In potentially related news, Nipsey was scheduled to meet with the LAPD in an effort to further prevent gang violence in his area.

“We (@LAPDChiefMoore and I) were meeting, at the request of @NipseyHusslewith him and @rocnationtomorrow at 4pm to talk about ways he could help stop gang violence and help us help kids. I’m so very sad” said L.A. Police Commissioner Steve Soboroff. According to reports the meeting is still on and will now take place in Nipsey’s honor with possibly a representative from Roc Nation, who helped coordinate the meeting.

“Our hearts are heavy over the loss of our brother, Nipsey Hussle” read a statement from Roc Nation. “Rest In Peace. Our thoughts, love and prayers to his family and friends.