Megan Thee Stallion leads this year’s nominations with an outstanding twelve nods.Megan’s nominations include ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Lyricist of the Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Album of the Year,’ ‘Hip Hop Artist of the Year,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Best Hip Hop Video,’ ‘Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse,’’ ‘Impact Track,’ and three in the category for ‘Best Collaboration.’ Kendrick Lamar follows withelevennods, including ‘Best Hip Hop Video,’ ‘Best Live Performer,’ ‘Lyricist of the Year,’ twice for ‘Song of the Year,’ ‘Best Collaboration.’ ‘Hip Hop Artist of the Year,’ ‘Video Director of the Year,’ ‘Impact Track,’ ‘Hustler of the Year,’ and ‘Sweet 16: Best Featured Verse’. Drake rounds out the top three nominees with an impressive eight nods. Cardi B, GloRilla, Metro Boomin, and Nicki Minaj each score seven nods. Future and Travis Scott tie with six nods each.
Other notable nominations include 21 Savage and 41,who received four nominations each. A$AP Rocky, Common, Lil Wayne,Pete Rock, and Sexyy Red each received three nominations.
NBA MVP and Boston Celtics champion Jaylen Brown has officially launched his debut performance brand, 741, marking a bold new chapter in his career. In a remarkable move, Brown has turned down over $50 million in endorsement deals from major sneaker companies to pursue full ownership and creative control of his own brand. 741 is now available for pre-order at www.741performance.com, with products set to go live for sale on October 22, 2024, both online and at select retailers.
The name 741 carries a deep personal significance for Brown, rooted in his connection to numbers and their spiritual meanings. Throughout his life, the numbers 7, 4, and 1 have appeared frequently, each representing spiritual awakening, hard work, and new beginnings, respectively. Together, these numbers align with Brown’s decision to step out on faith and pursue his own path, defying industry norms to create something truly reflective of his values. Brown explains, “741 is more than just a sneaker brand—it’s a statement about independence, creativity, and ownership.”
With the launch of 741, Jaylen Brown has established a groundbreaking company that aims to achieve four unprecedented goals in the sneaker and apparel industry. First, 741 is dedicated to creating technologically advanced, performance-driven products with no compromises in design or functionality. Second, it introduces a new economic model for endorsed athletes, giving them more ownership and control over their brands. Third, 741 ensures accessibility for all households, offering high-performance products at an affordable price. Finally, the company is committed to providing career opportunities to aspiring professionals from underserved communities, opening doors in all areas of performance and fashion retail.
The creation of 741 stems from Brown’s desire to create a solution for the traditional athlete endorsement model. By launching 741, Brown has created a brand where he is self-funding, designing, and producing from the ground up. He describes the decision to turn down $50 million in offers as a necessary step toward building something lasting, stating, “The understanding of ownership and value is what’s important for the next generation of athletes. It’s time to think different and be different… create new ideas. It’s time to create more value for everyone involved, from athletes to consumers to employees and the communities that support them”.
Inspiration for launching his own brand also came from Kobe Bryant, who, before his passing, was preparing to start his own independent sneaker line. Brown, a longtime fan of Bryant, was deeply moved by his vision. “Kobe’s journey taught me about being fearless and pushing sports, along with society, to new heights. That’s the mindset I’m bringing to 741,” says Brown, noting that the timing was right after signing one of the largest contracts in NBA history. With 741, he intends to build a legacy that transcends his NBA career, embodying his values of independence, creativity, and leadership.
Jaylen Brown also plans to revolutionize athlete endorsement deals by signing athletes directly to 741. These partnerships will offer athletes more control over their sneaker designs, tailoring products to their specific needs and style. Brown is committed to providing better financial terms and more creative freedom than traditional sneaker deals, empowering athletes to shape their brands and retain more of the profits. His goal is to shift the energy around how athletes engage with sneaker companies, focusing on true ownership and partnership.
Brown has fully immersed himself in every aspect of designing 741. Over the past two years, he has worked tirelessly, learning from industry giants and gaining hands-on experience in design while collaborating with Yeezy. This effort has resulted in sneakers and apparel that reflect his forward-thinking approach, blending performance and style with an emphasis on quality. “I’ve poured everything into designing 741, and it’s been just as challenging and rewarding as anything I’ve done on the court,” says Brown.
Accessibility is another cornerstone of 741, especially for young people and underserved communities. Brown has set a low cost rate for big kid sizes, a price point that is 40% or more below competitors. By making these premium shoes affordable, Brown is ensuring that families can purchase high-quality, stylish sneakers for their children without financial strain. “I want 741 to be a brand that gives back and makes sure kids of all walks of life can have shoes they love, without the crazy price tags,” says Brown.
Aligned with Jaylen Brown’s mission to address the wealth gap, 741 is dedicated to creating pathways for aspiring professionals from underrepresented communities. By offering exposure and career opportunities across various sectors—such as design, engineering, product development, sales, marketing, finance, and operations—Brown is positioning 741 as more than just a performance and apparel company. It serves as a platform for emerging talent to gain valuable experience and contribute to a leading brand, helping to break down barriers and create long-term economic opportunities in industries where diversity has often been lacking.
With the launch of 741, Jaylen Brown is not only redefining the boundaries of athlete-owned brands but also creating a lasting impact on the sneaker industry. His commitment to innovation, accessibility, and empowering athletes ensures that 741 is more than just a brand—it’s a movement that champions independence and creativity. As Brown’s journey continues, 741 stands as a testament to his dedication both on and off the court, and his vision to inspire the next generation to pursue their dreams on their own terms.
GRAMMY® AWARD-NOMINATED ARTIST, ENTREPRENEUR, AUTHOR, AND PHILANTHROPIST FAT JOE RETURNS AS HOST & CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF “BET HIP HOP AWARDS” 2024
The highly anticipated results are in! BET has revealed the returning host and this year’s nominees for the 19th annual “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024. Celebrating the best in Hip Hop from the past year across 17 categories and chosen by a prestigious voting academy of industry experts, this year’s show will be taped in an exciting, iconic new location in Las Vegas, NV, on Tuesday, October 8. Fat Joe, the Grammy® Award-nominated artist, actor, author, and media personality, returns as co-executive producer and host. “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 will air on BET on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at 8 PM ET/PT.
For more than 75 years, millions of Boys & Girls Club youth have participated in local, state and regional Youth of the Year events. Six teens — representing Boys & Girls Clubs from each region of the United States and U.S. Military-connected Youth Centers worldwide — advance to the national stage where one outstanding young person is named Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s National Youth of the Year. The National Youth of the Year serves as a role model, leader and advocate for their generation and the more than 3 million youth served by Boys & Girls Clubs.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America welcomed six teen finalists from Boys & Girls Clubs across the nation and overseas to its home city of Atlanta in celebration of its annual “National Youth of the Year” gala, gathering notable celebrity alumni, influencers and supporters including:
These individuals embody Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s mission and are living proof of the impact Clubs have in providing pathways for young people to achieve great futures. Previous National Youth of the Year recipients have gone on to be successful in a variety of industries, building on the foundational skills and life-shaping experiences they received at their Boys & Girls Club.
( photo credit : Sylvester White/Kingsmen Media Group)
SZA Presented With The BMI Champion Award, Named Songwriter Of The Year And Honored With Song Of The Year For “Kill Bill” With Rob Bisel And Carter Lang
Tay Keith Named Producer of the Year and Coleman, Dougie F, Metro Boomin, RIOTUSA and Jahaan Sweet Were Honored as Top Producers
Universal Music Publishing Received Publisher of the Year
BMI paid tribute to the best in R&B and Hip-Hop last night at its 2024 R&B/Hip-Hop Awards held at Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, CA. Babyfacereceived the night’s highest honor as the BMI Iconand SZA was presented with the BMI Champion Award, marking the first time this award was given in the R&B/Hip-Hop ceremony’s 24-year history. SZA was also named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year and was honored with Song of the Year for the massive hit, “Kill Bill”alongside her co-writers Rob Bisel and Carter Lang. BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Producer of the Year, Top Producers, Publisher of the Year and BMI’s Top 35 Most-Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in the U.S. of the previous year were also announced. The private event was hosted by BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill and BMI Vice President, Creative, Atlanta, Catherine Brewton.
In addition to being named a BMI Icon, Babyface now has 64 BMI Awards and received BMI’s Song of the Year three times, BMI Pop Songwriter of the Year seven times and, together with his LaFace Records co-founder L.A. Reid, was named a BMI Icon in 2006. R&B and Hip-Hop royalty paid tribute to Babyface with performances of some of his most popular songs. Mac Royals opened with “My My My,” Tamar Braxton followed with a passionate version of “Superwoman,” and Marioclosed the tribute performances with “I’ll Make Love to You” and “Can We Talk.” Superstar Lil Wayne paid tribute to his mentor and friend before O’Neill and Brewton presented the Icon Award to the five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning legend. O’Neill praised Babyface’s incomparable talent and impact on generations of music makers and for being with the BMI family for nearly five decades. In accepting the award Babyface thanked the crowd and said, “I only know that I got here because I love music, and it was the one pure thing that I knew that I could do, and I did it with all my heart. If you do it from the heart, that’s the main thing that keeps you going.” He then surprised the audience with an incredible performance of “Whip Appeal” that brought the room to their feet.
(Mario) As the 2024 BMI Icon, Babyface joins an elite group of music creators, including Busta Rhymes, Janet Jackson, Lil Wayne, Patti LaBelle, Nile Rodgers, Snoop Dogg, The Jacksons, LA Reid, Al Green, Isaac Hayes, James Brown and others.
Earlier in the evening, the BMI Champion Awardwas presented to SZA for elevating the craft of songwriting and sharing her artistic gifts with the world. BMI’s EVP, Chief Revenue & Creative Officer Mike Steinberg praised the four-time GRAMMY® winner “for using her voice as a champion … and raising the bar in songwriting creativity and breaking boundaries at every turn.” He added, “her once in a lifetime sound has mesmerized audiences around the globe.” In a special tribute to SZA, Bren Joy gave an electrifying performance of “Broken Clocks,” and emerging pop and R&B singer MaKenzie gave a soul-stirring performance of the hit song “Nobody Gets Me.” Upon receiving the honor, SZA said, “I have to say songwriting awards mean the most to me because when I started and I needed people to come and write for me I didn’t have anybody.” She went on to say, “I’m grateful to be honored today because there’s so many songwriters in here that literally made me.”
(Ice Spice) In receiving this honor, SZA joins previous BMI Champion Award recipients who were honored for their commitment and efforts supporting future songwriters and music makers, including Khalid, Inflo, Mark Ronson, Residente, Sebastian Krys and Keith Urban.
In addition to the BMI Champion Award, SZA was also named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year for co-writing, “Nobody Gets Me,” “Shirt,” “Snooze,” and received Song of the Year for “Kill Bill” alongside her co-writers Rob Bisel and Carter Lang. The smash hit became her first number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 and has over one billion streams on Spotify.
(Wiz Khalifa)
Over the course of the ceremony, BMI recognized the top producers and songwriters of the previous year’s 35 Most-Performed R&B/Hip-Hop Songs in the U.S, naming 56 first-time winners.
Hitmaker Tay Keith earned Producer of the Yearfor his work on hits such as “First Person Shooter” performed by Drake featuring J. Cole, “Meltdown” by Travis Scott featuring Drake, “SkeeYee” by Sexyy Red and “Circo Loco” by Drake and 21 Savage. This marks the third time Keith has been named Producer of the Year, and he was also named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Songwriter of the Year in 2018. Additionally, Coleman, Dougie F, Metro Boomin, RIOTUSA and Jahaan Sweet were also named top producers during the ceremony.
(Boyz ll Men) Universal Music Publishing was named BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Publisher of the Year for representing 21 of the previous year’s most-performed songs including BMI’s R&B/Hip-Hop Song of the Year “Kill Bill,” “Barbie World,” “Paint the Town Red,” “Players,” “Superhero (Heroes & Villains),” and “Snooze,” to name a few.
Spase Jenkins Entertainment and GPK Entertainment proudly announce an extraordinary night of music and culture with Jadakiss, one of Hip Hop’s most influential lyricists. Jadakiss“Timbs to Tuxedos” Orchestra Symphony will take place on Sunday, December 1st, 2024, at the iconic Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. This event promises to blend the raw energy of Hip Hop with the sophistication of classical music in an unprecedented celebration of art and legacy.
This elegant black-tie affair marks the 20th anniversary of Jadakiss’ critically acclaimed album, Kiss of Death. As a defining project in Hip Hop history, the album delivered timeless tracks and solidified Jadakiss as a lyrical titan. In honor of this milestone, fans will witness his music like never before, reimagined with the lush sounds of a live orchestra, creating a fusion of genres that transcends expectations.
The grandeur of this event isn’t simply a concert, it’s a cultural moment. The “Timbs to Tuxedos” Orchestra Symphony represents the evolution of Hip Hop, showcasing how the genre has transcended urban streets to become a globally respected art form. By incorporating orchestral arrangements, the event symbolizes the merging of two artistic worlds, making it a night that will leave a lasting impact on both music lovers and the Hip Hop community alike.
Tickets are available for purchase online via CobbEnergyCentre.com and Ticketmaster.com on Friday, September 13th.
From acclaimed writer/director/producer Todd Phillips comes “Joker: Folie À Deux,” the much-anticipated follow-up to 2019’s Academy Award-winning “Joker,” which earned more than $1 billion at the global box office and remains the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. The new film stars Joaquin Phoenix once again in his Oscar-winning dual role as Arthur Fleck/Joker, opposite Oscar winner Lady Gaga (“A Star Is Born”).
Born”). “Joker: Folie À Deux” finds Arthur Fleck institutionalized at Arkham awaiting trial for his crimes as Joker. While struggling with his dual identity, Arthur not only stumbles upon true love, but also finds the music that’s always been inside him. The film also stars Oscar nominees Brendan Gleeson (“The Banshees of Inisherin”) and Catherine Keener (“Get Out,” “Capote”), alongside Zazie Beetz, reprising her role from “Joker.”
Phillips, who was nominated for Oscars for directing, writing and producing “Joker,” directed “Joker: Folie À Deux” from a screenplay by fellow Oscar nominee Scott Silver & Phillips, based on characters from DC. The film was produced by Phillips, Oscar nominee Emma Tillinger Koskoff and Joseph Garner. Lady Gaga served as music consultant. The film’s executive producers are Michael E. Uslan, Georgia Kacandes, Silver, Mark Friedberg and Jason Ruder. Working with Phillips behind the camera are his team from “Joker,” including Oscar-nominated director of photography Lawrence Sher, production designer Mark Friedberg, Oscar-nominated editor Jeff Groth, and composer Hildur Guđnadóttir, who won the Oscar for her work on the first film. New to the team is Oscar-nominated costume designer Arianne Phillips (“Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood,” “Don’t Worry Darling”). Ruder is the film’s executive music producer and the music supervisors are Randall Poster and George Drakoulias. Casting is by Francine Maisler (the “Dune” films, “Challengers”). Warner Bros. Pictures Presents A Joint Effort Production, A Film by Todd Phillips, “Joker: Folie À Deux.” The film will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, and will be only in theaters nationwide on October 4, 2024, and beginning internationally on 2 October, 2024.
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