B.o.B Drops “New Black” in Response to Michael Brown Shooting
It seems more and more of the hip-hop community is up in arms over the recent shooting death of Michael Brown. B.o.B has been one of many rappers vocal about the incident on social media (and has sparked a lot of controversy over his comments), so he’s decided to give Twitter a break to air his frustrations on wax. His single “New Black” addresses issues faced within the Black community, such as absence of unity and lack of respect for one another. He ended the song with a clip urging Black folk to start putting the same amount of energy that’s been invested in the Ferguson protests into building and restoring their communities.
Read it at XXL.
Pharrell’s Grammy Hat Finds a Home at D.C. Museum
Remember Pharrell’s huge wild, wild west hat that he wore to the Grammy Awards this year? (Of course you do, how could one forget?) Well, if you recall, that original Smokey the Bear-ish dome piece was auctioned off on eBay in support of P’s From One Hand to Another charity and purchased by Arby’s (who were more than happy to get their logo back). Now the famous Vivienne Westwood mountain hat is making its way to D.C.’s Newseum starting August 22. This rare specimen is only on display for a short stint, but at least you now have a chance to see what all the hype is about.
Read it at Vibe.
Earl Sweatshirt Calls Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” Video “Offensive”
Taylor Swift is officially a member of the Miley Cyrus club. (No, not the sweet, innocent Hannah Montana Miley, but the hardcore, no-booty twerking one.) Why? The once wholesome country girl sparked all-angry hell on Twitter with the visuals for her new single, “Shake It Off,” where the rump-shaking Swift is seen dropping it low and making it clap with a group of booty-shaking Black girls during various segments. MC
Earl Sweatshirt was one of the more famous critics to verbalize his disgust for the mini Uncle Luke concert saying: “haven’t watched the taylor swift video and I don’t need to watch it to tell you that it’s inherently offensive and ultimately harmful. perpetuating black stereotypes to the same demographic of white girls who hide their prejudice by proclaiming their love of the culture.”
Well, he told her. But something tells me he hasn’t seen Nicki Minaj’s “Anaconda.”
Read it at Hip Hop DX.
