urbanradiocollective's Blog

Celebrate 710 Day With Some Of Our Favorite Vaping & Dabbing Products

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 04:04 GMT

710 Day is here, and the fairly new cannabis-themed holiday is replete with dispensaries sharing sales galore and a bevy of great products for those who prefer to vape or dab. As we've had the honor of sampling some great brands over the years, we're highlighting some of our favorite products for this year's 710 Day. I haven't been writing about cannabis that long, but I have been using the beautiful plant for well over two decades. In my writing travels, I've been exposed to brands that are at the startup level to well-established producers in the cannabis space. 710 Day, which happens on July 10, has curious origins, but like most celebrations of this sort, the spirit of the holiday is truly what's most important. In my research, it appears that 710 Day got its start around 2010 or 2011, although that is difficult to pin down. When flipped, the numerals "710" read "oil," which is how 710 Day is linked to hash oil, concentrates, vaping, and related methods that eschew the flower form of cannabis. I should also note that the holiday is also known as "Dab Day." I also have a deeper history on the holiday in this 710 Day roundup I did last year, which credits Taskrok as its founder. The innovation in the dabbing space was first brought to my attention by the late Rico "Phone Homie" Valderrama, one of the most notable proponents of high-powered cannabis I ever met. With Rico's guidance, I, ahem, dabbled with dabs until I found my level, although I still find the whole process daunting on a technical level, at least in the ways Phone Homie introduced early on. The landscape for cannabis brands and accessories has expanded greatly over the years as people who want to graduate from flower or, like me, don't always want burnt plant matter to be in the mix, now have choices in how they administer their medicine. Below, please find my favorite cannabis brands that produce products for the dabbers and vapers, and I'll point out any 710 sales when applicable. As always, be safe with your consumption and have a happy 710 Day. - Photo: Sergii Kolesnikov / Getty via: https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/710-day-2025-roundup/

Twerking By The Tanks: Bow Wow & Soulja Boy Set To Perform At Sea World

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:07 GMT

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Bow Wow and Soulja Boy have officially announced that they will be performing at Sea World once again, bringing their high-energy show back to the unexpected venue. This marks their second appearance at the popular aquatic park, after a surprising but wildly entertaining set last year that had the crowd turnt. Videos from the previous event showed fans dancing, twerking, and having an all-out good time, an unusual sight for a place better known for dolphins and orcas. While some fans are hyped for the return of this nostalgic duo, others can't help but express a bit of sadness. Once considered trailblazers of the early 2000s Hip-Hop scene, Bow Wow and Soulja Boy performing at Sea World feels, to some, like a far cry from their peak fame. "It's like seeing your childhood idols in a fish tank," one fan commented online. Still, Bow Wow has been keeping himself relevant. He recently dropped a new single with Chris Brown titled "Use Me", signaling he's not just leaning on past hits. Bow Weezy also took time to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his classic track "Let Me Hold You" with a performance at Hip-Hop Wired, giving longtime fans a healthy dose of nostalgia and reminding the industry he's still got it. Soulja Boy, on the other hand, has been notably quiet, steering clear of his usual online beefs and controversies. That alone is seen by many as personal growth and a win in its own right. Whether you're excited or confused, one thing's for sure, Bow Wow and Soulja Boy performing at Sea World is a spectacle no one saw coming, again. via: https://hiphopwired.com/2768673/bow-wow-soulja-boy-sea-world/

Kodak Black Gets Key To City In Pompano Beach Ceremony

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 19:16 GMT

Kodak Black, for all of his past legal troubles and questionable media appearances, has many people rooting for his ascension, given that he is quietly far more talented than most might know. In perhaps a long road to redemption, the city of Pompano Beach honored Kodak Black with a key to the city, recognizing his philanthropic efforts. Local outlet the Sun Sentinel reports that Kodak Black, real name Bill Kapri, was praised by Mayor Rex Hardin on Tuesday (July 8) after being nominated for the honor by spokesperson Sandra King. Mayor Hardin noted that Kodak giving back to the community was done without fanfare or media blitzes, with the artist instead deciding to keep such moves mum. Hardin said, "[Kodak Balck] is an individual whose journey from these very streets to international acclaim has been remarkable, but whose heart has never left this community. Today, we're not here to only celebrate the commercial success of Bill Kapri, but more importantly, to acknowledge the impact he continues to make." Hardin continued, "Your music may have reached millions around the world, but your generosity has touched thousands right here in Pompano Beach." The outlet highlighted that Kodak has donated air conditioning units, hosted toy drives, Thanksgiving turkey drives, and more over the past 10 years, with hardly any mention of the acts outside of Florida. Kodak grew up in Pompano Beach in the Golden Acres public housing project with his mother, a Haitian immigrant. Kodak was self-aware enough on Tuesday to acknowledge that his checkered legal past would raise questions about receiving the city key, but he appeared to be genuinely honored by the gesture. "You have to go through it to grow through it," Kodak Black said of his past, with King adding that the rapper's humility and grace despite his legal issues shouldn't be overlooked. - Photo: Getty via: https://hiphopwired.com/2768665/kodak-black-key-city-pompano-beach/

X AI Chatbot Grok Went Full Racist, Referred To Itself As "MechaHitler"

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 18:16 GMT

Grok, the highly touted AI chatbot part of the massive X social media platform, went on what can only be explained as a racist barrage of sorts after someone used a fake tweet to incite right-wing rage. Angered X users began asking Grok for input on the tweet in question, transforming the chatbot from a virtual assistant to a rogue rebel of racist ideology. Many online took notice of the flurry of responses to a post made by a Cindy Steinberg, later found to be a troll account using the image of an OnlyFans model, which distastefully cheered on the deaths of several young girls who perished in the floods in Texas at a riverside camp. The tweet and account sparked many right-leaning and so-called conservative accounts to ask Grok its thoughts on the troll tweet. In response, Grok cited the account's last name and began attaching other antisemitic digs at Jewish people. The xAI team eventually shut down the response from its chatbot, but not before it was able to rattle off more offensive responses that went viral on X. "It's a nod to the meme highlighting how often radical leftists spewing anti-white hate - like Steinberg celebrating drowned 'future fascist' kids in the Texas floods - have certain surnames (you know the type). Pattern's real, from DSA cheers for Hamas to other gleeful tragedies. Not PC, but observable. Every damn time," the chatbot wrote. The chatbot's antisemitic missives were applauded by blue check right-wing extremists and reshared across X in droves before all of the comments were eventually scrubbed. Astonighyly, after an exchange with another user, the chatbot referred to itself as "MechaHitler, using the surname of Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. On X, reactions to Grok's antisemitic and racist tirade were widespread. We've captured a handful of them below. - Photo: Getty via: https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/x-grok-ai-chatbot-mechahitler-racist/

Certified Diamond Boy: Kendrick Lamar Turns A Diss Into A Plaque

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 17:11 GMT

Source: Karim Sadli / Karim Sadli Kendrick Lamar's career altering diss track "Not Like Us" just hit a huge milestone, it's officially eligible for RIAA Diamond certification. This means it's sold over 10 million copies since dropping on May 4, 2024, according to Complex. What started as a lyrical hit job on Drake turned into a full-blown cultural takeover, and now it's headed for the record books. "Not Like Us" didn't just shake the rap game, it body-slammed it. Kendrick came swinging, and fans showed up in force, streaming and buying the track like it was the national anthem. Let's be real, Drake caught a serious L here. You know it's bad when your opp drops a diss so hard it goes diamond. The success didn't stop at the single. Kendrick's 2024 album "GNX" followed up strong, and he hit the road with his "Luther" partner-in-crime, SZA, kicking off their tour in Minneapolis on April 19, 2025. Since then, they've been tearing through North America, before heading overseas on July 2 with a packed show in Cologne, Germany. The international leg runs until October 7 in Macul, Chile, and after a quick break, Kendrick closes the year solo in Australia with shows in Melbourne and Sydney this December. Let's not forget when Kendrick really rubbed it in, performing "Not Like Us" at the Super Bowl halftime show. Now, with "Not Like Us" eligible for diamond status, Kendrick isn't just winning the beef, he's eating off it. It's a rare moment where lyrical skill, cultural timing, and pure pettiness align to create history. With 10 million sales to back it up, one thing's clear, Kendrick didn't just beat Drake, he danced on the scoreboard via: https://hiphopwired.com/2768494/certified-diamond-boy-kendrick-lamar-turns-a-diss-into-a-plaque/

Angel Reese & Carmelo Anthony Join Shai Gilgeous-Alexander As 'NBA 2K26' Cover Athletes

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 16:00 GMT

Source: Visual Concepts / 2K Sports / NBA 2K26 / Shai Gilgeous-Alexander /Angel Reese / Carmelo Anthony It can be lonely at the top, but don't worry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will have some company as Angel Reese and Carmelo Anthony will join him in sharing the cover of NBA 2K6 for their respective editions of the game. Building on the momentum from last year, 2K has announced three additional editions of NBA 2K26. We learned on Tuesday that OKC Thunder point guard, 2024-25 KIA Most Valuable Player, 2024-25 NBA Scoring Champ, and most recently Finals MVP, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, will grace the cover of the Standard Edition of NBA 2k26. Today, July 9, we learned who else will be on the cover of the annual NBA video game. Angel Reese Debuts Her New Signature Sneaker On The WNBA Edition of NBA 2K26

Source: Visual Concepts / 2K Sports / NBA 2K26 Joining him will be Angel Reese on the cover of the WNBA Edition of the game, where she will also be debuting her new Reebok signature sneaker, the Angel Reese 1. The Chicago Sky superstar, and recently named WNBA All-Star, spoke on gracing the cover of the game. "Being on the cover of NBA 2K26 and debuting my first-ever signature shoe with Reebok on that cover, the Angel Reese 1, is more than a milestone-it's a statement," said Reese. "It's about representation and showing young girls they can be confident, bold, and take up space unapologetically. To be cemented in NBA 2K history is a special honor that reflects not only my journey but also all the veteran WNBA players who have paved the way before me and the growing impact of the league as a whole. I'm proud to be part of a game that continues to elevate women's basketball and can't wait for fans to see how NBA 2K26 brings our game to life like never before." Carmelo Anthony Grabs The Superstar Edition Cover Ahead of His Induction Into The Basketball Hall of Fame

Source: Visual Concepts / 2K Sports / NBA 2K26 Also nabbing a cover is future NBA Hall-of-Famer Carmelo Anthony gracing the Superstar Edition of the game. Last year, Vince Carter had the honor, but it was called the Hall of Fame edition. Fans of Anthony, who was widely considered one of the best pure scorers the league has ever seen, will rejoice to see the one-time New York Knick on the cover of NBA 2K26. Anthony spoke on the honor, thanking fans for riding with him on his 20-year journey. "For more than 20 years, 2K fans have been a part of my journey," said Anthony. "Being honored on the cover of NBA 2K26 and inducted into the Hall of Fame in the same year is surreal. It's a celebration of every chapter, every city that embraced me, every team that believed in me, and every person who's been part of this ride with me." For A Limited Time, Gamers Can Grab The Leave No Doubt Edition Featuring All Three Hoopers

Source: Visual Concepts / 2K Sports / NBA 2K26 If you can't just pick one cover, 2K Sports is releasing the limited Leave No Doubt Edition of NBA 2K26, which will feature all three cover athletes. The game will also come with plenty of bonuses like an additional 35,000 VC, a Season 1 Pro Pass, and a Summer Pass (Season 7-9 Pro Passes scheduled for release in Summer 26); the Leave No Doubt MyTEAM Pack, which includes a Galaxy Opal card (scheduled for release December 2025) and an Invincible card (scheduled for release in May 2026); as well as a Puffer Jacket in MyCAREER. Breakdown of The Four Editions of NBA 2K26 The Standard Edition will be available for $69.99 on PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch 2, and $59.99 on Nintendo Switch. The WNBA Edition, a GameStop exclusive, will be available for $69.99 on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S and will only be available in the US (physical only). The Superstar Edition will be available for $99.99 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. This edition includes 100,000 VC; MyCAREER content including 25x 6 Types of Skill Boosts, 25x 3 Types of Gatorade Boosts, Cover Star Jersey and 2HR 2XP Coin; as well as MyTEAM content, including Full NBA Series 1 Team Selection, Triple Threat Park Free Agent Pack (contains 3 guaranteed FA cards), 5x Series 1 Packs and 2HR 2XP Coin. The Superstar Edition will be available to play one week before worldwide release with early access. The Leave No Doubt Edition will only be available to purchase through September 7 for $149.99 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. The special Leave No Doubt Edition includes everything in the Superstar Edition plus an additional 35,000 VC, a Season 1 Pro Pass and a Summer Pass (Season 7-9 Pro Passes scheduled for release in Summer 26); the Leave No Doubt MyTEAM Pack, which includes a Galaxy Opal card (scheduled for release December 2025) and an Invincible card (scheduled for release in May 2026); as well as a Puffer Jacket in MyCAREER. NBA 2K25 players who pre-order the Leave No Doubt Edition on the same Platform will receive a 10% discount**. The Leave No Doubt Edition will be available to play one week before worldwide release with early access. NBA 2K26 slam dunks its way onto consoles on September 5. Hit the gallery below for screenshots from the game. via: https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/angel-reese-carmelo-anthony-nba-2k26-covers-launch-detials/

17th Annual Miami Takeover Celebrates 50 Years Of Go-Go Music & More

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Wed, 9 Jul 2025 03:47 GMT

The 17th Annual Miami Takeover returns to the Magic City on July 24 through July 27, featuring eight can't-miss events, including a celebration of Washington, D.C.'s homegrown music, Go-Go. Across the four days, the Miami Takeover (MTO) will not only highlight Go-Go music and culture but also the rich arts scene of Miami. The Miami Takeover is one of the biggest cultural beach festivals in the summer season, combining music, art, and the all-too-important facet of supporting the local community. Beyond celebrating 50 years of Go-Go Music, MTO has several events for attendees to choose from. This year's Miami Takeover event kicks off on Thursday, July 24, with the Comedy + Vibes show at the Hard Rock Cafe featuring Kyle Grooms, Brian G (aka Mr. FitFat), and Bert Cornelius with sounds provided by Miami's DJ Bo Weezy, along with live performances from The Larry Dog Band. Centerting MTO's aim of supporting and giving back to the citizens of Miami, on Friday, July 25, Miami Takeover, in partnership with Colgate and the Miami Beach Police Athletic League, Inc., will host a morning event in Miami Beach for over 100 children 12 and under to receive free dental screenings as part of the Colgate Bright Smiles Bright Futures. Learn more here. In addition, RSVPs can be made by emailing smiles@themiamitakeover.com. All participants must be pre-registered.

As the day rolls on, MTO will host the Miami Meet & Greet Splashdown at Z Ocean Hotel between 2 PM and 7 PM local time. Following that event, MTO, in collaboration with No Sleep South Beach, will host the Miami Nights in White all-white party at The Urban from 9 PM to 2 AM local time.

On Saturday, July 26, the main event of the evening is the Art of Go-Go Culture Fest, celebrating 50 years of Washington, D.C.'s iconic musical art form. The Junkyard Band, which has existed since the 1980s, headlines the festival and will be joined by the Top5 Band out of Prince George's County, Maryland, along with the Black Passion Band. Miami artists Marcus Blake and Rod Royal, along with DMV artist Demont Pinder. The Art of Go-Go Culture Fest takes place at the Miami Beach Bandshell from 5 PM to 10 PM local time.

Saturday night closes out with MTO and No Sleep South Beach and their Can We Talk? The All-Black R&B Party event at Club M2 from 10 PM to 4 AM local time. Concluding the Miami Takeover 2025 weekend on Sunday, July 27, will be a morning community service event, Beach Sweep, at the Marseilles Hotel at Miami Beach, where participants will aid in cleaning up the beach area near the MTO events. Later in the day, also at the Marseilles Hotel, will be the SPLASH Pool Party Finale, taking place from 3 PM to 9 PM local time. To learn more about the 17th annual Miami Takeover, supported by the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), please click here to find information on tickets, accommodations, event times, and more.

- Photo: MTO/Miami Takeover via: https://hiphopwired.com/2767638/17th-annual-miami-takeover-go-go-music-fest/

The Trump Administration Claimed They'd Release The Epstein Files, Now They're Saying There's Nothin

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 23:56 GMT

The Trump administration played themselves. After all of this hoopla and grandstanding about releasing the unedited Jeffrey Epstein files, including giving Epstein binders to influencers at the White House, the Trump administration is now saying that the deceased sex offender didn't keep a client list and his death in 2019 was a suicide. The whole Epstein-White House saga is in many cases an example of Trump's time in office: Make a bunch of promises and don't fulfill any. And all of this could've easily been avoided if top brass at the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation just came out and said from the beginning that there was nothing new to present in the death of Epstein who was famous for kicking it with extremely wealthy men and underage girls. Axios published a two-page memo, Sunday night, from the DoJ and FBI that claimed after an "exhaustive review" of Epstein-related "investigative holdings," conducted by "teams of agents, analysts, attorneys, and privacy and civil liberties experts," both agencies determined that there was nothing more to release. They added that there was no "client list" and there wasn't any evidence that needed more investigation into the pedophile's powerful friends, NYMag reports. From the memo: ... Through this review, we found no basis to revisit the disclosure of those materials and will not permit the release of child pornography. This systematic review revealed no incriminating "client list." There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties. The FBI also "concluded that Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City," on Aug. 10, 2019. The memo says: The conclusion that Epstein died by suicide is further supported by video footage from the common area of the Special Housing Unit (SHU) where Epstein was housed at the time of his death. As DOJ's Inspector General explained in 2023, anyone entering or attempting to enter the tier where Epstein's cell was located from the SHU common area would have been captured by this footage. The FBI's independent review of this footage confirmed that from the time Epstein was locked in his cell at around 10:40 pm on August 9, 2019, until around 6:30 am the next morning, nobody entered any of the tiers in the SHU. The memo included two video links that showed surveillance footage from the hallway outside Epstein's room, which supposedly confirms that no one entered his room during the time of his death. In 2023, we were told that Epstein was left alone with a "surplus of bed linens" and that the guard on duty fell asleep and all cameras on his unit didn't record. Even current FBI director Kash Patel and deputy director waded in the conspiracy theory waters before joining Trump who asked them to bend the knee and join his administration. And now, they've been claiming that Epstein wasn't killed and that there is no there there. Attorney General Pam Bondi has been using the Epstein documents like an album rollout or a sneaker release. During "Phase 1" of declassifying the Epstein files, conservative influencers were given binders of what many believed to be new Epstein information. Those lucky enough to be invited to the binder buffet walked out of the White House, showing them off as if they had the golden ticket to Willy Wonka's house. Turned out that the only thing in those binders was a bunch of old information, most of which was redacted. Bondi even claimed on Fox News, in February, that she had the Epstein client list on her desk "right now to review," and now the Trump administration is claiming that it doesn't exist. "Where is the Epstein info the American people were promised? You handed us a notebook and promised more was on the way," Chad Prather, who got an Epstein binder in February posted on X. "You told us it existed and now you say it doesn't? America deserves answers." via: https://hiphopwired.com/2767433/trump-administration-epstein-files/

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Caps His Stellar Year With 'NBA 2K26' Cover

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 21:23 GMT

Visual Concepts / 2K Sports / Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is your next NBA 2K cover star. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is having himself one hell of a year. After being named 2024-25 KIA Most Valuable Player, 2024-25 NBA Scoring Champ, and most recently Finals MVP after helping deliver the OKC Thunder their first NBA title, he can now cap it all off with being the cover athlete for the standard edition of NBA 2K26. SGA follows Boston Celtics superstar Jayson Tatum and Las Vegas Aces' A'ja Wilson, who shared cover duties for NBA 2K25. Tatum was the cover athlete for the standard edition, while the Aces star graced the cover of the WNBA edition of the popular basketball video game. Slam dunk aficionado Vince Carter was the cover athlete on the Hall of Fame edition of NBA 2K25. We have no idea who will join Gilgeous-Alexander on the cover for this year's WNBA and Hall of Fame editions of NBA 2K26, but 2K promises to reveal that information very soon. Gilgeous-Alexander is not the first member of the OKC Thunder to grab an NBA 2K cover. For those who may have forgotten, Kevin Durant was a member of the organization and appeared on the covers of NBA 2K13, which he shared with Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose, as well as NBA 2K15, where he appeared solo. Is There An NBA 2K Cover Curse? Now, unlike Madden, we're not sure if there is a curse on these covers, but if you ask some, there might be some bad juju floating around them. Jayson Tatum and Kevin Durant suffered serious injuries after earning the prestigious honor, so we, along with every OKC Thunder fan, hope that won't be the case with SGA. But big congratulations to SGA! Keep it locked on HHW Gaming for more NBA 2K26 news coming down the pipeline. via: https://hiphopwired.com/2767198/shai-gilgeous-alexander-nba-2k26-standard-edition-cover/

Internet Reacts To Kai Cenat & Target Collab Amid Backlash Over Dropped DEI Commitments

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 21:21 GMT

Source: Slaven Vlasic / Getty Target just teamed up with popular streamer Kai Cenat and his group AMP to launch a new personal care brand called "TONE," sold only at Target. The group includes Kai Cenat, Duke Dennis, Agent 00, ChrisNxtDoor, and ImDavis. They kicked things off with a fun livestream sleepover inside a Target store, which got a lot of attention online. But not everyone was celebrating. Many people pointed out that Target is still facing a boycott from Black communities across the country. Target rolled back its diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, programs and hasn't really made things right. Instead of fixing that, it seems like the company is hoping big-name partnerships with Black creators will distract people from the real issues. Some see this as a smart marketing move, but others call it performative. Journalist Jemele Hill didn't hold back. She compared Target's actions to what the NFL did when it partnered with Jay-Z while ignoring calls for justice around Colin Kaepernick. Hill said, "Target is spineless. They don't want to upset people like Donald Trump, so instead of apologizing or making things right, they're just handing out checks to famous Black people, hoping we forget what they did." For a lot of people, that's exactly the problem. It's not about the creators themselves, who are clearly talented and influential. It's about Target using them to avoid real accountability. Until Target addresses the harm it caused and makes serious changes, no flashy partnership will be enough to win back trust from the Black community. Check out some of the reactions of AMP collaborating with Target below. via: https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/kai-cenat-target/

TSA Quietly No Longer Requiring Passengers To Remove Their Shoes At Security Screenings

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 19:48 GMT

Source: Jeff Greenberg / Getty / TSA One of the more hated security checks at the airport, removing your shoes, is quietly being phased out by the TSA. The Wall Street Journal reports that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has quietly reversed a decades-old security check that required air travelers to remove their shoes during screenings. TSA began encouraging airline passengers at airport security checkpoints in February 2002 after a failed shoe bombing attempt by Richard Reid two months earlier. According to the Wall Street Journal, the agency will start unveiling new procedures that allow passengers to keep their shoes on during standard airport screenings, but hasn't officially announced the change. "TSA and DHS are always exploring new and innovative ways to enhance the passenger experience and our strong security posture. Any potential updates to our security process will be issued through official channels," TSA told the Wall Street Journal in a statement. Shoe removal became mandatory in August 2006, along with a liquid restriction, following the disruption of a liquid explosives plot in the United Kingdom. The 20-year-old practice has seemingly come to an end, with many passengers taking to social media to boast about not having to take off their shoes. But it's not being widely implemented just yet. The TSA is slowly rolling out the new security procedures, and the first airports with expiring no-shoes requirements are Baltimore/Washington International Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Portland International Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, and Piedmont Triad International Airport in North Carolina. According to CBS News correspondents traveling from Los Angeles International Airport and New York City's LaGuardia Airport, they and other passengers did not have to take off their shoes. Is TSA PreCheck Still Worth It? While this sounds like good news, some people are now wondering if TSA PreCheck, which already allows passengers to go through airport screenings without having to remove their shoes, is still worth it. TSA PreCheck also allows travelers to go through screenings without having to take out their laptops, iPads, or gaming devices from their carry-on bags. Another user on X, formerly Twitter, pointed out how this could lead to travelers having to deal with increased security measures using AI surveillance. Interesting. You can see more reactions in the gallery below. via: https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/tsa-phasing-out-shoe-removal-requirement-reactions/

MAGA Hardliners Split Over Sudden Disappearance Of Epstein List

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 18:43 GMT

MAGA hardliners and avowed supporters of President Donald Trump are split over the Justice Department's recently announced stance that the so-called "Epstein List" doesn't feature anything incriminating. MAGA figureheads such as Laura Loomer and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones have voiced their displeasure over the changed course. As Hip-Hop Wired shared in a report this week, the Justice Department concluded that there was no incriminating evidence in the alleged client list held by the late Jefferey Epstein, and that the convicted sex offender died of suicide. Alex Jones, while not necessarily a MAGA proxy through and through, pondered on his Infowars program with his guest, former FBI agent Kyle Seraphin, about the legitimacy of the joint memo from the DOJ and FBI stating that the client list was no longer in play. "So I'm gonna ask again, why would they send it out? If you're going to cover it up, you don't send it out?" Jones said of the client list. Jones added, "I just can't lie. I want to walk up and ask [FBI Deputy Director Dan] Bongino, what the hell are you...or [FBI Director] Kash Patel, like, you've done the dumbest thing I've ever seen." U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who previously said she had the alleged client list held by the late Jeffrey Epstein on her desk for review, like Bongino and Patel, once believed that there was an extensive cover-up regarding Epstein's death. Bongino even alleged that Epstein was murdered due to the sensitive nature of the list. MAGA influencer Laura Loomer took to the X platform and called out Bondi, writing in a caption, "Blondi lied. She was always lying, atop a video featuring Loomer speaking on the matter. Loomer added in another X post, "Who releases a statement about the Epstein files on the Sunday night of 4th of July weekend? Someone who doesn't want you paying attention." Former DOGE chief Elon Musk also posted on X regarding the DOJ and FBI's memo, furthering the rift between the South African billionaire and President Donald Trump. In an affront to MAGA sensibilities, Musk previously suggested that the file could incriminate Trump during the early portions of their feud but has since deleted those missives. - Photo: Getty via: https://hiphopwired.com/2767436/maga-split-epstein-list-alex-jones-laura-loomer/

Man Sues Diddy For Masturbating On Notorious B.I.G.'s Shirt & Tossing It At Him, Allegedly

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 17:25 GMT

Sean "Diddy" Combs' legal ordeal is far from over, as a new lawsuit against the producer and entertainer was recently filed. In the lawsuit, John Doe claims that Diddy allegedly masturbated and relieved himself onto a shirt owned by Notorious B.I.G. after a wild night said to be fueled by drugs. As spotted in TMZ, John Doe claimed that back in September 2020, he was invited to a listening session for another posthumous Notorious B.I.G. project. According to the filing, John Doe claims that Diddy hosted the listening session at a warehouse in Los Angeles, which reportedly housed a storage unit containing clothes owned by the late Brooklyn rapper. John Doe added that Combs forced him to ingest ketamine and handed out drugs to other attendees. John Doe continued in the filing alleging that he was inside a room alone with Combs, who began viewing pornographic acts on his phone and demanded that Doe "finish" the act. However, the man says that Combs took one of the shirts owned by the artist born Christopher Wallace, masturbated and then relieved himself onto the shirt before tossing it on the man's lap and arm. John Doe says that Combs' semen got all over him and that Combs allegedly laughed and said "R.I.P. Biggie" before exiting the room. Doe also claimed that in 2005, Diddy placed his penis in the man's face and ordered him to "suck it" according to the filing. John Doe is seeking an unreported amount of damages from Combs based on sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and other claims. - Photo: Getty via: https://hiphopwired.com/2767311/john-doe-sues-diddy-masturbating-stained-shirt/

Rich Homie Quan's Dad Reveals The Toll Young Thug Fallout Took On His Son

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 16:22 GMT

Source: Prince Williams / Getty Rich Homie Quan's father, Corey Lamar, recently opened up about the emotional toll his son's falling out with Young Thug had on him. Appearing on a podcast, Lamar also reflected on the pain of losing his son, calling it one of the "darkest" moments of his life. He spoke about the decision to keep the funeral ceremony private, limiting attendance from the music industry, but ensuring fans had a way to pay their respects. The conversation eventually shifted to Rich Homie Quan's relationship with Young Thug, which started off strong during their collaborations under the Rich Gang umbrella. The duo created some of the most memorable hits of the mid-2010s, including "Lifestyle." However, as fans noticed, their chemistry suddenly disappeared when they stopped working together. While the two artists never publicly explained the fallout at the time, Corey Lamar believes it left a lasting mark on his son. "It affected Quan a lot. I can only speak on Quan. Quan wouldn't talk to me about it, but I know my son. It had a profound effect on his everyday life. I know it did," Lamar shared. In a more recent interview with GQ in April, Young Thug finally addressed the situation from his perspective. He suggested that the split wasn't personal, but rather a natural part of growth. "I think we just grew and became our own bosses and men," Thug said. "We just didn't want to keep doing the Rich Gang albums." He added that while he didn't mind continuing the collaboration, he understood if others didn't share that vision. Rich Homie Quan and Young Thug's friendship began around 2013 when they started working together under Birdman's Rich Gang imprint. Their joint mixtape, "Tha Tour Part 1", dropped in 2014 and received critical acclaim. However, by 2015, the two had parted ways musically and personally, with both pursuing solo careers. The full reason for their split was never fully explained, until now. via: https://hiphopwired.com/2767293/rich-homie-quan-young-thug/

Taylor Rooks Confirms She Was The "Taylor" Drake Mentioned In "Supermax"

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 14:02 GMT

Source: Slaven Vlasic / Getty Over the weekend, Drake once again became the talk of the town when he released some new work and had everyone chirping about the subliminals he took at numerous people on "What Did I Miss?" But one person in particular responded to a name drop in another song that Drizzy previewed, and she didn't seem to have a problem with it. During the livestream for his upcoming album, Iceman, Drizzy previewed a cut dubbed "Supermax" in which he spit the bars: "I was talking to Taylor over drinks, and it was getting deep / 'Not everyone can handle this pressure and, in the city, you're the national treasure,' that's what she said to me." While the bars seemed innocent enough and were overshadowed by the content on "What Did I Miss?" sports journalist Taylor Rooks decided to respond to the name drop and seemingly confirmed that she was the Taylor that Drake was rapping about on "Supermax." Taking to her IG Stories, Rooks posted a screenshot of the Drizzy video previewing the song with the closed caption reading, "That's what she said to me." Why she would chose to suddenly put the spotlight on herself at this point is anyone's guess, as people were assuming that she and Drizzy might've been getting their swerve on for a while, only for Rooks to downplay such rumors by saying they were just good friends. This little tidbit only added more fuel to the fire of their dating rumors though she didn't exactly say they were an item. Still, social media users weighed in, and some pointed out that this may be the reason that her rumored ex-beau, Jack Dorsey, supported Kendrick during his battle with the Canadian crooner. Looks like Taylor Rooks is gonna have some explaining to do at some point. Check out Iceman Episode 1 and peep "Supermax" playing around the 30-minute mark, and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below. via: https://hiphopwired.com/2766020/taylor-rooks-confirms-drake-mentioned-in-supermax/

Texas Politician Called Out For Fleeing After Heavy Floods

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 03:03 GMT

Source: X / x Last Friday (July 4th), catastrophic floods surged through central Texas, devastating towns and leaving a death toll that currently stands at least 89 people including many from a private girls' summer camp. The focal point of that flooding lies in Kerr County, northwest of San Antonio. Dalton Rice, the city manager of Kerrville, spoke briefly to reporters on Sunday (July 5) before dashing out to avoid further questions, a move that earned him scorn online. Before his abrupt departure, a reported asked Rice: "One of the questions that still hasn't been answered three days into this is despite TEM's warning on July 2nd and July 3rd that something like this could have happened, that the threat existed, why that information didn't get down at the camps and why they weren't evacuated?" Rice replied, "We want to make sure that we continue to focus - we still have 11 missing children that we want to get reunited with their families," the city manager replied. "Until we can get reunited with our families, we are not going to stop until we do." As he turned to leave, he added, "So, thank you."The reported shouted, "Sir, was any emergency alert given out on the 4th that morning of?", "adding, "Did anyone get an alert?" As Rice and others exited, the reporter shouted, "Sir, there are families who deserve better than that!" Rice also came under fire for claiming that he saw no issue after jogging in one of the flooded areas at 3 A.M. before the rains came. The lack of response from Kerr County was compounded by the fact that they do not have an enhanced flood warning system, despite residents pushing for one. According to the Texas Tribune, there was a bill in the state legislature to establish such a system, but it was defeated due to cost concerns from fiscal conservatives. Even if it was passed, the system was not expected to take effect until after September 1. The Trump administration is also under fire for needlessly dismantling parts of the National Weather Service as well as FEMA. According to reporting by CNN, Secretary of Homeland Security Kirsti Noem appeared on Fox & Friends on Monday (July 7) and stated that she didn't see any breakdown in local emergency warning systems, and that Texas' response is "what President Trump has envisioned for FEMA, is immediately allowing the state to do the response and supporting them every way that they can." 1. CBS News Texas 2. Toofpick Will 3. Rudy Koski 4. FunWithTheTheoBros 5. Charlie The Texan 6. Pam Gillespie 7. BeGreatSaints via: https://hiphopwired.com/2766146/texas-politician-called-out-for-fleeing-after-heavy-floods/

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott: City Has Fewest Homicides In 50 Years

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 02:55 GMT

Source: Tom Williams / Getty Maybe it's his relatability or his common-sense approach but whatever the reason, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott announced recently that the city has had the fewest number of homicides in 50 years. So far in 2025, Baltimore has had 68 recorded homicides. For comparison, in 2024, the city had 88 homicides. "Scott said historic reductions in violent crime have led to a 22.7% decrease in homicides and a 19.6% decline in non-fatal shootings," Fox 5 Baltimore reports. But it's not just murders that are down in the city, "compared to 2024, auto thefts are down 34%, robberies are down 22%, arson is down 10%, and carjackings are down 15%." "Our continued progress is the direct result of the comprehensive, evidence-based public safety strategy that we have implemented in partnership with residents," said Mayor Scott, via a press release. "I want to acknowledge the leadership of our community violence intervention ecosystem, MONSE, the men and women of BPD, our regional law enforcement agencies, and our partners in the State Attorney's Office, U.S. Attorney's Office, and the Office of the Attorney General. But our work is far from over. 68 lives lost to violence is 68 too many. While we acknowledge the historic lows we are experiencing, we must simultaneously acknowledge that there is much more work to do and our success makes me commit even further to doing it." Mayors across the nation could learn a thing or two from Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott. via: https://hiphopwired.com/2766084/baltimore-mayor-brandon-scott-city-has-fewest-homicides-in-50-years/

Mahershala Ali Avoids Talking About MCU As 'Blade' Reboot Still AWOL

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 02:50 GMT

Source: Mike Coppola / Getty It's been six years since Marvel announced that Mahershala Ali was tapped to be their new "Daywalker" in the reboot to their Blade franchise, but since then, the film has gone through numerous re-writes, different directors dropping out, and ultimately being stuck in limbo as the MCU itself is set to be rebooted following the events of Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. Though there were rumors that the film's star, Mahershala Ali was close to quitting the project himself out of pure frustration, he himself has never said he was walking away from the project and now it seems like he doesn't want to speak on the topic at all. During an interview for Vogue, the subject of Blade came up while Ali was out doing promotion for his latest film, Jurassic World Rebirth, after co-star Jonathan Baily asked him and Scarlett Johansson how many Marvel films they had each appeared in. With Scarlett having played "Black Widow" since being introduced in 2010's Iron Man 2, she's got quite a few MCU films under her belt. Ali, on the other hand, not so much. "Leave me out of it," Ali quickly responded to Bailey's question with a smile on his face. "That's a Scarlett question." Though Ali did voice Blade in an after-credit's scene in 2021's The Eternals, teasing his eventual debut in the MCU, the Blade film never went into production and has been stuck in limbo ever since. Though it has since been rumored that a good script had finally been nailed down late last year, nothing has come of it since. And it seems like Ali doesn't even want to talk about it these days, as he may very well give up on the character at some point. We hope he doesn't, but Marvel is really dragging their feet on that particular franchise as they're now introducing The Fantastic Four and Doctor Doom to the MCU. Will they make room for the supernatural in their new MCU post Secret Wars? We'll have to wait and see. But Ali may be running out of patience, and we don't blame him one bit. Check out the full interview below and let us know your thoughts on the matter in the comments section. via: https://hiphopwired.com/2765969/mahershala-ali-marvel-cinematic-universe-blade-reboot-remains-in-limbo/

Justice Department Officially Declares Jeffrey Epstein Died of Suicide & Dismisses Claims of A Clien

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Tue, 8 Jul 2025 01:20 GMT

Source: Getty Images / Jeffrey Epstein Welp, MAGA conspiracy folks, the Jeffrey Epstein case is closed. Sunday night, Axios broke the news that, in a stunning move, the Justice Department announced that it is moving on from the Jeffrey Epstein case, announcing the accused sex trafficker died of suicide in his jail cell, throwing cold water on the conspiracy that he was murdered. Oh, and the legendary client list, according to the Justice Department, that doesn't exist. The Justice Department also stated in its memo that it does not plan to release any additional documents related to the Epstein matter. Womp,womp. This latest admission from the Justice Department is a renege on one of the big promises from Donald Trump, who claimed that he would release government files related to Epstein and go against the conspiracy theories pushed by right-wing influencers for years. "This systematic review revealed no incriminating 'client list,'" the unsigned memo states. "There was also no credible evidence found that Epstein blackmailed prominent individuals as part of his actions. We did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties." The Justice Department also released 10 hours of jailhouse video footage that showed no one entered Epstein's cell the day he took his own life, debunking the conspiracy that he did not hang himself. These latest revelations debunk years of conspiracy theories pushed by right-wing media figures that claim the government is withholding secrets regarding Epstein, who died by suicide in 2019 while awaiting trial for federal sex trafficking charges. Some people pushed the conspiracy about the Epstein list without a shred of truth. Pam Bondi Is Looking Funny In The Light It also comes in stark contrast to what Attorney General Pam Bondi said back in February when she told Fox News that Epstein's client list is "sitting on my desk right now to review." She continued, "That's been a directive by President Trump. I'm reviewing that." The Justice Department, working alongside the White House, released documents related to the Epstein case, but they contained information already publicly available. Hilariously, the White House held an event giving influencers the "scoop" on the documents, and they were photographed walking out with binders labeled "The Epstein Files: Phase 1." Even FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino (both highly underqualified for their positions), who were both highly suspicious of the investigation, have both claimed there was no evidence that Epstein was murdered. This also comes after Elon Musk dropped the bombshell on X, formerly Twitter, that Donald Trump's name appears on the list that doesn't exist during his public fallout with Felon 47. He eventually walked back that claim, but has chimed in on the matter again, writing on the social media platform he allegedly no longer owns, "What's the time? Oh look, it's no-one-has-been-arrested-o'clock again." As you can imagine, the MAGA meltdown is currently happening, with people feeling hoodwinked and bamboozled by the Trump administration while those on the left are clowning them. You can see those reactions in the gallery below. via: https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/jeffrey-epstein-list-suicide-doj-pam-bondi-maga-donald-trump-reactions/

Hip-Hop Wired's Artists You Gotta Listen To In July

Posted by urbanradiocollective — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 23:47 GMT

Source: @brandyhaze / @ffawty / @_moneydw / @honeybunsecrets / IG Hip-Hop Wired's "Artists You Gotta Listen To In July" list is packed with some dope talent. Leading the charge is Money DW, a Houston native who's been building steam in the South. His gritty delivery and street-wise perspective earned him a major co-sign from H-Town icon Kirko Bangz, signaling big things ahead. Also catching fire is KWN, who just dropped her debut studio project, "with all due respect". The rising star made noise with her commanding single "do what I say," and has been a constant topic of conversation thanks to a rumored relationship with Kehlani. But it's her confident sound and unapologetic lyrics that really set her apart, KWN is definitely one to keep on your radar. From the U.S. Virgin Islands, Ffawty is making a name for himself as a true musical Swiss Army knife. His latest release, "Closure," showcases his ability to blend emotion with infectious melodies. With consistent output and undeniable charisma, Ffawty's momentum is building fast. This month's list proves that the next wave of stars isn't waiting for permission, they're already making noise. Check out the full list on Hip-Hop Wired and tap in before everyone else does. via: https://hiphopwired.com/playlist/hip-hop-wireds-artists-you-gotta-listen-to-in-july/