Latest news with #JAYZ
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Memphis Bleek Shares The Real Reason Why JAY-Z Left Roc-A-Fella Records
Memphis Bleek is shedding new light on the long-discussed fallout between JAY-Z and the original Roc-A-Fella Records crew, offering insight into Hov's decision to distance himself from Dame Dash and others during the early 2000s. In a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, Bleek—one of the few Roc artists who has consistently stood by JAY-Z's side—broke down the mogul's mindset at the time and explained why he never felt abandoned or slighted by his longtime friend's meteoric rise. 'I knew he had to,' Bleek said, referring to JAY-Z's departure from the Roc-A-Fella fold as he transitioned deeper into the corporate world. 'For Jay to be where he at, he couldn't be around us everyday. I'm a liability. Me now being married, being a businessman, of course, things have changed. But the reckless Bleek? You couldn't be around us. Anything could happen, and then it spills right back to you.' For Bleek, the split wasn't personal—it was strategic. He emphasized that lifestyle differences and business responsibilities meant JAY-Z had to make a clean break, even from people he cared about. 'It's not that he don't rock with you, or don't rock with us,' Bleek explained. 'It's, 'Aye, dawg, I'm over here gettin' to these millions, ya still in the club poppin' bottles. I don't need that look.'' When asked why his perspective on JAY-Z's departure differed from former Roc affiliates who have criticized Hov in the years since, Bleek pointed to his attempts to prepare others for the inevitable shift. 'I don't know. I tried to tell these guys,' he said. 'That's the thing, if you really sit down — see, a lot of people, when these cameras cut on, they got an image, they gotta keep it up. But if they really sit down and have a real conversation with the reality pills on the table, they'll tell you that I told these guys this was coming.' The Brooklyn rapper also recalled trying to look out for Beanie Sigel, who has publicly aired grievances about JAY-Z in the past. Bleek recounted a conversation in which he warned Beans to carefully review the contracts tied to his State Property clothing line, especially since the label read, 'Manufactured by Rocawear.' 'So, I'm telling him as a brother, 'Yo, bro, check your contracts and all that. Make sure everything is right because I see it's manufactured by Rocawear — I don't think Rocawear was making their own clothes, so how they making your clothes?'' Bleek said. 'And he looked at me — this is when I knew me and Beans' relationship wasn't the same — because he was like, 'Yo, it sound like you hatin' on me, fam,' and I'm like, 'What you mean?' And he's like, 'If Jay your man like you say, why you ain't got no record label?'' Bleek's candid reflections provide rare clarity on the inner workings of one of Hip-Hop's most storied empires—and why its members eventually went their separate ways. Watch Memphis Bleek's The Breakfast Club interview below. More from Memphis Bleek Urges Nicki Minaj To "Chill Out" Following JAY-Z Diss On "Banned From NO" Flau'jae Johnson Says She And Angel Reese Are No Longer Friends Angela Yee Talks Post-'Breakfast Club' Relationship With Charlamagne Tha God And DJ Envy
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
JAY-Z Joins Beyoncé On Stage For 'Crazy In Love' Performance At Cowboy Carter Tour
Beyoncé closed out her three-night run at Paris' Stade de France with a rare onstage reunion with her husband, JAY-Z — marking their first joint performance in over six years. The surprise appearance took place Sunday night (June 22) during the final show of the Cowboy Carter Tour's Paris leg. The power couple performed their 2003 duet 'Crazy In Love' with Beyoncé stepping aside mid-song to introduce JAY-Z, who emerged to rap his verse to roaring applause. The pair also delivered a live remix of 'Drunk in Love' that incorporated elements of Bey's 'Partition.' JAY-Z followed with a solo performance of 'Ni**as in Paris,' a nod to his collaborative Watch the Throne track with Ye, though Ye did not appear during the show. See below. The performance marked the first time Beyoncé and JAY-Z shared the stage since Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 in Johannesburg in 2018. While 'Crazy in Love' has been a regular on the Cowboy Carter Tour setlist, JAY-Z joining for a live performance of it was a first. It was also the only time 'Drunk in Love' and 'Ni**as in Paris' have been included on this tour. Footage from the concert captured Jay's appearance and reactions from VIP guests — including Cardi B, Kelly Rowland, and Tina Knowles — as they all sang and danced along from the crowd. Cardi B also shared videos from the performance to her social media, dressed in full Cowboy Carter-inspired attire. Sunday's performance came just days after Miley Cyrus joined Bey on stage to perform their Grammy-winning duet 'II Most Wanted' for the first time ever. The June 19 show marked the first tour stop to feature surprise guests. The Cowboy Carter Tour now heads to Houston, where Beyoncé is scheduled to perform two hometown shows starting on June 28. See Bey and Jay performing together above. More from Memphis Bleek Urges Nicki Minaj To "Chill Out" Following JAY-Z Diss On "Banned From NO" JAY-Z Loses Huge NBA Finals Bet After Indiana Pacers Defeat Oklahoma City Thunder In Game 3 Nicki Minaj Name-Drops Shannon Sharpe And Slights JAY-Z On "Banned From NO" Lil Wayne Collab
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Inside Fanatics Fest: How one hobby shop prepares for the big show
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 18: (L-R) Michael Rubin and JAY-Z enjoying JAY-Z's Iconic The 40/40 Club in partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook at the center of Fanatics Fest NYC at Jacob Javits Center on August 18, 2024 in New York City. (Photo byfor Fanatics) Fanatics Fest is no ordinary trade show, it's a place where sports, fan culture, and the trading card hobby converge. But how can smaller hobby shops make the most of such a major event? We sat down with the team at Bleecker Trading, one of NYC's most celebrated hobby shops— and our partner for an exclusive trade night event —to get the inside scoop. Q: Let's start from the beginning. How did Bleecker Trading become such a notable hobby shop? Bleecker Trading: 'When we founded the shop in 2020, we didn't just want to be another card store. We aimed to become a cultural destination in NYC's West Village. By combining hobby, streetwear, community events, and influencer culture, we created a unique space. We quickly became known for our premium trade nights, celebrity appearances, and live-streamed breaks. It helped bridge the gap between traditional collectors and younger enthusiasts.' Advertisement Q: What makes Fanatics Fest such a crucial event for you? Bleecker Trading: 'Fanatics Fest is one of the biggest stages in the hobby, it's where collectors, influencers, athletes, celebrities and brands meet. Being there is critical because it boosts our national visibility and credibility. We can interact face-to-face with manufacturers, athletes, content creators, and especially collectors themselves. It's more than sales; it's about positioning ourselves as active players in the hobby's future.' Q: What's your main focus at Fanatics Fest? Sales, branding, or something else? Bleecker Trading: 'All of it! Of course, we sell high-end items and exclusive products at the event, but buying inventory from collectors is equally important. Networking is huge, we're always building relationships with Fanatics leadership, industry brands, athletes, and creators. And content is key; we capture tons of video and photos to keep the buzz alive long after the event.' Advertisement Q: Based on last year's Fanatics Fest, what have you learned to do differently this year? Bleecker Trading: 'Definitely to plan earlier. We started preparing inventory, staffing, and marketing content about 60-90 days in advance this year. We're also introducing more exclusive drops, items you can only get at our booth, to drive foot traffic. Plus, our booth setup now includes areas for podcast interviews, live breaks, and creator meetups. We also realize how important it is to attract visitors from out of town and encourage them to experience our shop firsthand. Creating memorable experiences at the shop helps build long-term brand awareness and loyalty, so we've organized daily post-show events featuring well-known hobby players like Mary Gamble Gamble, Mojo Sports, King of Kards, CollX, and This way, visitors have an engaging reason to stop by our store, hopefully making them more likely to return whenever they're back in town.' Q: For first-time vendors, what's your number one piece of advice? Bleecker Trading: 'Start your planning early—don't leave anything to chance. You need a range of products at different price points, and enough staff to handle the chaos of selling, buying, and networking simultaneously. Don't underestimate how busy it can get. Also, content creation is critical. Capture videos, photos, and go live during the event. It's not just about immediate sales; think long-term relationships and brand growth. Stay flexible, adjust quickly, and network aggressively!' Advertisement Q: Any final thoughts for shops looking to follow in your footsteps at Fanatics Fest? Bleecker Trading: 'Leave nothing to chance. Fanatics Fest is more than just a sales opportunity. It's a chance to elevate your brand, strengthen relationships, and create content that will benefit your business long after the event ends. Approach it strategically and creatively, and you'll see a significant payoff in both the short and long term.' Will you be attending Fanatics Fest? Be sure to share your pickups on Mantel all week! Download Mantel today.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ye Dreams Of Apologizing To Former Friend And Collaborator JAY-Z
Ye hasn't seemed too concerned with other people's feelings over the last few months, but he is always full of surprises. The artist formerly known as Kanye West recently revealed that making amends with Jay-Z has been on his mind. This past Saturday (May 31), he wrote 'All my dreams have been about apologizing to Jay Z' in a now-deleted post on X. Why he deleted the tweet is unclear, but it was par for the course as he has deleted many tweets with seemingly important statements this year. Some of his deleted tweets, specifically about Hov's children, are likely why he feels guilty about their falling out and wants to apologize at all. 'WAIT HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN JAY Z AND BEYONCES YOUNGER KIDS,' he wrote on X in March. 'THEYRE RETARDED. NO LIKE LITERALLY. AND THIS IS WHY ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION IS A BLESSING. HAVING RETARDED CHILDREN IS A CHOICE.' He eventually deleted the tweets, not because he felt bad about them, but because he didn't want to lose his account on the app. 'I NEED EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT I TOOK THE POST ABOUT JAY Z AND BEYONCE'S FAMILY DOWN AND JERRY LORENZO'S FAMILY DOWN BECAUSE THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY OF MY TWITTER BEING CANCELLED BECAUSE IM A GOOD PERSON.' Ye wrote in a follow-up tweet. 'I TOOK IT DOWN LIKE DOWN SYNDROME. GET IT. AM I RIGHT. F**K THE WORLD. REAL TALK. F**K EEEEVVEEERREEE BODY.' He later said that neither Hov nor anyone else has power over him, and evidently, his next series of tweets was meant to prove that very idea. 'AT LEAST JAY Z AND BEYONCÉ GET TO RAISE THEIR RETARDED A** KIDS,' The Chicago producer added. 'AINT NO CELEBRITY EVER SAID NOTHING TO COME TO MY AID WHEN IT CAME TO THESE WHITE WOMEN TAKING MY KIDS. CAUSE THEY WAS MAD I WAS WEARING TRUMP HAT. F**K JAY Z AND HIS WHOLE FAMILY. ESPECIALLY HIS SHOOTERS. AND NOW THAT YOU THINK JAY Z PU**Y A** MADE ME TAKE IT DOWN I GOT TO DOUBLE DOWN.' Neither Jay-Z nor Beyoncé has commented on Ye's harsh statements. Given all that has occurred over the last few years, it would be difficult to imagine Hov being willing to return to any form of friendship. Nonetheless, the duo have more than enough legendary contributions to music in their run together, namely their 2011 album Watch The Throne. Listen below. More from Pusha T On Current Relationship With Ye: "I Don't Think He's A Man" Diddy's Former Assistant Says Cassie's Reasons For Not Leaving Involved JAY-Z Kai Cenat Irritated By Fan Crashing AMAs Livestream To Praise Ye
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'80s Sex Symbol, 66, Unrecognizable at Grammy Hall of Fame Gala
The 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame Gala was held Friday, May 16 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Among those performing as part of the tributes to the inducted recordings was former Bangles frontwoman and total '80s sex symbol, Susanna Hoffs. The 66-year-old singer was part of the tribute to Cat Stevens' song "Wild World," which was one of 13 newly inducted recordings. The new Hall of Fame members include: No. 1 Record — Big Star (Album)"Color Him Father" — Linda Martell (Single)"Conga" — Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine (Single)"How I Got Over" — Clara Ward (Single)J.D. Crowe & The New South — J.D. Crowe & The New South (Album)"Knock On Wood" — Eddie Floyd (Single)"Last Kind Words Blues" — Geeshie Wiley (Single)Never Too Much — Luther Vandross (Album)Reasonable Doubt — JAY-Z (Album)Supernatural — Santana (Album)Tea For The Tillerman — Cat Stevens (Album)Wrecking Ball — Emmylou Harris (Album)Zombie — Fela Kuti & Afrika 70 (Album) Musicians who performed as part of the tributes included John Mellencamp, Jon Batiste, Leslie Odom Jr., Orianthi and Hoffs. "It's a privilege to recognize these eclectic recordings as the 2025 Grammy Hall Of Fame inductees," said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, in a statement. 'Music has the unique power to shape culture and mark moments in time. Each inducted recording reflects that spirit, and we're excited to celebrate these impactful works, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire generations to come.' Michael Sticka, President/CEO of the Grammy Museum, echoed this sentiment, adding, "The Grammy Hall Of Fame serves as a vital bridge between music's past and present, honoring recordings that have left a lasting mark on our cultural landscape. We're proud to preserve and share these influential works at the annual Grammy Hall Of Fame Gala this spring." Following the breakup of The Bangles in 1989, Hoffs has released nine solo albums. She also married filmmaker Jay Roach in 1993, and they share two sons, Jackson, 30, and Sam, 26. Hoffs also wrote the 2023 romcom novel This Bird Has Flown, which Universal Pictures purchased the rights to for a screen adaptation.
