The Playground Industry News Wrap Up (June 2021)
By: Disney Molina
Tap in with The Playground for all the latest updates from New York and from around the industry - where we go over the most important things that went down this month that you need to know about
1) Hot 97’s Summer Jam Lineup Announced
Hot 97 announced the line-up for their infamous Summer Jam concert.Headlining will be rap trio Migos and other scheduled acts include Meek Mill plus Rowdy Rebel and Bobby Shmurda, Swizz Beatz (with DMX tribute), Moneybagg Yo, DJ Megan Ryte and guests, CJ ,Farruko and El Alfa, and Saweetie. Bringing the show to an end will be none other then Bronx bred A Boogie. Expect the unexpected we are sure there will be plenty of surprises on the day of the show. Make sure to head to Metlife Stadium on August 22nd you won't want to miss it.
2) DMX to be honored at the BET Awards
The recently fallen hip hop icon, DMX is set to be honored at the 2021 BET Awards this weekend. The Tribute will include performances by Swizz Beatz, Busta Rhymes, Method Man, Griselda, and a special appearance by Michael K. Williams. “We look forward to celebrating DMX’s indelible mark in music and pop culture. DMX inspired fans around the world with his signature raspy voice, the delivery of raw emotion through his lyrics and performances, and his giving spirit. We are proud to pay our respects to a hip-hop legend on our biggest stage, the BET Awards,” said Connie Orlando, Executive Vice President of Specials, Music Programming & Music Strategy. Be sure to tune in to the BET Awards on June 27th.
3) Kanye is suing Walmart
Kanye West is suing Walmart for attempting to sell ripoff versions of his new Adidas YEEZY Foam Runners. The music and fashion icon made the claim in Los Angeles County Superior Court Thursday, citing California’s Unfair Competition Law, which prohibits fraudulent or deceptive business practices.According to legal documents shared by TMZ, “Kanye and his company, Yeezy, claim the retail giant copied his famous Yeezy Foam Runner and left customers confused about whether they were buying the real thing or an imitation.” The YEEZY Foam Runners, which hit the market in June of 2020, immediately sold out for $75 a pair, and Kanye claims that because Walmart is selling an “unauthorized exact copy” for little under $25, it’s causing the YEEZY brand to lose “hundreds of millions of dollars in sales by doing so.”
4) Space Jam 2 Soundtrack Announced
The soundtrack for the long awaited Space Jam 2 starring Lebron James set to be released this July has been anounced. Lil Wayne, Chance the Rapper, Lil Uzi Vert, Symba, 24kGoldn, Saweetie, Salt-N-Pepa, Kash Doll, BROCKHAMPTON, Joyner Lucas, Lil Tecca, Aminé, Cordae, DUCKWRTH, Big Freedia, G-Eazy, P-Lo, White Dave and Dame “D.O.L.L.A.” Lillard are amongst some of the key players of the upcoming Space Jam soundtrack.
Space Jam: A New Legacy Official Soundtrack will be available on July 9, 2021, one week ahead of the movie’s July 16 premiere
5) A New Pop Smoke Album Is Reportedly Dropping Soon
Fans of the late Brooklyn drill legend, Pop Smoke, will get the chance to hear a new project from the fallen icon. Victor Victor and Republic Records have announced that the new still-unnamed album is mostly complete, and will be released on July 16th.
Pop Smoke’s manager Rico Beats posted to his Instagram last week: “Pop Album 95% loading the f$&k up,” he captioned a Photoshopped picture of ’90s Chicago Bulls legends with himself as Scottie Pippen, Pop Smoke as Michael Jordan and Victor Victor CEO Steven Victor as coach Phil Jackson.
6) Snapchat announces partnership with Universal Music Group
Snapchat announced a multi-year deal with Universal Music Group, one of the largest music companies in the world. From Queen to Justin Bieber, users can clip songs from the expansive UMG catalog to use in their Snaps and on Spotlight, the app’s TikTok competitor.
7) JAY-Z is suing Reasonable Doubt photographer, Jonathan Mannion
JAY-Z is suing Jonathan Mannion in a lawsuit regarding the us of his likeness in photographs sold and used by the hip-hop photographer, TMZ reported ,the rapper is accusing Mannion, who shot the iconic cover of his debut album Reasonable Doubt, of “exploiting” his name and image “without [his] consent.” He’s seeking an injunction requiring Mannion and his camp to cease using his name and likeness, as well as “compensatory damages, consequential damages, lost profits, and/or disgorgement of Mannion’s profits,” among other damages.
The complaint, filed in a California federal court, reads: “Mannion’s use of JAY-Z’s name, likeness, identity, and persona was, and is, in conscious disregard of JAY-Z’s right of privacy and publicity, and of his exclusive right to control the use and exploitation of his name, likeness, identity, and persona.” The lawsuit accuses Mannion of thereby violating section 3344 of the California Civil Code, as well as JAY-Z’s common law privacy rights.
8) The Isley Brothers honored with Streets Naming Ceremony in New Jersey
The Isley Brothers had two streets named after them in New Jersey. The towns of Teaneck and Englewood, suburbs a few miles across the Hudson River from New York City, held dual ceremonies on Thursday, June 24th to honor the Isley Brothers. Both towns now have streets named The Isley Brothers Way.
9 ) Spice announces the release date of her long-awaited album, Ten
Spice, the Jamaican-born Queen of Dancehall revealed that fans can be assured her Album Titled ten will finally be released on July 30th. The album will be executive-produced by international Dancehall superstar Shaggy and will be distributed by VP Records. The ``So Mi Like It`` artist has been dominating the charts with her collaboration with Shaggy and Sean Paul titled ``Go Down Deh`` which is the second single from the album.
10 ) BET announced that Taraji P. Henson will host the 2021 BET Awards
“For more than 20 years, the BET Awards have been a celebration of Black creativity, art and excellence,” said the Oscar-nominated actress. “Returning live, this year’s show will be unlike anything we have ever seen before, and I am honored to be sharing the stage with so many powerful and prolific women in music and entertainment. The BET Awards will once again be at the forefront of Black culture.”
11) JAY-Z’s Made In America Festival Returns to Philadelphia
Made in America Festival returns to Philadelphia this year. The JAY-Z created two-day music festival is set for Saturday, September 4, and Sunday, September, 5, headlined by Justin Bieber and Lil Baby - with scheduled appearances from Doja Cat, Meg Thee Stallion, Bobby Smurda, Lil Durk, and more.