GRAMMY-winning producer Hit-Boy has joined forces with D’USSÉ Cognac to release a limited edition D’USSÉ VSOP Holiday Gift Box featuring an augmented reality (AR) experience. Each gift box includes a 750 mL bottle of D’USSÉ VSOP and a QR code that unlocks The Set, an exclusive AR encounter with Hit-Boy himself.
By scanning the QR code on their smartphone, recipients can activate a lifelike AR version of Hit-Boy spinning behind a DJ booth. Users can then choose a signature D’USSÉ cocktail, like the D’USSÉspresso Martini or Spicy Sidecar, and Hit-Boy’s digital presence will respond with a custom playlist crafted to match the chosen vibe.
D’USSÉ and Hit-Boy will celebrate the box’s launch during Art Basel Miami Beach, inviting tastemakers from art, music, and culture for a night of curated beats and cocktails.
The D’USSÉ VSOP Holiday Gift Box is now available nationwide and online at dusse.com for $50.
A host of federal agencies have offered up their investigators to launch an “interagency operation” at the MDC(Metropolitan Detention Center) in Brooklyn yesterday(October 28) as Bad Boy music and fashion mogul Diddy remains in federal custody.
The Bureau of Prisons gave a statement to AP, saying that the operation is “designed to achieve our shared goal of maintaining a safe environment for both our employees and the incarcerated individuals housed at MDC Brooklyn.”
The agencies noted on Monday that there was “no active threat” and that the operation was pre-planned some time ago. The agencies did not give any more information about the operation “in an effort to maintain the safety and security of all personnel inside the facility and the integrity of this operation.”
MDC has a horrific reputation, known for its deplorable living conditions as well as murders and other acts of violence among inmates. Diddy attempted to make bail in order to leave MDC, but a judge ruled against him getting out on bail due to his alleged danger to society and his being a flight risk.
Diddy is not the first high-profile inmate at MDC, the facility where well-known prisoners such as R. Kelly and Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman were held before their trials. Diddy, who was arrested on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering last month, could face life behind bars if convicted on these charges.
Miami Heat icon Dwyane Wade celebrated his wife, actress Gabrielle Union-Wade, with a surprise four-course brunch for her birthday at Miami Beach’s Casadonna on October 27th. The event, held at Groot Hospitality’s coastal Italian restaurant, brought together friends and family to honor Union-Wade amid a festive Miami weekend.
The couple was in town for another special moment: the unveiling of an eight-foot statue of Wade outside the Kaseya Center, commemorating his impact on the Miami Heat franchise.
Union-Wade embraced the brunch’s chic Miami vibe, donning a fall-inspired look featuring a Tory Burch brown-and-white neoprene golf dress, a BY FAR Rubik Box Top Handle Bag in calf leather, and coordinating Autry Medalist trainers.
The intimate celebration highlighted Wade’s dedication to family and showcased the couple’s support for each other’s successes. Wade and Union, known for their stylish and supportive partnership, made the most of the Miami festivities, with Wade’s gesture making this birthday one to remember.
Is T-Pain making house calls for a concert? This became a reality for Austin, TX, couple Lex and Hannah earlier this month. After Zillow helped the couple find their dream home, UPROXX collaborated to throw a unique housewarming party, transforming the couple’s backyard into a pop-up dance floor featuring a live performance from the Rappa Ternt Sanga.
The intimate concert turned their yard into the neighborhood’s top spot for a night, bringing music and energy to their new home. Catch the official live videos of this unforgettable surprise below.
After Ice Cube took the field at Dodger Stadium on Saturday and performed his classic hit “Today Was A Good Day” before Los Angeles’ Game 2 win, who else would’ve been better to return the favor in the Bronx other than the BX’s heavy hitter Fat Joe? According to Yankees fans, it could’ve been anybody else, especially after the matching 4-2 loss against L.A..
Even though Joey Crack pulled out some of his biggest bops of the new millennium, including “Lean Back”, “All The Way Up” and of course, the Empire State anthem “New York”, the overall consensus of Yanks fans felt that Joe’s performance didn’t just miss the mark in exciting the Yankee Stadium crowd, but brought down the morale on 161 Street and River Avenue.
Were the fans right? Well, the Yankees could not score a run until the last out in the bottom of the ninth inning with a two-run HR from Alex Verdugo in the team’s valiant, but losing effort. The Bronx Bombers still have a chance to turn the series around tonight in Game 4, but fighting against a 0-3 deficit against Ohtani and the Dodgers might not end with a “Good Day” for the Yankees.
This year’s SelectCon NYC, hosted by UnitedMasters and held at Brooklyn’s Zerospace, brought together some of hip-hop’s most influential voices—Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Cam’ron, and Joe Budden—for a transformative day of inspiration and insights. SelectCon provided a platform for these industry giants to dive deep into topics like music, entrepreneurship, and legacy-building. Here’s a rundown of the event’s highlights.
UnitedMasters founder, Steve Stoute, led powerful one-on-one discussions with each of the headlining icons. In separate conversations, 50 Cent, Cam’ron, and Joe Budden shared personal stories of their music careers, business ventures, and hard-won lessons on navigating the entertainment industry. The trio touched on iconic music moments, valuable mistakes, and their boldest career pivots, delivering unfiltered insights for attendees. Notably, they each shared the importance of creativity, adaptability, and ownership in building successful, sustainable careers. Industry titans Lenny “Lenny S” Santiago (SVP, Roc Nation) and Tremaine Emory (Founder of Denim Tears) also gave insights on their professional and personal journeys on an Ally presented panel.
Cam’ron Reveals ‘It Is What It Is’ is Crushing YouTube Sports—Trailing Only ‘First Take’
At SelectCon, Cam’ron shared an exciting update about his sports show ‘It Is What It Is’. The show has not only captivated sports fans but is also outperforming major sports programs on YouTube, including SportsCenter. In fact, the only show with more views is ‘First Take’. Cam’ron and Mase’s unique take on sports commentary, combined with their authentic style, has clearly resonated with viewers, marking a significant shift in how audiences engage with sports media online.
50 Cent on Early Sacrifices for Power: Took $17,000 per Episode to Executive Produce, Star, and Oversee Music
At SelectCon NYC, in a candid reveal, 50 Cent discussed his financial sacrifices during the initial seasons of Power, his hit TV series. Agreeing to be paid only $17,000 per episode, he prioritized retaining creative control to ensure the show’s authenticity. This early decision paved the way for the series to become a pop culture phenomenon, allowing him to leverage the show’s success to secure a stronger deal later. His story was a masterclass in trusting the creative process and focusing on the long game.
Joe Budden’s Tough-Love Advice to Aspiring Podcasters: “Stop Begging”
In his discussion, Joe Budden offered blunt advice to beginner podcasters, emphasizing that building an audience should come before seeking compensation. Urging aspiring podcasters to “stop begging” for checks before establishing a following, Budden highlighted the importance of hard work and consistency. His message reflected his own journey in the industry and underscored the necessity of dedication for success in the media space.
The event also featured an inspiring panel presented by Ally, focusing on mentorship, coaching, and sustainable business practices in the digital era. Moderated by Goldie Harrison (UnitedMasters Dir. of Commerce), the panelists included Lenny “Lenny S” Santiago (SVP, Roc Nation), Tremaine Emory (Founder of Denim Tears), Natalie Brown (Sr. Director, Corporate Citizenship, Ally) and UnitedMasters VP of A&R, Mike Weiss. Together, they shared fresh perspectives on the role of mentorship in empowering artists and discussed strategies for creative ownership in a digital-first economy.
50 Cent and Cam’ron Reunite at SelectCon: The Legendary Backstage Reunion
One of the day’s most memorable moments was the unexpected backstage embrace between 50 Cent and Cam’ron. Once known for their rivalry and playful jabs, the two icons came together in a show of mutual respect, capturing a moment that underscored the evolution of hip-hop relationships.
SelectCon NYC continues to push boundaries for artists, creators, and industry professionals by spotlighting career growth, ownership, and the entrepreneurial spirit. This year’s event reaffirmed SelectCon’s dedication to celebrating innovation, fostering dialogue, and empowering the next generation of creators.
O’Shea Jackson, better known to the world as Ice Cube, made a lot of people mad when he was fed up with the bs and released this scathing album, appropriately entitled Death Certificate 32 years ago on this date.
The album cover itself speaks volumes. A Caucasian corpse with a toe tag that reads “Uncle Sam” draped with the stars and stripes with the recently self-made solo artist pledging allegiance is as anti-establishment as you can get. Not only had Ice Cube been freed from his situation with the legendary Niggaz Wit Attitudes, but he had also been released into a sea of information that would make his metamorphosis from a mere emcee and rhyme writer of a “gangsta” rap group to an unparalleled entertainer unlike anyone else. The LP’s insert is just as powerful as the cover, with Ice Cube and his Lench Mob crew doing the knowledge to the Nation Of Islam’s Final Call newspaper.
The album features melodic, yet truthful messages from the late Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad throughout the duration of the album. Songs like “I Wanna Kill Sam” and “Horny Little Devil” echo NOI sentiments, but that doesn’t take away from the surgical lyricism from the former NWA frontman coupled with production from Sir Jinx, the Boogiemen, and Cube himself. Timeless gems like “Black Korea” and “A Bird In A Hand” tackles real-life issues in the urban community and the scenarios he addressed still ail our society today, yet are significantly ignored by today’s artists.
One of the most memorable tracks from Death Certificate is, of course, the infamous “No Vaseline” aimed at Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ren Yella, and their financial arm Jerry Heller. In the song, Cube spits darts like, “..lookin like straight bozos/ I saw it comin’ that’s why I went solo/ and kept on stompin’/ while y’all motherfuckers moved straight outta Compton..” and went straight at Heller’s neck with rhymes like, “..it’s a case of divide and conquer/ ’cause you let a Jew break up my crew/ house nigga gotta run and hide/ yellin’ Compton, but you moved to Riverside..”. N.W.A. never recovered from Cube’s blow, which made this record the ultimate diss record of all time. Ice Cube’s continued success which is still evident today, is just the icing on the cake of how he “dropped four niggas, now he’s makin’ all the dough.”
The Source sends a supreme shout out to Cube, the Lench Mob (you too Kam), Dr. Khalid (RIP) and everyone else involved with this timeless classic!
The House of Krazees are a seminal Detroit, Michigan horrorcore trio consisting of The R.O.C. alongside Mr. Bones & Hektik. Introducing themselves 31 years ago off the strength of their first 2 EPs Home Sweet Home & Home Bound, the next one Outbreed & their full-length debut Season of the Pumpkin back-to-back would later become classics in the early wicked shit scene followed by the sophomore effort Head Trauma until their 1997 disbandment. The R.O.C. would form HaLFBrEEd with Skrapz releasing their debut The Night They Came Home under the H.o.K. moniker in contrast to Mr. Bones & Hektik signing with Psychopathic Records as protégés of the Insane Clown Posse, renaming themselves as Jamie Madrox & Monoxide of the demented duo Twiztid. HaLFBrEEd disbanded in 2000 after kontamiNATION despite that becoming another horrorcore essential & Twiztid released their first 9 albums through the hatchet, departing at the end of 2012 & forming their own label Majik Ninja Entertainment a decade ago already. Kicking off the Halloween festivities, the original lineup of The R.O.C. & Twiztid are returning for their 3rd proper LP.
After the intro, the first song “Sent Here to Take You” perfectly starts us off foreshadowing what’s to come with this aggressive opener detailing their schizophrenic tendencies whereas “Lifeline” take the cold blooded boom bap route instrumental, talking about stabbing muhfuckas. “Into Hell Face 1st” brings a rap rack vibe to the table asking y’all what it’s worth once you reach Hell’s Pit prior to “Mask, Playing Games” drearily getting on the Jason Voorhees tip lyrically.
“Make It Dark” returns to the boom bap bringing the dark to your life discussing if they could stab the entire world just before “Killing Machine” brings a bit of an industrial hip hop vibe to the beat so they can talk about being comatose numb with a mask butcher knife stabbing. “The Slaughter, The Carnage” continues to show the trio’s murderous tendencies leading into “Swim in Your Blood” dusty talking about being addicted to doing exactly that.
As for “Break Skin”, we have the House of Krazees offering a bit of a dark atmosphere instrumentally discussing the possibility of living forever & never dying again biting the cartilage while “Killer Hunter” hopped over more kicks and snares to talk about killin’ ‘em all. “The Basement” pushes towards the final moments of 31 by putting an uncanny spin on the traditional boom bap sound talking about how it’s up to you if that’s where you really wanna die & “Thorn” ends by making sure there’s nothing left off everyone they’re killing.
If you ask me, I never really considered The Night They Came Home to be the final House of Krazees album up to this point & more of the unofficial debut album from HaLFBrEEd. That said: their 1st body of work since Head Trauma goes to show the pioneering wicked shit group’s longevity. The R.O.C.’s production takes it back to their roots & it’s the most wicked that I’ve heard Twiztid sound in a while, foreshadowing their upcoming album Welcome to Your Funeral produced by Rob Zombie’s engineer Zeuss by taking it back to where it all started.
A multi-year partnership has been announced with the Houston Astros and Hip Hop mogul Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s premium wine and spirits brand Sire Spirits, LLC as well as his charity, The G-Unity Foundation. This partnership, which was announced by the Astros, will be the first between Sire Spirits and a major League Baseball franchise.
The partnership will feature Fif’s Branson Cognac and his Le Chemin du Roi Champagne brand during the regular season including recognizing Branson as the “Official Cognac of the Houston Astros”, Le Chemin du Roi, which means “the King’s Path”, will be recognized as the “Official Premium Champagne of the Houston Astros” and the Club Level Bar at Minute Maid Park will be rebranded in 2025 as the “Sire Spirits Bar”. There will also be rotational home plate signage as well as product samplings and and specialty craft cocktails throughout Minute Maid Park.
“The Astros are proud to partner with Curtis and his team to offer Sire Spirits to our fans visiting Minute Maid Park,” said Jeff Stewart, Astros Vice President, Corporate Partnerships. “Both organizations share a common goal of giving back to our community, so teaming up with Curtis’ spirit company and charity to invest in the City of Houston just made sense. We are excited for this partnership, and I look forward to visiting the rebranded Club Level Bar next season.”
Also, 50’s G-Unity Foundation will be working with the Astros Foundation, including a a Leadership Series Program that will focus on character development, communication skills and risk analysis. Also, the G-Unity Foundation will receive a portion of the proceeds from two of the Astros’ Foundations; Share 2 Care 50/50 raffles wich will be sold during Astros home games.
“I am especially proud and excited about our first Major League Baseball deal with The Astros,” Jackson said. “We share the same philosophy of conscious capitalism. I look forward to providing the opportunity for at-risk teens to experience the excitement of attending a baseball game in a luxury suite setting at Minute Maid Park.”
