GRUNGECAKE

Author: grungecake

  • Brandy and Monica announce ‘The Boy Is Mine’ Tour: See dates

    1998 is calling; The Millennials are going to eat!

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    Three hours ago, Brandy and Monica have announced their first co-headling tour ‘The Boy Is Mine’ featuring fellow R&B stars like Kelly Rowland famously part of Destiny’s Child, Muni Long and the winner of ‘American Idol’, Jamal Roberts. The celebrated duo will embark on a twenty-four-city arena tour, starting in Cincinnati on October 16 and ending on December 7 in Houston.

    About the tour, Brandy said, “This really is a full-circle moment. Monica and I coming together again isn’t just about the music—it’s about honouring where we came from and how far we’ve both come. ‘The Boy Is Mine’ was a defining chapter in R&B, and to share the stage all these years later is bigger than a reunion—it’s a celebration of growth, sisterhood, and the love our fans have given us from day one.”

    Monica added, “The love that ‘The Boy Is Mine’ continues to receive means everything to me. This tour is a celebration of our history, our impact, and the fans who have grown with us. Brandy and I have been on our own unique journeys, and coming back together in this way is a reminder of the power of respect, strength, and real music. We’re giving the people what they’ve been asking for, and doing it with grace, love, and purpose. God’s timing perfectly aligned us.”

    Check out the arena tour schedule below.

    Thu 10/16 – Cincinnati, OH – Heritage Bank Center
    Fri 10/17 – Milwaukee, WI – Fiserv Forum
    Sat 10/18 – Chicago, IL – United Center
    Sun 10/19 – Indianapolis, IN – Gainbridge Fieldhouse
    Thu 10/30 – Memphis, TN – FedExForum
    Fri 10/31 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
    Sat 11/01 – Greensboro, NC – First Horizon Coliseum
    Sun 11/02 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
    Fri 11/07 – Las Vegas, NV – T-Mobile Arena
    Sat 11/08 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
    Sun 11/09 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
    Thu 11/13 – Charlotte, NC – Spectrum Center
    Fri 11/14 – Columbia, SC – Colonial Life Arena
    Sat 11/15 – Birmingham, AL – Legacy Arena at BJCC
    Sun 11/16 – St. Louis, MO – Enterprise Center
    Thu 11/20 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
    Fri 11/21 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Center
    Sat 11/22 – Atlantic City, NJ – Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall
    Sun 11/23 – Hampton, VA – Hampton Coliseum*
    Sat 11/29 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
    Sun 11/30 – Washington, DC – Capital One Arena
    Fri 12/05 – New Orleans, LA – Smoothie King Center
    Sat 12/06 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
    Sun 12/07 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
    *Muni Long Not Appearing

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  • Rod Stewart to perform at Glastonbury Festival, after cancelling several gigs due to flu

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    Ahead of his upcoming Glastonbury Festival performance, Rod Stewart has announced the release of a “legendary” once-in-a-lifetime project — a limited collector’s item of 1,500 bottles — available for just one hour, shipping to the United Kingdom. It has been more than two decades since the British singer-songwriter from Highgate, London, graced the legendary stage in Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, England. The eighty-year-old singer hasn’t dished any more details regarding his return to his highly-anticipated appearance this weekend, but he does seem to be in great spirits.

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    If you are an American travelling to the multi-day music festival, you may want to know where Stewart stands on what’s happening in America. Three days ago, The Independent reported that Rod Stewart said he could no longer consider President Trump a friend.

    “He became another guy. Somebody I don’t know.”

    Rod Stewart will headline the festival on Sunday, June 29.

  • Cash Cobain, breakout American producer-artist known for popularising Sexy Drill, announces debut headlining tour: See dates

    Will you attend?

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    Earlier today, successful American producer-artist Cash Cobain announced his debut headlining tour, ‘Party with Slizzy’ in partnership with Monster Energy. Six hours ago, the ‘Calling For You’ producer released the official music video for his track, ‘Sick n Tired with OnlyHeaven’. The video opens with Cobain and a friend sitting on a sofa as they watch a young lady (Marni), who appears to be someone who piqued his interest, on Instagram with another man. Subsequently, he heads to the club to enjoy himself.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKb1_7wNR4M&h=315]

    According to the information received, ‘The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Party with Slizzy’ will feature special guests (not to be revealed until closer to the start date of the tour, September 7). The milestone tour will kick off with a hometown show and travels through twenty-two additional dates across the United States and Canada. Check out the dates below.

    The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour Presents: Party With Slizzy

    Sep 07 – New York, NY – Pier 17
    Sep 09 – Washington, DC – The Howard Theatre
    Sep 10 – Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
    Sep 11 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground
    Sep 12 – Atlanta, GA – Center Stage
    Sep 14 – Houston, TX – Warehouse Live
    Sep 15 – Dallas, TX – The Echo
    Sep 17 – Phoenix, AZ – Walter Studios
    Sep 18 – Los Angeles, CA – Echoplex
    Sep 19 – San Diego, CA – House of Blues
    Sep 20 – Las Vegas, NV – Area 15
    Sep 22 – Seattle, WA – The Showbox
    Sep 24 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore
    Sep 25 – Sacramento, CA – Ace of Spades
    Sep 28 – Denver, CO – Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom
    Sep 30 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater
    Oct 01 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave II
    Oct 02 – Chicago, IL – Avondale Music Hall
    Oct 04 – Detroit, MI – The Majestic Theatre
    Oct 05 – Toronto, ON – The Phoenix Concert Theatre
    Oct 07 – Montreal, QC – Club Soda
    Oct 08 – Philadelphia, PA – Brooklyn Bowl
    Oct 09 – New Haven, CT – Toad’s Place

    And before we get out of here, the Slizzy master himself has a message for his fans: “What’s good! It’s the Slizzy, Cash Cobizzy, I’m coming to your city so you can party with the Izzy. I’m so excited to partner up with The Monster Energy Outbreak Tour bc the energy is going to be on a trillion! Hope you’re ready.” – Cash Cobain

    More about Cash Cobain:

    The tour follows a breakout year for the Bronx artist-producer, who sold out the Brooklyn Paramount last fall in his biggest headlining show to date and brought his signature Sexy Drill sound to the stage at his own Slizzy Fest, a hometown concert last spring at Irving Plaza that drew thousands and was shut down mid-performance due to overwhelming demand. With his name now joining the ranks of past Outbreak Tour alumni like 21 Savage, Latto, and Post Malone, Cash Cobain enters this next chapter of this legendary concert series poised to bring the Slizzy movement to a national stage.

  • Apple shares ‘Big Man’, a short film starring English-Ghanaian music star Stormzy: Watch

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    Four days ago, Apple released a short film shot entirely on an iPhone 16 Pro called ‘Big Man’ starring British music star rapper-songwriter Stormzy exclusively through its YouTube channel to its twenty million subscribers.

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    According to the description, “the fictional story of Tenzman, a world-weary musician, and the two bright, joyful kids who come into his life by chance. Soon the trio find themselves on a journey together — one that will reveal a better way forward for them all.”

    Check out the twenty-minute film directed by the Oscar-winning creator, Aneil Karia. It has over five million views and counting.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUrLMJQf2Bw&h=315]

    About the new step into a new space for the award-winning British Grime superstar, he said, “Music is my first love, but film is my second. #Merky Films is something I’ve been dreaming about for ages.”

    Stormzy says it is “a space for powerful British stories and a solid home for fresh, unexpected art” and “a natural next step for everything we do at #Merky – sharing our stories, spotlighting important voices and making room for those who deserve to be seen and heard.”

    If it is your first time coming across the first Black British rapper to headline the Glastonbury Festival in 2019, there is no way it could be your fault. We may judge the people in your life, though.

  • Watch Death Row’s 5X Emmy Award winner Jane Handcock’s mirrored visual for ‘Can’t Let Go’

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    If you were around in the nineties, you probably couldn’t conceive a move like this. What am I talking about? Snoop Dogg purchased his former record label, Death Row Records, for fifty million million, according to Parade, in 2022. On Friday, Jane Handcock, dubbed the “First Lady of Music” at Death Row Records, released a new record titled, ‘Can’t Let Go’. The five-time Emmy Award winner’s track captures the inevitable heartbreak of doing something you know you have no business doing. As expressed by her team, the song “captures the emotional tug-of-war between desire and self-control, wrapped in sultry vocals and immersive, late-night production.” 

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    Handcock’s previous release, ‘Stingy’, entered Billboard’s Adult R&B Chart at #29, marking her first charting song to date. Before this exciting milestone, the gifted and talented songwriter was cultivated by musical legends like Raphael Saadiq, and worked closely with Snoop Dogg, Kelly Rowland, Teddy Riley, and many others — paving the way for her to earn GRAMMY and Emmy nominations!

  • Nigerian Afropop star Yemi Alade shares new track about close friendships ‘My Padi’ (Listen)

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    Last week, Nigeria’s legendary Afropop star Yemi Alade released a new song called ‘My Padi’, which celebrates close friendships and supporting your friends. The bouncy, uptempo record promises her pal that she will be their cardigan when it’s cold and be her umbrella when she doesn’t have “cheddar”). The track marks the third release of the year for the Beyoncé collaborator (See: ‘My Power’ featuring Nija, Busiswa, Tierra Whack, Moonchild Sanelly, DJ Lag from ‘The Lion King: The Gift’), who recently performed in Rabat, Morroco at the annual eight-day extravaganza, Mawazine Festival. Without further ado, stream the track down below or on YouTube.

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  • Tragic Brazil hot-air balloon crash leaves 8 dead, 13 injured

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    On June 21, 2025, a hot-air balloon carrying twenty-one people exploded in mid-air over Praia Grande, Santa Catarina, Brazil, resulting in eight fatalities and 13 injuries. The balloon, operated by Sobrevoar, ignited near 8 AM local time when a backup torch in the basket sparked a fire. Footage captured by witnesses vividly showed flames enveloping the balloon’s basket, prompting several passengers to jump to safety. Whilst thirteen survivors, including the pilot, were hospitalised with varying injuries, eight passengers did not survive. Four were burned in the basket, whilst four others perished after jumping during the descent.

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    Authorities have launched a formal investigation, expected to conclude within thirty days, to determine the exact cause of the blaze. Both the Santa Catarina state government and President Lula da Silva have expressed condolences and pledged full support for the victims and their families. Governor Jorginho Mello declared a period of mourning and stated that state resources would aid recovery efforts. Praia Grande, nicknamed the “Brazilian Cappadocia” is a renowned hot-air ballooning destination with around 25–30 daily flights during peak season. Following the crash, Sobrevoar suspended all operations indefinitely, citing a previously unblemished safety record.

    This incident is the second hot-air balloon disaster to strike Brazil in under a week, raising serious concerns about ballooning safety standards. As the aviation community awaits the investigation’s findings, families of the victims and survivors continue to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating event.

  • Dodgers commit $1M to support families affected by Los Angeles immigration raids

    In a powerful display of community impact, the Los Angeles Dodgers have pledged one million to assist families affected by recent federal immigration raids across Greater Los Angeles. The donation will be directed through partnerships including the California Community Foundation and the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, providing legal assistance, mental‐health support, and essential services.

    This initiative marks the Dodgers’ first public response since widespread criticism emerged. Fans and civic leaders had urged the team to take a stand after ICE operations targeted Latino neighborhoods—prompting protests at Dodger Stadium and a petition backed by unions and community groups. The pressure intensified when singer Nezza performed the US national anthem in Spanish before a game, defying team staff and spotlighting the issue.

    Dodgers President Stan Kasten emphasised the organisation’s responsibility to the community, stating the pledge represents “a leading role on behalf of those affected”. The announcement followed the team’s refusal to allow federal agents into Dodger Stadium parking lots during a raid—an action widely reported and lauded.

    Teams from across Los Angeles have joined in solidarity. Angel City FC and LAFC previously endorsed immigrant communities, whilst Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and player Kiké Hernández voiced strong support for Latino families.

    Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass called the donation a sign of unity in challenging times, and Congressman Jimmy Gomez underscored the importance given the Dodgers’ large Latino fan base.

    This move not only addresses immediate needs but also signals a shift in how major sports franchises engage with social issues, reinforcing the Dodgers as a pillar of civic responsibility in Los Angeles.

  • NPR sues Trump over executive order, cutting public media funding

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    National Public Radio (NPR), alongside three Colorado-based member stations, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging President Trump’s Executive Order 14290—“Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media”—issued on May 1, 2025. The order directs the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) and federal agencies to cease all funding for NPR and its television counterpart PBS.

    Key Legal Claims and Stakes

    The lawsuit contends that the order violates both the First Amendment and the separation of powers, asserting that the president lacks authority to withdraw funding that Congress has already appropriated. NPR argues that the move is clearly retaliatory, based on perceived “liberal bias”, and punishes the news organization for its editorial content.

    The filing quotes President Trump’s April Truth Social post labeling NPR and PBS “Radical Left ‘Monsters”, asserting this demonstrates the order’s political motivation.

    From a financial standpoint, NPR itself receives only about 1 % of its budget from CPB, while local stations rely on that funding for 8–19 % of their operations. A funding cut would endanger journalism infrastructure, emergency alerts, and community programming, the lawsuit notes.

    Broader Context and Response

    This litigation follows earlier legal opposition from CPB over board removals, and mirrors PBS’s separate lawsuit filed days later.

    Media watchdogs like the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press argue the order “strikes at the heart of free speech”, reinforcing that only Congress, not the president, holds the power of the purse.

    A DC federal judge is expected to review NPR’s motion for summary judgment, potentially setting a landmark precedent on executive authority versus media independence. This lawsuit spotlights a pivotal clash over public media funding, journalistic freedom, and constitutional checks and balances, with implications extending well beyond NPR’s network.

  • Lizzo comes clean: “I tried Ozempic… But that’s not what did it”

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    Pop powerhouse Lizzo, 37, recently settled speculation once and for all—yes, she did try Ozempic and other GLP‑1 medications early in her weight‑loss journey, despite previously dismissing those rumours. But in a heartfelt and empowering chat on Trisha Paytas’ Just Trish Podcast (June 19), she made one thing crystal clear: The drugs weren’t the driving force behind her transformation.

    “It’s just the science, for me, calories in vs. calories out… Ozempic works because you eat less food… but if you can just do that on your own and get mind over matter, it’s the same thing”, Lizzo admitted.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DwDpqwcNWbQ&h=315]

    The vegan exit that changed everything

    Lizzo revealed a major insight: she had been vegan for a decade—loading up on fake meats, rice, bread—and consuming a staggering 3,000–5,000 calories daily without feeling full. But a return to whole foods—lean beef, chicken, fish—sparked real change:

    “I was actually full and not expanding my stomach by putting a lot of fake things in there that wasn’t actually filling me up,” she explained.

    Since pivoting her diet in 2023, Lizzo reports shedding 16% body fat and reducing her BMI by roughly 10.5 points.

    Not just physical — A mental shift, too

    Lizzo emphasised her journey wasn’t just about exercise or diet—it was a mindset reset. She ditched distractions like sugary treats, daily Starbucks runs, and emotional eating. Instead, she narrowed in on sustainable habits and self-love.

    In her own words, she’s moved from body positivity to body neutrality:

    “I’m not going to lie and say I love my body every day… some days I adore my body, and others when I don’t feel completely positive.”

    It’s clear: this glow-up is built on consistency, self-awareness, and hard work.

    Owning the Ozempic narrative — And defending others

    Rather than shame those who use GLP‑1s, Lizzo defended them. She called out fatphobia and urged compassion:

    “It’s a drug to help somebody with something they’re struggling with. Telling someone they’re cheating is fatphobic”, she told the podcast audience.

    Her transparency aims to dismantle stigma around weight‑loss medications and affirm that resilience and science go hand in hand.

    What this means for you — And her fans

    It’s okay to pivot. Lizzo’s shift away from veganism wasn’t a failure—it was insight. Drugs aren’t cheating. If a tool helps you, it’s valid. Personal journeys vary.

    Lizzo reminds us: “Everybody’s body is different. Find out what works for you”.

    Final verse

    Lizzo’s most recent chapter is about liberation—not conforming to expectations, but embracing truth. She mixed trial and error (including Ozempic), whole foods, calorie awareness, mental discipline, and a new mindset. The result? A healthier, happier, more authentic version of herself—and maybe, a powerful message for her fans too.