The video for the first collaboration between Jack Harlow & Drake, “Churchill Downs”, has been released.  The video features Drake and Harlow rapping around the racetrack, and was filmed during the Kentucky Derby last month in Jack’s home of Louisville, Kentucky.

The video was anticipated after Harlow spoke with NBC Sports at the Kentucky Derby, and Drake appeared on camera, saying: “I just had to show up. I’m so proud of this guy. And we’re drunk.” He then clarified that Harlow was sober, but he was “drunk.

“Churchill Downs” is featured on Harlow’s second studio album, “Come Home The Kids Miss You,” which was released on May 13 and features Lil Wayne, Pharrell, and Justin Timberlake among others.

Watch the new video for Churchill Downs – here.

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On Wednesday, a Fairfax County, Va., jury reached its verdict in the ‘Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard’ defamation trial, ruling unanimously in favor of Depp.  After six weeks of testimony and deliberating for nearly 13 hours, the jury found that Heard intentionally and maliciously defamed Depp when she wrote her 2018 op-ed in the Washington Post about her experiences as a domestic abuse survivor. Heard filed her own $100 million countersuit, claiming Depp and his legal team defamed her by calling her allegations a hoax.

The jury unanimously found “clear and convincing evidence” that Heard defamed Depp when she wrote the op-ed, and acted with actual malice, and awarded $10 million in damages to Depp in terms of compensatory damages, relating to jobs and opportunities lost, and $5 million in punitive damages. There were three statements at issue in Heard’s counterclaim, and the jury found one statement defamatory, awarding Heard $2 million in damages.

Depp was not present in the courtroom to hear the verdict saying ‘previously scheduled work commitments had him watching from the United Kingdom.”   Depp released the following statement after the verdict, saying in part: “Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed….And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.”

Heard released a statement as well, saying in part: “The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband. I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated.”

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Disney+ released the first trailer for the upcoming live-action film ‘Pinocchio’. In the teaser, Tom Hanks appears as Geppetto, the woodcarver who crafts the puppet who embarks on a journey to becoming a “real boy.”  Back in March, Disney+ released the first look at Hanks as Geppetto, with Hanks completely unrecognizable in full character.

The film, directed by Academy Award winner Robert Zemeckis, also stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Jiminy Cricket, who serves as Pinocchio’s guide as well as his “conscience,” Cynthia Erivo as the Blue Fairy, and Keegan-Michael Key as “Honest” John. Lorraine Bracco plays Sofia the Seagull, a new character, and Luke Evans is The Coachman. The movie’s cast also includes Kyanne Lamaya as Fabiana (and her marionette Sabina), Giuseppe Battiston as Señor Stromboli, and Lewin Lloyd as Lampwick.

Pinocchio will debut on Disney+ on September 8. Take a look at the trailer – here.

https://ew.com/movies/live-action-pinocchio-trailer-cynthia-erivo-when-you-wish-upon-a-star/

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Kanye West has teamed up with Vory on his new single called “Daylight,” with production coming from Ojivolta, 88-Keys, Ratatat’s Evan Mast and Ye himself.  The song previously appeared on early tracklists for Kanye West’s Donda album, and was played during one of Ye’s listening parties in Las Vegas.  Vory was also featured on “No Child Left Behind” and “God Breathed” from Donda, and also had an entire song of his own on Donda 2 called “Lord Lift Me Up.”

“Daylight” is set to appear on Vory’s debut album Lost Souls, which is scheduled to be released on Friday, June 3.   Vory shared the final tracklist for Lost Souls with features from NAV, BLEU, BEAM, Landstrip Chip and Fresco.

Take a listen to “Daylight” – here.

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Yo Gotti has assembled an all-star roster from his CMG Lahel for the 2022 NBA Finals official soundtrack, including Moneybagg Yo, Mozzy, Lil Poppa and Yo Gotti himself.

The song “Big League” is being touted as the “official” song of the NBA Finals, produced by Canadian hitmaker Murda Beatz. Take a listen to “Big League” – here.

As for the 2022 NBA Finals, Game 1 between the Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics tips off at San Francisco’s Chase Center on Thursday (June 2) at 9 p.m. ET, marking only the second-ever Finals matchup between the two franchises.

https://allhiphop.com/news/yo-gotti-nba-finals-song/

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Vin Diesel announced on Instagram that Rita Moreno will be starring in ‘Fast X’ as his grandmother. Diesel said in a video that includes Moreno and fellow Fast and Furious franchise star Michelle Rodriguez: “It’s been my dream forever to work with Rita Moreno and the fact that she’s here playing my grandmother makes my soul smile. I’m so blessed.”  Moreno replied:  “I think my old age was waiting for you to invite me.” 

Fast X, the 10th installment in the Fast and Furious series, is set to debut in theaters on May 19, 2023. Filmmaker Louis Letterier replaces Justin Lin as director, who exited the project in April.  The film also stars Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Sung Kang, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Charlize Theron, Jason Momoa and Brie Larson.

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Kevin Spacey will “voluntarily” appear in the United Kingdom to face four new sexual assault charges that were brought against him last week. If Spacey does not voluntarily appear in the U.K., British authorities plan to seek the actor’s formal extradition from the U.S. Spacey can be formally charged only following his arrest in England or Wales.

The 62-year-old actor provided a statement to “Good Morning America” on Tuesday, in which he says he is “confident” he can prove his innocence: “I very much appreciate the Crown Prosecution Service’s statement in which they carefully reminded the media and the public that I am entitled to a fair trial, and innocent until proven otherwise. While I am disappointed with their decision to move forward, I will voluntarily appear in the U.K. as soon as can be arranged and defend myself against these charges, which I am confident will prove my innocence.”

The charges against Spacey in Britain were announced last Thursday by the U.K.’s Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), which has spent over a year reviewing a file passed to them by the Metropolitan Police. Rosemary Ainslie, head of the CPS Special Crime Division, said: “The CPS has authorized criminal charges against Kevin Spacey, 62, for four counts of sexual assault against three men. He has also been charged with causing a person to engage in penetrative sexual activity without consent. The charges follow a review of the evidence gathered by the Metropolitan Police in its investigation. The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against Mr Spacey are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”  Some of the charges are believed to stem from Spacey’s time at the Old Vic theater in London, where he served as artistic director from 2004-2015. Following multiple allegations of sexual assault against the actor in the U.S., the theater undertook an internal investigation which resulted in 20 victims coming forward who claimed he had behaved inappropriately toward them.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/kevin-spacey-voluntarily-appear-uk-courts-sexual-assault-charges-rcna31197

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Lil Baby announced a few weeks ago that he will release new material every few weeks until his next studio album officially drops.  Tweeted Baby:  “It’s Gone Be A Nastyyyyy Summer. ..My turn again…drop a video every few weeks until…”  The rapper then released two new music videos, “In A Minute” & “Right On”, followed by another new song “Frozen”.

Now the Atlanta rapper is revealing that his new album, the follow up to his record-breaking 2020 album ‘My Turn’, will be dropping this July, tweeting cryptically: “7/?/22” with several fire emojis.   My Turn debuted atop the Billboard 200, earning 197,000 album-equivalent units, and became his first number one album. The album was certified triple platinum in February 2021.

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Post Malone’s fourth studio album “Twelve Carat Toothache” will be his first album in three years, and the follow up to “Hollywood’s Bleeding”.  The project is set to drop on June 3rd, and Post has unveiled the full tracklist, which features a set of 14 tracks.

Guest collaborators include Doja Cat on “I Like You (A Happier Song)”, Gunna on “I Cannot Be (A Sadder Song)”, Fleet Foxes on “Love/Hate Letter To Alcohol” and The Kid LAROI on “Wasting Angels”.  The recently released “Cooped Up” with Roddy Ricch, and last year’s “One Right Now” with The Weeknd will also appear on the LP.

Check out the full tracklist via Apple Music.  Twelve Carat Toothache can be pre-saved – here.

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Top Gun: Maverick holds the distinction of the best Memorial Day opening weekend of all time with projected three-day domestic earnings of $126.7 million, and $156 million for the four days. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End was the previous record holder with $153 million.

Top Gun: Maverick’s opening weekend is the best for Tom Cruise, and is the first time he has had a film open to $100 million or more. The film debuted on Friday with earnings of $51.8 million, opening in more than 4,700 theaters in North America. Overseas, the film opened to $124 million from 62 markets, earning $248 million through Sunday and more than $280 million through Monday.

Directed by Joseph Kosinski, Top Gun: Maverick sees Cruise return as Capt. Pete “Maverick” Mitchell.  The film co-stars Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell and Ed Harris, while Val Kilmer also makes a brief appearance as “Iceman,” Maverick’s onetime nemesis-turned-friend.

More than 70 percent of Top Gun 2‘s audience was over the age of 25, including 55 percent over age 35, and ticket buyers gave the film with an A+ CinemaScore.  The release of the long-awaited sequel to the iconic 1986 movie was delayed for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic. Cruise went on a global marketing tour in recent weeks, making stops at a world premiere in San Diego, the Cannes Film Festival, a Royal-sponsored screening in London and another premiere in Japan.

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