Kendrick Lamar shouts out young fan during show, writes heartfelt letter: “You are special”

Childish Gambino has filed legal papers calling for the song-theft lawsuit targeting his 2018 hit ‘This Is America’ to be dismissed.He presents the usual responses to such lawsuits – ie that the elements his track and the earlier work he’s accused of ripping off share are not protected copyright and that the plaintiff hasn’t demonstrated how he had access to the earlier song. Plus he throws in some issues around copyright registration for good measure.Miami-based rapper Kidd Wes – real name Emelike Nwosuocha – sued Childish Gambino – or Donald Glover if you prefer – last year, claiming that ‘This Is America’ lifted from his 2016 track ‘Made In America’.“The distinctive flow” heard in Glover’s track, the lawsuit stated, “is unmistakably substantially similar, if not practically identical, to the distinct and unique flow that was employed by Nwosuocha in recording his vocal performance of his rapping of the hook to his copyrighted work”.“The lyrical theme, content, and structure of the identically-performed choruses are also glaringly similar”, the lawsuit added.

In something of an unusual move, the LA County District Attorney George Gascón has posted a video message to Instagram providing an update on the police investigation into the allegations of sexual abuse that have been made against Marilyn Manson.The LA County Sheriff’s Department first announced that its Special Victims Unit was looking into abuse allegations against Manson – real name Brian Warner – back in February 2021.The investigation began after actor Evan Rachel Wood confirmed that, when she had previously spoken about an abusive former partner, she was talking about her relationship with the musician. Other women then subsequently came forward also accusing Warner of abuse, some of whom then filed lawsuits in relation to their allegations.When an earlier allegation of abuse was made against Warner in LA County in 2018 – with the musician accused of having held a woman captive for two days in 2011 – the DA’s office decided not to pursue a case against him, stating that the statute of limitations had expired and that there was an “absence of corroboration”.But the reason that the DA’s office has not taken any action this time round, Gascón says, is simply because it is still waiting for the LA Country Sheriff’s Department to submit any report stemming from its investigation.In the statement on Instagram, Gascón explains: “The Brian Warner matter is still under investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and has not yet been submitted to our office”.“Please be assured that we are requesting regular updates on the status of the investigation”, he adds.

Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett has entered the world of horror fiction, posting the first chapter of a story he’s writing called ‘I Have To Get Rid Of This Guitar I Found’ onto Reddit, along with some music to soundtrack it on TikTok.The story opens with a message from fictional character Abigail Forte, who explains: “I recently found a lead that might help in the search for my brother, William ‘Wills’ Forte”.That lead is “a journal he had written, along with a cassette that was filled with what can only be described as very unusual field recordings. Seeing as the nature of these recordings seemed to push towards an evil energy, I sent the tape to a friend to help me understand the music, who in turn sent it to guitarist Kirk Hammett”.“We have decided that while we cannot allow the actual sounds from the cassette to be released, we can share renditions of the music”, it goes on.

Greater Manchester Policing is dispatching hundreds of police officers to London to boost security ahead of the state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday.

The late Queen's coffin will be moved from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Palace for the lying in state.

Pharrell Williams has thrown the first pitch at a New York Yankees game earlier this week (August 22).Before Yankees starting pitcher Domingo Germán threw his first strike of the night, Pharrell took the field to throw a ceremonial first ball.At the game, Pharrell was wearing his brand Billionaire Boys Club collaborative clothing line with the Yankees.You can see images and footage off the moment here:Happy to see @Pharrell at Yankee Stadium tonight. pic.twitter.com/HnED5Kosh5— MLB (@MLB) August 22, 2022Recently, Williams praised the writing prowess of Kendrick Lamar, declaring that his bars hit so hard “because he knows how to be very disciplined with a subject matter”.The claims came in a new interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music 1, celebrating the release of Williams’ new Tyler, The Creator and 21 Savage-assisted single ‘Cash In Cash Out’.

Kendrick Lamar has discussed coping with fame and staying off social media in a rare new interview.The rapper, who is currently on a world tour behind his new album ‘Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers’, has spoken to Citizen Magazine for a new cover feature.In a snippet of the full interview, which will be released soon, Lamar discussed why he doesn’t feel natural with being a famous person, and needs to take big chunks of time out of the spotlight between albums and tours.“I’m so invested in who I am outside of being famous, sometimes that’s all I know,” he said. “I’ve always been a person that really didn’t dive too headfirst into wanting and needing attention.

“Are you alive right now?” Kendrick Lamar’s question boomed through TD Garden not long after he took the stage. Aside from repeating the questions a few times to feed off the crowd’s rapturous energy and thanking Boston for welcoming him back, Kendrick didn’t have much to say in-between songs.

Johnny Depp is set to make a surprise appearance at the MTV VMAs 2022, it has been claimed.The Pirates of the Caribbean actor recently returned to work for the first time following his court win against ex-wife Amber Heard.Following the news that he will be getting behind the camera for a biopic on acclaimed artist Modigliani, the 59-year-old is reportedly set to take on a role that is slightly different.According to reports, he has been in talks to dress up as a Moonman mascot at this weekend’s Video Music Awards, held in New Jersey.Kendrick Lamar and Lil Nas X lead nominations at the upcoming ceremony, with Nicki Minaj and Red Hot Chili Peppers being honored on the night.TMZ reports that the stars will be joined by Depp, dressed up as the iconic Moonman, and he will be unveiled at some point during the broadcast.The Captain Jack Sparrow star is no stranger to MTV award shows and has been nominated multiple times.In fact, he has taken home five MTV Movie Awards trophies over the years, including three for Pirates of the Caribbean, and the coveted MTV Generation Award in 2012.It was recently suggested that Depp could be in for a shock comeback to the Fantastic Beasts fold, following his departure in 2020.He originally starred Gellert Grindelwald in the first two outings of the Harry Potter spin-off, before he was replaced in 2022 sequel, The Secrets of Dumbledore over his highly-publicized legal battles.The Edward Scissorhands actor was asked to step down from the wizarding spin-off franchise after he lost a High Court battle against the Sun newspaper, over an article that labelled him a ‘wife beater’.‘I wish to let you know that I have been asked to resign by Warner Bros from my role as Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts

Nicki Minaj and LL Cool J, along with Jack Harlow will emcee the 2022 Video Music Awards on August 28.The three global superstars will announce the show’s exciting lineup of performers, presenters and winners, in what will be a more innovative and unique approach, as opposed to the traditional “host” position as seen in previous ceremonies.Minaj is definitely putting her stamp on this year’s VMAs. In addition to her newly-acquired position as one of the show’s emcees, she is also slated to hit the stage at some point during the evening, as well as being the recipient of the 2022 Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award for her creative contributions in the realm of music and entertainment.

Thania Garcia Frankie Bash, Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar’s “Family Ties” co-producer and co-writer, has signed a global administration agreement with Sony Music Publishing.In the past six months, Bash, who won a Grammy for his work on “Family Ties,” has contributed to various projects including Jack Harlow’s “Come Home the Kids Miss You” and Yeat’s “2 Alivë.” He also has production credits on Nav and Wheezy’s “Emergency Tsunami,” Future & Juice WRLD’s “Realer N Realer,” Gunna’s “Argentina,” Future’s “Krazy But True,” Offset’s “Big Rocks” and more.+ Monti Olson has joined Litmus Music as president and will lead music rights acquisitions for the company. Prior to joining Litmus, Olson served as executive vice president/head of BMG music rights music publishing North America, where he led the division in the domestic music market and was responsible for frontline/catalog acquisition strategy and execution.

Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena put a stop to Harry Styles fans camping for days to see the One Direction hitmaker.

From one Kendrick to another.

Kendrick Lamar has declared fellow Californian rapper, songwriter and record producer Baby Keem – who is also Lamar’s cousin – to be a “musical genius”.Being relatives, Lamar and Keem have worked closely together since the latter started his career in the mid-2010s. One of Keem’s earliest credits was a nod for production on ‘Redemption Interlude’, a track on Lamar’s 2018 soundtrack for Black Panther.

Taylor Swift and Kendrick Lamar will be eligible for a trophy at the 2023 Academy Awards, it has been reported.Both artists will qualify for nominations in the Best Live Action Short category, thanks to the fact that extended music videos for both of their songs – the 10-minute version of ‘All Too Well’ from ‘Red (Taylor’s Version)’ and Lamar’s ‘Mr. Morale And The Big Steppers’ cut ‘We Cry Together’ – were screened theatrically.Swift released the accompanying short film for ‘All Too Well’ – her directorial debut, starring Sadie Sink (Stranger Things) and Dylan O’Brien (The Maze Runner) – last November.

Madonna has revealed her keen interest in collaborating with Kendrick Lamar, praising the rapper’s new album ‘Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers’.The pop star made the comments while on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she appeared to promote her new remix album ‘Finally Enough Love: 50 Number Ones’.

Donald Glover dressed the part for Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” party. The actor, writer and singer wore a sparkly body suit that showed his chest, and paired it with a grey robe, some ski goggles and boots. Chris Brown had some problems with the look.Paris Jackson spends time with Chris Brown on his birthdayChris Brown seemingly congratulates ex Rihanna and A$AP RockyA post shared by Fit Aint Nothing ! (@fitaintnothing)The Instagram account Fit Ain’t Nothing, which shares photos of celebrity looks alongside biting comments, shared a photo of Glover and tore it down.

MTV Video Music Awards will air on August 28th. While no host has been announced, over the past weeks MTV has released the list of nominees and the evening’s performers.

Kendrick Lamar played a surprise intimate show in New York over the weekend – check out the videos below.The rapper is currently on the North American leg of his 2022 ‘Big Steppers’ world tour, which began last month. On Saturday (August 6), he took to the stage at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for a second consecutive night.As Line Of Best Fit reports, Lamar then headed to the Dumbo House members’ club where he treated attendees to an impromptu show, performing alongside his touring bassist and keyboard player.The star was also spotted hanging out with the likes of Jay-Z, Beyoncé, his cousin Baby Keem and Dave Free at the venue.Footage has since emerged of Lamar playing ‘The Heart Part 5’.