Drake, Lil Baby, J. Cole, Jussie Smollett, Cardi B

News Round Up: Drake, Lil Baby, J. Cole, Jussie Smollett, Cardi B & More

Drake Gives $20,000 to Mc Donald’s Employees

Drake is not done with “God’s Plan.”

After handing out nearly $1 million in his music video one year ago, the rapper keeps giving. During a visit to McDonald’s last week, the 6 God reportedly handed $20,000 in cash to two female employees who were working the counter.

One customer who witnessed the kind gesture shared it on social media. “Just saw Drake in McDonald’s… crazy,” said @imajnoel. “And he gave two female employees $10,000 each… in cash.”

The fan also shared a photo of Drizzy speaking to one female employee while ordering at the counter as bodyguards surrounded him.

https://twitter.com/pur3luxury/status/1089184714773094401

Drake has not publicized his $20,000 tip, but he did post a similar photo at the same McDonald’s with the caption “M’s.”

It’s unclear what inspired Drake to do the good deed, but he’s been known for his random acts of kindness. In August, he surprised 11-year-old Sofia Sanchez at a Chicago hospital as she was waiting for a heart transplant.

Money clearly ain’t a thing for Drake, who ranked No. 4 on Forbes’ 2018 list of highest-paid hip-hop acts with $47 million in earnings. He recently signed a multi-year residency at XS Nightclub at the Wynn in Las Vegas that is reportedly worth more than $10 million.

 

Lil Baby Announces New Generation Tour

After a breakout 2018, Lil Baby is taking the show on the road.

The Atlanta rapper has announced dates for “The New Generation Tour,” which kicks off March 18 and travels across the country, with stops in New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and Boston, wrapping in Baby’s hometown on April 20. During the 25-date trek, he will be joined by his Quality Control labelmates City Girls, Jordan Hollywood, and Marlo, as well as Blueface, Rylo Rodriguez, and 42Dugg.

The tour comes in support of Baby’s mixtape Street Gossip, which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, as well as his debut album Harder Than Ever, which spawned the platinum hit “Yes Indeed” featuring Drake.

Tickets go on sale starting Friday, Feb. 1. See dates below.

THE NEW GENERATION TOUR DATES

Mar. 13 – Houston, TX – Revention Music Center
Mar. 14 – Dallas, TX – South Side Ballroom
Mar. 18 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater
Mar. 19 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield
Mar. 22 – Las Vegas, NV – House of Blues
Mar. 23 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Great Saltair
Mar. 25 – Denver, CO – The Fillmore Auditorium
Mar. 27 – Oklahoma City, OK – The Criterion
Mar. 28 – Kansas City, MO – Arvest Bank Theater
Mar. 29 – Minneapolis, MN – Myth Live
Mar. 30 – Milwaukee, WI – The Rave
April 1 – Chicago, IL – Riviera
April 2 – Grand Rapids, MI – 20 Monroe Live
April 3 – Detroit, MI – The Fillmore
April 4 – Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room
April 5 – Pittsburgh, PA – Stage AE
April 8 – New York, NY – Terminal 5
April 9 – Montclair, NJ – The Wellmont Theater
April 10 – Boston, MA – House of Blues
April 13 – Providence, RI – The Strand
April 14 – Wallingford, CT – Oakdale Theater
April 17 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
April 18 – Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
April 19 – Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore
April 20 – Atlanta, GA – The Coca Cola Roxy

 

J. Cole to HeadlineNBA All-Star Game

J. Cole will take the court at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.

The North Carolina rapper, who just celebrated his 34th birthday, will headline the halftime show at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center in his homestate on Sunday, Feb. 17.

Prior to the game, Meek Mill will provide the soundtrack during the opening introduction of the All-Star teams, while Charlotte-born crooner Anthony Hamilton will perform the U.S. national anthem and Carly Rae Jepsen will sing the Canadian national anthem.

Cole joins a prestigious list of past All-Star halftime performers including Beyoncé, Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar, Mariah Carey, and N.E.R.D., who headlined last year.

It’s shaping up to be a big year for Cole, who is set to release his sixth studio album as well as Dreamville’s Revenge of the Dreamers III compilation. He recently dropped his new single “Middle Child.” “This gon be a tough year for haters,” he warned on Twitter.

 

Celebrities Show Support for Jussie Smollett  after Chicago Attack

Jussie Smollett was viciously attacked in Chicago on Tuesday morning during an apparent hate crime.

The “Empire” star was beaten by two men who yelled out racial and homophobic slurs. They put a rope around his neck and poured an unknown chemical substance on him. As they left, they reportedly yelled, “This is MAGA country.” Smollett was hospitalized and remains in “good condition,” according to police.

Following the brutal attack, celebrities took to social media to voice their support for the 35-year-old actor and demand justice.

John Legend was among the first to speak out against the “horrific” crime. “Sending love to Jussie and the Smollett family after this horrific attack,” he tweeted. “We support you and pray that you find peace and justice.”

 

Cardi B & Nicki Minaj to Perform at BET Experience

Nicki Minaj and Cardi B will headline this year’s BET Experience.

The rap rivals are both on the bill for the 7th annual BET Experience at L.A. LIVE, which will be held between June 20 and June 22 at Staples Center.

Friday’s lineup includes Nicki along with Lil Wayne, Tory Lanez, Trippie Redd, and Bri Steves. On Saturday (June 22), Migos, Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, and City Girls will take the stage, capping off with a performance from Cardi B.

Tickets are now available for pre-sale. General tickets go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. More performers will be announced in the near future, along with Thursday’s lineup.

Nicki is gearing up for a European tour with Juice WLRD, starting Feb. 21 in Germany. Cardi will perform at festivals throughout the country and is also launching her own Las Vegas residency this spring.

The BET Experience leads up to the 2019 BET Awards, which will be held on June 23 in Los Angeles.

 

Will Smith and Martin Lawrence Share First Look at Bad Boys for Life

After confirming their return to the big screen, Will Smith and Martin Lawrence have shared the first look at Bad Boys for Life, the long-awaited third installment in the action-comedy franchise.

Taking to Instagram, the actors posted an animated image of themselves on set soundtracked by P. Diddy’s 2001 hit “Bad Boys for Life.” “FIRST LOOK! Theeeeey’re BAAAAaaaack! :-)” Smith captioned the clip.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BtQsG6aB4rZ/?utm_source=ig_embed

Production on the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2003’s Bad Boys II began earlier this month. Smith and Lawrence will reprise their roles as Miami detectives Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett in the film, directed by Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah (BlackGangsta).

The cast will also include Vanessa Hudgens, Charles Melton, Alexander Ludwig, and Joe Pantoliano, along with DJ Khaled, who recently shot his scenes in Atlanta.

The original Bad Boys premiered in 1995 and grossed $141 million worldwide, while the 2003 sequel earned $273 million at the global box office.

Bad Boys for Life is due in theaters on Jan. 17, 2020.

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