Carmelo Anthony officially retired from the NBA on May 22, ending a 19-year career as one of the deadliest shooters to ever play in the league. There were many accolades that came alongside Anthony’s career – 10 all-star appearances, and six All-NBA team nominations. However, the one thing that Anthony ends his career without is an NBA ring.

Despite Anthony’s talent, the various teams in his career were never quite in title contention. The closest Melo came was in the 2008-09 season, when the Denver Nuggets reached the Western Conference Finals. However, the Nuggets fell to the eventual champion Lakers in six games.

No Rings, No Regrets for Melo

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 25: Carmelo Anthony speaks onstage at the 2023 TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 25, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME)

However, Melo has no regrets about retiring without a ring. “I’m at peace,” Melo said to Sports Illustrated, “That doesn’t bother me no more; that idea that you’re a loser if you don’t win a championship. For me, I’ve won. I won back in 2003, the night I shook David Stern’s hand on that [draft] stage,” Anthony said. “I made it out of Red Hook. I’ve won at life. The ring is the only thing I didn’t get. It would’ve been a great accomplishment, but I don’t regret it, because I feel like I did everything I could to get it.”

Now, Anthony turns his attention to his son. Sixteen-year-old Kiyan Anthony currently has 11 collegiate offers, including from Melo’s alma mater Syracuse as well as the likes of Tennessee, Memphis, UMass, and Illinois. However, Melo also revealed that his one season with the Lakers, his last season in the NBA, was because of Kiyan. Despite vowing to retire when Kiyan started high school, his son pushed him for one last season. “Then [as he started high school] the Lakers called, and he told me, ‘Dad, I’ll be O.K., you should go.’ Even with LeBron there, I wouldn’t have done it without Kiyan pushing me. So to be able to spend time with him in the gym, on his work ethic? With school? I can be a father to him every day. It’s perfect timing.”

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Hip Hop movies have become a mainstay among lovers of the genre. Many of these projects have become responsible for pushing the genre past the radio. A vital medium within the culture of Hip Hop, many of these releases have achieved cult classic status. Going past the music to highlight the social and cultural activities surrounding the genre, Hip Hop movies are essential in showcasing many facets.

Cult classic Hip Hop movies cover a wide range of plots and are far from one-dimensional. They offer deep dives into the many highs and lows of Hip Hop culture. There’s no shortage of incredibly written material, from romantic dramas to comedies and gritty stories about gun violence and racial profiling. There is an endless stream of Hip Hop movies to get into, and these seven classics should be a part of everyone’s watchlist. 

Wild Style (1983)

Wild Style is a drama often regarded as the pioneer of Hip Hop movies. The Charlie Ahearn-directed project has maintained cultural relevance even after 40 years. Wild Style showcases the birth of Hip Hop in the ’80s and its many facets. The movie follows an anonymous graffiti artist and his signature during the rise of the rap industry. 

Many rap, breakdance, and graffiti artists and groups appeared in Wild Style. The movie became a melting pot of Hip Hop pioneers and featured legends like Fab Five Freddy and Grandmaster Flash, among others. 

Krush Groove (1985)

Krush Groove is a movie that was greatly inspired by the early days of Def Jam Recordings. Blair Underwood starred as a fictional version of the iconic record producer Russell Simmons. The musical comedy featured a staggering list of notable musicians, including Run-D.M.C., The Fat Boys, New Edition, and the Beastie Boys. Krush Groove also stacked many famous stars in its soundtrack album. 

Juice (1992)

During his brief, yet legendary career, Tupac Shakur made his film debut in the coming-of-age crime thriller, Juice. Ernest R. Dickerson directed the classic Hip Hop movie. It features unforgettable performances by Omar Epps, Queen Latifah, Samuel L. Jackson, Khalil Kain, and Jermaine Hopkins. Juice is set in Harlem, following four friends who get caught up in the gritty world of street crime and the harrowing events that occur as a result.

Juice delivers on all fronts and is packed with a lot of gut and heart. Peer pressure, friendship, loyalty, and police harassment are significant themes that the movie covers. The film’s soundtrack, also called Juice, was released on New Year’s Eve in 1991. Hip Hop veterans like Naughty by Nature and Eric B. & Rakim appeared on the album. Juice is undoubtedly a quintessential Hip Hop cult classic.

Friday (1995)

Friday is a buddy comedy that is still referenced almost three decades after its release. The hilarious movie was led by brilliant performances by Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. Friday was a cultural phenomenon and offered a new perspective on Hip Hop movies. DJ Pooh and Ice Cube wrote the movie in an attempt to show a lighter side to films involving the hood. 

F. Gary Gray directed the movie and also had a minor role in it. The funny ensemble cast included Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Regina King, Faizon Love, John Witherspoon, and more. Friday follows two friends who owe a feared drug dealer some money and their antics as they attempt to recover the money. The cult classic spawned two sequels and is the reason for the popular quote, “Bye Felicia!”

Paid in Full (2002)

Paid in Full is a crime drama starring Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, and Cam’ron. The film was directed by Charles Stone III, and it was inspired by true events. Paid in Full follows the drug trade in 1980s Harlem and the rise and fall of three friends caught up in it. The film serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of a life of crime.

Pain in Full is another one of many classic Hip Hop movies. In addition to its real-life situations, the fictitious project was based on notable drug dealers Azie Faison, Rich Porter, and Alpo Martinez. Greed, loyalty, ambition, and betrayal are significant themes in the movie. Paid in Full had a mixed critical reception, but it has become one of the staple movies in Hip Hop culture.

How High (2001)

How High is a lighthearted comedy that features Method Man and Redman in lead roles. The hilarious movie touched on fantasy elements and delivered joke after joke from start to finish. The film follows a pair of lazy stoners, Silas and Jamal, who smoke a magical substance. When a ghost appears to the duo, they ace their exams and end up at Harvard. However, when they run out of their magical supply, they must navigate college independently. 

Additionally, How High introduced a softer side to the pair of Hip Hop rappers. The movie may not have achieved a critical and commercial response, but it remains a staple Hip Hop movie. The soundtrack was a moderate success, with songs from Method Man and Redman featured.

Don’t Be A Menace (1996)

Don’t Be a Menace is another beloved comedy film that covers Hip Hop culture. Shawn and Marlon Wayans star in the laugh-out-loud movie about a young man who moves to the tough streets of Los Angeles. Don’t Be a Menace is noteworthy for its spoofing of classic Hip Hop movies of the 1990s. Juice, South Central, Boyz n the Hood, and Menace II Society were parodied in the film.

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Late rapper Juice WRLD is still delivering new content to his fans. A video uploaded by his official YouTube account showcases the artist performing his “Cheese and Dope Freestyle” over the beat of Project Pat’s 2001 original. The video was shot by Steve Cannon and Chris Long. “Cheese and Dope Freestyle” comes shortly after his 2018 album, Goodbye & Good Riddance, turned 5-years-old last week. Sharp and venomous, the freestyle reminds fans of the late artist’s tremendous talent and potential.

Fans couldn’t get enough of the new freestyle, with one commenting, “His potential was unmatched, he would’ve been the greatest if he was still alive RIP.” Another says, “He never misses nor ceases to amaze me. Just wow… We miss you Juice 999 forever.” NLE Choppa also shared his thoughts on the video, writing, “The way he can freestyle like it’s a fluent language is out the world talented !” After the 2019 overdose that led to his death, new material from the artist has continuously been released.

Read More: Juice WRLD Holds Highest Average Streams Per Song On Spotify

Juice WRLD Puts His Spin On “Cheese And Dope”

Earlier this month, it was revealed that after a mural of Juice WRLD in Chicago had been painted over, a new one is in the works. According to his manager Peter Jideonwo, it is still unknown who covered the original. The original mural was painted by Corey Pane in 2020. It was also revealed at the beginning of this month that Juice WRLD is one of the most-streamed rappers, alongside Drake and XXXTentacion, all reaching over 200 million streams per song on Spotify. In April, it was revealed that Juice WRLD has over 30 billion streams total on Spotify.

Juice WRLD’s drug-related death sparked nuanced conversations surrounding topics of drug-use in the hip hop community. In March, Chicago’s Polo G spoke on how the rapper’s death impacted his own decisions. “[His death] made me stop popping Percocets altogether, though,” he explained, “‘Cause I know he wouldn’t want me on that s**t.”

Read More: Juice WRLD Delivers A Somber Ballad With “Glo’d Up”

Quotable Lyrics:

I got cheese, hoes, and a bunch of f*ckin’ dope

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More than 50 Filipino fencers will be seeing action first Hefeng National Junior Championships, a two-day event that starts May 27, at New Taipei Municipal Linkou Senior High School in New Taipei City, Taiwan. Coming from various clubs and schools, including the Canlas Fencing Academy and Republic Fencing, the Filipinos will see action in the […]

The post Merry mix of club, school talents to Hefeng Juniors in Taiwan    appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Frankie Miñoza, still a contender at 63 years old, expects the new generation of stars to shine in the P2.5 million ICTSI Villamor Philippine Masters that tees off on Wednesday at the well-manicured, tree-lined layout in Pasay. Describing himself as “semi-retired” and playing for the enjoyment of it, Miñoza, a two-time Masters champ who will […]

The post No favorite as Masters get off ground appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Bambol Tolentino has set a simple target for Team Philippines in the 19th Asian Games in September. “Just to surpass our medal output in the previous Asian Games would be quite an achievement,’’ said Tolentino on Tuesday at the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum as the POC chief bared that more […]

The post PH to better Jakarta haul in Hangzhou appeared first on Inquirer Sports.

Black Midi have announced a special festival appearance where they’ll cover a range of tracks by The Beatles.

The London trio are due to perform the special “one-off” gig at the festival Le Guess Who?, which takes place in Utrecht in the Netherlands this November.

READ MORE: Black Midi – ‘Hellfire’ review: intense first-person narratives fuel a genre-gnarling thrill ride

Writing on social media, Black Midi explained that former Standing On The Corner member Slauson Malone 1 – who has curated his own programme – had asked them “to play a set of Beatles tunes” at the event.

The band will play the Fab Four-themed show on Friday, November 10 – you can find ticket information here.

A listing on the official Le Guess Who? website reads: “When listening to Britain’s cacophonous Black Midi, not many would be reminded of the world’s most agreeable band of all time. In fact, apart from sharing a homeland, the two groups seem to have little in common.

“Thankfully, Le Guess Who? curator Slauson Malone 1 has enough imagination to disagree. Looking closely, one can see why. Beneath Geordie Greep, Cameron Picton, and Morgan Simpson’s tempestuous math rock lies a precious pop sensibility not too dissimilar from what can be heard on Lennon–McCartney records.”

We’re playing @LeGuessWho ‘23 curated by @slausonmalone who has asked us to play a set of Beatles tunes. The show is a one off – 10/11/23 pic.twitter.com/muQVn3ZLMr

— black midi (@bmblackmidi) May 23, 2023

The post adds: “Thus, a never-before-seen performance comes to life – as well as the chance to rediscover both bands.”

Le Guess Who? will run between November 9-12. Other confirmed acts include Stereolab and Tom Skinner (The Smile, Sons Of Kemet). Additionally, Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa are set to showcase their upcoming collaborative album ‘Jarak Qaribak’. See the full line-up here.

Black Midi released their third and most recent LP, ‘Hellfire’, last July. In a four-star review, NME said that the project delivered “more musical thrills and about-turns per minute than few other records we’ve heard this year”.

It added: “Sounding more assured of their creative agility than ever before, ‘Hellfire’ is the work of a very special group of alchemists.”

This summer, the trio will play at Latitude Festival 2023 ahead of an appearance at All Points East supporting The Strokes and Yeah Yeah Yeahs.

Earlier this year, Black Midi were joined onstage in London by comedian Harry Hill.

The post Black Midi announce one-off gig playing set of The Beatles covers appeared first on NME.

Revealed at the start of the year, the widely divisive Nike Air More Uptempo Slides have been preparing a steady slate of releases in anticipation of the warmer summer months. Recently, melded slip-on design prepared a sleek “White/Red” offering for trips from the poolside to the blacktop.

Deviating away from its previously more multi-colored options, the upcoming pair receives one of its more simplistic color blockings yet. Similar to its clad-black effort from early April the near entirety of the Air-infused silhouette comes cured in an all-out crisp white treatment. Save the vibrant red embroidered Swoosh and the enlarged AIR letter’s trim, the remnants of the footbed and tread further assume the colorless composition.

While release details have yet to be revealed, check out official images of the Nike Air More Uptempo Slides “White/Red” below in the meantime.

In other news from underneath the Beaverton brand’s umbrella, the Nike SB x Air Jordan 4 “Pine Green” returns for an Exclusive Access drop via the SNKRS app on May 25th.

© Sneaker News, 2023.
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