Lupita Nyong’o spoke about her friendship with Janelle Monáe during a recent profile for Rolling Stone. In doing so, she commented on the rumors the two previously dated each other. The actress says that the rumors didn’t come as a surprise.

“She has magnetism that they were obviously picking up on,” Nyong’o said. “She is that enigmatic. People are curious about enigmatic people. I was not surprised. And I don’t mind being associated with her in any capacity.”

Read More: Janelle Monae & Lupita Nyong’o Rumoured To Be Dating After Met Gala

Lupita Nyong’o With Janelle Monáe

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA – MARCH 02: Actors Lupita Nyong’o and Janelle Monae pose as Janelle Monae and Belvedere Vodka kick-off “A Beautiful Future” Campaign with Fem the Future Brunch at Catch LA on March 2, 2018 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images for Belvedere Vodka)

Nyong’o also admitted that despite their close relationship, she still can’t entirely know Monáe: “Just because you’re a close friend of hers doesn’t mean you get to know everything about her. I think that’s what makes her interesting as an artist.”

Speaking with Rolling Stone isn’t the first time Nyong’o has commented on Monáe. At the Met Gala, she recalled the first time she met Monáe following her breakout role in the 2013 movie 12 Years A Slave. Nyong’o said: “This world is still extremely new to me and unbelievable. [Monáe] came up to me and just gave me the realest hug. I think we may have swayed to the music. She was just like, ‘I’m so proud of you, and just thank you for being you.’ […] At some point, [Monáe] asked me for my phone, put her number in, and said, ‘Let’s stay in touch.’ She was like, ‘I really mean it. If you need anything, I’m here for you.’”

The Rolling Stone profile comes ahead of the release of Monáe’s new album, The Age of Pleasure. She shared the first single from the project, “Lipstick Lover,” earlier this month. The full album will be releasing on June 9.

Read More: Janelle Monáe Explains Her Recent Antics: “I’m Much Happier When My Titties Are Out”

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It’s not been a great year for Boston sports. After entering the history books for a record-breaking regular season, the Boston Bruins choked in the first round of the NHL playoffs. Elsewhere, the Boston Celtics are facing a 3-0 deficit in the NBA playoffs. Furthermore, the New England Patriots are still trying to find their post-Tom Brady identity. They went 8-9 in 2022, finishing third in the AFC East. While they added some new pieces in free agency and the draft, it’s unclear where their future is headed.

However, that’s not stopped the team from having some offseason fun. Taylor Swift is currently on her 52-stop Eras Tour. Starting back in March in Glendale, Swift has been crisscrossing the United States. May 19 brought her to Gillette Stadium, home of the Patriots, for three concerts. And the Patriots were eager to show Swift felt some hometown love.

Read More: 2023 Patriots home opener to honor Tom Brady

Mac Jones And Others Show Out For Swift

Leading the way amongst the Patriot Swifties was quarterback Mac Jones. The three-year starter headed to one of Swift’s tour stops alongside girlfriend Sophie Scott. “This night was SPARKLING I’ll never let it go @taylorswift,” Scott wrote on Instagram alongside pictures of her and Jones. Jones also posted a clip from the concert to TikTok with a caption saying that he was “Entering Swift Nation”. However, he was not the only Patriot to show out for the singer.

Read More: Tom Brady buys minority stake in the Raiders

The Patriots posted a video on their official social media in which a number of Patriots players revealed their favorite T-Swift song. While a number of players said “End Game ft. Future”, Jones’ favorite was “The Last Great American Dynasty”, with “Karma” being a close second. However, not every player appeared to be as much of a fan as Jones. Some of his teammates only knew one or two songs from the artist. Meanwhile, Swift’s tour continues, heading to MetLife Stadium for three shows starting May 26. Maybe we’ll get to hear Aaron Rodgers’ favorite Swift song. The tour concludes on August 9 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.

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This July will mark the sixth anniversary of Metro Boomin and NAV’s Perfect Timing project, which lit things up during the summer of 2017. Among those featured on the 17-track album are Lil Uzi Vert, Playboi Carti, Offset, 21 Savage, Belly, and Gucci Mane. The most popular titles to come from the release are “Held Me Down,” “Call Me,” and “Minute,” all of which have remained in rotation for years since as fans of the Canadian lyricist and Atlanta-based producer await news of a follow-up.

Thankfully, it finally came our way this past weekend at Montréal’s Metro Metro Festival. During NAV’s set, he continued his recent tradition of surprising concertgoers with special guests. While he recently brought out Travis Scott, Lola Brooke, and Meek Mill in Toronto, his latest audience got to see him reunite with the HEROES & VILLAINS hitmaker, at which time they promised Perfect Timing 2 is on the way, though no further details were given at the time.

Read More: NAV Brings Out Travis Scott, Lola Brooke, And Meek Mill In Toronto

Perfect Timing 2 is Coming Soon, Metro Boomin Says

“Y’all make some noise for my brother, NAV,” Metro Boomin implored the audience cheering them on in Montréal. “We got that ‘Perfect Timing 2‘ on the way, n*ggas is waiting on it! Wait on it! Wait on it!” the multi-talent excitedly declared, the “Some Way” singer joining in on his chant at the end. He may not have given fans much of an idea of what we can expect to hear from him and NAV, but still, Metro is sure to be taking over speakers all across the country this summer as the various efforts he’s been pouring into as of late arrive on DSPs.

Most recently, the 29-year-old confirmed that he’ll be producing the soundtrack for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, which Coi Leray has already been teasing her work on via social media. What’s your favourite song from the original Perfect Timing album? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in with HNHH later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: Metro Boomin Announces “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” Soundtrack

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Houston-born rapper Travis Scott continues to tease his upcoming album, Utopia. Yesterday, Scott made an appearance at France’s Cannes Film Festival to attend the premiere of The Weeknd’s new HBO series with Lily-Rose Depp, The Idol. Scott walked the red carpet, and his security guard had the rapper’s famous Utopia briefcase in tow. Some reports even claim that Scott was seen opening the mysterious briefcase at the premiere. Utopia should arrive soon, with Epic Records’ CEO Sylvia Rhone stating earlier this year, “We have a new Travis Scott record, expected to come in June.” Scott also wore a previously-unseen pair of Nike sneakers to the event, leading to speculation that they could be a new Cactus Jack x Jordan product.

Scott has been taking an unconventional approach to promoting his latest album. He’s gone so far as to handcuff a briefcase labeled “Utopia” to a member of his security team. As of late, he’s continuously made appearances alongside the coveted briefcase. Earlier this month, Scott shared Utopia with the Houston Astros ahead of their game against the Chicago Cubs. In a video that circulated the internet, Scott told fans to expect the album soon. Early this month, as hype surrounding Utopia grew unmanageable for fans, one track reportedly from the album titled “Gold Blackberry” leaked on the internet.

Read More: Travis Scott Teases New Album “Utopia” In Unconventional Ways

Scott Debuts New Nike Sneakers

Scott also recently joined athlete Tom Brady in attending a luncheon hosted by Michael Rubin for a group of young players making their transition from college football to the NFL. Scott reportedly told the athletes how important it is for them to maintain a solid inner-circle and hold them accountable. Brady gave the players advice, sharing, “I had to keep working. I didn’t go, ‘Hey, I’m good, I won three Super Bowls.’”

Scott also teamed up with fellow rapper Offset recently, to preview new music together at Rolling Loud Thailand. The rappers also reportedly brought a fan onstage during their set.

Read More: Travis Scott Is “Not Thrilled” About Kylie Jenner’s Romance With Timothée Chalamet

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Trina’s fifth album Amazin’ was released 13 years ago and marked a shift in the rapper’s artistry. The Miami native showed the world her versatility on the project and gained new fans after its release. The rap queen kept the momentum after Still Da Baddest in 2008 solidified her status as one of the best in the game. With Amazin’, she kept the discussion running about how she truly is deserving of the title “Da Baddest Bitch.”

Amazin’ was released on May 4, 2010, under the label Slip-n-Slide Records. Unlike her previous works, the album had less of Trina’s signature sexual explicitness. However, she maintained her bold and assertive rapping style, taking no prisoners with her cocky bars. The album was packed with various anthems and saw the rapper collaborating with a wide range of artists.

The Diamond Princess had already racked up enough respect before the album’s release. Trina achieved an incredible feat by even having four albums to her name. Her four albums before Amazin’ were met with a favorable reception. Nevertheless, the rap icon still had much more up her sleeve, and with the new decade, another sound was born. Trina spread her wings musically and made room to welcome the divergence of Hip Hop in the 2010s.

Trina’s Musical Evolution On “Amazin’”

Four official singles were sent to radio, with a buzz single, “My Bitches”, released shortly after. Amazin’ also had two unreleased singles that were switched from the official set list and kept as album tracks. Trina featured several notable artists on Amazin’. She enlisted older and newer acts, from Hip Hop royalty Diddy and Rick Ross, to R&B legend Monica and fellow rapper Nicki Minaj, among others. 

Trina also ensured the production quality of Amazin’ was top-notch. The bass lines were clean and heavy, and the beats packed a punch. Her suggestive and powerful rap style paired well with the sonic elements and made for a high-energy affair. The rapper is no stranger to making bold claims, and Amazin’ was no different. With songs like “That’s My Attitude” and “Million Dollar Girl,” Trina proved she had no intentions of playing nice.

Commercial Success

“Million Dollar Girl,” featuring Keri Hilson and Diddy, was a hit with fans of the rapper. The anthem, and the first single released after the album’s drop, covered financial independence women’s success. Trina was her usual confident self on the single, boasting about her wealth and status. She proudly lets her listeners know that anything Trina wants, Trina gets.

Rapping alongside heavyweights like Lil Wayne might have been tough for others, but Trina held her own. On the track “Always,” the second song on the project that features Monica, Trina came out swinging. While she didn’t shy away from confessing her love, she made it known that she was still running things in true Trina fashion.

Regarding Amazin’s commercial success, the album peaked at the 13th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. However, on other charts, it performed much better. Amazin’ hit the top spot on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart. The album also hit the second and fourth spot on the Top Rap Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, respectively.

Trina’s Legacy

A highlight of the album was the track “My Bitches.” Trina has always been vocal about sisterhood within the rap community. The song hits differently today as the industry is rife with several beefs among women in rap. On the buzz single, Trina enlisted her protégées in the music video, showering love on friends. The industry is male-dominated, so the community among female rappers is needed now more than ever. 

In addition, Trina’s dedication to women’s empowerment and independence was a recurring theme on the album. She showed her ability to be as hard-hitting as her male contemporaries but still effortlessly displayed her softness when needed. Amazin’ featured several anthems encouraging women to channel their self-worth, sexuality, and power. 

Amazin’ was also an essential moment in Trina’s career. Many female rappers over the years have yet to release five albums. Trina expressed joy at being able to record and release five albums at the time, which is a monstrous feat. Several outlets have noted Trina’s incredible consistency as a woman in the large world of Hip Hop.

Moreover, the album was well-received, especially for Trina’s blend of old and new sounds. Her musical evolution was noteworthy for its authenticity and flexibility. Amazin’ ushered Trina into a new decade of music and sounds, and the rapper proved she could adapt. The Diamond Princess showed the world why she was to be revered and respected as an icon.

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Kris Jenner was in attendance during the Lakers’ loss to the Denver Nuggets in Game 4 of the Western Conference Finals on Monday night. She sat alongside Corey Gamble. During the game, Tristan Thompson saw some of the most minutes on the court he’s gotten during his entire stretch with the team. He finished with four points and a single rebound in 10 minutes of action. Despite his effort, the Nuggets won 113-111 to advance to the NBA Finals.

Thompson signed with the Lakers back in April, locating him back near his ex, Khloé Kardashian. When rumors started to fly that the two were back together, Khloé put a halt to the idea. “Stop pushing this narrative. It’s tiring. But I suppose You guys will continue the narrative you want regardless of what I say so what’s the point,” she wrote on Instagram. “It’s exhausting but I learned people will only understand to the level of their own perception. Most are stuck at believing the lies because it’s the narrative they want to fuel. Have fun…. Some things are just as simple as they seem. A family member supporting another family member ESPECIALLY during a difficult time in life.”

Read More: Saint West Rocks Tristan Thompson’s Lakers Jersey While Sitting Courtside With Kim Kardashian

Kris Jenner At Crypto.com Arena

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – MAY 08: Kris Jenner attends a playoff basketball game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors at Crypto.com Arena on May 08, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images)

With the loss, the Lakers suffered a sweep at the hands of the Nuggets. Afterward, LeBron James admitted that he will be considering retirement during the offseason. He appeared to be gassed toward the end of the game, scoring just nine of his 40 points in the second half. “I knew I could get to the finish line,” James told ESPN. “Obviously, I knew I had to deal with it and deal with the pain or deal with not being able to be myself before the injury, but there was nothing that made me feel like I couldn’t get to the finish line.”

Read More: LeBron James May Retire: Report

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