NEWS
Nipsey Hussle has been crowned the best rapper of all time by NBA star Russell Westbrook — over the likes of JAY-Z and Eminem.
Participating in a social media bracket game with his wife, Nina Westbrook, over the weekend, Russ narrowed down an Elite Eight list of legendary rappers, with his late friend Nipsey being the last MC standing.
The former NBA MVP gave Neighborhood Nip the nod over Slim Shady, Nas, Lil Wayne and eventually Hov on his way to crowning him the G.O.A.T.
A California native, Westbrook is sure to upset fans of East Coast Hip Hop as he also went with Dr. Dre over Biggie, Lil Wayne over 50 Cent and Ice Cube over Redman.
“I felt his pain when it got to Nip and Wayne I was just listening to them today,” one fan replied to Russ’ picks on Twitter, while another wrote: “They gonna boo him because he picked dr dre over biggie, cube over red man, wayne over 50 and nipsey over emínem, but he’s right!”
Westbrook has long been a fan of Nipsey Hussle, with both growing up in Los Angeles and being a similar age.
Russ famously honored Nip following the rapper’s tragic murder in April 2019 when he posted the NBA’s second-ever 20-20-20 stat line, which served as a fitting homage to Hussle’s Rollin 60’s crew.
“Grateful to play the game, but that wasn’t for me, man. That was for my bro, man. That was for Nipsey,” Westbrook told TNT post-game. “Rest in peace to Nipsey, man. I’m just thankful to go out there and compete at a high level, man. Thankful to have these teammates. Thankful and humbled to go out there and play the game I love.”
Hussle was shot and killed outside his Marathon Clothing store on March 31, 2019 by Eric Holder, who was finally sentenced to 60 years behind bars in February.
NEWS
Panic! At The Disco are preparing to release a special deluxe anniversary edition of A Fever You Can't Sweat Out.
The I Write Sins Not Tragedies icons marked the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking 2005 debut album during their performance at When We Were Young Festival in Las Vegas over the weekend, and have now confirmed the new edition.
On January 23, the group — originally formed by Brendon Urie, Spencer Smith, Ryan Ross and Brent Wilson — will unveil a limited edition box set that features a remastered version of the record.
The package, priced at £164.99 and available for pre-order, includes 11 unreleased demos and a vinyl pressing of 2006’s Live In Denver. The full live set has also been uploaded to YouTube.
On the band’s UK store, they shared a message:
“To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Panic! At The Disco’s seminal debut album, this limited edition box set brings together a comprehensive time capsule celebrating the record's impact.
This release includes the original album remastered for the first time ever, 11 unreleased demos, plus the legendary 2006 Live In Denver performance — never before released on vinyl or CD.
The box set also includes a 12-page zine with never before seen photos from the era, a sticker set, a door hanger, and a paper doll set.”
By 2023, the band had essentially become a solo project for Urie. Their final show was held in Manchester, UK, where the frontman said: “Sometimes a journey must end for a new one to begin.
“We’ve been trying to keep it to ourselves, though some of you may have heard… Sarah and I are expecting a baby very soon!
The prospect of being a father and getting to watch my wife become a mother is both humbling and exciting. I look forward to this next adventure.”
Panic! returned to the stage at WWWY over the weekend, performing A Fever You Can't Sweat Out in full alongside fan favorites like This Is Gospel and Nine in the Afternoon.
To end the night, they performed I Write Sins Not Tragedies once again, as Smith reunited with Urie for the emotional closing moment.
