Kanye West and Antonio Brown remained in the headlines this week while other celebrities are being heard for the first time in a while. Kanye's reps released a statement on Thursday to refute a TMZ report that revealed the artist is working with a Los Angeles company to launch a fashion line to help those experiencing homelessness.
“Ye has a deep and solution-oriented commitment to addressing issues surrounding homelessness,” a spokesperson told The New York Post on Thursday. “But this reported event is not on our schedule at this time, nor are we aware of any product collaboration in development.”
According to TMZ, the 44-year-old may be working with streetwear brand Skid Row Fashion Week, a company that employs people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles and donates a portion of its clothing sales to help the unhoused.
TMZ released its report after speaking with David Sabastian, founder of Skid Row Fashion Week. Sabastian said he met with Ye while he was recording Donda 2 and the two decided to create a Yeezy X Skid Row Fashion Week clothing collaboration.
Kanye was also spotted at the Kenzo show in Paris this week, along with Pharrell Williams and Tyler, the Creator.
Antonio Brown generated more buzz when he sat down for an interview with Bryant Gumbel on HBO's Real Sports. Joining his lawyer, Sean Burstyn, Brown raised allegations against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The NFL wide receiver, who abruptly left the team in the middle of a game last month, said the Buccaneers tried to pay him $200,000 to commit himself to intensive mental health treatment.
"The offer was Antonio would basically sit on the sidelines, go on some list and commit himself to some form of intensive mental health treatment, and we were specifically told in writing by the general manager twice, 'Don't spin this any other way,'" Burstyn said.
The wide receiver also admitted to taking toradol shots from the Bucs' medical staff to relieve the pain he was experiencing with his ankle. Brown said he was unaware of the damage he was doing to himself by taking the shots.
Cardi B spoke up about her own legal battle this week after a federal jury awarded her more than $4 million in a libel case against blogger Tasha Kebe.
“After almost four years of repeated libel and slander against me, being able to walk away from this victorious brings me great happiness,” the artist said in a statement to People on Tuesday.
According to Cardi's lawsuit filed in 2019, Kebe made "malicious" allegations against the artist, saying the rapper was a prostitute, cheated on her husband, used cocaine and contracted herpes and HPV.
Nicki Minaj teased her fans on Wednesday, announcing a new collaboration with Lil Baby. The single “DO WE HAVE A PROBLEM!? BABY X BARBIE,” will be released on Feb. 4.
Nas continues to make big moves. The artist partnered with Google to make a $20 million investment in African mobile games publisher Carry1st, The Hollywood Reporter reports.
“On the back of 96 percent monthly revenue growth, Carry1st will use the additional capital to expand its content portfolio, grow its product, engineering and growth teams, and acquire tens of millions of new users,” Cordel Robbin-Coker, co-founder and CEO of Carry1st, said in a statement. “Notably, Carry1st is expanding into game co-development, working with leading game studios on original concepts and developing the infrastructure to support play-to-earn gaming.”
Hip-hop artist Slim Jxmmi was arrested on Tuesday in Miami and charged with battery after being accused of attacking his girlfriend at their home, The Fader reports.
The couple allegedly started arguing after the artist followed a certain woman on social media. Jxmmi is accused of pulling his girlfriend's hair and causing her extension to "rip from her scalp."
Coca-Cola is partnering with Molson Coors to launch Simply Spiked Lemonade, an alcoholic drink. The beverage, which is made from fermented sugar cane, features flavors such as strawberry lemonade, watermelon lemonade, blueberry lemonade and regular lemonade, CNN reports.
"Simply is known for its bold flavor and real fruit juice and there's a great opportunity to create a new brand (in the alcohol aisle)," Michelle St. Jacques, Molson's chief marketing officer, told CNN.
Fans are eagerly anticipating the arrival of the new drink, which will go on sale during the summer.
Prices for the new drink haven't yet been released.
