It can be hard to keep up with everything going on in pop culture. Join reporter Zackary Moran-Norris each week for a round-up of some of the largest stories of the week so your references can always stay relevant.
(Photo courtesy of Interscope Records)Kendrick Lamar’s album drops a week early
Coming off his major label debut that was certified platinum, Kendrick Lamar released his sophomore album “To Pimp a Butterfly” on Sunday night, a week earlier than slated. The premature release may have been the result of a miscommunication between Lamar’s distributor, Interscope, and Lamar’s independent label, Top Dawg Entertainment. With a rich profusion of jazz and funk influences, “To Pimp a Butterfly” features an immensely different tone than his prior release, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City”, which narrated Lamar’s story of redemption. He triumphantly serves as the voice of neglected communities and a society blemished with woes, all through his own chaotic inner monologues that loom throughout his new album.
Hacking group Anonymous issues ultimatum to Kanye West
Kanye West was castigated in a video of an anonymous man that is purportedly part of the international hacktivist organization, Anonymous. The searing video criticizes West for being a “spoiled child in a grown man’s body” while also attacking Kim Kardashian for her infamous sex tape and her recent nude photo shoot. West’s daughter and late mother were also mentioned throughout the verbal assault.The sudden twist of fate came when Anonymous publicly denied having any involvement in the matter which begs the question: just who is behind the Guy Fawkes mask?
Hip hop recording artist Lil Wayne poses for a picture during the second quarter of the Houston Rockets vs. Miami Heat game at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida,
Wednesday, February 6, 2013. The Miami Heat defeated the Houston Rockets 114-108.
(David Santiago/El Nuevo Herald/MCT)
Gunshots reported at Lil Wayne’s Miami mansion
Miami Beach police responded to a “swatting call” earlier this week that claimed four people were shot inside rapper Lil Wayne’s Miami estate. After a two-hour investigation of the 15,000-square-foot mansion, it was confirmed that the phone call made to the non-emergency dispatch line was a hoax. Lil Wayne’s record label later tweeted out, “Wayne is okay. Wasn’t home during alleged events.” This non-incidental episode is just a few weeks after a suspicious trespasser was reported on the rapper’s residence.
"Frozen 2" announced
Disney and Pixar officially announced the sequel to the exceptionally successful film “Frozen” during Walt Disney’s annual shareholder meeting in San Francisco. Diehard fans immediately rejoiced once the announcement was made and when it was confirmed that the majority of the original cast will return for the sequel. Josh Gad will return as the voice of Olaf the snowman and after initial doubts, Kristen Bell has confirmed that she will once again be the voice of Anna. Not many details have surfaced regarding the release date, but it is speculated that the film will be released in theaters as late as 2018.
Reach the reporter at zmoranno@asu.edu or follow @thezackarymoran on Twitter.
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