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Senior NBA insider Shams Charania is regarded by many as the best reporter in the game. His timely reports and insight have NBA fans checking his every move from Twitter to his show on FanDuel TV, but for Shams, the journey is much more in-depth than just an ‘overnight success.’
During a stop in Los Angeles, he sat down with Complex’s Pierce Simpson to discuss his stellar career, which began all the way back in High School, his relationship with fellow elite insider Adrian Wojnarowski, and timely NBA nuggets that’ll prime you for the rest of the postseason.

This is Unfiltered with Complex Sports featuring Shams Charania.

Shams Charania Talks Bronny James, Zion Williamson’s Future, Becoming an NBA GM | Complex Unfiltered

Senior NBA insider Shams Charania is regarded by many as the best reporter in the game. His timely reports and insight have NBA fans checking his every move from Twitter to his show on FanDuel TV, but for Shams, the journey is much more in-depth than just an ‘overnight success.’ During a stop in Los Angeles, he sat down with Complex’s Pierce Simpson to discuss his stellar career, which began all the way back in High School, his relationship with fellow elite insider Adrian Wojnarowski, and timely NBA nuggets that’ll prime you for the rest of the postseason. This is Unfiltered with Complex Sports featuring Shams Charania.

Jim Jones sits with Complex’s Jordan Rose for an interview about his new Hitmaka-produced project ‘Back In My Prime,’ working with the late Takeoff, why he thinks Drake is the greatest rapper of all time, New York’s drill scene, his 2008 Complex cover, and his own legacy across multiple eras.

Jim Jones Says Drake Is Greatest of All Time, Talks Drill Rappers and New Music

Peacock's Original Series Bel-Air is officially back for Season 2, which premiered Thursday February 23. If you somehow missed the incredible first season, no worries, Complex has you covered. Claire Ateku and Alana Yzola host this installment of The Pre-Cap revisiting Bel Air Season 1, including the juiciest moments, notable storylines, biggest cliffhangers, and what we should expect from the new season.

Keep it locked to The Pre-Cap for your cheat sheet to the biggest shows and movie franchises.

Bel-Air Season 2 | The Pre-Cap

Peacock's Original Series Bel-Air is officially back for Season 2, which premiered Thursday February 23. If you somehow missed the incredible first season, no worries, Complex has you covered. Claire Ateku and Alana Yzola host this installment of The Pre-Cap revisiting Bel Air Season 1, including the juiciest moments, notable storylines, biggest cliffhangers, and what we should expect from the new season.  Keep it locked to The Pre-Cap for your cheat sheet to the biggest shows and movie franchises.

The Atlanta rapper and youngest member of the Migos was fatally shot in the early hours of November 1 at a bowling alley in Houston. Here, we remember Takeoff’s life and legacy. Rest in peace.

Takeoff Dead at 28

Very few artists have had the success that GIVĒON has had in the past two years. Since sitting down with Complex News’ Pierce Simpson in 2020, he’s been featured on songs with Drake and Justin Beiber as well as landing several Grammy nominations his star continues to rise. While he wraps his head around everything that’s going on in his life, he’s managed to sell out his first North American tour and simultaneously work on his debut album. Complex News Claire Ateku caught up with him before his New York City show to discuss life in the fast lane and most importantly – to get his thoughts on IN-N-OUT.

GIVĒON Teases Debut Album, Talks Grammys & Weighs in on IN-N-OUT vs Shake Shack

 Education has had a hard time evolving to meet the academic needs of the modern student; remember how hectic it was to make a zoom class work? The way kids are learning is either antiquated, stifled, focused more on standardized testing and the programs meant to engage their creative sides are either limited or non-existent

As Los Angeles welcomed the world for Super Bowl LVI, adidas, hosted Rally to New Heights for the students of Audubon Middle School. Along with the Iovine and Young Academy and PENSOLE, the rally celebrated the continued partnership between these institutions, adidas the graduates of Wood U and furthered the commitment to the community disrupting education in the 21st century.

When Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young -you may know him as Dr. Dre- founded the Iovine and Young Academy in 2013 their goal was simple: give young creatives the tools they needed to become the future of their dream careers. "What we want to do is come to a town like this in a public school and give them a unique education." he says and the partnership furthers those goals by bringing dream teams and collaborators to the classroom.


PENSOLE founder Dr. D’Wayne Edwards expressed the importance of bringing the industry to the classroom and starting them early on the path to success. For the Inglewood CA native, the continuing partnership means that students can embrace creativity and possibility. "Creating a curriculum that is around cross functional learning revolutionizes education." adidas Senior Director – Communities & Social Impact Ayesha Martin adds that "maybe 1% of kids manage to become a pro athlete but you can still love sports and still be a part of this industry."  

Under the tutelage of fellow Inglewood native D Smoke, the students of Wood U designed footwear and apparel taking design cues from the words longevity, ambition, power and love with pieces being sold in select stores in LA. The process allowed students to get their hands into everything from design, fabrication, textiles, marketing and get a larger sense of what goes into the process of creating a product, adding a little more to the assignment than just a sketch and a dream.


This is more than a community project. It's a blueprint for what the future of academics can be across the country, something everyone involved can agree on. From learning design to financial literacy - courtesy of Pharrell's Black Ambition project- the students in these courses are accomplishing more than just straight A's and winning games, they're proving  that impossible is nothing. 


Complex’ Pierce Simpson headed back to the classroom for a full school day with Jimmy, NFL wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pharrell, Cheney and Nneka Ogwumike and special guest performer Roddy Ricch to talk about the program. 


Check out the highlights above and be sure to check out https://www.adidas.com/us/wood_u for more.

Pharrell, Roddy Ricch, and Jimmy Iovine Kicked Off Super Bowl Weekend To Rally to New Heights with adidas

 Education has had a hard time evolving to meet the academic needs of the modern student; remember how hectic it was to make a zoom class work? The way kids are learning is either antiquated, stifled, focused more on standardized testing and the programs meant to engage their creative sides are either limited or non-existent             As Los Angeles welcomed the world for Super Bowl LVI, adidas, hosted Rally to New Heights for the students of Audubon Middle School. Along with the Iovine and Young Academy and PENSOLE, the rally celebrated the continued partnership between these institutions, adidas the graduates of Wood U and furthered the commitment to the community disrupting education in the 21st century.    When Jimmy Iovine and Andre Young -you may know him as Dr. Dre- founded the Iovine and Young Academy in 2013 their goal was simple: give young creatives the tools they needed to become the future of their dream careers. "What we want to do is come to a town like this in a public school and give them a unique education." he says and the partnership furthers those goals by bringing dream teams and collaborators to the classroom.    PENSOLE founder Dr. D’Wayne Edwards expressed the importance of bringing the industry to the classroom and starting them early on the path to success. For the Inglewood CA native, the continuing partnership means that students can embrace creativity and possibility. "Creating a curriculum that is around cross functional learning revolutionizes education." adidas Senior Director – Communities & Social Impact Ayesha Martin adds that "maybe 1% of kids manage to become a pro athlete but you can still love sports and still be a part of this industry."    Under the tutelage of fellow Inglewood native D Smoke, the students of Wood U designed footwear and apparel taking design cues from the words longevity, ambition, power and love with pieces being sold in select stores in LA. The process allowed students to get their hands into everything from design, fabrication, textiles, marketing and get a larger sense of what goes into the process of creating a product, adding a little more to the assignment than just a sketch and a dream.    This is more than a community project. It's a blueprint for what the future of academics can be across the country, something everyone involved can agree on. From learning design to financial literacy - courtesy of Pharrell's Black Ambition project- the students in these courses are accomplishing more than just straight A's and winning games, they're proving  that impossible is nothing.                 Complex’ Pierce Simpson headed back to the classroom for a full school day with Jimmy, NFL wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, Pharrell, Cheney and Nneka Ogwumike and special guest performer Roddy Ricch to talk about the program.     Check out the highlights above and be sure to check out https://www.adidas.com/us/wood_u for more.

2021 saw the continued rise of women in rap. Complex News anchors Claire Ateku, Natasha Martinez and Alana Yzola linked up for the first time to breakdown the year that was for Megan Thee Stallion, Dojo Cat, Rico Nasty and more to name their favorites for the year. Plus share some inside stories around their favorite interviews and picks for next year's women in rap. Check out the video above! 

The Best Women in Rap 2021 | Complex News

 Doechii has had an eventful 2021. From tracks like 'Yucky Blucky Fruitcake' to 'Spooky Coochie' and 'Girls', she's made a name for herself on the indie scene for her theatrical approach to music. On the cusp of what may be an even more exciting year, Complex News’ Alana Yzola caught up with her as she prepped for one of her first shows in New York. While there, they talked about her musical inspiration, teased a new project and Alana got a taste for fame. 

Doechii Shares How TikTok Led to  Collabs with Isaiah Rashad and Opening For SZA | Complex News

It’s been a great year for new music—especially over the past six months. As COVID restrictions started to lift this summer, some of our favorite artists finally released the albums they’d been holding onto. Nearly every week, there was a flood of great new music to sift through. There were blockbuster releases from A-list artists—dueling rollouts from Kanye West and Drake dominated the summer—and standout albums from rising stars like Baby Keem, Summer Walker, and Don Toliver. On any given Friday, we were greeted with long-anticipated projects from veteran acts like Silk Sonic and stunning debuts from newcomers like Yebba.

To recognize that, the team over at Complex Music worked hard to create the ultimate list of the best albums of the year. 

See The Full List Here: https://www.complex.com/music/best-albums-of-2021/

Best Albums of 2021 | Complex News

It’s been a great year for new music—especially over the past six months. As COVID restrictions started to lift this summer, some of our favorite artists finally released the albums they’d been holding onto. Nearly every week, there was a flood of great new music to sift through. There were blockbuster releases from A-list artists—dueling rollouts from Kanye West and Drake dominated the summer—and standout albums from rising stars like Baby Keem, Summer Walker, and Don Toliver. On any given Friday, we were greeted with long-anticipated projects from veteran acts like Silk Sonic and stunning debuts from newcomers like Yebba.   To recognize that, the team over at Complex Music worked hard to create the ultimate list of the best albums of the year.    See The Full List Here: https://www.complex.com/music/best-albums-of-2021/

With news of Virgil Abloh’s passing on Sunday, November 28, many speculated whether the designer’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection scheduled to take place at Art Basel would still happen. Louis Vuitton honored Virgil and his family’s wish to move on with the collection and on Tuesday evening, ‘Virgil Was Here’ was live-streamed from Miami’s Marina Stadium. The star-studded event was a celebration of the life and work of a creative genius gone too soon. Complex News spoke to a few fans who shared their thoughts on Virgil’s impact on fashion, music, art and culture.

'Virgil Was Here' Louis Vuitton Celebrates Virgil Abloh At Art Basel

Nicole Mclaughlin is a design and upcycling extraordinaire known for her unconventional, tongue in cheek approach to the artistic process. We had the chance to crash her studio to do some climbing on her custom rock wall and dive into what her creative process looks like. No resources are off limits for Nicole as she’s transformed volleyballs into slippers, Haribo gummy bear packets into shorts, and virtually every household item into some form of sandal. Nicole is far more than just a hobbyist as her talents have led to collaborations with the premiere artists and brands of our time - Travis Scott, Kanye West, ASAP Rocky, and more. Currently, Nicole serves as the Arc’teryx Design Ambassador and is focused on hosting workshops around the country to inspire and teach people how upcycling can positively impact your life. 

Nicole Mclaughlin on Crocs, Upcycling Streetwear and Wall Climbing at Home | Complex News

Nicole Mclaughlin is a design and upcycling extraordinaire known for her unconventional, tongue in cheek approach to the artistic process. We had the chance to crash her studio to do some climbing on her custom rock wall and dive into what her creative process looks like. No resources are off limits for Nicole as she’s transformed volleyballs into slippers, Haribo gummy bear packets into shorts, and virtually every household item into some form of sandal. Nicole is far more than just a hobbyist as her talents have led to collaborations with the premiere artists and brands of our time - Travis Scott, Kanye West, ASAP Rocky, and more. Currently, Nicole serves as the Arc’teryx Design Ambassador and is focused on hosting workshops around the country to inspire and teach people how upcycling can positively impact your life.

On Sunday, November 28, designer Virgil Abloh passed away after a private battle with a rare form of cancer. The Off-White founder and Louis Vuitton creative director became a pillar in today’s fashion world and served as an inspiration for an entire generation of creators, no matter the medium. We would like to send our sincerest condolences to his friends and family. Virgil Abloh was 41.

Virgil Abloh Dead at 41

Since the start of 2020, very few rappers have been as prolific as Conway. With over five projects since the start of 2020, the Buffalo native is as confident as ever as he prepares to release his sophomore album, 'God Don’t Make Mistakes.' During a trip to Los Angeles, Pierce caught up with Conway prior to his show at Regent Theater and they talked about Conway's career up to this point, the run Griselda has been on, why he feels like he's the best rapper alive, and much more. 

Conway Talks Working with Kanye, Being Underrated, & 'God Don't Make Mistakes' | Complex News

The legal fallout from the tragic Astroworld Festival is still ongoing. Complex News speaks with entertainment attorneys and the hosts of the Legally Judgy podcast, Nicole Ahmed and Alexa Camarena, to look at Travis’s legal history, how his role as an organizer might hurt him, and how the devastation will affect future festivals.

Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival Tragedy: Legal Experts Weigh In | Complex News

BIA and Natasha taste test and rate some of LA’s best milkshakes as a nod to her song "Can’t Touch This" from her 'For Certain' (Deluxe) EP. The Boston rapper discusses the "Milkshake" flip on her latest single and how Kelis influenced her style. We also talked about how she learned new flows from Nicki and touched on her brand new beauty line launching this month, plus much more. Be sure to check out BIA's new tape and hit that subscribe button.


BIA Brings the Boys to the Yard, Talks Nicki Collab, "For Certain' and New Beauty Line

BIA and Natasha taste test and rate some of LA’s best milkshakes as a nod to her song "Can’t Touch This" from her 'For Certain' (Deluxe) EP. The Boston rapper discusses the "Milkshake" flip on her latest single and how Kelis influenced her style. We also talked about how she learned new flows from Nicki and touched on her brand new beauty line launching this month, plus much more. Be sure to check out BIA's new tape and hit that subscribe button.

What you should know about the tragic events at Travis Scott’s 2021 Astroworld Fest that killed eight, injured hundreds, and is now leading to tremendous fallout including lawsuits and lost deals for Travis.

Everything We Know About The Astroworld Tragedy | Complex News

Complex News’ Pierce Simpson caught up with Nigel Sylvester at the Gillette Lab activation during ComplexCon 2021 where they talked up career evolution, grooming habits, get the quick shape up and find out what’s next for the New York Native. 



BMX Superstar Nigel Sylvester Hits the Gillette Booth at ComplexCon2021

Complex News’ Pierce Simpson caught up with Nigel Sylvester at the Gillette Lab activation during ComplexCon 2021 where they talked up career evolution, grooming habits, get the quick shape up and find out what’s next for the New York Native. 

Natasha stopped by to kick it with the guy behind upcycle brand Utopia. They made an upcycled bucket hat out of Complex magazines and he told us how he quit his accounting job to become a full-time designer. Since getting off the hamster wheel, Peder has gone viral on TikTok for upcycling everything from designer bags to furniture. He’s made pieces for artists like Lil Yachty, Dani Leigh, Trippie Redd, Kaash Paige and more. Catch him at ComplexCon this weekend November 6th and 7th in Long Beach, CA. 

Utopia Founder Peder Cho Talks the Future of Upcycle Fashion

Ava DuVernay has written, directed and produced multiple award-winning projects and most recently directed and co-created Netflix’s ‘Colin in Black and White.’ Complex’s Claire Ateku sits with Ava to discuss what it was like working with Colin Kaepernick to tell his story, her thoughts on the NFL’s recent initiatives & what she’d be doing if not working in film. She also touches on her brief rap career. Check out the interview and be sure to hit that subscribe button.


Ava DuVernay Talks NFL, ‘Colin in Black and White,’ and DC’s ‘Naomi’ | Complex News

Ava DuVernay has written, directed and produced multiple award-winning projects and most recently directed and co-created Netflix’s ‘Colin in Black and White.’ Complex’s Claire Ateku sits with Ava to discuss what it was like working with Colin Kaepernick to tell his story, her thoughts on the NFL’s recent initiatives & what she’d be doing if not working in film. She also touches on her brief rap career. Check out the interview and be sure to hit that subscribe button.

Valentina Voight decided to drop out of college to pursue her dreams of being a fashion designer. Now less than two years later, she and her team have managed to build a sustainable million dollar company that also affords health benefits. Her drops sellout in minutes and some of her products have gone viral. In this video, Valentina explains her strategy while also giving us some background on how it all started. Check the video out and be sure to subscribe.



How Voight by Valentina Became a Multimillion Dollar Company in Two Years

R&B duo Majid Jordan released their third studio album Wildest Dreams on October 22nd. They join Complex News anchor Natasha Martinez to discuss their refreshed sound, staying in close contact with Drake, and later, get their dreams interpreted with dream expert Kelly Sullivan Walden. 


Majid Jordan Reveal Their Lucid Dreams and Talk Staying Close with Drake | Complex News

R&B duo Majid Jordan released their third studio album Wildest Dreams on October 22nd. They join Complex News anchor Natasha Martinez to discuss their refreshed sound, staying in close contact with Drake, and later, get their dreams interpreted with dream expert Kelly Sullivan Walden. 

 It’s almost impossible for a day to pass without hearing that someone or something has been "cancelled." In a much more politically correct society, things that were admissible years ago have consequences today and many are calling for accountability for all issues. Just recently, we’ve seen Dave Chappelle's latest special create a Netflix controversy while Raiders head coach Jon Gruden was forced to resign over wildly flagrant emails from a decade ago. Complex News anchor Claire Ateku talks to New Yorkers about “cancel culture” and to find out if it’s possible to make a comeback from being cancelled.

Dave Chappelle and the Politics of Cancel Culture

After 10-plus years in the music game, Wizkid’s career seems to be nowhere near slowing down. Having just become the first African artist to be certified RIAA Platinum for his song “Essence” featuring Tems, Wizkid says there’s still a lot he wants to accomplish before he considers himself successful. Starboy himself took some time to kick it with Complex News anchor Claire Ateku during the L.A. stop of his Made in Lagos tour to break down his journey thus far and working with the likes of Beyoncé, Drake, and Skepta, plus much more.

Wizkid Talks Hit Song “Essence,” Justin Bieber Remix, & Becoming a Global Artist

News and rumors about the rapper’s forthcoming album are heating up. There's talk of a movie, a possible mixtape, and he's been playing new songs at shows — here’s what we know so far.

Everything We Know About Travis Scott’s ‘Utopia’ | Complex News

Fresh from their 'Dune' premiere and scene stealing looks at the Venice Film Festival Zendaya and Timotheé Chalamet sat with Complex News' Aidan Galasetti to talk about pasta, Certified Lover Boy vs Donda and the long road to their film 'Dune' in theaters and on HBO Max October 22nd. Plus they go head to head in a game of Lyrically Speaking. It gets Competitive 

Zendaya & Timothee Chalamet Talk Donda vs CLB & ‘Dune’ | Complex News

Complex News’ Claire Ateku checks in from the BET Hip Hop Awards in Atlanta with Baby Keem, BIA, Fat Joe, Nelly and ask the burning question - Would you take 500k or Dinner with Jay-Z. The answers might surprise you. 

Baby Keem, BIA, Tobe Nwigwe On Jay-Z vs 500k On 2021 BET Hip Hop Awards Red Carpet | Complex News

Mario Kristian and his team are building a budding community with their coffee and merch. No Free Coffee’s coffee and merch pop-ups around L.A. have been a hit since they started doing them in October of 2020. With the pandemic seemingly slowing things down, NFC cleverly designed small coffee windows like Italy’s plague-era wine windows of yesteryear. Little details like that have upped their profile in recent months, so we caught up with them to give us some insight on how they started and where they plan to go. Check out the vid above and don’t forget to hit that subscribe button.

How No Free Coffee Made a Business out of Community | Complex News

Pop star Britney Spears has gone through some serious issues in her personal and business life due to an ongoing conservatorship battle that has robbed her of her agency. Two new documentaries, Controlling Britney Spears, and Britney vs Spears, have dug deep into her past to provide shocking new details about what’s been going on and how these battles prepare the singer for her future. As of yesterday, September 29th, that chapter has already begun with Judge Brenda Penny ruling that Spears’ father will no longer serve as the conservator of his daughter's estate. While Britney isn’t 100% free, Thursday’s decision was a massive step in the right direction.

Britney Spears' Conservatorship: What We Know Right Now | Complex News

When a millennial couple embarks on a cross country road trip and only one returns, it becomes a national story. Complex’s Claire Ateku takes us through the timeline of Gabby Petito and Brian Laundrie’s trip, updates from law enforcement, and how social media might have aided in the case's advancement.

Everything We Know About the Gabby Petito Saga | Complex News

Nicki Minaj set Twitter on fire when she tweeted about the reason she didn’t attend this year’s Met Gala. The rapper complained about the Met requiring guests to be vaccinated and said that she had to do more research before she got the COVID-19 vaccine. Understandably, it was all downhill from there. Minaj has not only divided her fanbase on this specific issue, she’s also facing backlash from public officials from across the globe. Here’s all the angles of what’s been going on with Nicki’s new vaccine situation.

Nicki Minaj’s Covid-19 Vaccine Controversy, Explained | Complex News

Despite being around for two decades, Crocs have recently entered a new era of close-toed supremacy. With collaborations ranging from Bad Bunny to Balenciaga, the foam clog has become a grailed piece of footwear that can be as difficult to get as your favorite pair of 1s. Despite remaining a focal point of heated debate, Crocs’ influence can be seen across some of our favorite shoes today - Yeezy Foam Runners, Merrell Hydro Mocs, Stussy Birkenstocks, Suicoke ZAVO’s, and Bottega Veneta Rubber Clogs.

Why are People So Obsessed with Crocs? We Hit the Streets to Find Out | Complex News

R. Kelly’s trial for criminal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges began last week in New York City. He also has additional cases in New York as well as pending trials in Illinois and Minnesota. Here is what we've learned so far. 

Everything We've Learned So Far From The R.Kelly Trial | Complex News

 R. Kelly’s trial for criminal conspiracy and sex trafficking charges began last week in New York City. He also has additional cases in New York as well as pending trials in Illinois and Minnesota. Here is what we've learned so far. 

Mike Cherman's MA®KET, formerly known as Chinatown Market over the past half decade, came under fire earlier this year for appropriating the life and legacy of the various Chinatowns across the country. The bootleg, graphic heavy, tongue in cheek personality we’ve come to associate with Chinatown Market diluted Chinatown’s complex and proud history into a commercial punchline. We sat down with Mike at MARKET’s new LA HQ to discuss his experience changing his brand's name, reaction to the initial outcry, and thoughts on accountability in streetwear. Additionally, we link up with Vic Lee, Welcome to Chinatown's cofounder, who helped guide Mike and his team during the name change process. 

Mike Cherman & Vic Lee Explain Chinatown Market's Rename to MA®KET | Complex News

Kendrick Lamar and his family Baby Keem have released their highly-anticipated new single, “Family Ties,” along with a video that’s eager to be unpacked and absorbed. Complex's Alana Yzola breaks down the song and video as we patiently wait for what Keem, Kendrick, and pgLang have in store.

Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar's "Family Ties" Explained | Complex News

 Kendrick Lamar and his family Baby Keem have released their highly-anticipated new single, “Family Ties,” along with a video that’s eager to be unpacked and absorbed. Complex's Alana Yzola breaks down the song and video as we patiently wait for what Keem, Kendrick, and pgLang have in store.

Grammy Award-winning, multi-Platinum rapper Big Boi is a certified hip-hop icon. From putting Atlanta on the map during his days with OutKast, to a successful solo career as a rapper, to gracing the silver screen in nearly a dozen films as an actor, Big Boi has truly done it all. He belongs in the Pantheon of music, and any rising artist can look up to his career as one to emulate. 

So today we honor Big Boi with the SouthernplayalisticAward for Outstanding Contributions to Hip Hop. We know most of the P&P Awards are mainly for laughs, but in all seriousness, Big Boi deserves his flowers. Catch more P&P Awards on all of the Pigeons & Planes social media channels.


Big Boi Wins P&P Award For Outstanding Contributions to Hip-Hop

Grammy Award-winning, multi-Platinum rapper Big Boi is a certified hip-hop icon. From putting Atlanta on the map during his days with OutKast, to a successful solo career as a rapper, to gracing the silver screen in nearly a dozen films as an actor, Big Boi has truly done it all. He belongs in the Pantheon of music, and any rising artist can look up to his career as one to emulate.  So today we honor Big Boi with the SouthernplayalisticAward for Outstanding Contributions to Hip Hop. We know most of the P&P Awards are mainly for laughs, but in all seriousness, Big Boi deserves his flowers. Catch more P&P Awards on all of the Pigeons & Planes social media channels.

Multi-Platinum rapper Juvenile needs no introduction. From his early days in the Hot Boys with Lil Wayne, Turk, and B.G., to a stellar solo career that produced chart-topping songs and albums, Juvenile has his fingerprints all over hip-hop history.

So today, it's only right we present Juvenile with a P&P Award in honor of his lifetime of achievements in hip-hop. We know most of the P&P Awards are mainly for laughs, but in all seriousness, Juvenile deserves his flowers. Catch more P&P Awards on all of the Pigeons & Planes social media channels.

Juvenile Wins P&P Award For Outstanding Contributions to Hip-Hop

Multi-Platinum rapper Juvenile needs no introduction. From his early days in the Hot Boys with Lil Wayne, Turk, and B.G., to a stellar solo career.

From Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee to J. Balvin, reggeaton singer, songwriter, and producer Jhay Cortez has been behind some of the biggest anthems in urbano music. Ahead of his new album 'Timelezz' he met up with Natasha Martinez in Venice Beach, CA to discuss his new album, experimenting with his music and finding his confidence before hitting up a classic t-shirt boardwalk shop.

Jhay Cortez Dives Into His New Album ‘Timelezz’ and Going Beyond Features

 From Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee to J. Balvin, reggeaton singer, songwriter, and producer Jhay Cortez has been behind some of the biggest anthems in urbano music. Ahead of his new album 'Timelezz' he met up with Natasha Martinez in Venice Beach, CA to discuss his new album, experimenting with his music and finding his confidence before hitting up a classic t-shirt boardwalk shop.

Whether you refer to him as Damian Lillard or Dame D.O.L.L.A. there’s no denying the talent that exists within the Oakland native. From being regarded as one of the best players in the NBA to being the self-proclaimed GOAT of NBA rappers… Dame has a lot to say. He recently sat down with our very own Pierce Simpson to discuss his latest album ‘D.O.L.L.A.,’ a potential collaboration with J. Cole, his future with the Portland Trailblazers, and plenty more.

Damian Lillard Explains Why He’s the GOAT of NBA Rappers

From the alleged shooting, to Tory Lanez's controversial Rolling Loud performance, to possible jail time, Complex anchor Alana Yzola gives rundown of what’s happened between Megan thee Stallion and Tory Lanez since their court date last October.

Megan Thee Stallion & Tory Lanez’s Legal Situation, Explained

From Saweetie, to La La, to Kim Kardashian, fashion designer Brandon Blackwood's bags have been on everyone's timeline. Our very own Alana Yzola sits down with Blackwood and his team to talk about his process and everything he has in store for next season.

Brandon Blackwood on How He Made Saweetie & La La's Favorite Bag | Complex News

On Wednesday, August 11, 2021, Shoe Palace employee Jayren Bradford was murdered during a sneaker raffle dispute on Melrose in Los Angeles. This extremely unfortunate incident is just another example of the growing dangers involving the sneaker marketplace and the culture in general. Complex News visited Melrose to get a sense of what steps need to be taken to make the process of buying sneakers safer and easier.

What the Shoe Palace Shooting Says About the Present & Future of Sneakers

Multihyphenate entrepreneur Blac Chyna is finally releasing music after first teasing interest back in 2017. Our very own Alana Yzola sits down with Chyna to talk about how she continues to establish her brand, her music-making process, why she wants her and Tyga's son King to design her first set, and much more.

Blac Chyna on Collabing with Nicki Minaj and Building Her Empire | Complex News

After being behind bars for nearly two years, YNW Melly is ready to release his new album ‘Just A Matter Of Slime.’ Melly is facing double homicide charges that could lead to the death penalty.

Everything We Know About YNW Melly’s New Album ‘It’s A Matter of Slime’

James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad is lightyears away Guardians of the Galaxy and respectfully has never heard of David Ayer’s Suicide Squad. [#ReleaseTheAyerCut]. In the months leading up to it’s premiere in theaters and on HBO MAX August 6th, the director has been gleefully driving the hype train, creating SEO friendly headlines with conversations around what even is cinema and arht while simultaneously championing a movie that aims to shatter people’s expectations for what a comic book movie adaptation can be. [Spoiler alert - it totally does]
Complex News’ Aidan Galasetti had the chance to catch up with Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, David Dastmalchian, Daniela Melchior, Sylvester Stallone and Joel Kinneman to talk about action figures over Oscars, keeping set pieces and props followed by a messy game of “Say Word.” It gets pretty intense. 

Check it out above.

The Suicide Squad' Cast on New Movie, Beating Resellers & Play "Say Word" | Complex News

How DaBaby Became Rap’s Latest Villain | Complex News

Fresh off of the release of Sixtape 2, Blxst sat down with Pierce Simpson of Complex News to discuss his ascending career, what life has been like since dropping the critically acclaimed ‘No Love Lost’; as well as linking up with J.Cole, Russ & Jack Harlow.

Blxst Discusses Career, Nate Dogg Comparisons, Meeting J.Cole & More

After a year of quarantine and a break from live shows, Rolling Loud: Miami kicks off festival season post-COVID. Our very own Claire Ateku catches up with attendees and some of your favorite performers to get a glimpse of what went down during the crazy 3-day festival in the hot Miami sun.

Back Outside at Rolling Loud Miami with Coi Leary, SAINt JHN, Rico Nasty & More

Yeezy Season is upon us, yet again. Kanye West is about to drop his tenth studio album, Donda. The album follows his gospel project Jesus Is King, which was released in October 2019. Kanye has been known to break his own promises when it comes to album release dates, of course, but there are many clues that suggest the album will actually arrive very soon. Though ‘Ye has been tight-lipped about his album, showing up to public events in a mask and not speaking at all, folks in his corner have been dropping hints about the project ahead of his Friday release. And according to whispers from those who have heard it, Donda is shaping up to be a good one. 
As you anxiously await the arrival of Kanye’s new album, check out this breakdown of everything we know about Donda so far.

Everything We Know About Kanye West's 'Donda' Album

 Yeezy Season is upon us, yet again. Kanye West is about to drop his tenth studio album, Donda. The album follows his gospel project Jesus Is King, which was released in October 2019. Kanye has been known to break his own promises when it comes to album release dates, of course, but there are many clues that suggest...

After two critically-acclaimed projects in 2020, EST Gee continues to solidify himself in the rap game. With another highly anticipated project on the way, Bigger Than Life or Death, EST Gee sat down with Pierce Simpson of Complex to discuss his rise, close relationships to Lil Baby & Jack Harlow; as well as what his phone call with Jay-Z was like.

EST Gee: Being Labeled the 'New Jeezy' by Lil’ Baby, Phone Calls with Jay-Z & More.

It feels like just yesterday that pop singer Billie Eilish was the music industry’s sweetheart. The 19-year-old, seven time Grammy-award winning artist was named one of the most successful artists of the 2010s by Billboard. But now she’s become one of the most controversial figures this year, largely because of things that she did years ago, which have now emerged into the spotlight. And it’s not just what she’s done in the past, either. Her responses to new controversies, or rather lack of responses, have soured her in the eyes of many. How far she falls — and whether any of her issues stick — remains to be seen.

Why Everyone Is Mad At Billie Eilish | Complex News

It feels like just yesterday that pop singer Billie Eilish was the music industry’s sweetheart. The 19-year-old, seven time Grammy-award winning artist was named one of the most successful artists of the 2010s by Billboard. But now she’s become one of the most controversial figures this year, largely because of... 

Los Angeles has always had a distinctive sound when it comes to rap and BlueBucksClan continues that tradition. The South Central duo has developed their unique sound with witty sports-related punchlines and captivating bravado. Their music has gotten co-signs from he likes of Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and they’ve done songs with Lil Yachty and Quavo. Complex’s Pierce Simpson sat down with them to discuss their rise, their style, and how their past as college football players helped shape their careers as rappers.

BlueBucksClan: Everything You Need to Know About the Los Angeles Rap Duo

When Meg Thee Stallion dropped “Thot Shit,” everyone expected the latest TikTok dance for it to go viral, but Black creators decided to take a stand and start a boycott. TikTok creator Jordan Ray breaks down everything that led up to the strike, and how TikTok can be more inclusive for Black creators.

Jordan Ray on Why Black Tiktokers Are on Strike

Duke Deuce is determined. The 29-year-old rapper let the world know ‘Crunk Ain’t Dead’ with his viral single that captured every bit of the essence of the era it paid homage to. But despite that success, Duke Deuce is still chasing more. Complex News’ Pierce Simpson caught up with him in his hometown of Memphis to explore what life is like for the energetic rapper, why Memphis is the true home of ‘Crunk,' and details on a possible Drake collab.

Crunk Ain’t Dead: Duke Deuce Talks Memphis Rap, The Birthplace of Crunk & Going Viral | Complex News

Way back in 2013, when they played star-crossed lovers in Rocky’s “Fashion Killa” video then went on tour together, rumors began to swirl that they were more than just collaborators. Eight years later, it has finally become official. Like official, official — not from rumors or speculation, but sightings, a GQ interview, and a shared kiss right in the middle of a date in New York City. Their romance, which has blossomed from an innocent puppy love early in their careers to a full-blown, public relationship, has a timeline that can be hard to follow due to so much speculation. Here's a breakdown of how we got here. 

A Timeline of Rihanna and A$AP Rocky’s Love Affair | Complex News

Way back in 2013, when they played star-crossed lovers in Rocky’s “Fashion Killa” video then went on tour together, rumors began to swirl that they were more than just collaborators. Eight years later, it has finally become official. Like official, official — not from rumors or speculation, but sightings...

During a game of 'Never Have I Ever' Aziah "Zola" King and the cast of Zola (Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Nicholas Braun, Colman Domingo) learn things they've never known about each other and share their initial thoughts when reading the viral thread on Twitter in 2015.

Into the Thotdessy: The Cast of 'Zola' Talk Getting Starstruck, Ghost Stories, & Ruining Vacations

John Cena has been busy. While filming The Suicide Squad spin-off, 'Peacemaker', the 16 Time WWE Champion, New York Times bestselling author and newest cast member to the Fast and Furious franchise took time out to share stories behind his inspirational Tweets, joining the BTS Army, joining the blockbuster Fast and Furious franchise and whether there will ever be a Rock / Cena showdown at the box office.
Check out the video ! 

John Cena on The Rock, Joining the BTS Army, and 'Fast 9' | Complex News Interview

A chaotic blend between art collective, viral marketing company, and satirical cultural commentators, MSCHF defies the unilateral description we’ve come to expect of 21st century brands. With projects like Satan Sneakers, Spot’s Rampage, and most recently, At All Costs, the minds at MSCHF hold nothing sacred as they challenge consumer motives, callout corporate duplicity, and change the way we interact with ‘drop culture.' At All Costs marks the groups foray into the streetwear scene with the clothes pieces priced from $0-$650, asking the question, is there a limit to how much you're willing to pay for the flex?

Complex News' Aidan Galassetti visited the collective's photoshoot and workshop to check out the collection and dive into the world of MSCHF.

Check out the video above. 

In The Studio with MSCHF: Breaking Down "At All Costs", Satan Sneakers and More 

Mach and Gunn go into detail about their relationship and how Gunn and Jay got Hommy to come down from the mountain, as Mach so eloquently puts it. Both guys have important plans for the future and it looks like Mach is going to be sticking around for a while, so be prepared for more dumpin’.

Mach-Hommy & Westside Gunn Talk Reconnecting, Dinner with Jay-Z, ‘Pray for Haiti,’ and the Future

Here’s a look at the two’s on-and-off again friendship is back on ahead of their forthcoming Verzuz match. Check out the timeline above and sound off in the comments. Are you planning to watch this Verzuz? 

A Timeline of Bow Wow and Soulja Boy’s Fiery Friendship

Brain Dead x THEM Skates: The New Future Of Rollerblading

Detroit rapper 42 Dugg took Speedy Morman up to Harlem for a few rounds of dice, talked about how music changed is life and working with Roddy Ricch and Future on his project, "Free Dem Boyz" now streaming.
Check out the video above.

Shooting Dice in Harlem with 42 Dugg

Nicki Minaj re-released her iconic mixtape Beam Me Up Scotty on Friday with brand new songs, and officially came out of her hiatus. Here’s why this re-release is a full circle moment for Nicki fans everywhere.

Why Nicki Minaj’s 'Beam Me Up Scotty' Re-release is So Big for Barbs

The boyband paradigm is shifting and AG Club meets it without trying. The music collective, 14 members strong, perfects their craft entirely in house, relying on each other to write, record, produce, design, and shoot whatever they set their sites on.

Introducing AG Club, Champions of the Rising Generation

J.Cole confirmed his sixth studio album would be released Friday, May 14th. Here is everything we know about his upcoming album ‘The Off-Season’

Everything We Know About J. Cole’s ‘The Off-Season’

The Future of Tidal: How Square’s Acquisition Can Change Streaming

On April 28, 2021, TDE announced that the wait is over with an Instagram post showing a loading bar and the date 5/7/21. Fans debate whether the date signifies the release date for either Kendrick, SZA, or Isaiah Rashad. Either way, here are the biggest clues that lead us to believe that it’s Kendrick Top Dawg was referring too.  

Kendrick Next Album May Be Dropping Soon, Here’s What We Know

On April 28, 2021, TDE announced that the wait is over with an Instagram post showing a loading bar and the date 5/7/21. Fans debate whether the date signifies the release date for either Kendrick, SZA, or Isaiah Rashad. Either way, here are the biggest clues that lead us to believe that it’s Kendrick Top Dawg was ref

After paperwork for a newly trademarked Yeezy Gap logo surfaced conversations regarding what their first collection will look like re-emerge. 

Kanye West's Yeezy Gap Collab Is Coming - What it Means For The Luxury Market

After paperwork for a newly trademarked Yeezy Gap logo surfaced conversations regarding what their first collection will look like re-emerge.

On the heels of Kobe's estate announcing their split with Nike, we made a timeline of Kobe's 25-year long history of sneaker endorsements.

A History of Kobe's Best Sneaker Endorsement Deals

On Tuesday, a verdict was reached in the murder trial of Derek Chauvin, the now-former Minneapolis cop who was filmed fatally holding his knee to George Floyd’s neck for nine minutes and 29 seconds on May 25, 2020.
Derek Chauvin was found guilty on all three counts—second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder, and second-degree manslaughter. The jury of seven women and five men entered the deliberation phase Monday, and took a total of 10 hours and 20 minutes to reach a decision. Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill read the verdict late Tuesday afternoon, and granted the prosecution’s request to revoke Chauvin’s bail.

On The Ground in Minneapolis: The City Reacts to Chauvin Trial Verdict

Issa Rae sits down with Natasha Martinez to discuss her record label Raedio, working with the City Girls on her upcoming series Rap Sh*t, Insecure coming to an end, and her partnership with LIFEWTR. 

Issa Rae Talks Insecure, Working with City Girls, and Warner Deal

Issa Rae sits down with Natasha Martinez to discuss her record label Raedio, working with the City Girls on her upcoming series Rap Sh*t, Insecure coming to an end, and her partnership with LIFEWTR. 

MixedByAli gives Natasha a tour of his newly renovated studio, formerly owned by Death Row Records. Ali discusses his audio engineer program EngineEars, breaks down the layout of his new digs, plus gives some insight on what we should expect from the new Kendrick, SZA, and Baby Keem projects he's been working on.

MixedByAli Talks Kendrick's New Sound and Plans for His Audio EngineEar Program

What is A Vaccine Passport? The Future of Travel, Explained

DMX Dead at 50

The Best Highlights from Supreme x Nike Apparel Collaborations

On March 22nd, YoungBoy Never Broke Again was arrested by the FBI and LAPD on an outstanding warrant. To help you wrap your mind around YoungBoys federal case, we've created a timeline of his legal trouble.

YoungBoy NBA's $540K Bond Could Set Him Free, Here's a Timeline of His Legal Troubles

After news of Quavo and Saweetie’s break up, both Quavo and Offset have teased music in recent days. Which should mean the Migos are finally gearing up for the imminent release of 'Culture III.

Everything We Know About Migos' ‘Culture III’

After news of Quavo and Saweetie’s break up, both Quavo and Offset have teased music in recent days. Which should mean the Migos are finally gearing up for the imminent release of 'Culture III.'

Everything We Know About ‘Culture III’ 

New Yorkers along with Black and AAPI community leaders met in downtown New York for  solidarity run following a terror attack in Atlanta this past Tuesday. We asked about how they felt about the overdue reckoning of anti-Asian hate in our society, and what justice looks like to them.

Solidarity in New York: "Unfortunately in This Country, Dead Lives Matter More

New Yorkers along with Black and AAPI community leaders met in downtown New York for  solidarity run following a terror attack in Atlanta this past Tuesday. We asked about how they felt about the overdue reckoning of anti-Asian hate in our society, and what justice looks like to them.


On Tuesday March 16th, shootings at three different massage parlors in Atlanta Georgia left eight people dead. Six of those victims were Asian women. On Wednesday, authorities named four out of the eight victims as Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, and Paul Andre Michels. Robert Aaron Long confessed to be the shooter and is charged with 8 counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault. 

The Atlanta Attack Was Years in The Making, This is How We Got Here

Learn how to get IMMACULATE waves from the wave master himself, Guapdad 4000. The Bay Area rapper so graciously imparts his wave wisdom upon us as he gives us a step-by-step tutorial on proper wave maintenance. Oh! And his album 1176 is out everywhere!

How to Get Waves: With Guapdad 4000 | Complex News

Learn how to get IMMACULATE waves from the wave master himself, Guapdad 4000. The Bay Area rapper so graciously imparts his wave wisdom upon us as he gives us a step-by-step tutorial on proper wave maintenance. Oh! And his album 1176 is out everywhere!

A Day in the Life of Jaden Smith

for funners testing

On Monday, March 1, 2021, a New York attorney officially approached law enforcement to criminally investigate T.I. and his wife Tiny over allegations of sexual abuse, rape, forced ingestion of narcotics, and more.

Everything We Know About the T.I. and Tiny Investigation

Nyan Cat, a ten year old meme, sold for $600,000 using something called NFT. NFT (Non Fungible Token) gives sellers, creators and buyers outright digital ownership of anything and everything from one of a kind digital sneakers to art and even memes. Early adopter Bobby Hundreds and NFT artist ThankYouX spoke with Complex about the latest wave in crypto, cryptomedia, and the seemingly endless possibilities presented by NFTs.  

What Is NFT?  Bobby Hundreds and ThankYouX on the Future of Cryptomedia

Drake has been teasing 'Certified Lover Boy' for quite some time now, even going so far as to releasing merch and shaving a heart into his shape-up. Here’s what we know about the superstar's much-anticipated project. 

Everything We Know About Drake's Upcoming Album 'Certified Lover Boy

Drake has been teasing 'Certified Lover Boy' for quite some time now, even going so far as to releasing merch and shaving a heart into his shape-up. Here’s what we know about the superstar's much anticipated project. 

Jake Paul Blasts Floyd Mayweather, Tells Ryan Garcia Story & Feels Bad for Nate Robinson

Benny, Gunn and Deuce connected with Pierce to discuss their new film 'Conflicted,' and offered commentary on selected scenes. They talk about tapping into their own experiences in the prison system and how those experiences shaped their worldview after being released, and influenced the script. They also talk about the legacy of previous movie endeavours by hip hop labels in the past like Roc-A-fella, No Limit, and Cash Money Records. Will 'Conflicted' also become a 'hood classic? Sound off in the comments below! And be sure to stream 'Conflicted' on pay-per-view.

Benny the Butcher, Westside Gunn, & Deuce King Talk Griselda Films and ‘Conflicted

On the eve of the release of his long awaited album, Unbothered, Lil' Skies sits down with Pierce Simpson of Complex News to discuss his new music, having PTSD as a rapper, being torn about his personal growth and what fans expect & how he views Lil' Wayne.

Lil' Skies Opens Up about PTSD, His New Album & Unfiltered Thoughts on Lil' Wayne

The Best Songs of 2020

The Covid-19 quarantine forced many people and industries to completely shift gears and find ways to survive in the new normal. Fortunately for music fans, the shutdown was an opportunity for artists to not only focus on being creative but to also find alternative ways to connect with fans.

How Music Artists Adapted to Covid-19’s New Normal

Complex unveiled its list of the Best Albums of 2020

Best Albums of 2020

Complex unveiled its list of the Best Albums of 2020

Have yourself a DMX Christmas.
Filled with holiday cheer, the veteran rapper hosts a Christmas special sharing his favorite holiday traditions, decorating tips and his favorite Christmas carols. If that isn't a gift, maybe an update on his upcoming album will bring more cheer. 
We had a hard year, X gonna give you joy. 

Happy Holidays! 

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