Ever since its release way back in 2017, Fortnite has emerged as arguably the biggest and most crucial Battle-Royale game that has come out thus far. The Epic Games offering has managed to maintain its growth over the years, boasting a stellar 500 million users as of 2024.
While the game in itself was initially released as Fortnite: Save the World, it was Epic Games’ former chief creative officer, Donald Mustard, who was effectively the brainchild behind the franchise. Mustard left his role in September 2023, but his stellar ideas allowed Fortnite to develop into a franchise that has, to date, generated $26 billion for Epic Games.
Fortnite previously existed solely as Save the World. | Epic Games
As it turns out, Mustard first came up with the design document for the landmark project in the back of an Uber, which he was sharing with three other top executives from Epic Games.
Donald Mustard explains how...
While the game in itself was initially released as Fortnite: Save the World, it was Epic Games’ former chief creative officer, Donald Mustard, who was effectively the brainchild behind the franchise. Mustard left his role in September 2023, but his stellar ideas allowed Fortnite to develop into a franchise that has, to date, generated $26 billion for Epic Games.
Fortnite previously existed solely as Save the World. | Epic Games
As it turns out, Mustard first came up with the design document for the landmark project in the back of an Uber, which he was sharing with three other top executives from Epic Games.
Donald Mustard explains how...
- 5/17/2024
- by Rishabh Bhatnagar
- FandomWire
[Editor’s Note: Tubefilter Charts is a weekly rankings column from Tubefilter with data provided by GospelStats. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a top number ranking of YouTube channels based on statistics collected within a given time frame. Check out all of our Tubefilter Charts with new installments every week right here.]
This week, if you look at the top five channels in the U.S. Top 50, you’ll see some faces smiling back at you. That’s a bit unusual, since brands (particularly those providing content for kids) have typically outranked creators in our all-American rankings.
So who are the creators sitting atop the charts? They’re a mix of familiar faces and comparatively recent arrivals in the Top 50.
Chart Toppers
Before we talk creators, let’s discuss the brand that outranked all other U.S.-based YouTube channels during the second week of May. MaviGadget returned to the top of the chart by collecting 476.3 million weekly views,...
This week, if you look at the top five channels in the U.S. Top 50, you’ll see some faces smiling back at you. That’s a bit unusual, since brands (particularly those providing content for kids) have typically outranked creators in our all-American rankings.
So who are the creators sitting atop the charts? They’re a mix of familiar faces and comparatively recent arrivals in the Top 50.
Chart Toppers
Before we talk creators, let’s discuss the brand that outranked all other U.S.-based YouTube channels during the second week of May. MaviGadget returned to the top of the chart by collecting 476.3 million weekly views,...
- 5/14/2024
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
This week, the Number One song in America is a diss track. Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” debuted at the top of the charts, to the surprise of no one who’s seen the track go viral since its release earlier this month. The song is buoyed by a catchy DJ Mustard beat and a slew of unforgettably delivered lyrics by Kendrick — even if the lines are vulgar barbs toward his rival Drake.
What does the record’s success mean? For one, it highlights how desensitized we are as a music-listening public.
What does the record’s success mean? For one, it highlights how desensitized we are as a music-listening public.
- 5/14/2024
- by Andre Gee
- Rollingstone.com
Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss, “Not Like Us,” has brought him back to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, debuting on the chart at No. 1.
The scathing track is one of four songs from the beef appearing in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 this week. His own “euphoria” rose to No. 3 from No. 11 in its second week on the chart, with the Future and Metro Boomin collaboration “Like That” coming in at No. 6. Meanwhile, Drake’s “Family Matters” debuts at No. 7.
“Not Like Us” marks Kendrick’s fourth No. 1 on the Hot 100 after his Taylor Swift collaboration “Bad Blood,” 2017’s “Humble.,” and the aforementioned “Like That.”
Produced by Mustard, “Not Like Us” served as a victory lap of sorts for Kendrick, coming one day after he hit back at “Family Matters” with the thermonuclear “Meet the Grahams.” Despite featuring club-ready production, the track features further allegations of Drake’s preference...
The scathing track is one of four songs from the beef appearing in the Top 10 of the Hot 100 this week. His own “euphoria” rose to No. 3 from No. 11 in its second week on the chart, with the Future and Metro Boomin collaboration “Like That” coming in at No. 6. Meanwhile, Drake’s “Family Matters” debuts at No. 7.
“Not Like Us” marks Kendrick’s fourth No. 1 on the Hot 100 after his Taylor Swift collaboration “Bad Blood,” 2017’s “Humble.,” and the aforementioned “Like That.”
Produced by Mustard, “Not Like Us” served as a victory lap of sorts for Kendrick, coming one day after he hit back at “Family Matters” with the thermonuclear “Meet the Grahams.” Despite featuring club-ready production, the track features further allegations of Drake’s preference...
- 5/13/2024
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
When USC professor and hip-hop scholar Todd Boyd remembers hearing Tupac Shakur’s scathing diss track “Hit ‘Em Up,” he knew one thing: “This is not going to end well.”
The West Coast anthem was released in June 1996 and Shakur viciously took aim at his East Coast rivals, including the Notorious B.I.G. with claims — through strikingly chosen words — that he slept with Biggie’s wife, R&b singer Faith Evans.
The rap war escalated to new heights, and three months later Shakur was shot to death in Las Vegas, with some wondering (though apparently incorrectly) whether the beef had anything to with it. And a few months after that, Biggie was shot dead in Los Angeles though his killer never apprehended.
Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s current rap beef has Boyd reflecting on the past.
“This can’t end well. It can’t. The possibility of it going wrong is very high,...
The West Coast anthem was released in June 1996 and Shakur viciously took aim at his East Coast rivals, including the Notorious B.I.G. with claims — through strikingly chosen words — that he slept with Biggie’s wife, R&b singer Faith Evans.
The rap war escalated to new heights, and three months later Shakur was shot to death in Las Vegas, with some wondering (though apparently incorrectly) whether the beef had anything to with it. And a few months after that, Biggie was shot dead in Los Angeles though his killer never apprehended.
Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s current rap beef has Boyd reflecting on the past.
“This can’t end well. It can’t. The possibility of it going wrong is very high,...
- 5/10/2024
- by Mesfin Fekadu
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Agbo, the Russo Brothers’ media company, has launched an innovation department, expanding its physical and virtual production capabilities under the guidance of a seasoned executive team.
Under the new setup, Agbo’s technology experts will build proprietary creative tools, with the aim of fostering production innovation and cost efficiencies. The idea is for Agbo and its creative partners to be able to access the company’s emerging set of tools at every stage of development, production, and post-production.
Innovation will have three verticals: production technology, immersive technology and creative. It will be led by Jake Aust, who was recently promoted to Agbo’s Chief Innovation Officer. Over a 20-year career, Aust has been a producer on The Office and Russo-affiliated titles like TV’s Community and feature film Cherry. He was also an executive producer on The Gray Man and most recently served as Agbo’s President of Physical Production.
Under the new setup, Agbo’s technology experts will build proprietary creative tools, with the aim of fostering production innovation and cost efficiencies. The idea is for Agbo and its creative partners to be able to access the company’s emerging set of tools at every stage of development, production, and post-production.
Innovation will have three verticals: production technology, immersive technology and creative. It will be led by Jake Aust, who was recently promoted to Agbo’s Chief Innovation Officer. Over a 20-year career, Aust has been a producer on The Office and Russo-affiliated titles like TV’s Community and feature film Cherry. He was also an executive producer on The Gray Man and most recently served as Agbo’s President of Physical Production.
- 5/8/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Video game adaptations have been all the rage in recent years, following successes like The Last of Us and Fallout. So, it was only a matter of time before Fortnite joined the conversation. Since its release in 2017, this game has consistently been at the top of the list of the most popular games ever played.
Epic Games’ Fortnite
Therefore, a Fortnite movie seems like a natural next step to keep fans happy. However, fans believe that leading such a project in the correct way would require someone like Donald Mustard. Yet, his stepping down from his position and exiting Epic Games complicates the situation further.
Is a Fortnite Movie on the Horizon?
The Fortnite movie discussion has been swirling in the air for quite some time now. It’s become such a hot topic that it’s caught the attention of fans, and rumors have it, even of filmmakers like Zack Snyder and Louis Leterrier.
Epic Games’ Fortnite
Therefore, a Fortnite movie seems like a natural next step to keep fans happy. However, fans believe that leading such a project in the correct way would require someone like Donald Mustard. Yet, his stepping down from his position and exiting Epic Games complicates the situation further.
Is a Fortnite Movie on the Horizon?
The Fortnite movie discussion has been swirling in the air for quite some time now. It’s become such a hot topic that it’s caught the attention of fans, and rumors have it, even of filmmakers like Zack Snyder and Louis Leterrier.
- 5/3/2024
- by Sampurna Banerjee
- FandomWire
Whether one’s a fan or not, it’s become difficult to deny the impact that Fortnite has had on the industry, as Epic’s battle royale keeps touching new heights and doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop anytime soon. Not only did it popularize the genre that even franchises like Call of Duty have been trying their luck with, but it also proved to be a virtual world.
Players could log on and catch up with their friends, regardless of their physical location. It may have started as a free-to-play battle royale where gamers had to survive, but it transformed into something grander, and the original director, Donald Mustard, was one of the key reasons for that.
Live Events in Fortnite Used to Be Virtual Spectacles
Fortnite used to host massive concerts for its player base, giving gamers a space to enjoy virtual events with their friends.
Players could log on and catch up with their friends, regardless of their physical location. It may have started as a free-to-play battle royale where gamers had to survive, but it transformed into something grander, and the original director, Donald Mustard, was one of the key reasons for that.
Live Events in Fortnite Used to Be Virtual Spectacles
Fortnite used to host massive concerts for its player base, giving gamers a space to enjoy virtual events with their friends.
- 4/24/2024
- by Osama Farooq
- FandomWire
Fortnite is undoubtedly one of the best battle royale games of recent times. Launched back in 2017, the popularity and hype of the game continue seven years later in 2024 as well, thanks to the developer’s efforts to keep the game updated and fresh.
The game has about six game modes, among which the battle royale mode is hands-down the most sought-after. One of the brilliant minds behind the mode was the director Donald Mustard. The mode involves 100 players skydiving onto an island and hunting for gear to defend themselves from fellow players. Players can either choose to fight alone or with up to four other players.
Fortnite
Mustard just last year stepped down from Epic Games. He later spilled the beans on his exit and the concept of Fortnite Battle Royale mode during an interview.
Donald Mustard on leaving Epic Games
After a 15-year-long stint at Epic Games, Donald Mustard...
The game has about six game modes, among which the battle royale mode is hands-down the most sought-after. One of the brilliant minds behind the mode was the director Donald Mustard. The mode involves 100 players skydiving onto an island and hunting for gear to defend themselves from fellow players. Players can either choose to fight alone or with up to four other players.
Fortnite
Mustard just last year stepped down from Epic Games. He later spilled the beans on his exit and the concept of Fortnite Battle Royale mode during an interview.
Donald Mustard on leaving Epic Games
After a 15-year-long stint at Epic Games, Donald Mustard...
- 4/23/2024
- by Amarylisa Gonsalves
- FandomWire
Epic Games’ Fortnite is one of the most played and popular titles out there, and the collaborations and new things that the developers do with the game have only given it a boost in popularity. There has been the addition of several exciting things, but there is also stuff that is no longer in the game.
A lot has changed in Epic Games’ approach to Fortnite since the game’s release in 2017 and now. The ex-mastermind of the game, Donald Mustard, recently spoke about what he wanted Fortnite to be, and it seems like the fans are realizing what they have lost in all these years.
Donald Mustard Wanted Fortnite to Be Much Different Than What It Is Today
Fans miss Donald Mustard leading Fortnite from the front.
Donald Mustard is the former Chief Creative Officer of Epic Games and was a big part of making the battle royale shooter...
A lot has changed in Epic Games’ approach to Fortnite since the game’s release in 2017 and now. The ex-mastermind of the game, Donald Mustard, recently spoke about what he wanted Fortnite to be, and it seems like the fans are realizing what they have lost in all these years.
Donald Mustard Wanted Fortnite to Be Much Different Than What It Is Today
Fans miss Donald Mustard leading Fortnite from the front.
Donald Mustard is the former Chief Creative Officer of Epic Games and was a big part of making the battle royale shooter...
- 4/23/2024
- by Rohit Tiwari
- FandomWire
Fortnite is a very successful live-service battle royale game. In fact, it is unmistakably one of the most played battle royale games of recent times. This game took its developer and publisher, Epic Games, to new heights of popularity. After seven years of its launch, it remains the same popular game that it was years ago, all thanks to the constant updates and numerous crossovers.
Over time, a bunch of companies have brought their respective properties to this game. They brought their characters, they allowed items themed around their IPs to feature in this game, and they have even allowed massive events based on those IPs in this game. From characters from Star Wars to superheroes from the DC universe, everyone has made an appearance in this game. All but Samus Aran.
There’s a reason Samus Aran never made it to Fortnite’s Island
A still from Metroid Prime...
Over time, a bunch of companies have brought their respective properties to this game. They brought their characters, they allowed items themed around their IPs to feature in this game, and they have even allowed massive events based on those IPs in this game. From characters from Star Wars to superheroes from the DC universe, everyone has made an appearance in this game. All but Samus Aran.
There’s a reason Samus Aran never made it to Fortnite’s Island
A still from Metroid Prime...
- 4/23/2024
- by Rohit Sejwal
- FandomWire
Epic Games’ Fortnite has grown in both scope and appeal over the years. Much of this has to do with the regular updates the game gets, in the form of content, and live events. Additionally, the game has done several celebrity collaborations, which have always managed to keep things fresh and exciting for the fans.
Epic Games’ Fortnite
Out of all of these, one thing that many Fortnite players look out for is the live events. These live events are based on the game’s storyline and offer rewards to the players. These live events are huge, as they engage the game’s global fans together for a shared experience.
Why did Epic Games move away from Fortnite live events?
While they are hugely popular among the fans, live events in Fortnite may have seen a decrease recently. Many fans also felt by the end of Chapter 3 Season 4, that the...
Epic Games’ Fortnite
Out of all of these, one thing that many Fortnite players look out for is the live events. These live events are based on the game’s storyline and offer rewards to the players. These live events are huge, as they engage the game’s global fans together for a shared experience.
Why did Epic Games move away from Fortnite live events?
While they are hugely popular among the fans, live events in Fortnite may have seen a decrease recently. Many fans also felt by the end of Chapter 3 Season 4, that the...
- 4/23/2024
- by Binayak Sharma
- FandomWire
Welcome to our rundown of the most-watched branded YouTube videos of the week.
We’re publishing this snippet of a larger Gospel Stats Weekly Brand Report in order to analyze sponsorship trends in the creator economy. Any video launched in tandem with an official brand partner is eligible for the ranking.
And – as the name up above would imply – all the data comes from Gospel Stats. If you’re interested in learning more about Gospel – and which brands are sponsoring what creators on YouTube – click here.
What moral obligations do creators have when they work with questionable brands? The #1 video in our latest Weekly Brand Report raises that question. It’s a collab between a stylish social star and a company that has been maligned for its contributions to the fast fashion epidemic. The video’s considerable traffic demonstrated the value it provided for both parties, but is that viewership...
We’re publishing this snippet of a larger Gospel Stats Weekly Brand Report in order to analyze sponsorship trends in the creator economy. Any video launched in tandem with an official brand partner is eligible for the ranking.
And – as the name up above would imply – all the data comes from Gospel Stats. If you’re interested in learning more about Gospel – and which brands are sponsoring what creators on YouTube – click here.
What moral obligations do creators have when they work with questionable brands? The #1 video in our latest Weekly Brand Report raises that question. It’s a collab between a stylish social star and a company that has been maligned for its contributions to the fast fashion epidemic. The video’s considerable traffic demonstrated the value it provided for both parties, but is that viewership...
- 4/22/2024
- by Sam Gutelle
- Tubefilter.com
Last week, Amazon Studios/Prime Video senior VP announced that Chris Brearton was leaving Amazon “to pursue a new opportunity outside the company.” Now we know what that opportunity is: Brearton, who had most recently served as vice president of Prime Video Studios Corporate Strategy at MGM+ and MGM Alternative Television, has joined indie media company Agbo as a partner.
At Agbo, he will join company leaders Anthony and Joe Russo (the directors who co-founded the company in 2017) and partner Donald Mustard. As partner, Brearton will oversee “all aspects of the company’s business strategy, operations and growth moving forward.”
“Chris is a dynamic and trusted leader in the industry with a proven ability to spearhead transformational strategic initiatives, drive operational excellence, and foster a culture of creativity and innovation,” said Agbo co-founder Anthony Russo in a statement. “His expertise and business acumen will be instrumental as we embark on...
At Agbo, he will join company leaders Anthony and Joe Russo (the directors who co-founded the company in 2017) and partner Donald Mustard. As partner, Brearton will oversee “all aspects of the company’s business strategy, operations and growth moving forward.”
“Chris is a dynamic and trusted leader in the industry with a proven ability to spearhead transformational strategic initiatives, drive operational excellence, and foster a culture of creativity and innovation,” said Agbo co-founder Anthony Russo in a statement. “His expertise and business acumen will be instrumental as we embark on...
- 4/15/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Last week, Skaiwater released the single and music video for “light!,” featuring none other than Lil Nas X. The rising 23-year-old rapper-producer says securing a feature with one of the biggest artists in the world was a “surreal moment.” Naturally, the two met online. “I was in a lot of music communities, so it’s just like you cross paths with a lot of people, but I think we just stayed in tune,” Skaiwater explains. “I guess we have a similar understanding of things. We think in similar ways.”
Indeed,...
Indeed,...
- 3/25/2024
- by Jeff Ihaza
- Rollingstone.com
Charlize Theron is often front-row at tennis matches and fashion shows — but on Tuesday, she was on the court, playing doubles with No. 1 men’s player Novak Djokovic.
The Oscar winner hosted the 20th annual Desert Smash celebrity tennis tournament to support her charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. The organization funds community-based, locally led groups that work directly with young people in preventing gender-based violence, advocating for sexual reproductive health and rights, and providing access to higher education. For the final match, the Serbian tennis superstar made a surprise appearance, interrupting Theron’s game with Atp champion Frances Tiafoe, comedian Yvonne Orji and two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka.
From left: Insecure star Yvonne Orji, Victoria Azarenka, Frances Tiafoe and Charlize Theron at Desert Smash on March 5.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter before the games, Theron shared what she’s bringing to the court. “The tennis usually is...
The Oscar winner hosted the 20th annual Desert Smash celebrity tennis tournament to support her charity, the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. The organization funds community-based, locally led groups that work directly with young people in preventing gender-based violence, advocating for sexual reproductive health and rights, and providing access to higher education. For the final match, the Serbian tennis superstar made a surprise appearance, interrupting Theron’s game with Atp champion Frances Tiafoe, comedian Yvonne Orji and two-time Grand Slam winner Victoria Azarenka.
From left: Insecure star Yvonne Orji, Victoria Azarenka, Frances Tiafoe and Charlize Theron at Desert Smash on March 5.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter before the games, Theron shared what she’s bringing to the court. “The tennis usually is...
- 3/6/2024
- by Danielle Directo-Meston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Thank goodness for no-shows. Had the controller of what was then BBC Choice turned up to the ‘rehearsed read’ for a potential studio sitcom in the very late 1990s and liked what they’d seen, we wouldn’t have Peep Show. As it reportedly went: BBC Two passed on it. BBC Choice didn’t see it. And everything ended happily ever after.
Peep Show creators Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain first met the show’s stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb on a BBC comedy writing project in 1998. That went nowhere, but sparked a partnership that led to the acclaimed nine-series sitcom on Channel 4. Before it led there, it almost led to “All Day Breakfast”, the rejected comedy out of which Peep Show grew.
As Robert Webb describes it in the introduction to 2008’s Peep Show: The Scripts and More, “All Day Breakfast” was about “two men in their mid-twenties,...
Peep Show creators Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain first met the show’s stars David Mitchell and Robert Webb on a BBC comedy writing project in 1998. That went nowhere, but sparked a partnership that led to the acclaimed nine-series sitcom on Channel 4. Before it led there, it almost led to “All Day Breakfast”, the rejected comedy out of which Peep Show grew.
As Robert Webb describes it in the introduction to 2008’s Peep Show: The Scripts and More, “All Day Breakfast” was about “two men in their mid-twenties,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
It’S Nighttime, and you’re in a forest of tall trees and glowing mushrooms. There are others with you in this particular clearing, which appears to be lit up by fireflies. Before you can get your bearings, the sparks in the air begin to fade, and a giant screen comes into focus overhead. On it is the Australian singer and producer Tones and I kicking off the title track of her album Welcome to the Madhouse. “Welcome to a place you’ve never been/A place you’ve always...
- 12/22/2023
- by Miles Klee
- Rollingstone.com
One of Kel Mitchell’s favorite gifts this Christmas is the fact that his two of his kids, Honor and Wisdom Mitchell, have cameos in his new film Good Burger 2. “They play Pickles and Mustard. [My character] Ed has seven kids in the movie, and he named them all after condiments. It’s been so much fun having them have this experience with Dad and being in the movie too. So it’s a fun Christmas,” says Mitchell, whose film, which co-stars his longtime collaborator Kenan Thompson (Kenan & Kel), became the most-watched original film on Paramount+ after its release in November.
Filled with gratitude, the L.A.-based actor and comedian is also returning this year as a celebrity supporter of World Vision, the Christian humanitarian organization that for decades has supported people around the globe with everything from clean drinking water to gifts of livestock that can help empower them to get out of poverty.
Filled with gratitude, the L.A.-based actor and comedian is also returning this year as a celebrity supporter of World Vision, the Christian humanitarian organization that for decades has supported people around the globe with everything from clean drinking water to gifts of livestock that can help empower them to get out of poverty.
- 12/19/2023
- by Degen Pener
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Though PinkPantheress’s Heaven Knows is dotted with samples across its runtime, the British singer’s debut album nonetheless presents an original, unique vision. A departure from her 2021 mixtape To Hell with It, which is built around succinct, TikTok-ready songs and easily recognizable sonic quotations from various U.K. dance cuts, Heaven Knows is a full-throated pop album with an eye on contemporary trends.
“The Aisle” is as good a bellwether as any to determine if fans will take the leaps that PinkPantheress is asking of them. It’s more robust than anything we’ve heard from her before, with glossy disco inflections and drum work, and layer upon layer of jittering synths. The track’s invocation of disco and nod to 2Pac’s “California Love” are in service of mainstream pop consumption rather than a revivalist genre experiment. Its pastiche is certainly less “cool,” but PinkPantheress delivers it with a surprising ease.
“The Aisle” is as good a bellwether as any to determine if fans will take the leaps that PinkPantheress is asking of them. It’s more robust than anything we’ve heard from her before, with glossy disco inflections and drum work, and layer upon layer of jittering synths. The track’s invocation of disco and nod to 2Pac’s “California Love” are in service of mainstream pop consumption rather than a revivalist genre experiment. Its pastiche is certainly less “cool,” but PinkPantheress delivers it with a surprising ease.
- 11/13/2023
- by Charles Lyons-Burt
- Slant Magazine
San Francisco, Sep 10 (Ians) Donald Mustard, chief creative officer at Fortnite developer Epic Games, is retiring this month after an incredible adventure.
Mustard was both the creative and technical director for the Shadow Complex game.
Shadow Complex was touted as one of the best “Metroidvania” games ever made after it arrived on the Xbox 360’s Xbox Live Arcade platform in 2009.
It broke the platform’s sales records at the time, selling 200,000 copies in a week.
“I have enjoyed nearly 25 years in the game industry collaborating with some of the most talented people ever and I am so proud of what we have made together,” Mustard said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“From the ambitious Advent Rising, to the start of ChAIR where we created Undertow, Shadow Complex, and the Infinity Blade trilogy, to the honour of our tiny team becoming part of Epic, each new chapter allowed me...
Mustard was both the creative and technical director for the Shadow Complex game.
Shadow Complex was touted as one of the best “Metroidvania” games ever made after it arrived on the Xbox 360’s Xbox Live Arcade platform in 2009.
It broke the platform’s sales records at the time, selling 200,000 copies in a week.
“I have enjoyed nearly 25 years in the game industry collaborating with some of the most talented people ever and I am so proud of what we have made together,” Mustard said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
“From the ambitious Advent Rising, to the start of ChAIR where we created Undertow, Shadow Complex, and the Infinity Blade trilogy, to the honour of our tiny team becoming part of Epic, each new chapter allowed me...
- 9/10/2023
- by Agency News Desk
- GlamSham
03 Greedo is back home. After his return from a Texas county jail in January, the L.A. rapper released Halfway There, a 33-track odyssey replete with Greedo’s melodic flourishes. He followed it up by performing at South by Southwest in Austin and, in June, a two-night stint at the Novo in Los Angeles — a venue that marked a kind of homecoming. “The show was turnt up. Both sold out. A lot of rappers popped out for me,” Greedo explains. “The city hasn’t seen that for a while.” While in prison,...
- 7/5/2023
- by Jayson Buford
- Rollingstone.com
The Beatles first gained popularity with their short and sweet pop songs. The longest songs of their career displayed their long-form creativity. So did their short tunes. Seven of the shortest Beatles songs clocked in at less than 90 seconds. Let’s look at them from worst to best.
Note: We include only songs that appeared on their studio albums from 1963 to 1970, and we used a firm cut-off. “Golden Slumbers” at 1:31 is too long to include on our list.
(l-r) Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon | Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images 7. ‘Wild Honey Pie’ Length: 0:52
Annoyingly terrible on every level. “Wild Honey Pie” contained half-baked musical ideas (a seemingly out-of-tune guitar with a basic descending chord structure) and overly repetitive lyrics.
The Beatles stuffed one of the worst White Album songs between the far more melodic and fully-realized “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da” and “The Continuing Story...
Note: We include only songs that appeared on their studio albums from 1963 to 1970, and we used a firm cut-off. “Golden Slumbers” at 1:31 is too long to include on our list.
(l-r) Paul McCartney, George Harrison, Ringo Starr, and John Lennon | Keystone-France/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images 7. ‘Wild Honey Pie’ Length: 0:52
Annoyingly terrible on every level. “Wild Honey Pie” contained half-baked musical ideas (a seemingly out-of-tune guitar with a basic descending chord structure) and overly repetitive lyrics.
The Beatles stuffed one of the worst White Album songs between the far more melodic and fully-realized “Ob-la-Di, Ob-la-Da” and “The Continuing Story...
- 5/3/2023
- by Jason Rossi
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
A new docuseries is coming exclusively to Hulu, highlighting the hip-hop genre. “RapCaviar Presents” examines the provocative issues addressed by some of the stars of the music industry, as well as the impact of rap on today’s culture. The docuseries gives many big names and rising stars a platform to discuss these issues, their personal stories, and their careers. “RapCaviar Presents” was inspired by the Spotify playlist of the same name. The series drops on Hulu on Thursday, March 30. You can watch RapCaviar Presents: Season 1 with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu.
How to Watch ‘RapCaviar Presents’ Series Premiere When: Thursday, March 30, 2023 Where: Hulu Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu. 30-Day Free Trial$7.99+ / month hulu.com About ‘RapCaviar Presents’ Series Premiere
“RapCaviar Presents” looks at the culture of hip-hop and its connections to current events in pop culture and the world. Viewers will hear the...
How to Watch ‘RapCaviar Presents’ Series Premiere When: Thursday, March 30, 2023 Where: Hulu Stream: Watch with a 30-Day Free Trial of Hulu. 30-Day Free Trial$7.99+ / month hulu.com About ‘RapCaviar Presents’ Series Premiere
“RapCaviar Presents” looks at the culture of hip-hop and its connections to current events in pop culture and the world. Viewers will hear the...
- 3/30/2023
- by Aubrey Chorpenning
- The Streamable
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LA3C, Penske Media’s inaugural culture and creativity festival, kicked off on Saturday for a two-day celebration of music, art and food in downtown Los Angeles.
Lil Baby headlined day one, with Snoop Dogg, Seventeen and Free Nationals also on the bill; Maluma will headline Sunday, along with performances from Snow Tha Product and Tokimonsta.
Mustard, Gerardo Ortiz, Kyle, Fonseca, Chesca, Marc Segui, Monogem, Shawn Wasabi, Chicocurlyhead, Accia, Aj Hernz, Arius, Cam Girl, Cuco, Freya Fox, Kill Bambi, Kim Lee, Linafornia, LoLo, Lucky Light, Madds, Meirlin, Paper Idol, Peach, Rosegold and Vice are among the other wide-ranging musical acts performing throughout the weekend.
Inside the fest, held at Los Angeles State Historic Park, attendees were greeted by a selection of some of the city’s favorite bites from the likes of Love Hour, Prince Street Pizza, Lil Bobacita, Cena Vegan, Gogo’s Tacos,...
LA3C, Penske Media’s inaugural culture and creativity festival, kicked off on Saturday for a two-day celebration of music, art and food in downtown Los Angeles.
Lil Baby headlined day one, with Snoop Dogg, Seventeen and Free Nationals also on the bill; Maluma will headline Sunday, along with performances from Snow Tha Product and Tokimonsta.
Mustard, Gerardo Ortiz, Kyle, Fonseca, Chesca, Marc Segui, Monogem, Shawn Wasabi, Chicocurlyhead, Accia, Aj Hernz, Arius, Cam Girl, Cuco, Freya Fox, Kill Bambi, Kim Lee, Linafornia, LoLo, Lucky Light, Madds, Meirlin, Paper Idol, Peach, Rosegold and Vice are among the other wide-ranging musical acts performing throughout the weekend.
Inside the fest, held at Los Angeles State Historic Park, attendees were greeted by a selection of some of the city’s favorite bites from the likes of Love Hour, Prince Street Pizza, Lil Bobacita, Cena Vegan, Gogo’s Tacos,...
- 12/10/2022
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stars: Jasmine Day, Matison Card, Brittney Carpenter, Jesse Davis, Andrew Hook, Ryan Fredericks | Written and Directed by Calvin T. Shepherd
Safe House 1618 is the latest film about criminals on the run taking refuge in a house that turns out not to be nearly as safe as they thought. From Fight for Your Life and The Desperate Hours to Hideout and Blood Massacre it’s a well-used theme in several genres. Can writer/director Calvin T. Shepherd find a new way to tell it?
The film opens with the murder of a bound man by a masked figure. A cell phone message indicates the victim double-crossed whoever ordered his death. From there we move to three masked figures in the back of a truck. It backs into the driveway of a house with an armed guard who is stupid enough to walk up to the truck and let himself be disarmed.
Safe House 1618 is the latest film about criminals on the run taking refuge in a house that turns out not to be nearly as safe as they thought. From Fight for Your Life and The Desperate Hours to Hideout and Blood Massacre it’s a well-used theme in several genres. Can writer/director Calvin T. Shepherd find a new way to tell it?
The film opens with the murder of a bound man by a masked figure. A cell phone message indicates the victim double-crossed whoever ordered his death. From there we move to three masked figures in the back of a truck. It backs into the driveway of a house with an armed guard who is stupid enough to walk up to the truck and let himself be disarmed.
- 8/9/2022
- by Jim Morazzini
- Nerdly
Megan Thee Stallion has been such a commanding presence in rap for the past two years it can be hard to remember that Good News is actually her debut full-length album. The 25-year-old Houston Mc has always rhymed with such assurance that no matter when you first heard her “real hot girl shit”–when she was gathering buzz with her indie mixtapes, when she was celebrating “Hot Girl Summer” in 2019, when she and Cardi B encouraged a quarantined nation to release all their pent-up sexual energy with “W.A.P.
- 11/23/2020
- by Keith Harris
- Rollingstone.com
Ty Dolla $ign is the musical equivalent of hot sauce — he goes on everything. He has spent the better part of the last decade forging collabs with seemingly every rapper and singer who’s spent time in his native Los Angeles, from Berner to Beyoncé to Bhad Bhabie. With hundreds of credits to his name as a feature artist, he has not only navigated the ever-coalescing intersection of R&b, rap, and pop — he has come to define it.
With his new album Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Ty acknowledges and...
With his new album Featuring Ty Dolla $ign, Ty acknowledges and...
- 10/28/2020
- by Danny Schwartz
- Rollingstone.com
The princess of pop is a generous queen. Britney Spears surprised fans Friday by dropping a track titled “Mood Ring (By Demand)” on all streaming services. The song was produced by DJ Mustard and was previously only available on the Japanese deluxe edition of her 2016 album, Glory.
The slinky, slow-burning track finds Spears deciding between two versions of herself to present to a possible suitor. “Look in the mirror, who do I see?/Who do I wanna be today?” she purrs over Mustard’s sparse, electro-tinged beat. “My love is a mood ring,...
The slinky, slow-burning track finds Spears deciding between two versions of herself to present to a possible suitor. “Look in the mirror, who do I see?/Who do I wanna be today?” she purrs over Mustard’s sparse, electro-tinged beat. “My love is a mood ring,...
- 5/29/2020
- by Tim Chan
- Rollingstone.com
Roddy Ricch is a simple man with simple pleasures. He loves: Forgiatos, Pateks, feeding the streets, bloody bottoms, ballin’ (preferably every season), and racks (preferably in the middle).
In short, he’s a titan of industry — if said industry is rising post-regional West Coast rappers who spend the bulk of their time in Barneys. The word “rich,” albeit it with an extra “c,” is right there in the name. Part of Roddy’s charm, when he’s not singing about the devastating effects of death, drug dealing, and economic desperation,...
In short, he’s a titan of industry — if said industry is rising post-regional West Coast rappers who spend the bulk of their time in Barneys. The word “rich,” albeit it with an extra “c,” is right there in the name. Part of Roddy’s charm, when he’s not singing about the devastating effects of death, drug dealing, and economic desperation,...
- 10/31/2019
- by Charles Holmes
- Rollingstone.com
One way to size up pop stardom is to measure how much noise an artist can create with a deluge of new music. Think of Ariana Grande releasing two Number One albums in less than six months, just because she can, jamming up radio programmers with five different singles in rotation simultaneously and burying everyone under a barrage of hits.
Another way to evaluate stars is by clocking their achievements during periods of relative silence. Everyone has to rest now and then, but a true star can still assert him- or herself even in off-months.
Another way to evaluate stars is by clocking their achievements during periods of relative silence. Everyone has to rest now and then, but a true star can still assert him- or herself even in off-months.
- 9/5/2019
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
Rihanna has announced that the fifth annual Diamond Ball benefitting the Clara Lionel Foundation will take place on Thursday, September 12 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning comedian and late-night host, Seth Meyers, the black-tie benefit will feature performances by multi-Grammy award-winning artist Pharrell Williams and Grammy nominated artist DJ Khaled. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley along with writer and civil rights activist Shaun King are each set to receive the 2019 Diamond Ball Award in recognition of their humanitarian and social justice work.
“I can’t imagine a better night than this year’s Clara Lionel Foundation event with Seth Meyers, Pharrell and DJ Khaled. I am particularly honored to present Prime Minister Mottley and Shaun King with this year’s Diamond Ball Awards for their groundbreaking work. We are so thankful to them for joining us and making the night better than ever,” said Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty.
Hosted by Emmy Award-winning comedian and late-night host, Seth Meyers, the black-tie benefit will feature performances by multi-Grammy award-winning artist Pharrell Williams and Grammy nominated artist DJ Khaled. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley along with writer and civil rights activist Shaun King are each set to receive the 2019 Diamond Ball Award in recognition of their humanitarian and social justice work.
“I can’t imagine a better night than this year’s Clara Lionel Foundation event with Seth Meyers, Pharrell and DJ Khaled. I am particularly honored to present Prime Minister Mottley and Shaun King with this year’s Diamond Ball Awards for their groundbreaking work. We are so thankful to them for joining us and making the night better than ever,” said Robyn “Rihanna” Fenty.
- 8/22/2019
- Look to the Stars
The 2019 Bet Awards saw hip-hop legends hanging out with newcomers, movie stars mingling with TV counterparts and everyone was having a good time … showing off their bold styles, fierce swag and lots and lots of cell phones. Some of the big stars who kept their phones close by ... La La Anthony, O.T. Genasis, DJ Mustard, Bobby Lytes, Lil Nas X and DJ Khaled -- The latter also took part in a touching tribute to Nipsey Hussle alongside Yg,...
- 6/24/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Lil Jon released a new single, “Ain’t No Tellin’,” featuring the vocals of late rapper Mac Dre. “For me, I put Mac Dre right up there with Biggie & Pac as legends who have since passed on,” said Lil Jon. “I’m humbled beyond words that Mac Dre’s mother has entrusted me with this opportunity and access to master tapes [of his voice].”
Mac Dre’s mother, Ms. Mac Wanda, gave Lil Jon her blessing to use her son’s vocals on the track. “I’m more than excited for this record to come out.
Mac Dre’s mother, Ms. Mac Wanda, gave Lil Jon her blessing to use her son’s vocals on the track. “I’m more than excited for this record to come out.
- 6/12/2019
- by Claire Shaffer
- Rollingstone.com
DJ Mustard treated himself on his birthday ... with some expensive condiments. The famed producer behind some of hip-hop's sickest beats turned 29 on Wednesday and celebrated with new bling. DJ Mustard commissioned celebrity jeweler Eliantte, who came up with a clever pendant. Over 400 carats of Vs diamonds and more than 2 kilos of gold make up a tiny ketchup figurine bottle chasing, naturally, a mustard one. A bunch of diamonds also make out "10 Summers" on the center...
- 6/5/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
The Cosmopolitan issued an apology to Meek Mill Friday, nearly a week after the Las Vegas hotel both barred the rapper from entering and threatened to have him arrested for trespassing.
“We apologize to Meek Mill for how we handled the situation on Saturday, May 25, as we did not act in a respectful manner and were wrong,” the hotel said in a statement.
“Meek Mill has not had any prior incidents on our property. The Cosmopolitan has zero tolerance for discrimination and we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive environment.
“We apologize to Meek Mill for how we handled the situation on Saturday, May 25, as we did not act in a respectful manner and were wrong,” the hotel said in a statement.
“Meek Mill has not had any prior incidents on our property. The Cosmopolitan has zero tolerance for discrimination and we pride ourselves on providing an inclusive environment.
- 6/1/2019
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
10:12 Am Pt -- Yo Gotti has weighed in on the situation, telling TMZ he has experienced similar discrimination at the Cosmopolitan, and other hotels in Vegas. He says, "It's a disgrace that these establishments continue to judge us by the color of our skin and our professions instead of recognizing our artistry and dedication to our communities." Gotti states, "I stand with Meek Mill and all my peers in the hip-hop community that have...
- 5/28/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
8:00 Pm Pt -- Meek's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, just told us, "The assertion that the Cosmopolitan denied Meek because of capacity concerns at Marquee Dayclub is outright false. In the recorded video, Meek also inquired about getting a meal at one of the hotel's restaurants, yet their security team continued to deny Meek and said he would be arrested for trespassing regardless of location in the premises. The Cosmopolitan's conduct continues to be deplorable." Meek Mill...
- 5/27/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Meek Mill accused a Las Vegas hotel of being “racist as hell” for barring the rapper from the property and threatening to have him arrested for trespassing.
In a series of tweets and videos, Meek Mill documented his encounter with the security team at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. According to TMZ, the rapper visited the hotel Saturday afternoon in order to attend a DJ Mustard day concert there, but security staff would not allow him the building.
“If you come from our culture you should never step foot in...
In a series of tweets and videos, Meek Mill documented his encounter with the security team at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. According to TMZ, the rapper visited the hotel Saturday afternoon in order to attend a DJ Mustard day concert there, but security staff would not allow him the building.
“If you come from our culture you should never step foot in...
- 5/26/2019
- by Daniel Kreps
- Rollingstone.com
Security made it clear ... if Meek got out of the car, he'd be arrested. Meek, who was there to see a DJ Mustard show, continued to ask why he was being denied, but the guard said, "I don't know why." Meek's lawyer, Joe Tacopina, tells TMZ, the head of security made it clear -- the decision to ban Meek came from above ... the security chief said, "This comes from way higher up than me." Tacopina...
- 5/26/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
After Nipsey Hussle died, Yg spoke at his memorial at the Staples Center, called him “black motherfucking Jesus” during an emotional Coachella set, and delayed the release of his own album. Their friendship was a close one that transcended gang ties; they spoke truth to power on the defining political protest song of our time, “Fdt,” a mafioso g-funk middle-fingers-raised eruption of disbelieving rage that combined Yg’s knack for agitation with Nipsey’s view that life for black folks in South Central is a marathon test of never-ending endurance.
- 5/24/2019
- by Danny Schwartz
- Rollingstone.com
Meek Mill took a well-deserved break to celebrate another year on this earth ... and it was a star-studded affair. The rapper rented out Ysabel in West Hollywood Sunday night for his 32nd birthday, and among the dinner guests were Future, Rick Ross, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Yachty, Young Thug, Yg, DJ Mustard, Yo Gotti and Diddy's son, Justin. The fellas really appeared to enjoy each other's company ... along with some cake and drinks, including a...
- 5/6/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Nipsey Hussle was surrounded by family and famous friends when he was pronounced dead at the hospital after being brutally ambushed by a gunman. Sources close to the slain rapper tell TMZ ... Nipsey's fam and closest pals in the music biz rushed to the hospital Sunday afternoon after learning he had just been gunned down outside his clothing store. Lauren London, Yg, DJ Mustard, Dom Kennedy, Karen Civil, twins Malika and Khadijah, and his bodyguard,...
- 4/4/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Nipsey Hussle, the Los Angeles rapper who earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Album earlier this year, was shot and killed in L.A. on Sunday, according to NBC, citing multiple law enforcement sources. He was 33.
Hussle, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom, was one of three people shot outside of a clothing store he owned, NBC reports. Mike Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department told NBC that the shooting occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the 3400 block of Slauson Avenue. TMZ reports that one man fled...
Hussle, whose real name is Ermias Asghedom, was one of three people shot outside of a clothing store he owned, NBC reports. Mike Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department told NBC that the shooting occurred at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the 3400 block of Slauson Avenue. TMZ reports that one man fled...
- 4/1/2019
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
Yg and his baby mama are back at it -- the couple's expecting their second child together, and TMZ's learned their daughter is going to have a little sister! Sources close to the rapper have confirmed with us ... Yg's baby mama, Catelyn Sparks, is pregnant with a baby girl. We're told she's due this summer ... sometime in July. The 2 have one child together already -- their 3-year-old little girl named Harmony. Yg and Catelyn...
- 3/21/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
DJ Mustard says R. Kelly is a "monster" and a "pig" ... but he's reserving judgment on Michael Jackson. Yg says he's done with both of 'em ... but also has some condemning words for white people. We got the hip-hop stars outside Poppy nightclub in L.A. Friday night, engaging in a lively discussion about the sordid allegations and controversy currently surrounding the disgraced musicians. Mustard tells us he doesn't mess with Kelly because he believes...
- 3/9/2019
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
Polygram Entertainment has unveiled a quartet of music documentaries in development on the Bee Gees, the Go-Go’s, hip-hop jewelry and the origins of mixtapes, Variety has learned exclusively.
Polygram, which was revived in 2017 by Universal Music Group, rolled out details of the projects Saturday afternoon during a pre-Grammys showcase in downtown Los Angeles. Members of the Go-Go’s were in attendance along with Umg executives Michele Anthony and David Blackman and veteran film producer Frank Marshall, who’s handling the Bee Gees documentary.
Since 2017, Polygram has co-distributed Ron Howard’s “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years” and developed several notable upcoming projects: a Luciano Pavarotti documentary directed by Howard, a Velvet Underground documentary directed by Todd Haynes and “Hitsville: The Making of Motown.”
The Bee Gees documentary feature is authorized by Barry Gibb and the families of his late brothers Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb. The...
Polygram, which was revived in 2017 by Universal Music Group, rolled out details of the projects Saturday afternoon during a pre-Grammys showcase in downtown Los Angeles. Members of the Go-Go’s were in attendance along with Umg executives Michele Anthony and David Blackman and veteran film producer Frank Marshall, who’s handling the Bee Gees documentary.
Since 2017, Polygram has co-distributed Ron Howard’s “The Beatles: Eight Days a Week – The Touring Years” and developed several notable upcoming projects: a Luciano Pavarotti documentary directed by Howard, a Velvet Underground documentary directed by Todd Haynes and “Hitsville: The Making of Motown.”
The Bee Gees documentary feature is authorized by Barry Gibb and the families of his late brothers Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb. The...
- 2/9/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
For at least a decade now, rap beats have been getting fiercer every year. The biggest producers in the genre largely abandoned traditional acoustic instrumentation, instead embracing the abrasive potential of software. As Kanye West worked on his 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, he kept a note on his wall reading, “No Acoustic Guitar In The Studio.” Producers like Lex Luger and Metro Boomin, who enjoyed dominant runs in the 2010s, took that approach to an extreme, constructing hulking beats that hit like jackhammers. The wave crested last year,...
- 12/17/2018
- by Elias Leight
- Rollingstone.com
For Jacquees, “king of R&B” is a mantra, a statement of purpose, and it bears repeating. He’s a confident man, and to have a conversation with him is to have many sentences end with the punctuating “I’m the king of R&B.” Discuss the growing controversy around his grandiose assertion, he tells the competition to “thank the king.” Cash Money’s resident crooner will interrupt mid-question to make a correction about his debut — 4275 isn’t one of the best R&B albums of the year, it’s the best R&B album.
- 12/14/2018
- by Charles Holmes
- Rollingstone.com
2 Chainz and TeeFLii straight-up jacked Robin S.'s club banger to make their sexed up track, "24 Hours" ... according to her songwriters. The 3 songwriters to Robin's "Back It Up" are going after the L.A. singer and Atl rapper, claiming "24 Hours" -- TeeFLii's 2014 debut song, featuring 2 Chainz -- is practically the exact same song with very few differences. In docs, obtained by TMZ, the songwriters claim "Back It Up" is an uptempo song while "24 Hours" is...
- 12/4/2018
- by TMZ Staff
- TMZ
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