Latest news with #Wu-Tang
The Verge
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Verge
The whiplash of covering Summer Game Fest 2025 in LA
I love going to Summer Game Fest. It's a rare opportunity to connect with my colleagues and friends in person, as well as listen to developers talk about why they make their games. In some ways, this year's SGF gave me everything I love about the event. But while I was comfortably ensconced in a happy bubble, the escalating conflict between demonstrators protesting against immigration raids and the Los Angeles Police Department cast a dark and soul-shaking pall that could not be ignored. Everything started on June 6th, when it was reported that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had conducted a raid in LA's fashion district, the same area where most of SGF was being held. I wasn't around to experience that because I was at the YouTube Theater in Inglewood, California, watching Geoff Keighley announce a Game of Thrones RTS and a Wu-Tang game. But when Ian Proulx, Splitgate 2 creator and CEO of 1047 Games, came out with his now-infamous 'Make FPS Great Again' hat, it punctured the illusion of distance in time, space, and tone. In the months since President Donald Trump took office, ICE has ramped up its activities, sending agents to snatch parents from their children and children from their schools, enabled under the auspices that removing immigrants will be what makes America great again. Proulx's hat became the story of the day, if not the whole event. It was the main topic of conversation at the lobby bar of the JW Marriott hotel, where each night of SGF is capped off with a mixer. How could someone choose to reference such a statement, even in jest or irony, as the very people that slogan has been used to target are being snatched up mere blocks away? Saturday was business as usual. Proulx's hat was forgotten as I settled in to work, flitting between wall-to-wall appointments checking out Escape Academy 2, the new Lego Party game, and Deadpool VR with no time to chat or even eat. I didn't check my phone for hours, and every TV was playing a video game. I had no idea what was happening both in Los Angeles and in the White House. But when there was finally a lull, I popped online, where I was greeted with a deluge of messages from people who were watching the news, telling me that something (a nebulous, undefined, but nevertheless urgent something) was happening and that I needed to get back to the safety of my hotel. Thankfully, my worst fears about martial law declarations and curfews didn't come to pass while I was there, but they did after I was back home. People had taken to the streets of LA in protest of ICE action and began moving through parts of the city, demonstrating and occasionally clashing with the police (and autonomous vehicles). But at that moment, when I was hearing that insurrection acts were going to be invoked and that the National Guard was being mobilized to sweep the city, I became legitimately scared — particularly for attendees who weren't citizens and those with immigrant families. How could someone choose to reference such a statement, even in jest or irony? One such colleague, Janet Garcia, wrote an incredible account of what it was like working SGF and being the child of a Mexican immigrant. Her words right now are more important than mine. SGF also coincided with the BET Awards, and honoree Doechii also had a powerful message for the moment. There had already been several stories of international travelers being detained in the US for weeks, and I was scared that if something was happening, my journalist friends from Canada, the UK, and elsewhere could get caught in the mix. Word began spreading that something (again, what that was, nobody could say, and that uncertainty compounded the fear) was happening, and my friends and I all began to start asking aloud: do we need to leave? Some said yes, and I was ready to do just that, but something stopped me. I will never be able to adequately express how weird my job is in situations like this. It's really hard to write about the colorful pixels on a TV when it feels like the world is seconds away from catching fire. And yet I do it every day. Right when I was about to make the decision to leave early, a Capcom PR rep tapped me on the shoulder. I was late to my Resident Evil Requiem appointment. And I went, because in that scary moment I still thought, 'I have a job to do.' I did my best with Requiem, plodding along the abandoned hospital, being suitably impressed by how the sound of Grace's footsteps changed when she walked on the wooden floor vs. the floor covered in bits of broken drywall. But my phone kept buzzing with notifications throughout it all. Midway through the demo, my stress was so high from the ambient spookiness of the game and all the happenings outside the SGF bubble that I couldn't take it anymore. I made my profuse apologies to my PR contact (who was exceedingly gracious and understanding) and left. The mood that night at the hotel was less exuberant. It wasn't just everything going on in LA: the mood of the event itself was the lowest I'd ever seen it in the handful of years that SGF has served as E3's smaller, vibe-ier replacement. There were games there, good ones, but nothing big enough to anchor the show. As the industry faces its third straight year of rampant layoffs, cancellations, delays, and studio closures we're finally starting to see the pipeline of blockbuster games dry up. This was a stark contrast to last year when Sega had Metaphor: ReFantanzio and Shadow Generations, Bandai Namco showed off Shadow of the Erdtree, PlayStation was there with Astro Bot, and Xbox had just announced Gears of War: E-Day. I'm home now. And despite this year's strangeness, I look forward to going back to Summer Game Fest. Because if video games have taught me anything over the years, it's that in the face of overwhelming odds, the best thing one can do is stick together with your friends.
Black America Web
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Racial Justice, Mystery and a Lot of Ass Kicking in RZA's New Movie
Source: Melissa Nyomi Stoll / Melissa Nyomi Stoll RZA's new film One Spoon of Chocolate opens on a lonely stretch of Ohio highway. A handsome brother probably in his twenties is shooting phantom jump shots. A passing car of young white girls offers a lift. They leave laughing and flirting, his arms wrapped comfortably around two of them. But that seemingly harmless kindness is a setup: what happens next is brutal and chilling. They stop at a convenience store. The giggling girls ask him to buy them some snacks. When he exits the store, the girls are gone and he's pummeled by black hood wearing. bat-wielding white men. Blood seeps the asphalt. The next scene is even more horrific and from this vicious opening salvo, One Spoon of Chocolate plunges into Karensville—a small town that behind its quaint façade is teeming with racial violence, mystery and terror based on some 'real sh*t.' 'It's Get Out meets Rambo ,' says lead star Shameik Moore who most recently thrilled audiences in Spiderman. 'RZA is family. We've been working together for seven years. This one is art. This one is a very bold swing at being unapologetically Wu-Tang. Representing the culture in all the ways that we need it right now. It's exciting. 'It's about brotherhood,' reveals RZA. 'Redemption, which every man wishes he could find or is seeking it. And even more important, entertaining, provoking, and inspiring the audience is my mission. And I think this film does that.' Blair Underwood who plays a parole office describes the film as 'a great action film, a vigilante film.' and Shameik as a 'beast.' STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! The movie is set in a modern yet timeless American rust belt, the film follows Unique (Shameik Moore), a wrongly convicted soldier newly released, as he seeks healing with his cousin, Ramsey (RJ Cyler). Instead, they discover an underbelly of horror and racism, a sheriff and his white paramilitary buddies terrorizing the Black youth—disappearances, ugliness, violence and a chilling mystery. Unique's martial arts come alive as he fights back, carving his own path of redemption. True to RZA's signature style, the martial arts choreography blends old-school kung fu cinema with the raw intensity of modern street combat. The fight scenes are tightly staged and brutal, with Shameik Moore's Unique using fists, feet, and blades in battles that feel both artful and desperate. RZA worked with longtime collaborators from the Wu-Tang stunt team. Every punch, kick, and parry reflects Unique's inner struggle — as much about reclaiming dignity as defeating his enemies. RELATED STORIES: Method Man and Redman Kickoff The Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage Wu-Tang Clan Announces 'Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber' Tour RZA first dropped hints in 2012 about a piece revolving around social unrest and martial art-cinema fusion. Over a decade later, production kicked off in April 2024 in Atlanta, with principal photography wrapping by July, spearheaded by a cast including Michael Jackson's daughter Paris Jackson, Blair Underwood, and Shameik Moore. The movie world finally got its first look at the Tribeca film festival this month. Radio/TV personality Jazmyn Summers was there for Radio One to bring you the tea. RZA who won acclaim for The Man with the Iron Fists, says he's planning more films, 'If the universe allows it, I'll be making more movies for us. Movies are the culmination of all my art into one thing. Music is only now like a part of my brain. movies are my full brain,' he tells Summers. RZA co-produced the film with Talani, his wife of 16 years. 'I asked my wife if we should build a new house or make a movie,' he discloses, 'She said 'what do you wanna do? I said make a movie and she said I got your back.' The secret to their long loving marriage? 'We love each other and she is my best everything. Best friend. Best best best. That has to be the foundation,' he dishes. As for bad habits, 'Bad habits. I think I got rid of them, 'he laughs. Blair Underwood confesses his bad habits, 'Sweet sweets. My favorite candy is my wife, Josie,' he jokes. Underwood says the secret to a strong marriage is, 'being great friends first and listening. I'm a better person today than I was two years ago… it's a lot of learning and listening and understanding.' He and wifey Josie Hart have been married two years. READ MORE STORIES: Racial Justice, Mystery and a Lot of Ass Kicking in RZA's New Movie MFT: Marcus Jordan Remembers His First Stellar Awards Red Carpet MFT: Eric Benét Remembers His First Snoop Dogg Smoke Sesh Moore's bad habit is, 'I overthink a lot. I'm a Taurus.' And he invited the single ladies to come find him. 'But catch me in real life,' he warns 'not online'. Cyler says his bad habit is 'Chewing gum. My wife don't like it because I smack when I chew,' he laughs, Wendell Pierce who came to support the movie and will star in Superman as newspaper editor Perry White winked that his bad habit is a little naughty 'Ooh, I can't talk about that on any media platform but I don't do it with other people.' One Spoon of Chocolate draws blood and emotion in equal measure—a visceral call to arms wrapped in familial bonds and modern relevance underlining that redemption is never just physical—it's deeply human. With this one, RZA proves he's not just making movies—he's building a legacy not just in music but in film. You can catch some of the convos with the actors below Source: Jazmyn Summers / Jazmyn Summers Article by Jazmyn Summers. Photos and video by Melissa Nyomi Stoll of Melshotya You can hear Jazmyn every morning on 'Jazmyn in the Morning 'on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown Folk Jamz . Subscribe to J azmyn Summers' YouTube . Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Wu-Tang Clan Release Trailer For ‘Rise Of The Deceiver' Video Game
The Wu-Tang Clan are going digital, yet again, as the group will be releasing a new video game that will bring players into the realm of Shaolin. At this year's Summer Game Fest, legendary rap group the Wu-Tang Clan unveiled their latest cultural venture: Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver, an action-packed cooperative RPG developed by Brass Lion Entertainment. The game promises a blend of hip-hop, mythology, and immersive gameplay, soundtracked by both classic Wu-Tang tracks and original music composed by renowned producer and video game enthusiast, Just Blaze. Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver was originally envisioned as a companion piece to Angel of Dust, an upcoming supernatural horror film produced by Ghostface Killah and directed by RZA under AOD Films. The game will allow up to four players to battle through a fictional version of Shaolin, squaring off against The Deceiver, a menacing antagonist who serves as the game's final boss. Through its gameplay and narrative, Rise of the Deceiver aims to further expand the themes and dark mystique of the film. 'Creating Angel of Dust has been an incredible journey,' Ghostface Killah said in a statement. 'Bringing the story to life through film was just the beginning. Now, with the development of the video game, we are immersing fans even deeper into this supernatural thriller universe.' He continued, adding, 'It's about blending music, storytelling, and interactive experience. I can't wait for fans to step into the darkness and discover what lies beneath.' This marks the Wu-Tang Clan's first major video game project in over two decades, following the cult-classic 1999 release Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style. That game, featuring all nine original members as playable fighters, broke new ground by integrating hip-hop culture directly into the gaming world. It's since become a nostalgic gem for fans of both rap and retro gaming. While Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver will initially debut on PC, console versions are slated for release at a later date. No official launch window has been revealed, but excitement is already building within both the gaming and music communities. Ghostface previously shared his excitement for the film and gaming collaboration: 'It's a blessing to partner with Oscar-nominated producer Shaun Redick and Impossible Dream Entertainment, and to be doing business with my brother RZA directing is a dream come true. Putting all these great minds to work together will be legendary.' RZA echoed the sentiment: 'The creative collaboration of RZA and Ghostface has stood the test of time through our music. Now the opportunity to put our creative energies together onto the silver screen has arisen and I'm turbo charged. Bong Bong!' With its unique fusion of music, storytelling, and action, Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver stands poised to become another defining moment for the Clan in gaming history. Watch the Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver video game trailer below. More from RZA Says Hot 97 Ban Of Wu-Tang Clan's Music Hurt "The Culture" Wu-Tang Clan Announces 'Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber' Last Group Tour Rihanna And Sons RZA, Riot Attend A$AP Rocky's Trial To Hear Closing Arguments
Hypebeast
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hypebeast
Wu-Tang Clan 睽違 26 年推出全新電玩遊戲《Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver》
本文看點 Brass Lion Entertainment 正式揭曉Wu-Tang Clan全新遊戲作品——《Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver》，這款動作 RPG 遊戲支援最多四名玩家一同擊敗「欺詐者 Deceiver」，並拯救 Wu-Tang 幫派的故鄉「少林」。 據 IGN 報導，遊戲設計融合了非洲超現實主義與日本動漫風格，視覺呈現極具特色。音效方面，玩家可以期待遊戲內收錄 Wu-Tang Clan 歷年經典歌曲，更將有 Just Blaze 帶來的全新創作，為玩家帶來沉浸式的聽覺體驗。 值得一提的是，這款遊戲最初是作為 Ghostface Killah 和 RZA 即將推出的恐怖電影《Angel of Dust》的延伸作品。Ghostface Killah 表示：「創作《Angel of Dust》是一段不可思議的旅程，將故事透過電影呈現只是個開始。現在，隨著電玩遊戲的開發，我們將讓粉絲們更深入地沉浸在這個超自然驚悚宇宙中。」 《Wu-Tang: Rise of the Deceiver》將是 Wu-Tang Clan 繼 1999 年 PlayStation 遊戲《Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style》之後的第二款電玩作品，預計率先登陸 PC 平台，主機版發售日期將擇日公布，感興趣的讀者不妨持續關注。 >《鬼滅之刃火之神血風譚2》最新預告揭露全新模式與遊戲特色 >《鬼武者 Way of the Sword》最新預告揭示強敵「佐佐木小次郎」
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Black Music Appreciation Month: Marcus ‘DJ Maniac' McGee talks 20 year journey
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) — During June, we are paying tribute to Black Music. One local artist shares his 20-year journey. Meet Marcus 'DJ Maniac' McGee. The Wichita Falls native has been a turntablist for more than 20 years. 'I like to scratch,' McGee said. 'That really got me into it as well, like the hip hop side of it.' Deejaying began when McGee heard the same songs repeatedly at nightclubs in Wichita Falls. That's when he set out to buy his own turntable set, learning the fundamentals of scratching, beat juggling, and more. 'It all comes together as a really cool dish, like if I [were] a chef or something,' McGee said. Mixing new beats by combining pop and rock hits to serve through his creative style. 'With deejaying and I thought hip hop was just with hip hop songs until I seen these other DJ mix with Led Zeppelin and Pantera. Even some old-school Jazz stuff too that goes into samples of 90s Wu-Tang and A Tribe Called Quest,' McGee said. 'If you find that one song that was hot for a minute and then you put it up for a little bit and then you just randomly bring it back. It will bring back memories to people like, 'oh my god, I remember this song'.' Aside from beat sampling, McGee also takes influences from other deejays such as Wichita Falls' own DJ Sabor and DJ Jazzy Jeff. Taking a little piece of them and mixing it with his own twang. The veteran disc jockey has spent hours perfecting his craft to keep you grooving to the tunes. 'It's really, really fun to figure out what people want and what people need to hear. That's a big difference,' McGee said. 'People will want certain songs and won't even dance to it. When you play a song that they don't even know that they want it and they hit, and then you have a pretty good crowd.' Bringing people together on the dance floor. 'Really awesome just to see what I love to do and showing people that I love to do it and be able to share it,' McGee said. Turning tracks and heads. 'You really have to respect the culture to do it. Right? Anybody can deejay, but not everybody can actually rock the crowd or have a song that's playing that makes that one person get up,' McGee said. 'You have to know how to control your environment. Always learning, always trying to improve my craft. As long as I'm here, I'm going to respect that craft. Hopefully, if you ever see me out and about, I'll be rocking it.' McGee jokes he's retired twice from deejaying to his gaming lounge, but his phone always rings for more gigs. 'It's kind of the same thing from deejaying to Maniacs Mansion. I just went out, tried it, did it and I'm still here doing both. So I must be doing it right,' McGee said. DJ Maniac's still spinning the turntable and offering up the best tunes through his creations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
