Pop Shots – Make Your Move

Welcome to your weekly dose of pop world musings. Covering all things pop culture, this week Pop Shots is hitting you with thoughts on everything from Niall Horan providing for his team, to Logic spending nearly $250k on Pokemon cards, to how Cardi B may have inspired my next promotional idea, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Niall Horan will be live streaming a concert from London’s Royal Albert Hall on November 7th, with all of the proceeds going to his touring crew, who have been out of work due to the pandemic. When Amanda Palmer hears about this she’ll be shocked to find out most artists actually pay the people who work for them.

* Maple Leif Garrett, aka Justin Bieber, released a collaboration with Crocs that sold out in 90 minutes. Personally, I prefer Paul Hogan’s collaboration with crocs.

* Retired rapper Logic has been making it rain at the hobby store, first purchasing a $23,000 box of unopened Pokemon booster packs, and then following it up by dropping $220,574 on a first-edition Charizard card. I dunno, but if you spend nearly a quarter of a million dollars on Pokemon cards after just recently having your first child, I think you’re required to change your name from Logic.

* Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” which hit #1 in 1977, has re-entered the Billboard Hot 100 at #21 thanks to a viral TikTok video featuring the song. You know, it’s great to see TikTok helping struggling indie artists catch a break.

* Cardi B accidentally shared a topless photo of herself on social media. Hmm, this gives me an idea for my book – she “accidentally” showed her boobs, but since my book is about testicular cancer I could “accidentally” show …

* Samuel Asghedom, brother of the late Nipsey Hussle and administrator of his estate, filed a lawsuit against Tia Hollis and the Crips LLC – which is in no way associated with the gang – for trademark infringement, false advertising and unfair competition, over the use of the catchphrase “The Marathon Continues.” I’m not about to dole out legal advice here, but I feel like a person who uses a prominent gang’s name for their business, and is somehow still alive, is someone you might not want to mess with.

* Tom Parker, who was a member of 2010s boy band The Wanted, revealed he has an inoperable brain tumor. Earlier this year, Parker and his wife announced they’re expecting their second child together, so basically, the universe is being a total d*ck.

* Halsey has been deemed royalty by Budweiser, as she’s starring in beer brand’s new “Be a King” ad campaign. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise to longtime fans of the singer – she told us she was headed straight for the castle years ago.

That’s all for this edition of Pop Shots, but come back next Monday for more shots on all things pop.