Pop Shots – International Incidents

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 Snoop Dogg running through Paris, to Eminem being honored in the U.K., to the passing of a British blues legend, and since this is Pop Shots you know everything is seasoned with a little bit of attitude.

* Snoop Dogg carried the Olympic torch on its final leg through Paris. I think we all hope he then used it to light a blunt, which is the way every Olympics should start.

* Four of the five members NSYNC attended the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine in NYC. Justin Timberlake was lone member not there, as he was busy on his ruined world tour. In a related story, everyone got home from the movie safely.

* Selena Gomez called Benny Blanco the love of her life following her recent birthday celebration. I know someone who’s gonna be pissed when he hears about this …

* Eminem received a Brit Billion Award, which recognizes artists who have achieved more than one billion streams in the U.K., a mark he’s now reached seven times. Whatever the award is made of, it’s probably worth more than his earnings from all those streams.

* Diddy, who apparently lacks any self-awareness whatsoever, returned to Instagram to celebrate his daughter’s 18th birthday. It’s actually quite the landmark birthday for the young lady, as she’s now reached an age where she legally no longer has to have any contact with Diddy.

* Fans of YoungBoy Never Broke Again managed to get into the rapper’s July 22nd Zoom hearing – he’s currently in jail for charges stemming from a prescription drug ring case in Utah – and those fans made their displeasure heard. A black mark for court security, for sure, but for one junior high it will forever be known as the greatest day ever in the summer school computer lab.

* Lupe Fiasco took to Twitter Spaces to address a rumor that he had an issue with Kendrick Lamar, stating, “I never said I don’t like him.” Translation – “I heard what he’s done to Drake. Please, for the love of God, don’t get me involved in this. I don’t want those problems!”

* Mariah Carey added eight dates in early 2025 to her Las Vegas Residency. Nick Cannon’s splitting his money so many ways, someone’s gotta feed those kids, right?

* British blues legend John Mayall, who was hugely influential to everyone from Eric Clapton, to Mick Fleetwood, passed away at the age of 90. If you’ve never heard his work, give “All Your Love” a spin, and enjoy.

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