Ryan Shepard

North Plainfield

Content Supervisor, MATTIO Communications and Culture Editor at Def Pen

Masters Student — @NYUniversity | Content — @DefPen & @MattioComms | Editorial — @TVInsider | 📍North Plainfield, NJ

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Articles

2025 UJC Summit: Rye, Dyson & Scott Added To Lineup

1 day ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

Angela Rye, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson, and several other luminaries have entered the chat. On May 30, 2025, Rye, Dyson, CNN Anchor and Chief Legal Analyst Laura Coates, REFORM Alliance CEO Jessica Jackson, Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, and several other community leaders and trailblazers will join Roc Nation & United Justice Coalition at The Shed in New York for the third annual UJC Summit.
A$AP Rocky Hopes To Co-Star In Movie With Rihanna

1 week ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

Rakim “A$AP Rocky” Mayers is ready for his close up!The Harlem native is set to star as Yung Felon in Spike Lee’s newest movie, Highest 2 Lowest. Rocky’s character is described as an aspiring rapper who will stop at nothing to get the attention of music mogul David King, played by Lee’s longtime collaborator, Denzel Washington. While Rocky is all too familiar with the process of breaking through as an artist, acting alongside Washington is a new experience.
United Sates vs. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: Jury Expected To Be Seated Wednesday

1 week ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, attorneys representing the Southern District of New York and media mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs will reconvene at the Daniel Patrick Moynihan Courthouse as jury selection continues for a third day. If all goes according to plan, a jury is expected to be seated by the end of the third day. Thus far, the pool of candidates has been widdled down to a group of 45 would-be jurors, including an HBO staffer and a physical education teacher.
Benny The Butcher Announces 'Excelsior'

2 weeks ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

Surprise! On Tuesday, April 29, 2025, Benny The Butcher announced the release of his upcoming project, Excelsior. Set to be released on Friday, May 2, The seven-track project will feature Styles P, Skylar Blatt, Boldy James, Premo and others. “Some of us jumped off the porch early and understood the game instantly. Some of us took a lil’ time, but some needed their hand held in every aspect and was only good at riding coattails.
DJ Khaled Secures Nine-Figure Deal With Influence Media

2 weeks ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

DJ Khaled has struck a new deal with Influence Media Partners.
Key Lime Cookies (Vegan)

2 weeks ago | vitacost.com | Ryan Shepard

Bright, zesty and completely plant-based, these vegan key lime cookies are a tropical twist on your classic sweet treat. Bursting with citrus flavor from real key lime juice and zest, each bite delivers the perfect balance of tart and sweet—all wrapped in a soft, chewy cookie. Whether you’re craving a refreshing dessert or a fun new bake to share, these cookies bring sunshine to every snack break, no dairy or eggs required.
Trailer: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Is 'The Smashing Machine'

2 weeks ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

Many people will say a particular public figure’s life story is eventful enough to be adapted into a documentary, original series, or film, but rarely is it true. However, in the case of Mark Kerr, it is absolutely true, and this fall, it will become a reality. Ahead of its October 3rd release, A24 shared the first trailer for The Smashing Machine, a film exploring the life, legacy, and legend of mixed martial artist Mark Kerr.
Sectiontoo Drops 'Main Ingredient'

2 weeks ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

Our first “Song of the Summer” rankings don’t come out until after Memorial Day Weekend, but sectiontoo will be mentioned.
Kehlani Fires Back After Cornell Cancels Their Performance

2 weeks ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

On Wednesday, May 9, 2025, students at Cornell University will celebrate the last day of undergraduate classes for the 2024-2025 academic year. Keeping with tradition, students will party, fellowship, and unwind at the Ivy League institution’s annual Slope Day festivities. Per usual, the event will feature a well-known musical act. At first, many expected five-time GRAMMY-nominated recording artist Kehlani to take the stage in Ithaca, New York.
SZA's 'SOS' Takes Billboard 200 Crown For 13th Week

2 weeks ago | defpen.com | Ryan Shepard

Eight-hundred and seventy-one days have passed since SZA returned to deliver her sophomore album, S.O.S. With features from Travis Scott and the late Ol’ Dirty Bastard, among others, and contributions from Babyface, Leon Thomas, and many more creatives, the album quickly shot to number one on the Billboard 200 chart after moving more than 300,000 album-equivalent units in one week. Nearly three years later, it’s still sitting at number one. “This is so crazy. Forever grateful,” TDE’s Punch tweeted.