eSports
Hawks Talon GC Hosts Live Twitch Stream with Recording Artists Big $tunt and Cochise
Hawks Talon Head Coach Wesley Acuff was Joined by Both Cochise and Big $tunt as Part of the Talon Takeover Series
Hawks Talon GC, the official NBA 2K League affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks, hosted a livestream this afternoon on the team’s official Twitch channel as part of a content series called Talon Takeover. As part of the stream, Hawks Talon’s Team Manager and Head Coach Wesley Acuff was joined by both two rappers Cochise and Big $tunt. These artists, both signed to Columbia Records, have risen to popularity in large part due to their personal success on various digital media platforms such as TikTok and SoundCloud.
“It was pretty remarkable that we were able to bring two artists to this special edition of Talon Takeover,” said Acuff. “To have both Cochise and Big $tunt join us and play some NBA 2K brought a completely different dynamic to our stream, and we are grateful for all the fans who tuned in to watch the stream.”
During the stream, the conversation with both artists revolved around their background as well as their passion for music and video games.
Rather than run away from life’s trials, tribulations, and tough times, Big $tunt confronts them head-on in his music, and even uses them as fodder for inspiration. That tenacity can be credited for his rapid rise from the small rural town of York, SC to nearly 10 million streams, 109K-plus Tik Tok creates, and a deal with Block Entertainment/Columbia Records (all before his senior year of high school). He grew up with five siblings on his mother’s side and another five siblings on his father’s side as the middle child in both. In seventh grade, he teamed up with soon-to-be regular collaborator BiG J5 and cut his teeth on the mic. By high school, they “finally got into a real studio, because there isn’t one in York’. He featured on BiG J5’s “BrandNew Remix” and dropped “Thuggin” and “on gang.” In between, he excelled on the football field, playing cornerback and wide receiver for his school team. He transferred the hustle from the field back to the studio. It shows on his breakthrough single “Capitalize Off Pain.” On the track, a skittering beat and trap bounce echo beneath his singular and surgical high-register delivery. His voice slices right through the production as the hypnotic chant captivates. After racking up 1.5 million Soundcloud plays, it exploded on TikTok with countless fan videos. As he balances hip-hop, football, and school, his grind never lets up with more music on the horizon.
Getting his name from iconic cult classic The Warriors, Cochise is making a pathway for himself while generating an organic following. The Jamaican emcee newly signed to Columbia Records takes his talent to a bigger platform with a message in mind to “I want to make people know that they can be who they want to be.” In his arsenal of fiery visuals including breakout hit “Hatchback” (10.7M video views), “Knicks”, an owe to the legendry NY team, and his recent release “Usopp”, Cochise is standing 10 toes down in his authenticity to be uniquely himself. Using his Jamaican roots, The MC/producer draws from hip-hop and dancehall sounds and blends them with rich lyrics that reference anime, film, sports, and everything in between. Meanwhile, Cochise’s delivery is dynamic, with an array of flows and vocal styles that make for an unpredictable listening experience. As his continued success blossoms, Cochise’s noble mission, with a rapidly growing fan-base rooting for his deliverance.
Last year, Hawks Talon announced the creation of the one-of-a-kind content series called Talon Takeover which features celebrities, entertainers and influencers playing various popular video games. The series welcomed Emmanuel Lawrence (also known as Manni Supreme) as the host of the series.
Esportes Gaming Brasil, the owner of Onabet and Esportes da Sorte, is making its debut at the 58th Parintins Folklore Festival with an interactive project that blends cultural promotion, economic development, and social responsibility.
The brand becomes the first regulated betting operator to offer institutional support to the event, which welcomes around 120,000 visitors and generates BRL 184 million in local economic activity, according to the Amazonas State Government.
This cultural commitment comes on the back of Esportes Gaming Brasil sponsoring 31 São João festivals during June in 27 cities across the Northeast and Southeast regions. This initiative strengthens the brand’s strategy of connecting with the public through the appreciation of Brazilian cultural expressions.
Esportes da Sorte’s focus was creating memorable experiences as each event featured scenography by Pernambucan artist Perron Ramos. Another notable element was the Vila Junina (June Village), a themed area blending traditional elements with interactive experiences. Classic games such as Pescaria da Sorte (Fishing of Fortune), Barraca do Beijo (Kissing Booth), and Argola da Sorte (Ring Toss) bring nostalgia to the festivities.
For the three-day Parintins Folklore Festival starting today, the brand will be energising Parintins with a series of experiences celebrating local culture. These include a panoramic lounge with a special view of the Bumbódromo, the Truck da Sorte — a space combining karaoke and free hydration — as well as a Social Arena installed in the Garantido and Caprichoso neighborhoods, featuring artistic performances, rest areas, free water distribution, and Instagram-worthy spots. Festivalgoers will also be able to get their hands on custom giveaways throughout the festival. All elements of the visual project are inspired by Amazonian art. The graphics feature illustrations by Curumiz, a Parintins-based duo formed by Alziney Pereira and Kemerson Freitas.
Sofia Aldin, CMO of Esportes Gaming Brasil, the group behind the brand commented: “Esportes Gaming Brasil cares passionately about regional values and strengthening Brazilian popular culture. It’s more than simply showcasing our brand, we want to create value for the people who live for events like the Parintins Folklore Festival and the São João festivals. Being part of these events backs our strategy of supporting traditions that drive local economies and celebrate regional identities.”
BETBY, a leading sportsbook supplier, has announced a new partnership with prominent LATAM-focused esports provider Mobadoo, in a move that will see its Betby.Games portfolio fully integrated into Mobadoo’s product lineup.
This collaboration enables Mobadoo — which has an established presence and deep market understanding across Latin America — to incorporate BETBY’s proprietary and award-winning esports offering, delivering dynamic and fast-paced betting content to its growing user base. Among Betby.Games’ titles are eSoccer, eBasketball, eFighting, eCricket, eShooter, eHorse Racing, eTennis, and the Brazil-relevant eVaquejada.
As one of the most comprehensive and high-frequency esports betting solutions in the industry, Betby.Games offers access to more than 70 tournaments, over 350 betting markets, and more than 300,000 live matches each month. This collaboration will not only enhance Mobadoo’s offering but also reinforce BETBY’s position as a leading esports supplier in the LATAM region, a key pillar in the supplier’s global expansion strategy.
“Mobadoo has an excellent reputation and strong regional expertise, making them an ideal partner for us. Their commitment to innovation in esports and the rapid growth of this vertical in the region made our partnership only a matter of time,” commented Kirill Nekrasov, BETBY’s Head of Sportsbook Product. “This agreement not only expands the reach of our unique Betby.Games content, but also aligns perfectly with our global strategy of delivering flexible, high-performance esports solutions to next-generation operators. Together, we’re set to further strengthen our leading position in the LATAM region.”
José Aníbal Aguirre, Chief Marketing Officer at Mobadoo, added: “We’re thrilled to integrate Betby.Games into our offering. The depth and quality of their esports content is unmatched, and this partnership gives us a powerful new edge in catering to LATAM’s passionate esports fanbase. With BETBY’s support, we’re confident we can elevate the player experience and unlock new growth opportunities across the region.”
Red Bull Home Ground, the pro VALORANT invitational, is set to make its return with a blockbuster fifth edition, bringing together the world’s top teams to New York City, for one of the most exciting showcases in the esports calendar. From November 13–16, the iconic Hammerstein Ballroom at the Manhattan Center will host four electrifying days of competition, as global giants and rising stars fight to claim the title of 2025 off-season champions.
This year, Red Bull Home Ground will feature a stacked lineup of elite contenders. Returning champions T1 are ready to defend their crown, joined by two-time VCT Global Event winners Fnatic and fan-favourites G2 Esports, Sentinels, and ZETA DIVISION. Joining these giants will be the two top teams who earn their place through the Play-In Stage and an additional team to be revealed – a gauntlet of global qualifiers open to all in India, USA, Spain, Turkey, Chile, Egypt, Belgium, Germany, South Africa, Netherlands, Japan, and EMEA qualifiers, giving players around the world the chance to earn a spot to go against the best-of-the-best on the main stage. The final main stage slot will be revealed at a later date.
For the first time, the Red Bull Home Ground World Final will be hosted in the United States, taking place at the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. Known for its grand Beaux-Arts architecture and storied history hosting icons like The Grateful Dead and Guns N’ Roses, the venue offers a perfect blend of classic New York legacy and modern spectacle for this high-stakes tournament. The action kicks off on November 13-14, with both days dedicated exclusively to the Play-in stage and the opening stages of the competition. For fans eager to experience the action live, tickets for the public main stage event on November 15-16 are available for purchase via Ticketmaster.
At last year’s Red Bull Home Ground in Berlin, fans were treated to an unforgettable grand final as T1 stormed to victory over Cloud9, clinching the championship title with a dominant 3-1 series. With every edition, Red Bull Home Ground has elevated the VALORANT off-season calendar, known for its fast-paced format, jaw-dropping plays, and international flair. Red Bull Home Ground continues to be a staple tournament for pro teams looking to compete against the best competition and for fans ready to witness thrilling match-ups.
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