Atlanta officials enlisted the help of 21 Savage for the “Summer of Peace,” which seeks to curtail gun violence.
Chief Judge Kenya Johnson of the Fulton County Probate Court revealed 21 Savage will perform at a private event for teenagers. According to Atlanta’s CBS affiliate, the event is scheduled to take place at Clark Atlanta University on May 5.
“We’re talking about local celebrities,” Johnson said. “We’re talking about performances. We want to reach the young people where they are and in their language.”
Roughly 500 teens from Atlanta Public Schools and Fulton County Schools are expected to attend the event. 21 Savage’s performance will be part of a day of anti-violence programming.
“Being able to use local influencers who have the ear of the youth to further help with the message, we believe will change the tide in how youth feel, how our young people feel about violence,” Johnson said. “If we can get anyone to put down their gun and resolve their disputes amicably, then we have proven our point and we’ve saved a life.”
Atlanta leaders launched the “Summer of Peace” in anticipation of a summertime surge in youth gun violence. The initiative will feature concerts, career fairs and more in hopes of reducing shootings.
According to a demand letter obtained by TMZ, Megan Johnson identified herself as one of Trey Songz’s victims. She claimed the singer sexually assaulted and battered her at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut in August 2013.
“Ms. Johnson’s friend set up to take a picture, and you happened to be behind her,” her lawyers wrote to Trey Songz. “Rather than a picture, Ms. Johnson’s friend took a video. That video shows you coming up behind Ms. Johnson, ripping her bikini top from her chest-grabbing and then exposing her bare breast.”
The letter continued, “Ms. Johnson immediately pulled her top back on preparing herself for another assault, that you surely delivered. As if on cue, and with intended premeditation, you further terrorized and humiliated Ms. Johnson with your degrading chant, ‘T###### in The Open,’ ‘T###### in The Open.’ Which you chanted FOUR TIMES as if it were the chorus to one of your songs.”
TMZ acquired footage of the incident, which shows Trey Songz exposing Johnson’s breast and chanting as described in the letter.
The victim’s legal team said she felt ashamed and embarrassed, but the incident became “frozen in time.” Johnson was reminded of her trauma when she learned Trey Songz was under investigation for sexual assault in Las Vegas.
“In December 2021, after reading about your Las Vegas arrest, Ms. Johnson had for the first time recalled the incident and realized she too had been sexually assaulted by your reckless and negligent hands,” her lawyers explained. “Specific details of the assault flooded her memory shortly thereafter. In fact, she was recently able to identify one of your security personnel from a photograph.”
Johnson allegedly suffered severe emotional distress and engaged in self-harm following the assault. She asked her attorneys to seek a settlement that exceeds $5 million and pursue litigation against Trey Songz if won’t settle.
The latest accusation against Trey Songz sparked comparisons to R. Kelly.
View some of the social media chatter about the disgraced singers below.
Trey Songz needs to be arrested and kept up under the jail because this is what happened with R. Kelly you had so many people leveraging sexual abuse cases against him and he got away with it multiple times put that man in prison already
Benzino went on a Twitter tirade, threatening violence over rumors about an alleged romance with a transgender woman.
The veteran rapper lashed out at Shauna Brooks, the transgender woman at the center of the controversy, for allegedly spreading lies about him. Benzino shared screenshots of their private messages, which suggested he’ll hunt down and kill Brooks.
“This person has crossed a dangerous line and I’ve already accepted that at 56 years old I will die now or go to jail for the rest of my over my name, reputation and legacy,” he wrote. “This weirdo mf is playing with y’all, not me. He/she still haven’t said that we never met in person.”
Benzino also took aim at bloggers and YouTubers spreading rumors about him and Brooks.
“Anybody, and I mean anybody who had written a blog or on YouTube tryna make money off of this is about to be sued,” he wrote. “This internet will get someone killed for real, and know this, on my mother I dare a mf to say something IN PERSON to me about this false bs, I will put two in your face, continue with my day or night and call my lawyer to make sure he’s on point with my bail situation, get bailed go to trial and what happens happens.”
He continued, “I will go to jail for the rest of my life over this. I’ve lived a great life and will sleep good knowing that I defended my name honor, reputation & legacy. Idgaf about you commenting on here, this a safe place for cowards and p######, Im really outside and never in my life had security. Im not into chicks with d#### or gay men, if that’s what y’all like then that’s y’all.”
Benzino’s social media venting eventually spiraled into transphobic ranting.
“If you say something going against the LGBTQ community they rally and raise hell but when these ‘transformers’ lie and try and trick straight men nobody from the LGBTQ community says anything,” he wrote. “So when they get found behind a dumpster with 2 in the face you shouldn’t say anything.”
He added, “If you had any sense at all you would notice every time the ‘transformer’ says anything it’s always ‘people’ or ‘men’ or ‘they’. It’s never ‘Benzino’ ‘him’ or ‘he’. Like I said I’m not playing wit anyone. You come in my physical space wit any of this, your family’s burying u.”
Benzino reiterated his willingness to go to jail over the situation before turning his focus back on Brooks.
“I’m willing to my sacrifice the rest of my moments left I have and make a cell my home or even die my honor, I hope you feel the same way,” he declared. “Oh yea, God will understand because he ain’t wit that transformer s### anyway. So I’ll still get to see my mother.”
Benzino accused Brooks of sharing fake texts before discussing their leaked phone call, which started the rumors.
“Now the punk is photoshopping texts smh this s#### crazy but it’s ok,” he wrote. “He going to hell not me. Go on my only fans, take pic and create some b####### conversation, he gotta be getting money for this because why risk your life for nothing? I never texted none of that, In the phone conversation I clearly said if anyone knew we had a ‘conversation’ what it would be.”
He elaborated, “Not a relationship because we never even spoke ok s### like that, the director of the movie ‘Cricket’ gave the transformers my number say he wanted to talk business about the crabtrap which was the only texts that happened. It’s ok tho. have fun now pay later.”
Benzino concluded with his regrets, noting he should’ve never spoken with Brooks on the phone.
“Should’ve went with my first instinct which was to scream on cricket & never communicated with this demented, mentally ill individual,” he explained. “But I tried to be cool and said to myself it was just business. Now after a leaked private conversation I know now it was a set up from the start.”
Netflix’s plans to release “Bright 2” to have been canceled. “Bright” was one of the early Netflix movies that was positioned to be a blockbuster when it dropped in 2017.
The announcement was made on Twitter from Lucas Shaw, author at Bloomberg.
The announcement comes in the aftermath of the highly publicized slap of Chris Rock at the Academy Awards. The brazen assault resulted in a 10 year banishment of Smith from the prestigious Hollywood award ceremony.
Shaw eventually would tweet that the cancellation of the movie was unrelated to the assault.
The last report on a “Bright” sequel came last year, stating that the script was being fine-tuned and that Will Smith was expected to return. A number of other movies involving Will Smith have been canceled as well including fast and loose.
Other projects like the highly touted emancipation have momentarily been delayed or are in limbo.
Megan Thee Stallion is releasing the diss track she debuted at Coachella.
Fans will not have to wait long for the female empowerment anthem Megan performed at the California music festival. The song drops tonight (April 21st) on music streaming platforms.
“I got this song that I recorded, and every time I play it for a woman, they start jumping and clapping,” the rapper wrote on Twitter before her performance. “I think I wanna perform it at Coachella for the first time before I actually drop it.”
The “Hot Girl Summer” star dedicated the song “to whom it may the f### concern” and described it as “very m############ personal” during her Coachella set.
Afterward, she captioned an Instagram post, “I see y’all saying y’all want it … maybe I should just gone headdd release this.”
Many fans have speculated that the song refers to Tory Lanez, who faces felony charges for allegedly shooting Megan and wounding her in the foot in 2020.
Tory Lanez pleaded not guilty to the charges, and a trial has been set for September this year.
Wu-Tang Clan enters the world of Fortnite with the launch of a Wu Wear collection in the video game.
Epic Games teamed up with Wu-Tang Clan to add Wu Wear items to Fortnite. Two outfits, a Wu Wear Worldwide Back Bling, pickaxes and more will be available in the game’s Item Shop on Saturday (April 23) at 8 p.m. EST. Additional items coming to the game include the Shimmy Surfer Glider, a Wu-Tang is Forever Emote and a special loading screen.
“Fortnite has been in my household for years,” RZA said in a press release. “It’s been a pleasure and joy watching the game evolve, while becoming the go to pastime. This collaboration is a multigenerational ‘drip’ of swag and cool. If what you say is true, Fortnite and Wu-Tang could be Fortangerous.”
Fans will also have the opportunity to purchase the in-game outfits to wear in real life. Physical versions of Wu-Tang Clan’s Fortnite collaboration go on sale at the legendary group’s online store on April 23.
For more details about the Fortnite bundle, visit the Epic Games website. Sign up for a reminder about the limited-edition merch drop here.
Check out a preview of the Wu-Tang Clan items in Fortnite below.
RMC Mike is one of the hardest rappers to come out of Flint, Michigan, and he’s ready to take over the rap game once and for all. Getting his start creating music that consisted of straight s###-talking, the rising star is the definition of a spitter, equipped with aggressive bars, witty punchlines, and nothing but the real in all his rhymes.
In describing himself, he states, “RMC Mike is a real humble, laidback dude from Flint, Michigan, who started a whole trend of music out here: which is s###-talking. I’m just a young man trying to make my way in this world.”
If you’re an RMC Mike fan, you immediately recognize that raspy voice the second you hear it. Having been named one of the top rappers to come out of Flint by Spotify’s Rap Caviar platform, Mike is here to inspire and motivate, giving fans the hope they need that they too can make their wildest dreams come true.
Fast forward to today, Mike unleashes his highly-anticipated album titled Junior Season, the follow up to his previous project titled Rookie Season. The 14-track project features all-star features from Lil Yachty, Peezy, Louie Ray, and Rio Da Yung OG — a fellow Flint native that he actually has a whole tape with. And while Mike still stays in Flint, he doesn’t plan on being there much longer.
AllHipHop: What was it like growing up in Flint, Michigan?
RMC Mike: Being from Flint, I can say it was challenging. I had a real challenging childhood. Flint’s just small, we don’t have a lot of opportunities. I really was trying to find my way, trying to find something to do. There’s really nothing to do for real back home. You damn near gotta make something to do to stay out of trouble.
AllHipHop: When did you fall in love with music?
RMC Mike: I’ve always been a music head honestly. My mom and them were big on music. Her favorite rapper was Mystikal, that should say a lot. I listened to a lot of Cash Money, Tupac, and all of that when we were younger, from my mama. You see my pops, he was a lil older so he’s old school. I have an old soul from him though, because I listen to a lot of old school music too. Like Earth Wind & Fire, Isley Brothers, all them. I’ve been a fan of music my whole life.
AllHipHop: Did you always have that same voice?
RMC Mike: Nope! [laughs] That’s a real common question. I really don’t know, I just woke up one day and it was like this.
AllHipHop: Forreal? It wasn’t always raspy?
RMC Mike: Nah, not at all. I got some music on SoundCloud prolly from 4 to 5 years back where I sound like a little kid for real. It just came one day.
AllHipHop: How would you describe your sound?
RMC Mike: Unique, raw. I call it blunt rap, basically just tell it like it is. We don’t have no filter.
AllHipHop: When was the moment you realized you could do music for a living?
RMC Mike: Honestly when I got my first rap check, I knew there was a possibility I could make a living off of it. Which it wasn’t much, but that was a lot of motivation for me. My first rap check was only $800. We had dropped a CD, me and Rio had dropped a CD. My manager Will just called me one day like “Y’all got some money.” I’m like “what?” He’s like “yeah, y’all got paid from Distrokid.”
AllHipHop: $800? That’s a nice lil check!
RMC Mike: It wasn’t a lot, but it was still motivational. S###, all I gotta do is rap? And I’ll make some more money? Hell yeah.
AllHipHop: Talk about your relationship with Rio Da Yung OG, obviously he’s one of the biggest out of Flint.
RMC Mike: I didn’t meet Rio until damn near freshman year of high school. That’s when we got close, I knew of him because we grew up in the same hood. I used to see him around the same neighborhood, but we didn’t get close until around 9th or 10th grade. It was one of those relationships where you know how you can just meet somebody, and y’all just click off the dribble like that? We clicked and he’s been my brother ever since. I’m talking everyday together, forreal forreal. Wake up, he’s damn near the first person I call. Me and Rio, we’ve been tied in since the first time we met forreal.
AllHipHop: He’s independent too right?
RMC Mike: Yeah, I mean we got a distribution deal together through EMPIRE. This what it is: we signed to Ghetto Boyz and we have a distribution deal through EMPIRE. What I like about it is that they damn near give us our freedom like we’re independent. At the end of the day, we still are independent because we’re not signed to no major.
AllHipHop: Have you had label offers? Is that something you want to do?
RMC Mike: We’ve done had a couple offers, but it wasn’t making sense right now. I’ll put it like this, I really come from nothing. So if they offer something that’s life-changing, then why wouldn’t we? That’s the whole point, is to get up out the hood. If they could offer something to change my whole life, why wouldn’t I? But that’s not really what I’m looking for. If the opportunity presents itself, I don’t know I might sign. That ain’t really the goal, I’m a be Ghetto Boyz for life. As soon as I get bigger, I’m a start my own label.
AllHipHop: How did you get your name “RMC Mike?”
RMC Mike: I really got it from my brother Reese. Before I started rapping, my brother Reese was the rapper. He ended up going to prison so I took it and ran with it forreal. Put the RMC in front of my name and it took off. That’s my brother though, he came up with the whole Real Money Counter theme. I was obligated to hold it down, so that’s what I did.
AllHipHop: Junior Season out now, how are you feeling?
RMC Mike: Yes sir, I’m feeling good. I peaked at #35 on the Top 200 list and that’s a blessing for me. I’m happy about it, just to be on the chart period! It’s a million artists out here, it’s a lot of people that drop that don’t make the charts. The fact that I’m on there, and I charted Top 50!? That’s big for me. Especially with me being an underground artist still, that’s a blessing.
AllHipHop: Why is it Junior Season?
RMC Mike: I started with a series. My first solo mixtape/album, whatever you want to call it, was called Rookie Season. I’m going about it like levels of life. I’d look at it like when you’re in school, you start off as a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior? I went with that, I thought it was a good idea.
AllHipHop: Did you used to hoop?
RMC Mike: I actually did. I never played on an organized team, but I used to play all the time in the hood. I played for a summer league called Flint Affiliation Flint (an AAU team,) I used to hoop everyday. I played football too. I played football even before high school.
Blac Chyna insisted she didn’t point a gun at her ex-fiancé, Rob Kardashian, in 2016 as she testified during her trial against the Kardashians on Wednesday.
When she took to the witness stand at the Los Angeles Superior Court, the model, real name Angela White, was asked about the abuse allegations Rob made against her in 2017.
He claimed she pointed a gun at his head and tried to strangle him with a phone charger cord at his half-sister Kylie Jenner’s house in late 2016.
During her testimony, the 33-year-old alleged she took Rob’s gun from the dresser while he was on FaceTime with his friends. She insisted she was simply “being silly,” and nobody was alarmed by her actions.
“It was not loaded,” she testified. “I would never shoot Rob or anyone at that. It was just joking, like, ‘HA, HA!'”
Rob’s mother Kris Jenner was present in court, as was Kylie and the 35-year-old’s older sisters, Kim and Khloe Kardashian. Chyna is expected to give further testimony today (April 1st).
She is suing the four defendants for defamation and illegally interfering with her contracts. The TV personality claimed Kris falsely accused her of physically abusing Rob in an attempt to smear her reputation and end her reality TV career.
Blac Chyna is seeking $100 million for loss of past and future earnings over the cancellation of her reality series “Rob & Chyna.”
Rob and Chyna, who shared a five-year-old daughter named Dream, split in 2017. The show ran for one season in 2016.
Joel Embiid from the Philadelphia 76ers believes it’s “God’s Plan” for him to get a championship ring, especially after beating the Toronto Raptors during Game 3 in the playoffs.
With 2.5 seconds remaining in the hard-fought overtime, the score 101-101, the Cameroonian hit a buzzer-beating 3-pointer with less than 1 second on the shot clock.
Harris said, “In the first half Drake was over there saying [Embiid] can’t play here. I said, ‘He can play here, for sure.’ [Drake] was like, ‘Nah, he can’t play here.'”
So, at the end of the game, when walking past the celebrity floor-seat ticket holder, he returned the troll.
He said to the rap star, “I thought you were a superstar. Get you’re a## on, I’m coming for the sweep,” he joked.
TIP is doing his thing on so many fronts, you gotta love it. If you don’t you might just be a hater. SO, I am looking at the internet a bit and come across our own interview! I had not seen this in-depth interview with COMEDIAN Tip Harris!
The whole interview is good, but I drilled down on the conversation about Will Smith and Chris Rock. I know its getting a bit old, but it cracked me up. Tip suggests to Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur and Slops that he would still “defend” his fam no matter WHO. So, The Rock was in the building the day of the infamous slap and so…what if it was The Rock and not Chris Rock?
TI: If [The Rock] says your mom is a ((some thing really bad)) in front of your mama. Can you determine how you would respond to that? If The Rock said it…you gonna let The Rock get that off in front of your mother?
Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur: HE MIGHT!
Seriously. You gotta see this. For context, Tip was also talking about the incident with Lauren Knight, the female comedian that had some jokes about his wife and his life. They talk about “the line” and if there is one in comedy.
This all happens around the 27-minute mark.
Here is the caption from the AllHipHopTV page:
Much has been made of Tip “T.I.” Harris’s recently, sudden foray into stand-up comedy. The former trapper has delved into acting with plenty comedic offerings, but stand-up is a different animal. The AllHipHop Team, including Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur, Slops and DJ Boy Wonda, linked up with the man himself right before he took the big jump on stage at the highly-publicized performances at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. In this chat, Tip talks comedy, why he does it, who he loves and more. He gets into this whole Atlanta / Omeretta The Great / Ludacris conversation. Lastly, he says he’s closing a big chapter in his life as a Hip-Hop artist.
Mike Tyson is not to be played with. That’s the number one rule with the champ. I’m not sure, but some guy on a plane apparently didn’t know the rule.
Mike Tyson is one of the most feared and heralded boxers ever to race the sport. And he is primarily known for his knockout power and his dynamic, explosive style of fighting.
This reputation has carried with him throughout his life.
In the year 2022, some fool on a flight out of San Francisco to Florida, thought it was a good idea to provoke Mike.
According to TMZ, a man decided to repeatedly harass Mike Tyson on a flight. At first it was cool, according to witnesses. Mike even took a selfie. However, the man continued to provoke and harass Mike. Part of the interaction is captured on video by TMZ sports. The actual fracas is not on tape.
The only thing that is recorded is the aftermath, where the man appears to have blood dripping from his pathetic face. Mike walked off of the plane shortly after the alleged assault.
This man has already gone to police after receiving medical attention.
Mike Tyson repeatedly punches man in the face on JetBlue flight, bloodies passenger https://t.co/P6w36atOMe
I can see this may result in some sort of a legal problem with Mike Tyson, but I don’t see it as anything lawyers cannot handle. As seen in the video, he was acting a damn fool towards Mike Tyson, who was minding his business. Furthermore, sources are saying that the man was actually drunk and just kept messing around!
In the words of The Joker: “You get what you deserve!“
Three weeks after Will Smith smacked Chris Rock in the face at the 94th Academy Awards, it appears the Smith family is still not ready to talk about the situation in a public forum. Will’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, did issue a new statement.
There were reports that Will Smith planned to discuss the incident in an upcoming episode of Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk. A new installment of the Facebook Watch program premiered on Wednesday, and Jada used the opening moments of the show to address the topic a lot of people are waiting to hear out more about.
“Considering all that has happened in the last few weeks, the Smith family has been focusing on deep healing. Some of the discoveries around our healing will be shared at the table when the time calls,” read a message from Jada Pinkett Smith.
The Matrix Resurrections star’s onscreen text continued, “Until then… Table will continue offering itself to powerful, inspiring, and healing testimonies like that of our incredibly impressive first guest. Thanks for joining us.” Jada Pinkett Smith, Willow Smith, and Adrienne Banfield-Norris invited singer/actress Janelle Monáe on for the latest episode of the show.
Will Smith Apologized For Hitting Chris Rock In Defense Of Jada Pinkett Smith
Rapper-turned-actor Will Smith assaulted Chris Rock on stage at this year’s Academy Awards after Rock made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s bald head. Jada shaved her hair off after revealing she suffers from the autoimmune disorder known as alopecia.
Following his Oscar win for Best Actor forKing Richard, Will Smith apologized to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and his fellow nominees during the ceremony. The four-time Grammy winner later offered an Instagram apology to Chris Rock.
Will Smith also voluntarily resigned from AMPAS following the backlash caused by his assault on live television. The Academy then banned the Hip Hop artist formerly known as the Fresh Prince from attending any of the organization’s events for ten years.
RaaShaun “DJ Envy” Casey is currently on a media run to promote his new book titled Real Life, Real Love: Life Lessons on Joy, Pain & the Magic That Holds Us Together.
DJ Envy’s wife, Gia Casey, co-wrote Real Life, Real Love. As part of the promotion for their nonfiction publication, The Casey Crew podcasters revealed deeply personal information to the public.
Comedian Rip Micheals sat down with DJ Envy for Urban Eats & Treats. The first episode of the food and travel series from Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud Studios included Envy explaining why he and his spouse are so open about their marriage.
Urban Eats & Treats Trailer
“Me and my wife have been married twenty years. This year is our twenty-year anniversary. So many people ask, ‘How do you stay together so long?’ We’ve been together twenty-seven years, married for twenty,” DJ Envy told Rip Micheals.
The Breakfast Club co-host added, “So we decided let’s do a podcast and talk about it. But if we talk about it, we gotta be real. So we talk about the good, the bad, the ugly. We talk about everything.”
Apparently, The Casey Crew also helps DJ Envy maintain his positive mental health. The 44-year-old radio personality said, “It’s kinda like therapy for me. It gives me time to just talk about our relationship and how I feel. And my wife goes back. It’s just great. It helps a lot of couples.”
Urban Eats & Treats with Rip Micheals also features discussions withNick Cannon, Bill Bellamy, Shaquille O’Neal, Jacquees, Tone Bell, Tamar Braxton, Deon Cole, Brandon T. Jackson, Affion Crockett, and more. All episodes of Urban Eats & Treats are available now on-demand via Peacock, PlutoTV, Roku, and Xumo.
Bronx Drill rapper Kevin “Kay Flock” Perez is experiencing a breakout moment. With the help of fellow BX native and global superstar Cardi B, the Capitol recording artist is gaining international exposure following the release of his new “Shake It” single.
Kay Flock is still relatively unknown to a large number of Hip Hop fans. However, viewers will have the chance to get to know the presently incarceratedThe D.O.A. Tape creator better when the Brotherly Love: The Kay Flock Story documentary arrives.
In the meantime, Kay Flock’s verified YouTube channel posted a teaser trailer for Brotherly Love. The 53-second video includes the teenager’s friends and family members discussing his rise in the music industry. Bronx-bred rhymer Lil Tjay appears in the clip as well.
Kay Flock and Lil Tjay collaborated together on 2021’s “Not in the Mood” which peaked at #61 on Billboard’s Hot 100 weekly chart. Tjay’s track also featured Brooklyn Drill artist Fivio Foreign.
In addition, Kay Flock found success as a lead artist with his “Is Ya Ready” single. Since its premiere in August 2021, the music video for “Is Ya Ready” amassed more than 25 million views on YouTube. “Being Honest (Remix)” featuring Chicago’s G Herbo has passed the 17-million-view mark.
“Shake It” featuring Cardi B, Dougie B, and Bory300 is likely to be Kay Flock’s biggest hit to date. The song’s video is currently trending at #2 in YouTube’s music section. It already has over 2 million Spotify streams. Plus, “Shake It” remains in the Top 20 of Apple Music’s Top 100: USA chart.
Despite expressing some reservations about recording her viral verse for “Shake It,” Cardi B has been heavily promoting the song on her social media accounts. Many of the Grammy winner’s 128 million Instagram followers got to see numerous TikTok dance videos using the Elias Beats-produced record.
On Wednesday, the United States Department of Justice concluded there is reasonable cause to believe that conditions and practices at the Mississippi State Penitentiary violate the Eighth and Fourteenth Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.
Some of the violations cited by the DOJ include failure to provide adequate mental health treatment, failure to take sufficient suicide prevention measures, subjecting people to prolonged isolation in solitary confinement, and failure to protect incarcerated people from violence by other incarcerated people.
“On behalf of Team Roc, we are pleased to see the Department of Justice recognize the horrific conditions in Mississippi’s prisons. Because of the inhumane conditions, we filed lawsuits in Mississippi to help protect the men living inside the infamous Parchman prison,” says Desiree Perez, Roc Nation CEO.
Perez continues, “For years, the incarcerated population has been forced to live inside rat-infested conditions and survive with a water system contaminated with human feces all with non-existent healthcare resources available to them. Over the past three years, the death toll has been utterly devastating and we hope today’s report brings many families and their loved ones one step closer toward getting the justice they deserve. We applaud the Department of Justice for their report.”
Later that year, attorneys and medical experts working with Jay-Z, Yo Gotti, and Team Roc uncovered the unsanitary and unsafe quality of Parchman. Video footage and photographs showed inmates were subject to foul-smelling water, dilapidated restrooms, flooded floors, exposed wires, and other inexcusable situations.
In partnership with @TeamRoc@SC@YoGotti & produced by #RocNation@GoodCaper comes an investigative event about the deplorable conditions in Mississippi’s Parchman Prison, following a civil rights lawsuit filed on behalf of the inmates. “Exposing Parchman”(WT) coming soon to A&E pic.twitter.com/xDguJfMSsP
The DOJ Is Investigating Several Facilities Run By The Mississippi Department of Corrections
“The Constitution guarantees that all people incarcerated in jails and prisons are treated humanely, that reasonable measures are taken to keep them safe, and that they receive necessary mental health care, treatment, and services to address their needs,” says Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division.
Clarke continues, “Our investigation uncovered evidence of systemic violations that have generated a violent and unsafe environment for people incarcerated at Parchman. We are committed to taking action that will ensure the safety of all people held at Parchman and other state prison facilities. We look forward to working with state officials to institute comprehensive reforms.”
The Justice Department’s investigation into Parchman Farm began in February 2020. Inquiries into conditions at Southern Mississippi Correctional Institution, Central Mississippi Correctional Facility, and Wilkinson County Correctional Facility are ongoing.
“Our office is dedicated to defending the civil rights of all our district’s residents, including those who are incarcerated. We look forward to continuing to work with the Mississippi Department of Corrections to protect the civil rights of those incarcerated at Parchman,” states U.S. Attorney Clay Joyner for the Northern District of Mississippi.
Organizers of the 2022 Tribeca Festival revealed this year’s feature and short film lineup. In addition, Tribeca will present a series of live conversations and performances featuring high-profile entertainers, including Dominique “Lil Baby” Jones.
Grammy Award-winning Hip Hop artist Lil Baby is one of the performers for the event. The Quality Control Music signee will hit the stage following the world premiere of the Untrapped: The Story of Lil Baby documentary.
For Untrapped, director Karam Gill covers Lil Baby’s transformation from a local Atlanta hustler to becoming one of Hip Hop’s biggest modern stars. Lil Baby, Karam Gill, Pierre “P” Thomas, Kevin “‘Coach K” Lee, Daniel Malikyar, Andrew Primavera, and Blase Biello serve as producers.
Additionally, the 2022 Tribeca Festival will feature screenings for David Caplan’s The DOC documentary as well as the Taurus motion picture starring Colson “Machine Gun Kelly” Baker. DJ Quik, Das, Kurupt, and surprise guests will present a special birthday performance for Tracy “The D.O.C.” Curry after the movie.
Machine Gun Kelly will make a special appearance at Tribeca following the North American premiere of Taurus. The feature narrative also stars Maddie Hasson, Demetrius “Lil Meech” Flenory, Megan Fox, Ruby Rose, Scoot McNairy, Lil TJay, and Naomi Wild. MGK provided the film’s original music.
The 2022 Tribeca Festival Includes 88 World Premieres & 2 U.S. Premieres
“This 2022 feature film program leaves us proud and humbled by the boundless ingenuity and passion of our indefatigable filmmaking community,” says Cara Cusumano, Festival Director and VP of Programming.
Cara Cusumano adds, “Whether a comedic breath of fresh air or a trenchant expose of the most urgent contemporary issues, this year’s official selections again remind us of the vitality and urgency of independent film in a world that needs it more than ever.”
The 2022 Tribeca Festival takes place in New York City fromJune 8-19. The features program showcases109 films and 16 online premieres from 150 filmmakers across 40 countries. This year’s shorts program includes 43 shorts in competition, 10 music videos, 9 Tribeca Online Premieres, and 18 special screening shorts from 25 countries worldwide.
“Tribeca received a record number of more than 7,200 shorts submissions,” says Sharon Badal, Tribeca Vice President of Filmmaker Relations and Shorts Programming. “We’re excited to have music videos in our programming, and curated a crazy late-night program — one about love in all shapes and sizes, and a peaceful program where our audience can just escape and chill out. Each year my co-programmer Ben Thompson and I try to do something different, and this year is no exception.”
Digga D dropped a banger of a video from his Noughty By Nature mixtape, proving he’s one of the most prolific rappers in the U.K. right now.
The West London drill rapper teased his fans with the “Alter Ego” video on Wednesday (Apr. 20) and let them know it’s been a long time coming. “5k comments I’ll drop tonight at 7pm,” he penned in the caption. “ALTER EGO😈. Finally. ITS BEEN A LONG 3 YEARS🏁” Watch the video below.
One of the leading lights in the U.K. drill scene, Digga D is proving his credentials on both sides of the Atlantic. His Noughty By Nature tape includes features from the likes of Moneybagg Yo, B Lovee, and Hotboii. He also secured the first-ever Rap Snacks deal for a U.K. rapper last month.
Digga D’s much-hyped third mixtape may prove his most popular yet. He is currently leading the race to top the U.K. album charts, which would make Noughty By Nature his first-ever U.K. No. 1 tape and his second top. 10. Made in the Pyrex reached Number 3 in 2021 and remains his highest peak to date.
.@DiggaD_CGM is coming for his first UK Number 1 album with Noughty By Nature 🔥
Before dropping the video, Digga D teased a new tour and his upcoming collaborations during an interview with MTV UK. He also discussed his use of 50 Cent samples which feature on several of the songs on his new tape.
“As I was growing up all I listened to was 50 Cent,” he said. “The way I can show that I rate him so much is by sampling his music.” When asked if Fiddy had reached out yet, Digga D hinted at the pair possibly working together. “There’s something happening soon,” he revealed.
He explained that he feels “no pressure” to chart and is currently enjoying his career, traveling the world. He then announced an upcoming tour and said his next and fourth project is likely to be another mixtape. “I want my album to be fifth” he explained.
While Digga D refused to name his upcoming features, he did hint at future transatlantic collabs. “I’m trying to connect New York drill and U.K. drill. That’s what I’m focusing on right now. They’ve got some crazy artists over there jumping on our beats,” he added.
50 Cent has been challenged by Benzino to settle their differences “mano a mano” in a celebrity boxing match.
The G Unit boss has been mocking Benzino on Instagram over his alleged relationship with a transgender woman. Clips of the former The Source magazine owner talking to Shauna Brooks surfaced online, and people began speculating that the pair were in a relationship. Benzino firmly denies having any romantic relationship with Brooks and claims the clips were edited in an effort to smear him. He said he once starred in a movie with her and the conversation occurred years ago.
However, 50 Cent took the opportunity to roast Benzino in multiple Instagram posts. Despite addressing Fiddy’s claims during a conversation with QueenzFlip, Benzino has had enough and wants to settle it in the ring.
Benzino Challenges 50 Cent To Step In The Ring
Benzino has teamed up with fight promotors, Celebrity Boxing and is calling out Fiddy to come and fight him.
On Wednesday (Apr. 20), Celebrity Boxing shared a video of Benzino signing his fight contract and calling out 50 Cent. “You wanna be a man about things, step in the ring,” he said, directly to Fif. “Because that’s where men settle they differences. F### all that internet s###. Step in the ring, mano a mano.”
After signing the contract, he raises his arms to flaunt his muscles before repeating the call to 50. “What we doin’?,” he demands.
The promotor also addressed 50 Cent, letting him know they already have a date locked in for the fight, he just needs to sign on the dotted line.
According to the caption, cryptocurrency entrepreneur Rodney “Bitcoin Rodney” will host the event scheduled for June 11.
However, it appears 50 Cent ignored the challenge and continued with his trolling campaign on Instagram. He uploaded a screenshot from Shauna Brooks’s Twitter account.
“👀There must be a lot of this going on,” he penned in the caption before tagging Benzino.
Cardi B caused some confusion amongst her followers on Wednesday night (Apr. 20) when she posted a voice note claiming that recording her new song “Shake It” was “activating demons” from her past.
In the now-deleted voice recording, Cardi B becomes emotional as she explains she never wanted to record a drill song because she knew the effect it would have.
“I’ve been having these weird feelings lately,” Cardi begins. “That’s kinda why I didn’t want to do this song, “Shake It’ or any drill song.”
She continued, “These songs are activating these demons that I killed. I don’t wanna be that girl anymore. I just wanna be a mother,” Cardi said, her voice trembling with emotion.
Belcais then claimed she did want to be “that old Cardi” anymore and that she left that “lifestyle” behind her. “I don’t wanna be that anymore and she’s coming back,” she said.
She reiterated that she wants to be a mother but “the song is activating demons that I locked away a long time ago. I don’t want to be that, I want to be a good person,” Cardi B declared before sniffling into the microphone.
While Cardi B later deleted the post, it was of course screen recorded and seen by many of her online followers before she took it down. Some responded with concern for the rapper, while others assumed she was joking.
When the Tidal attempted to give Cardi an Oscar for her acting skills via a meme of the famous gold statue, she doubled down somewhat.
Cardi fired back a meme of her own, the smiling face of influencer and comedian Radel Ortiz. “I was being deadass,” she replied.
Earlier on Wednesday, Cardi B heaped praise on one of her “Shake It” collaborators. “I’m so proud of Kay Flock!” she tweeted. “Pulling over 1.7 million views in the first day on his video as an up and coming artist is big! BX stand up!
Cardi B dropped the Bronx Drill anthem “Shake It” last week, which also features Dougie B and Bory300. Watch the video below.
Drake has been granted a three-year restraining order against the “stalker” who he claims harassed him for years.
His history with Mesha Collins dates back to at least 2017, when she was first arrested for trespassing at his Hollywood Hills residence. She also attempted to file a $4 billion defamation suit against him. Then, after that lawsuit was dismissed, Collins tried to file a restraining order against Drake.
Now, according to reports, a judge has ordered Collins to stay at least 100 yards away and stop contacting the singer and his family.
29-year-old Collins was not present at the court hearing on Tuesday (Apr. 19). However, she will be served with the order after it was determined that she was “given timely and proper notice” to explain her side of the story to the court.
“Ms. Collins is a stalker,” Drake noted in his petition. “I have no relationship whatsoever with her. I am concerned that giving notice would prompt Ms. Collins to attempt to come to my home or harm me, as her behavior is escalating from merely suing me to wishing me dead.”
However, earlier this month, his attorney filed court documents stating the harassment was continuing. He claimed Collins was not only still harassing Drake but him too, as his lawyer. According to reports, Collins threatened to “invade [Drake’s] home again” if she didn’t get her a new home and vehicle.
“Please ask him to help me get a Brand New House and Car as my birthday is on April 29th. I will have no choice but to invade his home again. Please! I Love Him and need money,” she allegedly said.
