Bosses at the prestigious Howard University have admonished actress and faculty member Phylicia Rashad for lacking “sensitivity” for sexual assault survivors following her celebration of Bill Cosby’s prison release.
Rashad was one of the few people to applaud Pennsylvania Supreme Court officials’ decision to overturn her former “The Cosby Show” co-star’s 2018 sex crimes conviction and set him free on Wednesday, citing legal technicalities during his trial.
Reacting to the news of his release, the actress, who played the disgraced funnyman’s onscreen wife from 1984 to 1992, declared: “FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!”
Backlash ensued online, and Rashad subsequently returned to Twitter to insist she meant no offense with her original comment – although she notably stopped short of apologizing for her ongoing support of Cosby.
I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.
“Survivors of sexual assault will always be our priority,” begins a statement issued late on Wednesday.
“While Dean Rashad has acknowledged in her follow-up tweet that victims must be heard and believed, her initial tweet lacked sensitivity towards survivors of sexual assault.”
“Personal positions of University leadership do not reflect Howard University’s policies,” it continued, although it appears Rashad will retain her academic position.
“We will continue to advocate for survivors fully and support their right to be heard. Howard will stand with survivors and challenge systems that would deny them justice. We have full confidence that our faculty and school leadership will live up to this sacred commitment.”
As we all know by now, Jim Jones is one of the most engaged fitness junkies in Hip-Hop. He has, through the years, promoted his healthy lifestyle to the people. So we all know this, but he raised more than a few eyebrows when he went to do some pull ups and his whole legs were showing. Well, I think there’s a really good reason for why his legs look like that, but we still do not know. The comments were completely hilarious under the post, but Jim didn’t take it down. In fact he took it in stride which I found to be pretty cool.
What Jim did you, was respond in a way that only a diplomat could. He basically challenged everybody to do one thing that he can do that most of us cannot. Go down on one leg and get up on that same leg. He demonstrated what he challenged everyone to do that said he had no legs to do it. And he did it! Now I tried to do this and promptly realized I can’t. But this is how social media works! The peanut gallery jumps in comments with all their jokes and stuff, but really is full of trash. I didn’t say a word even though I did enjoy the comments!
Get out to Jim Jones, because he’s certainly engaging on social media in a way that most people are not. Him and Conway have been talking about “battling” recently, but I don’t see it happening.
Spike Lee is bringing together his great loves of filmmaking and basketball by shooting the opening sequences for the 2021 National Basketball Association Finals.
The four sequences will each be inspired by icons of the sport, and New York Knicks superfan Spike is thrilled to be involved in the Finals coverage.
In a statement obtained by Variety, he writes, “As a basketball aficionado and an orange-and-blue (Knicks) faithful it is my honor and pleasure to direct the NBA Finals opens.
“I thank Commissioner Adam Silver, (producers) ESPN and ABC for giving me the opportunity to do what I love – sports and cinema. YA-DIG? SHO-NUFF,”
The NBA Finals will be a showdown between the Western Conference champs the Phoenix Suns and either the Milwaukee Bucks or the Atlanta Hawks.
The Bucks are up 3-2 games as they battle it out for the Eastern Conference title.
Dubbo has a penchant for captivating listeners with his charismatic, confident delivery and hard-hitting flows. With his natural swagger and innate lyrical ability, he’s an artist who will make an imprint on any song. As the next prominent rapper coming out of Texas, Dubbo has already amassed an impressive catalog, consisting of several singles and an extended project. Following the success of his last single, “Valero,” Dubbo drops his latest single and video today, “Beat Up The Belly 2.”
Since releasing his first single in November of 2019, Dubbo has significantly evolved as an artist, crafting his lyrics to match the energy of his music, which has recently earned him a coveted spot on the Austin Chronicle’s ‘Austin Rappers to Know in ’21’ list. “Beat Up The Belly 2” showcases those developments; however, despite the intensity of the track, Dubbo makes his work look effortless. On top of a daunting piano melody and booming 808s produced by fellow labelmate The Bird House, Dubbo wastes no time introducing himself; as soon as the beat drops, he’s in go-mode, moving methodically between sections while sustaining the level of energy that’s expected of him.
Along with the release of the single, Dubbo has also dropped the video for “Beat Up The Belly 2.” It’s an unrelenting video: quick cuts and close-up shots bring the visual to life. Directed by Kade Fresco for Fresco Filmz, the video perfectly complements the energy of the track, and Dubbo never fails to entertain with his visuals.
In its entirety, “Beat Up The Belly 2” sees Dubbo at his very best, flaunting his success and giving listeners a glimpse of his rowdy lifestyle. His ad-libs flawlessly complement his style, adding accents to his bars and injecting energy into the track. Together, Dubbo’s vocals and the song’s production are engaged in a fast-pace dance, creating a dynamic and alluring rhythm for listeners to turn up to. Listen to Dubbo’s “Beat Up The Belly 2” now.
Song credits Song produced by: The Bird House Video directed by: Kade Fresco for Fresco Filmz Cover art: MSUdrawings
For more information about Dubbo, please visit: https://linktr.ee/dubbo
ABOUT BABYGRANDE RECORDS:
Babygrande is an American independent record label and creative collective comprised of musicians, filmmakers, photographers, painters and writers. Founded in 2001 by Chuck Wilson, former Director of A&R at Priority Records/EMI, Babygrande has emerged as one of the premier independent labels operating today. Babygrande has a catalog of over 3000 albums, music videos, and online content that includes Hip-Hop, EDM, indie rock and everything in between. Babygrande has helped launch the careers of new artists and has nurtured the careers of seasoned veterans. As it heads towards its 25th Anniversary, Babygrande continues to focus on quality music and working with artists whose work ethic, craftsmanship, talent and sounds are superior.
For more information on Babygrande Records, please visit: https://linktr.ee/babygrande
Mary J. Blige has credited her fans for saving her from suicidal thoughts.
The 50-year-old musician has admitted she considered taking her own life early in her professional career, but ultimately chose to seek help because she knew she had fans who were counting on her.
“I think subconsciously, I was like, ‘Oh I can’t kill myself now. All these people, somebody’s going to come behind me,’ because people were too diehard and strong and emotional about this album (My Life),” she told People magazine. “So I believe in my subconscious, I was like ‘I can’t (die) now. I’ve just got to thug this out. I’ve got to push through.’ And so I just kept pushing and pushing, no matter how hard it got, no matter how ugly it got.”
The “Family Affair” hitmaker has been dealing with her mental health for over two decades, and although it’s an ongoing process, Mary says she’s in a much better place than she used to be.
“It’s not as bad as it was, I’m in a great place. But I have to fight for my freedom and my happiness every single day because that was some heavy imprisonment, you know?” she added. (
Cardi B gave fans a ringside seat to her second pregnancy by sharing a video of her very active unborn baby.
The “Bodak Yellow” star, who recently revealed her pregnancy after a surprise performance at the BET Awards on Sunday, posted a video of her unborn child moving around inside her belly.
As music from a children’s show played in the background, Cardi focused the camera on her growing bump, showing the baby’s vigorous movements.
“Oh my God!” she exclaimed as the baby moved.
The rapper stunned fans with her appearance at the BET Awards on Sunday, showing off her baby bump during a performance with her husband Offset’s group Migos, but didn’t comment on the news until the next day.
“We listened to each other, communicated, prayed and then God blessed us and our family with another little blessing,” she wrote under a picture of Offset caressing her baby bump from behind. “Our home feels so blissful and very busy but we are ready and so happy!! Thank you soo much everyone for the congrats and well wishes.”
Posing in photos with her daughter Kulture, Cardi added: “I just know these two will love each other soo much and argue soo much since they’re 3 years apart… But one thing for sure is they’ll have each other’s back like no one else ever will.”
Rapper and singer Mumu Fresh is probably the freshest voice in modern music that’s been a staple with all the lyricists that you respect. It is nothing for you to hear her on a track with iconic voices like Black Thought, Tobe Nwigwe, Salaam Remi, or Pharoahe Monch and so her recent collab “North Star” with the GRAMMY-nominated D Smoke is not only blasting your speakers but elevating the vibrations in the room.
A nod to the journey to freedom that was traveled by so many self-emancipated Africans in America, the opening credit sets the tone:
“In 1864, Safe Houses along The Underground Railroad were often indicated by coded quilts hanging from a clothesline. Those escaping slavery were instructed to follow the Big Dipper which pointed toward The North Star.”
Mumu’s voice is like honey over the narrator and the black and white cinematography reminds you of the stories of so many ancestors, realigning the narrative that American politicians may have laced over the Juneteenth narrative.
This mini-movie, produced by A Mecca Filmworks, directed by T.L Benton, and executive produced by Maimouna Youssef herself, should be as celebrated as any Meg Thee Stallion, Cardi B, or DaBaby song — and performed at every Black and Brown gathering claiming to represent Black culture. Particularly in a time when so many are begging for higher vibrations in music, anyone who does not book them on your next award show, concert, or variety special a) doesn’t know music like they say they do (thusly cannot say they are authorities on this aspect of culture), b) are missing the obvious heir to Nina Simone, Lauryn Hill, and Erykah Badu hefty legacy and is disrespectful to the concept of Juneteenth.
The Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) partnered with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings to create the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap. The box set chronicles Hip Hop’s cultural impact from 1979 to 2013.
“Born in the Bronx and raised across the American West and South, Hip Hop is one of the most influential genres of music in the modern era,” said Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of NMAAHC.
Young adds, “Through beats, dynamic rhymes, and pointed lyricism, Hip Hop has provided a platform for communities and generations to voice their ongoing struggles and has changed society and culture around the world.”
Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap is the latest addition to the Smithsonian African American Legacy Series which also includes Anthology of American Folk Music and Jazz: The Smithsonian Anthology. The new Hip Hop anthology includes nine CDs as well as a 300-page coffee table book featuring eleven essays from prominent music scholars, authors, and journalists.
The thoroughly researched project was produced over seven years beginning in 2014. Noted Hip Hop figures such as Chuck D, MC Lyte, Questlove, and 9th Wonder were among the key figures on the executive committee for the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap.
The 9-disk Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap contains songs by Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, LL Cool J, Eric B. & Rakim, MC Lyte, N.W.A., Queen Latifah, Public Enemy, A Tribe Called Quest, Salt-N-Pepa, Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, Lil Kim, Master P, Missy Elliot, Lauryn Hill, DMX, Eminem, OutKast, 50 Cent, Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, J. Cole, Drake, and many more acts.
Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap is said to be the first rap music compilation with songs from all three major record companies. Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group contributed records to the project.
“We wanted the Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap to be reflective of the culture, of the music, of the people, of everything that is part of Hip Hop,” said Dwandalyn R. Reece, NMAAHC’s associate director for curatorial affairs, curator of music and performing arts and producer of the anthology.
Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture and Smithsonian Folkways Recordings’ Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap is available for pre-order now. It is scheduled for release on August 20.
Smithsonian Anthology of Hip-Hop and Rap Full Tracklist
Disc 1
Fatback – King Tim III
Sugarhill Gang – Rapper’s Delight
The Sequence – Funk You Up
Kurtis Blow – The Breaks
Funky Four +1 – That’s the Joint
Spoonie Gee feat. The Sequence – Monster Jam
Treacherous Three – The Body Rock
Blondie – Rapture
Grandmaster Flash – The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force – Planet Rock
Disc 2
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message
The Fearless Four – Rockin It
Cold Crush Brothers – Punk Rock Rap
Herbie Hancock – Rockit
Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force – Looking for the Perfect Beat
Run-DMC – It’s Like That
Whodini – Friends
Cold Crush Brothers – Fresh, Fly, Wild & Bold
T. La Rock – It’s Yours
The World’s Famous Supreme Team – Hey! DJ
Newcleus – Jam On It
UTFO – Roxanne, Roxanne
Disc 3
Roxanne Shanté – Roxanne’s Revenge
Fat Boys – Fat Boys
Doug E. Fresh & MC Ricky D – La Di Da Di
LL Cool J – I Can’t Live without my Radio
Schoolly D – P.S.K. ‘What Does It Mean?’
Run-DMC feat. Aerosmith – Walk This Way
Beastie Boys – Paul Revere
Ultramagnetic MC’s – Ego Tripping
Ice-T – 6 ‘N The Mornin’
Kool Moe Dee – How Ya Like Me Now
LL Cool J – I Need Love
Eric B feat. Rakim – Eric B is President
Mantronix – King of The Beats
Disc 4
Stetsasonic feat. the Rev. Jesse Jackson & Olatunji – A.F.R.I.C.A.
Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – Parents Just Don’t Understand
Audio Two – Top Billin’
MC Lyte – Lyte As A Rock
Big Daddy Kane – Raw
Marley Marl feat. Master Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap, & Big Daddy Kane – The Symphony
MC Lyte – I Cram to Understand U (Sam)
Tone Lōc – Wild Thing
Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock – It Takes Two
Jungle Brothers – I’ll House You
N.W.A. – F### Tha Police
Public Enemy – Fight the Power
The Stop the Violence Movement – Self Destruction
Too Short – Life Is…Too Short
Slick Rick – Children’s Story
3rd Bass – The Gas Face
Disc 5
Queen Latifah feat. Monie Love – Ladies First
Public Enemy – Bring the Noise
De La Soul – Me Myself and I
Biz Markie – Just a Friend
The D.O.C. – It’s Funky Enough
2 Live Crew – Me So Horny
Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
MC Hammer – U Can’t Touch This
Vanilla Ice – Ice Ice Baby
Brand Nubian – All for One
Geto Boys – Mind Playing Tricks on Me
A Tribe Called Quest – Scenario
Black Sheep – The Choice is Yours
Salt-N-Pepa – Let’s Talk About Sex
Yo-Yo feat. Ice-Cube – Can’t Play with My Yo-Yo
Naughty By Nature – O.P.P.
Disc 6
Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg – Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang
Ice Cube – It Was a Good Day
Sir Mix-A-Lot – Baby Got Back
Arrested Development – Tennessee
Digable Planets – Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)
House of Pain – Jump Around
Positive K – I Got a Man
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
UGK – Pocket Full of Stones
Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.
Cypress Hill – Insane In The Brain
The Pharcyde – Passin’ Me By
Eightball & MJG – Comin Out Hard
Common Sense – I Used to Love H.E.R.
Da Brat – Funkdafied
Nas – N.Y. State of Mind
Craig Mack feat. The Notorious B.I.G., Rampage, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes – Flava In Your Ear
Disc 7
Beastie Boys – Sabotage
The Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy
Gang Starr feat. Nice & Smooth – DWYCK
Warren G feat. Nate Dogg – Regulate
Snoop Doggy Dogg – Murder Was The Case
E-40 feat. Suga T – Sprinkle Me
Goodie Mob – Cell Therapy
Coolio feat. L.V. – Gangsta’s Paradise
2Pac – Dear Mama
Mobb Deep – Shook Ones, Part 2
Method Man feat. Mary J. Blige – I’ll Be There For You / You’re All I Need To Get By
Foxy Brown feat. Jay-Z – I’ll Be
Lil Kim feat. Puff Daddy – No Time
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Tha Crossroads
Wu-Tang Clan feat. Cappadonna – Triumph
Busta Rhymes – Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See
Master P feat. Silkk The Shocker, Mia X, Fiend – Make ‘Em Say Uhh!
Disc 8
Missy Elliot – The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)
DMX – Ruff Ryders’ Anthem
The Roots – The Next Movement
Mos Def – Mathematics
BG – Bling Bling
dead prez – Hip Hop
Eminem feat. Dido – Stan
OutKast – Ms. Jackson
Nelly – Country Grammar (Hot S###)
Ludacris feat. Pharrell – Southern Hospitality
Nas – One Mic
50 Cent – In Da Club
Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz feat. Ying Yang Twins – Get Low
Disc 9
Talib Kweli – Black Girl Pain
Kanye West – Jesus Walks
Three 6 Mafia feat. Young Buck, Eightball & MJG – Stay Fly
Rick Ross – Hustlin’
Lupe Fiasco feat. Nikki Jean – Hip-Hop Saved My Life
Young Jezzy feat. Nas – My President
David Banner feat. Chris Brown & Yung Joc – Get Like Me
Beginning yesterday (July 1), the NCAA announced it student-athletes can now benefit from their name, image, and likeness. The new temporary NIL policy allows them to profit by monetizing social media accounts, advertising campaigns, and more.
Percy “Master P” Miller’s son, Hercy Miller, was quick to take advantage of the rule change made by the NCAA’s board of directors. The 19-year-old basketball player is headed to Tennessee State, an HBCU in Nashville, with a sizable addition to his bank account.
Hercy Miller signed a $2 million endorsement deal with Web Apps America. He will serve as the brand ambassador for the technology company which focuses on web, mobile, and augmented reality development.
“I am proud of my son, he is a leader on and off the court. Working with a technology company as a student-athlete is a first deal of its kind. Hercy will be able to increase the awareness of the HBCU system on a global level,” says Master P.
Hercy Miller adds, “I am proud to represent a company focused on technology, which is our future. We have a suite of apps that we will be launching in the very near future targeting HBCU students and student-athletes covering topics from financial literacy to healthy eating to games to networking.”
He continues, “This is a blessing. July 21st will be my first official Life Skills & Basketball Camp, which will be free to the young kids in the community. We will also be giving away back-to-school supplies. I hope this endorsement will open up more opportunities for more NCAA student-athletes.”
The NCAA was forced to alter its view on student-athletes as amateurs after over a dozen states passed laws that made it illegal for institutions to prohibit players from making money while in school. Colleges and universities are still barred from directly paying athletes.
“The new policy preserves the fact college sports are not pay-for-play,” said Division II Presidents Council chair Sandra Jordan, chancellor at the University of South Carolina Aiken. “It also reinforces key principles of fairness and integrity across the NCAA and maintains rules prohibiting improper recruiting inducements. It’s important any new rules maintain these principles.”
Hercy Miller and the Minnehaha Academy won the 2021 Minnesota State Class AAA championship in April. The Redhawks captured their fourth consecutive title by defeating Alexandria High School (80-29). Hercy’s younger brother, Mercy Miller, also plays for Minnehaha Academy.
Bill Cosby is now a free man. The 83-year-old comedian/actor was released from prison on June 30 after the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court overturned his sexual assault conviction.
The court determined Bill Cosby’s due process rights were violated. In 2005, a former Montgomery County district attorney agreed not to prosecute Cosby in exchange for his testimony in a civil case.
Another prosecutor secured a guilty verdict in 2018 by using statements Cosby made in the deposition for the civil case as part of the criminal trial. The PA Supreme Court ruled that action infringed on Cosby’s Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination.
The reaction to Bill Cosby being freed was mixed. Supporters, like The Cosby Show co-star Phylicia Rashad, referred to Cosby’s conviction as a “miscarriage of justice.”
However, other people were disturbed by the court’s decision. Some of the women who accused Bill Cosby of drugging and raping them as well as sexual assault advocates expressed confusion, anger, and concern.
Hip Hop artist Kid Cudi also voiced his opinion about the polarizing situation. The Cleveland native tweeted, “People that are celebrating Bill Cosby being released are f##### idiots.”
People that are celebrating Bill Cosby being released are f##### idiots.
Over sixty women accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault going back to the 1960s. Stand-up comic Hannibal Buress’s joke in 2014 about Cosby’s alleged sexual misconduct and the rise of the #MeToo movement in 2017 elevated the accusations to national news.
Former Temple University employee Andrea Constand claimed Bill Cosby sexually assaulted her in 2004 at his Philadelphia home. Cosby was convicted in 2018 on three counts of felony aggravated indecent assault. He was sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison.
“I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence. Thank you to all my fans, supporters, and friends who stood by me through this ordeal. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law,” tweeted Bill Cosby after being set free on Wednesday.
Once again, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson used his Instagram account to make fun of a fellow celebrity. This time, the Queens native took aim at his “Magic Stick” collaborator Kimberly “Lil Kim” Jones.
50 Cent posted a meme comparing Lil Kim’s 2021 BET Awards look to an owl. Kim was at Sunday’s ceremony in Los Angeles to take part in the tribute medley for Queen Latifah’s Lifetime Achievement Award presentation.
“Who did this s###, 👀this ain’t right. LOL catch FOR LIFE on IMDb TV now!” wrote 50 Cent about Lil Kim on IG. In addition to joking on Kim, the G-Unit Film & Television boss promoted his For Life show.
Lil Kim had words for 50 Cent as well. The Hard Core album creator responded to 50 by claiming he is really upset because she refused to go out with him at some point in the past.
The Queen Bee wrote on Instagram:
😂😂The accuracy 😭😭 Hilarious 😂 I ain’t bothered not one bit. My family & friends more mad than me. 😂 S### like this don’t move me one way or another cause I’m still a bad b#### that n##### b######, mommies, daughters, and aunties still want to be till this day and I love it!! 😂😂 @50cent I see u still in ur feels about that dinner date u asked me on that I had to turn down. Let it go u have a beautiful girlfriend, I have a loving husband. Let it go. And for those of u coming at my husband, Mr. Papers, he did real n#### s###. What a husband is suppose to do. 💪🏾💯 All y’all can go to hell. Not Respectfully. 50 Cent, I address that situation all in my book coming in November. Make sure you go get it. Pre-orders available now. Be Blessed every one, stay positive.✨
Herbert Randall Wright III (professionally known as G Herbo) is back with a new album. The Chicago-raised rapper dropped 25 today (July 2).
This is G Herbo’s first solo studio LP since 2020’s PTSD. Herbo recruited Polo G, Lil Tjay, 21 Savage, The Kid Laroi, Gunna, and Rowdy Rebel for his latest project.
“Polo and TJ, they my dogs, both of them my boys. And they was just really speaking on the trauma and the stuff that we endure every day, and not wanting to feel that way no more,” states G Herbo.
He added, “[From] being in the streets, or this industry, or dealing with life in general—I feel like a lot of people can relate to it, because it’s been a lot of change dealing with the pandemic and a lot of the stuff that’s going on. A lot of the trauma that I endured was from street violence, but we just talking about life in general on that song.”
Besides 25 and PTSD, G Herbo released 2017’s Humble Beast and 2019’s Still Swervin. In addition, the 25-year-old Republic recording artist teamed with producer Southside for the collaborative project Swervo in 2018.
There appears to be a lot of interest in G Herbo’smost recent body of workon Twitter. #GHERBO25 is one of the top trending topics on the social media platform this morning.
G Herbo also published an official music video for the 25 opening track “I Don’t Wanna Die.” He previously presented visuals for the “Really Like That” and “Break Yoself” songs.
“I’m a Hip Hop artist, so my intro always got to feel like the hardest, one of the songs with the most substance of the whole project. And ‘I Don’t Wanna Die,’ for me, is how I explain the album in a whole, just becoming 25 years old and just beating the streets,” said G. Herbo.
The former Lil Herb continued, “It’s about me reflecting on the gun violence and the killing in my city—not only from my perspective, but from a mother’s perspective, from a child’s perspective. It’s one of those records where I’m just going all the way in, there’s no hook on it, I’m just letting all my feelings and emotions come out.”
There is a reason why LL Cool J is considered the G.O.A.T.
In addition to his rap career that has spanned over five decades, he has created a multi-dimensional empire that includes various levels of entertainment and lifestyle brands.
His most recent venture takes him into a new space, that few would ever see him entering. The “Rock the Bell” mogul is about to jump headfirst into the hair and beauty maintenance industry.
According to a press release, LL Cool J has partnered with Phenix Salon Suites to bring the California based company, founded in 2007 by Gina Rivera, to the East Coast, including locations in three of New York City’s five boroughs (Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan).
The partnership will be facilitated through the brand’s largest franchisee, Kevin Davis.
Rivera is excited about the partnership — and partnering up with an old friend to provide franchisees an opportunity to own their own boutique beauty salon.
“I have known Gina Rivera, Founder of Phenix Salon Suites, for several years now,” LL Cool J shared. “I love the fact that Gina is not only the founder but also an active stylist with over 42,000 hours behind a chair servicing clients. She truly understands what it takes to make a difference in the lives of cosmetologists and estheticians.”
He continued, “Together, we are helping them realize their dreams of owning and operating their very own businesses. With Phenix, lifestyle professionals have the opportunity to flourish creatively, financially, and professionally. I’m excited to be a part of such a winning organization.”
Davis shared why LL makes a dope partner, pointing to his exceptional career and his ability to help others become bosses like he is.
“We’re excited to help lifestyle professionals pursue their dream of owning their own business by making salon suites more accessible within priority markets,” he shared.
“The timing of our partnership could not be more perfect, right on the heels of LL Cool J’s long overdue recognition with the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame,” Davis said. “His highly successful career spanning decades within the music and film industries will no doubt soon create a similar legacy in the salon suites space.”
Rivera added via a statement, “We’re excited to help lifestyle professionals pursue their dream of owning their own business by making salon suites more accessible within priority markets.”
You might have experienced what it’s like to be bombarded with problems. Life can be pretty challenging sometimes as you tread through rough paths and rocky roads. However, that’s just how life is, and it is still necessary for you to make the most out of it. Mindset coach Craig Siegel reminds people that you can overcome these difficulties with just a change of perspective.
Craig Landon Siegel is an esteemed entrepreneur, keynote speaker, performance enhancer, and breakthrough manufacturer. Craig also hosts a podcast entitled “The CLS Experience.” Although he began his career on a different pathway, Craig is now leading a movement that inspired his brand called “Cultivate Lasting Symphony.” Since the beginning, it has helped numerous people reach their full potential.
Before he embarked on this journey to assist others in realizing their capacity as individuals and leaders in this world, Craig was working in the business and finance industry. He claimed that the work was remarkable, and his income was sufficient. However, he felt something was missing in doing his job. He realized that what he was doing did not set his soul on fire.
With this realization, Craig began to reassess his life and thought of the possible ventures that would make his soul burn brighter. Eventually, he left his lucrative job and set off to establish a dynamic business in helping people develop themselves in all aspects of their lives. He wanted to mold people’s way of thinking so they believed that they could achieve all things they set their minds on.
That is why Craig created Cultivate Lasting Symphony, a movement that focuses on individual transformation. He and his team are devoted to making this movement a representation of faith, hope, and progress. They want to help people waiting for their breakthroughs by supplying them with answers through the CLSwebsite,YouTube,Instagram, andFacebook.
Craig knows that personal development is not a one-size-fits-all. He realizes that there will never be just one recipe for growth. With that in mind, Craig makes it his duty to tailor and modify each client’s Moonshot Masterpiece Experience. With his team, Craig wants each client to know that their needs are acknowledged and that their pleas are heard.
He has encountered people who are successful in their ventures but are not engaging themselves in healthy living. Some struggle to decide whether it is good to do an entire business based on their passion. All these problems are valid, and they have their own solutions.
According to Craig, the problem is that most people spend too much time worrying about unimportant things. It is necessary to remain focused, find the things you love, and go do it to be successful. “Life is too short not to try,” Craig says. He added that it is always better to fail at something you love and enjoy doing it than not trying at all and having regrets later in life.
Rapper Drake has linked up with the Los Angeles-based financial services startup Aspiration to help “reduce and offset his carbon footprint.”
The company is said to be the world leader in “Sustainability as a Service” with their banking products.
Through the partnership, Aspiration will analyze Champagne Papi’s travel itinerary and schedule to “calculate his carbon footprint and use its reforestation program to offset the estimated climate impact.”
Drake said that he believes that this is an exciting partnership for him because the brand “found an easy way to offer everyone the ability to reduce their carbon footprint. Aspiration’s innovative approach to combating climate change is really inspiring and I hope together we can help to motivate and create awareness.”
One of the offerings that Aspiration offers is an ecosystem of Clean Money products that automatically plants trees whenever the subscriber makes a purchase.
What makes Drake’s involvement so interesting is that he will be a part of their “Aspiration Sustainable Impact Services,” a process that uses technology to assist companies to shift their corporate carbon footprint.
Co-Founder and Board Member of Aspiration Joe Sanberg said, “Drake isn’t just ahead of the curve — he defines the curve. He is showing that people who live larger than life can live that life responsibly. Even more importantly, he will be leading by example as he shows his fans how spending and saving with Aspiration can easily eliminate their carbon footprint.”
Drake’s manager Future The Prince agrees that his artist is before his time, saying that he is a “visionary with big ideas.”
“I was incredibly fortunate to find him a partner to not only help him realize his personal goals but to inspire others along the way,” Future shared. “Drake, Dreamcrew, and I are all super excited about what Aspiration is doing and the possibilities and the road ahead.”
Drake, who flies in a private Boeing 767 dubbed “Air Drake,” is not the first to participate in this green tech space.
Over the last year, through this program 15 million trees have been planted — paid for by Aspiration. Their goal is to plant 100 million trees in ten years.
His lawyers claim the barbaric conditions of the facility, coupled with R. Kelly’s literacy issues, are making it impossible for him to mount a defense.
So, they are asking for R. Kelly to be released.
Earlier today (July 1), R. Kelly’s lawyers filed an emergency motion for temporary release. The singer needs to prepare his defense for trial, which is scheduled to begin on August 9, 2021.
Even though prosecutors have turned over some discovery material to R. Kelly, he cannot read them. Compounding the issue is his lawyers inability to communicate with him as he languishes in the SHU.
“It is undisputed that he is illiterate which makes in-person meetings essential so he can prepare for August 9, 2021, jury trial,” said R. Kelly’s lawyer Thomas A. Farinella.
“The lack of meaningful communications with Mr. Kelly while he is in prison and Mr. Kelly’s inability to assist in his defense, the only assurance that Mr. Kelly will be prepared for his trial in August is if he is granted immediate pre-trial release,” he added.
Lack Of Privacy Hampers R. Kelly’s Defense
R. Kelly’s lawyer says the singer has little privacy inside of MDC’s SHU. They argue the only time R. Kelly can call them is when he is in the shower.
“There is little preparation that can be done when Mr. Kelly calls counsel from a shower and has to talk through a slit in the door. These barbaric conditions fundamentally prevent Mr. Kelly from being able to assist his counsel in own his defense,” Farinella claimed.
“Every time Mr. Kelly speaks, everything he says is heard throughout the SHU due to the acoustics and echo heard reverberating throughout the SHU prison walls.” R. Kelly’s lawyer, Thomas A. Farinella
R. Kelly’s lawyers have proposed the following to the court:
(1) Execute a bond co-signed by a Financially Responsible Person.
(2) Be placed under 24-hour home confinement to be enforced by location monitoring technology to be determined by Pretrial Services. Mr. Kelly would only leave the residence for necessary medical services. All other leave from the residence would be submitted through defense counsel for the court’s approval.
(3) Mr. Kelly would not be released from MDC until all conditions are met, including the availability of location monitoring equipment.
(4) A review by this Court not to exceed 15 days, at which time the need for continued release under the “compelling reason” that release was ordered can be revisited by the Court.
(5) When home visits are scheduled by Pretrial Services, Mr. Kelly will comply with Pretrial Services’ requests to remove all cohabitants of the residence prior to the visit.
R. Kelly’s lawyers may be asking for what amounts to a “Hail Mary.” He has made three prior applications for bond, as well as an appeal for temporary release. All of his attempts were denied.
Prosecutors accused R. Kelly’s associates of sending threatening letters, allegedly at his direction. And his former managers attempted to dissuade potential witnesses from speaking. They offered up cash, and in some cases violence.
Nowadays more than ever, it seems like South Florida has been the hub for producing some of the rap game’s hottest artists, from the OGs such as Uncle Luke and Trick Daddy to the newer act such as Kodak Black and XXXTentacion (rest in peace).
Insert Foolio, who hails from Jacksonville, Florida and has been making a name for himself with his distinct raspy voice and unique sound that’s marked by relentless bars, melodic versatility, and honesty in his lyrics.
On a surface level, it may seem like Foolio is just another buzzing hot rapper on the scene. But in actuality, it goes way deeper than rap.
Falling victim to the confines of his environment, real name Charles Jones hails from a place stricken with gang violence, drugs, poverty, and everything in between. Having almost lost his own life as a teenager, the East Coast rapper lets it all out in his music, speaking his truth as a form of therapy to deal with the pain.
Released in April of this year, Foolio’s “When I See You (Remix),” which was released in response to unresolved beefs around Duval County, currently boasts over 17 million views and counting,
Regardless, Foolio has been killing it independently, most recently releasing his newest banger titled “Whip Bump” while “Play With Me” continues to go viral on TikTok.
AllHipHop: You said you’re buying jewelry on your bday, how much jewelry you got?
Foolio: I don’t got much jewelry on right now, I’m missing that. But I got two Rolex’s, a ring, some chains.
AllHipHop: What was the occasion for the Rolexes?
Foolio: When I bought them? I just wanted them. I was in the jewelry store and I wanted them.
AllHipHop: Are you doing all this independently?
Foolio: Yeah Create Music does my distribution, but I’m independent now.
AllHipHop: How does it feel to be able to buy Rolex’s as an independent artist? A lot of people can’t say that.
Foolio: It feels good. It’s good, they’re like trophies.
AllHipHop: How’s the independent grind? I’m sure you have labels hitting you…
Foolio: It’s good because I’ll make a lot of money and it all comes to me. [laughs] I had a lot of deals. Quality Control flew me out. Gucci Mane, I talked to Gucci Mane last week. We chopped it up.
AllHipHop: What was the conversation with Gucci Mane?
Foolio: S###, he f##### with my music and he wants me on the team. I f### with bruh, that’s love.
AllHipHop: Would you sign with him?
Foolio: Yeah, as long as it makes sense. Everything gotta make sense. I f### with Gucci’s s###.
AllHipHop: Were you excited?
Foolio: Yeah I was excited, but I wasn’t… I’m thorough so all that’s regular to me. Not regular, but you know.
AllHipHop: How rough was it coming up in Jacksonville?
Foolio: I done been through real deal, the worst wars. I done everything I wasn’t supposed to see, did everything I wasn’t supposed to do. From getting shot to going to jail, everything.
AllHipHop: You were shot at 15, there has to be trauma with that. How do you cope?
Foolio: I was young. I was 15 so damn, that s### f##### my head up. Because when you a jit, you don’t know that you can die for real.
AllHipHop: Where did you get hit?
Foolio: In my hip. It broke my hip, I was good though. I was in the hospital for 2 or 3 weeks to a month, I was good.
AllHipHop: What were you going through just recording “When I See You”?
Foolio: When I recorded that, I was in Miami. I didn’t really f### with the beat, but I did the song. Seeing how it sounded, I ended up liking it. I said “it’s gonna hit.” I uploaded the snippet, it hit a million views on my Instagram. That b#### went crazy.
AllHipHop: The deeper meaning behind the music video, what’s the message you were trying to convey?
Foolio: I was setting a statement, everybody knows what it was. It was setting the statement, you know? This what I do.
AllHipHop: Did you think it’d go up like this? 17 million views…
Foolio: Yup, in a month. I knew it was gonna go crazy, but I didn’t think it was gonna go that crazy. I thought it was going to do 2 or 3 million.
AllHipHop: How did your beef with Yungeen Ace start?
Foolio: It ain’t really nothing. It ain’t s###.
AllHipHop: I know witchcraft and Voodoo is big in Jacksonville. Have you and your friends tried that s###?
Foolio: Yeah, something like that. We go to see the voodoo lady to get spells, prayed up.
AllHipHop: What spells ya’ll getting?
Foolio: Safety, money, keep you safe.
AllHipHop: Are you religious at all?
Foolio: Yeah, I believe in God. I pray for safety, better life, everybody safe. Blessings!
AllHipHop: Let’s talk about your new single “Whip Bump.”
Foolio: Yup, “Whip Bump” hardest out right now. TikTok crazy! That bich going crazy on TikTok. I ain’t on Tik Tok, I just got it. I just made an account. I’m getting used to it, learning how to work it.
AllHipHop: I feel like you’re the type that could go viral like [snaps].
Foolio: Who you telling? That song’s a TikTok song, that b#### hard.
AllHipHop: How did it feel reaching 2 million on Youtube in a few days?
Foolio: That s### felt good. I knew it was gonna hit, but damn that’s crazy.” I’m really doing it, 2 million in a day or few days. A big blessing.
AllHipHop: How was shooting the music video?
Foolio: For “Whip Bump,” that s### was lit! We were at the little school. We did the dodgeball scene, that was fun. The classroom scene was lit. When I drowned them with water, that was lit. It was fun.
AllHipHop: How did it feel to have “Play with Me” go viral on TikTok?
Foolio: I’m finna have to redrop that song again, but I f### with it. That’s one of my favorite songs. I’ma have a big artist get on a remix. I f### with “Play with Me,” that’s one of my hardest songs.
AllHipHop: I seen you with Fredo Bang, you got a song in the works?
Foolio: Yup, we got a video finna drop. We shot a video. The record’s hard. Me and him weren’t in the studio when we did it, we did it through email. It’s hard though.
AllHipHop: How did y’all tap in?
Foolio: Lakafilms from Chicago, shoutout Laka. That’s love, I f### with bro. He shot a lot of my videos, like 3 or 4 of my videos.
AllHipHop: Are you selective with who you work with?
Foolio: Not really. If I f### with your vibe, I f### with you.
AllHipHop: Top artists in rotation for you?
Foolio: That I listen to? Me, probably Co Jack. I’ll turn on some Rod Wave, some old Boosie or something like that. That’s about it.
AllHipHop: Is there someone you want to work with?
Foolio: Probably Drake. I f### with Drake.
AllHipHop: How’s your mental state?
Foolio: S###, I’m good. I’m happy as hell to be here.
AllHipHop: You say you like percs and guns, do you ever feel like you’re sending a bad message to the youth?
Foolio: I’m just rapping about my life. Putting verses and bars, rapping about my life.
AllHipHop: Any goals for yourself?
Foolio: Yeah, I want to start investing in properties and real estate. I could do it any day, but I got to f### with the right people and get in the right lane.
AllHipHop: How’s it residing in Atlanta?
Foolio: It’s cool, it’s decent. There’s a lot of networking and a lot of artists. I f### with Atlanta, Atlanta’s cool.
AllHipHop: Who you been tapped in with over there?
Foolio: Producer-wise, Zaytoven. We did a whole mixtape 2 or 3 years ago. We been drop that 2 years ago. 6toven, that bih went crazy.
AllHipHop: Is there something that you want to let the people know that they may not know? Besides you being nice.
Foolio: Mixtape finna drop soon. “Love Me Like I’m Dead” the deluxe, that’s finna drop soon. Single “Whip Bump” out everywhere. Co Jack finna drop soon. He’s next, he’s up and coming. We working. We grinding hard, that’s how we doing.
AllHipHop: You got artists under you?
Foolio: Nah, that’s my cousin. He’s grinding, that’s who I’m pushing right now.
AllHipHop: What are you most excited for as the world opens back up?
Foolio: I’m so happy! I’m on a tour right now, so it’s been open for me. I’m happy though, it’s lit!
The Phoenix Suns point guard received a big hug from Tunechi.
Lil Wayne’s friendship with the NBA start was on full display as Chris Paul made his way over to the rapper, who was sitting behind the yellow road, just off the court.
Afterward the bear-hug, the President of the National Basketball Players Association <_ nbpa.com=”nbpa.com” leadership=”leadership”> brought Mr. Young Money onto the court where he linked with the press.
Wayne is cemented in the sports world and mad people know it.
He has showcased his analyst skills on shows like Undisputed with Skip Bayless and Shannon Sharpe.
Perhaps the “Lollipop” rapper is their good luck charm and giving his input on how they can get better. We will see how it works and will be looking to see him
Singer John Legend has joined “Insecure” stars Jay Ellis and Issa Rae for a new podcast created to showcase young authors who have completed prison terms.
In each of the 13 episodes of “Written Off,” the brainchild of Ellis, host and former New York Times reporter Walter Thompson-Hernandez will talk to one former inmate about their creative journey, before a celebrity reads the aspiring writer’s work aloud.
Jay will produce the series via his own Black Bar Mitzvah production company with Lemonada Media chiefs.
John Legend, Issa Rae, WandaVision actor Randall Park, Keke Palmer, Julio Torres, and Jesse Williams are among the names who will perform some of the pieces for the audio series.
“So many times, I hear folks say they’re looking for new storytellers and don’t know where to find them. Storytellers are all around us, and in this case, we are bringing stories from voices who have been impacted by the system and are often overlooked because of their past,” Ellis shares in a statement obtained by Deadline.
“It is an honor, a privilege, and a joy to be able to bring their beautiful writing to everyone in the world and have some of my friends be the voices that read their work. I’ve been a fan of Walter Thompson-Hernandez’s work for years, and the minute we met, I was like, ‘Yo, we’re gonna be best friends and we’re going to work together every single day’. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect host, voice, point of view, and connection to our writers.”
“Written Off” debuts on July 14.
“I believe this series will help to drastically erase the stigma surrounding formerly incarcerated people,” said Walter Thompson-Hernández. “As a former youth offender, hearing the stories, poems and art that our interviewees have shared speaks volumes to the idea that a criminal record shouldn’t erase any person’s humanity. For me, Written Off means going back to my early teenage self and reminding him that I was always more than what society perceived me to be.”
“Our commitment to creating platforms for the unheard drives us every day,” said Lemonada Media CEO and executive producer Jessica Cordova Kramer. “I nurtured young writers as a teacher,” added Chief Creative Officer Stephanie Wittels Wachs, “and these authors are some of the most talented individuals. It’s an honor to bring their voices to the forefront through this podcast.”
British rapper and social media star KSI is inviting fans to join him for a special one-of-a-kind livestream event to celebrate the release of his sophomore album.
The YouTube personality and musician will drop All Over The Place on July 16, and one day later, he will stage The KSI Show.
The variety-style event will follow KSI, real name Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji, from his bedroom where it all started, moving in and out of a dream-like state around custom stages that will incorporate elements of music performances, surreal TV sets, and comedy sketches written by Joe Chandler, Nick Wegener, James Farmer, and KSI himself.
The concert will be the first time tracks from KSI’s upcoming album are presented live on stage.
In a statement, KSI said: “No one will honestly expect this. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Never done before. Ya boy is gonna take you all on an adventure that will be remembered for years to come.
“I’ll be taking you through my journey from being a YouTuber to a boxer to a musician and more. This experience has everything. Mainstream meets the internet in a way never done before. So, get ready and enjoy.”
The guest line-up for the July 17 show will be announced over the coming weeks in the lead up to the big day, when the event will go live at 8pm BST.
