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Tekashi 69 Denies Being A “Rat” And Admits He Developed An Addiction While In Prison

Tekashi 69 spoke to TMZ Live about his notorious case and being labeled a snitch. From his perspective, the rainbowed hair Brooklyn rapper believed that the gang he aligned with actually betrayed him two years ago. 

6ix9ine said, “What’s your definition of a snitch?”

Charles from TMZ replied, “In this case, the definition is one who rats out people that they were tight with; rats them out to law enforcement. 

 “What’s loyalty to you, Charles?” he asks.

“Loyalty would be that you don’t snitch on the people closest to you … on your friends,” the TMZ executive responds.

Then the rapper lays it out, “If another staff member kidnapped you, is that loyalty to you? You’re working right now … If Harvey is stealing all of the money that you’re making right now, and giving you crumbs … but is taking the majority of their money, is that loyalty?”

“These are my people. Like how many people between 2018 I had beef with the whole West Coast. I beef with Houston. I beef with Chicago. Did I ever get kidnapped by Chicago or Texas or the West Coast? I got kidnapped by my own people. What I did wasn’t snitching.”

“What I did was being smart and realized that God put me here to cut my grass, so I could see snakes in my grass.”

The host then asked him, “Do you have concerns about your safety … even though you believe you didn’t snitch the people that you did testify against? They may feel that you did and do you have concerns about your safety. ‘Cause I’ve noticed the time that we’ve been talking to you, you look around a lot.”

“Nah,” the “Gooba” rapper replied, “I’m at Dunkin’ Donuts and I really want to order my coffee. When I went to jail I got addicted to coffee. I didn’t know how happy coffee makes me.

“It [also] makes you go to the bathroom in like 3 seconds,” he joked. 

Chazo Is On The “Golden Era Vibe”

Chazo is a New York-based Hip Hop recording artist and CEO of FamilyLoyaltyOughtaWin Music Publishing, which he launched in 2010.

Chazo has skillfully created his unique sound and quickly become an artist to lookout for. Chazo is well-known for crafting groovy rhythms and impressive bars that helps him standout as one of the rising Hip Hop acts from the East Coast. With time, the artist has greatly evolved and continues to experiment with his style of music.

Now we have Chazo’s latest single, “Golden Era Vibe,” a nostalgic, lyrical track that finds the Harlem MC reflecting on his lifestyle. With a slick, and persistent flow, it’s no wonder why Chazo has been recognized by a handful of underground Hip Hop sites and news outlets.

*”I’m a big fan of music from the 90’s, the Golden era. Rappers like AZ, Nas, Jadakiss, Raekwon really stood out for me and motivated my music career,” *Chazo shares with AllHipHop.

The song resides on Chazo’s most recent 10-track body of work, *Good Food, Good Women, Good Vibes. *

Jay-Z Explains Why He Sold Tidal To Square, Tapped To Run Cash App

“I’m not a businessman; I’m a business, man.” —Jay-Z

When Jay-Z spit that lyric in the hit song, “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” many were floored at the clever wordplay of the bar. Sixteen years later, we realize just how powerfully prophetic this declaration was.

The Pride of Marcy doesn’t seem to let up. In 2021 alone, he has already made one of the bossiest moves by selling half of his Ace of Spades champagne brand to Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton for 50% of the brand’s value.

Now, less than a month later he has another boss move. Hov, whose real name is Shawn Carter, just announced that Jack Dorsey’s Square will now own a majority stake in the music platform Tidal, chucking out $297 million in the transaction.

“I said from the beginning that TIDAL was about more than just streaming music, and six years later, it has remained a platform that supports artists at every point in their careers. Artists deserve better tools to assist them in their creative journey. Jack is one of the greatest minds of our times, and our many discussions about TIDAL’s endless possibilities have made me even more inspired about its future. This shared vision makes me even more excited to join the Square board. This partnership will be a game-changer for many. I look forward to all this new chapter has to offer!”

Square is a mobile device, which premiered to the public in May 2010, that allows vendors to sell products and accept credit card purchases.

Don’t get stuck on that quarter-billion number, because the most extraordinary aspect of the deal is what Jay-Z gets out of it.

He will now be named to Square’s board of directors, and he will be in charge of two popular apps under the brand, “Seller” and “Cash App.” Jack Dorsey took to Twitter to boast about the lucrative deal.

“Square is acquiring a majority ownership stake in TIDAL through a new joint venture, with the original artists becoming the second largest group of shareholders, and Jay-Z joining the Square board. Why would a music streaming company and a financial services company join forces?!”

“It comes down to a simple idea: finding new ways for artists to support their work. New ideas are found at the intersections, and we believe there’s a compelling one between music and the economy. Making the economy work for artists is similar to what Square has done for sellers.”

“Square started 12 years ago by giving small sellers a simple tool in order to participate more fully in the economy and grow. We did the same for individuals with Cash App, which now enables a comprehensive set of financial services for folks who weren’t able to access it before.”

“TIDAL started with the idea of honoring artists by being artist-owned and led, focused on an uncompromised experience of the art. It’s refreshing and right. The vision only grows stronger as it’s matched with more powerful tools for artists, inclusive of new ways of getting paid.”

“Given what Square has been able to do for sellers of all sizes and individuals through Cash App, we believe we can now work for artists to see the same success for them, and us. We’re going to start small and focus on the most critical needs of artists and growing their fanbases.”

“I’m grateful for Jay’s vision, wisdom, and leadership. I knew TIDAL was something special as soon as I experienced it, and I’m inspired to work with him. He’ll now help lead our entire company, including Seller and the Cash App, as soon as the deal closes.”

ELo TheFranchiseKid Takes Rappers Like Rakim & Wu-Tang, But For A New Era

ELo TheFranchiseKid was Born and raised in South East, Washington DC.

As a young boy, growing up you never imagine having to move away from the place you call home. With changes in his family and the stream of violence in DC,
E-lo’s mother made a life changing decision to move the family to New York.
At the age of 8 years old, E-lo became a Brooklyn native and still to date has carries East New York on his back as his saving grace.

As a teen E-lo he had a great passion for basketball and skills to match. He would later discover that a heart murmur would stand in the way of his hoop dreams. The complications were disappointing but refocused his attention to his true love, Hip Hop. At a young age his keen senses allowed him to separate the “rapper” from the “lyricist”. He was inspired by his first purchased album “The Score” by the Fugees, Biggie, Lauryn Hill, Ludacris and Nas.

E-Lo gained his biggest inspiration while attending a Def Jam’s showcase at the legendary Apollo Theatre. The showcase featured Hip Hop Legend Rakim, DJ Scratch, Wu-Tang, and Keith Murray. He got a chance to experience hip hop royalty which ignited a fire many artist dream of. As a young MC he began penning songs like “Dance With Me” for young hip hop artist DJ Jus and Lil’ Nique (Universal Motown) which assured him that his music was built for commercial success.

He went on to record mixtapes on his own and soon gained major label attention. With a deal on the table and growing anticipation he would be met with disappointment. Due to complications of his current team at such a young age, things fell apart and in that moment put a halt on his dream. He did not let the failed deal break his spirit for too long. He decided to come back into the game after being inspired at a local new york showcase and later signed with new management. He could be seen opening up for popular New York Rapper, Jim Jones and Memphis rapper Yo Gotti blazing the stage at Source Magazine and featured on No-ID tour featuring Jazze Pha, Ace Hood, Souljah Boy and more.
With pursuing a career in Hip Hop comes much needed resilience and dedication to your craft. After many broken promises and failed investments with different management he found himself at a standstill once again. E-Lo would go on and learn that he had to take his career into his own hands. He stepped away from the drama and put his energy into rebuilding a dream that could have been destroyed. Before the passing of his good friend and guide, he was currently in affiliation with Sha Money XL and began to collaborate with producers Mic West and The Cleanerz .

E-Lo is currently working on his LP entitled “FINALLY ” under the indie label VOLCANO MUSIC GROUP who he has partnered with his long time friend ,(Shawn2Hot) along side his Cousin (Blind Baby). Who all has the same goal is to shock the world leaving a giant mark in the entertainment industry .Fighting to break the mole as an artist who lives by his word. Not afraid of his admiration for loyalty, love and the ladies, he plans to stir up conversations about the truth behind his music.

His energetic performance style and presence on his second release track entitled ( Pick A Side) has gained thousands of views on Youtube from supporters and fans. His song “SUNSET” caters to his female audience with his play on words creating a roadmap that describe his bedroom behavior candidly.

E-Lo takes personal to new heights with his latest body of work and talks trust, wisdom, loyalty and his desire to win. He’s ready to live out every fantasy and makes all dreams a reality both on and off the mic.

Tory Lanez Partners With Bondly Blockchain Company To Release New Songs & Digital Art

Tory Lanez is preparing to drop another project this week. Now that the Canadian musician is an independent artist who is facing felony assault and firearm charges in connection to an alleged shooting in July 2020, Lanez is finding new ways to distribute music to his fans.

The 28-year-old singer/rapper teamed with the blockchain company Bondly.Finance in order to release three songs as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on March 4 at 2 pm ET ahead of his Playboy album landing on Friday. NFT collectors will be able to prove ownership of the rare digital art and music they purchase.

“This album is one of the biggest releases of my career, so I had to make the release strategy bigger than ever,” says Lanez. “This meant getting the tracks to my superfans early before the album hits on Friday. So I’m dropping my first NFT, allowing 450 fans to get 3 unreleased tracks from my discography and a chance to meet and hang out with me digitally.”

Today (March 4), Lanez will let loose two records from his Playboy album and one from his forthcoming 1980s-themed album. Bondly.Finance is expected to be involved in future drops of unreleased Tory Lanez tracks as NFTs as well.

“Tory and Bondly only came together a few days ago,” states Bondly CEO Brandon Smith. “This two-day campaign turnaround is unprecedented but our visions align and we didn’t want to miss the opportunity to release a few of his tracks before Playboy comes out and felt like this was a great time to start building Tory’s foundation in the NFT collectible space. These steps will shine a light on Tory and position him as a pioneer in dropping limited NFT songs prior to album releases.”

Last September, Lanez dropped his fifth studio LP, Daystar, two months after the reported violent incident in California involving Hip Hop star Megan Thee Stallion. The Juno Award winner faces a possible maximum sentence of 22 years and eight months in state prison if convicted. Lanez (born Daystar Peterson) pleaded not guilty to all counts.

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Lil Yachty Calls DJ Vlad A “B####” & “FBI Agent” Over A Headline About Lil Uzi Vert

Longtime interviewer DJ Vlad is not always the most popular media personality among certain Hip Hop recording artists or supporters of Nation of Islam leader Minister Louis Farrakhan. Lil Yachty let his feelings about the VladTV host be known in a series of tweets.

“VLAD TV u a b#### c## that’s not what I said, stop twisting words u FBI agent,” tweeted Yachty on Wednesday afternoon. The heated post is apparently a response to a headline used on the VladTV Instagram page and website.

The controversial outlet ran a story titled “Lil Yachty Seems to Confirm He’s No Longer Cool with Lil Uzi Vert.” The article was based on a phone interview the Atlanta-raised rapper did on the No Jumper podcast. When asked about Uzi during the No Jumper conversation, Yachty eventually said, “It’s love everywhere. At the end of the day, it’s love.”

Vlad replied to Yachty by tweeting, “Nobody’s twisting your words. They asked if you and Lil Uzi Vert were cool and you said ‘ehhhh.’ Watch the video yourself before you start accusing people of twisting words that you said yourself. Kids today love to play victim and blame everyone else for their own actions [face with tears of joy emoji].”

Yachty then wrote, “N#### it don’t mean we not cool, it means I rather not speak on the situation publicly.” Vlad responded, “AKA meaning you’re not cool with him. Because if you were cool you would say it. Stop acting like people are stupid, Yachty. You said what you said. Stand behind your words like a man.”

“U a b#### and ur dumb e######### u dumb f###. I don’t have a problem with him we just don’t talk,” declared Yachty. Vlad then suggested the Quality Control representative actually had issues with Lil Uzi Vert over JT of the City Girls. JT reportedly dated Yachty in the past, and she is now apparently in a relationship with Uzi.

“Well, after doing some digging, now I see that your Lil Uzi Vert comment that you’re trying to backtrack from is a whole lot more than ‘we just don’t talk.’ Seems like this whole thing is really about… JT of the City Girls. And here’s the tweet that started it all,” posted Vlad along with screenshots of two Lil Uzi Vert tweets referring to Lil Yachty and JT.

Yachty then quote-tweeted that tweet from Vlad with the screenshots of Uzi’s old tweets and actually tagged his fellow 2016 XXL Freshman Class alum. The Lil Boat 3 album creator also added, “[four faces with tears of joy emojis] @LILUZIVERT look at this n####.”

As of press time, Lil Uzi Vert has not addressed the Lil Yachty versus DJ Vlad back-and-forth. The Philadelphia-bred rhymer was questioned about the status of his friendship with Yachty on Twitter last month. He originally answered “yes” when asked if he “still f#### with Yachty.” However, that tweet by Uzi has since been deleted.

Watch Shaquille O’Neal Get Put Through Tables On All Elite Wrestling’s ‘Dynamite’ [VIDEO]

If Bow Wow or Soulja Boy are really serious about stepping into the squared circle to compete as a professional wrestler, they will have to follow a huge WTF moment from another Platinum-selling rapper. Shaq Diesel album creator Shaquille O’Neal made his All Elite Wrestling in-ring debut on last night’s Dynamite.

The 4-time NBA champion/basketball Hall of Famer teamed with wrestling newcomer Jade Cargill in a mixed tag team match against AEW Executive Vice-President Cody Rhodes and rising star Red Velvet. One specific moment from the match caught the attention of a lot of social media users.

As Shaq stood on the side of the ring, Rhodes jumped over the top rope and rammed the over 7-foot-tall athlete through two tables set up on the floor. The image of O’Neal laid out at ringside became an instant meme online as #AEWDynamite quickly climbed to the top of the Twitter trends list in the United States.

This is not the first time a celebrity guest went viral for an appearance on Dynamite. Rap icon Snoop Dogg also joined Cody Rhodes for a special January 2020 episode of the TNT program dubbed New Year’s Smash. Snoop’s AEW cameo included the 49-year-old musician diving off the top rope to get a mock pin on Serpentico.

All Elite Wrestling’s connection to Hip Hop also extends to Julien “Director X” Lutz. The legendary music video director – best known for crafting memorable visuals for Aaliyah, Drake, Jay-Z, Nelly, Usher, and others – spearheaded AEW’s The History Of A Revolution collaboration last year.

AEW’s Revolution pay-per-view is scheduled to take place on Sunday, March 7 from Daily’s Place in Jacksonville, Florida. The event’s card includes matches featuring Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega, Jon Moxley, The Young Bucks, Sting, Matt Hardy, Chris Jericho, Darby Allin, Hikaru Shida, MJF, Adam Page, Ryo Mizunami, and more.

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Director Eddie Huang Praises Pop Smoke’s Performance In ‘Boogie’ Movie

Prior to his passing in 2020, Bashar “Pop Smoke” Jackson made his acting debut in the upcoming film Boogie. The movie’s director, Eddie Huang, recently spoke highly of working with the Brooklynite for the Focus Features motion picture.

“At first I made this film and I was like, ‘Look, this is for my family and this is to represent for all of us overseas Chinese in America,’ but this is Pop’s film,” Huang told Yahoo Entertainment. “It’s absolutely dedicated to Pop. I really miss my brother. Once I met him, the film changed.”

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The Fresh Off the Boat: A Memoir author added, “[Pop Smoke] also probably had the fastest computer processor in his head I’ve ever seen. I could tell Pop something, and he would immediately adapt and make that change. And he didn’t have an ego about it, and he wouldn’t get scared about it. And he wouldn’t have self-doubt about it. He just did it.”

The 20-year-old Pop Smoke was murdered during a criminal home invasion in Hollywood Hills, California. The rapper’s posthumous studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon, is still charting in the Top 3 of the Billboard 200 eight months after it was released.

Eddie Huang’s Boogie is scheduled to arrive in theaters on March 5. The movie about a Queens-bred, Chinese-American basketball player named Alfred “Boogie” Chin also stars Taylor Takahashi, Taylour Paige, Pamelyn Chee, Mike Moh, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Alexa Mareka, and Perry Yung.

Cordae Co-Signs YBN Almighty Jay Calling Out Label Head James McMillan

Yesterday, YBN Almighty Jay blasted ART@WAR label founder James McMillan. While Cordae dropped the YBN designation from his stage name, the Grammy-nominated emcee still appeared to back specific views of his former YBN comrade.

Almighty Jay called out McMillan in an Instagram post which included the Texas native claiming the veteran entertainment lawyer signed artists to “janky deals.” On Twitter, Jay also added, “This n#### James McMillan is a fraud.”

That tweet from Almighty Jay was retweeted by Cordae without comment. Seven hours before the “Let Me Breathe” rapper posted his unfavorable message about McMillan, another Twitter user tweeted, “Free @ybnalmightyjay smh.”

Cordae retweeted that “Free YBN Almighty Jay” tweet as well. The creator of the critically-acclaimed The Lost Boy album later added, “This past year has turned me into an extreme recluse.”

McMillan’s ART@WAR company is signed to a joint venture deal with Atlantic Records, the major label home of YBN Almighty Jay, Cordae, and YBN Nahmir. In February, Nahmir publicly blamed unnamed “old people” for allegedly causing dissension in the YBN crew.

YBN Almighty Jay Blasts Entertainment Lawyer/Label Head James McMillan

Last month, YBN Nahmir was asked about Cordae (formerly known as YBN Cordae) deciding to break away from the rest of the YBN collective. The 21-year-old rapper seemed to put some of the blame on an unnamed person that was pulling the strings from behind the curtain.

“The old n##### in the background, you gotta remember, it’s always somebody that’ll come around and fill your head up and f### it over. That’s what happened,” said Nahmir. “It’ll be old people or somebody else that’ll tell you, ‘You better than them.”

He continued, “They don’t give a f### about you.’ All that s###. And that filled up all our heads. Not just me, not just Jay, not Cordae, but other YBN members too.”

YBN Nahmir Explains How “Old People” Played A Role In YBN Crew Splitting Up

The “Rubbin Off the Paint” performer’s longtime musical partner, YBN Almighty Jay, may have exposed the individual Nahmir was referring to in his No Jumper interview. Jay blasted veteran entertainment lawyer James McMillan on Instagram.

“This n#### James McMillan is a fraud. He [signs] n##### to janky deals and f### em over. Nobody [knows] NOTHING about the s### we go through on the daily basis being signed to this n#### cause we cover for this [n####’s] ass. I’m done with this s###,” posted Jay on IG.

According to The Root, McMillan is the head of the ART@WAR label which signed a joint venture deal with Atlantic Records. The Hampton University graduate is also said to be closely associated with Cordae. Additionally, McMillan reportedly worked with New Edition, 8 Ball & MJG, H.E.R., Machine Gun Kelly, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, Slim Thug, Mike Jones, Paul Wall, and Kodak Black.

In 2017, McMillan told The Huffington Post:

I see a lot of artists choosing the wrong team to guide them through their career. Some artists will be really talented but in addition to promoting their talent, they want to promote their friends. They often choose to be in business with the wrong people, with people that make them feel comfortable but not necessarily have their best interest at heart or have no business savvy. Additionally, they don’t protect their brands and trademarks. They don’t copyright or form the right corporate entities to protect themselves from lawsuits. They tie up their intellectual property or assets or negotiate it away for quick money, before their career even has a chance to take off.

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Drake Appears To Announce ‘Scary Hours 2’ Release Date

It looks like Drizzy Drake season is officially here. The OVO Sound frontman took to his Instagram account to reveal he is dropping new music this Friday (March 5).

The Canadian rapper, also known as Champagne Papi, posted what appeared to be the cover art for Scary Hours 2 on IG. The image’s caption simply reads, “FRIDAY MIDNIGHT.”

Drake fans have been patiently waiting for the Hip Hop superstar to release his sixth studio LP tentatively titled Certified Lover Boy. The album was expected to arrive in January before getting pushed back.

The original Scary Hours EP came out in 2018. Drake’s 11x-Platinum single “God’s Plan” was first introduced on that two-pack effort which also included the track “Diplomatic Immunity.”

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Wu-Tang Clan Releasing New 400-Pound Exclusive Photo Book

Out of the collective creative and business mind of the Wu-Tang Clan comes an exclusive book that provides the world a glorious peek into the life of the world’s most influential rap group. #ISWIS

The limited-edition book, which will only have 36 copies sold, will be 300 pages of rare and unreleased pictures from their illustrious career. 

According to Wu-Tang Management CEO John “Mook” Gibbons, talk about the importance of the book.

“From conception to the present day, this is the story of the undisputed greatest Hip Hop group of all time being unveiled through rare and never before seen photos.” 36 books. 36 chambers. 36 pieces of art.” 

Entitled “WU-TANG CLAN: LEGACY,” the photographs within the book are from not just professional paparazzi and documenters, like Danny Hastings, PROTIM PHOTO, Kyle Christie, Andy Cantillon, but also family, friends, and fans.

The book that will soon be available for pre-order, will get to the purchaser autographed and with a certificate of authenticity. The leather hardback WCL will be bound in Italy.

The sculptor Gethin Jones (a protégé of Antony Gormley) fashioned the case that will hold the book with 36 bronze encrusted, black steel chambers. 

Sign up to be in the consideration to get a chance to get this masterpiece. Click here.

 

OMB Peezy Declares His Innocence In Connection With Roddy Ricch/42 Dugg Video Shooting

On Monday, March 1st, Georgia rapper OMB Peezy was arrested in Fulton County for his alleged involvement in a shooting involving two high-profile rappers. 

The charge is connected to a shooting that happened last week during the video shoot for a song by Roddy Ricch and 42 Dugg on Sunday, February 21st.

The local police were called to check in over at a scrap yard on Wells Street after shots were reported around 4 AM.

Three people were shot and two hospitalized. While those hurt during the altercation all went to Grady Hospital, no one was seriously injured and all are expected to survive.

Roddy went to Twitter to address the shooting (a post is now removed): “ain’t nobody shoot at me,” he wrote. “we all good. im just tryna feed the streets.”

There is a picture going around with OMB in court wearing a mask and jailhouse jumpsuit. 

The artist, whose real name is LeParis Dade, was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. His bond is currently set at $60,000.

As of now, OMB Peezy has not been released. Many are asking for more transparency … fans are asking that he gets free from jail.

OMB Peezy

Ice Cube Updates His Contract With Black America Include Women And Sports Industry

After gambling on the wrong candidate, rap-tivist Ice Cube has reconnected with his team to expand his Contract with Black America.

The new version will include plans to give opportunities for “Black American women and Sports Industry.”

According to a press release, the man that use to exclaim that he was “Rollin’ with Da Lench Mob,” is working with attorneys and ADOS activists, Kamilah Moore and Maureen Simmons to flush out language in the proposal that will address… “the many concerns facing Black American women. Black American women are met with unique challenges due to the enslavement and mistreatment of their ancestors.” 

 In the section featured under the line item called, The Sports Industry Economic Development Plan – CWBA Sports Initiative, they have detailed how the federal government can pass laws that will help eradicate race and gender-based discrimination while assisting professionals and college students wanting to explore sports and a career choice. 

The aim is to have leagues and elected officials create opportunities to compete in spaces where they are often left out. Other things the contract is asking for President Biden to work with Cube on are as follows:

   – Provide transparent, inclusive, and achievable partnership guidelines for black local vendor suppliers.

– Guidelines requiring black-owned businesses to be included as part of the awarding of National events to cities/states.

– Identify local organizations or community groups to support the conclusion of the sporting events.

– Inclusion of Black-owned concessions food services for stadium/arena and practice facilities.

  – Inclusion of Black-owned food services and or Chefs for suite services.    

– Inclusion of black-owned equipment manufacturers, data/technologies companies, video support companies, medical and training companies, and medical and training specialists.

– Sponsorship opportunities to include Black-owned businesses.    

– Utilization of Black-owned marketing, branding, and advertising agencies.

– Minimum percentage of ad spending to be done with Black-owned Media.    

– Expand beyond the front-of-camera media talent by engagement of Black-owned companies or individuals involved in game production and traffic, directors, media production, graphics, and development.   

 

– Allocate funds from League or NGB investment and/or pension accounts in a manner that ensures a minimum established percentage of each type of investment goes to Black Investment Banking/Money Management Firms, Black-owned banks, and Private Equity earmarked for Black businesses.    

– Provisions for accessible ticketing and auxiliary fan engagement events to include local organizations in host cities.

– Innovation Hubs – focused on STEM, business development, and technologies with sports implications.

– Youth Programming, fields, and equipment development investment. Need to address barriers to entry in “pay-to-play” systems that limit Black participation.

It is important to note Ice Cube has made his third (or fourth) career in professional sports entertainment.

Also important to note is that this expanded plan, as it is presented, seeks to work with Black American women. This distinction is similar rhetoric of the ADOS community that advocates for American descendants of slaves and not all people of the African diaspora. 

The group has the disclaimer that says, “ADOS is a lineage, a burgeoning organization, and a political movement. We are fighting to secure reparations for our group, American Descendants of Slavery, while at the same time advocating for a Black Agenda that will benefit all Black Americans. And while our movement consists of dozens of chapters and hundreds of volunteer community activists nationwide whose political work is unapologetically specific to Black Americans.”

Spike Lee Announces Documentary Honoring 9/11

Spike Lee has teamed up with HBO Documentary Films to develop a new docu-series about his beloved New York between the 9/11 and COVID-19 disasters.

“NYC Epicenters 9/11-2021½” will chronicle “life, loss and survival” in the Big Apple over the 20 years since the terrorist attacks on the city in 2001.

“It’s an unprecedented, sweeping portrait of New Yorkers as they rebuild and rebound, from a devastating terrorist attack through the ongoing global pandemic,” a statement reads.

The series is expected to debut later this year on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max in commemoration of the September 11th attacks.

“As a New Yawker who bleeds orange and blue (the colors of New York City), I’m proud to have a ‘Spike Lee Joint’ about how our/my city dealt with being the epicenters of 9/11 and COVID-19,” Spike says in a statement. “With over 200 interviews, we dig deep into what makes NYC the greatest city on this God’s earth and also the diverse citizens who make it so.

“Over centuries pundits and straight haters have proclaimed NYC was dead and stinkin’, only to be proved wrong. You will lose ya money betting against New York, New York. And dat’s da truth, Ruth. Be Safe. Peace And Love.”

GOODR, Gunna, Wale And Trae Tha Truth Help Texans After Winter Storm

In the aftermath of the icy storm that crippled Houston in February, Gunna and the organization GOODR have stepped up to support those who have been devastated by the natural disaster.

The Social Entrepreneur, TED Speaker, CEO of GOODR, Jasmine Crowe, took to Twitter to make the announcement last week, hoping to reach folk in need. 

The rapper retweeted the post that said, “@TheGoodrCo team and I will be in Houston this Sunday with @1GunnaGunna and his Great Giveaway Foundation. We are providing families with groceries, water, diapers, formula, cleaning supplies, fresh produce, household items, and much more.”

On Sunday, February 28th, rappers like Texas’ Trae Tha Truth and Washington D.C.’s Wale joined the collective to pass out food, household items, and water and 2,000 Houstonian families.

Thousands of households were impacted by the deadly storm that caused power outages and water insecurity all across the region. 

The unusual weather hit the Southern region of the country with an unprecedented chilly blast; one that Texas had not experienced in over 70 years.

The loss of power left refrigeration units dead causing the food to go bad. Markets could not keep the food, like the personal systems, they too experienced distress.

Sunnyside’s Worthing High School was a convenient location for the emergency activation. Support is still needed and GOODR is a great organization to lend a hand (or donate some money and resources). 

Actor Who Starred With Drake In “Degrassi: The Next Generation” Dies

Actor Jahmil French has died, aged 29.

No cause of death has been released, but the actor, who starred in “Degrassi: The Next Generation” along with rap star Drake, passed away on Monday (March 1st).

His passing has been confirmed by his former Degrassi castmates.

Melinda Shankar, who played Jahmil’s love interest on the show, has paid tribute to her co-star via Instagram, writing: “@jahmilfrench you will always hold such a special place in my heart. Thank you for being one of the most talented, compassionate, kindest, funniest friends I have. You were so loved… I’ll miss our dance offs.”

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A post shared by Christina Milian (@christinamilian)

She also shared photos of the late star on social media.

Chloe Rose tweeted: “Still in shock. Jahmil will be missed. He was an integral part of the Degrassi family and certainly a huge part of my degrassi days. He always wanted to make people laugh and smile, a true joy to be around. Rest in Peace.”

Christina Milian, his “Soundtrack” co-star, added: “You will be missed. Rest peacefully King.”

Eddie Murphy Explains How His Classic Barbershop Characters In “Coming To America” Fooled Oprah For Years

Oprah Winfrey had no idea Eddie Murphy and Arseni Hall were the actors behind the hilarious barbershop characters in their classic comedy “Coming To America.”

The funnymen wore heavy prosthetics to tackle a variety of parts, in addition to their lead roles, in the 1988 original, and they returned to the makeup chair once more to reprise the beloved characters for the long-awaited sequel, “Coming 2 America.”

“A lot of people don’t know that’s us in those makeups,” Murphy told late night host Jimmy Kimmel, revealing media mogul Oprah was one of them.

“Last week, I was doing another interview with Oprah and… I said something about the barbershop (scenes) – and I’m that Jewish man – and she was like, ‘What do you mean, you’re the Jewish man?'”

“I said, ‘Oh yeah, I’m the old Jewish guy in the barbershop,’ (and) she was like, ‘What?!’ She couldn’t believe it. And she’s seen the original ‘Coming to America’ and (its sequel) and all this time didn’t know.”

Murphy insists he doesn’t blame Oprah for missing that detail for so many years, because the prosthetics were the work of special effects maestro Rick Baker, who made them look so realistic.

The former “Saturday Night Live” star once even scored the number of an elderly lady while in disguise.

“Those makeups are amazing,” he said. “Originally they were designed by Rick Baker – the genius – and those makeups… it’s like, I can go talk to you and you won’t know that it’s a makeup. It’s amazing.”

Arsenio Hall, who was also present for the interview, recalled, “Eddie hit on an old lady once. Rick Baker let us walk around, he said, ‘Just try it out, move your face, you’ll see how it works,’ and we went out… and then (Eddie) got an old lady’s phone number! She thought he was a real old dude!”

And although the old pals had a blast donning the heavy cosmetics to bring the barbershop crew back to life onscreen for “Coming 2 America,” Eddie Murphy insists there will never be a spin-off – because the process is simply too time-consuming.

Asked if they’d ever consider such a project, Murphy quickly responded, “Oh no, it takes six hours to do those makeups.

“To do a whole movie? A movie takes three months to do, (so) to do a whole movie with those people would take like, a year to make the movie.”

But Murphy’s reasoning didn’t deter Kimmel, who quipped, “I see that as your problem and not ours!”

 

 

 

Jhene Aiko Lands Pre-Grammy Hosting Gig

R&B star Jhene Aiko is taking on hosting duties to help fans gear up for the 2021 Grammy Awards with the pre-show ceremony.

She will be joined by singers Rufus Wainwright, Burna Boy, Lido Pimienta, and Poppy, as well as classical pianist Igor Levit, jazz band Terri Lyne Carrington + Social Science, and blues musician Jimmy ‘Duck’ Holmes, who will all perform during the event, dubbed the Premiere Ceremony.

Aiko, a triple nominee herself, will also have the honor of helping to announce a number of early Grammy winners before the main televised prizegiving, and introduce a tribute set celebrating the 50th anniversary of Marvin Gaye classic “Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology).”

The special performance will feature the likes of nominees Kamasi Washington, Ledisi, Anoushka Shankar, Alexandre Desplat, PJ Morton, Gregory Porter, Grace Potter, and Thana Alexa, among others.

The Premiere Ceremony will begin at 3:00 pm ET on March 14th and will be livestreamed on https://www.grammy.com/.

The 63rd Annual Grammy Awards will then be broadcast live on U.S. TV from 8pm ET.

Cardi B Reveals The One Thing She Always Does Before Bathing

Cardi B isn’t a “domestic.”

The “Up” star doesn’t typically enjoy doing housework, but Cardi has revealed she refuses to get in her bath without giving the tub a rigorous scrub beforehand.

Cardi made the confession after a social media follower pointed out that one of her Instagram Stories contradicted the lyrics to her chart-topping hit “WAP.”

The fan wrote on Twitter: “@iamcardib said she ‘don’t cook or clean’. But she just washed her bath tub on her story (laughing and heart emojis) love to see ittt.”

In response, Cardi acknowledged she’s not big on housework – but insisted she’d never get in her bath tub if it’s not clean.

She replied: “Baby I’m not domestic however I don’t hop In no tub without me scrubbing it .Clean or dirty imma scrub for I get in .This p#### too pristine for allat.”

And when it was suggested that Cardi could just wipe the tub rather than scrubbing, she replied: “Wiping ? naaaa I’m scrubbing Wtf is wiping going to do ….If you wanna talk about really cleaning a tub …let’s talk about it …Clorox ,soap and Ajax let that b#### marinate and brush till your eyes bleed .I’m spoiled now but I have a Caribbean mom that had me cleaning.”