(AllHipHop News) Just one month ago, Tee Grizzley lost his aunt and manager Jobina “JB” Brown who was shot dead in his hometown of Detroit.
The “First Day Out” rapper has remained rather quiet since then, grieving the loss of Jobina, who was not only a family member but also a parental figure in his life.
The Detroit native just unleashed a brand new single titled “Satish,” with a video to match.
Sharing to his 3.5 million followers on Instagram, he posted a clip with the caption: “They ain’t take your heart from you they took my heart from me ”
Directed by Jerry Production, the three and a half-minute visual has Grizzley addressing all the pain and grief from losing his closest loved one.
Audiences are able to see footage of Jobina Brown inside video, as Tee pours his soul out on the record.
The 21-year-old rapper, born Kobe Crawford, is wanted for shooting into a house after a physical confrontation with another individual.
The episode unfolded on the 1300 block of Middle Ring Road in Mobile, after an argument turned violent.
“That subject [the victim] then summoned for Mr. Crawford to show up. Mr. Crawford showed up, arrived on scene. The victim fled into the house,” said Sgt. Ladderick Dubose. “Mr. Crawford then fire shots into the house and then he fled with his sister.”
Sgt. Dubose said numerous people were inside of the home when NoCap blasted it up.
The cops issued two warrants for NoCap charging him with shooting into an occupied dwelling and reckless endangerment.
NoCap’s sister Briana is also charged with shooting into an occupied dwelling.
(AllHipHop News) Beyonce has replaced Queen Elizabeth II in Madame Tussauds London’s royal display.
A waxwork of the Formation singer, known as Queen Bey by her fans, was unveiled on Thursday and took the spot traditionally reserved for the British monarch at the tourist attraction, next to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Explaining the move in a press release, Steve Davies, General Manager at Madame Tussauds London, said: “Beyonce is a living legend, rightly crowned Queen Bey by her legions of fans and industry insiders. If anyone is fitting of a claim to The Queen’s spot in our attraction for the very first time, it’s Beyonce.
“HRH Queen Elizabeth II is famous for her mischievous sense of humor and we think a wry smile will cross her face when she sees that music royalty has temporarily filled her shoes.”
Beyonce’s wax likeness pays homage to the megastar’s Homecoming headline performance at Coachella last year and is dressed in a yellow Balmain hoodie and denim shorts – with a crown placed atop her head. She is also depicted raising her fist in her iconic Run the World power pose.
The swap will only last for one day, however, as Queen Elizabeth will return to her usual spot in the royal exhibition tomorrow, with Beyonce set to reign over the attraction’s music section.
TJ Jackson is music royalty. Serving as the late Michael Jackson’s nephew and youngest son to Tito Jackson from the Jackson 5, the Los Angeles native has been surrounded by music his entire life. Now, he’s excited and ready to be doing his own thing, creating music off the simple fact that he loves it.
Serving as one-third of 3T alongside his two brothers, the artist and musician recently unleashed his own solo single titled “Insomnia,” which brings a positive light to what typically would ignite a negative feeling.
AllHipHop: MJ’s birthday just passed (August 29), how did you and your family celebrate or honor him?
TJ Jackson: For me personally, I usually try to just think about great moments with him. All the lessons he taught me. It’s quite easy to do because there’s so many great experiences and memories we had, so I just try to think of all those great times. The world lost an artist, a legend, but I lost an uncle. I try to keep it completely personal… I don’t know how else to say it. We’re not doing dance competitions. We’re not moonwalking or anything, we’re thinking about the man as our uncle.
AllHipHop: Growing up as a Jackson, what are some of the pros and cons?
TJ Jackson: The pros are you get to meet a lot of great people, people who have achieved a lot in life. You get to travel, you get to see great parts of the world. You get to learn about music and that’s what I do, is music. It’s a perk. A con is people always ask you “how’s this person doing?” Like you’re supposed to know. “Where’s Janet at?” I don’t know where Janet is. [chuckles] Another is people sometimes pre-judge you. They think you’re one way — without even knowing you, they think they know you. Sometimes you have to get through and work through preconceived notions of how you are. But the pros far outweigh the cons, I’m blessed and proud to be a Jackson.
AllHipHop: What’s it like having the biggest name in pop as your uncle?
TJ Jackson: Again, I don’t see him… all my life, my time with him and experience, he was always just Uncle Michael. He really was humble and downplayed his achievements, I’m still learning about how massive he was. ‘Cause all my time with him was as my uncle. He was amazing. He was always inspiring, always creative, and he was always teaching me. Naturally teaching me and my brothers how to be the best we can, that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.
AllHipHop: Do you feel pressure?
TJ Jackson: That was a popular question when 3T came out. That was the #1 question. The answer back then was always no, because we didn’t feel the pressure. As I get older, it’s still no, but it’s a little bit higher. And that’s only because I have pride and respect for my family. Not saying I never did, but it’s higher. I’m understanding and more cognizant of the legacy factor. I want to do my thing to make sure I’m representing my family the right way.
AllHipHop: Your the mouthpiece of the family now, how does that work?
TJ Jackson: You could say that, but I don’t mind it. I just speak the truth. Now that I’m releasing music, I’m going out there to promote my music. When people are asking questions and they’re hearing my answers for the first time, that’s kind of made me more of the mouthpiece of the family. But the truth of the matter is I’m just being real. I’m telling my experience, my life, and sharing it with the world.
AllHipHop: Do you get counsel from the others or are you the de facto leader?
TJ Jackson: [Chuckles] I don’t consider myself the leader and I don’t get counsel. No one’s ever told me anything. I don’t even know how I would respond if someone told me something. I’m not an ego head but at the same time, this is my life. Sure my last name’s Jackson, but I’m TJ. So I’m gonna speak my truth and what I feel. Obviously, I don’t ever wanna disrespect my family, but I’m going to be true and real to me.
AllHipHop: How do you feel about the jokes toward your dad Tito?
TJ Jackson: It sucks. [laughs] But you know, it’s a famous quote (I can’t think of) about how people wouldn’t make jokes about something if it wasn’t relevant. If people don’t know that person. What people don’t understand is that without my father, there never would have been any of the Jacksons. He broke the string that started the Jackson 5. My father’s a good guy. He’s humble, he’s chill.
It hurts me because he says he’s strong, but I don’t know if it messes with him. I’m proud of my father. While every other Jackson was releasing their own thing, my father was out of the limelight forming and creating 3T. So he didn’t get his time to shine like the others did. The unfortunate thing is that kind of made him more of a joke, or not taken serious. He didn’t showcase his talents, but my father is the real deal. He’s an incredible guitarist, a Blues player, a Blues singer, and does his own pop and R&B stuff. My father is the real deal and I’m proud to be his son.
TJ Jackson: It’s trash. It’s unfair. It’s a dangerous precedent to just be able to defame and say whatever you want against someone who’s no longer with us. I’m certain that if my uncle was here, we wouldn’t be in this position because he’d be able to defend himself. He’d have so much, even more, because there’s so much evidence out there that shows these guys aren’t the truth. He’d have his own personal stash that would completely discredit them even more so.
It sucks but it’s the way our world is. Our world is about highlights. If you can get a couple of life-long performers to generate and do retake after retake to get a certain feeling — and you could fool people, that’s what’s going to happen. For anyone who has watched it, you must go online and at least do your research. Watch a YouTube video that shows their lies, it’s only fair to. Otherwise, it’s like walking into a courthouse and hearing a prosecution for 4 hours, then having to make a decision on something. If that was the case, there would be no sense for a defense attorney or a defense. If my uncle had that opportunity, we wouldn’t be in this situation. But his fans are incredible, they’ve been doing their thing to support him and to show that he’s innocent. Time will tell, they’ll figure it out.
AllHipHop: How’s it feel coming up under the shade of the family in the spotlight?
TJ Jackson: I don’t see so much as shade or in the shadow. Like I said, I’m proud to be a Jackson. From the outside, I’m the next generation or it’s another product from the family and I just take it with pride. Like any team player, I take it with pride. I’m proud to be who I am. I’m proud to be in the family.
AllHipHop: Congrats on “Insomnia.” What inspired this one?
TJ Jackson: Lyrically, the concept, it was a true experience.
AllHipHop: I struggle with insomnia too!
TJ Jackson: Do you? See, I’m happy you said it exactly like that because I wanted to flip the meaning. Insomnia’s always been a negative thing, something I struggle with, or something that’s messing with my sleeping pattern, but I wanted to showcase that moment when insomnia can actually be a beautiful thing. A positive. I had that experience with my loved one where we didn’t wanna go to sleep, the night was too strong and too great. We wanted it to last forever. Even though we had to wake up in the morning, we just said “forget it, let’s go as long as we can and just enjoy the night.” That’s what the song’s about.
AllHipHop: Thoughts on the 50 Cent & Paris feud?
TJ Jackson: I loved “In the Club” and some other 50 Cent songs, but I lost a lot of respect for him. A lot of respect, for many reasons. I just don’t think it was cool to attack my uncle without doing any research on the truth. Then for him to attack my younger cousin who has to deal with all this, is even more immature and more disgusting. Hopefully, he’ll mature and see more of a respectful side, but it is what it is.
AllHipHop: I mean, he’s just a troll.
TJ Jackson: Yeah, it felt like it was more to get attention. I try to always be respectful and forgive people but there’s some lines that you shouldn’t cross, and he crossed that line. Hopefully, in time, he’ll do the right thing and apologize.
TJ Jackson: I think it’s silly, stupid, insensitive, and wrong… to everyone. Again, he just has to mature and understand the importance of respect. Not trying to get attention by posting stupid things, he should be beyond that.
AllHipHop: How would you compare Chris Brown to MJ?
TJ Jackson: They’re both great. Me and my family have nothing but love for Chris. He’s always been incredibly respectful to all of us. He’s always paid great tribute and homage to my Uncle Michael. We all wish him nothing but the best. I hope he keeps breaking records, that’s my answer. I respect what he does as an artist and he will continue to grow.
AllHipHop: Is there anything else you want us to know?
TJ Jackson: Follow me at @tjjackson9 on Instagram, TJ Jackson World on Facebook and YouTube. Even more important, I do a newsletter once a week where I talk about my journey, talk about what’s on my mind. For anyone who wants to sign up, go to tjjacksonmusic.com.
(AllHipHop News) The backlash against rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine’s testimony continues after the rap star took the stand to testify against alleged members of the Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods.
6ix9ine, born Daniel Hernandez, took the stand against two former associates, Aljermiah Mack, and Anthony “Harv” Ellison.
Mack is on trial for committing crimes on behalf of the Nine Trey Gangstas, while Ellison is accused of kidnapping and robbing the rapper during an internal power struggle with Kifano “Shotti” Jordan over 6ix9ine’s career.
During the trial, 6ix9ine claimed he and almost a dozen Nine Trey members were waiting for members of Rap-A-Lot, who he said were targeted and robbed after a meeting in Manhattan.
J. Prince Sr., the founder of Rap-A-Lot, took issues with 6ix9ine mentioning his label during his testimony and offered up his opinion on the ruined rapper.
“Now I’m hearing lies he’s telling under oath about robbing me or representatives of #Rapalot,” J Prince fumed. “Let me just make myself clear, if him or any of those clowns were to try to rob me or anyone from the #Rapalot family bad news would’ve beat them home.”
During three days of testimony, 6ix9ine broke down the structure of the leadership structure of the gang and implicated his former gang buddies of numerous crimes.
J Prince also said the incident at SXSW had nothing to do with gang politics.
“Let this be a lesson to those who know better to do better because there was never a question mark in my mind that this kid #takashi69 was rat material that’s why my sons didn’t allow him to come into their party. It was never about a rat checking in with us.”
Eubanks is a talented singer/rapper songwriter with the potential to leave his mark as one of the greats in hip hop.
His earliest recollection of songwriting dates back to his teen years. He has ever since been polishing his skills in preparation for potential opportunities.
Eubanks has molded his rap/sing style after being influenced by the likes of Nas, Biggie, Lauryn Hill, and Jay Z.
Originally hailing from Queens, NY, and now residing in Seattle, Washington, Eubanks grew up with strong family values and an acute ear for music.
When you listen to Eubanks you can expect him to artfully manage a balance of fluid delivery, relatability, and truth over dope production.
Recently Signed to Sha Money Xl’s indie label Teamwork Music he will begin to release new music.., he’s just getting started.
(AllHipHop News) Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are already making headlines after the rapper purchased his huge 9,000 property, Monster Lake Ranch in Wyoming.
According to reports, the couple has come under scrutiny after Kim K. posted a video of the pair driving their ATV around the property.
The video, which Kim posted last weekend, shows the pair rolling up on some antelopes and Kanye decides to chase the herd of animals.
A representative for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department saw the video and paid the manager of Kanye’s new ranch a visit, to make sure everyone is aware of the rules surrounding the wildlife on his ranch.
(AllHipHop News) Casanova is taking full advantage of his buzz thanks to the success of his viral “So Brooklyn” challenge on social media.
The rapper is behind the social media challenge, where tens-of-thousands of fans have been dropping bars repping their hometowns, over Cas’ “So Brooklyn” instrumental.
Casanova will be delivering his own bars on a highly anticipated album called Behind These Scars.
Fabolous, Chris Brown, Gunna, and Young Thug are among the guests featured on Casanova’s upcoming album, which will trace his path from poverty and prison to his current success with his hip-hop career.
Behind These Scars is due out October 11 via Roc Nation, in partnership with Republic Records.
Check out Casanova’s new song “Stay Wit It” and the tracklisting for Behind These Scars.
(AllHipHop Rumors) Unquestionably, Celine Dion is a music legend, most notably known for her soaring vocals. She is in the upper echelon of singers.
The songstress has released her fair share of hits throughout the years. Her single, “My Heart Will Go On,” is still one of her biggest records to date.
Recently Dion conducted an interview with People Magazine and during the interview, Celine sent an interesting message to Drizzy himself.
Now Celine is asking Drake not to do such an absurd thing.
“You can write me love letters, you can send me autographs for my kids, you can come and visit. I can have you home for lunch or dinner… we can go for a drink. We can sing together. Whatever you want to do. I can talk to your mother — whatever you want! But please…,” said Celine Dion said asking the rapper to rethink his idea.
Do you think that Drake will honor her request? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
(AllHipHop News) LL Cool J has re-signed to the label that made his career, Def Jam Records. LL Cool J was the very first artist to release an album on the label and he also helped the movement become one of the most iconic brands in history.
LL Cool J has made heavy strides in the last few years not only as an actor, but he’s established Rock The Bells Radio with Sirius XM. Now, the classic Hip-Hop artist comes back “home” like DMX.
Sources with the label were unable to identify when LL would drop new music, but revealed it could be soon.
In 2008, Def Jam and LL ended their relationship in a tumultuous fashion with the rapper calling his 12th album release appropriately titled Exit 13. But the entities shared more good, positive and uplifting times from his first album, Radio, which launched the then Queens, New York teenager into superstardom.
At 16, in 1985, LL Cool J rapped about his radio, braggadocios rhymes and was considered the heir apparent in an era when Hip-Hop just began to flourish. He soon grew as an artist with the triple platinum album Bigger And Deffer and was the first rapper to record a doting ode to the ladies, “I Need Love.” Many copied the formula.
Much of the reason why LL has been so successful is his ability to navigate the changes in Hip-Hop. When rappers were suddenly conscious or gangsta, LL maintained his sense of self, particularly in the 90’s. Mr. Smith, his double-platinum 1995 opus, was R&B in an era dominated by Wu-Tang, Death Row Records and Mobb Deep. He also won another Grammy during this period.
LL is largely why we use the term “The G.O.A.T.” in Hip-Hop because he proclaimed himself as such in 2000.
Fans will have to wait and see what the original G.O.A.T. has in store for his next tour of duty with Def Jam Records.
(AllHipHop News) Does Chris Brown want that old thing back? The “No Guidance” hitmaker was one of the more than 17,000 people to write a note under a recent Rihanna Instagram photograph.
RiRi uploaded a picture of herself lying next to a lamp while dressed in her Savage X Fenty lingerie. The fashion mogul captioned the photo, “Be the first to have this and more pieces from the @savagexfenty show now on SAVAGEX.com.”
Breezy decided to drop a ” ” emoji in @badgalriri’s comment section. He also wrote, “I wanna b the lamp .” Chris Brown, 30, and Rihanna, 31, dated over a decade ago before Brown pleaded guilty to assaulting the singer in 2009. They later reconciled and recorded the “Birthday Cake” remix off Rihanna’s 2011 album Talk That Talk.
This is not the first time in 2019 that Brown was connected to leaving comments under a photo associated with one of his former romantic partners. In June, blogs revealed alleged Instagram screenshots of the Virginia native dissing Victor Cruz, the current boyfriend of CB’s ex-girlfriend Karrueche Tran. Brown suggested his account had been hacked.
(AllHipHop News) After five decades of existence, Hip Hop culture has many behind-the-scene tales that are still unknown to the general public. Iconic radio personality Angie Martinez is exploring some of that history on her new television show Untold Stories Of Hip Hop.
WE tv released a sneak peek clip featuring a conversation with legendary Los Angeles-based rapper Snoop Dogg. On the first episode, Angie and Snoop reflected on the infamous East Coast versus West Coast beef in the 1990s.
Apparently, California’s Tupac Shakur and New York’s Nas had a serious face-to-face exchange around the time of the 1996 MTV Video Music Awards. Snoop explained how, even though the emcees were surrounded by armed men at the time, things were able to remain nonviolent.
The former Death Row Records artist recalled:
Tupac got the whole Death Row. We’re riled up. I step away from him. Him and Nas right here – boom! Nas like, “Wassup Pac? I love your music, I’m a fan.” Guess what Pac say? [He said,] “Well n*gga, if you a fan – I dissed you, Jay-Z, Biggie.” He named off a gang of motherf*ckers. [Pac added,] “I dissed all you motherf*ckers on a song, and if you a fan and you ain’t got no beef, don’t say nothing.” And Nas said, “I love you. I’ll never diss you.” And he shook his hand and hugged him. When he walked off, Pac said, “Yeah, I punked that n*gga.” In my mind, I was like, nah, he let us slide ’cause Nas had more n*ggas than we did.”
Besides Snoop Dogg, Untold Stories Of Hip Hop will also feature Angie Martinez sitting down with Cardi B, A$AP Rocky, DJ Khaled, Queen Latifah, Ice Cube, MC Lyte, Nelly, Ja Rule, Fat Joe, The Lox, and more. The series is scheduled to premiere September 26 at 10 pm ET/PT on WE tv.
(AllHipHop News) All it takes is 10 seconds to be immortalized on the internet forever. Keke Palmer is one of the latest individuals to see a video of herself become an internet-breaking trend.
While taking part in a “Lie Detector Test” for Vanity Fair, Keke was asked about former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney. Her response: “I hate to say it. I hope I don’t sound ridiculous. I don’t know who this man is. He could be walking down the street, I wouldn’t know a thing. Sorry to this man.”
Social media embraced the “Sorry To This Man” clip as a new reaction meme. Cardi B even used the vid as her response to inaccurate reports that 6ix9ine testified in federal court that the Invasion of Privacy rapper was a member of the Nine Trey Bloods gang.
Palmer is looking to take advantage of the attention from her Vanity Fair interview. The Hustlers actress and Strahan, Sara and Keke co-host is selling “Sorry To This Man” merchandise on her website. She tweeted, “This for all y’all sorry a####. Including me available now!”
(AllHipHop News) The most talked about moment from this year’s Revolt Summit in Atlanta involved an exchange between Tip “T.I.” Harris and Candace Owens. The politically active rapper and the conservative pundit went viral for debating the meaning of Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.
Harris addressed the intense conversation with Owens on his weekly expediTIously podcast. Killer Mike, who was also on the same Revolt Summit “Hip Hop & Politics” panel, was a guest on T.I.’s show.
“We had very candid discussions. We had very pleasant exchanges in conversation. Onstage, after the panel, backstage, we still were cool,” revealed Tip about Owens. “I made sure she knew I wasn’t against her, that she was still a sister, and as a sister, I support her. I disagree with her, emphatically, but I still support her, and I made that known. And so now, when the media – I won’t say the media – when everybody got a chance to see the entire panel, they disagreed as much as I disagreed with what she said.”
Killer Mike responded, “Well, they weaponized her clip against her, too.” T.I. then replied, “That may be so. That may have some merit. However, what she chose to do was send me a text. She sent me a text, privately… It really rubbed me the wrong way because I know I don’t have any ill intent, or any malicious intent, toward her. I want you to read – not aloud – but I want you to read what was said.”
Apparently, the text from Owens included her writing some choice words directed at Tip. The Hustle Gang leader did not read the message on the podcast, but he suggested Owens was upset about the public’s reaction to the dispute in Atlanta.
“You know how I am, Mike. You know I don’t generally take being talked to or called names, and just basically being kind of berated. I don’t take to that very kindly or nicely,” said Tip. “She’s accusing me, or should I say she’s condemning me for the response that the public had to the panel where we both had our chance to speak.”
He later added, “If we’re somewhere and she’s being accosted or anybody’s going to do her harm, I’m gonna be in the mix, just like her husband would. However, I’m not speaking to you until you apologize.”
(AllHipHop News) “Take what the Forbes figured, then figure more,” rapped Jay-Z on his 2007 single “Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)…” It appears two modern-day rap stars feel the same way about the publication’s latest “Highest-Paid Hip Hop Acts” list.
Forbes released their 2019 rankings this week. “On Me” collaborators Cardi B (#13, $28 million) and Meek Mill (#15, $21 million) both took to Twitter to dispute the amount of money connected to their respective names.
“Where do Forbes be getting they numbers from cause they way off? ,” tweeted Cardi. Meek posted, “The Forbes got our accounts f*cked up lol….”
Forbes placed Kanye West in first place on the 2019 “Highest-Paid Hip Hop Acts” list with a reported $150 million in pretax income. Jay-Z took the runner-up position with $81 million, and Drake closed out the Top 3 with $75 million.
Where do Forbes be getting they numbers from cause they way off ?🧐
(AllHipHop News) Once again, accounts of Daniel “Tekashi 6ix9ine” Hernandez’s testimony in federal court lit up the internet. His most recent round on the stand led to several trending topics because the government witness talked about the association between the Nine Trey Bloods and rappers.
6ix9ine apparently named Dipset’s Jim Jones as a member of the New York City gang. There were also reports that the “Fefe” performer testified that Cardi B was part of the alleged criminal organization.
However, Tekashi declaring Cardi was a Nine Trey Blood is fake news. Complex published transcripts from the trial, and the section where 6ix9ine discussed Cardi does not show him affirming that the rapstress was affiliated with that particular Blood set.
Defense attorney Alex Huot asked a line of questions that tried to establish whether Hernandez claimed the Nine Trey Bloods as a way to advance his music career. Huot mentioned Cardi in order to see if 6ix9ine was aware that she was a Blood gang member that achieved success as an entertainer.
6ix9ine admitted he did know that Cardi B was a Blood. However, he never specifically stated that she was connected to Nine Trey, the particular alleged Blood set of 6ix9ine and defendants Anthony “Harv” Ellison and Aljermiah “Nuke” Mack.
Tekashi 6ix9ine was described as the prosecution’s “star witness” in the case against Ellison and Mack. The 23-year-old Brooklyn rhymer claimed they were involved in kidnapping, robbing, and assaulting him in 2018.
Ellison and Mack pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, robbery, and firearm federal charges. Hernandez pleaded guilty in a federal racketeering case. He agreed to cooperate with prosecutors for leniency in his sentencing.
Cardi B has openly discussed being part of the Bloods gang at one point in her life. The Grammy winner supposedly claimed the Brim set, not Nine Trey. She even referenced the Blood gang in her lyrics and music videos.
“When I was 16 years old, I used to hang out with a lot of… Bloods. I used to pop off with my homies. And they’d say, ‘Yo, you really get it poppin.’ You should come home. You should turn Blood.’ And I did. Yes, I did,” said Cardi in a 2018 GQ feature. The “Bodak Yellow” hitmaker also told the magazine that she moved away from the Brims at 19 after becoming an exotic dancer.
The woman born Belcalis Almánzar added, “When I was a stripper, I didn’t give a f*ck about gangs, because I was so focused on making money… You could talk to somebody that is considered Big Homie and they will tell you: ‘Don’t join a gang.’ The person that I’m under, she would tell you, ‘Don’t join a gang.’ It’s not about violence. It’s just like – it doesn’t make your money. It doesn’t make your money. I rep it, because I been repping it for such a long time.”
(AllHipHop Features) The UrbanWorld Film Festival kicked off with a bang, a bang of freedom. The highly touted film “Harriet” was the centerpiece of the launch, which tells the tale of Harriet Tubman. Tubman was an abolitionist, activist and American hero.
The film’s director Kasi Lemmons (Eve’s Bayou, Black Nativity) described Tubman as one of “America’s first superhero” on the opening night of UrbanWorld, which was buzzing around the red carpet. The UrbanWorld Film Festival is one of the largest internationally competitive festivals of its kind. The festival curates a slate of films representing the broadest spectrum of films and movies for people of color.
The film stars Cynthia Erivo (Windows, Bad Times at the El Royale) and delves deep into the genocidal, America institution known as slavery. Erivo’s portrayal of Harriet is rooted in an unwavering need to free her family and other enslaved Africans from the horrors of American Slavery. The performances of all parties, including Leslie Odom Jr., Joe Alwyn, and Janelle Monáe, were remarkable and will undeniably evoke emotions that will feel palpable coming off the screen to moviegoers.
Harriet offers a layered, nuanced heroine that will compliment the version most people have learned. Refreshingly and fortunately, this film is not a depiction of the brutal physical horrors of slavery that has been seen repeatedly in other movies. Instead, Harriet thoroughly examines the psyche of a woman who bravely navigates her instincts and emotions, willing to sacrifice her life in doing so.
Most superheroes wear a brightly colored outfit and have superhuman powers, however Harriet clearly shows another sort of super being. Harriet Tubman’s cape is exhibited through courage and the power of love.
Here are some pictures from the night with Cynthia Erivo, lead actress (in yellow), Kasi Lemmons, the director (in glasses) and Deborah Martin-Chase, the executive producer (is in all black).
(AllHipHop News) Nicki Minaj is looking to inspire women to embrace their curves with her sexy new swimwear line.
The rapper recently joined forces with bosses at Fendi for the collection and made sure to include pieces that celebrate women of all shapes and sizes.
“I want to make clothes that make girls with my body look sexy,” she told Elle. “We’re in a new time, where you don’t have to feel bad if you’re not the tiniest you’ve ever been.”
The “Anaconda” hitmaker also wants women to be less harsh on themselves when it comes to weight gain, something she admits she herself has struggled with.
“What I want (to tell) girls is not necessarily, ‘Go and gain weight and have a big booty,’ but ‘If you do have curves, be proud of it, flaunt it – love the skin you’re in.’ As cliched as that sounds, I’ve been really trying to teach myself that. ‘This is who I am; take me or leave me, bye!”‘
And Minaj hopes to take her fashion venture a step further by one day launching her own clothing line.
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes!” she shares when asked if she’d like to have her own collection. “Yeses across the board, okay? I’ve been really strategic and picky on purpose, turning some things down and waiting for the right opportunities. Once people see that you have selling power and you are able to impact a brand in such a positive way, then I think it’s only a matter of time.
“The Fendi collection alone made me feel like I would love to continue doing this – getting to that boss status. That’s where I would like to take fashion, for sure.”
