Burna Boy is furious with fans who mocked a recently resurfaced photo of him with a shaved beard. The image was doing the rounds on social media and soon picked up by several websites, prompting the African Giant creator to respond.
He took to Instagram with a scathing message addressed to the “weirdos” who go to “weirdo blogs for your daily news.” According to Burna Boy, the image being ridiculed by fans was taken three years ago. He then condemned media outlets for focusing on his image and private life—and not his stellar career.
“I shaved my beard in 2021 NOT now,” the Nigerian superstar wrote. “But it’s good to know that for all the history Ive been making and records I’ve been setting and breaking, You PARASITES ONLY CARE ABOUT WHO I MIGHT HAVE F###ED, who I’m f###ing and stupid s### like “Burna boy shaved his beard.”
He continued, “I gotta apologise to Nigerian blogs now cuz I thought their stupidity was unique, I didn’t know they learned all they know from the West.”
Fans were up in arms over the photo of a beardless Burna Boy, with many urging him to grow his facial hair back as quickly as possible.
“There is no way Burna boy is 32,” said one person in a post that amassed over 7 million views.
In other Burna Boy news, Nicki Minaj recently teased an upcoming collab. She previewed a remix of the Grammy Award winner’s#### song “Tested, Approved & Trusted.” It’s unclear when the song will arrive but fans are hyped for it.
Netflix will premiere a new animated version of Good Timeson April 12. Carl Jones (The Boondocks, Black Dynamite) wants the world to know he left the project in the early stages.
Originally, Carl Jones had a producer credit for Good Times, along with Seth MacFarlane, Steph Curry and the late Norman Lear. On Thursday (March 28), Jones informed his X followers about his departure from the program.
“For the record, I was involved with the Good Times animated series in the very VERY beginning but due to creative differences, I had to walk away. So I haven’t even seen one episode or script of this version of the show,” Carl Jones tweeted.
For the record I was involved with the Good Times animated series in the very VERY beginning but due to creative differences, I had to walk away. So I haven’t even seen one episode or script of this version of the show…
A trailer for Netflix’s Good Times hit the internet this week. The initial reaction to the teaser was overwhelmingly negative. Many of the YouTube comments blasted the concept of the show.
“I think they are trying to make this the next Boondocks. But I think it’s unearned and it was clear that the Boondocks were trying to say that the issues portrayed were wrong, but this comes off as just shock value without any nuanced conversation,” one YouTube user wrote.
Another commenter complained, “Who approved this madness? This portrayal of Black people continues to perpetuate the stereotypes. Black people are not a monolith. However, the world sees us all the same.”
Sean “Diddy” Combs remains at the center of the news cycle. Alleged stories of unwanted advances, physical abuse and sex trafficking involving the millionaire mogul continue to trend online.
Accusations of sexual misconduct have plagued Diddy for months, including his ex-girlfriend Cassie suing him in a now-settled civil lawsuit. Longtime music journalist Touré recently shared another scandalous allegation.
“I was personally disturbed many years ago,” Touré stated on Joy Reid’s The ReidOut show. “I know this man well enough to call him and say, ‘Hey, I need a favor.’ This might have been 10, 12 years ago that I called him and said, ‘Hey, I have a family member who I want you to hire as an intern.'”
The former Rolling Stone, Essence and Vibe contributor added, “And then the internship stopped abruptly, like three or four months into it. I spoke to my family member like, ‘What happened?’ And they wouldn’t say.”
According to Touré, Diddy supposedly propositioned his male relative for sex to keep the job. There have been rumors the “Bad Boy for Life” rapper would reach out to other men, such as actor/dancer Columbus Short, for late-night sexual encounters.
“Puff had said, ‘Come home, stay the night with me or the internship is over,'” Touré recalled. “And [the intern] said, ‘Absolutely not.’ And the internship ended. From there I was like, ‘Oh, this is how it goes. Okay.’ So to hear that things went even further with potentially, allegedly, [with] many other people, we feel like we’ve seen this coming.”
Diddy Denies Accusations Of Sexual Misconduct & Abuse
Federal authorities detained two of Diddy’s adult-age children during the raid of the Bad Boy Entertainment founder’s Los Angeles-area residence. Sean Combs, Justin Combs and Christian Combs have not been charged with any crimes.
“There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated,” read a statement from Diddy’s legal team. The Harlem, New York native maintains his innocence.
Attorney Aaron Dyer also stated, “This unprecedented ambush – paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence – leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”
Safaree Samuels and Nicki Minaj dated for several years at the start of Minaj’s music career. There have been reports that the relationship turned violent at times.
He also posted, “I had to lie and tell them I was trying to kill myself so they wouldn’t take you to jail. When things like that start happening more than once it’s time to dip.”
Remember the night you cut me and i almost died the police and ambulance had to take me out the crib on a stretcher and I had to lie and tell them I was trying to kill myself so they wouldn't take you to jail. When things like that start happening more Than once it's time to dip.
That alleged toxic behavior came up during a recent interview with Hollywood Unlocked’s Jason Lee. The celebrity blogger asked Safaree about rumored footage of Minaj chasing him with a knife and destroying his cars.
“No, I wasn’t almost killed,” Safaree told Jason Lee. The Love & Hip Hop reality show alumnus also stated, “Listen, everybody in relationships go through stuff.”
He later added, “I’m not even talking about that, I’ve been in so many situations where girls pick things up. Women are emotional creatures, and I understand. I’m older now and I understand that women just react differently to things.”
After splitting from Nicki Minaj in 2014, Safaree Samuels went on to marry fellow reality show star Erica Mena. The couple had two children before separating. Minaj reportedly married convicted sex offender Kenneth Petty in 2019.
Shannon Sharpe invited Offset to be the latest guest on his Club Shay Shay podcast. At one point, the former NFL star asked Offset about his current feelings toward Budden.
“Yeah, we’re good with Joe,” Offset told Shannon Sharpe. “I rock with Joe. I done talked to him on some man-to-man… I just feel like he’ll kick it with you and then kinda dog you out to the world.
“The credits he got don’t really be matching to the people he be getting on a##. But he do got a word and sometimes he says some things that do make sense.”
“I didn’t like how he was trying to s### on the females. It’s an evolution, bruh, you shouldn’t say that it’s dead,” Offset explained. “I don’t want him to come for me either. I done talked to him. I just disagree with your opinion of the female music. They’re doing their thing. Why s### on it? We’re good though. I don’t got no problem with nobody.”
Joe Budden walked back his controversial “girl rapper wave” eulogy. The New Jersey-bred rapper-turned-podcaster later claimed his commentary applied to male music artists as well.
Natania Reuben claims Diddy got away with shooting her in the face during the infamous Club New York shooting in 1999 and believes the case should be reopened.
During an appearance on “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” Wednesday (March 27), Reuben said Homeland Security’s recent raids on Diddy homes gave her encouragement in her 25-year-long fight for justice.
“I finally felt like justice will be done, justice will be mine. And belong to all of his victims,” she said.
In December 1999, Diddy was arrested alongside his former girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, and Bad Boy rapper “Shyne” Barrow following a club shooting in Manhattan.
Diddy faced multiple weapons charges but was acquitted on all counts at trial. Shyne was found guilty and sentenced to 10 years in prison. In 2008, Ruben reportedly filed a $130 million lawsuit for compensation, which they settled in 2011.
Rueben insisted her story has remained consistent throughout the years and “immediately” named Diddy as the shooter.
“I literally watched them pull out the guns,” she explained before adding, I have a clear point of view. I was facing them directly and watched everything occur and have described it vehemently to all parties involved.
However, she was surprised that her testimony was cast into doubt.
“I didn’t have any reason to believe that someone wouldn’t believe me. But as things unfolded, it was a very short period of time where I realized that’s what was happening,” Reuben added.
Ruben Was Motivated To Speak Out After Lil Rod Claimed Diddy Bragged About Shooting
Earlier this year, Reuben repeated her claims on social media after producer Lil Rod filed his bombshell lawsuit. Rod claimed Diddy boasted about getting away with the 1999 shooting and letting Shyne take the fall.
Reuben said the lawsuit was a sign for her to speak out and believes the case must “absolutely “be reopened.
“Had people taken what I said more seriously and listened more intently, 24 years’ worth of people probably wouldn’t have had to suffer,” Reuben stated.
Diddy’s alleged sex trafficking victims are reportedly opening up to investigators who claim to have “concrete” allegations against the embattled Hip-Hop mogul, leading to Monday’s Homeland Security raids.
A Department of Homeland Security source claims investigators have been looking into the allegations for weeks, per New York Post.
“That’s a funny thing about victims,” the DHS officer explained. They may be reluctant to speak at first, but once they start talking, they talk. They talk a lot. We are getting a lot of cooperation from a lot of people who want to see him brought to justice.”
A multi-agency investigation is underway, spearheaded by the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York.
According to the DHS source, Diddy’s accusers have painted a clear picture of his alleged offenses.
“We believe that there is a disturbing history of sex trafficking,” the Miami-based officer explained.
“We are responding to concrete, detailed, explicit allegations. This is not random. We didn’t choose his name out of a hat. We had allegations that we’re following up on.”
The DHS officer confirmed Diddy “is under investigation” and has not been arrested or charged with any crime.
“He is free right now to do what he wants,” the law enforcement source stated. “But he is aware that if charges come down, we will get him — wherever he is.”
Seven New Accusers Co-Operating With Investigation Into Diddy’s Alleged Offenses
Diddy has strenuously denied the allegations levied against him by multiple people in several lawsuits.
As reported by AllHipHop earlier this week, seven new individuals have reportedly stepped forward to cooperate with authorities. Three Jane Does and one John Doe have already been interviewed, with three more Jane Does scheduled for discussions.
“We became aware of certain allegations during the course of the civil suits against Mr. Combs,” the DHS officer continued. “You have to understand that we didn’t just decide on a whim to search his homes. A federal judge had to sign off. This isn’t a witch hunt.”
However, Diddy’s lawyer branded the federal raids an “unprecedented ambush” and “nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.”
Heembeezy is a rapper making waves on the West Coast music scene. Hailing from the heart of Hawthorne, CA, he has once again stepped into the limelight with his latest release, “Mike Phelps.” Renowned for his viral hits like “Wess Yo Name” and “Really Her,” Heembeezy proves his mettle as an artist who thrives on pushing boundaries and delivering unforgettable music experiences. Fresh off his performance at Rolling Loud California, Heembeezy continues to captivate audiences with his signature style and undeniable talent.
“Mike Phelps,” is a track that serves as a good introduction to Heembeezy’s music. Rooted in his experiences growing up in the vibrant West Coast scene, Heembeezy’s music reflects an authentic blend of LA culture, complete with his own unique twist. From his effortless flow to his undeniable stage presence, Heembeezy is a force to be reckoned with in the hip-hop world.
Heembeezy Had The Crowd Going Crazy At Rolling Loud
While his music effortlessly captivates audiences on platforms like TikTok, Heembeezy remains focused on his craft, emphasizing that his goal is to create timeless music that transcends trends. With hits like “Face No Book,” featuring Blueface, which garnered over 4.5 million streams, and his debut album, Really Heem boasting an impressive 5.6 million streams in its first month, Heembeezy’s star continues to rise.
Backed by co-signs from industry heavyweights like Blueface, Coi Leray, Skilla Baby, and 03 Greedo, Heembeezy is here to make his own splash. As anticipation builds for his upcoming mixtape, Beezy Baby, set to drop in April, fans can expect nothing short of greatness from this rising star.
Be sure to check out “Mike Phelps” now on DSPs. And join the movement as Heembeezy solidifies his position as one of the most exciting voices in hip-hop.
Drake and Rick Ross’s once close friendship has seemingly soured, and the pair appear to be trading shots at each other in a subliminal war.
It’s unclear what caused the rumored tension, as the frequent collaborators were once on good terms. However, fans speculate that Rozay’s appearance on Future and Metro Boomin’s new album We Don’t Trust You raised the temperature in the simmering beef. Internet sleuths also noticed the MMG founder unfollowed Drizzy on the gram.
On Wednesday (March 27), Ross posted a video of him listening to “Everyday Hustle,” his song with Future and Metro Boomin. However, he soon switched to “Like That,” which saw Kendrick Lamar diss the OVO honcho.
In the incendiary verse, Lamar declares, “Muthafuck the big three, n####, it’s just big me,” among other lines directed at Drake.
Rick Ross heard about Drake inviting his Ex to his concert! He riding around bumping “Like That” Kendrick verse! 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/IlsPhw0V0c
Meanwhile, eyebrows were raised last weekend when Rick Ross’ ex-girlfriend Cristina Mackey was seemingly given the VIP treatment at Drake’s It’s All a Blur — Big as the What? Tour in Sunrise, Florida.
She posted a video from the concert on her Instagram Stories alongside a photo of an OVO-branded envelope with her name on.
Drake really invited Rick Ross EX Cristina Mackey to his concert after Rick Ross unfollowed him on ig 😭😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/Uu3Y6B9rWo
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) March 27, 2024
Drake, who’s also rumored to be feuding with Future, is said to target his rivals in clandestine ways that aren’t immediately obvious to anybody but the recipient of his shade.
“Drake don’t do an outright diss song where it’s a headshot” Kanye West said in his 2021 Drink Champs interview.
He added, “He’s gonna set it up like war. He’s gonna do stuff like, live five blocks down the street from you. He’s gonna go and DM every single girl in your family, every single girl around your family. All your n#####’ girls. It’s away games and home games. This is professional rap.”
Kanye West in an interview once said when Drake Disses you, only the person being dissed will understand 😭
50 Cent has been trolling Diddy (real name Sean Combs) on a near daily basis as the allegations mount following multiple lawsuits and recent federal raids. However, the latest court documents have hit close to home with a mention of one of the mothers of his children Daphne Joy.
Producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones filed an amended complaint in his bombshell lawsuit against Diddy on Monday (March 25). He claimed Diddy boasted about paying Joy and two other women, including his ex Yung Miami a “monthly stipend” for sex.
“According to Plaintiff Jones, Defendant Sean Combs bragged about having several women on a monthly stipend,” the lawsuit states before naming the women. “Caresha Romeka Brownlee, aka ‘Yung Miami,’ Jade Ramey, aka ‘Jade’ and Daphne Joy Cervantes Narvaez, aka, ‘Daphne Joy’ who were paid a monthly fee to work as Mr. Combs’ sex workers.”
50 Cent caught wind of Joy’s mention in the latest allegations against his long-time nemesis.
“I didn’t know you was a sex worker,” he wrote on Instagram Wednesday night (March 27). “You little sex worker. LOL Yo this s### is a movie.”
50 Cent Seeking “Compromising Footage” Of Diddy’s Alleged Freak-Offs
The G-Unit founder is also trying to get his hands on “compromising footage” of the rich and famous participating in Diddy’s alleged freak-off parties. The rapper-turned-TV exec shared a screenshot of a report from Fox News with a quote from Lil Rod’s lawsuit.
“Smh this is gonna be so good,” he captioned the post. “What you want to bet I’m a get these tapes. I’ll pay top dollar for them, you been over there? I I don’t go to puffy party’s.”
Allegations of the alleged freak-offs came to light after Diddy’s ex, Cassie Ventura’s bombshell lawsuit. The singer claimed Diddy began coercing her “to engage in a fantasy of his called ‘voyeurism.’” She claimed she was directed to have sex with several male prostitutes while Diddy watched, masturbated, took pictures and shot video. He called them “freak-offs.”
Diddy and Ventura settled the suit within 24 hours. His lawyer said the settlement “is in no way an admission of wrongdoing.” He has since faced further allegations, including sexual assault and harassment in multiple lawsuits.
50 Cent’s latest comments arrive just days after Homeland Security raided Diddy’s homes in New York, Miami and Los Angeles.
Grxwn Fxlks. Remember the name. Not just another duo. They’re a movement. With a philosophy deeply rooted in the transience of life, their latest single, “Sojourn,” is more than just music; it’s a call to action. Led by Masai Turner and Akil Esoon, Grxwn Fxlks isn’t interested in creating mere songs; they’re crafting experiences, moments frozen in time that remind us of our fleeting existence. “Sojourn” is an euphoric journey through the corridors of the mind, a reminder that life is but a temporary stay.
Masai Turner’s lyricism is sharp and deliberate, cutting through the noise of everyday life to deliver a message of introspection and self-awareness. With each bar, he challenges the fans to embrace change and to keep moving forward even when the world seems to stand still.
Akil Esoon’s production is nothing short of masterful, seamlessly blending elements of hip-hop and soul to create a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. Drawing inspiration from The Commodores’ classic “Zoom,” Esoon breathes new life into an old favorite, reimagining it for a new generation.
At its core, “Sojourn” is a call to action, urging us to make the most of our time on this earth and to leave behind a legacy worth remembering. With so much more music in the pipeline, Grxwn Fxlks is here to challenge the status quo, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in music and in life,
Grxwn Fxlks hopes to inspire change, spark conversation, and leave a lasting impact on the world around them. In a society that often values the superficial over the substantive, “Sojourn” serves as a beacon of authenticity, a reminder that true artistry lies in the ability to speak truth to power. Listen to “Sojourn” here:
Halle Berry recently disclosed a terrifying health scare she initially believed to be a herpes outbreak.
During a panel discussion, which included First Lady Jill Biden, Berry shared her distressing experience which originated from a bout of painful intercourse that prompted her to seek immediate medical attention.
The assessment from her doctor, suggesting she had “the worst case of herpes” he had ever seen, left Berry in disbelief.
This potential diagnosis forced her to confront her partner, musician Van Hunt, about the situation.
Following tests, both Berry and Hunt were relieved to find they did not have the virus it was actually a symptom of perimenopause.
Berry, who is renowned for her roles in movies such as “Monster’s Ball,” has been in a relationship with Hunt since 2020.
At 57, the award-winning actress is using this personal episode as a catalyst to emphasize the importance of understanding perimenopause, a phase that marks the transition to menopause, signifying a reduction in estrogen production in women’s bodies.
Reflecting on the lack of awareness and preparedness on the part of her doctor, Berry expressed a strong desire to utilize her platform for educating and supporting other women navigating through perimenopause.
“I realize after the fact, that is a symptom of perimenopause,” Berry remarked, identifying the critical need for increased awareness and understanding of the symptoms and impacts of this natural phase in a woman’s life.
50 Cent has confirmed he will release a documentary detailing the sexual assault allegations against Diddy.
The rapper has revealed the title of his docuseries will be “Diddy Do It?”
50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, shared some cover art for the show on X, teasing it’s due to for release “soon.”
“This is gonna break records when this drop,
“Smh this is gonna be so good, what you want to bet I’m a get these tapes. I’ll pay top dollar for them, you been over there? I don’t go to puffy party’s,” 50 Cent said.
A representative for his company, Curtis Jackson & G-Unit Film and TV, confirmed the release to Entertainment Tonight in a statement in December, adding that they would donate all proceeds from the film to victims of sexual assault.
The cover art that was shared by Diddy on his social media channels was designed by artist Kode Abdo and initially posted on his own social channels, under the name Boss Logic.
Kode later confirmed the poster was made in jest, but it went viral and attracted 50 Cent’s attention, who used the artwork to promote the upcoming series.
50 Cent and Diddy have had a long-standing feud.
In 2006 track “The Bomb,” 50 Cent alleged Diddy knew who shot the Notorious B.I.G., the rapper who was killed in a drive-by shooting at the age of 24 in 1997.
In a 2018 interview, 50 Cent claimed he didn’t ever go to Diddy’s parties because he’d “hug you from the front and the back at the same time.”
On Monday, Diddy’s homes in Los Angeles and the Miami area were raided by the Department of Homeland Security.
This appears to be in connection with a series of ongoing sex trafficking investigations.
The 54-year old has been accused of sexual misconduct in five lawsuits since November 2023.
The first case, brought by his ex-girlfriend Cassie, was settled days after it was filed, while the other four are still ongoing.
Two of the most prominent R&B girl groups to emerge from the 1990s will head on the road together this summer. SWV and Xscape joined forces for the upcoming The Queens of R&B Tour.
The trek, produced byMonami Entertainment and Live Nation,begins on July 27 in Concord, California’s Toyota Pavilion. Other dates include stops in cities such as Las Vegas, Houston, Atlanta, DC, New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles. MÝA, Total, and 702 will join SWV and Xscape as special guests.
“To announce this HERstorical tour during Women’s History Month means everything. It speaks to the power of our ability as women to overcome adversity and emerge triumphant,” Mona Scott-Young, Founder/CEO of Monami Entertainment, states.
Scott-Young continues, “702, Total, Mýa, SWV, and Xscape have all weathered storms and are still here and better than ever! We are so excited to bring the fans an incredible and undeniable performance experience that truly celebrates R&B music.”
The SWV & Xscape: The Queens of R&B reality show debuted on Bravo in 2023. Cheryl “Coko” Gamble, Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George, Leanne “Lelee” Lyons, Kandi Burruss Tucker, Tameka “Tiny” Harris, Tamika Scott and LaTocha Scott-Bivens starred in the program.
SWV has four Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hits in the trio’s discography, including “Weak” which spent two weeks at No. 1 in 1993. Xscape made it into the Top 10 region on six occasions. 1993’s “Just Kickin’ It” peaked at No. 2.
If you’re into science fiction, chances are you’re familiar with “The Three-Body Problem.” And if you’re not, get ready to hear about it everywhere. This renowned book series has now been adapted for Western audiences as “3 Body Problem” by the creators of Game of Thrones, alongside writer Alexander Woo from True Blood. Netflix recently debuted the first season, and it is already a hit. Some speculate this is the next major franchise like “Stranger Things.”
The series delves deep into hard science fiction, exploring intricate concepts in physics and space exploration. If you enjoy a bit of education alongside your entertainment, this series is worth your time. As the story progresses, it delves into political intrigue and philosophy, exploring how humanity grapples with the arrival of extraterrestrial beings and the subsequent shifts in societal norms. There have been significant alterations to give it a more global appeal. The books unfolded in China, but the show has a more global appeal. Also, the creators simplify some of the core science.
Thisone is for casual fans and those who have read the books. AllHipHop’s Quierra Luck chopped it up with the cast in a fun, informative series of interviews. They are below.
Rosalind Chao portrays Ye Wenjie, a brilliant astrophysicist whose traumatic past leads her to make first contact with extraterrestrial beings. Ye grapples with her daughter’s suicide while navigating the complexities of her role in a mysterious military project. Chao, with a prolific career spanning five decades, is recognized for her roles in “Star Trek,” “MAS*H,” and Disney’s live-action “Mulan” remake.
Zine Tseng portrays the young Ye Wenjie in flashbacks, marking her debut in a major project.
Eiza González embodies Auggie Salazar, a nanomaterials researcher facing a mysterious countdown, akin to the character Wang Miao from the novels. González is celebrated for her performances in films like “Baby Driver” and “Godzilla vs. Kong.”
Jovan Adepo takes on the role of Saul Durand, a cynical researcher thrust into unexpected greatness, akin to Luo Ji from the novels. Adepo, known for his Emmy-nominated performance in HBO’s “Watchmen,” has appeared in films like “Fences” and “Overlord.”
Jess Hong portrays Jin Cheng, a senior theoretical physicist entangled in a romantic relationship, akin to Cheng Xin from the novels. Hong is relatively new to the screen, with her debut in the 2019 short film “Krystal.”
Alex Sharp embodies Will Downing, a member of the Oxford 5 facing tough decisions upon learning of his cancer diagnosis, akin to Yun Tianming from the novels. Sharp, a Tony and Drama Desk Award-winning actor, is recognized for his work in “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” and “To the Bone.”
John Bradley portrays Jack Rooney, a former scientist turned wealthy tycoon, akin to Hu Wen from the novels. Bradley, known for his role as Samwell Tarly in “Game of Thrones,” has appeared in films like “Moonfall” and “Marry Me.”
Benedict Wong portrays Clarence “Da” Shi, a former MI5 agent investigating scientist suicides, akin to Shi Qiang from the novels. Wong, known for his role as Wong in the MCU, has appeared in films like “The Martian” and “Doctor Strange.”
Saamer Usmani embodies Raj Varma, a dedicated Naval officer entangled in a romance, akin to Zhang Beihai from the novels. Usmani is known for his roles in “Inventing Anna” and “Succession.”
Liam Cunningham portrays Thomas Wade, a commanding intelligence leader with dubious morals, akin to his character from “Death’s End.” Cunningham, known for his role as Davos Seaworth in “Game of Thrones,” has appeared in numerous films and TV shows.
Jonathan Pryce portrays Mike Evans, a former environmentalist turned oil tycoon with ties to Ye Wenjie. Pryce, known for his roles in “Game of Thrones” and “The Crown,” has a distinguished career spanning film and television.
Marlo Kelly embodies Tatiana, a loyal follower of the San-Ti with no direct counterpart in the novels. Kelly is known for her roles in “Home and Away” and “Dare Me.”
Sea Shimooka portrays Sophon, a physical ambassador for the San-Ti, designed to appeal to humans. Shimooka is recognized for her role as Emiko Queen in “Arrow.”
Offset discussed the state of Hip-Hop during a recent appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast. When asked if it was in “decline,” the Migos member rejected the notion, telling Sharpe it remains in strong shape.
“I don’t know what folks be talking ‘bout,” Offset said. “It’s still that. Why would it not be? Everything is culturally moved from Hip-Hop, period. I don’t care what it is. It is a commercial—that ain’t got nothing to do with nothing. It’s all still brought to Hip-Hop at the end of the day.”
He continued, “What the hell I look like saying it’s declining right now? I’m in it. No sir! And it’s way more rich Black folks off of Hip-Hop than ever. It ain’t never been no execs in the building like it is now. It’s Black execs in the building, in the label business, making decisions more than it’s ever been. And we still run the culture.”
Offset maintained a positive outlook on Hip-Hop and the music industry despite expressing some concerns regarding TikTok’s impact. The Motown Records artist acknowledged the good aspects of TikTok but worried about the platform’s effects on younger artists.
“TikTok is taking a listener away because they going to—instead of listening to a beautiful art of song, they going to the part that might be 10 seconds, 15-20 seconds,” he told Sharpe. “And when people is doing it so much, it make people feel like they gotta get discovered from TikTok. New artists, you don’t gotta do that, bro. Good music gonna be good music, regardless. But I be hearing a lot of TikTok music now. I ain’t hate on it … I just feel it do kinda close the door on the artist, like on the artist side.”
Check out Offset’s entire conversation with Sharpe below. He talks about Hip-Hop around the 49-minute mark.
2 Chainz’s acting skills have his Hip-Hop peers in shock and awe as the development of his character on 50 Cent’s STARZ series BMF continues to ramp-up.
On Sunday (March 24), the Atlanta native shared an Instagram post, soundtracked by his record “Big Meech Era,” featuring screenshots of text messages he received from several of his close associates with reactions to his BMF character Stack$. In the first exchange he shared, 2 Chainz appeared to be caught off-guard by the apparent personal nature of the confrontation from the unidentified person who sent the texts to him.
“Huh,” 2 Chainz replied to the individual who texted “That’s crazy bro I ain’t think you’ll ever do no s##t like that.”
Spoiler alert, the person responded in part, “Setting up Meech and Tee with the Miami Haitians a low move.” They continued, “Todd wouldn’t approve of that!!! Lol that’s som shady s### tony,” to which 2 Chainz replied, “Hahahaa n###a you crazy.”
In another message, one of 2 Chainz associated appeared to praise his acting chops, writing, “Bru I been so lost in the show bru you killing it.”
2 Chainz replied “Thank ya bru,” as they continued, “Super fye. Naw you can act. It’s Up.”
The comment section of the post blew up with support as well, with artists such as Hit-Boy and Jacquees commenting fire emoji’s in shows of support. Griselda lyricist Benny The Butcher also hopped in the comment section, adding his stamp of approval in a comment he wrote, “Going crazy.”
Prior to his appearance in season three of the series, 2 Chainz participated in a roundtable discussion chronicling the influence of Big Meech and his sprawling nationwide operation in an exclusive STARZ special.
Check out the teaser clip of 2 Chainz and other rap artists speaking on the legacy of BMF below.
The rhetoric of both Drake and Kendrick Lamar is being put underneath a microscope once again. As the news cycle continues to swirl with rumors of what sparked the alleged rap beef between Future, Metro Boomin, Drake, J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar, Diddy’s mounting sexual assault allegations are in the mix. Now, instead of fans studying the aforementioned rapper’s lyrics in search of subs and sneak-dissing bars, their old tweets are being examined.
Exhibit A: Drake’s 12-year-old tweet from March 2012 was catapulted on the timeline of 4.6 million users earlier this week after someone appeared to uncover an early connection between Drake and Diddy.
“From this n###a Diddy View I think I see his vision too,” Drake wrote in the tweet.
In an eerily similar fashion, a tweet from Lamar also timestamped with March 2012 was also brought into the view of upwards of 2.2 million viewers after a user recycled the post.
“Birdman, Master P, Puff Daddy = Boss,” Lamar tweeted at the time. Accompanied with the tweet was also a Genius lyric from the former Top Dawg Entertainment lyricist’s good kid, m.A.A.d city album track “Sing About Me, I’m Dying Of Thirst,” which read, “Three n###s in one room, first time I was tossed.”
Users even managed to sift through old tweets from late Los Angeles Lakers’ legend Kobe Bryant illustrating his support for Diddy.
“#CANTSTOPWONTSTOP by my man @diddy is an inspiration and testament to HARD WORK. World premiere is tonight on itunes #inspirational,” Kobe tweeted in 2017.
Someone else went as far as alluding to the possibility of a connection between the death of South African rapper Aka and Diddy after uncovering a tweet in which he appeared to attribute the Bad Boy mogul as his source of inspiration behind creating a flavored alcoholic spirit.
“You inspire me so much! I even started my own range of vodka flavors so I could be a boss like you! Come to AFRICA soon @Diddy We love you! And we love,” Aka wrote in a tweet in 2019.
You inspire me so much! I even started my own range of vodka flavors so I could be a boss like you! Come to AFRICA soon @Diddy We love you! ♥️ And we love 😍🍉 pic.twitter.com/Ce1tUR4f8u
Last but not least, City Girl’s Yung Miami’s Diddy tweet from two years ago regained social media attention along with tweets from USHER and DJ Fresh getting pulled into it. What do y’all think? Is this just a coincidence and the internet is reaching, per usual, or could this be apart of a bigger trend yet-to-be-discovered?
Check out the other tweets below and decide for yourself.
A Texas judge ordered Trefuego to pay six figures in damages for an unauthorized sample on Wednesday (March 27). According to Billboard, Judge Mark Pittman awarded $802,997 to Sony Music, which sued the 20-year-old rapper over his TikTok hit, “90mh.”
Sony filed its lawsuit against Trefuego for sampling Japanese composer Toshifumi Hinata’s 1986 song “Reflections” without permission. The company informed Trefuego of his copyright infringement in 2021 but struggled to get him to respond to requests to take down the song, resulting in a court case.
Trefuego, whose real name is Dantreal Daevon Clark-Rainbolt, remained elusive once Sony sued him. Judge Pittman sided with Sony partly due to Trefuego making things difficult throughout the litigation process.
“In this case, Sony pursued a reasonable, non-frivolous claim to vindicate infringement of its copyrighted work,” Judge Pittman wrote. “Some may query the wisdom of pursuing a claim against a relatively small fish like Trefuego, but that fact does not render Sony’s motivation improper or their lawsuit unreasonable … In fact, the only unreasonable behavior in this case was Defendant’s, as his consistent attempts to evade service and eschew meaningful communications stymied case progress and drove up Sony’s costs.”
The judge added, “The Court hopes this serves as a lesson for Defendant and similarly situated litigants: the Court is sympathetic to Defendant’s willfulness arguments and could have appointed mediators and/or legal counsel to assist Defendant in raising this argument or otherwise pursuing an efficient resolution of Sony’s claim.”
Judge Pittman determined Sony was entitled to $700,497 in revenue generated from “90mh.” Trefuego was also on the hook for $102,500 in lost licensing fees owed to Sony.
“90mh” was removed from streaming services such as Spotify, but the song can be found on YouTube. One upload of the track has more than five million views on the platform.
P. Frank Williams is the culture. The famed director and journalist talks to Chuck “Jigsaw” Creekmur about his new documentary, “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told.”
An Emmy winner and recipient of 8 NAACP awards, P. Frank Williams is the director and executive producer for the newly released Hulu documentary “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told.” Previously, he served as EP and showrunner for the 2022’s “Hip-Hop Homicides” show produced by 50 Cent. In the past, he also contributed as a co-executive producer for the BET documentary series “Copwatch America,” tackling issues of police brutality. Before this, he held positions as a producer at TMZ , a supervising producer for FOX’s “Who Shot Biggie and Tupac” and more. Originating from Oakland, P. Frank’s history goes back to a storied tenure at The Source Magazine, where he conducted interviews with influential figures such as Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, Lauryn Hill, and beyond. He even gave a young journalist named Chuck Creekmur, the co-founder of AllHipHop, his first professional assignment at the iconic magazine.
Now, the newly-minted founder and president of For The Culture By The Culture, P. Frank talks to his old friend Jigsaw about all things Freaknik.
AllHipHop: Talk about the challenges you faced telling this story?
P. Frank Williams: I think that I wanted to make sure that it wasn’t just for a party documentary. I think a lot of people thought it was about the turn up and the streets and the girls and all of that. I wanted to show a much more nuanced, layered story, which hopefully everybody saw that it’s a history lesson of sorts, and I think I wanted to unpack all of that. So I think one of the biggest hurdles is just the stereotypes and the negative stuff about Freaknik, which a lot of people don’t realize. There was a lot more positive as well.
AllHipHop: Now, I noticed one thing, the name spelling changes throughout the doc. Sometimes it has Freaknic with a “C” and sometimes with a “K.” I was just curious, why was that like that?
P. Frank Williams: Well, I mean there’s a lot of different lore about why that happened. Initially it was because as you saw in the film, “freak” was a dance back in the day and they merged it with Nic (as in picnic.” So there was a C later on, probably in the early 90s, mid-90s or so. It started being used with a K.
AllHipHop: Got it. So here’s a two-part question. It seems to me like this documentary is also a love letter to Atlanta. It feels like it’s got a lot of history in there, even not just Hip-Hop. There was also this hodgepodge of other cultures as well that were a part of it. Even the rappers Biggie is in there. Erick Sermon is prominently placed, Luke as well. Luke is from Miami. What are your thoughts on that and how does this sort of all coalesce into this one huge, wild party?
P. Frank Williams: I think that Atlanta was the backdrop for a lot of us in the 90s. It was sort of a coming of age place where a lot of the rappers from that time, we call it the Golden Era from Hip-Hop, came down to Atlanta, whether it be Puff, (Diddy) Lil Kim, BIG or whoever else. Outkast, who were natives, got their start essentially because of the help of Freaknik. I think Freaknik was sort of the foundation where a lot of these people can go get music.
I mean, you’ve been in Hip-Hop hop for a long time. Imagine hundreds of thousands of people in the streets of New York City and you are a promoter or you got a new album, you got a place literally to promote all of that music. So if you were an artist back then, you had to be at Freaknik if you was trying to get on. I mean, Souls of Mischief was telling me stories about how they were out there and they were on a promo tour and that kind of thing. So again, I want to make sure people realize that “Freaknik” is a music documentary. It’s about culture and all that, but at the heart of it, it’s about the music. And without the music, which fueled the whole movement, there is no Freaknik.
AllHipHop: You also talk about when it went south, no pun intended, but it started to go downhill. One young lady in particular really discussed her ordeal, and I know she’s one of many. How did you deal with that as a man, as a human, actually?
P. Frank Williams: Well, I think I want to make sure that we didn’t ignore that. I always try to tell the truth in whatever I do since the beginning of getting into the culture. And so I think sometimes hard discussions are things that you have to have. And as African-American people, young people, we needed to have that discussion that some of the brothers there were inappropriate. Some were assaulting women, some were raping women. And so the only way through is through. And so I didn’t want to ignore that, and it was important for us to make that point and not ignore it and talk about why it ended. So hopefully we did that in a way that was truthful and respectful to the actual content.
AllHipHop: Were there any people that you couldn’t or didn’t get in this documentary that you wanted?
P. Frank Williams: There are some celebrities or whoever I think who had some really great stories that we really wanted to get in, but I think that we did a really good job of the people like Luke who were there. You know what I mean?
AllHipHop: Did you have any legal challenges? Older heads and aunties are like “I don’t want to be in this” and also some who were like, “Yo, I’m letting you know I’m in this.”
P. Frank Williams: Well, first of all, let me say this, just so people know. Legally, if you go outside right now and dance in the street in your underwear, you are not protected by law. Anything that you do in the public space is all bets are off. So there was no legal battles to hurdle or nothing like that. Obviously we don’t want people portrayed in a negative light, people having sex or anything that was really egregious – we wouldn’t do. But no, there were no legal hurdles.
AllHipHop: Did you leave some stuff on the cutting room floor that was like…
P. Frank Williams: There was a bunch of inappropriate content that we didn’t put out there, some stuff that didn’t fit, and we try to be respectful of the culture and the content. Everybody’s asking me for the director’s cut to see some of the raw stuff, but I’m not sure that’s appropriate for a Disney audience or a Hulu audience.
AllHipHop: You have a new production company you’re starting, and I love the name and I love how it’s also spelled stylistically. Tell us a bit about it and why you started at this juncture.
P. Frank Williams: I’ve been in the culture for 25-plus years from our magazine days to now. And I’ve been blessed and fortunate to still be working through the culture, as you are too, and making money and eating and living, feeding my family, doing what I love. But I have noticed that often as a Black male dealing with a situation today that’s egregious, it’s tough to be sort of gentle and to deal with the people who are producing content about people of color. But there’s no people of color involved in producing. It results in a lot of sometimes negative stuff being put out and just battles of what is actually true and real.
And oftentimes, unfortunately, there aren’t enough people of color working on stories about them. And so it is important for me to make sure I give those opportunities to those folks and just make more room for these great stories to be told from young people and people acting like myself who actually lived it. So when I say for the culture, by the culture, you can just say for the culture, it’s something that’s down for the culture. But when you say by the culture means that it’s an inside out, that means it’s coming from the culture itself. So it’s important for me to continue to tell those stories where the sports music, pop culture, things that I specialize in true crime. So yeah, I mean that was the impetus. Myself, Jesse Collins, Ricky, whoever else you may see, will Packer, Keith, Kenya Bears. I think that’s the area that we want to continue to have these independent voices to make sure that we tell these stories.
For the full, unedited interview with P. Frank Williams, watch the video.
