Kenny Beats says a strange turn of events has occurred in the case of the studio equipment he gifted a young boy after he’d become a meme in 2020.
If you’ll recall, Kenny got in touch with a burgeoning internet sensation during the pandemic after the aspiring artist‘ s photo went viral on social media. In the photo initially circulating the web, the kid—whose name ended up being Ray—was captured intensely laying down a verse in his bedroom in a makeshift studio engineered during an impromptu session he self-engineered.
“He supposed to be cleaning the room not in the damn studio,” the caption of the viral post reads.
Within days of the photo circulating on the web, Kenny Beats gifted Ray an entire home studio to help him chase his dreams. Come to find out, Ray did that and then some—according to Kenny’s recent post on Twitter (X.)
“We gave this young man $20,000 in studio equipment,” he tweeted on Sunday (January 7). “He got 40,000 followers in minutes. Then he started going live with strippers for 6 hours a day on insta. Seems like it all worked out.”
We gave this young man $20,000 in studio equipment
He got 40,000 followers in minutes
Then he started going live with strippers for 6 hours a day on insta
According to Kenny Beats himself, Ray may not be his only “success” story as he claims he’s given at least $300,000 worth of equipment out on Twitch streams over the course of the last three years. And for anyone criticizing Kenny for supporting they young artists suggestive career choices, he highlighted how lucrative cornering the strip club music market can be.
Yo, check this out! You won’t believe who’s stepping into the shoes of 21 Savage in his new biopic, “American Dream: The 21 Savage Story.” Yeah, you heard it right! Donald Glover, the dude with five GRAMMYs to his name, is playing 21 Savage. How wild is that?
21 Savage is making a grand comeback, dropping a trailer for his biopic. This movie is not just about 21’s life; there are new songs to boot. But look at the cast of characters for this movie: we’ve got Donald Glover, Caleb McLaughlin from “Stranger Things,” Natasha Lyonne, Jabari Banks, Victoria Pedretti, Young Mazino, Chad Lindberg, Gail Bean, and Druski. Whoa!!
This movie is supposedly directed by none other than Donald Glover aka Childish Gambino. There are three versions of 21 Savage. I have to admit, I wonder if this is REALLY a movie or if this is just a really hardcore rollout for an album.
21 Savage has been laying low on solo projects for over five years. Still, his collaborations with Metro Boomin (Savage Mode 2) and Drake (Her Loss) hit number one, putting close to the top. He’s been racking up GRAMMYs too, with his latest haul at the 2024 GRAMMYs being a personal record – five nominations, including Best Rap Album and Best Rap Song.
So, the big question: Donald Glover as 21 Savage? How’s that gonna play out? Man, we gotta see this movie to find out.
JAY-Z has won an Emmy Award for his part in Rihanna’s show-stopping performance at the 2023 Super Bowl.
On Sunday (January 7), JAY-Z and Hamish Hamilton took home the Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special for their work co-directing RiRi’s halftime show, which also doubled as an inadvertent baby reveal for her second child with A$AP Rocky.
With the new award, HOV notches back-to-back Emmy wins in the same category following the win he secured for the Super Bowl halftime show in 2022 executive produced by Dr. Dre.
JAY-Z was previously nominated twice; once in 2015 with Beyoncé for their On The Run Tour and another in 2021 for The Weeknd’s halftime show.
Rihanna’s Super Bowl performance earned her first-ever Emmy Award for Outstanding Production Design for a Variety Special award.
Thanks to the international publicity from performing as the headliner for the Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show on February 12, ANTI skyrocketed to No. 8 on the Billboard 200 chart. The project sat at No. 50 the previous week.
Rihanna also racked up more than 36,000 total album equivalent units for ANTI over the tracking period related to the Super Bowl, which amounts to a 166 percent increase from the previous Billboard 200 chart. The album hadn’t been in the Top 10 since October 2016.
Lil Nas X courted controversy by unveiling the cover art for his “J Christ” single on Monday (January 8). Lil Nas X defended the image, which showed him getting raised on a cross, against backlash on social media.
“The crazy thing is nowhere in the picture is a mockery of jesus,” he wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Jesus’s image is used throughout history in people’s art all over the world. I’m not making fun of s###. yall just gotta stop trying to gatekeep a religion that was here before any of us were even born. s###.”
Last year, Lil Nas X ruffled feathers with the announcement of his so-called “Christian era.” He trolled critics who were outraged by an openly gay man making Christian music.
“Making christian music does not mean i can’t suck dick no more,” he wrote in November 2023. “the two are not mutually exclusive. i am allowed to get on my knees for multiple reasons.”
A month later, the Columbia Records artist joked about Christian gatekeepers in response to comments made by Holy Gabbana (the rapper formerly known as Boonk Gang).
“It’s really insane how yall pretend some of our pastors aren’t getting piped down before the sunday service,” Lil Nas X wrote in December 2023. “yall do not know jesus personally stop trying to gatekeep him.”
The hitmaker received a more welcoming response from Lecrae, one of the most prominent Christian rappers. Lecrae encouraged fellow Christians to not condemn Lil Nas X.
“Only God knows the motive of Lil Nas X when he gets on here and says, ‘Hey, I’m just reaching out to God,’” Lecrae said. “But he’s not asking for Christians to come diss him because of the things he’s done in his past. He’s asking for what we all ought to ask for [which] is for God to not define us by what we have done but offer us grace and a relationship.”
Lil Nas X’s “J Christ” single is scheduled to drop on Friday (January 12).
L.A. Reid, co-founder of Hitco Entertainment and executive for labels such as Epic Records and Arista Records, is asking a court to dismiss multiple counts in Drew Dixon’s sexual assault case against him. Dixon, the same woman who accused Russell Simmons of sexual assault in 2017, filed her claims in November 2023, which include sexual battery/assault (Count I), false imprisonment (Count II), intentional infliction of emotional distress (Count III) and gender motivated violence act (Count IV).
In court docs obtained by AllHipHop, Reid’s attorneys—Bobbi C. Sternheim and Shawn Holley—are asking Honorable Valerie E. Caproni of the United States District Court in New York to dismiss Counts II and III of Dixon’s complaint, strike certain statutory references in Count I and grant such other and further relief deemed “just and proper.”
Dixon’s complaint stems from two incidents: one in January 2001 and another that allegedly occurred several months later that same year. Dixon alleges “ongoing sexual harassment and career sabotage.” She’s using the New York Adult Survivors Act (“ASA”) and the New York City Gender Motivated Violence Act (“GMVA”) to advance time-barred claims. Each of those laws revive the statute of limitations to permit civil actions related to certain sexual offenses.
Dixon’s allegations of sexual abuse fall within those laws, but Reid’s legal team believes she’s using those laws to “springboard claims of career frustration and disappointment for which there are no timely or cognizable causes of action.” They believe she’s taking “inappropriate advantage of specially enacted laws as ‘catch-all’ alternatives for causes of action which cannot stand on their own and are too late to assert.”
The first incident of alleged misconduct occurred in flight, aboard a jet which had departed from Teterboro Airport, in the District of New Jersey. The second incident of alleged misconduct occurred in a chauffeur-driven automobile in New York City en route to Dixon’s home. Reid’s attorneys argue Dixon has never claimed she was forced, intimidated or deceived into boarding the plane to travel to a company retreat or to accept a ride to her home, adding, “She was not compelled to go along for either ride against her will.” It’s unclear whether the alleged conduct occurred in the Southern or Eastern District of New York, therefore Reid’s lawyers want Count II dismissed for failure to allege proper venue.
As for Reid’s attorneys’ motion to dismiss claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, they say, “The allegations in the complaint, though undoubtedly unprofessional, distasteful, and improper, do not rise to the level of extreme and outrageous behavior required for an IIED claim in New York.”
Elsewhere in Dixon’s suit, she alleges there were two occasions of “fondling… beneath… clothes” and “digital penetration of v#### without consent.” Reid’s attorneys say Dixon failed to state a cause of action in support of the following 10 PL sections in Count I that “contain elements that are not alleged in or supported by the complaint and are not applicable to a competent adult plaintiff.”
Dixon claims Reid assaulted her twice while she was working at Arista in 2001. She says he groped, kissed and penetrated her without her consent on a company trip and during a ride home from an event in New York. She also accuses Reid of stalling her career after the alleged assaults.
A$AP Rocky pleaded not guilty to two felony counts of assault with a semiautomatic firearm in Los Angeles on Monday (January 8). The RCA Records artist reaffirmed his innocence at his re-arraignment in the 2021 shooting case.
Rocky, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, previously pleaded not guilty to the charges in August 2023. His next hearing is scheduled for March 6.
Prosecutors accuse Rocky of shooting his former friend A$AP Relli. Rocky’s lawyer Joe Tacopina argued his client was the real victim.
“We’re going to try the case in the courtroom,” Tacopina told reporters, per Courthouse News Service. “And when we do, facts will come out that show that he’s truly innocent. And that he’s a victim in this case.”
Tacopina aimed to avoid any delays in the case. Rocky’s lawyer targeted a September start date for the trial, at the latest.
“We hope to be on trial by September in this case,” Tacopina said. “I want to get this done and over with so he can start enjoying his family and move on.”
Relli testified that Rocky pulled out a gun during a confrontation on a Hollywood street corner in November 2021. Relli claimed Rocky said, “I’ll kill you right now.”
Rocky allegedly fired a shot, which grazed Relli’s hand. Relli said Rocky fired two or three more times before fleeing the scene.
Footage of the incident was shown at a preliminary hearing. The video confirmed a scuffle occurred but did not provide a clear view of the shooting. A judge ruled there was enough evidence for Rocky to stand trial.
Relli also sued Rocky for assault and defamation in connection to the shooting. Tacopina was named as a defendant in the defamation lawsuit. Relli accused Rocky and Tacopina of branding the alleged victim as a blackmailer in the press.
NBA YoungBoy admitted his future in music is the least of his concerns on the Bootlev Kev Podcast. The Motown Records artist believed he was likely heading back to jail as he awaits trial in a federal gun case.
“I’m kind of set on going to jail right now, so I don’t really think about [the future] too much,” he told Bootleg Kev. “I guess that is my life. I don’t let it bother me or no s### like that. You make the bed you lay in.”
YoungBoy’s trial is scheduled to begin in July. He remains on house arrest in Utah.
“I was blessed to get a bond and to be able to be put in this position,” he said. “So, I be saying to myself, if I do this up, I’m just f##### up. You see how they going about me now. So, I’m pretty sure if I do anything like just against my probation, that’s my ass … It kind of make you do right.”
A Louisiana judge modified the restrictions of YoungBoy’s house arrest, giving him more freedom to seek help for his mental health. The 24-year-old rapper discussed his emotional distress in his conversation with Bootleg Kev.
“I real-life hate this s###,” he said. “This s### take a toll on me, my wife. I wouldn’t blame it on the industry. It’s all about how you go about it, and I’m not that strong. I cry a lot, literally. I’m at a point I know it’s OK.”
YoungBoy recalled completing court-ordered therapy at the age of 18 but said he didn’t have a person to vent to now. He also noted how recording music was no longer therapeutic.
“I don’t even love music to that point no more where I run to the microphone,” he said.
Listen to NBA YoungBoy reflect on his mental health and much more below.
Jonathan Majors raised eyebrows by invoking Coretta Scott King’s name in an interview with ABC News on Monday (January 8). The Marvel actor compared his current girlfriend Meagan Good to Scott King while speaking out for the first time since his conviction for assaulting and harassing his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari.
Majors was asked about a recording in which he shouted at his ex, telling her to act like Scott King and Michelle Obama. Jurors heard the audio at his 2023 trial.
“I’m a great man,” he said in the recording. “A great man. I am doing great things, not just for me, but for my culture and for the world. That is actually the position I’m in. The woman that supports me needs to be a great woman.”
Majors tried to explain his remarks in the ABC interview.
“It was me trying to give an analogy of what it is I’m aspiring to be, these great men – Martin [Luther King], President Obama – and trying to give a reference point to that. One of the things I also say is I need her – in that case, Grace – to make the same sacrifices that I’ve made.”
He added, “I was attempting, and I did a terrible job at it apparently, I was attempting to motivate, to enlighten, to give perspective as in to what it is I was hoping to get out of the relationship,”
A New York jury convicted Majors of one count of misdemeanor third-degree assault and one count of second-degree harassment. He is scheduled to be sentenced on February 6.
Majors denied injuring Jabbari and discussed his relationship with Good in the ABC interview. He referenced Scott King again, drawing the ire of social media.
“She’s an angel,” Majors said of Good. “She’s held me down like a Coretta. I’m so blessed to have her. The relationship is still fresh, but I think I found her.”
X (formerly known as Twitter) users mocked Majors for mentioning the civil rights activist. Jokes and memes spread on social media in response to his comments.
2024 is off and running. Last year was an amazing year of cinema with a wide assortment of offerings on numerous platforms. Artistry in film continues to evolve and revolutionize storytelling. We are beyond excited at the vast prospects. Too many to name, we’ve decided to highlight some upcoming movies that include Black actors, directors, and other creatives. They pave the way for future generations and exemplify the diversity, tenacity, and ingenuity needed to pay it forward.
Check out some of them and please add on by giving your com
We Grown Now (2024): Directed by Minhal Baig, this drama set in Chicago’s Cabrini-Green housing complex in 1992, follows the lives of two best friends, Malik and Eric. Featuring Jurnee Smollett, Lil Rel Howery, and S. Epatha Merkerson.
Dune: Part II (March 2024): Denis Villeneuve’s sci-fi epic continues with Paul Atreides and Chani leading the Fremen in a quest for vengeance and a fight against a foreseen grim future. Starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (May 2024): In this Wes Ball-directed sci-fi action film, set centuries after Caesar’s era, an ape leader’s tyranny spurs a chimpanzee and a young human on a crucial mission. Stars Owen Teague, Freya Allen, Peter Macon, and Eka Darville.
The American Society of Magical Negroes (March 2024): Kobi Libii’s satirical fantasy comedy, critiquing the Magical Negro trope. It follows Aren, inducted into a society aiding White people’s lives. Stars Justice Smith, David Alan Grier, An-Li Bogan, Drew Tarver, Michaela Watkins, Aisha Hinds, Tim Baltz, Rupert Friend, and Nicole Byer.
Ricky Stanicky (March 2024): Peter Farrelly’s fantasy comedy about three friends who hire an actor to play a fictional person they’ve blamed for their misdeeds over the years. Features Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler, John Cena, Lex Scott Davis, and Toni Braxton. (There’s no trailer available, but enjoy a preview of Prime videos suite of 2024 movies.)
A Quiet Place: Day One (June 2024): Michael Sarnoski directs this post-apocalyptic horror prequel in the A Quiet Place series, featuring Lupita Nyong’o, Joseph Quinn, and Djimon Hounsou.
Deadpool 3 (July 2024): The 34th MCU film, a sequel to Deadpool 2, combines superhero action with humor. Starring Ryan Reynolds, Leslie Uggams, and Karan Soni. Enjoy a concept trailer below.
Joker: Folie à Deux (October 2024): Joker: Folie à Deux is the follow-up the 2019 film Joker. In this sequel, Joaquin Phoenix returns to his celebrated role as the iconic DC Comics character, the Joker. Joining the cast is Lady Gaga, who will portray Harley Quinn, adding a new dynamic to the story. Zazie Beetz is set to return, reprising her role as Sophie Dumond from the original film. Enjoy a concept trailer until the official one emerges.
Gladiator 2 (2024): Gladiator 2 the much-awaited epic historical drama, is directed by Ridley Scott and stands as a sequel to the original Gladiator (2000) movie. Crafted by screenwriter David Scarpa, the film features an impressive cast including Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, and Pedro Pascal. Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi return to reprise their roles from the first film. A fan-made trailer was recently released. Check it out.
The Book of Clarence (January 2024) In this film, a man beset by misfortune tirelessly endeavors to improve his family’s circumstances while battling the chains of debt. His life takes a turn as he becomes enthralled by the rise of a charismatic Messiah (Jesus), leading him to stake everything on forging his own destiny toward a higher existence. Through his journey, he comes to realize that faith’s transformative power might be his sole escape. This movie, both penned and directed by Jeymes Samuel, is a collaborative production effort by Samuel, Jay-Z, James Lassiter, and Tendo Nagenda. It features an ensemble cast including LaKeith Stanfield, Omar Sy, RJ Cyler, Anna Diop, David Oyelowo, Micheal Ward, Alfre Woodard, Teyana Taylor, Caleb McLaughlin, Eric Kofi-Abrefa, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, James McAvoy, and Benedict Cumberbatch.
Jonathan Majors has broken his silence after his recent assault and harassment conviction.
The 34-year-old actor has spoken out for the first time since he was found guilty of reckless assault and harassment in December 2023 following a domestic dispute with his ex-girlfriend Grace Jabbari in New York City last March.
The Creed III actor, who has always maintained his innocence, opened up about the verdict and his relationship with the British choreographer in an interview with Good Morning America.
Major also presented images that weren’t admissible during his trial, which he felt proved he was the victim of an assault and not the aggressor.
“I had a scratch on my hand from clawing for the phone, and I had a gash under my beard as well as scratch on my cheek, that bled overnight,” he said. “This has been very, very, very hard and very difficult and confusing in many ways.
He continued, saying he was “reckless” with Jabbari’s heart but “not with her body. My hands have never struck a woman, ever. If you watch those videos and you reverse that, and you saw a Black man chasing a young white girl down the street, screaming, crying, that man’s gonna be shot and killed in the streets of New York City.”
Reflecting on his relationship with Jabbari, he added, “I loved Grace. Our relationship was not healthy, you know, and that began to reveal itself over time.”
Jonathan Majors, who’s now dating actress Meagan Good, told the interviewer he was “scared” to leave Jabbari.
“I should have been brave, I should have said no, this isn’t working, and I should have walked away, and I didn’t,” he lamented.
Marvel Studios dropped majors following his conviction, however, he believes he still has a future in Hollywood, adding that it’s “God’s plan, God’s timing.” After the trial, Majors was found not guilty of assault with intention to cause physical injury and aggravated assault.He’s expected to be sentenced on February 6.
My how things change! It seems like a week ago that Kanye West and his Grammy Family were doing their thing, a decisive cut above the rest.
In 2022, Pusha T distanced himself from Kanye West and G.O.O.D. Music following a series of controversial comments made by Kanye. Despite this separation, Kanye appeared to maintain public support for Pusha T, but the writing was on the wall.
Recently surfaced text messages, rumored to be from January 2022, shed light on their complex relationship. Pusha T’s disappointment in Kanye’s actions is evident. I appreciate the honesty expressed in the text messages. What I am interested in knowing is “How?” I assume Pusha shared with somebody who shared with somebody who…and so on.
Kanye and his new spouse, Bianca Censori have been shaking things up. She is running around with her breasts out, while eating cake. Is it me or does Kanye seem extremely disinterested?
Katt Williams lit a fuse that exploded a bomb across the comedy world. His appearance on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast triggered a response from other entertainers, including Mike Epps.
The über-viral Club Shay Shay interview featured Katt Williams sharing his thoughts on his comedic peers like Steve Harvey, Kevin Hart, Rickey Smiley, and Cedric the Entertainer. As the internet obsessed over the top trending topic, Mike Epps took the opportunity to fire some playful shots at Williams.
After catching some backlash for his Katt Williams joke, Epps went on Instagram to address what he had to say about Williams’s outfit. The Upshaws actor posted a photo with Katt with a lengthy caption.
“I put all these [m############] on and still putting comics on today. None of y’all [are] brave enough or care enough to work with him or come around him. Stop making this s### so bad. [We’re] comedians,” Mike Epps wrote.
He also added, “I put him in a movie when no one wanted to work with him. Some of that s### he said was true and some of it was not. At the end of the day, we [are] all Black men in a business that is not OURS. I cracked on his jacket because that’s what comics do. All this s### is marketing dummies. All the s### he said and y’all mad at me [face with tears of joy emojis]. Get the f### outta here. We having fun, y’all stressing.”
Mike Epps Instagram Post
Katt Williams Called Out Rickey Smiley For His Remarks About Friday After Next
Mike Epps did not offer specific examples of which comments by Katt Williams were truthful. The nearly three-hour Club Shay Shay episode included Williams discussing Black comedians wearing dresses, the Illuminati, sexual misconduct in Hollywood and more.
“You mean in Hollywood they cast a 5’5″ black Santa Claus that weighs 145 lbs? That’s your story? Your story is the Ricky Smiley that couldn’t even do curse words because he had a Christian fan base, he was going to play the pimp? Why you didn’t ask him why has he played a woman in more movies than he’s played a man?” Williams asked Sharpe.
Nicki Minaj wanted to let her fans know that they should not expect to hear “Starships” during her concerts. The song’s producer has now weighed in on the rapper’s decision to cut the single from her sets.
“I don’t perform that song no more, y’all. I don’t like it. What y’all want me to do? It’s a stupid song,” Nicki Minaj told the crowd at her New Year’s Eve performance in Miami.
RedOne co-produced “Starships” along with Carl Falk and Rami Yacoub. TMZ got the Moroccan-born music producer’s reaction to Minaj’s public declaration about the Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded track.
“I have the utmost respect for Nicki Minaj and I love her work very much. I will always respect an artist’s wishes,” RedOne told the outlet. He continued, “I feel very proud to have made that record with her along with the global success it made.”
Nicki Minaj Also Hates “Anaconda” & “Your Love”
“Starships” charted in over two dozen countries. Nicki Minaj’s Pop-infused 2012 record peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The Recording Industry Association of America certified the song as 9x-platinum. “Starships” has amassed more than 1 billion streams on Spotify.
The New Year’s Eve show was not the first time Nicki Minaj expressed no longer enjoying “Starships.” In 2020, the Queens, New York City native admitted to despising three particular early singles in her discography.
“I wish I never recorded ‘Anaconda.’ I like the video but ugh. My first ever solo song on Billboard was ‘Your Love.’ To this day I like the video but I hate the song. I could go on and on,” Minaj confessed. “I hate ‘Starships,’ I mean, ew, ‘Starships?’ I’m like, ‘Why did I do that?’ I really think that every time I hear it.”
Nicki Minaj dropped her fifth studio LP, Pink Friday 2, on December 8, 2023. The project hosts the singles “Super Freaky Girl,” “Red Ruby da Sleeze” and “Last Time I Saw You.” Pink Friday 2 also features production by Finneas, ATL Jacob, Murda Beatz, Boi-1da, Dr. Luke and more.
Have 21 Savage and Donald Glover joined forces for a biopic? Both Georgia-raised entertainers have provided an apparent teaser for an upcoming project.
On Sunday (January 7), 21 Savage posted a movie poster for American Dream: The 21 Savage Story to Instagram. The image featured actors Donald Glover(Atlanta, Solo: A Star Wars Story) and Caleb McLaughlin (Stranger Things, The Book of Clarence).
Additionally, Glover uploaded the American Dream announcement on his Instagram page. Caleb McLaughlin also shared the poster on Instagram. Savage simply captioned the post with three sets of eyes emojis.
21 Savage was born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph in London, England. He and his family moved to Atlanta, Georgia when he was seven years old. His non-immigrant visa expired in July 2006, which led to federal officials taking him into custody in 2019 for unlawful immigration.
In October 2023, Drake revealed 21 Savage received a green card on the single “8AM in Charlotte.” Drake and Savage previously united for 2022’s Grammy Award-nominated Her Loss collaborative album.
21 Savage hasn’t released a solo studio LP since 2018’s I Am > I Was, but he reconnected with Metro Boomin for 2020’s Savage Mode II. The 31-year-old rhymer officially returned as a soloist in October 2023 with the “Call Me Revenge” track.
Oprah Winfrey decided to address some recent comments by Taraji P. Henson. The Color Purple producer reacted to the controversy on the 2024 Golden Globe Awards red carpet.
“I heard I was trending yesterday because people are saying that I was not supporting Taraji,” Oprah Winfrey told Entertainment Tonight‘s Kevin Frazier at the event.
She continued, “Taraji will tell you herself that I’ve been the greatest champion of this film, championing not only the behind-the-scenes production but also everything that everybody needed.”
“I Can’t Drive Myself To Set,” Says Taraji P. Henson
Taraji P. Henson stars as Shug Avery in the Blitz Bazawule-directed 2023 remake of The Color Purple. The veteran actress recently talked about some of the issues she and her castmates had to deal with during the movie’s filming.
“They gave us rental cars, and I was like, ‘I can’t drive myself to set in Atlanta.’ This is insurance liability, it’s dangerous. Now they robbing people. What do I look like, taking myself to work by myself in a rental car?” Henson stated during an interview.
The Washington, DC native also said, “So I was like, ‘Can I get a driver or security to take me?’ I’m not asking for the moon. They’re like, ‘Well, if we do it for you, we got to do it for everybody.’ Well, do it for everybody! It’s stuff like that, stuff I shouldn’t have to fight for.”
“Whenever I heard there was an issue or there was a problem, there’s was a problem with the cars or there a problem with the food I would step in and do whatever I could to make it right,” Oprah insisted in her ET interview. “I believe that [Taraji P. Henson] would even vouch for that and say that it’s true.”
Winfrey went on to state, “There’s no validity to there being a thing between Taraji and I.” The Color Purple scored two Golden Globe nominations for Fantasia Barrino (Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical) and Danielle Brooks (Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture). Neither woman won their respective category.
Idris Elba is calling on the British government to immediately ban machetes and “zombie” knives, among other initiatives, to tackle the nation’s youth knife violence problem.
On Monday (January 8), the actor outlined his mission and also released a new song “with an important message” as part of his campaign called Don’t Stop Your Future.
“I can’t stay silent as more young lives are lost to these brutal and heartless crimes,” Elba explained, per The Guardian. “As school returns, too many young people will not be joining their classmates and too many grieving families have lost a young person they love in recent years. Young people are our future, their potential deserves to be met, not taken away by violence.”
Idris Elba united with families who’ve lost loved ones to knife crimes to create an installation featuring victims’ clothing outside London’s Parliament Square.
In a video posted on his Instagram Story, Elba explained his intention to put the issue “right under the noses” of politicians as they arrived for work Monday.
While the British government announced last August that tougher measures targeting machetes and zombie-style knives would be introduced, with a ban on some knives, the legislation has not yet passed.
“Parliament has repeatedly not given this issue the focus it deserves,” Elba continued. “Our political leaders need to prioritise it now. As well as an immediate ban on zombie knives and machetes, we need to give young people more of a reason not to carry a weapon in the first place. That means investing in the services that address the root causes of violent crime.”
Alongside the immediate ban, Idris Elba called for more desperately needed funding for youth services. He’s also urging the government to create a cross-party coalition to end knife crime.
"Lets take the vigour of the turn from 2023 to 2024, and apply it to eradicating knife crime."
Actor @IdrisElba tells @AmolRajan why he is leading a campaign which will see families lay out clothes representing knife crime victims outside Parliament today.#R4Today
The ongoing war of words between NLE Choppa and Blueface has now brought family members into the feud. Choppa’s mother, Angela Potts, had some things to say to her son’s adversary.
“First of all, Blueface, keep me out y’all b#######,” Angela Potts said in a video posted to social media. “Keep my name out your mouth, ’cause I don’t play with kids.”
She continued, “Second of all, that’s y’all on the Internet, two associates, playing on the Internet, going back and forth. You talking about some ‘squabble up.’ He’s talking about getting into boxing. When, truth be told, y’all were joking anyway. It wasn’t supposed to be no match or no real fight.”
Blueface Threw Shots At NLE Choppa’s Baby Mama
NLE Choppa and Blueface have been trading insults online for several days. This round in the beef kicked off when Blueface threw shade at the mother of Choppa’s child on the “Barbie Remix” song.
“F### yo feelings, you a son of a b####. Oh, N-L-E baby mama wanna hit. Why you lying ’bout the number, b####? You know I got the digits,” Blueface rapped on the new version of Jaidyn Alexis’s viral hit.
N##### rap about my wesydes all year long and mad when I rap about his…she decided to indulge in the circus on her own free recognizance she entered the chat nobody safe 🎪😈 I’m not worried about a Muslim vegan cryp on sY bet that small fry 🤝 squabble up or shut up
NLE Choppa later called out Blueface for promoting the potential bout without his official approval. The 21-year-old Memphis native also suggested he needed time to prepare for the fight since Blueface has boxing experience.
“A fake flyer [gets] posted, I speak on it and I say the fight should be set up properly with enough time to train and I’m scared vs the mane posting fake flyers knowing imma say what I said to manipulate it as if I’m running or ducking you. N#### a crip narcissist,” Choppa tweeted on Saturday (January 6).
He also wrote, “Then he had [Wack 100] call my momma to call off the fight [face with tears of joy emojis]. Ma deuce got it on video who really SCARED [face with tears of joy emojis]. Ms. Potts post the video please he talm bout I got my mommy he had to get his DADDDDDY [face with tears of joy emojis].”
A fake flyer get posted, I speak on it and I say the fight should be set up properly with enough time to train and I’m scared vs the mane posting fake flyers knowing imma say what I said to manipulate it as if I’m running or ducking you. N#### a crip Narcissist 😂
Then he had wack call my momma to call off the fight 😂😂😂😂 Ma deuce got it on video who really SCARED 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 Ms. Potts post the video please he talm bout I got my mommy he had to get his DADDDDDY 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣
Ari Lennox is opening up about her time on tour with Rod Wave, including the viral water bottle-throwing incident.
The R&B singer hit the road last fall as the opening act of Wave’s Nostalgia Tour. However, according to Lennox, the Florida rapper’s fans had no time for her singing and ruined the experience for her.
During a heartfelt Instagram Live chat with her fans, Ari Lennox recalled being heckled by fans and even assaulted during the tour.
“I can’t deal with s### like that,” she explained, adding that she would never allow others to be treated that way.
“It’s one thing to hate me, that’s fine,” she added. ”But it’s another thing to be like ‘Get this b#### off stage,” or like have your little signs or like assault me. What is this aggression? Like you’re that p#####?”
While she’s appreciative that she was able to pay off “a lot of bills,” Ari Lennox said the “disrespect” from fans made the two-and-a-half months she was on tour with Rod Wave a “very hard,” and “lonely” one.
“I get why it does not make sense to open up for … anybody,” she said later during the stream. “That type of music, I’m good. It’s f##### up but it is what it is. It’s a certain type of energy where people are disrespectful as hell.”
She continued, “I watched it with Rico Nasty, same s###. There’s a certain type of fan base that you’re like, literally aggressive. I’m okay. Like I got to worry about getting touched and I’m just here doing a job.”
Ari Lennox talks about a “very, very, hard and lonely” time opening up on tour w/ Rod Wave
“I get why it does not makes sense to open up for … anybody. I watched it with Rico Nasty. There’s a certain type of fan base that you’re like, literally aggressive” https://t.co/lwSjv4rfSQpic.twitter.com/RrMUIEqfkD
Ari Lennox Wasn’t Surprised Fan Threw Bottle At Her
Elsewhere during the stream, Ari Lennox addressed getting hit with a water bottle thrown by a fan while on tour with Rod Wave.
“That side of the stage, like, I felt the energy,” she said of the viral incident. “I wasn’t surprised that it happened. I felt it. First of all, it was all darkness. That was literally the energy coming from the left side.”
Back in November, the “Pressure” hitmaker launched into a furious tirade against the missile thrower.
“Don’t you ever disrespect a beautiful Black woman on the f###### stage like that. I will f###### f### you up!” she said during the concert before calling out the alleged culprit and later walking offstage.
The tension between Latto and Ice Spice seemingly ramped up a notch after both artists shared new snippets over the weekend.
On Sunday (January 7), Latto previewed a new single on social media alongside a video teaser of the track. While many praised the song as a potential banger, eager for a release, one line in particular caught fans’ attention.
“I just want a one-on-one, don’t know why she so nervous,” Latto raps on the song. Eagle-eyed fans noticed that the video for Ice Spice’s latest song “Pretty Girl,” played in the background as Latto called out her unnamed rival.
Fans from both camps reacted to the subliminal shot on social media, adding fuel to the simmering feud between them.
“O @Latto SHADES @icespicee_ requesting a ONE ON ONE and then plays ICE SPICE in the background SO SHE CATCHES THE DIRECT WHACK,” wrote one Latto fan. GENIUS!!!!!! I LOVE FEMALE RAP.”
Meanwhile, a few hours later, Ice Spice teased her own upcoming single, sharing a preview on social media.
“Think you the s###, b####. You not even the fart,” Ice Spice opens the track. She posted the song alongside a Super Mario graphic echoing the same message.
During a November interview, the “Lottery” hitmaker said that although the Hip-Hop industry is “cliquey,” it’s fans that actually drive beef between artists.
“I think it really don’t be a problem until we let fans, Stans, whatever you want to call them, like the outsiders once they get in the mix. I think that’s what stirs the pot,” she told XXL.
“Once they get to comparing, they will turn us against each other,” she added. “Which is very weak-minded of us as female rappers.”
DDG is sharing some insight on life as a new father after his recent revelation that he and his girlfriend, Halle Bailey, welcomed a son they named Halo.
The rapper and YouTuber shared a vlog titled “I’m A Dad Now,” gushing over his little boy and his partner. According to DDG, The Color Purple actress has taken to motherhood like a duck to water.
“I wouldn’t have chose no other person in the world to have a child with,” DDG said of Halle Bailey. “We learning. She’s a great mother. It’s crazy, she’s amazing.”
He called the new dad experience “very very fun,” and revealed that despite his initial apprehension, he witnessed his son’s birth, giving him a “newfound respect for women.”
“I watched the whole thing,” he explained, alongside footage of DDG in the delivery room during labor. “I was honestly scared cuz, I was like “Man, I don’t really wanna see this.’”
He also said that he doesn’t “plan on having a million kids,” but wants “maybe one or two more.”
Elsewhere in the video, DDG revealed he was “most scared” at the prospect of changing diapers. However, now he’s had some practice, he feels “like a professional already,” and likened the process to gaming.
“He peed on me three times already and I don’t even be mad. It be cool,” he shared. “I change his diaper and it’s fun. It’s like a video game at this point.”
DDG And Halle Bailey Plan To Keep Baby Halo’s Face Private
DDG also stated that neither he nor Halle Bailey plans to share photos their son’s face with the world.
“It’s just too priceless,” he explained, adding that the little boy is “beautiful,” a blend of “the best features” of both parents, and most importantly, healthy.
“That’s all that really matters, that he healthy and able to live a great life stress free,” DDG said.
The couple also shared throwback footage of Halle’s growing belly after denying the persistent pregnancy rumors for months. Check out the sweet video below.
