News Stories

*Earlier this month, Kevin Durant explained to Bleacher Report why he thinks being LeBron James’ teammate could be challenging both on and off the court.

“So much hype comes from being around LeBron from other people. He has so many fanboys in the media. Even the beat writers just fawn over him. I’m like, we’re playing basketball here, and it’s not even about basketball at certain points. So I get why anyone wouldn’t want to be in that environment because it’s toxic. Especially when the attention is bulls-t attention, fluff. It’s not LeBron’s fault at all; it’s just the fact you have so many groupies in the media that love to hang on every word. Just get out of the way and let us play basketball.”

Durant thinks it’s the media who are creating this “toxic” environment. And while he and James eventually spoke on the phone about his comments, Lebron was not happy when he initially read it.

*Cardi B was allegedly in talks with the NFL to join Maroon 5 during their Super Bowl halftime show performance in February, as she features on the band’s recent No. 1 hit “Girls Like You”.

But according to multiple reports, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper “is holding out.”

“She doesn’t want to do it unless they roll out the red carpet for her,” a source close to the negotiations said. Cardi reportedly demanded a fee of up to $1 million, plus a solo spot in the halftime show.

*The parents of the 16-year-old biracial varsity wrestler who was forced to cut his dreads before a match have spoken out for the first time since the incident.

The attorney for Charles and Rosa Johnson, Dominic A. Speziali, said in a statement that the conduct of the referee who forced their son, Andrew, to cut his hair “appears more egregious as additional information comes to light,” kdvr.com reports.

They allege the referee told Andrew his hair and headgear were not in compliance with league regulations, Speziali said in the statement.

When Andrew suggested he could push his hair back, Speziali said the referee refused because the teen’s hair “wasn’t in its natural state.”

So the high schooler was given an ultimatum: Cut the locks or forfeit the match. He chose to have his hair cut.

*We don’t know what young and upcoming University of Miami quarterback N’Kosi Perry was thinking when he made a super stupid move that showed his immaturity.

Yep, he may be ready on the field, but it’s what he did off the field that has come back to haunt him and cost him his starting position on the team.

Here the deal. Perry, the U-M starting quarterback, posted a video to his Snapchat account in mid-September that showed two unidentified individuals engaging in sexual intercourse.  Somehow – and it’s not too hard to figure out – the x-rated vid  resurfaced among the Miami student body late last month.  Oops! That’s obviously not a good look for the team and the school. Something had to give. In a statement late last week, the football program said it was aware of the video and “the posting has been addressed with the student-athlete.”

‘HALLWAY HARRY’ DEMANDS BLACK MAN PROVE HE’S A RESIDENT OF EXPENSIVE NYC COMPLEX

DIKEMBE MUTOMBO DOWN BUT NOT OUT OVER DEATH OF BOY WITH FACE TUMOR – VIDEO

Well, the “posting has been addressed with the student-athlete” statement kinda, sorta tells you what up, it doesn’t come right out say what will be N’Kosi Perry’s fate as far as who will start under center for today’s game. Now we know. Head coach Mark Richt confirmed on Wednesday that Malik Rosier (pictured immediately above), not Perry, will get the start at quarterback for the New Era Pinstripe Bowl game against Wisconsin.

Richt, who reprimanded Perry earlier this season for acting juvenile by flashing money in an Instagram video, said Wednesday that Perry has not exactly been suspended for the bowl game [5:15pm Eastern, ESPN/ESPN App].

“He’s not suspended,” Richt told reporters, according to the Miami Herald. “He is available to play as of right now, but we feel like Malik was the guy that’s going to give us the best shot.”

Like the redshirt freshman Perry, Rosier, a fifth-year senior, has started six games this season.  Perry had started the last three contests of the regular season after wresting the job away from Rosier.

If you’re not familiar, this season, Rosier has completed 53.5 percent of his 144 passes for 1,007 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions.  He’s also rushed for another 210 yards and six more touchdowns.

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/12/miami-qb-nkosi-perry-sacked-by-team-wont-play-because-of-porn-posted-to-snapchat/

*Deion Sanders was at the prime of his life in the mid-late 90’s. He had won two Super Bowls and appeared in a World Series. He was rich, had become a father and even released an album.

But as reported by The Undefeated in 1997, he drove his car off a cliff in an suicide attempt.

“I was going through the trials and tribulations of life. I was pretty much running on fumes,” he said. “I was empty, no peace, no joy. Losing hope with the progression of everything.”

Sanders recounted the suicide attempt in his autobiography “Power, Money & Sex: How Success Almost Ruined My Life.” He survived a 30- to 40-foot drop without any serious injuries. He then decided his life was worth living.

“I finally just got on my knees and gave it all to the Lord,” he said.

“Slowly, but surely, I had to deal with my faith, deal with my strength,” Sanders said. “I had to get a lot of Word in so that I could fight off the enemy. I wouldn’t be where I am today without my faith. People argue about what faith is, and who Jesus is, but it works for me. I’m not going to sit here and argue about who is what, and what is what, I’m just going to say it works for me.”

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Country Singer Kane Brown on Discovering He’s Biracial and Being Called the ‘N-word’

He began reading the Bible and seeking guidance from mentors such as Bishop T.D. Jakes.

“No one had told me that life would be tough going from one team to another one,” Sanders said. “Going from the enemy’s team, being one of his soldiers, to God’s team. That’s a tremendous turnaround.”

Sanders said he became committed to living a faith-first lifestyle.

“I don’t believe you can be at your optimum without your faith,” Sanders said. “Sports is sports, it’s a game. My faith is everything. It’s the gas that propels the courage, the truth, keeps me going. It’s the wind, it’s the wings, it’s the air that pumps into my lungs, that provokes me to live. Faith is everything.”

The former NFLer says he’s a member of Vision Regeneration Church in Dallas, led by Bishop Omar Jahwar.

“Finding someone that’s like-minded at this age and stage of my life is a delight to me,” Sanders said of Stand Together. “They give with no expectation, give from the heart. The want to fight domestic violence, homelessness, poverty, disenfranchised families. There’s so many things that they’re up against.”

The father of five children also works as a commentator with the NFL Network and he ministers to others.

“What people call ‘in the ministry,’ I call it ‘in my will.’ I’m in God’s will,” he said. “I don’t really get down with a lot of titles, this and that. I believe I’m just in God’s will. If he called me to minister to a group, or setting, or whatever, that’s what it is. That’s what I’m gonna do. I don’t really desire a title to go and do what I’ve been called to do. I think it’s only right to go.”

A new ESPN 30 For 30 documentary about Sanders’ suicide attempt will air January 31. The trouble began during his separation from first wife Carolyn Chambers, the mother of his two children Deion Jr and Deiondra. The end of his marriage propelled him into spiral downward with wanting to take his own life

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2018/12/deion-sanders-recalls-suicide-attempt-that-led-him-to-the-lord/

*Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson gave his mom a new home for Christmas and he shared his gift giving spitit in an emotional post on Instagram.

Johnson, 46, posted about the surprise on Sunday, writing, “This one felt good. Surprise! Bought my mom a new home for Christmas. All our lives growing up we lived in little apartments all across the country. Lived like gypsies on the road from one state to another.”

He continued, revealing that “The first home my parents ever lived in was the one I bought for them in 1999. They divorced about 5yrs later and as with life, stuff happens and things got a little complicated. Since then I always made sure my mom and dad have everything they’ll ever need – houses, cars etc. But the house this time is a special one and the timing is very meaningful. I told her to treat this card like it’s “Willy Wonka’s Golden Ticket” because she gets to choose any home she wants – anywhere she wants.”

Read his full post below.

*Earlier we told you about Kanye West and Kim Kardashian announcing that they are expecting baby number 4 (scroll down for MORE info). Now, we can tell you about Kobe and Vanessa Bryant‘s plans for their #4, too.

It happened yesterday, New Year’s Day, that the couple announced they’re expecting.

“New Year, New Baby! Baby Mamba On The Way 2019,” Kobe posted on Instagram.

He followed up with:

*A few weeks ago the NFL announcement plans to strengthen its commitment to consider minority candidates when hiring coaches and executives in their front offices.

“Our focus was simply: How do we make the Rooney Rule better?” Robert Gulliver, the league’s chief human resources officer, said, referring to the rule adopted in 2003 and named for Dan Rooney, the owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the time who pushed for the regulations, reports the NY Times.

Now, the Rooney Rule will be put to the test.

There were seven Black coaches at the beginning of the 2018 season. On Monday, only two remain: Mike Tomlin in Pittsburgh and Anthony Lynn with the LA Chargers. Carolina Panthers Coach Ron Rivera, who is Latino, is the only other minority head coach.

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: Big Ass White Man Assaults Small Black Female McDonald’s Worker; Manager Just Watches – LOOK!

Four black coaches were fired this week, including the Jets’ Todd Bowles, Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos Coach Vance Joseph, and Cardinals’ coach Steve Wilks. Cleveland’s Hue Jackson had previously been canned back in October.

via the New York Times:

But the next several weeks will unquestionably heighten the scrutiny on the N.F.L.’s hiring practices and how reliably, or willingly, the Rooney Rule will be employed.

Under the new regulations enacted a few weeks ago, when teams are looking to fill positions, they must interview at least one minority candidate from a list kept by the league’s Career Development Advisory Panel, or a minority candidate not currently working with a team. Teams also must keep detailed records of who they interview, which is perhaps a response to criticism from minority candidates who say they are routinely called, but not formally interviewed, by teams trying to do the least possible to fulfill their obligations.

After it was first established, the Rooney Rule appeared to be having an impact. By 2011, eight N.F.L. teams had coaches of color, the most to that point, or since.

Yet, at the same time, hiring minority front office executives did not keep pace.

With this latest shake-up of Black coaches, and the N.F.L. under pressure to increase the presence of minority coaches and executives, many sports fans wonder if the Rooney Rule is even effective, and if so, why does the future for minority coaches still look so bleak?

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/nfl-fires-several-black-coaches-after-vow-to-strengthen-the-rooney-rule/

*Dwyane Wade’s baby mama, Aja Metoyer, decided to be messy on social media over the weekend by seemingly shading the NBA star’s wife, Gabrielle Union.

The former “Basketball Wives” star, who shares a son with Wade named Xavier Wade, posted a picture of her C-section scar along with a message praising mothers who experienced a Caesarean birth. She added “LOL” at the end of her note… and that’s when things went left.

Fans are now slamming Aja because many believe she was mocking Union, who recently welcomed a baby girl with Dwyane via surrogate after many miscarriages.

One person commented: “So why did she remove the “LOL” from the end? The “lol” is what made it shade. Why put it? That was the purpose? Shade! She was throwing shade at Gabby. It wasn’t innocent. You still big mad he didn’t choose you, sis. Let’s just be honest with ourselves,” Celebrity Insider reported.

Another follower noted that influencers such as Kim Kardashian and Nicole Kidman also had babies via surrogate.

“Umm… Interesting? So, please “Add” a Shout-out to mothers who did not physically birth their kids or just hit “Delete” be authentic! Being petty looks small on your part, whether it was intentional or not. The timing is absolutely questionable! I am just saying, “Beautiful Single Mother” level up! Whether a woman birth a child does not make her connected or disconnected. It is simply in the soul, spirit, and heart of the woman! Salute to all mothers! Surrogate, Adopted, etc. Why did she remove the original caption? If you’re gonna stand in your truth stand ALL the way in it. You didn’t think the blogs was watching your ass because this doesn’t even match the previous explanation she gave when someone asked her about the LoL.”

But one defender had this to say: “Intentional shade or not, it’s her page and her journey (the caesarian) so she can post what she wants. I stated this earlier. And remember, ppl are feeling sorry for a person who admitted that they were a mean girl, who wished bad and was gleeful when other women of color had hardships. So….I’m not sure how people got all the negative foolishness out your post. I saw the post & not one time did I think of the other young lady. People just being messy.”

Another user added: “I don’t agree with the womb post if!! It was sent out of Anger!!, but kiddos for not signing over full custody… Raise your child, but please heal.. yeah it’s hard, but many mothers experience different hurt, regroup and start fresh. Forgiveness is Priceless.”

Aja has responded to her critics, claiming she wasn’t being shady at all and she slammed folks for being so negative. Check out her response below (via The YBF):

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/aja-metoyer-responds-to-critics-who-slammed-her-for-shading-gabrielle-unions-surrogate-baby/

*21-year-old Lamar Jackson will make NFL history when he steps onto the field for the Ravens in a playoff game against the Chargers on Sunday.

As reported by The Baltimore Sun, Jackson will start at quarterback for the Ravens AFC wild-card-round game, making him the youngest-ever QB to start a playoff game.

“I’m trying to taste that victory for my birthday Monday,” Jackson said, per the team’s official website. “I can taste it!”

Per NFL.com:

“Coincidentally, Jackson is attempting to break the record of another scampering quarterback, Michael Vick, who was 22 years, 192 days old when he ran over the Green Bay Packers in 2003 at Lambeau Field, becoming the youngest signal-caller to win a playoff game. Vick was in his second season.”

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: 7 Unacceptable Cycles Black People Have to Change to Move Forward – VIDEO

*Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has vowed to donate his NFL playoff game check to the family of the 7-year-old girl who was killed over the weekend when a white male in a pickup truck pulled up alongside the vehicle she was a passenger in and opened fire.

“When I see Jazmine Barnes‘ face, I see my own daughter,” Hopkins, 26, tweeted Thursday. “On Saturday, I will be playing in your honor, Jazmine.”

Hopkins wants to help the family cover the funeral costs and to add to the reward being offered by authorities for information leading to an arrest of the gunman.

“It’s been a moving number, but it’s safe to say that the number is in the six figures,” Harris County Sheriff’s Office spokesman Jason Spencer told The Post.

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: $35,000 Reward Offered for Suspect Who Fatally Shot 7-year-old Girl in Texas Drive-by

On Thursday afternoon, a sketch of a possible suspect was released… see below.

“Our investigators have been sifting through a consistent stream of tips coming in locally and nationally,” Spencer said. “And the ones that have the most specificity and the most promise are being prioritized. Obviously, no arrests have been made or arrest warrants issued, but we are getting promising leads that are being pursued.”

As previously reported, Jasmine’s father is asking the public for help finding the shooter, who has been described as a white man in his 40’s.

“I just want anybody, whoever out there that knows anything about the murder of my daughter, to just please step up as if it was your own,” Jazmine’s father, Christopher Cevilla, said at a news conference Monday, according to People.

“Just put yourself in my shoes — in my family’s shoes,” he said.

Jazmine and her three siblings were with their mother, LaPorsha Washington, 30, at the time of the shooting. Two teens and a 6-year-old were also in the car. The teens were not seriously injured during the incident.  Washington was shot in the arm while Jazmine’s 6-year-old sister was hurt by shattered glass after the gunman fired into the family’s car “totally unprovoked,” said Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

“The family should be celebrating and spending time together anticipating the new year and instead they’re making plans to bury this innocent, precious child,” he told reporters Monday.

As reported by The New York Post, the community organized a rally in Jazmine’s honor scheduled for Saturday in the Walmart parking lot near where she was killed. A funeral and a ceremonial balloon release is set for Monday at Houston’s Green House International Church.

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/deandre-hopkins-to-donate-nfl-check-to-find-houston-girls-killer/

*Hmm, you have to wonder just WHAT is going on between estranged couple Keyshia Cole and Daniel “Booby” Gibson. We’re pondering that thought because they are still legally married.

So what’s the problem with that you ask? Because Cole filed for divorce in 2017 and since then, nada.

The bottom line is that Cole has been warned by a judge to hurry up and finalize her divorce from Gibson, a former NBA player with Cleveland Cavaliers and Sacramento Kings, or the case will be dismissed and they will remain married, reports The Blast.

Seeing as how they’ve both been in various relationships with other people since their split, the news from the court SHOULD scare Cole or even Gibson to get ta crackin’ and make that move!

*Eddie Levert’s son, Gerald, passed away in 2006 from an accidental overdose of various medications. 14 months later in March of 2008, his other son, Sean, reportedly died from withdrawals from Xanax, while in police custody for non-payments of child support, per I Love Old School Music.

Fans have been wondering how Eddie and his ex-wife, Martha, (Sean and Gerald’s mom), have been coping since then.

Eddie opened up to The Plain Dealer and Ebony a few years ago about life after the death of his son. Below are excerpts from those interviews via ILOSM.

If it wasn’t supposed to be, it wouldn’t have happened. I wish I could tell you that I had a sense of why, but I don’t. I still wonder: Was it something I did? Maybe that’s why I’ve made so many changes in my life, to better myself and try to be a better father, a better husband, a better friend. Maybe that’s the reason why: for me to come to a better place. But I can’t dwell on it. It becomes very emotional for me. It gets to a place where . . . [he pauses and his voice cracks] … I really miss them. It’s just hard. But I can’t get caught up in the fact that it wasn’t supposed to be like this, because it happened.

How He Copes (Via TPD):

I read the Book of Job. He lost everything. I didn’t lose everything. I lost two sons. It’s not trivial. But compared to somebody who lost their whole family — do you understand? — I was left something. God is still great. I kept praying to God, and God kept giving me strength. I had days when I blubbered like a baby, just crying. I still have those moments. But I have a purpose now.

“The music has always been healing. With Gerald and Sean, the times we had together onstage are some of the greatest moments of my life, man. The times that I was onstage with them doing ‘Casanova’ or ‘Baby Hold on to Me’ or ‘Wind Beneath My Wings’ — to me, those are priceless.

Even now, when I go and perform those songs by myself, they’re medicine. The most therapeutic time I have in my whole life is that hour and a half that I do onstage.

Because for an hour and a half, I don’t think about nothing but the music. Don’t think about the pain in my knees. Don’t think about the pain in my back. Don’t think about how I feel bad. All of that goes away as soon as I start doing that music.

On His Regrets (Via Ebony)

When Gerald and Sean passed away, I wanted to really blame myself because I felt like it was some things I could’ve kept them from seeing that I did in my life, as a father. You know what I’m saying? People say, ‘You’re a great dad,’ and all of that, but I’m a person, too, you know?

I used to take them on the road with me, because it was my wife’s chance to get her break. I’d take the kids for the summer and she’d be able to get off into her ministry as being one of Jehovah’s witnesses. She was a great woman; she just had a rotten man. You know? And I can speak of that guy as being a rotten man because he didn’t know what he had and he didn’t know who he was or what he should’ve been doing. It was ignorance. I had to learn.

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/eddie-levert-on-life-after-the-death-of-his-sons-gerald-sean/

*Standing at an impressive 6-foot-9, weighing 220 pounds, the San Jose native Aaron Gordon is a force on the basketball court, now in his fifth season playing for the Orlando Magic.  He epitomizes values that are emulated by those who are successful like his outstanding work ethic, determination, and his devotion to performing at an optimal level in each of the games he plays.

Yet, Gordon’s gifts extend beyond the basketball court.  While he was given a chance growing up to develop his athleticism, education was heavily promoted and revered during his formative years by his mother and father.  The lessons that Gordon was taught by his family about developing and building a robust, healthy mind is the same insight he wants to pass along to the youth of Central Florida.

To achieve this goal, Gordon created CodeOrlando, a STEM education program that is in partnership with CodeFWD by Facebook, Sphero, and Orange County Public Schools’ (OCPS) Academic Center for Excellence (ACE).

Gordon kicked off his initiative in December and provided local Orlando students from disadvantaged communities the chance to learn computer science, robotics, and Artificial Intelligence through creative technology projects.  The program will provide a platform for students to participate in valuable speaking and teamwork skills, and give them the opportunity to hear from distinguished technologists along with visiting various businesses and colleges.

Through the Gordon Family Giving Fund, Gordon will financially support the coding program, which will officially kick off this year and ACE will teach and oversee the curriculum. On behalf of his charitable foundation, Gordon donated $6,000 to ACE  which will allow the school to provide the necessary instruction for the coding program during the school year, purchase the equipment that is needed to expand the classes, and conduct intensive summer courses that will include 30 students from the eighth grade to the 12th.   ACE students will learn to operate Sphero robotic balls through simple block-level commands by utilizing smartphones and tablet apps to create instructions that will cause the balls to perform in a particular manner, thereby, giving students a more in-depth understanding on how the process of programming works.

Gordon has a deep respect for technology and wants to impart to students how learning about this particular field can fun and rewarding.  The idea for his newly minted program CodeOrlando was cultivated from his youth where he was exposed to the benefits of the technological occupation based on his mother’s chosen career in Silicon Valley.

“Growing up this was something that was very much a part of our family with my mom working in the semiconductor industry,” said Gordon. “I understand the importance of all students being given the opportunity to learn and experience new things especially in the field of STEM.  I’m thrilled to be able to partner with giants like Facebook and Spheros on this labor of love and bring something to the underserved students in Central Florida.”

Gordon’s mother, Shelly Davis Gordon, had a career in high tech as a semiconductor for 35 years, working for such employers like Xilinx and Alera, a firm that was bought by the microchip giant Intel while she was still employed there.  She also worked on projects like Siemens’ first MRI machine and helmet cams developed for fighter pilots. Shelly Davis Gordon understood the importance of sharing her knowledge and started an after-school program that allowed local students to take old computers and dismantle them to know how they operated.“We’d bring over 10 systems, and after three hours they would all be bits of dust,” she said. “That was their ‘aha moment,” states Shelly Davis Gordon. So it is only natural that her son would follow in her altruistic and educational footsteps by creating a STEM education program for the Central Florida community.

*Following the premiere of “Surviving R. Kelly,” many celebs took to social media to slam the artist, including John Legend, Chance The Rapper, Meek Mill and Omarion – but fans weren’t exactly feeling his statement.

The B2K singer said he’s ready to strike all the songs that R. Kelly wrote for the group … but only AFTER they profit from performing the tracks on their upcoming Millennium Tour.

“While I know our fans would be greatly disappointed if we didn’t perform those songs on #TheMillennoumTour, after the tour I am retiring those songs from my set list,” he tweeted. “I too am raising a future queen.”

Kelly penned the track “Bump Bump Bump” for B2K which peaked at number one on the Billboard charts for a week straight. He also wrote and produced “What a Girl Wants,” and “Girlfriend.”

The group announced a reunion tour back in December, but now many fans are wondering why they won’t retire R. Kelly’s songs before the tour ends.

“Unbelievable so you gone profit off the mans work what type of stance is that?” one person tweeted in response to Omarion.

“‘But first I’m gonna get this bag’ is basically what he’s saying,” wrote another.

“Nope! Disappointed. I was so excited to see this tour. But absolutely not supporting your ‘get money and THEN I’ll give a hell no’,” said one fan.

“This is a (expletive) joke! Make money off the songs R Kelly wrote, first, then join the movement?!?! So you sir are also part of the problem. Pick a stance and be courageous enough to stick to it,” one person wrote on Instagram.

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/fans-slam-omarion-for-not-removing-r-kellys-songs-from-b2k-reunion-tour-setlist/

*According to a poll conducted by The Athletic, 95 percent of NFL defensive players believe quarterback Colin Kaepernick should be on a team.

The former San Francisco 49er was the first player to kneel during the national anthem as a means of protesting police brutality and racial inequality. Kap has gone unsigned for the past two seasons. He last played in the NFL  in 2016 due to being blacklisted — as such, he filed a collusion grievance against NFL owners in Oct. 2017.

Eighty-five defensive players anonymously participated in the survey and only two reportedly said Colin should not be on an NFL roster, and two had “No comment.”

OTHER NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED: D.L. Hughley Says Listening to R. Kelly’s Music is Now a ‘Tough Call’ [VIDEO]

*Regarding our earlier story today  about Keyshia Cole needing to finalize her divorce from Daniel Gibson before it gets dismissed, Cole is reacting.

The singer says she’s ready. Been ready … to pull the trigger. However, she says, Gibson is the problem. She claims he is deliberately making things difficult for her.

It seems she has yet to reach an agreement with her estranged husband since October 2017. A month earlier, she had filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Via a post on The Shade Room, Cole notes that Gibson is requesting spousal support and also full custody of their child together. This, as far as she’s concerned, is a non-starter. Period

*Jermaine Dupri  is a Grammy-winning producer, member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and star of the hit Lifetime show, “The Rap Game.”

As a super producer, Dupri gave the Hip-Hop world acts like Kriss-Kross and Bow Wow. Now he is creating a new crop of young stars. Season 5 of “The Rap Game” promises to be the most intense ever. The stakes are high for the young rappers – this season features a battle every episode – to try to stay on the HIT list and in the house.

Yours truly, EURweb correspondent Jill Munroe, sat down with Jermaine to discuss season 5 – including current and former contestants – the controversy behind his curated concert series for the NFL’s Super Bowl LIII and R. Kelly.

Dupri was selected by the Atlanta Super Bowl Host committee to produce a series of free concerts during the week leading up to the big game.

*Following the premiere of “Surviving R. Kelly,” many celebs took to social media to slam or distance themselves from the artist, including Lady Gaga John Legend, Chance The Rapper, Meek Mill, Omarion and most recently Mathew Knowles.

The former manager of Destiny’s Child says he and ex-wife Tina refused to let the girl group work with R. Kelly, as they were aware of the rumors and sexual assault allegations.

via Metro:

The 67-year-old, the father of Beyonce and Solange, told us: ‘I was there, and my former wife Tina was there. The thing with R Kelly was, he liked to record late at night, around midnight. And what was different with his studio was that one room had a recording suite, and next door was a club, with 40 or 50 people dancing.

‘R Kelly was managed by Sony, by someone I won’t name, and at that time, they would almost force you to record with [their] artists. ‘And R Kelly wasn’t cheap – it was $75,000, plus travel costs, so we’re talking $100,000 for a song.

‘I personally rejected the song, because I didn’t think it was a good song. Not just because of [his] reputation – this was around 1998, we had just begun to hear some of those things.’

More from the publication:

However, when we asked Mathew if the rumours surrounding R Kelly played a role in his decisions from then on, he said ‘certainly, it was both of those things’.

The music manager said: ‘The girls were 15, 16. When they went to the bathroom, Tina would go with them. They did not leave our eyes.’

A source told Metro.co.uk: “Record labels would ask R Kelly to write songs for emerging artists as a way to help them break into the industry and he made several requests for Destiny’s Child. Mathew and Tina rejected all of them because they didn’t want him anywhere near the band which is why they are one of the few acts to debut in the 90s without an R Kelly song in its official discography.”

R Kelly wrote one song for Destiny’s Child, “Stimulate Me,” which appeared on the soundtrack for the 1999 Eddie Murphy film “Life.”

However, according to the report, Kelly was not in the studio when the girls were recording with producer Jermaine Dupri. Said a source: “Mathew didn’t want it on any official Destiny’s Child’s albums so it didn’t appear.”

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/mathew-knowles-never-let-destinys-child-work-alone-with-r-kelly/

*While accepting her best supporting actress Golden Globe on Sunday night, Regina King vowed to give women in Hollywood more opportunities to share their voices.

She made clear her mission to only work on projects going forward where at least half the crew are women.

The Emmy winner has now revealed that multiple industry players, including Tyler Perry, have reached out and praised her acceptance speech and her new Hollywood goals.

“[Producer] Bert Salke has [reached out], Tyler Perry, immediately, and those are just a couple of the men,” King told ET. “I haven’t even finished going through all my congratulations emails, so I’m sure there’s a couple of others.”

She also admitted to ET that some folks tried to convince her to pump the breaks on the speech because it was too bold.

[People have told me] that to take the risk of saying something like that and putting something on myself [like] that was too big,” King said. “I don’t feel like it is. I feel like it’s possible, and the reality is all I had to do was say it.”

ccording to the report, she then compared it to her directing career, which includes helming episodes of “Southland,” “The Catch,” “Scandal,” “Being Mary Jane” and “Greenleaf.”

“All I had to do was start saying it out loud, and the amount of support I got and people that helped find workshops and programs for me to go through to hone those directing skills, it happened as soon as I said it,” she explained.

“In the next two years, and it’s going to be hard, I’m making a vow that every thing I produce…[will be] 50 percent women,” she said. “And I challenge everyone out there who is in a position of power, in all industries, I challenge you to challenge yourself and stand with us in solidarity and do the same.”

The actress can currently be seen in Barry Jenkins’ adaption of the 1970s James “If Beale Street Could Talk,” for which she has received several nominations and multiple smaller critics association awards, including in New York and Los Angeles, per PEOPLE.

Source Link: https://www.eurweb.com/2019/01/tyler-perry-reaches-out-to-regina-king-after-her-vow-to-hire-women/