Remembering D’Angelo’s Greatest Hits On What Would Be His 53rd Birthday

by Ahsan Washington

February 11, 2026

Remembering D’Angelo’s Greatest Hits On What Would Be His 53rd Birthday

Soul singer Michael Eugene Archer, better known as D’Angelo, died Oct. 14, 2026

Soul singer Michael Eugene Archer, better known as D’Angelo, died Oct. 14, 2026 from pancreatic cancer. Due to his extremely private lifestyle, the event sent shockwaves throughout the music industry and his fanbase. D’Angelo’s impact and influence has always- and continues to remain strong -in modern R&B, hip-hop and soul music four months after D’Angelo’s death. The Richmond, Virginia native carved out a reimagined sound that many referred to as neo-soul, instead of following a blueprint. His musical catalog continues to be essential listening due to its combination of soulful instrumentation, gospel-laced vocal delivery and hip-hop rhythmic patterns. D’Angelo’s legacy as a composer, singer and songwriter, who transformed Black musical culture, is cemented in history. On his birthday, Feb. 11, he is remembered for his incredible gifts and hits.

“Brown Sugar” (1995)

“Brown Sugar” was the first single and title track of D’Angelo’s debut album that achieved platinum status. D’Angelo, combined jazz chords with funk basslines and hip-hop rhythms to create this hit that transformed the musical landscape at the time. The track reached the sixth position on Billboard Hot R&B Singles chart, establishing D’Angelo as a leading figure in the contemporary Black musical revival.

“Lady” (1996)

The romantic slow jam “Lady,” produced by D’Angelo and Raphael Saadiq, reached number one on the Hot R&B Singles chart, during the height of 1990s R&B commercial success. The track marked D’Angelo’s achievement of reaching number one on R&B charts and became the top hit on Billboard’s Hot R&B Singles chart. The track displayed D’Angelo’s multi-dimensional falsetto alongside Prince-influenced musical arrangements while Saadiq’s collaboration enhanced D’Angelo’s ability to cross over audiences without losing his soulful authenticity.

“Untitled (How Does It Feel)” (2000)

The Soulquarians collective members D’Angelo and Questlove worked together to release their Grammy-winning single from the album Voodoo in 2000. The song emerged at the start of the new millennium to create a notable moment in R&B music. The minimalistic music video for “How Does It Feel” attracted massive attention to become one of the most talked-about visuals in musical history. D’Angelo showed his musical talent through his ability to combine deep emotional expression with technical musical skill which earned him the Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the Grammy Awards.

“Devil’s Pie” (1999/2000)

The song “Devil’s Pie” emerged in either 1999 or 2000 as a social commentary on greed and corruption. The song “Devil’s Pie” was created by DJ Premier during the Voodoo album release period when late-1990s hip-hop faced increasing criticism for its excessive culture. It also featured in the Hype Williams film Belly. Through its boom-bap production and sharp commentary “Devil’s Pie” showed D’Angelo could create music beyond romantic ballads, expanding his artistic expression to include political and economic analysis.

“Really Love” (2014)

D’Angelo released the lead single “Really Love” from his 2014 album Black Messiah with The Vanguard to mark his musical comeback after 14 years. The song premiered during national discussions about race and justice. D’Angelo demonstrated artistic growth through his signature analog warmth and harmonic complexity. The album reached number one on the Billboard 200 and earned a Grammy for Best R&B Album.

“Cruisin’” (1995)

Motown released a modern cover of D’Angelo’s 1979 soul classic “Cruisin’” in 1995, which appeared on his debut album Brown Sugar. Through this Smokey Robinson cover, D’Angelo connected two generations of Black music by bringing Motown’s songwriting legacy to younger listeners and establishing himself as a protector of classic soul music. The song naturally aligned with the album’s deep soul musical heritage.

“Left & Right” (2000)

The song “Left & Right” (2000) combines hip-hop with neo-soul elements through D’Angelo’s collaboration with Method Man and Redman. The year 2000 marked an increase in R&B and rap artist collaborations which included this release. Through this raw partnership, D’Angelo demonstrated his deep understanding of hip-hop culture which expanded his fan base while demonstrating the natural connection between these musical styles.

“Be Here” (2000)

During the Soulquarians period, D’Angelo and Raphael Saadiq produced their soulful duet, “Be Here.” The song represents D’Angelo’s Voodoo style through its perfect combination of live bass with gospel elements and introspective lyrics about being present and finding purpose. The track reveals D’Angelo’s dedication to authentic musical expression and his’round-the-way vibes.

The musical work of D’Angelo continues to be essential despite his death four months ago. D’Angelo’s musical collection depended on purposeful creation instead of extensive production. Through three studio albums and select collaborations, he reshaped R&B expectations while maintaining musical integrity in a digital age and perfectly connected religious musical elements with secular ones. The best way to honor D’Angelo on his birthday is to understand that his greatest hits served as musical plans which shaped the future direction of Black music.

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 11, 2026

‘Ghost Students’ Scam Deserving Students Out Of Millions In Financial Aid By Fraudulently Applying

The U.S. Department of Education's Office of Inspector General has more than 200 investigations open across the country as some schemes are suspected of stealing over a billion dollars.

College students, there’s a new group of scammers called “ghost students” who are creating fake identities or stealing others to enroll in colleges and universities and taking off with millions in financial aid assistance, ABC News reports.

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, scammers took advantage of remote learning settings within higher learning and leveraged A.I. to increase their tactics in identity theft, targeting financial aid and Pell grants. Artificial intelligence allowed them to expand their reach and circumvent identity verification controls. Almost overnight, the scam grew.

“Ghost students” got the name as once they receive the funds, the scammers disappear, robbing deserving students of the opportunity for an education and stealing hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government.

Jason Williams, the assistant inspector general for investigations for the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Inspector General, called it “a huge issue” but nothing new. “As they’re stealing identities … these loans are not being repaid. They’re being assigned to people [who] don’t even know they have a debt with the U.S. Department of Education … [until] the Internal Revenue Service says you owe the Department of Education money,” Williams said, pushing that fraudsters have made attempts to steal student financial aid for decades.

“But when the pandemic [hit], everybody went to online learning. Well, by doing that, it really did open the door.”

His office has more than 200 investigations open across the country, as some schemes are suspected of stealing over a billion dollars.

According to AL.com, community colleges in California, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, and New Jersey are key targets. One high school student was excited to continue his education and applied for student loans, but was labeled as ineligible. Shortly after, the student realized his identity was stolen and used to apply for several schools.

While the “ghost” scammers from overseas can be challenging to detect, a majority come from within the U.S. A father and son scammer duo from Arizona took more than $7 million, but after authorities caught up with them in 2018 and 2019, both pleaded guilty and served 12 months. Another man from Maryland stole the identities of 60 people, stealing over $6.7 million in financial aid, resulting in him serving four years in prison.

However, the federal government is working with certain software to protect students and stop the scammers.

Former NFL linebacker Maurice Simpkins owns one of software companies. Student Application Fraudulent Examination, also known as S.A.F.E. works as a firewall or “an offensive line” for the schools, catching roughly 95% of fake applications. Arapahoe Community College in Colorado and 100 more schools work with S.A.F.E. as clients.

To date, Simpkins says one of the worst instances came when a school identified that almost one-third of the enrolled students were frauds.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 11, 2026

Trump Administration Removes Pride Flag From Historic Stonewall National Monument

The flag was removed on the weekend of February 7.

The Trump administration has taken another step in its broader push against diversity and inclusion efforts, moving to remove a large Pride flag from the historic Stonewall National Monument in New York City.

On Feb. 10, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal announced on Instagram that the Pride flag had been removed over the Feb. 7 weekend, following a Jan. 21 Interior Department memo limiting which flags can be displayed at National Park Service sites. The guidance allows only U.S., agency, and POW/MIA flags, with limited historical exemptions, The Guardian reports.

“They cannot erase our history. Our Pride flag will be raised again. Stay tuned,” Hoylman-Sigal wrote online.

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A post shared by Brad Hoylman-Sigal (@bradhoylman)

The monument, designated by then-President Barack Obama in 2016, honors the June 1969 uprising that erupted after a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a well-known gay bar in Manhattan’s Greenwich Village. The six days of protests helped ignite the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, making the site a lasting symbol of Pride. But as the Trump administration moves to roll back diversity initiatives and reshape historical displays in national parks, the iconic Pride flag was removed.

The memo stated that Interior Department flagpoles “are not intended to serve as a forum for public free expression,” adding that any approved non-agency flags may be displayed only to reflect the federal government’s official positions.

The removal of the Stonewall Pride flag comes a year after the National Park Service stripped references to transgender and queer people from its Stonewall monument webpage, which covers the area surrounding the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village. Local leaders criticized the move, with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani saying he was “outraged” by the decision.

“New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change, or silence, that history,” Mamdani tweeted.

I am outraged by the removal of the Rainbow Pride Flag from Stonewall National Monument. New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change, or silence, that history.

Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to…
— Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani (@NYCMayor) February 10, 2026

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin and the co-chairs of the council’s LGBTQ+ caucus condemned the Pride flag’s removal in a letter to the Trump administration, urging the National Park Service to restore it.

Added Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Minority Leader, in a statement, “If there’s one thing I know about this latest attempt to rewrite history, stoke division and discrimination, and erase our community pride, it’s this: that flag will return. New Yorkers will see to it.”

living wage, basic needs, struggle, families

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 11, 2026

Evanston, Illinois, Will Give $25K To 44 Black Residents Through Reparations Program

The payments are meant to cover housing costs.

The Reparations Committee in Evanston, Illinois, will begin issuing $25,000 payments to 44 Black residents as part of its ongoing reparations initiative.

The payments are meant to help cover housing costs, Evanston official Cynthia Vargas said, and residents will be notified in the coming weeks as the funds are distributed, Fox News reports.

According to a city memo, the funding comes from $276,588 generated through Evanston’s real estate transfer tax, while officials have also discussed potentially taxing Delta-8 THC products to help sustain the program long term.

“It’s really important for people to understand we pay as we have the money, and it’s not that we’re withholding from paying everyone,” said Ald. Krissie Harris. “It’s just we have to accumulate the funds to make sure we can pay.”

The payments are part of Evanston’s groundbreaking reparations initiative launched in 2019 and approved by the City Council in 2021, which provides $25,000 payments to eligible Black residents and descendants of those who lived in the city between 1919 and 1969. As of Jan. 31, the fund had received no philanthropic donations this year and is largely supported by cannabis sales taxes and real estate transfer tax revenue.

Calls for reparations are gaining momentum across the nation, with new proposals emerging in state legislatures and grassroots advocacy. Several municipalities have launched exploratory efforts, forming committees to study the legacy of slavery and potential compensation models, while cities like Asheville, Durham, St. Paul, and Providence are developing targeted investment and restitution programs.

In June 2025, Evanston’s Reparations Committee reported it had distributed $6.36 million to ancestors and direct descendants of Evanston’s Black community. City officials said they had met with 116 of 126 eligible direct descendants, who received a combined $2.89 million, while 135 qualifying ancestors impacted by discriminatory housing practices received about $3.47 million.

But Evanston’s reparations program has its fair share of conservative pushback.

Last year, Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit challenging the initiative’s use of race-based eligibility, arguing it violates the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.

“To date, Evanston has awarded over $6,350,000 to 254 individuals based on their race. The city must be stopped before it spends even more money on this clearly discriminatory and unconstitutional reparations program,” Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said at the time.

Fannie Lou Hamer, sick and tired, breast cancer

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 11, 2026

Fannie Lou Hamer’s Presidential Medal Of Freedom Finds Home In Mississippi Museum

Hamer received the honor in 2025, nearly 50 years after her death.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom that was posthumously awarded to Fannie Lou Hamer is officially available for public viewing.

The award, granted to the late civil and women’s rights activist in January 2025, has found its new home at the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, a part of the Two Mississippis Museum. Her family opted to gift the award to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History, allowing visitors to view it in Hamer’s home state.

Hamer received the award for her work with voting rights, civil rights, and women’s rights.

“I am gratified that Aunt Fannie’s Presidential Medal of Freedom will be exhibited in the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum,” Hamer’s niece, Marilyn Mays, told BLACK ENTERPRISE. “Her courage and perseverance in the face of adversity are a shining example of patriotism and a reminder of our responsibility to safeguard our rights and freedoms for all and for future generations.”

Hamer, born in Montgomery County, Mississippi, in 1917, experienced the hardships of the Jim Crow South throughout her upbringing. Her involvement with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s made her a champion of voting rights advocacy and an organizer for Mississippi’s Freedom Summer of 1964.

Her famed “I Question America” speech, delivered at the 1964 Democratic National Convention, helped secure the support needed for the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Throughout her lifetime, she used her voice to effect change and spark justice for marginalized groups, especially Black people and women. Her leadership also extended to co-founding the National Women’s Political Caucus, which aimed to help all women run for elected office.

Her legacy for gender and racial equity continues to resonate with Black Mississippians and the country at large. Now, her home state will carry her legacy forward for future visitors.

“I am so happy we were able to gift this award to the museum and to the people of Mississippi,” added Hamer’s other niece, Monica Land. “Aunt Fannie Lou loved Mississippi and, hopefully, this donation will spark or further interest in her life and all that she fought so hard to accomplish for all people—not just Black people.”

Hamer died of breast cancer in 1977. She was 59.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 11, 2026

Regulating The Legacy: Nate Dogg’s Son Calls Out Snoop Over Father’s Masters

'Supposedly, Snoop got the okay from my grandma to go to her house and get my pop's masters.'

Death Row Records’ owner, Snoop Dogg, has been accused of taking the master recordings of the late Nate Dogg; but Nate’s son, Nathaniel Hale Jr., said Snoop claims he does not have the masters.

According to The Source, Hale Jr., named after his father, recently appeared on a podcast to say that Nate Dogg’s former collaborator had purportedly gotten the masters without permission. He stated that there is a feud within his family and said that Snoop acquired the masters from his grandmother, who had the recordings after they were stored at her place by Nate’s brother, as the “Regulate” singer was having health issues before he died. The crooner died March 15, 2011, at the age of 41.

He explained that the issue came to a head at a recent show.

“There is something going on that’s a feud right now,” Hale said. “I’ll be the one to say it because it’s my family.”

“Supposedly, Snoop got the okay from my grandma to go to her house and get my pop’s masters. She pretty much showed him where the masters were, or however this occurred, and he left with the masters. When my Daddy got sick, my uncle placed the masters at my grandma’s house. He wasn’t aware that Snoop went to my grandma’s house and got the masters.”

He added that he and his uncle argued at that show and haven’t spoken since, as it has caused a rift between them. He said he spoke to Snoop about it, but Snoop denies his uncle’s account.

“What Snoop has always told me is, he don’t got it, and he would never do something like that,” he continued. “I at least want to know that he did get them and they are safe.”

Nate Dogg’s son claims Snoop Dogg took his father’s masters without the family’s approval. pic.twitter.com/FgrEbbEj7t
— XXL Magazine (@XXL) February 10, 2026

He also posted to his Instagram account about the situation, as he stated that he doesn’t want to diss Snoop since he remembers being young and when he still had dreams of making it to the NFL, Snoop would send cars to pick him up from his grandmother’s house so he could make it to practice.

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A post shared by Nhale 🐾 (@nhale7)

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 11, 2026

State-Sponsored Murder: 75-Year-Old Man Scheduled to be Executed for Murder He Did Not Commit

Charles “Sonny” Burton is facing execution although he did not take part in his accomplice killing the victim

A 75-year-old man, Charles “Sonny” Burton, is facing execution by the state of Alabama, although the state has already admitted that he did not commit the crime he was accused of. Advocates are asking Gov. Kay Ivey to halt the planned execution scheduled for March.

According to ABC News, Burton has been on death row for more than 30 years for his role in a 1991 robbery at an auto parts store where a customer, Doug Battle, was killed during the crime. He and his accomplice, Derrick DeBruce, along with four other men, took part in the robbery, but it was DeBruce who shot and killed Battle.

Burton was outside the store when the killing occurred.

Both Burton and DeBruce were given death sentences, but DeBruce was later resentenced to life imprisonment; however, Burton is still on death row, despite not killing Battle. The shooting happened Aug. 16, 1991, at an AutoZone in Talladega.

The Alabama Supreme Court authorized the governor to set an execution date for Burton using nitrogen gas. Yet Battle’s daughter and several jurors from the trial are asking Gov. Ivey to grant Burton clemency, arguing that the case raises fundamental questions of fairness.

The man’s daughter, Tori, who was only nine at the time of his death, has asked Ivey to “consider extending grace to Mr. Burton and granting him clemency.”

Meanwhile, six of the eight living jurors are not opposed to commutation, according to the clemency petition. Three are saying that they never would have recommended a death sentence if DeBruce was getting a lesser sentence.

“It’s absolutely not fair. You don’t execute someone who did not pull the trigger,” one of the jurors, Priscilla Townsend, said in a telephone interview.

Attorney General Steve Marshall’s office is opposing the clemency request.

“Burton was convicted of capital murder in April 1992, and that the jury unanimously recommended the death penalty. That conviction and sentence have been upheld at every level,” a spokesperson said.

Burton’s attorney, Matt Schulz, said, “We hope and pray that Governor Ivey recognizes that this case slipped through the cracks. It would be wrong to execute a man who did not even see the shooting take place, after the state agreed to resentence the shooter to life without parole, and this is simply not the kind of case most people think of when they envision the death penalty being carried out.”

Burton’s accomplice, DeBruce, died in prison in 2020.

by Ida Harris

February 11, 2026

Celebrate 100 Years Of Black History Month With These Events: Week 2

Black History Month is a nationwide movement

Black History Month is a nationwide movement to both celebrate and learn about the Black culture and achievements of African Americans and Black people across the diaspora. To kickstart the month-long immersion into Black history and the evolution of Black culture, check out BLACK ENTERPRISE’s four-week series on things to do to celebrate 100 years of Black history and culture across America.

The second week of Black History Month transitions from reflection to active engagement. The nation’s major cities are hosting events that allow the public to experience Black history through performances, educational programs, and community gatherings.

Alvin Ailey Atlanta — Dance, Legacy & Black Artistic Expression

From Feb. 11-15, the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will present a captivating performance series in Atlanta. The performance will honor artistic brilliance through a varied collection of Ailey’s traditional works and modern dance pieces. Through modern dance Ailey’s repertoire pays tribute to African American artistic traditions and storytelling by showcasing a powerful cultural legacy and creative expression.

Miami Beach Black History Month Outdoor Films & Community Nights

The Miami Beach Black History Month Outdoor Films & Community Nights present free outdoor screenings of Black history-themed films together with community celebrations. Love and Basketball shows at SoundScape Cinema during these events. During February, every Wednesday night the screenings occur. Miami Beach Florida hosts these events that use cinema and community engagement to showcase Black stories and voices under the night sky.

New York City: Schomburg Centennial & Black History Exhibits

The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City, together with multiple NYC institutions, are organizing exhibitions and public programs to mark 100 years of Black archival history and cultural preservation. The Apollo Theater will host the main exhibition, “100: A Century of Collections, Community, and Creativity,” together with additional exhibits.

Chicago Black History Month Events & Market at Navy Pier

The Chicago Public Library presents the Black Makers Market alongside family events and exhibitions that display Black creative work and historical contributions. The Black Creativity Career Showcase forms one of the event activities. Chicago is the birthplace of Negro History Week, making the city the perfect location to provide interactive experiences to discover Black innovation alongside art and entrepreneurial ventures and community heritage.

Houston: Lone Star Flight Museum — Tuskegee Airmen Day

The Lone Star Flight Museum in Houston will host a Tuskegee Airmen Day event on Saturday, Feb. 14. The event will feature a Tuskegee Airmen Interpretive Talk and STEMonstration that focuses on the historic Black fighter pilots. The event will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Lone Star Flight Museum. The purpose of the event is to honor the Tuskegee Airmen’s service, courage, and contributions to military and aviation history.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters , National Council Of Negro Women , s 90 Years, Gala

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 11, 2026

Maxine Waters Faces Generational Clash From Younger Democrat Who Says Community Wants ‘New Energy’

A growing generational divide within the Democratic Party has placed Rep. Maxine Waters among the longtime incumbents younger Democrats are looking to challenge.

A growing generational divide is emerging within the Democratic Party, with Rep. Maxine Waters becoming one of the most high-profile targets of a younger opponent.

Myla Rahman, a nonprofit executive, is mounting a challenge to Waters’ 35-year run in Congress in a district the veteran lawmaker has represented for most of Rahman’s life, Politico reports.

Often affectionately called “Auntie Maxine” for her outspoken criticism of Donald Trump during his first term, Waters, 87, has long held a firm grip on her South Los Angeles seat, typically winning with more than 70 to 80 percent of the vote, a powerful dominance that has historically discouraged serious challengers.

But Rahman, 53, is looking to change that by leaning into a growing debate within the Democratic Party about aging leadership and how well longtime politicians connect with an increasingly younger electorate.

“The community has said that they’d like new energy, a new perspective,” Rahman said. “And the reality is, the average age is 36 years old in the district. The average person is a renter in the district. So we’ve got a lot of issues that are relatable to my life experience.”

Frustration has grown within the Democratic Party over its aging leadership, especially after President Joe Biden initially announced his 2024 reelection bid despite concerns about his age and fitness for office.

During Trump’s first term, grassroots energy was largely directed at the Republican president, but after Biden’s reluctance to step aside in 2024 at 81 was seen by some as contributing to Trump’s return to the White House, many Democrats began turning their scrutiny toward their own longtime leaders.

In California, veteran Democrats like Reps. Brad Sherman and Mike Thompson are facing challenges from younger candidates, reflecting a broader generational divide. Even within the Congressional Black Caucus, rising Black leaders argue that longtime incumbents aren’t meeting the demands of the current political moment.

In Sacramento, Mai Vang is mounting the first serious challenge Rep. Doris Matsui has faced in two decades, targeting the seat Matsui assumed after her husband, Bob Matsui, died in 2005 following nearly three decades in office. Vang has drawn support from younger voters, receiving cheers at a small gathering of mostly young professionals when she pledged to dismantle U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

“No more wash, rinse and repeat,” said Abbie Morrissey, who works at the University of California, Davis, and attended Vang’s event. “We need to find young, engaged, energetic people who understand their young, engaged and energetic populations.”

Rahman, who noted Waters has represented her since she moved into the district at age 6, describes herself as “more energetic, younger, more relatable in terms of the experiences that people face in the district.” Though she previously raised less than $35,000 for a state Assembly bid, she says she’s confident about competing in a congressional race and has hired veteran Democratic consultant Mike Trujillo.

A former high-level staffer to Los Angeles legislators, Rahman acknowledged that challenging such a longtime political figure like Maxine Waters is likely to spark backlash.

“I’m sure I’ll get a lot of calls. I’m waiting for ‘how dare you? The audacity of you, who do you think you are?” she said. “And what I can say is that there’s a choice, and this is a democracy. That’s why we have elections, and the voters can decide.”

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

February 11, 2026

Por Favor! Staunch Lawmakers Demand Federal Purge of Bad Bunny’s ‘Smut’ Performance

After witnessing Bad Bunny’s culturally-infused Super Bowl Halftime show, one Republican lawmaker is calling for an investigation into the performance.

Republican Rep. Andy Ogles of Tennessee made his intentions clear on X, as reported by Time.

In a lengthy social media rant, he urged a probe into the NFL and the Super Bowl’s broadcasting platform, NBCUniversal, for the provocative performance.

He called the show “pure smut,” wanting the probe to determine how the football league reviewed and approved the program. In a lengthy social media rant, he condemned performance for its alleged “displays of gay sexual acts.”

🚨The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show was pure smut, brazenly aired on national television for every American family to witness. Children were forced to endure explicit displays of gay sexual acts, women gyrating provocatively, and Bad Bunny shamelessly grabbing his… pic.twitter.com/wcWTofhQQn
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) February 9, 2026

“The Apple Music Super Bowl LX Halftime Show was pure smut, brazenly aired on national television for every American family to witness. Children were forced to endure explicit displays of gay sexual acts, women gyrating provocatively, and Bad Bunny shamelessly grabbing his crotch while dry-humping the air.”

Ogles continued his tirade, requesting that the Energy and Commerce Committee conduct a formal congressional inquiry into the NFL and NBC for allowing the performance to take place. He also mentioned some of Bad Bunny’s lyrics, particularly from “Safaera” and “Yo Perreo Sola,” that he asserted “openly glorified sodomy.”

The elected official added, “And if that weren’t outrageous enough, the performance’s lyrics openly glorified sodomy and countless other unspeakable depravities. These flagrant, indecent acts are illegal to be displayed on public airways.”

The probe would uncover how much the NFL and NBC knew about the nature of the halftime set. It would also determine if enough safeguards protected viewers from explicit scenes. However, his claims that Bad Bunny openly stated his more vulgar lyrics remain unfounded. The Reggaeton star omitted such lines from the public performance.

Another Republican lawmaker, Rep. Randy Fine from Florida, has also warned of action from the Federal Communications Commission. The same agency pressured ABC to shut down Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night talk show last year. Despite the inevitable pushback over Bad Bunny’s performance, who has not shied away from condemning ICE raids and Trump’s immigration policies, many viewers took delight in his show, emphasizing unity across America.

The roughly 13-minute set showcased the culture and pride of Puerto Rico and other Latin countries.