2 Chainz Sues For $1.5M Over Failed Cannabis Investment
The Atlanta rapper filed a lawsuit against Pineapple Ventures Inc. after an investment deal didn't work out.
Atlanta rapper 2 Chainz has filed a lawsuit against a cannabis company after an investment deal didn’t work out.
According to The Green Market Report, a group called the Pineapple Express Antimatter Series 1, which the “I’m Different” rapper is a part of, has sued Pineapple Ventures Inc. (PVI) owners for $1.5 million. In the lawsuit, which was filed in a Los Angeles court, they accuse Vincent Mehdizadeh, also known as Vincent Zadeh, and Pineapple Ventures Inc. of allegedly scamming 2 Chainz after promising big returns on his investment with no intention to make good on their promise.
They state that the company has a long history of defrauding investors.
“Over the years, they have used several different entities and investment instruments, but the outcome is always the same. Their typical pattern is to invite potential investors to glamorous events, often with celebrity guests. They promise lucrative returns on investments, which never materialize.”
In January 2021, 2 Chainz was approached about investing with PVI. After the promise of significant dividends, he was told that the store would open in three months, which didn’t happen. He was allegedly told that he had “put rights,” which means that after one year, he could request his entire investment repurchased for 110% of what he paid.
Investors were told in December 2021 that they would get double the dividends due to the dispensary not opening when promised. After the store finally opened in February 2022, the investors expected to begin receiving double dividends but only received one dividend payment in March 2022. The investors decided in May 2022 to exercise the put option and receive the return on their investment. By December 2022, Zadeh told 2 Chainz that they were no longer honoring the put options.
In a report by Law360, co-founder and director of investor relations for PVI, Matthew Feinstein, stated that the lawsuit was one of several “cookie-cutter” claims from minority shareholders in the dispensary. He said other claims would be handled in arbitration, as the stock purchase agreements contain an arbitration provision.
The program, launched in late 2022, is a $2 million investment with Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC) that promotes financial stability for underserved residents in Detroit, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Atlanta. Designated LISC Financial Opportunity Centers assist clients with enhancing emergency fund management, building credit, and accumulating generational wealth.
The program helped Johnson gain a $500 savings match, buy a new car, and build a budget for the future.
“I feel unstoppable. I’m more secure in my financial stability if an emergency arises,” Johnson said.
“It made me see that new goals are possible. Why not work to get a house next?”
Michael T. Pugh, president and CEO of LISC, shared that more than 2,400 people accessed financial coaching focused on building emergency savings and saving for a home, among other topics.
Pugh added, “The Rocket Wealth Accelerator matched savings program has already unlocked $280,000 for community members. And Rocket’s commitment to financial inclusion and well-being syncs perfectly with LISC’s mission and dedication to closing wealth and opportunity gaps—we are deeply grateful for this catalytic partnership.”
The accelerator is among a wide range of programs backed by the Fund to help underserved communities overcome systemic challenges in building and transferring wealth.
MISSION INCLUDES VOW TO SIMPLIFY INEQUITABLE SYSTEMS
The Fund aims to simplify complex and inequitable systems to ensure every American can access stable, healthy housing. It focuses on four national investment pillars: ending homelessness, preventing displacement, building wealth through homeownership, and bridging the digital divide. A fifth investment pillar, shared with the Gilbert Family Foundation, centers on building opportunity in Detroit. Since 2010, Rocket Community Fund has committed more than $230 million to community organizations and programs.
The foundation of the Fund’s work is Neighbor to Neighbor, a door-to-door canvassing campaign to connect residents with resources while also collecting information to inform future investments. The program was launched in 2017 in Detroit to reduce tax foreclosure. It has since expanded to Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Atlanta.
“The access to housing resources and information, combined with the connectivity that happens during Neighbor to Neighbor, is the secret sauce of the program,” said Rob Lockett, national team leader for Housing Stability at Rocket Community Fund.
“Community members become stronger and better advocates for themselves through the process.”
Through Neighbor to Neighbor, Lockett explains, “Residents are encouraged to get out and talk to each other about housing-related issues affecting their community, which are felt the most at the neighborhood level.”
ADDRESSING A FULL SPECTRUM OF HOUSING ISSUES
Rocket Community Fund
In 2018, Rocket Community Fund became a lead sponsor of Built for Zero, a national movement of more than 100 communities focused on ending homelessness. More than 176,000 people have been housed by Built for Zero communities since 2015.
“Our support for Built for Zero is about helping communities across the country develop a better system to respond to the challenge of homelessness,” said Rocket Community Fund Executive Director Laura Grannemann.
“Data shows that providing housing with supportive services is not only more effective in reducing homelessness, but significantly reduces expenses incurred through emergency services like hospitalizations, incarcerations, and shelters.”
She added, “By identifying broader trends, we can also work to get upstream of the problem so we’re preventing more people from becoming homeless in the first place.”
An example of this upstream approach is Rocket Community Fund’s recent investments in Atlanta. In March 2024, the organization announced $250,000 in new funding to protect legacy and senior Atlanta homeowners from displacement by paying past property balances. This followed a 2022 investment of $500,000 into the Atlanta BeltLine Partnership’s Legacy Resident Retention Program (LRRP), which stabilizes property tax levels for income-qualified residents into 2030.”
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens applauded the effort to prevent the displacement of longtime residents.
“Our vision of ‘one city with one bright future’ can only be achieved through collaborative partnerships that prioritize our most critical needs, like stable and secure housing. I am grateful to Rocket Community Fund for their commitment to fostering the equity and economic inclusion of Atlantans.”
The Rocket Community Fund understands renters’ important role in a healthy housing market. In Atlanta, the organization made a $300,000 investment with the Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation to strengthen its eviction defense services. It also invested $1.25 million to launch the Cleveland Eviction Defense Fund program.
I feel unstoppable. I feel as though my destiny is written by me. I’m more secure in my financial stability because if an emergency does arise, I now have the flexibility.”
While protecting renters from eviction prevents instability, Rocket Community Fund works to help renters become homeowners through programs like Make It Home.
Started in Detroit, the program allows eligible renters occupying tax-foreclosed houses to become homeowners instead of facing eviction. The program leverages the city’s “right of refusal,” allowing it to buy properties before the tax foreclosure auction for the value of the back taxes owed. The properties are then purchased by a nonprofit partner with funding from the Rocket Community Fund and sold to the renter on a land contract for the cost of taxes owed. Altogether, 1,500 families have become homeowners through the program.
BUILDING GENERATIONAL WEALTH
Rocket Community Fund
The Rocket Community Fund aims to ensure that more Americans enjoy the benefits of homeownership and can pass on generational wealth. That is especially true for Black Americans who have faced systemic barriers to homeownership.
Since 2010, the wealth disparity between Black and white families has expanded. With the rising cost of homeownership nationwide, significant effort and focus will be required to help stop the trend.
While the scope of the challenge may seem overwhelming, the Rocket Community Fund team leverages its core philosophies or ISMs to identify solutions.
“One of our ISMs is ‘You’ll See It When You Believe It,” says Grannemann. “This means that we lead with positivity and the belief that we can overcome big challenges. Rather than sitting on the sidelines and waiting for change to happen, we’re working with community partners to make it happen.”
Young Thug’s Prosecution Witness Lil Woody Releases Single, ‘I Don’t Recall’
He has released a single based on the phrase he has used the most in the trial.
Kenneth Copeland, the most compelling witness in the YSL/Young Thug RICO trial, has taken advantage of his newfound fame by releasing a song.
According to Atlanta News First, Copeland, who goes by the nickname Lil Woody, has released a single based on the phrase he has used the most in this trial, “I Don’t Recall.” Lil Woody has been on the stand as a protection witness against his fellow cohort, Young Thug, since June 10 and has been appearing in memes and news reports based on the testimony he has been giving at the RICO trial in Atlanta.
With each appearance on the stand, he has used the phrase “I don’t recall.”
He announced on his social media account the debut of the single.
The longest-running criminal court case in Atlanta history does not look like it will be ending anytime soon.
The latest twist in the trial took place August 13 when Lil Woody’s attorney, John Melnick, was suspended for six months by the Supreme Court of Georgia for violating two rules of the Georgia Rules of Professional Conduct. Specifically, in a 2017 Rockdale County paternity case, the attorney did not reimburse his client for attorney fees.
In court on August 13, Lil Woody told Judge Paige Reese Whitaker that because Melnick was suspended, he did not want to testify with an attorney.
He requested the court for one so he could testify. The case was placed on hold. Later that day, an attorney was found.
¡AZÚCAR! 2024 Celia Cruz Quarter Is Now Available For Purchase
The Afro-Latina singer is honored in the American Women Quarter Program for leaving her cultural stamp in the music industry.
The 14th quarter of the American Women Quarters Program, featuring the late Cuban singer Celia Cruz, is now available for purchase. This officially marks the legendary “Queen of Salsa” as the first Afro-Latina featured on U.S. currency.
As one of the five honorees of the program’s 2024 release, the U.S. Mint recognizes her as “one of the most popular Latin artists of the 20th century.” Cruz, whose full name is Úrsula Hilaria Celia de la Caridad Cruz Alfonso, is shown smiling on the reverse side of the new coin as she dons a guajira-style dress beside her motto, “¡AZÚCAR!” According to the National Museum of African American History, her signature catchphrase, “sugar,” describes how she liked to drink her coffee and is a gesture of remembrance of theenslaved Africans who worked on Cuban sugar plantations.
“To have been honored by the U.S. Mint in this way would have surprised her greatly since she was a simple and humble woman,” said artistic representative and the executor of her estate, Omer Pardillo-Cid, in an Aug. 12 announcement of the quarter.
The cultural icon was born in Havana, Cuba, on October 21, 1925. Influenced by her exposure to diverse music in her Santos Suárez neighborhood, a young Cruz discovered her passion to become a singer, leading her to study at Havana’s National Conservatory of Music. As previously highlighted by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the international sensation is known for her Spanish-language global hits that are a celebration of culture. Cruz has contributed significantly to the development of salsa music, a genre she helped popularize and innovate, as one of the few women to thrive in the male-dominated genre. Her impactful works earned her three Grammy awards, four Latin Grammy awards, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was inducted into Billboard’s Latin Music Hall of Fame and the International Latin Music Hall of Fame and honored with a Presidential Medal of Arts.
Cruz died on July 16, 2003, which BE previously noted was due to cancer complications. Her debut on the U.S. Quarter comes ahead of her centennial in 2025. The honor follows the June release of Celia Cruz En Vivo: 100 Años de Azúcar(Celia Cruz Live: 100 Years of Azúcar), a commemorative album produced by Loud And Live Studios. The Celia Cruz Estate has partnered with South Florida-based healthcare provider Leon Medical Centers (LMC) for an exclusive giveaway of the singer’s coin that fans can register to receive in commemorative packaging from LMC.
The four-year American Women Quarters Program began in 2022 and runs throughout 2025.
By honoring the Greensboro Six, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts ensures that their story is not forgotten and that the lessons learned from their bravery continue to inspire and guide future generations.
Source: Whyndham Championship Honors the Legacy of the Greenboro Six. Photo Credit: Wyndham Rewards
The Wyndham Championship, a prestigious event held annually on the Donald Ross-designed course at Sedgefield Country Club in Greensboro, N.C., was founded in 1938 and is the seventh-oldest event on the PGA TOUR, excluding the Majors. As the tournament marks its 86th renewal in 2025, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts has made a significant decision to honor the legacy of the Greensboro Six. These were a group of courageous Black men whose defiance against racial segregation helped reshape history. Through artistic and cultural initiatives, the tournament not only celebrates the intersection of sports, civil rights, and community but also proudly honors the Greensboro Six, a part of our shared history.
This year, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts commissioned Brooklyn-based street artist Vincent Ballentine to create a mural at the historic Gillespie Golf Course in honor of the Greensboro Six. Unveiled just before the start of the 2025 tournament, the mural stands as a vibrant tribute to these men and their contributions to the sport of golf and the broader Civil Rights Movement.
Black Enterprise had the opportunity to discuss the significance of the Greensboro Six, Wyndham’s commitment to community, and the creation of opportunities for young black and brown golfers.
Bravery and Resistance
The story of the Greensboro Six is one of bravery and resistance. Six days after Rosa Parks’ defiance on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955, a group of men made their statement at a whites-only Gillespie golf course. These men, now remembered as the “Greensboro Six,” were Phillip Cooke, Samuel Murray, Elijah Herring, Joseph Studivent, George Simkins Jr., and Leon Wolfe. In the face of institutionalized racism, these six men made a bold statement by playing a round of golf at the whites-only Gillespie Golf Course. Their act of defiance in the 1950s was not just about playing golf; it was a decisive stance against the racial segregation that permeated every aspect of life in the South. Chris Simkins, son of Greensboro Six member George Simkins Jr., reflected on their legacy, saying, “I never read about the Greensboro Six and did not hear about it in school because it is not in history books. The mural is great because it sheds light on a story many people don’t know about.”
This courageous act eventually led to the desegregation of Gillespie Golf Course, which later became the venue for the Wyndham Championship. The tournament holds historical significance as it was the first PGA Tour event in the South to welcome a Black player, the legendary Charlie Sifford. Today, Gillespie Golf Course is home to First Tee – Central Carolina, a program dedicated to empowering local youth through golf, continuing the legacy of breaking barriers and creating opportunities.
Honoring History
Multiple accounts of targeted actions to rewrite history have occurred throughout the country. Some of these attempts have already seen success. In Florida, revised curriculum standards now prevent students from learning the accurate history of slavery. Former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley recently reinterpreted her state’s history by claiming that the Civil War was about “the role of government.” Additionally, a Republican lawmaker in Colorado opposed Black History Month, arguing that it promotes “false history.”
This mural project is a testament to Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. The company’s initiatives, including BOLD, which aims to advance Black entrepreneurship in the hospitality industry, are part of a larger vision for a more inclusive future. By supporting projects like this, Wyndham is not just celebrating the past but also paving the way for a more diverse and equitable future.
Ballentine and his close friend, fellow artist Andre Trenier, completed the mural in two weeks. “To see it and be able to touch the same ground that they walked on, and see the greens they saw when it was unacceptable for everyone is powerful,” remarks Ballentine.
They worked side by side using scissor lifts and ladders, wielding a vibrant selection of spray paint cans to transform the expansive wall on the side of the First Tee-Central Carolina building at Gillespie Park Golf Club into a historical masterpiece.
In addition to the mural, Wyndham Rewards has commissioned a short-form documentary directed by Eternal Polk, a two-time Emmy-nominated director and writer. Polk, known for his work on documentaries, music videos, and branded content, brings a unique perspective to the story of the Greensboro Six.
This story is pivotal in black history, which I did not know about,” shares Polk. “So when I first discovered this happened, I wondered how I did not know about it. Bringing this story to life, especially in a community where black people do not often see our accomplishments seen, displayed, recognized, and honored, says you cannot erase our history and stories.”
The documentary, a labor of love and respect, seeks to preserve the memory of the Greensboro Six. By highlighting the power of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, it serves as a powerful reminder of the impact of individual actions. It is a tribute to the Greensboro Six and an inspiration for future generations to continue the fight for equality.
“Murals and visual stories are where we cement our history so people can see it.”
A Call To Action
The efforts to honor the Greensboro Six through art and film are more than just a celebration of the past; they are a call to action for the present and future. Ryan Wilson, CEO and Executive Director of First Tee – Central Carolina, emphasizes the importance of carrying on this legacy: “The game of golf is this powerful tool that can create opportunities, especially for Black and brown youth,” he said. “The Greensboro Six created opportunities for everybody else to follow, and now the best thing we can do to carry on their legacy is continue to use the game of golf to create new opportunities.”
By commemorating these men and their legacy, Wyndham recognizes the historical significance of the Greensboro Six and reinforces its commitment to fostering inclusivity and breaking down barriers in both the sports and hospitality industries. The mural and documentary serve as poignant reminders that the fight for equality is ongoing and that the actions of individuals can have a profound and lasting impact on society.
As the Wyndham Championship continues to play a crucial role in determining the fate of PGA TOUR players each August, it also stands as a testament to the power of community, resilience, and the enduring legacy of those who fought for change. By honoring the Greensboro Six, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts ensures that their story is not forgotten and that the lessons learned from their bravery continue to inspire and guide future generations. The Wyndham Championship is not just about golf; it’s about celebrating the progress made and recognizing the work still in pursuing equality and justice.
Former NFL Player Cierre Wood Gets Life Sentence For Forcing 5-Year-Old Girl To Exercise To Death
Wood described La'Rayah Davis as "chunky" and put her through a workout that caused her death
Former NFL running back Cierre Wood, who pleaded guilty to killing a 5-year-old girl, was sentenced to life in prison August 13.
According to The Associated Press, Wood was given prison time for the April 2019 death of his girlfriend’s daughter. Along with the life sentence, Clark County District Court Judge Jacqueline Bluth said Wood, 33, has to serve between 28 months and six years for a charge of child abuse.
The sentences must be served consecutively. Wood is eligible for parole in 10 years.
He pleaded guilty in April to second-degree murder and felony child abuse, according to court records. The plea agreement he made with prosecutors stipulated that the remaining felony counts of child abuse initially filed were dismissed. He took an Alford plea, which means it’s a formal admission of guilt in criminal court that allows a defendant to still claim innocence.
La’Rayah Davis died on April 9, 2019. The Las Vegas Coroner’s Office said it was due to blunt force injuries.
Newsweek reported that Wood, who described Davis as “chunky,” put her through a workout that caused her death. After he was arrested on April 10, 2019, he reportedly told police officers that he punished her by making her run sprints in the apartment. He also made her do sit-ups and wall squats, allegedly describing the punishment as “learning through fun.”
Davis reportedly could not finish the sit-ups and fell back, hitting her head on the floor. In addition, days before she died, Davis complained of chest pains after Taylor allegedly sat on her chest and stomach as punishment.
Davis’ mother, Amy Taylor, 31, admitted to police that she “popped” her daughter the day she died for bad behavior. She pleaded guilty earlier this year to second-degree murder and felony child abuse as part of a deal with prosecutors.
Low Housing Costs And Safety Rank Among Most Desirable For Black Americans
Atlanta ranked No.1 among cities by Black Americas as the most desireable to live and for the best food.
Low living and housing costs, as well as safe and low crime rates, are among the qualities Black Americans cite as making a place desirable to reside.
New research shows those elements respectively ranked No. 1 and No. 2 with Blacks on ideal living conditions. Those pluses were followed by lots of things to do, good weather, high-quality education and good school districts.
Overall, 1,000 American adults were quizzed by Clever Real Estate to learn where people want to live this year and grasp what U.S. areas they prefer. Some 128 of the respondents (12%) included in the study were Black.
The report produced many fascinating discoveries. For instance, most Americans have accepted to live with the ups and downs. A robust 84% report they could be convinced to move to another city or state. Americans are more inclined to move there is an increase in crime (58%), the cost of living rises (52% ), or due to taxes (47%). Those three factors contribute to why people would want to depart those areas to find a better quality of life.
For Black Americans, high crime/unsafe (59%), high cost of living, expensive homes, and high rent prices (51%) were the top factors making a place undesirable. Interestingly, affordable housing ranked as the No. 1 consideration overall for moving to a new location.
When it comes to the most desirable cities to live for Blacks, Atlanta, Tampa, and Miami, both in Florida, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Los Angeles topped the list in that order. Conversely, St. Louis, Missouri, Washington, Tampa, Florida, Virginia Beach, Virginia, and Seattle ranked sequentially by Blacks as the least desirable cities.
Jaime Dunaway-Seale, author of The Best (and Worst) Places to Live in 2024, According to Americans, told BLACK ENTERPRISE by email, “It makes sense that Atlanta would rank No. 1 among Black Americans because it’s been called a “Black Mecca” since the 1970s. Atlanta has a rich history and culture. It’s considered the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement and is known for its arts and music (especially hip-hop) culture.”
She added, “It’s been home to the National Black Arts Festival since the late 1980s. The city also has the largest collection of HBCUs in the country, whose graduates have gone on to open many Black-owned businesses in the city.”
When it comes to cities with the best food, Black Americans ranked Atlanta first. It was followed by New York, New Orleans, Chicago, and Austin, Texas.
On the state level, Black Americans ranked California, Florida, New York, Georgia, and Hawaii as the most desirable places to live. In contrast, Alabama, Alaska, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Texas got the least desirable ranking.
The report included some noteworthy findings on other categories, including the most underrated cities and states, those areas with the nicest and rudest residents, and the ugliest and prettiest cities.
Colin Kaepernick Sets Sights To Play Flag Football At 2028 Olympics
'Hopefully we'll be out there. We're gonna work on some things, see if we can make it in there. But would love to be out there.'
With no clear chance of returning to the NFL to resume his career, quarterback Colin Kaepernick has now set his sights on the 2028 Olympics taking place in Los Angeles.
In the next Olympic games in four years, flag football will be introduced as a new sport, and Colin Kaepernick wants to participate for Team USA. While discussing the success of the Team USA Basketball Team with Sky Sports, he was asked if he would be playing for the flag football team for the 2028 Olympics.
“Hopefully, we’ll be out there. We’re gonna work on some things and see if we can make it in there. But would love to be out there.”
Although the former San Francisco 49ers player hasn’t hit the football field since the 2016 season, he still has aspirations to return to the NFL.
“We’re still training, still pushing,” he said. “So, hopefully. We just gotta get one of these team owners to open up.”
It’s been eight years, and he has been trying to draw interest from teams. The 36-year-old quarterback’s skills, specifically because he hasn’t played any professional football in recent years, most likely have deteriorated, but he is still confident that he can help one of the teams win a Super Bowl.
“It’s something I’ve trained my whole life for. So, to be able to step back on the field, I think that would be a major moment; a major accomplishment for me. Also, I think it’s something that I can bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.”
In October 2023, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the owner of the Extreme Football League (XFL) said he spoke to Kaepernick and his agent about joining the league so he could showcase his skills for the NFL. But The Rock stated, via social media, that he didn’t think that Kaepernick would join the league. The quarterback didn’t, but still pines to rejoin the NFL.
Dr. Dre And Jimmy Iovine Open New High School In Inglewood
Dr. Dre is expanding his reach within the Los Angeles school system by launching his second academy in two years.
Dr. Dre is expanding his reach within the Los Angeles school system by launching his second academy in two years.
The hip-hop mogul was at Morningside High School on August 12, where he and his longtime business partner, music executive Jimmy Iovine, announced the launch of Iovine and Young Center Academy in the Inglewood Unified School District. Set to open in August 2025, the new school will be available to ninth-grade students before expanding to all grades by the 2028-29 school year, Fox 11 reported.
The center is currently being promoted as an innovative, interdisciplinary program designed to develop the next generation of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Its emphasis on creative skill development, and social impact will culminate in a senior-year capstone project where students are encouraged to tackle real-world challenges.
“The center is designed to reshape the high school experience through an innovative education model that combines a rigorous interdisciplinary curriculum with real-world, team-based learning opportunities,” a statement from Inglewood Unified reads.
“This IYC initiative is set to amplify Inglewood Unified School District’s focus on creating innovative and exciting pathways for high school students.”
The academy is the second educational academy Dre and Iovine have come together to launch following the opening of Los Angeles Unified High School in the Leimert Park neighborhood, which focuses on interdisciplinary learning and entrepreneurial talent. The placement of the schools is intentional, with the first school being housed at Audubon Middle School, which faced steep enrollment declines in 2021.
The new Inglewood-based academy within the community’s Unified School District comes in response to forced closures amid declining enrollment for the past decade. It’s located on the campus of Crozier Middle School, which is slated to close in June 2025.
“We wanted to start in the inner city because Dre and especially me, I owe a lot to the inner city of Los Angeles, and we intend to pay it back,” Iovine said.
“Inglewood is up to some good. Dre loves Inglewood. We all love Inglewood. We waited for the first opportunity because we wanted to make sure we came here. We believe that this will differentiate them in the workforce and colleges. To go out and say you have an education in disciplinary learning, being able to collaborate with different disciplines and innovate is an advantage.”
Usher Postpones Tour To Rest And Heal, ‘I Can’t Physically Give You My Best’
After two years of consistent touring, Usher's body is finally catching up with him and forcing him to take a well-deserved rest.
After two years of consistent touring, Usher’s body is finally catching up with him and forcing him to take a well-deserved rest. Unfortunately, for fans, that means postponing the launch of his highly anticipated ‘Past Present Future’ tour.
The Grammy-winning singer took to Instagram on Aug. 14 to announce the first of his three Atlanta shows will be postponed. According to the “Hey Daddy” singer, he must “give my body a second to rest and heal.”
The statement said there will be a rescheduled date where “you’ll also be getting 100% of me.”
“The last thing I want to ever do is disappoint you, the fans who have been eagerly waiting for this tour to start,” he continued. “However, I wouldn’t be the entertainer that I am if I can’t physically give you my best.”
The singer’s team will announce the rescheduled dates in the future. Usher is still scheduled to perform at the venue on Aug. 16 and Aug. 17. State Farm Arena says that all previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new dates once announced.
The Usher show scheduled for tonight, August 14, has been postponed. All previously purchased tickets will be honored for the new date once announced. More information will be posted on https://t.co/WKikjueJt2 and emailed to ticketholders directly when available.
While prioritizing your health is understandable, fans who purchased tickets for the canceled shows are expressing their disappointment online.
“Flight just landed in Atlanta. So disappointed. But health comes first,” one fan wrote.
“I drove hrs to see you tonight, all the rehearsal you been posting and what not and now today you postponed the opening day?!” another fan posted. “This is crazy!!!! You had since February to get it together. I’m upset and very at that 😡😡😡😡you knew this since last night, I bet you do the concert on Friday and Saturday tho.”
Another called out the fans who defended the singer and accused them of only doing so because Usher didn’t cancel their tour dates.
“Some of yall saying this and that bc tonight (Wednesday)is not the night you are supposed to see him!” they wrote. “As a fan for 3O years, I’m I titled to my feelings, and that’s that!!! I’ve made arrangements for a babysitter, rental cars, gas, hotel, job, hair, nails, etc. If he’s sick, I can understand, but I still have expenses, period!!!!! Traveling is not a drive down the street and go home-it’s traffic, time, etc.”
Usher still has the rest of his tour to make up for the rocky start.
