Kid Rock, Racial Slurs

Kid Rock Allegedly Uses Racial Slurs And Pulls Out Gun During Interview, Admits To Being A Part Of ‘America’s Divide’

Kid Rock is being accused of getting rowdy with a reporter by using racial slurs and pulling out a gun. 


Kid Rock is accused of getting rowdy with a reporter by using racial slurs and pulling out a gun. 

During an interview for Rolling Stone magazine with David Peisner, the controversial rock and roll star pulled out a weapon while discussing political hot topics such as transgender rights and the 2020 U.S. presidential election. After allegedly ingesting three to four alcoholic drinks, Peisner said Rock started to wave a black handgun in his face. “He’s sitting in a dark leather chair, shouting at me about something or other, when he reaches behind the seat, pulls out a black handgun, and waves it around to make some sort of point,” Peisner wrote. 

He continued, adding that Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, shouted, “And I got a (expletive) gun right here if I need it! I got them everywhere!”

The reporter also cited that Rock used the n-word several times while talking with him, specifically when referring to Detroit rapper Trick Trick. Rock revealed the rapper allegedly approved of allegiance to former President Donald Trump and, in conversation, also called Trick a racial slur. “It’s worth mentioning these are not the only times Ritchie drops” the offensive term during the interview,” Peisner said. 

“It’d be easy to label this as the rantings of a drunk racist, but as with everything that Ritchie does, it’s hard to know how calculated it all is.”

Known for embracing MAGA politics and his budding friendship with Trump, Rock is embracing the idea that he contributed to the stressful political climate in the U.S. He identified himself as “one of those polarizing people.” “I’m part of the problem,” Rock told Peisner, according to Fox News. “I’m one of the polarizing people, no question. Sometimes I b—h about other people, then I look in the mirror, and I’m like, ‘Oh, yeah, why don’t you shut the f–k up too?’”

Crossing over between country and rock, Rock said he has performed using the Confederate flag for years but claims it never became a problem until “all this woke s–t started happening.” “I was using the Confederate flag because I love Lynyrd Skynyrd, and I think it just looks cool,” he said. 

As Peisner questioned if the musician was simply “trying to get a reaction” out of him, the reporter wondered if the drunken tirade was “just a play for more attention.” He then revealed he was led into another argument with Rock just to wrap up the interview. 

While Rock has to drive the writer through the woods from his home recording studio back to his car, Rock asks Peisner to do him a favor. “Just write the most horrific article about me. Do it. It helps me,” Rock said, according to Peisner.

Common, rapper

Common To Executive Produce Social Justice Thriller ‘Grassland’

Common is executive producing a new thriller that takes on criminal justice reform surrounding low-level marijuana possession charges.


Common is putting on his executive producer hat for a new thriller that takes on criminal justice reform surrounding low-level marijuana possession charges.

The Grammy, Emmy, and Oscar-winning rapper and actor is using his social impact film division, Free to Dream, to executive produce the social justice film “Grassland,” The Wrap reports. Set in 2008 during an economic recession and Barack Obama’s historic presidential run, the film follows a single Latina mother (Mía Maestro) who runs an illegal marijuana business with a young Black man (Quincy Isaiah).

The business faces danger when her son befriends the young boy who moves into the neighborhood with his police officer grandfather (Jeff Kober). The thriller is set to make its world premiere as the Closing Night Film at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on Sunday, June 2.

William Bermudez and Sam Friedman make their directorial debuts in the film produced by David Goldblum and Adam Edery. Joining Common on the executive producer team are Paul Blavin, Amy Blavin, Mara Burros Sandler, Marie Cisco, and Exit 14’s Sam Silverstein and Jeremy Paczos.

“Grassland” doesn’t only serve as a social justice film aimed at raising awareness. It also packs on an advocacy campaign that tackles federal and state-level criminal justice reform and the estimated 40,000+ Americans still in prison on low-level marijuana possession charges. All the while, the legal cannabis industry is estimated to reach $34 billion in 2024.

Common’s Free to Dream and The Last Prisoner Project serve as the film’s nonprofit advocacy partners. Together, the teams worked to provide paid opportunities to those directly impacted by the flawed criminal justice system.

Opportunities included “hiring crew members who were formerly incarcerated, hiring consulting producers with lived experience with the criminal legal system and curating special programming during production meetings on set, where guest speakers came to share their experience with incarceration.”

To keep the conversation going, Free to Dream, in partnership with lifestyle brand Shinola, will host a multi-city screening tour in colleges and under-represented communities with panel discussions featuring activists in the cannabis equity space.

RELATED CONTENT: Common Pulled Into Tiffany Haddish’s Defamation Lawsuit With Former Friend

Haiti, Toussaint Louverture Airport in Port-au-Prince, International, Global, Horsford

International Airport In Haiti Reopens Close To 3 Months After Gang Violence Forced Closure 

Thank goodness!


Three months after relentless gang violence forced authorities to stop all air traffic, Haiti’s main international airport reopened. 

The Toussaint-Louverture Airport reopened on May 20 in Port-au-Prince and is expected to assist in bringing in medications and other essential supplies, which the country is in critical need of. Before the reopening, the only operating airport was in Cap-Haïtien, north of the capital city.

The distance proved difficult for Haitians seeking to leave the country as roads between Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haïtien were controlled by gangs seen shooting at cars and buses that passed through. 

Due to the violence, the U.S. government and nonprofit groups evacuated hundreds of American citizens by helicopter. However, U.S. military planes have returned to the Port-au-Prince airport with medication, hydration fluids, and civilian contractors to assist the country in preparing for foreign forces to arrive.

The anticipation is for them to help mitigate some of the violence unleashed by the gangs who are controlling 80% of the capital.

Attacks started on Feb. 29 as gunmen took over police stations, opened fire in the Port-au-Prince airport, and stormed Haiti’s two biggest prisons — releasing over 4,000 prisoners. Since then, gangs have turned their siege on quiet communities, leaving thousands homeless. The United Nations reported between January and March, more than 2,500 people have been killed or injured, seeing a 50% increase compared to the same time in 2023 last year. 

While the airport is open to the public, only Sunrise Airways, a local carrier, is now flying in and out of Port-au-Prince. U.S.-based airlines aren’t expected to take off until late May or June. 

According to the Associated Press, the first commercial passenger flight to leave the airport since March headed to Miami and took off almost two hours behind schedule. Passengers were seen complaining of the intense heat due to the lack of air conditioning until takeoff. When the plane finally hurried down the runway, one passenger whispered, “Yes. Yes.”

Sunrise contracted with World Atlantic, a Florida-based charter airline, which distributed paper towels to passengers to cool off.

Airport workers like Klav-Dja Raphael are excited to return to work as the closure allowed the airport only to supply a month’s wages. She solely relied on friends and family for financial assistance, but there is still concern about the gangs coming back as she remembered bullets ricocheting through the airport the day of the attack. “We are scared because they can still attack us here,” Raphael said. 

“We must come in. It’s our job, but we’re afraid.” 

Following the airport attack, former Prime Minister Ariel Henry was locked out of the country while on an official trip to Kenya. He resigned while a transitional presidential council searched for a new prime minister. The commission is also responsible for bringing in a new Cabinet and organizing general elections. 

In March 2024, Kenya and Haiti signed agreements to create a plan to send 1,000 police officers to the troubled Caribbean nation to help stem the violence. Kenya’s Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary ​​Korir Sing’oei said on May 19 that the plans are in the final stages. Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Bangladesh are also expected to provide support, but the date has yet to be determined.

Whoopi Goldberg, Harrison Butker

Whoopi Goldberg Respects Harrison Butker Stating His Beliefs During Commencement Speech

The host said she likes "when people say what they need to say" and that people shouldn't take away his right to say what he feels.


On The View‘s May 16 episode, Whoopi Goldberg defended Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s right to express his views during a recent commencement speech at Benedictine College.

Despite Butker’s controversial remarks on topics like abortion, euthanasia, IVF, surrogacy, and the LGBTQ community sparking backlash, Goldberg firmly believes in upholding free speech.

“I like when people say what they need to say,” Goldberg said. “…He’s at a Catholic college; he’s a staunch Catholic. These are his beliefs and he’s welcome to them. I don’t have to believe them, I don’t have to accept them, the ladies that were sitting in that audience do not have to accept them.”

Goldberg drew a parallel to the respect afforded to Colin Kaepernick’s protests. “We want to give respect to people whose ideas are different from ours…We don’t want to be those people…to take away people’s right to say how they feel.”

While co-host Sara Haines disagreed with Butker’s remarks, she echoed Goldberg’s sentiment.

“In the spirit of freedom of speech, I don’t want people shut down or fired for things they’re willing to say,” she said, referring to calls for Butker’s removal from the Chiefs. However, Haines diverged from Goldberg’s Kaepernick comparison. “Colin Kaepernick was standing up for the rights of many and saying, in a social justice moment, this is a reminder that we’re not there yet.” She asserted her perspective as a Christian and described Butker’s gesture as cult-like and “divergent from the majority of Catholics.”

Sunny Hostin and panelist Alyssa Farah Griffin disapproved of the athlete’s LGBTQ comments. However, Goldberg reiterated, “When you say to somebody, ‘I don’t like what you said, and so I’m going to get your job taken away because you disagree with me,’ for me, that’s an issue. It happens to us all the time.”

Amid the controversy, the NFL released a statement distancing itself from Butker’s remarks, according to The Hollywood Reporter. “His views are not those of the NFL as an organization,” said Jonathan Beane, the league’s senior VP and chief diversity and inclusion officer. He clarified that the league is “steadfast” in its commitment to inclusion.

RELATED CONTENT: Whoopi Goldberg Says She Used Weight-Loss Drug At 300 Lbs

Lawsuit, Black Teen, Execution, Pennsylvania Capital

Family Of Black Teen Executed In 1931 Sues State Of Pennsylvania

Williams was convicted of stabbing a woman 47 times, leading to his execution in 1931. The conviction was vacated in 2022.


The family of Alexander McClay Williams, a Black 16-year-old executed in 1931, has filed a lawsuit against Pennsylvania and Delaware County for his death.

Williams, the youngest person ever executed in the state, was accused and convicted of killing 34-year-old Vida Robare, according to NBC News. However, prosecutors coerced the young man to confess to stabbing her 47 times.

Prosecutors at the time willfully ignored other suspects, including Robare’s recently divorced husband, Fred. He also worked at the school, and Robare deemed “extreme cruelty” as her reason for separation. Williams, on the other hand, was never located by any witnesses near or at the crime scene. Robare’s husband was the first to find her deceased body.

Alexander McClay Williams was executed on June 8, 1931.

The family remained adamant about the teen’s innocence, leading to his conviction being vacated in 2022. His record was expunged in 2017. With the charges dropped, Williams’ surviving family members now seek a semblance of justice.

Of the decision to dismiss Williams’ charges posthumously, Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer also expressed the injustice in the trial that resulted in Williams’ execution.

“Sadly, we cannot undo the past. We cannot rewrite history to erase the egregious wrongs of our forebearers,” Stollsteimer said in 2022. “However, when, as here, justice can be served by publicly acknowledging such a wrong, we must seize that opportunity.”

Williams is another instance of racism in capital punishment. Over half of all wrongfully convicted death-row exonerees are Black, according to the Death Penalty Information Center. Deemed as “a tool of injustice and discrimination” by the National Black Caucus of State Legislators, the death penalty continues to disproportionally impact Black people nearly a century after William’s execution.

The Williams family hopes for punitive damages as retribution for the racism and injustice that led to the teen’s death.

Amber Rose, Joseline Hernandez, Trump

Amber Rose Endorses Trump For President, Joseline Hernandez Calls Her A ‘Karen’

Amber Rose is under fire for publicly supporting Donald Trump's 2024 bid for presidency.


Amber Rose is under fire for publicly putting her support behind Donald Trump’s 2024 bid for the presidency.

The model and TV personality threw herself into the fray on Monday, May 20, when she posted a photo standing alongside Donald and Melania Trump, expressing her plans to vote for Trump this November.

“Trump 2024 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸,” she captioned the photo.

The Slut Walk founder faced swift heat from onlookers who found it hyprocritical of Rose to support Trump despite his controversial history with women’s rights. Considering Trump’s decades-long ties to sexual misconduct allegations and Rose’s public advocacy against slutshaming, publicly supporting Trump caught many by surprise.

“Imagine being an “advocate” for women’s rights and endorsing Trump and his party who reversed Roe V Wade. Wild,” one person wrote.

“Damn Amber…You’re a Bisexual woman of color that runs a movement that stands up for Women’s rights and their power against anyone that abuses it….that’s literally OPPOSITE of what he supports…smdh,” added someone else.

Amid the backlash, Rose took to The Shade Room to respond to critics and explain the “research” she’d done before supporting Trump’s 2024 campaign.

“Lmaooo yall think Biden cares about black ppl??? Sad. Do ur research. I did. I’ll ALWAYS put women first,” she quipped back.

“Y’all want biological men in women’s sports. Trump supports the most reasonable compromise on abortion. Stop being brainwashed cuz WE’RE ppl of color. Make your own decisions.”

Many cited Rose’s physical showdown with Joseline Hernandez on BET’s “College Hill: Celebrity Edition,” which ignited after Joseline accused Rose of wanting to be “a white girl.” Rose, whose mom is of Black Cape Verdean and Scottish descent and whose father is white, was instantly offended and ended up attacking Joseline in a physical fight the network edited out of the show.

https://twitter.com/WinsleyMelan/status/1792964614730449205

“Y’all owe Joseline Hernandez an apology IMMEDIATELY because she was very much so right about Amber Rose,” one person tweeted.

“Joseline spoke the truth about how conflicted Amber Rose was,” said another.

Amid all the mentions of her name, Joseline took to her Instagram Story to reiterate her 2023 comments calling Rose a “Karen” who is allegedly more attracted to Black men than identifying as a Black woman.

“The only thing Karen like Black is (eggplant emoji) in her (poop emoji) (hole emoji) (ninja emoji),” Hernandez wrote. “Grab her by the (cat emoji).”

On Tuesday, Rose doubled down on her support for women in a video post about women being in “survival mode.” However, her comments section reflected how people felt about her political stance ahead of the 2024 election.

RELATED CONTENT: Biden And Trump Agree To Two Debates Ahead Of 2024 Presidential Election

Nas, Rapper, Broadway, Hip-Hop Film, Nas Soccer Jersey, Illmatic 30th Anniversary

Nas To Perform In Las Vegas To Celebrate 30th Anniversary Of ‘Illmatic’

The Queensbridge lyricist will perform at the Encore Theater at Wynn backed by the Las Vegas Philharmonic for three shows, starting August 29.


This summer, Nas will perform in Las Vegas to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his debut album, Illmatic, backed by a live orchestra.

The announcement was posted on the AEG Presents Las Vegas Instagram account.

The “Made You Look” emcee will perform at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas on Aug. 29, Aug. 31, and Sept. 1. The Las Vegas Philharmonic will be the backing band for the Queens-bred lyricist. Tickets are slated to go on sale Friday, May 24, at 10 a.m. Pacific.

In a written statement to Billboard, Nas said, “Las Vegas has always served as a creative outlet for my music, and these performances will take that to the next level. I am excited to partner with the Las Vegas Philharmonic to bring this first-of-its-kind performance to Encore Theater and to showcase my music to my fans in Las Vegas in a whole new way.”

All the shows start at 8 p.m. Ticket, which start at $69.95, can be purchased on the Wynn Las Vegas website.

AEG Presents Las Vegas SVP Bobby Reynolds said: “We could not be more thrilled to welcome Nas to Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas for this historic collaboration with the Las Vegas Philharmonic to celebrate one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever made. Marrying Nas’ legendary catalog with the unparalleled sound of the Las Vegas Philharmonic Is guaranteed to be an unforgettable and must-see experience for all Nas fans, and there is no venue more perfect in Las Vegas for this collaboration or a better place to be this Labor Day Weekend for entertainment than Encore Theater.”

Nas, considered one of the greatest lyricists in the game, continues to churn out the hits 30 years after his debut. He won his first Grammy in 2020 for Best Rap Album for King’s Disease.

Earlier this year, Nas announced a partnership with Resorts World and its casino expansion in Queens, New York. The plan to redevelop the property will cost $5 billion.

RELATED CONTENT:  Las Vegas Aces Players Awarded $100K Las Vegas Tourism Sponsorship Deal, Prompting WNBA Investigation

Black Enterprise, Disruptor Summit, pitch competition

3 Black Businesswomen Bag $30K During Black Enterprise’s Disruptor Summit Pitch Contest

Three Black women entrepreneurs were top winners out of 108 submissions in this year's pitch competition.


Entrepreneur Debbie Dickinson was humble after winning first place and $15,000 in a pitch competition at the 2024 BLACK ENTERPRISE Disruptor Summit in Atlanta.

She is CEO and founder of Thermaband, a South Florida-based company offering technological solutions to manage menopause symptoms for women. Her firm sells a personal monitoring and cooling band with a connected app. 

This year marks the first time Walmart has sponsored the pitch competition. Narrowed from four finalists, BLACK ENTERPRISE presented three cash prizes of $15,000 for first place, $10,000 for second, and $5,000 for third. The finalists will also get business coaching sessions from BLACK ENTERPRISE.

The winning pitches by Dickinson and two other Black businesswomen are a big deal as they were chosen from 108 submissions in this year’s Disruptor Summit Fast Pitch Competition.

Torarie Durden, head of marketing for Walmart Business, says his company is continually looking at how to help small businesses and entrepreneurs achieve their purpose.

“The mission of Walmart Business is to help others save time, money, and hassle.”

Dickinson told BLACK ENTERPRISE that she plans to use the money to advance the development of the Thermaband Zone app to achieve personalized care for women. “The funds received will really help promote solutions to make a difference in the lives of women.” 

She says her firm seeks strategic partners and investors to join Thermaband in disrupting and aiding women’s health. 

Finalists were given only 90 seconds to give the judges and attendees verbal pitches. Many were seasoned or emerging entrepreneurs also trying to scale their businesses. The pitches had to cover an array of questions, including: What is your product? What makes your business disruptive? The winners were announced at the event’s awards presentation.

Disruptor Summit, pitch competition
(Photo: UWG – Monique Nelson and Gregory Edwards/Black Enterprise)

Winning a pitch competition can be groundbreaking. Along with providing an opportunity to gain capital, it can help entrepreneurs turn their passion into a thriving business and possibly boost their exposure to potential investors looking to invest money into an enterprise.

Take Arielle Brown, owner of Bea’s Bayou Skincare. She won second place and $10,000. Her New Orleans-based company offers eczema-focused haircare and skincare products. She plans to use the capital to get her company’s products dermatologist-tested and microbiome-certified. “This will help us generate more revenue, expand our offerings, and build brand awareness.”

She says she was excited to make her pitch to BLACK ENTERPRISE because problems like dandruff affect 90% of Black Americans. “So, winning this competition means a lot  to me.” Brown says her business is now fundraising to boost capital and looking for investors.

Tia Robinson, owner of Vertical Activewear, won third place. It is an Atlanta-based smart and sustainable manufacturing company that makes clothing on demand. She plans to use the $5,000 she won “to automate our process, service more clients, and make a greater environmental impact.”

Further, Robinson plans to launch a fundraising round in the third quarter of this year to continue developing her firm’s tech component to support on-demand apparel manufacturing. She says that would allow the business to offer that service to other brands and companies by 2025.

Robinson has ambitious goals, expecting to become a “double-digit” million manufacturing company by late next year.

The fourth finalist, Devin “Egypt” Robinson, inventor of My Organic Pod, was awarded $1,000 by Walmart. He pitched his solar-powered structure, which he says allows you to farm organic food, including tomatoes, catfish, and eggs. He plans to use the money to finish a bartering app, allowing his business to build a community of organic pod owners. He and Tia Robinson are not related.

 
Antonio Brown, Bankruptcy

Antonio Brown Files For Bankruptcy

Antonio Brown's life after the NFL faces another tribulation.


Controversial former NFL player Antonio Brown has filed for bankruptcy, according to a social media post on his CTESPNNetwork X account.

The X account, which is owned by Brown, revealed the news with little detail, but it also announced that he will be coming out with new music this summer.

The combative Brown launched the property earlier this year, calling it the “most trusted source in all of sports” after his self-diagnosis of CTE (Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). CTE can only be diagnosed after death.

Brown made more than $80 million in 12 NFL seasons, according to Spotrac. After graduating from Central Michigan, the Pittsburgh Steelers picked him in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft. He retired with 928 catches for 12,291 yards and 83 touchdowns. Whether those are hall of fame numbers will be up for the voters.

He did help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win the Super Bowl in 2021, but against the New York Jets in January 2022 he took off his jersey and headed to the locker room bare-chested before the game ended. That was his last NFL game in a stellar but tumultuous career.

During his NFL career, aside from playing with the Steelers and the Buccaneers, Brown played for the Oakland Raiders and the New England Patriots. Brown’s post-playing days have been wobbly to say the least, witness his disastrous stint as the owner of the Albany Empire arena football team, which featured players and coaches complaining that they were not paid.

Peloton, Diddy’s Music, Fitness Classes

Peloton Pumps The Brakes On Diddy’s Music After Domestic Violence Video

Peloton is halting the use of Diddy's music following the release of a video showing him beating his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura.


Peloton is halting the use of all music from Sean “Diddy” Combs” after the release of the horrific video of him beating his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura.

The popular exercise equipment company released a message on its Facebook member page on Monday, May 20, announcing the “pause” of Diddy’s musical library in Peloton’s fitness classes. The update came after a Peloton member encouraged Peloton to remove the hip-hop mogul’s music from the featured artist series for Bad Boy Entertainment.

“Thank you for sharing your concerns. We take this issue very seriously and can confirm Peloton has paused the use of Sean Combs’ music, as well as removed the Bad Boy Entertainment Artist Series, on our platform,” the company wrote. “This means our Instructors are no longer using his music in any newly produced classes.”

Diddy’s music was included in two different featured artist series on Peloton that were released in 2021 and 2023. But with Diddy admitting to beating Ventura in 2016 in the just-released video, Peloton has become the first company to take a public stance against him and his music.

The disgraced Bad Boy founder joins Ye, widely known as Kanye West, in having his music removed from Peloton classes due to controversy. Peloton stopped the use of Ye’s music in 2022 in response to his antisemitic remarks.

Diddy released a video apology Sunday, May 19 in response to CNN releasing the video attack showing Diddy wearing only a white towel and socks while punching, kicking, shoving, and dragging Ventura in a hotel hallway.

He said he was “truly sorry” for the “inexcusable” actions that occurred. “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” he said.

His apology differs from the statement he initially released in December shortly after Ventura and three other women filed lawsuits accusing him of abuse, sex trafficking, sexual assault, and other acts. “Let me be absolutely clear. I did not do any of the awful things being alleged,” the post said.

In Ventura’s November lawsuit, she accused him of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse throughout their 10-year relationship

RELATED CONTENT: Diddy Settlement With Cassie Forbids Them From Saying Each Other’s Names

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