by Sharelle B. McNair

December 9, 2025

Content Creator Gets An OG Check For Playing In Busta Rhymes’ Face

The 53-year-old educated the creator.

An unidentified content creator learned a lesson on disrespecting legends after Grammy Award-winner Busta Rhymes checked him for referring to him as comedian Tracy Morgan during a photo op.

Before stepping away, the creator was heard saying, ”It’s Tracy Morgan out here,” while Rhymes, whose real name is Trevor George Smith Jr., was visibly upset. He asked the young kid to repeat himself, as people chimed in to remind him that he messed up.

Rhymes didn’t back down until the creator offered an explanation.

The artist was heard asking him, “Who is Tracy Morgan?”

“You’re not Tracy Morgan?”

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Someone in the crowd tried to educate the creator: “That’s Busta Rhymes, n***a.” Spectators started to notice what was going on.

Later in the video, the 53-year-old “Touch It” rapper educated the creator . “You don’t play with no grown man, little boy. You can get f***** up for that,” he said.

Several alleged content creators have come under fire for “pranking” high-profile celebrities over the years. In 2012, Will Smith made headlines after slapping a journalist for attempting to kiss him on the lips while walking on the red carpet ahead of the Moscow premiere of Men in Black 3.

Most recently, singer and actress Ariana Grande had a fan jump on the yellow brick road carpet during the November 2025 Singapore premiere of Wicked: For Good.

According to People, a man in a white shirt and shorts sprinted toward Grande and tried to pull her close. A visibly frightened Grande tried to get away from him. Co-star Cynthia Enrivo also tried to shield her friend.

In the comment section of the now-viral Busta video, people seemed to be in support of the rapper schooling the kid.

“It doesn’t matter how old he is. These young people get too comfortable disrespecting ppl for views/likes/content. If you don’t check them early on, they’ll think it’s ok and then do it to the wrong person…”@21lola_rebma wrote on Instagram.

Those who follow the Brooklyn-born artist know that he isn’t one to take feeling violated lightly. In 2023, Busta threw a drink in a woman’s face after she grabbed his rear end in an attempt to get his attention for a photo.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

December 9, 2025

Singer Alexander O’Neal’s Home Catches Fire Hours After Return From ICU Stay

"We are so happy to be alive," O'Neal wife, Cynthia, told TMZ.

Singer Alexander O’Neal, a founding member of soul funk band The Time, was sent back to the hospital hours after returning home from the ICU.

O’Neal, 72, and his wife, Cynthia, were hospitalized Dec. 5 following a fire at their Burnsville, Minnesota, apartment, TMZ reports. The fire, which began in a third-floor unit, spread through four apartments at the Willoway complex around 1:30 a.m., leaving them homeless.

“We are so happy to be alive,” Cynthia told TMZ. “We may not have a toothbrush, but we have a car! Our spirits remain good, and we are moving forward.”

O’Neal had come back home after being hospitalized for a rare bacterial pneumonia and an enlarged heart that required life support. Cynthia said O’Neal woke her with “his arms in the air.” She saw two separate blazes: one “bubble of fire” on a cord connected to O’Neal’s oxygen machine and another on the floor.

The musician burned himself trying to stomp out the flames with his bare feet, she said. When the fire spread to a mattress, they called 911 and began to evacuate, moving slowly because O’Neal couldn’t walk far.

A neighbor also spotted the fire and called 911.

Witnesses saw the couple loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital. Cynthia later confirmed she was released quickly, while O’Neal remained for further testing on his lungs. Cynthia said she and O’Neal inhaled significant smoke while walking three flights of stairs to exit the building.

The Time is know as the funk band closely linked to Prince and featured in the movies Purple Rain and Graffiti Bridge. O’Neal was later “fired” by Prince and replaced with Morris Day, one of Prince’s longtime friends. The band then became known as Morris Day and The Time.

O’Neal later enjoyed successful solo R&B career, scoring mid-80s hits such as “Wherever You Will Go,” “Never Knew Love Like This,” and “Sentimental.”

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 9, 2025

Orlando Magic’s Desmond Bane Fined $35K For Chucking Ball At NY Knicks’ OG Anunoby

This is on the verge of becoming a trend.

The NBA has fined Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane $35,000 for throwing a basketball at the New York Knicks’ OG Anunoby during Sunday’s game at Madison Square Garden.

According to NBA.com, the incident took place with less than seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.

Bane and two other teammates tried to prevent Anunoby from scoring. As the ball was knocked out of his hands, the Knicks player fell out of bounds. Bane then grabbed the ball and hurled it at Anunoby.

Bane was called for a technical foul after the play.

OG shoves Bane after he fires a fastball at him while he’s on the ground pic.twitter.com/gxLyZ070mN
— KNICKS BEAST (@KnicksBeast) December 7, 2025

The league fined Bane for “throwing the game ball with force at an opponent in an unsportsmanlike manner.” The Athletic reported that there was no bad blood between Bane and Anunoby—the two players laughed and hugged after the play.

The Knicks won, 106-100.

This is not Bane’s first time being penalized for throwing the ball at an opposing player.

In the third quarter of the Magic’s 127-112 Nov. 4 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, as Onyeka Okongwu tried to score, Bane grabbed his forearm for a hard foul, and the ball went up in the air. Okongwu fell to the floor. While on the ground, Bane threw the ball at him.

After the referees reviewed the play, they ejected Bane, who received a flagrant foul, from the game.

by Ahsan Washington

December 9, 2025

Add A Dab Of Luxe With These Ladies’ Gift Picks

These brands that redefine luxe through their distinctive design

Black-owned brands have carved out their own lane in the luxury market by offering fine goods that cater to culturally diverse customers, with purposeful design and traditional craftsmanship that diverge from conventional Western and European luxury ideals. //

BLACK ENTERPRISE features 7 Black-owned beauty and fashion brands that redefine luxury through their distinctive design approach. The following products showcase that luxury and value stem from their cultural integration and elevated creative development.

Epara Skincare

The luxury skincare brand Epara operates in London and across Africa, combining clinical effectiveness with African botanicals in its high-end skincare collection, which includes serums, cleansers, and body treatments for melanated skin’s dryness and hyperpigmentation. Epara delivers luxurious textures and clinically informed activities through its marula and moringa formulations, which make it a meaningful gift for those seeking results and ritual.

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THIRD CROWN

The New York-based contemporary jewelry house THIRD CROWN creates modern sculptural statement pieces. Their collection of rings, cuffs, pendants, and bracelets includes both fine jewelry and contemporary heirlooms. THIRD CROWN established itself in recent years through consistent editorial exposure and complete online product catalogs. THIRD CROWN offers contemporary craft and signature silhouettes, serving as classic luxury gifts for people who want wearable, gallery-worthy jewelry. Their products are available through their online store and specific retail partners who provide material details and pricing information.

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bütün

The Black-owned fragrance house bütün presents functional, artisanal fragrances, which boutique sellers curate. These perfumes combine artisanal techniques with a wellness-adjacent positioning to create premium scents. For those who seek niche artistic perfumery, bütün is the way to go.

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Marie Hunter Beauty

Marie Hunter Beauty, a Black-owned brand, offers luxury candles and home fragrance gifts. The items come in sophisticated packaging, making them both decorative pieces and scent providers. The elevated scent and home aesthetic of luxury candles make them a reliable high-impact gift choice for many recipients.

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Fe Noel

Brooklyn-based designer Felisha Noel established Fe Noel to create luxury women’s clothing that reflects Caribbean heritage through vibrant designs. Starting as a vintage boutique in the early 2010s, Fe Noel has since become a full women’s wear label known for its elegant cultural designs. Fe Noel sells its designs online and through selected retail partners, offering flowing gowns, resort-style dresses, and statement silhouettes with island-inspired prints in vibrant colors. Women who value elegance, movement, and cultural heritage will find their perfect match in the brand’s elevated feminine designs.

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Anima Iris

Wilglory Tanjong established Anima Iris, a Black-owned luxury brand that produces handmade handbags in Senegal. The architectural handbags from Anima Iris showcase vibrant textures and global-inspired silhouettes, which are distinctive statement accessories. Anima Iris received recognition in 2025 for selling luxury products through its official online store. Anima Iris gifts deliver artistic value to customers who seek luxury products with global origins and unique characteristics.

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Hanifa

Anifa Mvuemba, a Congolese-American designer who focuses on elegance and body inclusivity, created Hanifa to deliver bold, inclusive luxury womenswear. The collection includes sculptural dresses alongside sleek ready-to-wear pieces, knitwear, and statement eveningwear, which enhance body types ranging from size 0 to 20. Hanifa started its operations in 2011, but achieved significant growth during its digital runway event in 2020. Hanifa sells luxury fashion pieces directly to customers through worldwide shipping.

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Trump, protections, South Sudan, Migrants

by Mitti Hicks

December 9, 2025

An Archaeologist Is On A Mission To Preserve Sudan’s Art And Heritage Amid War

The war in Sudan started in 2023. Two regional museums in El Geneina and Nyala were almost destroyed. The National Museum in Khartoum, which held over 100,000 objects before the war, was ransacked by militias.

Sudanese archaeologist Shadia Abdrabo is on a mission to preserve Sudan’s art and heritage during war.

Abdrabo, curator from Sudan’s National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums (NCAM), is working on a yearlong research grant in France to build an online database of Sudan’s archaeological sites, museum collections, and historical archives, the Associated Press reported.

The war in Sudan started in 2023, and museums were looted or destroyed. It’s unclear precisely what’s missing, and now Abdrabo is in a race against time to find out.

“We have to work fast to secure our collections. We’ve already lost two museums, and we don’t want to lose more,” she told the publication.

Two regional museums, in El Geneina and Nyala, were almost destroyed. The National Museum in Khartoum, which held over 100,000 objects before the war, was ransacked by militias. The museum housed some of Sudan’s most precious artifacts, including pieces dating back to prehistoric times. Some of these civilizations include the Kerma Kingdom and the Napatan era, when Kushite kings ruled the region, and the Merotic civilization, which built Sudan’s pyramids.

Some of the most valuable items were mummies dating back to 2,500 B.C., which are reportedly among the oldest and most significant archaeologically in the world, along with Kushite treasures.

The Start of Sudan’s Civil War

The current war in Sudan stems from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) generals. In 2019, the army mounted a coup to get rid of long-serving President Omar al-Bashir, who came to power in a coup in 1989.

A joint military-civilian government was established, but that was overthrown in another coup in October 2021, led by two men: Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country’s president and head of the armed forces, and his deputy, RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo.

Both men reportedly disagreed on the direction of the country, and shooting between the two sides began on April 15, 2023.

More than 12 million people have fled their homes, and tens of thousands of people have died in the conflict, but these numbers are uncertain.

“From severe droughts to deadly floods, the compounded effects of conflict and environmental instability are pushing communities to the brink, leaving them struggling to survive,” according to the United Nations. “Famine has already been declared in some parts of the country, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and putting millions of lives at immediate risk.”

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 9, 2025

Nick Fuentes Goes On Racist Tirade On Piers Morgan Show After Saying ‘Blacks Should Be In Prison’

Morgan even attempted to give Fuentes the benefit of the doubt asking if he simply meant Black murderers but he was wrong.

White nationalist Nick Fuentes got into a heated debate during an episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored. At the same time, Morgan grilled Fuentes on his racist, antisemitic, and misogynistic views, including his thoughts on “Black should be in prison.”

The viral clip included offensive takes on his views surrounding Black people and blatantly used the n-word while describing a conversation he had with rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. The conversation started as Morgan played a clip of Fuentes going on a rant about the Jewish and Black communities and women.

“Jews are running society, women need to shut the f*** up, Blacks need to be in prison for the most part, and we would live in paradise,” he yelled in the clip.

“It’s that simple.”

When Morgan asked him to clarify what he meant by the comment surrounding Black people, the podcast host didn’t shy away from his thoughts. “That’s all true. Everything I said in that clip is true.”

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Morgan even attempted to give Fuentes the benefit of the doubt, asking if he simply meant Black murderers, but he was wrong. “Right, no, you’re right, that’s a good addition to that. That’s a great point,” Fuentes said mockingly.

The 27-year-old, who is often quoted for calling Hitler’s antisemitic stance “cool,” discussed an encounter with Ye after admitting to the Grammy Award-winning producer that he uses the n-word. “You know what Ye told me? I’ll tell you verbatim what he said. He asked if I used the n-word, and I said ‘Yeah,’’ Fuentes stated.

“He goes ‘well when n*ggas are being n*ggas….I said so true, that’s so true.’”

After trying to praise Ye for his pleasant demeanor, Morgan interrupted to keep the conversation going, but Fuentes rebutted, saying, “Well, you’re very rude, are you Black?”

As the clip went viral on social media, several people chimed in with their thoughts on the narrative, including some who felt like his rhetoric doesn’t even matter. “As a Black Man, I’m gon go ahead and speak for ALL OF US when I tell you We do NOT care what this lil boy is sayin….we BEEN unbothered,” @codymix0n said on IG.

Others, like Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, are wondering why white supremacists are suddenly getting a spotlighted platform. “I don’t understand why white supremacists are suddenly being platforms,” she wrote in the comment section.

@sinistar22x2 mirrored the comment, writing, “Deny him the spotlight, silence is not compliance.”

While all the comments heard during the interview seemingly shocked viewers and Morgan himself, one of the other surprises was Fuentes, who openly believes women should have no rights whatsoever, admitting to never having sex with a member of the very demographic he despises, according to The Daily Beast. “I know I’m the boomer here, but actually, you’re a 27-year-old dinosaur, aren’t you, Nick Fuentes? All women are annoying. All women grow old. They all get fat,’ says the guy—have you ever had sex?” Morgan asked.

“No, absolutely not,” responded Fuentes, who self-identifies as an incel.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

Royal Caribbean Sued After Allegedly Serving Man 33 Drinks Who Later Died On Ship

The family called out Royal Caribbean's policies and drink packages.

A Black family has sued Royal Caribbean Cruise Line after Michael Virgil was allegedly served 33 alcoholic drinks and later died on the ship.

Virgil’s family filed a wrongful death complaint in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. The family claims that the cruise line is liable for his death as staff refused to prioritize his safety and well-being, using harsh restraining measures that resulted in his death.

Virgil, 35, was aboard the Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas for a holiday cruise from Los Angeles to Ensenada, Mexico, in December 2024.

Upon boarding, his family, which included Virgil’s fiancée and his 7-year-old autistic son, learned their cabin was not ready. Virgil decided to hit the bar, where the suit claims he was over-served and became intoxicated, prompting his heightened state of aggravation.

As he tried to find his cabin, Virgil ended up in an altercation with security. According to the lawsuit obtained by Fox News, security and fellow crew tackled him to the ground. The captain allegedly authorized the crew to give the sedative Haloperidol, while also using multiple cans of pepper spray.

According to the suit, the restraint, alongside the sedatives and pepper spray, caused hypoxia and respiratory failure, leading to a cardiac arrest. The medical examiner later ruled the death of a homicide.

“Michael’s family has suffered unimaginable heartache and torment caused by Royal Caribbean, a mega cruise line that prioritizes profit over passenger safety,” said Kevin Haynes, the family’s attorney. “Crew members, including security and medical personnel, are required to undergo rigorous competency training; it is very clear that Royal Caribbean is completely negligent in the hiring, training, and supervision of its vast fleet of maritime employees.

The attorney also noted how Virgil had a deluxe drink package. According to the filing, the cruise staff did not monitor his consumption, which played a role in his behavior.

“We were saddened by the passing of one of our guests, worked with authorities on their investigation, and will refrain from commenting any further on pending litigation,” a Royal Caribbean spokesperson said of Virgil’s death.

by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

December 9, 2025

One Woman Entrepreneur Says ‘Banking While Black’ Led To Downfall Of Her Car Sales Business

A bank fraud investigation left one Black woman in distress with her business ruined.

A Black woman entrepreneur is warning fellow diverse business owners about the woes of “banking while Black.”

Tianna Williams says she was a victim of a fraudulent bank investigation that left her business in shambles. According to Lehigh Valley Live, the incident made her money-strapped, as her business was the pillar of support for her life and family.

Growing up in a struggling household, Williams finally got a leg up as she learned how to “flip cars.”

The skill included buying cars at low prices at auctions, making any needed repairs, and selling them for a profit. The Pennsylvania native soon discovered her knack for the trade, working at a dealership before deciding to open her own car lot.

She worked from the ground up to obtain a dealer’s license while developing relationships with lenders to finance the sales. Her main clientele included low-income people who needed cars to secure work. She quickly gained traction and sales, earning over $1 million in gross earnings within two years.

However, things took a wrong turn when she asked M&T Bank in Philadelphia for higher lending power. As soon as she submitted a $35,000 deposit alongside her application for the new line of credit, her account was frozen.

The bank then told her that she was under investigation for fraud. However, Williams maintains that there was no wrongdoing to prompt the case. Despite this, the bank continued to freeze her assets, which were needed to keep her business afloat. The investigator for M&T then reported their alleged suspicions to Williams’ lenders.

It took Williams hiring an attorney for the bank to reverse the freeze. However, it was already too late to bounce back. With her relationships with the lenders ruined, Williams’ business tanked.

Now, she hopes for justice after filing a discrimination suit against the bank. Williams’ defense also noted the bank investigator’s “spite, racism, and self-righteousness” also fueled the extended fraud case.

Initially, the bank claimed that a misspelled name on the check caused the freeze. However, the case waged on despite the easily resolvable issue. Williams’ filing states that the investigator continued to target her, once reportedly saying, “‘you people’ have a way of trying to make things look legitimate when they are actually fraudulent.”

The bank’s legal team also refused to provide the courts with documentation related to Williams’ case. Given the alleged racial elements surrounding her case, Williams and her legal team want to shed light on this alleged discrimination. Furthermore, they want to raise awareness of how banks can take advantage of anyone, regardless of background. However, this case of “banking while Black” shows another way that racism impacts entrepreneurs of color.

“I believe racism was a component, but it could happen to anybody. It’s just a question of a bank being accountable for the actions of its employees,” shared Williams’s attorney, Dean Malik.

As it stands, the bank has appealed a judge’s order to hand over the documents. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will now decide the matter, as both parties await its ruling.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

December 9, 2025

Browns’ Coach Names Rookie Shedeur Sanders Permanent Starter For Remainder Of Season

"He has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games and how he's approached this game," Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said.

After wallowing in the quarterback room for much of the season with no guarantees to see the field, Sheduer Sanders is the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback for the remainder of the NFL season.

According to NFL.com, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski unexpectedly named the rookie and fifth-round draft pick the starter on Monday.

Shedeur to start the remainder of the season and other notes ahead of Week 15
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 8, 2025

“He has constantly and consistently gotten better in each one of these games and how he’s approached this game,” Stefanski said. “He’s been working very hard, so I feel good about where his development is heading. He knows there are always going to be plays that he can be better at and those types of things. But he’s very intentional about getting better each and every game he’s out there.”

On Sunday, the Browns lost to the Tennessee Titans, 31-29. But Sanders had a good game, completing 23 out of 42 pass attempts for 364 yards. He also threw three touchdowns and an interception and rushed for 29 yards and a touchdown. He became the second rookie since 1970 to have more than 350 passing yards, three or more passing touchdowns, and at least one rushing TD in a single game.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow accomplished the feat in 2020.

Sanders set career highs in completion percentage, passing yards, and passing touchdowns in a game. His alma mater, the University of Colorado, also pointed out that Sanders threw the most yards by a CU player in an NFL game.

Shedeur’s 364 yards are the most ever by a former CU player in an NFL game.@ShedeurSanders x #ProBuffs pic.twitter.com/zdzYJjKmjM
— Colorado Buffaloes Football (@CUBuffsFootball) December 8, 2025

Sanders’ future, though, remains in doubt. Veteran Deshaun Watson, who was the team’s starting quarterback when he got injured and missed the season, is primed to return in 2026, barring any personnel moves.

The Browns are 3-10. Their final opponents are the Chicago Bears, the Buffalo Bills, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Bengals.

by Sharelle B. McNair

December 9, 2025

Changes In Social Security Will Impact Boomer Retirement In 2026— Here’s How

Under the reconstruction of the 1983 congressional reform, the FRA is scheduled to reach 67, leaving boomers born in 1960 not being able to qualify for their full benefits until 2027 over 2026.

Baby boomers looking to retire in 2026 should pay attention to some of the new rules being handed down by Social Security, as the full retirement age (FRA) is scheduled to make a final increase, CBS News reported.

Under the reconstruction of the 1983 congressional reform, the FRA is scheduled to reach 67, meaning boomers born in 1960 will not qualify for their full benefits until 2027, instead of 2026. The change will affect those born between 1960 and 1964, in addition to Generation X, identified as Americans born between 1965 and 1980.

The change comes at a time when several affected workers don’t feel financially prepared for retirement. Numbers from Vanguard research show only four in 10 Americans say they’re on track to maintain their current lifestyle when they retire. Max Richtman, CEO of the advocacy group National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, called the cuts effective and feels it gives potential retirees time to prepare better. “Raising the retirement age is an effective cut in lifetime benefits for younger baby boomers, members of Gen X, and all the generations after,” he said.

“Having time to plan, however, does not mean they have been able to put aside more for retirement, considering the stagnation of real wages and the rising cost of college tuition, home prices, and other key living expenses.”

According to Business Insider, the national retirement age is 66 or 67 for a majority of baby boomers, which is also the same age which beneficiaries can fully collect their Social Security amount. People waiting until 70 to file will receive the highest monthly payment.

So, where will some of the changes come in? The costs associated with Medicare will increase. Beneficiaries can expect higher out-of-pocket costs, including premiums for Medicare Part B, jumping by roughly 10%, as a result of the price tag of healthcare skyrocketing.

Beneficiaries can also expect to continue to have their Social Security income to be taxed. As a result of President Donald Trump signing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025, taxpayers 65 and older have the luxury of claiming up to $6,000 in addition to their standard deduction. With the new measure scheduled to last through 2028, it builds on an existing tax exemption for seniors. Because of this, Americans falling in the affected age bracket filing for 2025 tax returns can write off as much as $23,750.

Joint filers over 65 will be able to claim as much as $46,700.

Despite the new bill, there is an expectation that the Social Security fund will be obsolete by the mid-2030s. While checks won’t stop being mailed out, retirees could see smaller benefit amounts unless Congress secures more money. With the new changes and data regarding minimal funds, Richtman thinks those looking to retire need to do their due diligence to plan accordingly. “These younger cohorts will have to try their best to plan for retirement, knowing that they cannot collect full benefits until 67,” he said.