Juvenile, Las Vegas, lovers & Friends festival,

February 2, 2024

Juvenile Blasts Lovers & Friends Festival Organizers For ‘Doing Bad Business’

"Whoever in charge of Lovers & Friends, man, y'all doing bad business, man. Y'all done put my name on the flyer and y'all know you ain't sent me no deposit, ain't sent me no bread or nothing."

It looks like the folks organizing the Lovers & Friends Festival in Las Vegas in May are facing allegations of false advertising. According to Complex, New Orleans recording artist Juvenile warned the people who placed his name on a flyer advertising him as a performer for the festival on Saturday, May 4.

In an Instagram video, he made his voice heard in opposition to listing him on the flyer when the business of having him there wasn’t done. He chastised them for “doing bad business.”

In the video, which may have been deleted, Juvenile said, “Whoever in charge of Lovers & Friends, man, y’all doing bad business, man. Y’all done put my name on the flyer, and y’all know you ain’t sent me no deposit, ain’t sent me no bread or nothing. Keep on playing games, talking about y’all gonna get back at me.”

He requests that they send him the deposit to solidify his participation or remove his name from the flyer.

“Look, y’all playing games with the wrong motherf**ker, man. If y’all gonna book me, y’all not gonna book me, take my f**king name off y’all flyer. I ain’t got no problem with that. I could do something else with my time. I ain’t tripping. But don’t put my f**king name on y’all flyers if y’all know y’all ain’t pay me no money. That’s f**ked up.”

This was the flyer that the “Back That Azz Up” rapper referenced.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lovers & Friends Las Vegas (@loversandfriendsfest)

But, alas, Juvy wasn’t the first artist to correct their involvement in the festival. Last week, Mary J. Blige wrote a statement after they also listed her on the flyer. She insisted that the inclusion was an error.

Mary J. Blige says her inclusion in the Lovers & Friends Festival lineup was an error: pic.twitter.com/qY5Me72Bda

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) January 25, 2024

Then TMZ reported that she WOULD be appearing at the festival. The media outlet stated that she would be performing, and her name was moved to the top of the updated flyer. You can see a copy of the updated flyer here.

Tik Tok, student, Garden, San, homeless, money, gofundme,

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 2, 2024

TikToker Raises Over $250K For Homeless Cancer Patient, ‘Help Me Help Him’

A TikToker has gone viral after meeting a homeless cancer patient and becoming his "angel" with her genuine acts of service.

A TikToker has gone viral after meeting a homeless cancer patient and becoming his “angel” with her genuine acts of service.

A DC-based college student by the name of Sanai Graden became a viral sensation in less than 24 hours after vlogging her experience with a homeless man diagnosed with prostate cancer. In a nearly four-minute video shared on Thursday, February 1, Graden showed how she was on her way to buy groceries from Trader Joe’s when the man walked up to her and asked if she could buy him a cup of hot tea.

“I’m walking to Trader Joe’s. Want to walk with me?” she asked the man.

The California native proceeded to vlog her time with the man, which included a trip to CVS to purchase medicine for him and the visible pain he was in.

“He just got insurance yesterday, but it takes 45 days for his insurance to be active so I told him ‘I’m just going to pay for it,” she explained.

@hustlanani
Please help me help him !
♬ original sound – Nai

After getting medicine for her new “Unc,” Graden took him to Starbucks and bought him a large green tea. But her kind efforts didn’t stop there. The young scholar was on a mission to get the correct medicine the man needed to relieve his pain, which wasn’t at the initial CVS they went to.

Graden walked to another CVS without the man because he was in too much pain to walk. She was successful in obtaining the prescription and walked back to the man to give it to him.

She continued her acts of kindness by getting the man a hotel room for the night. Graden then asked him what type of cancer he has, which he reveals is prostate cancer.

From there, the connection had already been made and Graden became dedicated to making sure her new “Unc” got the help he needed. In her post, she asked for her followers to “help me help him!” and they most certainly did.

Graden followed up with another video informing TikTok of the GoFundMe campaign she started to raise money for the homeless man she identified as “Alonzo.”

“I’m grateful I have this platform to change someone’s life with your guy’s help. I’m planning to use the funds to make sure he has a place to live, new clothes, shoes, a bank account, doctor’s appointments, a phone, etc,” she wrote. “I will be documenting the rest of this on my Tiktok if you are interested but Thank you so much for Donating.”

By Friday morning, Graden shared a video seated alongside Alonzo where he opened up about how “lonely” he’s been and he laid down and asked God “Could you bring my little angel back to me.” The college student went on to let him know that she had already raised over $150,000 for him by the time of the recording, which Alonzo told her “It’s ours.”

@hustlanani
I know you’ve all been waiting on his reaction. I just made it home. Please enjoy it. Thank you everyone for coming together. This would not have been possible without the endless support. This is just the beginning of something great. I’m enternally grateful. God did that !!!
♬ original sound – Nai

Graden will continue documenting Alonzo’s journey. Her latest video showed her taking him shopping for a phone and new clothes. Next up will likely be a place to lay his head every day.

The USC Berkley student continues to express her gratitude for the good deed and support she’s receiving for her efforts. One video shows her crying tears of joy while her mother praises her for her genuine kindness to someone in need.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 2, 2024

An Immediate Foul Call On Draymond Green Against Joel Embiid Causes Confusion

A referee called an immediate foul on Draymond Green as he battled Joel Embiid at the tip-off.

The Philadelphia 76ers and Golden State Warriors had trouble getting started Wednesday night.

The Warriors’ Draymond Green and the 76ers’ Joel Embiid faced off for the jump ball at center court and almost immediately, a whistle was blown, stopping the players and causing confusion, according to Sports Illustrated.

The game wasn’t two seconds old. The players looked around, some throwing their arms up in disbelief over the early interruption. The ones nearest referee Tony Brothers immediately looked at him to find out what happened.

It was then that they realized that Green, whose has a reputation for—ahem—chippy play, was hit with an immediate foul call after Embiid won the toss-up.

On The Draymond Green Show, Green explained his logic, according to YardBarker.

“Number one, no one ever gets called for those fouls,” he said. “…If it was actually a better toss the grab wouldn’t have looked so egregious, but the toss was so bad, I was holding on for awhile for dear life. There’s guys that do that every game, I’m not really one that jump balls every game. It’s kind of this new thing. I won one against [Anthony Davis] like that so I was like, ‘Why not. Let’s try it again; that’s the only chance that I had. And I went for it. Tony Brothers being who Tony Brothers is called a foul because he spotted it.”

As the players regrouped. The ball was taken out by the 76ers’ Danuel House Jr., when the clock was still at 12 minutes left. No time had been taken off. So, another whistle was blown. A referee had the timekeeper take two seconds off to start play at 11:58 left in the quarter.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMyayYvzPR8

With order restored, the 76ers lost to the Warriors’, 119-107. Embiid had only 14 points on 5-for-18 shooting and eight turnovers a week after scoring 70 points against the San Antonio Spurs.

by Rafael Pena

February 2, 2024

Tony Snell’s Urgency: Signing With NBA Team Crucial For Benefits Supporting Sons With Autism

Tony Snell must sign to an NBA team by Feb. 2 to mark 10 years in the league to secure the NBA's retiree benefits program.

According to Yahoo Sports, NBA veteran Tony Snell opened up about his journey with autism, shedding light on his eponymously named foundation’s mission and the importance of mentorship. However, Snell’s commitment to making a positive impact faces a pressing deadline, highlighting the financial challenges of advocating for autism awareness. Snell has until Feb. 2 to sign with an NBA team to be eligible for a 10th year of service in the NBA for the retiree benefits program.

Snell’s connection to autism unfolded through his son, Karter, whose diagnosis became a catalyst for the basketball player’s self-discovery. Reflecting on this process, Snell expressed relief, acknowledging that he always sensed his uniqueness compared to others.

“I honestly felt relief. I always knew I was different from everybody else. Just observing other kids, just observing everyone around me. How they were interested in each other, and they just clicked. I couldn’t find a way to click or relate. Basketball was honestly the only reason I had friends,” he shared with Yahoo Sports.

Driven by his personal experiences, the basketball player established his foundation to facilitate interaction between children on the autism spectrum and those who are not. The foundation aims to create an inclusive environment where all kids can play and interact seamlessly.

Discussing Karter’s progress, Snell proudly mentioned improvements in his son’s development. Karter can now count up to 20 and demonstrates a solid understanding of shapes and colors, a testament to the positive impact of early intervention and support.

Beyond his advocacy for autism awareness, Snell has been using his time in Portland, Maine, to mentor young players, including Boston’s second-round pick, Jordan Walsh. Sharing his knowledge and experience, Snell expressed joy in helping the next generation of basketball players.

“I want to share my knowledge with the young guys. I have enjoyment from helping them out and showing them what I see. I’m at the stage where I want to inspire people and help as many people as I possibly can,” he affirmed.

However, a looming deadline adds a layer of urgency to Snell’s commitment to making a difference. The NBA veteran needs to secure a contract with an NBA team to ensure he can afford essential treatments for his autistic children.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 2, 2024

Hit-Boy Shares Concern About Labels Not Paying Producers

"Producers get played. I know some producers that's popping that's complaining about albums that dropped months ago, that none of us got paid off of."

In the music business, there are always gripes about the industry. Artists beef with the label because their talent creates the revenue that brings in the larger piece of the pie for the labels. But there is another level to that argument as well. Some producers feel they can’t make as much money off the tracks they create with the artists for whom they supply the hits. Music producer Hit-Boy had that discussion in a recent podcast appearance on BACKONFIGG.

He explains his issue with how artists are making millions off of the music he produces, yet he is not pulling in the same amount of money, even though his creation helps them get those hits. He complained about waiting for the labels to distribute their checks while the artists were doing shows and making money off the songs they made with those artists.

He said, “Producers get played. I know some producers that’s popping that’s complaining about n**ga albums that dropped months ago, that none of us got paid off of. These n**gas is out here touring, making millions of dollars, bro, and we’re trying to beg the label to pay us a measly, bulls**t ass fee, and these n**gas is using the song. Muthaf**kers is producing it and getting millions of dollars a night to perform, and n**gas gotta be in here scratching to survive and sh*t. That shit be wild.”

The music producer said he is beyond frustrated and is ensuring his venture succeeds so he doesn’t have to deal with these artists anymore.

“That’s part of my sh** too is like, you know, empowerment. That’s why I’m going hard with the Big Hit sh**, with my own sh**. I just don’t want to deal with it no more.”

Hit-Boy has been nominated for a Grammy Award and hopes to win again this year because his father, who was incarcerated for nine years and recently got out, will attend with him.

“Every time I won a Grammy, he was locked up,” he shared. “That would be dope to win. I’m going to speak it into existence.”

Hit-Boy is nominated for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical.

Magic Johnson enterprises, Alexia Grevious Henderson

by Rafael Pena

February 1, 2024

No, Dr. Sebi Did Not Cure Magic Johnson Of HIV, Contrary To Claims

Johnson's longevity and health are attributed to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a medical regimen that effectively manages HIV.

In a Facebook video circulating since Dec. 18, 2023, a woman claims that self-proclaimed healer Dr. Sebi cured NBA legend Magic Johnson of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, using a natural remedy, USA Today reported. The video, which gained over 4,000 shares in a month, alleges that minerals from sea moss and shilajit played a role in this purported cure.

USA Today‘s fact checking revealed that these claims are entirely false. Johnson, who publicly disclosed his HIV status in 1991, has not been cured of the virus. His longevity and health are attributed to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), a medical regimen that effectively manages HIV.

The video suggests a connection between Johnson and Dr. Sebi, whose real name is Alfredo Bowman. Dr. Sebi gained fame for promoting alternative diets and making bold claims about curing diseases with natural remedies. However, there is no credible evidence to indicate that Bowman and Johnson knew each other or that Dr. Sebi “cured” the NBA star.

While Dr. Sebi had high-profile clients, including Michael Jackson, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopez, and John Travolta, there is no record supporting a relationship with Magic Johnson. Moreover, Bowman faced legal issues related to practicing medicine without a license, and he was sued in 1993 for making false claims about curing various diseases.

Contrary to the video’s other assertions, Dr. Sebi passed away on Aug. 6, 2016, due to pneumonia, not because of foul play.

Johnson’s commitment to HAART, initiated by Dr. David Ho in 1994, has allowed him to lead an active and healthy life. The therapy involves taking three to four drugs daily to suppress HIV, preventing it from replicating and progressing to AIDS. Johnson has consistently followed this medical regimen since its experimental stage, which became available to the public in 1996.

In a 2021 interview, Johnson attested to the life-saving impact of HAART, stating, “They told me that the three-drug combination was going to save my life, and they were right.”

The false claims perpetuated in the Facebook video can contribute to misinformation about HIV/AIDS and the achievements of medical science in managing the condition.

USA Today reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not receive an immediate response.

by Rafael Pena

February 1, 2024

Shaquille O’Neal Champions Education Revolution With $29M Investment In Campus Startup

Shaquille O’Neal is now making a slam dunk move off the court by investing in Campus, a startup dedicated to revolutionizing community college education.

Fortune reported that NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, renowned for his achievements on the basketball court, is now making a slam dunk move off the court by investing in Campus, a startup dedicated to revolutionizing community college education. With a hefty $29 million investment, O’Neal is joining forces with other influential CEOs like Sam Altman of OpenAI and Jason Citron of Discord to address the persisting issue of low graduation rates in community colleges.

Campus, founded by 29-year-old entrepreneur Tade Oyerinde, has set out to tackle the challenge faced by community colleges, where less than 40% of students manage to graduate. O’Neal, expressing his dissatisfaction with this statistic, emphasized that his investment in Campus is motivated by a desire to change lives rather than seeking astronomical financial returns.

Drawing inspiration from a statement by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, O’Neal stated, “I heard Jeff Bezos say, if you invest in things that’s going to change people’s lives, you’ll always get a great return on your investment.” Underscoring the importance of access to world-class education for everyone, O’Neal is committed to being a catalyst for positive change.

Campus, an accredited community college, has already enrolled 726 students and is implementing innovative approaches to enhance the educational experience. The startup collaborates with professors from esteemed institutions like Vanderbilt, Princeton, and New York University to conduct synchronous classes. Moreover, it provides students in its online business administration program with essential resources such as free laptops, internet access, and a dedicated success coach. Campus also offers associate degrees in paralegal studies and AWS cloud administration.

Expressing his astonishment at the youthfulness of Campus founder and chancellor Tade Oyerinde, O’Neal is optimistic about their collaboration. He likened their partnership to his iconic on-court connection with Kobe Bryant, stating, “He’s gonna be Kobe and I’m gonna be Shaq, and we are going to knock this thing out of the park.”

With this substantial investment in Campus, Shaquille O’Neal is not only embracing a new role as an education advocate but is also aligning himself with a venture poised to make a transformative impact on community college education, giving students the tools they need to succeed.

by Rafael Pena

February 1, 2024

First-Ever Wax Figure Of Late Rapper Takeoff Unveiled By Artist Mr. Officials

Ohio-based artist Mr. Officials has unveiled the world's first wax figure of the late Migos rapper, Takeoff who was murdered in Houston in 2023.

Complex reported that Ohio-based artist Mr. Officials has unveiled the world’s first wax figure of the late Migos rapper Takeoff. Through a detailed video posted on his social media accounts, Mr. Officials showcased the meticulous process of crafting the wax statue, using the image from Migo’s Culture II album cover to bring Takeoff to life on wax.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mr.Officials (@mr.officials.llc)

Despite facing significant challenges in his personal and professional life, Mr. Officials shared the news of closing down his business after three years, potentially losing his car, and facing the risk of homelessness. In the video, he acknowledged his difficult circumstances, but expressed faith in his artistic gift to pave the way for him, stating, “Now, before you begin to feel sorry for me, I’m okay. My gift will make room for me because it always has. Even with all my losses, I still believe that this is my year. I’ve heard God say over and over, ‘Finish what you started.’”

Inspired by Takeoff’s legacy, Mr. Officials emphasized the profound impact of the late rapper on his creative spirit. Despite financial hardships, he felt a spiritual connection to continue creating, particularly after working on the wax figure of the deceased artist. Reflecting on his experience, Mr. Officials shared, “This young man I’ve been working on is deceased, and yet I still feel a sense to pray for him. Praying for his soul, praying for his family, friends, and band members. That’s when it hit me: this will be the year that I take off.”

Takeoff, whose real name was Kirsnick Khari Ball, died at the age of 28 during a shooting incident in Houston in 2022. Mr. Officials found inspiration in Takeoff’s life and legacy, interpreting it as a message from God that he has not been forgotten. Despite his own struggles, Mr. Officials shared a powerful message of hope and encouragement for others, envisioning a transformative “Year of Takeoff” for everyone.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mr.Officials (@mr.officials.llc)

Notably, Mr. Officials had previously gained viral attention in 2022 for creating a life-size wax figure of the late Nipsey Hussle, a project that took him nine months to complete. His commitment to immortalizing the legacies of influential artists through his art has resonated widely, showcasing the enduring power of creativity and faith, even in the face of personal challenges.

Activist Calls Out Nicki Minaj Fans For Trolling Her Request To Support Clean Water For Flint

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 1, 2024

Activist Calls Out Nicki Minaj Fans For Trolling Her Request To Support Clean Water For Flint

An activist in Flint, Michigan is calling out Nicki Minaj fans who made a mockery of her public plea aimed at tackling the clean water crisis.

An activist in Flint, MI is calling out Nicki Minaj fans who made a mockery of her public plea aimed at tackling the clean water crisis.

Mari Copeny is a 16-year-old activist who’s been using social media to help get clean water for Flint and other communities affected by the clean water crisis. With the teen being active on social media, she sought to use the added media attention around the ongoing Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion feud to raise awareness and get one of the two rap superstars to support her campaign.

“Hey @NICKIMINAJ and @theestallion I have an idea! Let me introduce myself. I’m Mari and I’m a 16-year-old from Flint, MI. I have been working half of my life to get clean water not just to Flint but to hundreds of other communities dealing with the clean water crisis,” she shared in a tweet on Sunday, January 28.

Hey @NICKIMINAJ and @theestallion I have an idea! Let me introduce myself. I’m Mari and I’m a 16 year old from Flint, MI. I have been working half of my life to get clean water not just to Flint but to hundreds of other communities dealing with clean water crisis. pic.twitter.com/d4BZUn6mAG
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) January 28, 2024

Copeny went on to share more details about the initiative and how she’s spent the last five years working to raise “a million dollars to get my filters into as many homes as possible,” she wrote. Considering all the streams Megan’s “Hiss” and Minaj’s “Big Foot” are getting, the teen activist asked if they could each “consider pledging to donate $0.01 for every stream you have on these songs for the next 24 to 48 hours?”

Both of you have HUGE platforms. So I have a couple ideas.
Your new songs will be getting tons of streams. Can you please consider pledging to donate $0.01 for every stream you have on these songs for the next 24 to 48 hours? https://t.co/4ycfa8fhgW https://t.co/sXCX9IpRco… pic.twitter.com/ccSsCeLOXW
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) January 28, 2024

While Copeny meant well, her request garnered negative responses from Nicki Minaj fans who seemingly mocked the teen for interjecting her advocacy into the female rap feud. She took to Instagram on Monday to share a few of the mean responses she received from Nicki’s fans, known as “The Barbz.”

“Not leaving this up for long, but there are so many comments like this over on Twitter. Just want people to see how toxic Stan behavior can be. @nickiminaj these are your fans,” she captioned her post.

Among the responses included one fan who told Copeny that she could “filter the water we use after we mop the floor with this b*tch Megan Thee Stallion.”

“God forgive me but I’d accs have to tell her to stay out of grown folks business. God bless flint though,” added someone else.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Mari Copeny (@littlemissflint)

Other Nicki fans asked Copeny why she chose to ask for support “now” rather than at another time when the “Anaconda” rapper wasn’t publicly feuding with another rapper.

“This may be the first tweet you’ve seen from me but best believe I’ve BEEN doing this work, for HALF OF MY LIFE,” Copeny replied.

This may be the first tweet you’ve seen from me but best believe I’ve BEEN doing this work, for HALF OF MY LIFE.
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) January 28, 2024

So far, neither Nicki nor Megan have offered their support for Copeny’s campaign and Nicki hasn’t asked her fans to leave the teen activist alone.

Candace owens, fart, ice spice, song, fallen as a society

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

February 1, 2024

Candace Owens Says Ice Spice’s ‘Fart’ Is A Sign That ‘We’ve Fallen As A Society’

Ice Spice has a new single that repeatedly references the term "Fart" and Candace Owens thinks it's a sign that "we’ve fallen as a society."

Ice Spice has a new single that repeatedly references the term “Fart,” and Candace Owens thinks it’s a sign that “we’ve fallen as a society.”

The conservative pundit sounded off on a recent episode of her “Candace Owens Podcast” after catching wind (no pun intended) of Ice Spice’s latest single, “Think U The Sh*t (Fart).” Owens blasted the single and likened it to the most “disgusting” and “filthiest” song she’s ever heard, “WAP” by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.

“If you’re wondering whether or not it’s a good song, what do you think? It’s called ‘Think U The S**t (Fart).’ Now I think we can all admit that we’ve fallen as a society. I mean, I wouldn’t say that was Mozart or Beethoven,” she said in a clip captured by No Jumper.

She went on to play a portion of the song before continuing to express her disdain for Ice Spice’s latest efforts.

“But I’m not all of these mainstream media publications that routinely run to defend this kind of music similar to what they did with ‘WAP,’ the most disgusting and filthiest lyrics I’ve ever read. They will then sit down and write an article trying to convince you that what you just heard was magical, and they did this with this Ice Spice song.”

Candace Owens seems to think that Ice Spice’s new single “Think U The Shit (Fart)” is aiding America’s downfall.

“Now, I think we can all admit that we've fallen as a society.” 👀
pic.twitter.com/IzXeSCkn6Q
— No Jumper (@nojumper) February 1, 2024

For Owens, she desires to “live in a society where we can all acknowledge that a song that’s entitled ‘Think U The Sht (Fart)’ is in fact itself a sh*t fart,” she quipped. “That’s where I wanna live. Can we get back to that? I don’t know. Let’s move on.”

Ice Spice released her latest track on Friday, Jan 26. It’s the first single from her upcoming album debut, “Y2K,” which she announced during a recent visit to “Hoda & Jenna.”

https://twitter.com/BoujeeNBanjee/status/1752498267735416965

The album follows Spice’s debut EP, “Like..?,” which featured her breakout hit “Munch (Feelin’ U)” and her four Billboard Hot 100 top 10 hits, “In Ha Mood,” “Deli,” and “Princess Diana” with Nicki Minaj. In December, Billboard named her No. 4 as the greatest pop star of 2023.