Nikki D Likens Ice Spice To The ‘Prostitution Era’ Of Hip Hop
Female rap pioneer Nikki D caught wind of Ice Spice's recent cheeky performance and likened it to the "prostitution era" of hip-hop.
Female rap pioneer Nikki D caught wind of Ice Spice’s recent cheeky performance and likened it to the “prostitution era” of hip-hop.
Nikki D, the first female rapper signed to Def Jam, took to Instagram over the weekend to react to Ice Spice’s recent on-stage performance, wearing a Betty Boop costume that barely covered her backside. The “Munch” rapper went viral after performing at Power 105’s Powerhouse event in New Jersey in a Halloween costume that revealed most of her buttocks.
Once Nikki caught wind of the ensemble, she unleashed a shady rant against the 23-year-old Bronx rapper.
“Oh come TF on!!! You mean to tell me, this is true talent,” Nikki captioned her post. “The Female genre of hip hop today is the “prostitution era”, fight me!!”
According to Nikki, the only time Ice Spice garnered reactions from the crowd was during her catchy “Munch” hook and whenever her backside was in the audience’s view.
“Notice the ONLY 2x’s the crowd reacts.. during the familiar “munch line” and when she turns around to show her ass!! She’s one of the top female rappers out at the “moment”,” Nikki wrote.
The “Lettin’ Off Steam” femcee, who released a slew of rap singles in the early 90s, questioned the team behind Ice Spice and solicited her services.
“Where’s her show production, rehearsal, and for god sake PLEASE STOP singing over those studio vocals it’s not a live show at that point,” Nikki wrote.
“Can someone have @icespice manager get at me, this girl got 5 minutes left, and y’all gone blow it!!!”
Spice seemingly tried pulling down the tiny dress throughout her performance. But the red dress was too short to cover the rapper’s curvy figure. The outfit choice has sparked a debate online, with strong responses from many who think Ice Spice uses her sex appeal to gain popularity.
Inmates Experience Entrepreneurship Program At Arlington County Detention Center
According to an Oct. 11 post by Flikshop, Arlington County Detention Center is bringing a transformational entrepreneurship program to its inmates, providing them the tools to rewrite their personal narratives and inspire hope for a brighter future.
This initiative, led by Flikshop School of Business, aims to expose individuals in detention to stories of reinvention and success, shedding light on the possibility of a fruitful life beyond incarceration. The FSB program was sparked by Marcus Bullock, the CEO of Flikshop, who shared his vision at the Aspen Ideas Festival years ago.
In a recent workshop, instructors from Flikshop’s School of Business introduced residents in the substance use treatment unit to the strategies Marcus leveraged to build his professional brand as an impact CEO and motivational speaker. The entrepreneurship program empowered inmates with the tools to learn, grow, and reshape their narratives.
Bullock explained, “When I sat in Fairfax County Detention Center, I wanted to believe that I still had value, but more importantly, I wanted to ensure that there was a community that would not ostracize me because of my mistakes.”
The response from the program participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Aubrey Graham, one of the instructors, noted that “the guys were ecstatic” and that they continue to receive “rave reviews.”
The Flikshop School of Business didn’t stop at the substance use treatment unit; they also extended their outreach to the maximum-security unit. In this often-overlooked section of the correctional facility, they encountered individuals genuinely interested in rebuilding their lives and creating better futures for themselves and their communities.
Reflecting on their experience, Aubrey emphasized how the program helped these men see themselves as individuals rather than being defined by their inmate status. The program’s impact in fostering personal growth and transformation was deemed invaluable.
Aubrey explained, the critical takeaway from this experience is the pressing need for correctional facilities to embrace instructors with lived experience, particularly those facing the challenges of reentry. Instructors who have navigated the intricate journey from incarceration to reintegration understand the unique struggles and aspirations of those behind bars. Their presence serves as a beacon of hope, emphasizing that transformation is possible and attainable.
‘It’s Just A Joy’: Keshia Knight Pulliam Is Enjoying Farm Life With Family After 40 Years In Hollywood
Actress and current Married at First Sight After Party host Keshia Knight Pulliam is relishing downtime with her husband, Brad James, and their two children, with whom she lives on a family farm. After more than 40 years in Hollywood, Knight Pulliam finds the most joy in her quiet moments, PEOPLE reported.
The 42-year-old Spelman alumna, who rose to fame playing the adorable Rudy Huxtable on the popular sitcom The Cosby Show, credits balancing her professional and personal life with how she’s carved out a path that is all her own.
“I have been in the business my entire life, spanning over 40 years,” she said, “but I’ve also had my own private life away from it, and I appreciate that.”
Work and life would collide, however, when Knight Pulliam met James on the set of the Lifetime movie Pride and Prejudice: Atlanta in 2019. Though the couple did not play love interests in the film, a spark was ignited between the two.
“We were actually playing brother and sister,” Knight Pulliam said. “Our paths had crossed many times before, but this was the first time we saw each other.” As a show of good faith, the actress invited her costar, James, to Thanksgiving with her family.
“He came to my brother’s house with all my people and met everybody, and we were literally just cast mates at the time,” she explained. “Five or so years later, and he’s my husband, and we’ve made a whole other human being.”
The pair were married in 2021 and welcomed their son, Knight, earlier this year, making them a family of four as the actress shares a daughter with her ex-husband, Ed Hartwell. The birth of the couple’s son came at a time when both Knight Pulliam and James found themselves with free time, as the SAG-AFTRA strike continued in Hollywood; timing they never could have predicted.
“I never imagined taking time off to have my son, and then when it was time to come back, the whole industry would be shut down,” says Knight Pulliam, who is still able to take on her reality TV duties. “Luckily those things were outside of the scope of the strike, but it’s definitely been nice to have more family time.”
Knight Pulliam and James opted for a life far away from the hustle and bustle of the industry for their children. “We live on a farm, so my husband built me a greenhouse, and we’re in the process of planting, taking care of chickens and goats, and really just enjoying time as a family.”
With 2024 approaching soon, now is an ideal time to inventory your financial condition and develop a strategy to achieve your target.
With 2024 approaching soon, now is an ideal time to inventory your financial condition and develop a strategy to achieve your target.
Be mindful that building wealth is not an easy task is an ongoing situation that can always be enhanced. Consider how you would pay basic bills if hit by an unexpected job loss without adequate savings. How would you buy a house or car without financing?
Those are real-life questions Americans are facing, and for many people, there is no clear-cut answer.
However, the uplifting news is there are many actions Black Americans and others can take to beef up their financial position before entering 2024. A plus is the moves can be applied to any wallet size. To help people with wealth creation, BLACK ENTERPRISE connected with one of the nation’s largest mutual fund companies, Fidelity Investments, and other experts on how to develop a strong financial future.
Develop a financial plan
To get rolling, the first place to start when building a financial plan is by defining your goals – what are you saving for? Roberta King, Vice President & Branch Leader at Fidelity Investments, says typically people have several goals they are working towards simultaneously, but defining each one is critical.
For example, do you want to buy a car, and if so, in how many years? Are you saving for a down payment on a home, and when do you wish to buy it? Are you saving for retirement or a child’s education or hoping to pay down debt?
“Making a list of the goals, prioritizing each one, and outlining the timeline for reaching your goals is a great first step,” she says. ” This is also a good time to ask yourself if your goals are aligned with the vision you have for your life—it’s expected that your goals shift as your life changes; but it’s critical to periodically pause and ensure alignment. Your efforts to achieve your goals deserve to be truly anchored in what is meaningful to you and your life, and not anyone else’s life.”
She stressed if you are planning with someone else or someone else who can impact your finances, make sure you talk with them regularly.
Establish a budget
A budget will show you what you’re spending and what extra income you may have left over after paying for essentials like food, housing and transportation. If you are left with anything after managing your monthly expenses, identify if there is room to trim. Are there gym subscriptions you’re not using or streaming services you don’t watch often?
“Even setting a goal of putting an extra $50 a month towards an investing goal can make a difference in the long run,” she says. “Be intentionally discerning and choose the items that give you the most joy, peace or relaxation…and save money on the rest.’”
Erase debt
King advises the most important thing to review when evaluating your debt – say it’s a mortgage, college costs, auto loan or credit card for instance – is the interest rate. The higher the rate, the more you’ll pay in the long term. King says if the interest rate on your debt is 6% or greater, you should generally pay down debt before investing additional dollars toward retirement. She added taming debt is important as reducing it will in turn increase your net worth. Fidelity has various resources to help you review and manage your debt at
Boost savings
Some 57% of U.S. adults today report they are now unable to afford a $1,000 emergency expense. King adds automating savings is a great way to build a rainy-day fund and build a stronger financial foundation. King views building savings as a line item in your budget. She declares that the budget plan should target a surplus that becomes your savings.
“Pay yourself first. Have part of your paycheck swept to a high yielding savings account on payday (a different account from where you pay bills).”
Investment and retirement planning
Having a diversified portfolio that aligns with when you’ll need the money, along with risk tolerance or how comfortable you are with ups and downs in the marker, as well as a savings goals are all critical. This link offers help to build and maintain a diversified strategy. On the retirement front, King recommends always being open to making yourself eligible to accept the “free money” offered by your employer plan if available, including matching contributions and profit sharing for example.
Protect your assets
Insurance is an important part of anyone’s financial plan, something made easier for yourself and protecting yourself and your family with the right insurance.
“Underinsurance is a major financial risk for individuals and the overall wealth of our communities. With safety nets in place, financial wellness is less likely to be jeopardized by tragic events.”
Further, be sure to include specific target date funds that can help you achieve time-based goals like saving for the golden years or stashing away to pay for college tuition.
At this year’s Black Enterprise’s Black Men Xcel Summit, Devon Kennard, a former NFL player, real estate investor and author, offered expertise on building wealth. For instance, he talked about Target Monthly Income (TMI) and knowing how much you’re spending each month.
In fact, Kennard’s book, It All Adds Up: Designing Your Game Plan For Financial Freedom, focuses on creating wealth and how to build multiple income streams. He pointed out many people don’t know exactly how much they spend on a month-to-month, year-to-year basis. He says in conversations with African Americans, too many of us don’t know what our TMI is, what that looks like for us.
“Addressing that and identifying that our financial wellbeing is just as, if not more, important than our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing.”
A seasoned financial educator and financial literacy advocate, Jeff Ferrell, among his comments spoke on the book, How Money Works – Stop Being A Sucker. He explained the book talks about basic introductory principles and concepts that people need to understand about how money works. He advised that you should not be afraid to ask questions about your finances.
“Find professional, find someone that is either where you want to be or beyond where you want to be. It starts with just being willing to accept instruction, and then that can develop into a relationship where someone will coach you and help you to get where you’re trying to go. But don’t go at it alone.”
Check out more financial empowerment insights from Kennard and Ferrell here.
Will Smith Went On One Date With Pepa But Feared He ‘Was Gonna Get Killed’ By Treach
Will Smith went on one date with Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa, but Treach from Naughty By Nature halted any hopes the Fresh Prince had of taking the relationship further.
Will Smith went on one date with Pepa from Salt-N-Pepa, but Treach from Naughty By Nature halted any hopes the Fresh Prince had of taking the relationship further.
Smith dipped back into his Fresh Prince bag for his Class of ’88’ podcast that celebrates a pivotal year in hip-hop history. With the art form celebrating its 50th anniversary, Smith is doing his part in honoring the music genre that helped launch his successful Hollywood career by sitting down with fellow rap pioneers and reliving memories from those early days of hip-hop.
In a recently released excerpt from the new show, Smith sat down with Salt-N-Pepa where he and Sandra Denton, or “Pepa,” recall the one date night they enjoyed back in their youth. Denton said the Philadelphia native was “too nice” for her liking.
“We went on a date one time. Remember that?” Smith asked.
“Yes, I do… I know exactly what happened,” Pepa said before taking time to think about what she could share.
“We’re allowed to talk about it! We’ve matured! We ain’t do nothin’,” Smith joked.
Salt-N-Pepa were touring with Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff at the time. The Philly duo had beat out the rap femcees along with LL Cool J for Best Rap Performance at the 1989 Grammy Awards.
“OK, you were very nice,” Pepa said of the date that Smith noted was just a drive through Los Angeles. “This was the date you won and beat us out. You was so happy. You was like, ‘Let’s go celebrate.’ We were out, and then you saw a homeless person, and you gave the homeless person $100, and it was so nice. And then we went to the Hollywood sign,” Pepa recalled.
Smith noted that Pepa and Treach had been broken up for some time at the time of the date. But the “Parents Just Don’t Understand” rapper was still worried he might ignite a feud with the “Hip Hop Hooray” rapper.
“So in my mind, when I was like, I was trying to spit my game, but I ain’t really had nothin’… ’cause my concern was that I was gon’ get killed,” Smith said.
Salt added that it “was a legit concern,” which prompted a laugh from the trio. Fans who watched the teaser felt like there was more to the date than just a drive through LA considering all the “stutters,” as one viewer pointed out.
“A lot more happened on this date for sure with all these stutters and beats,” they wrote.
“Oh Lawd! They think we can’t read between the lines,” added someone else.
Brett Favre Defamation Lawsuit Dismissed, Shannon Sharpe Cleared By Constitution
The court recognized Shannon's right to freedom of speech!
According to AP News, on Oct. 30, a federal judge dismissed Brett Favre’s defamation lawsuit against retired NFL player Shannon Sharpe, stating that Sharpe’s remarks about Favre’s connection to a welfare misspending case in Mississippi were constitutionally protected speech.
U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett ruled that Sharpe’s comments, made during a sports broadcast, amounted to “rhetorical hyperbole.” In his remarks on air, Sharpe had stated that Favre was “taking from the underserved,” and he “stole money from people that really needed that money,” and that one would have to be a “sorry person” to “steal from the lowest of the low.”
Favre filed the defamation lawsuit against Sharpe in February, claiming that the statements made on the Fox Sports talk show Skip and Shannon: Undisputed were “egregiously false.” The case was moved to federal court in March, and Sharpe left the show in June.
The discussion surrounding Mississippi’s welfare spending on Undisputed came in the wake of extensive news coverage regarding allegations of the state’s most significant public corruption case.
Mississippi Auditor Shad White revealed that the Mississippi Department of Human Services misspent over $77 million from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program between 2016 and 2019. This funding was intended to aid some of the nation’s most impoverished individuals.
Prosecutors alleged that the department provided funds to nonprofit organizations that diverted the money to projects favored by affluent and well-connected individuals, including a $5 million volleyball facility at the University of Southern Mississippi. Brett Favre had agreed to raise funds for this project.
In his ruling, Judge Starrett explained that Sharpe’s use of the terms “taking” and “stole” referred to diverting TANF funds “for purposes other than helping the underprivileged.” He further stated that Sharpe’s colorful speech about “people that really needed that money,” the “lowest of the low,” and “the underserved” fell under constitutionally protected language.
Favre, although not facing criminal charges, is among the more than three dozen individuals or businesses that Mississippi is suing to recover misspent welfare funds. In addition to his lawsuit against Sharpe, Favre had also filed defamation suits against Auditor Shad White and sportscaster Pat McAfee, which is still pending.
Favre has repaid $1.1 million in speaking fees he received from a nonprofit group that used TANF funds with the approval of the Mississippi Department of Human Services. The state demanded up to $5 million in December against Favre and a university sports foundation, claiming that welfare money was improperly used to fund a volleyball arena at Favre’s alma mater, the University of Southern Mississippi. Text message exchanges revealed discussions about directing money to the facility.
Following the dismissal of the lawsuit, Sharpe expressed his gratitude to his legal team on X, formerly known as Twitter. Favre’s attorney, Michael Shemper, was contacted by APNews for comment regarding the lawsuit’s dismissal but had not responded by the time of reporting.
Alabama Trump Supporter Indicted For Making Threats Against Georgia DA Fani Willis and Sherriff
A man from Alabama was indicted on federal charges for inciting violence against Georgia prosecutor Fani Willis and a sheriff in relation to an investigation into former President Donald Trump, The Associated Press reported.
The indictment, returned on Oct. 25, accused Arthur Ray Hanson II of Huntsville of leaving threatening voicemails for the Fulton County District Attorney and Sheriff Pat Labat on Aug. 6. Prosecutors claim Hanson called the Fulton County government customer service line, leaving voicemails for the prosecutor and the sheriff close to a week before the indictment was returned. In a voicemail left for Willis, Hanson allegedly told her to “watch out” and said she wouldn’t always have people around to protect her, citing that there will be vulnerable moments.
“When you charge Trump on that fourth indictment, anytime you’re alone, be looking over your shoulder,” he said.
The assailant threatened the sheriff, according to the indictment, over Trump taking a mug shot. “If you take a mug shot of the president and you’re the reason it happened, some bad (expletive)’s gonna happen to you,” and “You gonna get (expletive) up you keep (expletive) with my president,” Hanson allegedly said over voicemail.
Hanson, 59, said he is not guilty of the charges via phone call.
He made his first federal court appearance in Huntsville and is scheduled to be formally arraigned in Atlanta on Nov. 13. In a press release, U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan called Hanson’s actions vile.
“When someone threatens to harm public servants for doing their jobs to enforce our criminal laws, it potentially weakens the very foundation of our society.” Officials are taking these charges very seriously. Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, Keri Farley, said acts like this are a “threat against our democratic process.”
“The FBI’s mission is to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution,” Farley said, according to CBS News. “We take this responsibility very seriously and seek to punish those who engage in this type of criminal behavior and to send the message that such conduct will not be tolerated.”
Hanson isn’t the first person to be indicted in connection with threats made to government and law officials. A woman from Texas was charged after allegedly threatening to kill a member of Congress and the federal judge in charge of a criminal case against the 44th president in Washington.
GOP Candidate Daniel Cameron Called ‘Uncle Tom’ by Far-Left Group Black Voters Matter
According to a report by FOX News, on Oct. 31, the far-left group Black Voters Matter Action PAC, which is funded by liberal George Soros, is accusing Kentucky gubernatorial candidate Daniel Cameron of being an “Uncle Tom” and betraying his race.
Running on a local R&B station in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, the ad claims that “Uncle Daniel Cameron,” who did not seek charges against the officers involved in the 2020 Breonna Taylor shooting, threatens to roll back progress made on racial justice and healthcare. It also voices support for incumbent Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, who is white.
In response to the ad, Cameron accused Democrats and left-wing organizations of using “racist attacks” to discredit him due to his policy differences. He also called on Beshear to condemn the ad.
“I believe here in Kentucky you shouldn’t be judged by the color of your skin, but by the content of your character,” Cameron stated, emphasizing his opposition to policies, not his race.
He noted that he had never faced racism or discrimination in Kentucky until he opposed national Democratic interests and criticized the media for enabling or ignoring such attacks.
Beshear’s campaign referred to his comments to the Lexington Herald-Leader, saying the ad came from an “African American-led PAC.”
The outlet reports Cliff Albright, co-founder of Black Voters Matter Action PAC, defended the ad’s racialized attacks against Cameron in a video with Roland Martin of Black Star Network. Albright disputed calling Cameron an “Uncle Tom” while emphasizing the group’s criticism of Cameron’s policies.
“It’s issue after issue after issue where he has shown himself to be just as much of a threat to the Black community as the staunchest white supremacists,” Albright said.
Cameron’s campaign characterized Albright’s comments as “disgusting” and called for responsible dialogue. They emphasized that Cameron holds mainstream Republican views and criticized the Democratic Party for likening Republicanism to white supremacy.
The “Uncle Daniel Cameron” ad and the ensuing backlash underscore the increasing polarization and heated rhetoric in American politics, with accusations of racism and extremism playing a prominent role.
Meet The Woman Who Once Led The Black Panthers and Is Now Leading The Fight For Affordable Housing in Oakland
Elaine Brown, the only woman ever to lead the Black Panther party, is showing there is more fire in the furnace when it comes to fighting for what’s right.
Brown, 80, is turning Seventh Street in West Oakland, CA back into the “Harlem of the West,”Kron4 reported. Brown and her nonprofit organization, Oakland & the World Enterprises, are working on co-developing 79 affordable housing units for extremely low-income families. Brown said she is amazed to still be able to do something for the people. “This is an investment. An investment in reducing recidivism, in reducing crime, and reducing poverty,” Brown said. “I never thought that I would live to be 80 years old and still be able to do something for our people.”
Named The Black Panther, the 79-unit building is scheduled to open in April 2024. As a $80-million project, the building will house five businesses, including popular restaurant, Tule, on the ground floor. The civil rights activist has had her eyes set on the vacant lot for more than 30 years. She finally got a license from the city of Oakland to develop it, according to ABC 7 News.i
“Nobody knows how I did it,” she said. “I don’t even know how I did it. But I forced my way into the system to get enough money to do this.”
Determined to work only with Black contractors to build the Black Panther, Brown hired Antoine Long as the Project manager. Long said this is not something you see every day. “It’s very significant,” Long said. “It means a lot when people come people see that then they kind of get a different sense of you know, I can do that I can be there it can be possible.” Fellow activists, Misty Cross and Tolani King, share similar sentiments. Cross, who stayed with King in a vacant home in the area to highlight the housing crisis, said this project is an amazing opportunity. “It gives them an opportunity to be a part of Oakland’s development,” Cross said.
“As we see all these nice buildings going up there unaffordable for us. So, to see a nice project being affordable for black people to live in. It’s a great opportunity.”
Brown served as chair of the Black Panther Party, which was founded in 1966 in Oakland by Huey P Newton. The organization was committed to fighting for the rights of people in marginalized communities, including housing, health care, and education for the Black community.
50 Cent Almost Signed By Erick Sermon Before Inking Deal With Dr. Dre And Eminem
One prominent rapper’s career trajectory could have been different, according to EPMD’s Erick Sermon.
On the Oct. 28 episode of the My Expert Opinion podcast, Sermon, producer extraordinaire and one half of the legendary hip-hop group EPMD (Erick and Parrish Making Dollars) revealed that Curtis Jackson, better known as 50 Cent, was an unofficial member of Def Squad. The producer was primed to sign the controversial rapper after producing one of his earlier songs, “Da Heatwave.”
However, 50 Cent, who was once signed to Columbia Records, was shot several times, and it curtailed any opportunity at the time to go ahead with the plan to get his signature on the dotted line.
Sermon explained that it was through another producer, Cory Rooney, that he connected with 50. Rooney produced and wrote songs for Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Jennifer Lopez, and The Fat Boys’ Prince Markie Dee. He was also a senior vice president at SONY Music. Living near Rooney led to Sermon’s suggestion to work with the young 50 Cent.
“Well, Cory Rooney lived next door to me. And Cory was with Sony and Trackmasters. So he brung 50 to the crib. 50 used to come to the house all the time, and we’d do records. So, it was Def Squad.”
He mentioned that he produced the track “Da Heatwave,” which was done after 50’s first single released on Columbia Records, “How to Rob.” 50’s first record caught a lot of people’s ears because he described in the song how he would rob many artists, including Jay-Z and Missy Elliott.
“That was the first single that I did after ‘How to Rob.’ That was his first single before he got shot up.”
Sermon recalled that 50 shouted him and Def Squad out on the song he produced. He went on to say that Rooney brought 50 to him because he felt it was the best place for him.
“Cory just felt that it was best for him to be over here.”
50 Cent had an album that was supposed to be released in 2000, but Columbia dropped him after he was shot nine times. Three years later, after Eminem brought him to Dr. Dre, 50 released Get Rich or Die Tryin’ after debuting the lead single, “In Da Club.”
