by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 11, 2023

Ma$e Was ‘Trapped’ In His Hotel By ’70 Or So Bloods’ The Night Of Notorious B.I.G.’s Death

Ma$e, who reunited with his childhood friend Cam’ron to co-host the popular “It Is What It Is” podcast, made a revelation on a recent episode. He explained that he was “trapped” in an L.A. hotel room around the time his labelmate The Notorious B.I.G. was killed.

At the conclusion of the episode, Cam’ron, reading a question from a fan, asked Ma$e where he was when B.I.G. was shot and killed on March 9, 1997.

Cam’ron asked, “The night that Biggie Smalls died, where were you and what did you do in the aftermath right after Biggie Smalls died?”

Ma$e then described the situation he’d been in, saying that members of the Bloods gang were probably on the hunt for more Bad Boy artists, so he had to lay low.

“I was in a hotel. I was actually in a hotel with a young lady,” Ma$e recalled. “I actually was trapped in the hotel.”

He went on to explain why he was trapped. The presence of L.A. gang members had him hiding in the room so he could stay safe.

“It was about, probably like, 70 or so Bloods in the hallway. I couldn’t even leave my room,” Ma$e revealed.

“After B.I.G. got killed, they were probably looking for more Bad Boy artists. And I couldn’t even leave the room ’til Gene Deal had to come get me.”

“Damn, that’s f**ked up,” Cam told him. “Sorry.”

“I was left in L.A. And from that day, I always said, ‘I’m outta here,” Ma$e continued. “I was left! I came there with people; I ain’t leave with those people. You know how it goes. Find your way home.”

Mase says bloods were outside his hotel room looking for more Bad Boy artists to kill the night Biggie Smalls died, and he also says he was abandoned in LA the night Biggie died.

(🎥Come And Talk 2 Me/YouTube) pic.twitter.com/WqhSAu8Ixa

— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) October 9, 2023

Ma$e concluded that he made it back home safely after the frightening situation.

13-Year-Old Black Prodigy Graduates High School, Continues Mission To Inspire Future Leaders

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 11, 2023

13-Year-Old Black Prodigy Graduates High School, Continues Mission To Inspire Future Leaders

Caden Harris, an extraordinary 13-year-old African-American teen from Atlanta, Georgia, has achieved an incredible milestone by graduating from high school at a remarkably young age. This momentous occasion marks the beginning of a more ambitious chapter in Caden’s journey, where he is driven by a mission to positively impact the lives of 500,000 kids through comprehensive financial literacy educationCaden, became famous when he acquired a school bus that he and his Dad transformed into a mobile financial literacy bus, a vibrant and dynamic classroom on wheels that brings financial education directly to schools and communities. He has an unwavering commitment to this mission and has already left an indelible mark having empowered and educated 50,000 children about the principles of sound financial management.

With his high school graduation, Caden now sets his sights on a new inspiring endeavor: traveling across the nation, visiting schools, and mentoring the next generation of budding entrepreneurs and financial leaders. Through engaging workshops, interactive sessions, and his charismatic presence, Caden aims to instill invaluable financial knowledge and leadership skills in young minds.

Caden’s story serves as an extraordinary source of inspiration, proving that age is no obstacle to making a profound difference in the world. As he continues to share his expertise and fervor for financial literacy, he embodies the spirit of empowerment, aiming to shape a brighter and financially savvy future for children nationwide.

For media inquiries or to schedule an interview with Caden, please contact his father, Dr. Sean J Harris, at booking@CadenTeaches.com.

*Originally published by Blacknews.com.

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 11, 2023

Jada Pinkett Smith Drops Bombshell That She’s Been Separated From Will Smith For Seven Years

Jada Pinkett Smith is spilling shocking tea.

In an exclusive Oct. 13 “Today” interview with Hoda Kotb, the award-winning actress revealed she and her husband, Will Smith, have been separated for seven years, after more than 20 years of marriage. Pinkett Smith described what fans can expect in her upcoming memoir, Worthy, including her separation from the Academy Award-winning actor since 2016 — six years before Smith infamously slapped comedian Chris Rock for making a joke about her at the 2022 Oscars.

The clip showed Kotb digging deep into the revelation that she says “surprised her the most” out of the book’s secrets. The couple is still legally married but no longer together romantically. “It was not a divorce on paper,” Kotb clarified. “Right,” Pinkett Smith responded.

In an exclusive clip from her upcoming @NBCNews primetime special with @HodaKotb, Jada Pinkett Smith reveals her current relationship status with Will Smith ahead of the release of Pinkett Smith’s memoir “Worthy.” pic.twitter.com/hMoAwi3ETz

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 11, 2023

After the sit-down portion of the interview, the journalist and actress are seen walking outside, where Kotb asks Pinkett-Smith what caused the “fraction.” The mom of two responded that the couple had reached the end of the line. “Why it fractured…that — that’s a lot of things … By the time we got to 2016, we were just exhausted with trying,” she said.

“I think we were both kind of just still stuck in our fantasy of what we thought the other person should be.”

The Girls Trip actress admitted that she and Smith live separately, but told People magazine that they are still figuring things out, as she never could go through with a legal divorce. “We’ve been doing some really heavy-duty work together,” Pinkett Smith said.

“We just got deep love for each other, and we are going to figure out what that looks like for us.”

The book, available for purchase on Oct. 17, will show a different side of the Baltimore native, with revelations of how she battled depression, the “entanglement” with singer August Alsina, her relationship with late rapper Tupac Shakur, and more.

Check out the exclusive interview, airing Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. ET.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 11, 2023

N.O.R.E Seems To Shade ‘Caresha Please’ Podcast Win At BET Hip Hop Awards

“Drink Champs” host N.O.R.E. appears to be speaking out after Caresha’s podcast beat him at the BET Awards.

Last year, Caresha, also known as Yung Miami of the City Girls, received mixed responses for her BET Award win for “Best Podcast” which she won alongside N.O.R.E’s “Drink Champs.” While the pair shared the award in 2022, Caresha actually beat out Nore’s show alongside other hip-hop platforms at the 2023 BET Hip Hop Awards.

Caresha’s “Caresha Please” podcast on Revolt won the award for “Best Hip-Hop Platform” at the award show that aired on Monday, Oct. 10. The one-year-old podcast beat out other podcast platforms like “Drink Champs,” “The Breakfast Club,” “Million Dollaz Worth of Game,” along with media outlets like All Hip Hop and Hip Hop DX.

Many have been sounding off about the Caresha’s latest podcast win considering her show has only released four episodes in the last year.

“Just disrespectful. She did not deserve that over the other nominees,” one person wrote.

“Now diddy def paid for that, my girl show funny but she has only like 4 or 5 episodes, if that,” added someone else.

The criticism got so bad, that the City Girls rapper issued a response calling out her haters.

“Damn y’all hate me bad but God keep blessing me 😊😊,” she wrote.

But that didn’t stop N.O.R.E. from entering the chat and seemingly questioning why Caresha won the award over more established hip-hop platforms like his.

“So nobody gonna say nothing bout the podcast /media award? Ok me neither !!!” he asked.

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A post shared by The Neighborhood Talk (@theneighborhoodtalk)

Fans reacted with their takes on why Caresha was possibly chosen to win the award over shows like “Drink Champs” and “Breakfast Club.”

“The hip hop awards for gen z. They want caresha,” one user wrote.

“We all know drunk champs deserved that win. Sh*ts bogus fr,” added someone else.

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 11, 2023

Fashion Gave Serena Williams ‘The Confidence To Step On The Court’

Serena Williams will make new history when she becomes the first athlete to receive a Fashion Icon Award at this year’s CFDA Fashion Awards.

The annual award show is taking place in New York City next month and the decorated tennis champion will be in attendance for her history-making honor. Williams Fashion Icon Award comes after Lenny Kravitz, Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, and Naomi Campbell who received the accolade in recent years, Town and Country reports.

“Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve used fashion as an outlet to express myself—fashion gave me the confidence to step on the court and own who I was, and where I knew I was going,” Williams said in a statement.

“My dream of owning my own brand, S by Serena, has become a reality and throughout my career, I have been blessed to collaborate with the most established designers and the most exciting up-and-coming creatives.”

Williams continued. “I have had so much fun learning my style and allowing it to change as my life has evolved, but I’ve always held one thing true—fashion is for everyone, no matter your size, race, or income. I am incredibly honored to be receiving the prestigious Fashion Icon Award from the CFDA, an organization whose work I have long admired and to stand among style icons I have always looked up to.”

The married mother of two daughters, Alexis and Adria, has continued to receive acclaim since announcing her retirement from tennis last year. Regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Williams is celebrated for her success in professional sports and on the business side as an entrepreneur and investor.

“Serena is one of the most inspiring people in the world…a true individual…she is an icon of the sports world…representing greatness on the highest level…bringing fashion to another world,” Thom Browne, designer and chairman of the CFDA said.

“For another audience…always staying true to herself, both on and off the court…a perfect combination of our worlds…the ultimate example of individuality in everything she does.…Serena is a true fashion icon.”

This year’s CFDA Fashion Awards will be hosted by “Sex and the City” star Sarah Jessica Parker and be held at the American Museum of Natural History in New York on November 6.

Morgan State University To Build A Wall After Campus Shooting

by Daniel Johnson

October 11, 2023

Morgan State University To Build A Wall After Campus Shooting

Following the shooting on campus, which left five people injured, Morgan State University has announced plans to build a wall around its campus.

University officials announced the wall would be designed to keep out people who are not supposed to be on campus grounds. During a university town hall meeting on Oct 10, Morgan State University President David Wilson said the wall will “eliminate unfettered access” to the university, according to NBC News.

Wilson continued, “We’re doing this, let me be clear, not to keep out our neighbors and our community writ large; we are doing it to keep out the bad actors.”

Students and faculty also peppered Wilson with questions regarding what actions from the university could have prevented the shooting. The university was already in the middle of upgrading the school’s campus security when the attack happened, which served to increase the urgency with which they would be deployed. In total, the security upgrades will cost the school at least $22 million; this figure includes the new campus wall, metal detectors, weapons detection technology, increasing campus patrols, and construction of more security guard booths.

On Oct 3, following a coronation ceremony for Mr. and Miss Morgan State, students were shot at as they headed home. University leaders responded by canceling classes and homecoming activities for the rest of that week. Like other universities, Morgan State is faced with questions about how to best protect students and faculty from gun violence.

Maryland’s governor, Wes Moore, defended key parts of gun control legislation that went into effect on Oct. 1, telling WBOC News, “There’s no reason to bring a firearm into a nursery, or there’s no reason to bring a firearm into a government building, or if a person has a history of mental illness and a history of violence, they should not be able to purchase a weapon.”

Maryland’s gun reform bill is currently up in the air after a judge issued a temporary injunction, but Moore noted that the court upheld most of the bill’s “common sense” reforms.

An original land grant university, Morgan State University was founded in 1867 by the Baltimore Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church as the Centenary Biblical Institute, a college for those seeking a career in Ministry, but transformed over the years into a university known for its education program. The school was renamed in 1890 to honor Reverend Littleton Morgan, the school’s first chairman of the board of trustees, who also donated land to the university.

In 1915, Andrew Carnegie, the steel magnate, gave the university a $50,000 grant to be used for the construction of an academic building, with the stipulation that the school purchase a new location, pay down its debt, and name a building at the university after him. The school met his conditions and was purchased by the State of Maryland in 1939 after a study determined that the state was not doing enough for its Black citizens.

drake, Dennis, graham, album, release, real, dogs

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 11, 2023

Drake’s Dad Declares Critics ‘Hater Motherf**kers’ After Album Elicits Harsh Feedback

Drake’s daddy entered the chat after his son sent out a series of subliminal shots aimed at podcast host Joe Budden.

The Toronto rapper has been receiving mixed reviews for his latest album release “For All The Dogs” which hit streaming platforms on Friday, Oct. 6. Among the critics were none other than Joe Budden, a rapper turned podcast host who never shies away from expressing his approval and disapproval for Drake’s music.

Budden was one of the first to express his disappointment in Drake’s new album in a scathing review shared on his podcast.

“He rappin’ for the children. Yo dog, I had to look up how old this n—a was when I finished listening to the album,” Budden said.

“You are 36. Your birthday is in 20 days. I Googled that, too. You’re going to be 37 years old. Get the f— away from some of these younger n—as. And stop f—ing these 25-year-olds.”

Drake responds to Joe Budden pic.twitter.com/vWR3yXfk7Y

— DJ Akademiks (@Akademiks) October 7, 2023

But Joe likely wasn’t expecting the paragraph of emotion Drake came with in response to his rant against his new album. After Akademiks posted a clip from Budden’s tirade, Drake hopped into the comments to issue a filthy read of the podcaster.

“@joebudden you have failed at music,” Drake began his lengthy response. “You left it behind to do what you are doing in this clip cause this is what actually pays your bills.”

“For any artist watching this just remember you are watching a failure give their opinion on his idea of a recipe for success… a quitter give their opinion on how to achieve longevity,” he added.

Over the weekend, Drake kept the shady jabs coming in a photo slide he shared on Instagram with a caption that seemingly referenced his ongoing feud with Budden.

“I thank god for this life and not having to come to rushed conclusions on Best Buy podcast mics 💘,” Drizzy wrote.

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A post shared by champagnepapi (@champagnepapi)

That’s when his dad, Dennis Graham, took to his son’s comments section to call out the old haters casting their judgment on his 36-year-old son.

“It’s a f**king shame that a young artist can’t do his own thing and enjoy his glory without an old hater mother**ker trying to bust his bubble because he has nothing going on,” Dennis wrote.

He continued, “And to mention or put a limit on what age anyone should be dealing with which is none of his goddamn business as long as they’re of legal age, I am sick of these old f**king haters f**king with my son, if you don’t like what he does keep it moving mother**ker, he’s not bothering you.”

But Budden isn’t the only one bringing attention to Drake’s new brand. Radio personality Charmagne Da God shared his disappointment in not hearing Drake rap about being a father, and a music journalist called out Drake’s “blatant misogynist” throughout the album and his recent tour.

“This new Drake, though, is a different, more blatant misogynist. He’s deploying “bi*ch” way more frequently and aggressively than before,” DAvid Dennis Jr. wrote for And Scape.

“On “Calling for You” he raps, “And I got a chance with the b—/ Loverboy, romance with the b—/ Couldn’t even put my mans on a b—.” He repeats “another late night with my b—” for the hook on “Another Late Night,” as well as stating “he’d f— the ho, so I did it” on “What Would Pluto Do.”

Dennis continues. “These are tropes that just about every popular rapper uses, but it hasn’t been Drake’s M.O. to date. So it’s odd to see an artist embrace this ideology about women so deep into his career when it had previously mostly been absent.”

One look across social media and it’s clear there are mixed reviews about Drake’s latest musical release. But apparently, the only negative opinion Drizzy cares about is the one from Joe Budden…..and Charlamagne of course.

Fantasia Barrino, Ciara, the color purple, musical, Christmas Day

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 11, 2023

‘Give Ms. Barrino Her Oscar Now!’ Fans React to ‘The Color Purple’ Trailer Release

The second official trailer for “The Color Purple” musical film has been unveiled and more fans are excited to witness the magic from the star-studded cast.

On Monday, Oct. 10, Warner Bros. Pictures released the second trailer that sheds new light on Oprah Winfrey’ and Steven Spielber’s reimagined musical version of the Oscar-nominated original released in 1985. Based on Alice Walker’s classic novel, the musical film plays off the acclaimed Broadway version of the film that won four Tony awards and introduced fans to Fantasia Barrino’s celebrated rendition of the lead character Celie.

Others among the cast of A-listers include Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery, Halle Bailey as young Nettie Harris, Danielle Brooks as Sofia, H.E.R. as Squeak, Colman Domingo as Mister, Corey Hawkins as Harpo, Danielle, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Mama.

The new trailer opens with a highlight of the sisterhood Celie builds with Shug Avery following the forced removal of her sister Nettie.

“How come you don’t laugh none?” Henson’s character Shug asks Barrino’s character Celie. “Ain’t you got something to make you just smile?”

By the trailer’s end, viewers see Celie find her voice in dealing with Domingo’s character Mister.

“I’d die before I let that happen,” Mister says over dinner.

“Good. That’s just the going away present I’ve been needing,” Celie shoots back.

Fans were also surprised to see Ciara’s quick appearance in the new trailer as the adult version of Nettie during a portion of the trailer highlighting the love and resilience between the estranged sisters.

“I know my sister’s somewhere in the world,” Celie says in a voiceover as viewers see an image of the older Nettie played by Ciara. “Someday, we’re going to meet again.”

Ciara’s not the only familiar face who will appear in the new film. Other cast members include Tamela Mann, Deon Cole, Louis Gossett Jr., David Alan Grier, Jon Batiste, and more.

Winfrey, who starred as Sofia in Spielberg’s film, serves as executive producer, along with Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones, and Spielberg who directed the 1985 original film adaption of Walker’s novel, via The Hollywood Reporter.

Fans have been expressing their excitement for the musical film in response to the second trailer release.

“Looks like it’s going to be pretty good!,” one person tweeted.

“Ohhhh yes give Ms. Barrino her Oscar now 🔥🙌🏽,” added someone else.

“The Color Purple” hits movie theaters on Dec. 25.

TRACEE ELLIS ROSS, EDDIE MURPHY, holiday, film, movie, debut

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 11, 2023

Tracee Ellis Ross And Eddie Murphy Team Up To Make Christmas Comedy Magic

Eddie Murphy is finally lending his onscreen talent to a holiday film and tapped Tracee Ellis Ross to play his wife.

The veteran comedy film star will make his holiday movie debut in Amazon Prime’s “Candy Cane Lane,” Today reports. Murphy will play the role of Chris Carver, a family man who wants nothing more than to win his neighborhood’s annual Christmas home decoration contest.

Ellis Ross will play Murphy’s wife Carol, a mother of three who is forced into Chris’s mischievous magical plan to win the holiday contest. Others on the cast include Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, and Nick Offerman.

“After Chris inadvertently makes a deal with a mischievous elf named Pepper (Jillian Bell) to better his chances of winning, she casts a magic spell that brings the 12 days of Christmas to life, and wreaks havoc on the whole town,” the film logline states.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vVOSri7kks

“At the risk of ruining the holidays for his family, Chris, his wife Carol (Tracee Ellis Ross), and their three children must race against the clock to break Pepper’s spell, battle deviously magical characters, and save Christmas for everyone.”

The new holiday film serves as a slight nod to Murphy’s 1992 cult classic “Boomerang,” as the “SNL” alum teamed back up with “Boomerang” director Reginald Hudlin and producer Brian Graze. With a fun magical spin, it’ll be the first time fans get to see Murphy bust his onscreen comedic chops for the Christmas season.

It’s also based on a real street located in El Segundo, California where the movie’s writer, Kelly Younger, drew inspiration for the screenplay based on his time living on Candy Cane Lane.

Murphy is no stranger to family flicks and has amazed audiences with his leading roles in films like “Dr. Dolittle,” “The Haunted Mansion,” and “Daddy Daycare.” Earlier this year, a “Shrek” spinoff film following Murphy’s fan-favorite character, Donkey was announced.

Murphy’s “Candy Cane Lane” makes its premiere on Amazon Prime on Dec. 1.

Mike Todd, Damaged But Not Destroyed: From Trauma to Triumph, book, spit, childhood trauma

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 11, 2023

Mike Todd Tackles The ‘Spit That Hit The Fan’ And Childhood Trauma In New Book

Pastor Mike Todd of Transformation Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma is getting real in his new book “Damaged But Not Destroyed: From Trauma to Triumph.”

Not only does the New York Times best-selling author address his infamous sermon where he rubbed spit in his brothers’ eyes, but he shares more about his past childhood sexual abuse for the first time to inspire those walking through similar paths of healing.

Todd has become nationally known for his innate ability to make messages of faith relevant and accessible to people from all walks of life, “right where they’re at.” However, his performative approach to preaching has often made him a viral sensation and the receiver of fierce backlash.

In 2022, Mike Todd went viral for a radical demonstration in which he used saliva to illustrate the text. By addressing the scandal in the early parts of his new book, the Tulsa-based pastor confirms his readiness to take readers on a journey of transparency to healing transformation.

“I just feel a burden to encourage people that there is still value in them,” he told BLACK ENTERPRISE.

“No matter what has happened, no matter how hard it’s been, no matter where you have felt like you’ve taken a step back, there is a version of you that you haven’t met yet and you can’t quit now, that you may be damaged, but you are not destroyed, the value is still in you.”

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A post shared by Michael Todd (@iammiketodd)

The book introduces some of Todd’s original spirit-based terminology like “H.O.T,” which stands for (humble, open and transparent) and explains his belief in religious theology as well as therapy. Through his candid reflection on his past, Todd underlines his core message of moving past the “damage” in life to fulfill our destinies.

“I just went there. Before you get out of the first chapter, you going to be like, ‘OK, like that we going there,'” he said.

“Because I think that if I went first, it may give somebody else the courage to actually dive into the things that have happened in their life, in their childhood, in their teenage years, in their college years, in their adulting life to be able to really know that.”

Pastor Mike’s inspiration for this book stems from a rare place of vulnerability where he opens up about his past childhood sexual abuse for the first time in hopes of resonating with those walking through similar paths of healing.

The newly released book aims to serve as a pathway to transformation for anyone, and everyone. But especially for our Black men.

“This book is going to help everybody. I especially want you to help me share this message with Black men,” he said.

“I think that our community as well as our world would be better if we gave men permission to deal with their damage.”

Todd is also dabbling back into his start as a music producer and has new music with the release of “Transformation Worship.” The group’s songs, “Most High,” and the fan favorite, “Most High,” have already become viral hits.

Next up for Pastor Mike, is a children’s book written with his daughter Isabella called “A Cup of Love.” The new family book explains the importance of Mommy and Daddy going on date nights and he revealed the cover in our sit down. Press play below for the full interview.