‘Hov Did’: Jay-Z And Roc Nation Help Wisconsin Man Falsely Accused And Assaulted By Police to Fight Charges
by Iman Milner

August 31, 2023

‘Hov Did’: Jay-Z And Roc Nation Help Wisconsin Man Falsely Accused And Assaulted By Police to Fight Charges

Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has been fighting for criminal justice reform by way of the philanthropic and social justice arm of his entertainment company Roc Nation. “Team ROC” regularly funds legal assistance for individuals and families who have been victimized by law enforcement, and its latest focus is justice for Jermelle English Jr. of Wisconsin.

According to The Root, English was dining with his girlfriend and daughter at a local Applebee’s when Kenosha Police incorrectly identified him as the suspect in a hit-and-run accident. He was subsequently thrown to the ground with his daughter in his arms and repeatedly punched in the face; the young child sustained a head injury during the assault.

“The reckless arrest of Jermelle English Jr. and the careless endangerment of his infant child by the Kenosha Police Department is an absolute travesty … Team ROC team is here to support Jermelle and his family through this traumatic experience, demand justice, and hold the Kenosha police officers accountable,” said Team Roc managing director Diana Diaz in a statement.

Despite police identifying the actual suspect, who was hiding in the bathroom of the establishment, English was still arrested and charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct in addition to resisting arrest. His girlfriend was also charged with possession of marijuana.

According to TMZ, “Team ROC” has enlisted the help of veteran attorney Alex Spiro in an effort to have all charges against the man and his family dropped. Jay-Z has also been on the front lines of decriminalizing hip-hop lyrics. The 53-year-old rapper and father of three has joined the likes of Meek Mill, Drake, Megan Thee Stallion, and over a dozen others in protesting the use of lyrics in criminal cases involving artists. In an open letter entitled Art on Trial: Protect Black Art the entertainers argue, “Rappers are storytellers, creating entire worlds populated with complex characters who can play both hero and villain. But more than any other art form, rap lyrics are essentially being used as confessions in an attempt to criminalize Black creativity and artistry.”

RELATED CONTENT: Yusef Salaam of Exonerated 5 Wins NYC Council Race

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

August 31, 2023

Attorneys for Tory Lanez File Motion to Bail Him Out As They Aim To Appeal 10-Year Sentence

The never-ending saga of the Tory Lanez/ Megan Thee Stallion shooting has added another element. Reports have stated that the attorneys for Lanez have filed a motion to bail him out of jail as they appeal his sentence.

According to HipHopDX, court reporter Meghann Cuniff, who has been following the case since it started and has been a source for everything Lanez/Megan-related, has updated the masses once again. She has stated that a “bail on appeal” motion has been filed on behalf of the convicted recording artist.

In a post that the reporter placed on her X account, formerly Twitter, she updated the masses on what steps are now being taken in the case that has continued to captivate the music world. The next court date for the issue will occur next week on Sept. 5.

The hearing will be in front of Judge David Herriford, the same judge who oversaw the trial and gave the Canadian artist the 10-year sentence.

Currently, the 31-year-old is not in the general population while in prison. He has been placed in the “administrative segregation unit” in Los Angeles County Jail. He is only allowed out of his cell for two hours daily.

Lanez is only granted three hours of fresh air each week during his mandated recreation time. He is also being checked on by jail staff every half hour.

Lanez, born Daystar Peterson, was convicted in December 2022 for shooting Texas-bred rapper Megan Thee Stallion, born Megan Pete. A jury found Lanez guilty of assault with a semi-automatic firearm, carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle, and discharging a firearm with gross negligence.

The “Luv” rapper was convicted of shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot on July 22, 2020, after a party at Kylie Jenner’s house in California.

Related: TORY LANEZ BLASTED FOR RELEASING ‘FREE TORY’ MERCH AFTER MEGAN THEE STALLION SHOOTING SENTENCE

NBA Referee At The Center Of Twitter Controversy Has Retired, League Ends Investigation Into His Actions
by Iman Milner

August 31, 2023

NBA Referee At The Center Of Twitter Controversy Has Retired, League Ends Investigation Into His Actions

Veteran National Basketball Association referee Eric Lewis has officially retired from the league following an investigation into an alleged Twitter burner account he used to respond to criticisms of himself and other officials.

According to Yahoo Sports, the NBA announced Lewis’ decision and the end of its examination of his actions on Wednesday, Aug. 30. “NBA referee Eric Lewis has informed the league office that he is retiring, effective immediately,” the league’s statement reads. “In light of his decision, the NBA’s investigation into social media activity has been closed.” In recent years, basketball fans and pundits have been vocal about the game being over-officiated. Broader rules, from what constitutes a flagrant foul to player suspensions during the playoffs due to missed calls or unnecessary technicals, have made the game a minefield of semantics for many.

Still, NBA officials are not allowed to comment publicly on their officiating without consent from the league.

When news of Lewis’ alleged activity made it to social media, some NBA players took the opportunity to air their grievances, specifically Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James, who had many run-ins with the referee throughout the season.

Lewis is not the first league official to have his integrity called into question. Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy was revealed to have bet on games he officiated. An FBI probe into his actions found that he made calls to affect the overall point spread and took money from gamblers for inside tips on games and players; he would later serve 11 months of a 15-month prison sentence for his crimes. Donaghy said the league would demand referees give preferential treatment to its superstars in the Netflix documentary Operation Flagrant Foul. “When (commissioner) David Stern structured the league, we as officials knew that it was better to treat the star players better than others,” he said. “I just wanted to be the best referee and advance up the ladder, and I saw the way guys that were in the NBA Finals handled the game. They didn’t call fouls against the stars, and they were well respected.”

RELATED CONTENT: NBA Champ Robert Horry Ejected From Son’s Basketball Game After Screaming at Referee

HBCU
by Derek Major

August 31, 2023

Former HBCU Football Players Selected for Active NFL Rosters Or Signed To Practice Squads

Several HBCU football players saw their NFL dreams stay alive as they were claimed off waivers Wednesday by NFL teams and added to active gameday rosters or signed to practice squads.

FAMU defensive end Isaiah Land, who won the 2021 Buck Buchanan Award, was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys hours after the 2023 NFL Draft ended. The HBCU pass rush specialist spent the entire NFL training camp and preseason with the Cowboys but was cut Monday, hoping they could sign him to their practice squad.

However, Land turned some heads during the preseason with his pass rush abilities and was claimed off waivers by the Indianapolis Colts. The move guarantees his $95,000 base salary and ensures he will suit up weekly as part of the Colts 53-man gameday roster.

Cowboys fans were unhappy to see the HBCU product go to the Colts as they expected the Cowboys to put him on their active roster to keep other teams from claiming him.

Alcorn State linebacker Claudin Cherelus spent training camp with the New York Jets but didn’t see much action due to an injury and was cut. The 6’2 HBCU linebacker showed solid speed and tackling ability in the Hall Of Fame Game against the Cleveland Browns in August and was claimed by the Carolina Panthers, who have a young but spirited team this season.

South Carolina State receiver Shaquan Davis didn’t make the New Orleans Saints active roster, but his NFL dreams are still alive after they signed the HBCU athlete to their practice squad. Davis led the MEAC last season with 36 receptions for 738 yards and eight touchdowns, showing a habit for dramatic catches.

Other HBCU players in the league include Cowboys safety and FAMU product Markquese Bell, Houston Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard, who played at Alabama State, and Arkansas Pine Bluff punter Jamie Guillan, who is on the New York Giants.

AI, artificial intelligence, trends, A.I., journey, technology, DryMerge, AI, job interview
by Atiya Jordan

August 31, 2023

4 Reasons How Your Content Marketing Strategy Can Benefit From AI

With all the buzz surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), it is impossible to ignore the potential to disrupt industries, especially content marketing.

Though artificial intelligence can process data at a speed that “seems near-instantaneous to our minds,” according to Paul Roetzer, founder of the Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institute, leveraging its power for your content marketing strategy has a number of benefits.

Here is how AI can help marketers be more efficient and effective.

1.) Save yourself time and research burnout

You can be just one click away from identifying high-performing content and updating your content strategy based on those insights.

  • Research content topics: AI analyzes search engine data and social media trends to spot relevant topics that appeal to your target audience. By providing AI with a description of your buyer persona and their needs, it can brainstorm dozens of topics in a matter of seconds. Choose those that best match your content strategy.
  • Analyze content performance data: Turn it up a notch by aggregating your analytics to pull out key insights.

AI blogging examples: Moz’s Keyword Explorer, SEMrush, Google’s Natural Language Processing tool, GPT-3, HubSpot Content Assistant, Grammarly, and Jasper.

2.) Turn your content performance up a notch 

Automate parts of the content creation and distribution process so you can focus on other aspects of your strategy.

  • Create and optimize your content: Use AI to write content outlines, headlines, and even articles. By using machine-learning algorithms and natural language processing, AI can easily create even a full grammatically correct blog post in under five minutes.
  • Distribute content: AI’s analytics power can be a great advantage in terms of pinpointing the best days of the week and best times to distribute your content. Better yet, use AI to analyze engagement across all your distribution channels to spot trends and the best channels to post.
  • Personalize your content: Gain access to AI’s library of online data. By analyzing data like demographics, browsing preferences, needs, and interests, learn more about your target audience and current customers by sorting through AI recommendations.

AI-based writing assistants: Copymatic, GrowthBar, Jasper, InferKit, Lately, Rytr, Textsynth, and Writer.

3. Use AI’s ever-speeding computation to resonate with your audience

A/B testing, also known as “split testing,” allows you to test different designs, page structure, and even copy to determine what performs better with your audience.

Engage customers with chatbots: Chatbots are an easy way to engage with your customers and assist them with problems in real time. Rather than having your audience sift through forum posts or how-to guides, a chatbot can analyze a question and deliver an appropriate response.

Free up resources for other activities: Take this time wisely.

You can read about some of the best chatbots here.

4.) Save money

AI also helps your team save money on labor and potentially other expenses such as automation and content production software.

Reduce labor costs: By using AI content marketing tools to automate processes within your marketing campaigns, you can get more out of your staff and outsource fewer tasks and projects. For example, AI’s ability to help your team produce better-quality first drafts with fewer rewrites and less editing gives time back to your editors and helps them be more productive and strategic.

RELATED CONTENT: Survey Shows What Folks Really Think About Artificial Intelligence In The Hiring Process

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 31, 2023

50 Cent Facing Criminal Battery Charges After Accidentally Striking Woman With A Mic

50 Cent is the subject of a felony battery charge in Los Angeles after he tossed a microphone that accidentally struck a woman in the head.

The G-Unit rapper was performing at the Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday, Aug. 29 as part of his “Final Lap” tour when he welcomed special guest YG, TMZ reports. The California rapper was performing a song that 50 wanted to join in on but was repeatedly handed mics that didn’t work.

That’s when a video shows 50 having an entire Cardi B moment and chucking a microphone toward the audio team, which ended up hitting a woman. The victim happened to be Power 106 radio host, Bryhana Monegain who believes she was purposely hit.

Monegain filed a police report later that night and said 50 looked directly at her when he hurled the microphone her way. Photos shared by The Neighborhood Talk show Monegain with a deep bloody gash in the center of her face.

She was taken to a hospital where she was treated for a serious wound. While 50 is typically very outspoken on social media, he has yet to address the encounter that landed him with criminal charges.

Sources say 50 did not intentionally hit the woman, but she feels otherwise. Another source claims that Monegain wasn’t supposed to be standing in the restricted area.

Onlookers are encouraging Monegain to file a lawsuit against 50 for the injury that looks like it could leave a lifelong scar.

“Sue him like he sues everyone else. And make sure you collect ALL YOUR MONEY,” one person wrote.

Others demanded artists and fans to stop throwing items at live shows. This comes one month after Cardi B threw a mic at a fan in Las Vegas after the fan threw a cup of water at her.

“Can we just stop throwing things at people altogether????” the user asked.

RELATED CONTENT: 50 Cent Claims BET ‘Wasn’t Worth $3B‘

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 31, 2023

Babyface Recalls Toni Braxton’s Unfair Record Deal With LaFace: ‘I Was Put In An Awkward Position’

Babyface is opening up about the shady recording contract Toni Braxton had with his old record label LaFace and revealing the “awkward position” he was put in at the time.

Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds appeared on the Touré Show, where he recalled the hardship he faced as a musician, producer, and executive with LaFace Records. The former Atlanta-based label dominated the R&B scene throughout the late 80s and early 90s, putting out albums from TLC and Usher.

One of the label’s biggest acts was Toni Braxton, Grammy award-winning singer whose first two albums sold more than 15 million records. However, fans may recall Braxton’s legal battle with LaFace after she earned only .33 cents per album while the label raked in an estimated $170 million, course documents show.

Braxton filed a lawsuit against the label after contract negotiations failed and she demanded out of her contract. LaFace filed a countersuit citing breach of contract, which forced Braxton to file bankruptcy.

“I didn’t like the games that would come with being on the executive side where artists could be hurt,” edmonds said of the situation.

“There were decisions made that weren’t in the artists’ favor.”

It was Edmonds’ testimony that helped Braxton reach an undisclosed settlement with LaFace and resuming work with the label as an artist.

“I was put in an awkward position,” edmonds said. “The judge said, ‘I don’t want to ask you as a label, I want to ask you as an artist. Is Toni Braxton’s deal fair?’”

Edmonds recalled admitting how unfair the deal was adding, “If I sold the records that she sold, no question, it wasn’t fair.”

Braxton wasn’t the only artist to experience issues with LaFace. R&B trio TLC also claimed to be broke despite their platinum-selling success in the ’90s. It was part of the behind-the-scenes turmoil that conflicted with Edmonds’ views as an artist himself.

“The whole idea was to help artists. When you get in the business of making records, there are things you won’t be able to do,” Edmonds said.

“You choose one side. I chose to be on the creative side. People get hurt and taken advantage of. I’m not that dude.”

RELATED CONTENT: Toni Braxton Signs All-Inclusive Production Deal With Lifetime A&E Networks

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

August 31, 2023

Big Daddy Kane Almost Attacks UK Rapper Who Storms Stage: ‘You’re Doing Too Much, Playboy’

Big Daddy Kane almost laid the smackdown on one UK rapper who stormed the stage during his live set in London.

The famed rap veteran was headlining a Hip-Hop 50 event at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town on Saturday, Aug. 26, when he had his set interrupted by Hijack member Kamanchi Sly, Hip Hop DX reports. Sly was standing in front of the crowd as they cheered for Kane.

The “Ain’t No Half Steppin” rapper lets Sly get away with his antics for a few moments before stopping his music and confronting the rapper.

“You’re doing too much, playboy,” Kane said as security came to remove the rapper. “I need the stage, you’re doing too much.”

After trying to push Sly off the stage, the UK rapper further instigated the situation by getting into Kane’s face and mouthing off.

“That ain’t my fuc*in’ problem,” Kane can be heard telling Sly.

But Sly wouldn’t let up and continued to antagonize Kane, who tried to take off his jacket before security came to deescalate the situation. The UK rapper was on the set list along with Kane and other rap acts like Onyx, Elzhi, and Masta Ace.

Sly reportedly took issue with his set being bumped further down the show’s roster in favor of American acts, according to attendees, who explained what caused the encounter on YouTube.

“I heard they rolled up late and missed their spot. No one’s fault apart from Hijack,” one person wrote.

“They got to the venue late and missed their spot. Kane was due to follow Masta Ace and that’s what he did. I heard Hijack missed the slot given to them before Masta Ace and then carried on like this. This is just what I heard.”

Kamanchi Sly learned the hard that despite Big Daddy Kane being older, he still doesn’t tolerate “no half-stepping!”

RELATED CONTENT: Big Daddy Kane Teases The Release Of His Upcoming Netflix Documentary

Fabien Nelson, Mississippi
by Sharelle B. McNair

August 31, 2023

Fabian Nelson Makes History As First Openly Gay Democratic Lawmaker Elected In Mississippi

Mississippi is making some much-needed changes.

Fabian Nelson (D-MS) was elected as the first openly gay Democratic lawmaker in the state, NBC News reports. The race to represent the House district in the south Jackson metro area happened after neither Nelson, 38, nor his opponent, Tougaloo College education professor and Alderwoman Roshunda Harris-Allen received a majority vote in the primary election on Aug. 8. During the Democratic primary election runoff on Aug. 29, Nelson claimed victory over Allen.

The realtor from Byram, Mississippi, will be sworn in before the upcoming January legislative session. Nelson describes his win as a dream, as this has been his goal since a visit to the U.S. Capitol building in elementary school. “I still think I’m in a dream. I’m still trying to process it and take it in,” Nelson said. “It’s still shocking to me, I have to be honest.”

The Human Rights Campaign has endorsed Nelson as the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ advocacy group. Rob Hill, state director of the Human Rights Campaign’s Mississippi chapter, says Nelson’s win sends a much-needed message. “It sends a real message in a time when we are seeing attacks legislatively and through violence against the LGBTQ+ community that the majority of people reject that kind of animus,” Hill said.

“I think a lot of youth around the state who have felt like their leaders are rejecting them or targeting them won’t feel as lonely today.”

Nelson will represent a district including part of Byram, Salem, and Terry. While in office, he plans to increase healthcare access for low-income people by pushing for Medicaid expansion, according to the Associated Press. He says he is grateful for the votes but ultimately believes he won based on his ties to the community. “At the end of the day, I put my suit on the same way every other person who walks in that statehouse does,” Nelson said.

“I’m going to walk in there, and I’m going to be a sound voice as to why things like this can’t continue to go on in the state of Mississippi.”

Will Packer, NBAF
by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman

August 31, 2023

‘Girls Trip’ Producer Will Packer To Be Honored At National Black Arts Festival Gala

Will Packer, the producer of films such as Girls Trip and Think Like a Man, will be honored Oct. 7 at the National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) Gala.

“NBAF is excited to honor critically acclaimed film producer Will Packer as our 2023 NBAF Trailblazer in the Arts Honoree,” NBAF’s executive director Stephanie Owens said in a statement. “We are thrilled to celebrate his success in elevating Black actors and Black culture on screen at this year’s Gala.”

Packer’s films have amassed over $1 billion at the box office, with his eponymous production company also producing digital and televised content. The Florida A&M University alumnus produced the 2022 Academy Awards.

In a statement, Packer, a resident of Atlanta, where the NBAF is headquartered, said he was “in awe” of the NBAF for its work that “impacts, supports, and amplifies Black arts.”

He added, “I am thrilled and humbled to receive this honor from the NBAF.”

The NBAF is a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to highlighting and celebrating the achievement of artists, including media professionals in the Black community. The 2023 theme for its annual gala is “Mahogany.” The affair will seek to curate an immersive night of vintage glamour, with a setting encompassing an array of brown hues.

The gala will not only spotlight Packer and his groundbreaking efforts in media, but also feature another Black trailblazer, famed chef Marcus Samuelsson, who will curate the event’s menu. The eight-time James Beard Foundation winner has owned and operated many acclaimed restaurants, including Red Rooster in Harlem and MARCUS Montreal.

The NBAF is celebrating 35 years of uplifting Black arts and those who create it. Tickets to and reservations for the commemorative event at Atlanta’s Southern Exchange Ballroom are available now.

Support for the NBAF Gala is provided by Fulton County Arts and Culture, Georgia-Pacific, and Georgia Power. Major funding is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

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