The world watched a long-awaited performance unfold on the State Farm Stadium field last night in Glendale, AZ.

On Sunday night, nine-time Grammy-winning artist, Rihanna, became the most recent addition to the list of legendary Black women singers to headline a Super Bowl halftime performance.

 

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Forbes reported that the superstar hit the world’s biggest stage during her recent Super Bowl LVII performance, where the world witnessed her live comeback after years away from the stage. Rihanna covered some of her biggest hits including “Umbrella,” “Pour it Up,” “Rude Boy,” “Diamonds,” and “Work,” as she was accompanied by dozens of dancers who complemented her performance.

 

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Reportedly, the pop star’s appearance increased the halftime performance roster’s racial and gender diversity.

According to Billboard, 14 of Rihanna’s songs hold a spot under the number one hits list, while 30 rank on its top ten list.

Rihanna has  been nominated for 33 Grammy Awards by its deciding group, which consists of 69% men and 67% who are white.

Rihanna’s appearance adds her to a notable list that includes Diana Ross, Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Mary J. Blige, and other Black women entertainers who have taken over the field to perform for Super Bowl fans.

The superstar also became the first pregnant performer to hit the Super Bowl stage.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, a representative confirmed the pregnancy news, following Rihanna‘s live performance, where she flaunted a full belly through her all-red outfit.

“When you become a mom, there’s something that just happens where you feel like you could take on the world — you can do anything,” Rihanna said in an interview prior to the performance. “And the Super Bowl is one of the biggest stages in the world, so as scary as that was…there’s something exhilarating about the challenge of it all. It’s important for my son to see that.”

• Sports

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

February 13, 2023

Messy Trade: Shannon Sharpe Suggests Scotty Pippen Jr. Request Trade from Lakers Since Teammate Dated His Mother

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The Los Angeles Lakers have been extremely busy within the past week. They traded away future NBA Hall-of-Famer Russell Westbrook and Lebron James became the all-time scoring leader in the league’s history. Yet, it’s another trade that may create a potential issue.

The son of NBA Hall-of-Famer Scottie Pippen, Scotty Pippen, Jr., is currently playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. In a recent trade, the Lakers acquired Malik Beasley from the Utah Jazz. The connection between the two players is that a little more than 2 years ago, Beasley dated Pippen’s mother, Larsen Pippen.

According to Undisputed‘s Shannon Sharpe, the younger Pippen should demand a trade to prevent any friction that may arise because of Beasley’s past, albeit short, relationship with his mother.

On a recent episode of Undisputed with Skip Bayless, Sharpe expressed the reason Pippen should make that request.

“If I’m Scotty Pippen Jr., I want a trade,” Sharpe announced on the show. ‘Malik Beasley coming on my team, I gotta go! I will fight it!'”

As the audience laughed, seemingly familiar with the story behind Sharpe’s statements, Bayless didn’t seem to understand why Pippen should ask the team to trade him.

Bayless asked, “Because?”

Sharpe responded, “You know why! I got to go, I want a divorce!”

As Bayless continued to keep the conversation about Pippen basketball-related, Sharpe reiterated that Pippen shouldn’t have to play with someone who was with his mother, who is not his father.

“I just can’t play for the Lakers no more. I want out!”

Watch the full clip below:

Shannon Sharpe says Scotty Pippen Jr. should request a trade from the Lakers so he doesn’t have to play with Malik Beasley, who was fooling around with his mom 💀

pic.twitter.com/qDN8f3vDVh

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) February 9, 2023

Coincidentally, Larsen is now dating the son of Scottie Sr.’s former  teammate, Micheal Jordan, Marcus.

• News

by Sharelle B. McNair

February 13, 2023

Norfolk Southern Donates $25K To Families In Need Following Massive Train Accident In Ohio

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Norfolk Southern is being blamed for a train derailment that caused a massive fire in East Palestine, Ohio. Now, the company is looking to make it right.

Quartz reports that after the railway company’s train spewed toxic vinyl chloride, Norfolk Southern is offering a $25,000 donation to assist close to 5,000 residents who are now being forced to evacuate their homes. According to the company’s media page, Norfolk Southern is partnering with the American Red Cross. “We have established a Family Assistance Center to address the needs of the community and support those directly impacted,” the company said in a statement. “The NTSB will be the lead agency for providing updates on the incident.”

According to CNN, a train with 100 cars derailed, with 10 holding hazardous materials. Five of those cars were carrying vinyl chloride, a colorless gas. Exposure to the gas can cause different cancers.

While the company is looking to assist families in need, there is no word on if they will cover costs relating to the derailment, the fire, or potential contamination. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine feels there shouldn’t be a question about it. “They’re the ones who created the problem,” DeWine said. “It’s their liability.” Mechanical problems allegedly caused the accident; however, some blame the incident on “weak safety regulations and the company’s cost-cutting measures,” according to Quartz.

After the Feb. 6 accident, Village of East Palestine Interim Manager Traci Spratt claimed they were monitoring the air and “found zero health risks.” “The village’s drinking water is safe to drink and is being continually monitored,” Spratt said, CNN reports. However, since then, numerous reports have come in stating the opposite.

Several animals have been found dead in neighboring towns since the incident, according to WKBN. A woman in North Lima, 10 miles away from the accident site, claimed she found five of her hens and a rooster dead while going to feed them.

There’s a new sports commentator on the sidelines and he’s much cuter than the ones seen on Sundays.

His name is Jeremiah Fennell and he is taking the internet by storm with his adorable reporting skills. At just 10 years old, the Las Vegas native is making strides in the sports world. As a guest on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Fennell told the EGOT winner how his journey started because his parents told him he might not be able to play sports. “It all started when I was 4 years old because I was told through my parents that I might not be able to play contact sports because I have a brain defect and detached shoulder bone,” Fennell told Hudson.

Like many Gen Z kids, he asked his mom to start a YouTube channel to “hone his craft in journalism and broadcasting.” His mom didn’t initially like the idea, but after the young reporter remained on the honor roll, she gave him the blessing and Today reported he started the channel in 2020. It wouldn’t be like any other channel – his focus would be the former Oakland Raiders, now known as the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fennell told Hudson the Raiders always have a “special place in my heart” so he decided he wanted to commentate on the games. His wish finally came true.

The NFL team allowed the aspiring journalist to interview Raiders wide receiver, Devante Adams. After posting the interview on the team’s official Twitter page, he’s being called the “newest and cutest reporter,” as the video has been viewed over seven million times. The team even invited him as their guest to Sunday’s Super Bowl.

Our newest (and cutest) reporter on the job with @tae15adams

: IG/jeremiahoneandfive pic.twitter.com/vZEYavX5cQ

— Las Vegas Raiders (@Raiders) January 11, 2023

The New York Post reported that Fennell’s interview was praised for his professionalism at such a young age. Fennell said he has his parents to thank for that, saying they “lead by example.”

“They definitely helped me to become the man that I am right now and the man that I will be in the future,” Fennell said.

Fans are petitioning for Halle Bailey to leave her YouTube personality boyfriend, DDG, after he was put on blast by his rapper ex-girlfriend Rubi Rose.

On Friday, a fan by the name of Lindsay Williams launched a Change.org petition asking  Bailey to “get a new man.” The petition was made in response to Rubi Rose accusing DDG of allowing Bailey to wear one of her old t-shirts she must’ve left at his house during their time together.

“Halle Bailey is black royalty and she has a childish peasant attached to her. We want better for our princess,” Williams wrote in her petition.

“Her celebrity shouldn’t be used for YouTube views and clicks. She’s unproblematic and her childish (hopefully ex boyfriend) thought it was funny to sub her when she’s about to have the biggest year ever.”

Oop! Rubi Rose made a couple tweets after fans speculated Halle Bailey was rocking the same shirt Rubi wore back in 2020. You may recall #DDG and Rubi dated prior to his relationship with Halle.👀 pic.twitter.com/oBQsQTWKWE

— TheShadeRoom (@TheShadeRoom) February 11, 2023

The drama all started last week after fans speculated that Bailey and DDG broke up after unfollowing each other on social media. By Saturday, Rubi posted screenshots revealing that the YouTuber reached out to her amid the breakup rumors.

https://twitter.com/mymixtapez/status/1624889440010227714?s=20&t=Ydc5S7f9gn8RALNHhm1RbQ

DDG responded to Rubi putting their private conversation on blast during a live stream where he claimed to “hate” his ex-girlfriend. He also released tweets shutting down Rubi’s claims.

“Don’t believe nun she say. She been stuck on me for 2 years. She hurt,” he tweeted. “Superrr [two blue caps, three tears of joy emojis][.] Niggas is not pressed over you.”

 

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Bailey also subtly addressed the alleged DM conversation after DDG accused his ex of “clout chasing,” as captured by XXL.

“[The] devil is working [red heart emoji] lol please don’t feed into the lies, especially from a third party [double hearts emoji and glittering stars emoji] stay blessed everyone,” she wrote.

Halle Bailey responds to Rubi Rose accusing DDG of being unfaithful to her:

“the devil is working. please don’t feed into the lies, especially from a third party.” pic.twitter.com/WdYSbVcxtt

— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) February 12, 2023

From the looks of it, Halle and DDG are still going strong…..sorry Rubi.

If you didn’t know who Justina Miles is, you sure do after Rihanna’s Super Bowl halftime performance!

Miles, 20, became a viral internet sensation on Sunday night when she provided the sign language interpretations for Rihanna’s halftime performance.

ASL interpreter Justina Miles put on A SHOW during Rihanna’s halftime performance ✨

(via @NFL, h/t @RollingStone) pic.twitter.com/f5AbPxROIr

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 13, 2023

Not only was she a standout, but she also made history as the first deaf woman to perform at the Super Bowl LVII pre-game and halftime shows, Women’s Wear Daily reported. Miles worked double time on Sunday, also signing Sheryl Lee Ralph‘s performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” at the start of the game.

“It’s an important moment not only for me to share this experience with the whole world,” she said during a press conference on Thursday.

“But to really bring that empowerment to millions and millions of Black deaf people all over the country who’ve never really seen that before. I feel that is truly lifting every voice, even my voice.”

She’s no stranger to going viral. In 2020, Miles received praise on TikTok for her video signing to Lil Kim’s 1997 single, “Crush on You.”

https://twitter.com/ToyaRochelle/status/1256802761074761729?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1256802761074761729%7Ctwgr%5Eb6232a8cbb28108792dec9c5f8761d2383fb8c9d%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnbc.com%2F2023%2F02%2F12%2Fmeet-justina-miles-rihannas-super-bowl-halftime-show-asl-performer.html

Now she’s made history at this year’s Super Bowl, and she couldn’t be more proud – especially as a native of Philadelphia, who got to see her hometown team, the Eagles, play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.

“I value the opportunity to make it possible for all deaf people to enjoy these songs, and not have them miss out on the full Super Bowl experience,” Miles said.

Miles is currently studying nursing at the HBCU Bowie State University, CNBC reported. She is hard of hearing and comes from a family mixed with hearing people. Miles’ mother is deaf.

She was the valedictorian at the Model Secondary School for the Deaf in Washington, D.C. and won a silver medal as part of Team USA in the 2021-22 Deaflympics in Brazil, where she competed in the 4×100 women’s track relay.

Don’t forget about this R&B/pop legend’s love for gospel.

Representatives of the Whitney Houston estate revealed news of the late pop icon’s record, I Go to the Rock, on Thursday.

According to Entertainment Weekly, six unreleased tracks on the LP will feature her singing gospel music, with the release of the song “Testimony” before the complete album drops later this year.

https://twitter.com/GMA/status/1623675500555018241?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1623675500555018241%7Ctwgr%5E61be3ade42a0147d5ee173ac592c8840a9acb922%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Few.com%2Fmusic%2Fnew-whitney-houston-album-i-go-to-the-rock-gospel-songs%2F

In addition to the album release, a documentary will highlight Houston’s early love of gospel. The documentary will take viewers along the journey from her first local church performance to the release of her 1996 best-selling soundtrack for The Preacher’s Wife.

Reportedly, Houston’s estate rarely collaborates on posthumous music releases. However, EDM musician Kygo remixed Houston’s vocals from a prior recording of Steve Winwood‘s 1986 tune for his 2019 “Higher Love” cut.

Actress Naomi Ackie portrayed Houston in the recent movie I Wanna Dance With Somebody. A.V. Club reported that in her efforts to nail the role, Ackie really invested in the singer’s belief in her own talent.

“The thing that I love about Whitney the most is how she always knew her voice was there. For the majority of her career, she didn’t push it too much. She didn’t over-practice or over-rehearse. She was very relaxed because she had all the faith in her ability,” Ackie said in an interview.

As previously reported by BLACK ENTERPRISE, the one-hour Whitney, A Look Back special premiered last year, featuring unseen footage of the legendary singer. Before that, Houston’s estate released an exclusive NFT collection in partnership with OneOf, a green NFT platform built for the music community.

Houston’s full I Go to the Rock album, with unreleased gospel tracks, is set to release on March 24.

I Go to the Rock: The Gospel Music of Whitney Houston will be available on CD through Gaither Music Group. The documentary will be available on all digital streaming platforms via Arista/Legacy Recordings, in cooperation with The Estate of Whitney E. Houston, available now for pre-order.

Michelle Williams entered the chat after her Destiny’s Child group member Beyoncé was called out by a public speaker who thinks Christians should “rebuke” those pricey Renaissance tour tickets instead of supporting Jay-Z’s and Beyoncé’s “coven.”

Tiphani Montgomery, a public speaker and published author, went viral over the weekend after she accused Beyoncé of using her fame and power “for the kingdom of darkness.”

“THERE WILL BE A SHOWDOWN!!! Baalyonce don’t even hide her worship to her many gods,” Montgomery wrote in her lengthy caption.

“The devil gave her INFLUENCE to MILLIONS and she uses her platform effectively for the kingdom of darkness.”

 

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Montgomery, who describes herself as “a teen mom and college dropout” turned “best-selling author, international speaker, and entrepreneur who made millions from my couch with just a laptop and a dream,” quickly went viral after her rant against Black Hollywood’s favorite couple surfaced across social media.

The Shade Room reposted clips of Montgomery’s rant along with screenshots of two old tweets she sent out after attending a Beyoncé concert herself.

“Got a chance to catch the Jay-Z and Beyonce concert and it was AMAZING!” Montgomery tweeted back in 2014.

“A few gospel tunes cause we LOVE Jesus, some Beyonce hits cause we STANS for that bish and some Reggae cause we from the ROC!!!” she tweeted in 2012.

The rant came under fire on social media from users who believed Montgomery was causing more division than unity within the Black community.

“I want whomever it is that is seeking the Lord to not be put off by peoples opinions,” Tamar Braxton wrote. “The church DOES NOT SAVE YOU!! Only The Holy Ghost. The ONLY one who can judge is God himself. find YOU!! It is not of God to put your lips on others.”

“Yup. She’s the clout chaser,” added someone else. “This is why so many people are turned off by organized religion.”

Amid the backlash, Michelle Williams decided to share her take on Montgomery’s rant and asked people to “pray for entertainers” instead of judging them.

 

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“I just wish we would pray as publicly for entertainers…As We Rebuke Them and damn their soul to Hell,” Michelle said.

These women made history soaring sky-high.

For the first time ever, the Super Bowl featured a team of all-women pilots during the U.S. Navy flyover that took place over the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, AZ, ahead of Sunday evening’s kickoff.

According to CBS News, the flyover was piloted by seven women, saluting the 50 years since women were allowed to become U.S. Navy pilots.

An unbelievable view of the #SBLVII flyover. ✈️ pic.twitter.com/3ccUy8BD4w

— NFL (@NFL) February 12, 2023

Sunday’s diamond formation was conducted by Lieutenant Peggy Dente and led by Lieutenants Arielle Ash and Saree Moreno, who only had a few weeks to prepare for the flyover.

“I think it’s a message not just to young girls, but to young people that they can do whatever they set their mind to,” Dente said. “And if they want to be a jet pilot, that is well within possibility for them.”

“It’s definitely a huge honor to be asked to do this and to celebrate those women that have paved this way for all of us,” said Ash.

Springfield, VA native, Naomi Ngalle, was also a part of the team of women pilots.

The Hill reported that the flyover has stood as a tradition since it was first performed at Super Bowl II in 1968.

Rep. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), a former Navy helicopter pilot, took to her Twitter to celebrate the women for achieving such a goal.

“I’m so proud of this team of women and look forward to watching them make history,” she wrote.

https://twitter.com/RepSherrill/status/1624883152094216192?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1624883152094216192%7Ctwgr%5Eb7fbc367aa9d16c335568a3925cff031ab6e1ad7%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.twitter.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2FRepSherrill2Fstatus2F1624883152094216192widget%3DTweet

“We stand on the shoulders of giants. There’s a lot of people who make what we do possible…this is for them,” said Lt. Caitlin Perkowski, one of the women pilots who participated in the flyover. The tweet from the Department of Defense’s outreach account added that they were “looking forward to witnessing these women make history.”

The women pilots were visited last Thursday by NFL Hall-of-Famers, who thanked them for their service.

It turns out Janet Jackson was the original recipient of the Grammys Global Impact Award. But her decades-long quarrel with CBS over Super Bowl 38 is what held her back from receiving the honor.

The Grammys sought to honor the “Rhythm Nation” singer in a big way for this year’s award ceremony by awarding her with the Global Impact Award, TMZ reported. However, as part of the accolade, Jackson had to attend a pre-Grammy event with the Black Music Collective days before the main event where she would accept the award.

The pop icon’s busy schedule prevented her from attending the Black Music Collective event, which led to talks about Janet receiving the award during the televised Grammy awards. However, with the Grammys airing on CBS, it brought attention to the fact the network has yet to make peace with Jackson for how they treated her in 2004 after her Super Bowl halftime show wardrobe malfunction with Justin Timberlake.

During Super Bowl XXXVIII, Timberlake pulled Jackson’s top as part of their routine, but a slip-up led to Jackson’s bare breast being shown during the live show. CBS came under fire for the mishap, which led to former CEO Les Moonves pulling Jackson’s invite to the 2004 Grammy Awards.

Sources said Jackson’s team was in talks with CBS to figure out how the network could either apologize to the “All For You” hitmaker or acknowledge how she was treated by the network during the live show. But the talks became too complicated and resulted in Jackson being replaced by Lil Wayne as the Global Impact Award recipient, since she couldn’t attend the Black Music Collective event.

Jackson hasn’t attended the Grammys in years. The pop diva has five awards under her belt. Her last win came in 2002 for Best Dance Recording for her chart-topping single “All For You.”