by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 17, 2025

WNBA Announces Next Season’s All-Star Game Will Be Hosted By Chicago Sky

'The WNBA is thrilled to bring AT&T WNBA All-Star back to Chicago, which will undoubtedly deliver unforgettable competition and community outreach,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert.'

The WNBA announced that the 2026 AT&T WNBA All-Star Game will be held at the Wintrust Arena, home of the Chicago Sky. It will be the second time the event will occur in Chicago. The contest will happen July 25.

NEXT STOP: WNBA ALL-STAR 🚊@wnba | #skytown pic.twitter.com/3FYLOzcOZ3

— Chicago Sky (@chicagosky) October 16, 2025

“The WNBA is thrilled to bring AT&T WNBA All-Star back to Chicago, which will undoubtedly deliver unforgettable competition and community outreach,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert in a written statement. “Together with the Chicago Sky, we look forward to celebrating the game’s brightest stars, engaging WNBA fans around the world, and showcasing the energy of one of basketball’s most iconic cities.”

The arena is also home to Sky center Angel Reese, one of the most popular players in the league, who will be in her third year when the All-Star game takes place next year.

Along with all the favorite and best players in the WNBA participating, there will also be several events throughout the All-Star Weekend. Community events are being planned for Chicago residents and basketball fans, as the WNBA is committed to involving the young audience in and around Chicago. WNBA Live, described as the league’s interactive fan festival showcasing players, features interactive events with fans and planned functions, including fashion, music, and culture, at McCormick Place.

Along with the off-court events, the league will have the 3-Point Contest and Kia WNBA Skills Challenge, which will take place a day before the All-Star matchup on Friday, July 24.

“The Chicago Sky [is] thrilled to welcome the 2026 WNBA All-Star game back to Chicago. We can’t wait to build on the success of the previous All-Star game and celebrate the explosive growth of the league by showcasing the WNBA’s biggest stars on a world-class stage,” Chicago Sky Chief Executive Officer and President Adam Fox said. “We are so excited to welcome fans from around the globe to the WNBA All-Star game in our beautiful city with its storied basketball legacy. We are appreciative of everyone who worked with us to make this event happen.”

More information about the schedule of events and other things associated with the All-Star game will be announced in the coming months. Tickets for all events will go on sale in 2026.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, CC BY 2.0

by Mitti Hicks

October 17, 2025

‘Instability’ Concerns As Admiral Alvin Holsey Steps Down From U.S. Navy

Admiral Alvin Holsey's abrupt departure comes just days after the U.S. military’s fifth deadly strike in the Caribbean against a small boat that was accused of carrying drugs.

There are growing concerns of instability following the retirement announcement from U.S. Navy Admiral Alvin Holsey in December, less than a year after he took over as head of the U.S. Southern Command.

Adm. Holsey became the leader of the U.S. Southern Command in November, overseeing the area that includes the Caribbean Sea and waters off South America. Military leaders usually stay in the role anywhere between three and four years.

His abrupt departure comes just days after the U.S. military’s fifth deadly strike in the Caribbean against a small boat that was accused of carrying drugs, NPR reported. While the Trump administration claims it is attacking alleged drug smugglers with military force, there is growing frustration among lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Republicans want more information from the White House on the legal justification and the details of the deadly strikes. Meanwhile, Democrats assert that the strikes violate U.S. and international law.

A source told Reuters that there has been tension between the four-star commander and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. In another report from The New York Times, an unnamed official said Holsey “raised concerns about the mission and the attacks on the alleged drug boats.”

In a statement posted on X, Adm. Holsey said he will retire from the U.S. Navy on Dec. 12.

“It’s been an honor to serve our nation, the American people, and support and defend the Constitution for over 37 years.”

He added, “The SOUTHCOM team has made lasting contributions to the defense of our nation and will continue to do so. I am confident that you will forge ahead, focused on your mission that strengthens our nation and ensures its longevity as a beacon of freedom around the globe.”

Message from #SOUTHCOM Commander Adm. Alvin Holsey. pic.twitter.com/k0TdV49O0z
— U.S. Southern Command (@Southcom) October 16, 2025

Concerns Grow As Admiral Alvin Holsey Steps Down

Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed, the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Holsey’s “unexpected departure” sends an alarming signal of instability within the chain of command.

“Admiral Holsey has served our nation with distinction for nearly four decades, and I thank him for his dedication. The American people are safer and our country is stronger because of his service,” said Senator Reed.

“However, this unexpected resignation is troubling. At a moment when U.S. forces are building up across the Caribbean and tensions with Venezuela are at a boiling point, the departure of our top military commander in the region sends an alarming signal of instability within the chain of command.”

Hegeseth thanked Holsey for his more than 37 years of “distinguished service” to the nation on social media and noted that he began his career through the NROTC program at the private, historically Black college, Morehouse, in 1988.

VIBE And Rolling Stone Merge To Expand Hip-Hop And R&B Coverage, Led By Datwon Thomas

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 17, 2025

VIBE And Rolling Stone Merge To Expand Hip-Hop And R&B Coverage, Led By Datwon Thomas

The two publications will team up to expand hip-hop coverage.

VIBE and Rolling Stone are joining forces in a merger aimed at strengthening and expanding hip-hop and R&B coverage across both legacy music brands.

Announced on Oct. 16, the partnership will expand VIBE’s coverage of hip-hop and R&B on Rolling Stone while diving deeper into hip-hop culture, Billboard reports. As part of the collaboration, VIBE will release special collector’s print editions and debut a new video interview series spotlighting influential figures across music, sports, and fashion.

VIBE’s longtime editor-in-chief, Datwon Thomas, will serve as strategic advisor to assist with the transition.

“Coming back to VIBE in this role is deeply meaningful to me, and I am proud to remain connected to such an iconic brand that has been such a big part of my life,” Thomas said. “The opportunity to help guide VIBE into the next phase of its growth and continued legacy is an honor.”

The merger will have Rolling Stone investing in VIBE across video, podcasts, longform journalism, social media, and experiential initiatives.

Said Julian Holguin, CEO of Rolling Stone, “This historic team-up will enable Rolling Stone to level up the publication’s hip-hop and R&B coverage, allowing RS to dive deeper into the culture.”

Legendary music visionary Quincy Jones founded VIBE in 1993.

“VIBE will continue to power cultural conversations and reestablish itself as a driving force for commentary and reporting,” Holguin said. “Our goal is to continue the mission VIBE was founded on while leveraging Rolling Stone to amplify its presence across all platforms.”

The merger of the two Penske Media Corp. (PMC) brands comes one month after MRC—owner of The Hollywood Reporter and Billboard—and PMC—publisher of Rolling Stone, Variety, and Deadline—announced the creation of a joint publishing venture combining their editorial brands.

Following the announcement, respected R&B journalist Mya Abraham confirmed her departure from VIBE due to the merger.

“Due to the VIBE/Rolling Stone merger, my time as R&B Reporter has come to an end,” Abraham wrote on X. “I’m still processing today’s news, so bear with me as I get through the calls/texts/emails/DMs. Just know it’s been the joy and honor of my life to document R&B in this capacity. 🤎”

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 17, 2025

New Georgia Project, Voter Turnout Group Founded By Stacey Abrams, Closes

The group had struggled financially in recent years.

The New Georgia Project, the powerhouse voter mobilization group founded by former Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Stacey Abrams, announced it will cease operations, The Associated Press reports.

Founded in 2013, The New Georgia Project has struggled financially in recent years. It was also hit with ethics complaints and a record $300,000 fine in early 2025 from the State Ethics Commission after being accused of violating Georgia campaign finance laws between 2018 and 2019, under the leadership of Sen. Raphael Warnock until his 2020 Senate bid.

Former employees say they were laid off in December 2024 after media reports described the organization, known as an organizing force that helped boost Democratic electoral advances, as a “climate of chaos.” In a statement, organization directors say its closure comes at a time when there is a need for new leadership to step up.

“We recognize that the work of building a just and truthful world remains urgent,” the statement, submitted by board chair Rev. James Woodall, said. “This moment calls for strong and courageous leaders to step forward, guided by principles and purpose.”

Once responsible for bringing in millions of dollars in donations and being credited with turning the deep-red state blue in 2020, and known via its face-to-face voter organizing strategies, Abrams called the organization’s issues “disappointing.”

The New Georgia Project’s closing, along with another Abrams-founded organization, Fair Fight, puts things in limbo ahead of state Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff seeking reelection in 2026 and the governor’s race, according to The Associated Press.

Former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running, hoping to be the state’s first Democratic leader since 1998.

The group’s vibrant purple and orange or lime green t-shirts were a familiar sight in urban Atlanta neighborhoods and rural towns. Stephanie Jackson Ali, the organization’s former policy director who was laid off in July, said the group was one of a kind.

“For progressive politics, I haven’t seen anything yet that is going to replicate the amount of outreach, door knocks, conversations that New Georgia Project was able to achieve,” Ali said.

However, other groups are working just as hard behind the scenes to ensure the Democratic Party continues to have a place in the Peach State.

Black Voters Matter co-founder Cliff Albright cautioned voters not to think that “no work can be done in the state” with the New Georgia Project’s absene, but can see why the narrative is being floated around. “What happened was people did not continue to invest in the work, post-2020, the way that they did during 2020,” Albright said. “And so we’ve started to see the results of that disinvestment.”

Barcelona Court Rules Burger King Was Justified To Fire Employees Who Hosted Off-the-Clock Parking Lot Party

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 17, 2025

Barcelona Court Rules Burger King Was Justified To Fire Employees Who Hosted Off-the-Clock Parking Lot Party

The terminated Burger King employees argued that what they do in their free time shouldn't affect their employment.

The Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia in Barcelona, Spain, ruled in favor of Burger King, which fired employees for hosting a drinking party in a parking lot during the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Rayo reported.

The high court ruled in favor of the Home of the Whopper, which argued it had the right to terminate an employee because of activities they partake in off the clock. Judges said yes—when it impacts the company.

The activity in question took place during the height of the global pandemic when a group of Burger King employees engaged in what is known in Spain as a botellón—or a drinking gathering in the street—in the parking lot of a restaurant location.

The party resulted in the employees being fired. The group argued that what they do in their free time shouldn’t affect their employment. In the beginning of the legal proceedings, one judge said the employees should be charged with serious misconduct under Article 39 of the Hospitality Labor Agreement (ALEH). However, under Article 40.2 of the same agreement, such practices were not categorized as very serious misconduct (e.g., fraud, disloyalty, or abuse of trust).

Burger King said otherwise, terminating the employees because they couldn’t trust them anymore. The party was in violation of internal rules, causing economic damage and putting the company’s reputation in harm’s way.

During the COVID pandemic, Burger King says it enforced strict health measures that the employees in question were aware of, making the misconduct more serious. Ultimately, the high court sided with the restaurant in its July 25 ruling.

In the U.S., legal experts warn that what employees do off the clock could jeopardize their employment, regardless of their level. Most recently, a viral moment at a Coldplay concert cost two high-level employees their jobs.

According to The Gazette, the men’s basketball head coach of the University of Texas, Chris Beard, was fired following his arrest due to an alleged altercation with his fiancée. Even when she scaled back on the allegations, the the university proceeded with the termination process.

Attorney Wilford H. Stone recommends that the employer investigate and confirm all facts instead of relying on social media popularity or just unconfirmed gossip, which can lead to costly legal proceedings. Some states are “at-will,” including Florida, Arizona, Iowa, and Maryland, meaning workers can be fired for almost anything. However, that doesn’t mean an employer can’t be sued.

If contracts are in place, Stone recommends that both the employer and employee’s sides be reviewed thoroughly. Several lay out a definition of “cause” for termination, highlighting guidelines that must be contractually followed before a dismissal.

by BLACK ENTERPRISE Editors

October 17, 2025

A Taste Of Tradition: Grenadian Chef Keith Le Liber On The Heart Of ‘Oil Down’

In Grenada, few dishes embody national pride like oil down.

Written by Vashell Glasgow & Sean Mitchell

Chef Keith Le Liber shares how Grenada’s national dish blends flavor, history, and community into one powerful cultural symbol. In Grenada, few dishes embody national pride like oil down—the hearty, one-pot meal that represents heritage, resilience, and togetherness. To dive deeper into the dish’s cultural roots and culinary craft, BLACK ENTERPRISE spoke with Senior Sous Chef Keith Le Liber, a proud Grenadian who has spent years perfecting the traditional recipe. In our conversation,

Le Liber explained the essential ingredients, historical origins, and communal spirit of oil down, revealing why it remains a beloved staple across the Caribbean.

BLACK ENTERPRISE: As a Grenadian chef, I can imagine you make the traditional national dish, oil down, quite often.

KEITH LE LIBER: Yes, yes, yes, we do.

What are the essential ingredients for a traditional Grenadian oil down, and are there any non-negotiable ones?

There are a few non-negotiables. You definitely have to start with the breadfruit—that’s key. Then come what we call the ground provisions like dasheen, yam, and green bananas, along with callaloo, which is very important. We use saffron-infused coconut milk and a mix of meats—chicken, pigtails, smoked meat, and saltfish—to give it that unique combination of flavors. It’s what we call a one-pot dish.

So, there’s a traditional way you assemble the pot?

Yes—there’s a specific way to pack it. Once everything’s layered, you cover it and let it cook. It’s one of those dishes you don’t stir. Everything is sealed and left to do its thing.

From those ingredients, which would you say are absolutely non-negotiable?

The breadfruit, the callaloo, the coconut-infused saffron milk, and the pigtail—most people will tell you those are non-negotiable. But you can adjust for vegetarians by adding beans, or use saltfish for pescatarians. Some people even throw crab in there. You can vary it, but the core elements stay the same.

You mentioned breadfruit first. Can you explain its significance?

Breadfruit is traditional to Grenada and the wider Caribbean—it’s a staple. It’s incredibly versatile: breadfruit salad, fried breadfruit, roasted, steamed—you name it.

Historically, it’s been a vital food source when in season. It shows up everywhere—oil down, side dishes, snacks. It’s central to our culture.

What’s the secret to getting that perfect, slightly oily finish without the dish being greasy?

Despite the name, oil down, no oil is added. The richness comes from the meats and the coconut milk. When everything cooks together, it creates a thick, flavorful sauce that coats the ingredients. People assume it’s greasy, but it’s not. The “oil” refers to the way the coconut milk cooks down and gives that smooth texture—no actual oil floating on top.

What’s your favorite part of making oil down? What memories does it bring up for you?

My favorite part is seeing the joy it brings. When family, friends, or guests taste it and smile—that’s priceless. It’s a dish that connects people. Historically, oil down was created during slavery, when plantation cooks combined what they had into one pot. It became a communal dish. Even today, it’s the same. You’ll see people making oil down on the beach, over a wood fire, drinking rum, playing music—it’s a celebration. You might start alone, but by the time the pot’s done, you’ve got a crowd. It’s more than food—it’s culture, memory, and togetherness in one dish.

That’s beautiful—and so true. I noticed that when I visited Grenada, oil down always brought people together.

Absolutely. It’s one of those dishes you have to have at least once a week! It embodies who we are as Grenadians—warm, communal, and proud of our traditions.

Thank you so much, Chef Le Liber, for sharing your time and passion today.

Thank you very much—and don’t forget, as we say now, “You have to grease it down!”

by Jameelah Mullen

October 17, 2025

Coming To America: Tyra Banks Launches Hot Mama Ice Cream In The U.S.

Tyra Banks is coming in hot.

Tyra Banks is bringing her “Hot Mama” hot ice cream to the United States, and the internet is buzzing.

The supermodel partnered with SMiZE & Dream Ice Cream to launch the product in Australia in late September, offering an unexpected twist on traditional ice cream. Hot Mama is served warm and designed to be sipped rather than scooped. After winning over Australia, the unique desert is headed to New York City. Banks noted that she aims to offer the creamy confection in multiple high-traffic locations across New York City, including hotels, department stores, museums, and cafés.

The dessert’s creamy texture and unusual temperature left social media followers both confused and intrigued.

“Introducing… the world’s first HOT ice cream experience.

Not a latte. Not a hot chocolate. But your favorite scoops, transformed into liquid, hot ice cream—Sippable, baby. After countless rounds in Tyra’s R&D kitchen, we nailed it – the texture, the mouthfeel, a whole new way to experience ice cream,” Banks wrote on Instagram.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SMiZE & DREAM (@smizeanddream)

“I’m still confused, do you drink it or eat it,” one fan asked.

“Are you talking about a milkshake, but a hot version?” someone questioned.

But some fans were excited about the unusual ice cream.

“This is actually genius because sometimes I let my ice cream melt so I can just drink it. I could imagine hot would be sooooo good,” an Instagrammer wrote.

The Coyote Ugly star addressed perplexed fans in another social media post announcing the New York Launch of the product.

“What even is Hot Mama? A dessert? A hot milkshake? Tyra’s cray-cray in a couture cup? Who the hell knows? But guess what: she’s coming to NYC this winter,” the supermodel mom wrote.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by SMiZE & DREAM (@smizeanddream)

“She’s hot. She’s got a cold twin. She’s confusing a lot of people… and we love it.” Banks quipped.
The America’s Top Model creator revealed that the product’s reception has exceeded her expectations.

“People have been hitting us up nonstop,” she said. “My friends, fans, countless journalists in our SMiZE DMs—everyone wants to know when they can try it,” Banks said in the release obtained by Parade.

Fans in the U.S. can expect some of the same flavors that debuted in Australia, such as pecan and caramel butter or buttery vanilla biscuit, but Banks noted they are keeping new ones under wraps for now.

Banks and her team have yet to reveal the specific launch dates and locations for Hot Mama hot ice cream in New York City, but fans can stay updated on SmiZe and Dream’s social media pages.

Whoopi Goldberg, NY Mayor, lawsuit, cannabis

by Jeroslyn JoVonn

October 17, 2025

Whoopi Goldberg Urges Congress To Forgo Pay Until Government Shutdown Ends

'Until this affects you the way it’s affecting your constituents, y’all are not going to settle this.'

Whoopi Goldberg is urging members of Congress to refuse their paychecks until the government shutdown is brought to an end.

During the Oct. 15 Hot Topics segment of The View, Goldberg and her co-hosts praised major media outlets for their almost unified refusal to sign the Pentagon’s new press coverage requirements. Goldberg said seeing both left- and right-leaning outlets reject the rules introduced by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shows that “the press is recognizing they are stronger together.”

The move prompted Goldberg to take her stance a bit further by encouraging the House of Representatives and the Senate to opt out of their salaries as the government shutdown continues.

MAJOR NETWORKS WON’T SIGN PENTAGON PRESS POLICY: 'The View' co-hosts weigh in on the joint statement issued from ABC News, CBS News, CNN, Fox News Media and NBC News declaring the new Pentagon policy is without precedent and threatens core journalistic protections. pic.twitter.com/6NhqgSb8FE
— The View (@TheView) October 15, 2025

The EGOT winner’s remarks were met with enthusiastic applause from the studio audience and the full agreement of her co-hosts.

“Because…until this affects you the way it’s affecting your constituents, y’all are not going to settle this. So as an American, I am asking that you not take a salary until you settle this,” she concluded.

As of Oct. 17, the U.S. government has been shut down for 17 days due to Congress’ failure to pass funding legislation for 2026. The shutdown has halted pay for roughly 2 million federal workers and furloughed another 750,000.

Public frustration continues to grow as lawmakers collect six-figure salaries ($174,000 for party leaders; $224,000 for the Speaker of the House) and face criticism for being paid while government operations remain stalled.

study, bodyca, police, DOJ, study, Derek Chauvin, Body Cam Video

by Sharelle B. McNair

October 17, 2025

Judge Pushes For Chicago ICE Agents To Wear Body Cameras Amid ‘Concerning’ Clashes With Public

After ordering ICE agents to wear badges and not seeing it down, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said she is concerned on her orders not being followed.

As U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents continue to roam the streets of Chicago, a federal judge is asking them to wear body cameras after seeing concerning videos floating on social media, Associated Press reports.

Highlighting being a “little startled” by graphic videos of ICE agents battling residents on television and social media, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis said she will require officers in the Chicago area to wear body cameras. Some of the confrontations include residents being chased, tackled, and attacked with tear gas amid President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown. “I live in Chicago, if folks haven’t noticed,” Ellis said.

“And I’m not blind, right?”

In addition to the body camera order, Ellis is calling for Chicago U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Field Office Director Russell Hott, according to ABC 7 Chicago, to testify before the court in mid-October 2025 to discuss “Operation Midway Blitz”, resulting in over 1,000 arrests. “I am profoundly concerned with what has been happening over the last week since I entered this order,” Ellis said, pressing Hott to answer questions regarding how many agents are equipped and trained on when to activate body cams.

Specific incidents are what caught Ellis’ eye, including federal agents pursuing and crashing into a vehicle on the Southeast Side. “There’s a reason that the Chicago Police Department has policies about car chases and where they occur, when they need to stop,” Ellis said.

“We are in an urban, densely populated area where crowds are going to converge when there’s a commotion.”

Trump has insisted that Windy City residents are pleading with him for military and National Guard assistance amid claims of high crime due to an influx of illegal immigrants. “And the people of Chicago are walking around with MAGA hats. You have women, beautiful Black women walking around with MAGA hats,” he said during a speech from the White House.

“Please let the President in and we don’t care how he does it. They’re not interested in the National Guard, or Army, Navy…bring ’em in. Bring in the Marines. They just want the crime to stop.”

https://twitter.com/CalltoActivism/status/1978566016771780758

But moves from Chicago’s Mayor Brandon Johnson say otherwise. Inciting “ICE Free Zones,” Johnson signed an executive order limiting federal immigration agents from staging enforcement actions in schools, libraries, parks, and various city-owned spaces.

Homeland Security Attorney Sean Skedzieiewski pushed back on the judge’s claims, saying she doesn’t have all the facts straight and that she shouldn’t believe her own eyes, saying that some incident reports are inaccurate. He also added that not all the agents have been instructed to use their body cameras in some areas, like the Chicago Area of Responsibility.

To help rectify the situation, Ellis believes cameras would provide evidence to support how agents are handling confrontations with protesters and alleged immigrants. Just days before her body camera order, she mandated that agents must wear badges and banned them from using specific riot control techniques against peaceful protesters and journalists, but she noticed some orders aren’t being adhered to. “I’m having concerns about my order being followed,” the judge said.

by Cedric 'BIG CED' Thornton

October 17, 2025

DMX’s Uncle Says Associates and Friends Neglected To Help Pay For Rapper’s Funeral

DMX's uncle, Uncle Ray said, 'Everybody put out statements, hashtags, and tributes. But when it came time to actually do something… silence.'

Details have recently emerged revealing that the rapper’s associates did not cover the funeral costs for Yonkers recording artist DMX but were instead paid through the efforts of DMX’s longtime manager and uncle, Ray Copeland, known in the industry as Uncle Ray.

In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop, Uncle Ray stated that when it came time to pay funeral costs, none of the bigger artists who claimed to be friends, nor the labels (Def Jam, Ruff Ryders), reached into their pockets to contribute. He said he had to get it from friends who were able to put up $150,000 to organize the rapper’s service in 2021.

“When it was time to bury X, I was on the phone with everybody, Ruff Ryders, Swizz Beatz, Steve Rifkind, Def Jam,” Uncle Ray told the media outlet. “I told them what it was going to cost. Everybody said, ‘I ain’t got it.’ So I hung up the phone and said, ‘Forget it. I’ll put this together myself.’”

The service was held at the Barclays Center in downtown Brooklyn. He credited business associate Germaine Miller and attorney Ron Sweeney for the money to pay for the beloved rapper’s homegoing celebration.

“If it were not for Germaine Miller, I would have never buried my nephew financially. She put all the money up for the funeral –- all $150,000,” Copeland stated in a text message.

He did admit that Def Jam later came through and gave him $35,000, but they informed the media that they paid for the funeral. He then stated that Ye (formerly known as Kanye West) “took care of everything at the Barclays Center.”

Uncle Ray said he initially was going to have a private funeral in Bronxville, New York, before family members convinced him that the public needed to say goodbye to the It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot lyricist.

“I almost did it right there in Bronxville,” Uncle Ray said. “I had all the family together. But they told me, ‘Ray, you can’t do that. The public needs to say goodbye.’ So I finished it out.”

He expressed disappointment in so-called friends and business associates for not coming through when the family needed them.

“Everybody put out statements, hashtags, and tributes,” he said. “But when it came time to actually do something… silence.”

The 50-year-old DMX died April 9, 2021, at White Plains Hospital in New York, a week after suffering a heart attack.