Redman Reveals Getting $250K Publishing Check After Being Featured On A Christina Aguilera Song
'I couldn’t believe I got that much money for one verse. It was like over $250K, my first check.'
New Jersey native Reggie Noble, known to the world as recording artist Redman, recently appeared in a video clip and revealed that dropping one verse earned him a publishing check of over a quarter of a million dollars.
According to Billboard, during an interview for Red Bull Spiral, the “Time 4 Sum Aksion” emcee discussed getting a check for over $250,000 for appearing on a verse on Christina Aguilera’s “Dirrty” single in 2002. The song was nominated for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the 2003 Grammy Awards.
Showing enthusiasm, Redman tells the interviewer about what he deems “one of” his “favorite collabs.” He talks about how the collaboration came about and the results of the song he was featured on.
“Christina is like one of my favorite collabs because I did a song called ‘Let’s Get Dirty’ featuring DJ Kool— what up, Uncle Kool? And she liked that, so he made an R&B-pop version of that record. So I got on the record, and after that, that s**t took off. We was everywhere, bro. She brought me on tour, we was overseas.”
He then details receiving that nice check, the first check for that particular song, and how it was a six-figure check. Although he gives the wrong title of the album (he states the single as the album title, but the album was named ‘Stripped’), he acknowledges finding out how a pop artist moves as opposed to a hip-hop one.
“That album ‘Dirty’ was one of her biggest albums. And we was everywhere and I got to actually see how a pop artist shake and moves through this industry, and it’s another level than hip-hop. And plus, my publishing check, Oh my God! My publishing check, n**ga? Was…. I couldn’t believe I got that much money for one verse. It was like over $250K, my first check.”
Redman reveals that Christina Aguilera was one of his favorite collaborations and says he couldn’t believe he was paid over $250,000 from his first publishing check for their song “Dirrty,” all for just one verse.
Eddie George Leads Tennessee State University To First Conference Title In 25 Years
Tennessee State is back in the NCAA FCS Playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Former NFL player Eddie George pulled off a feat that hasn’t been done in 25 years. The head coach of the Tennessee State University football team has led them into the playoffs after capturing the title of Ohio Valley Conference champions. The Tigers have not won the conference title since 1999.
According to TSUTigers.com, the team won the conference after defeating No. 11-ranked Southeast Missouri, 28-21, on Nov. 23 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. The victory gives the Tigers a 9-3 record and 6-2 in their division. With the loss, it places Southeast Missouri with the same record.
With the latest victory, Tennessee State is back in the NCAA FCS (NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision) Playoffs. This is their first time back in the FCS playoffs since 2013. This season marks the 25th anniversary of the school’s last championship season, as they went undefeated (7-0) in conference play.
This will be the first time that the teams will play each other. The winner will advance to play the No. 3 seed, South Dakota State.
The former Tennessee Titans running back has brought the team back to a winning formula since being named the head football coach at Tennessee State University when he replaced Rod Reed in 2021.
Two months ago, George spoke about the progress the team was making despite the recent changes that not only affected the team but the university as well. The school experienced several changes since he was named to the head coaching position. A new school board was implemented this year after Tennessee State University was overwhelmed with underfunding from the state, multiple audits, housing, and scholarship mismanagement. In June, Ronald A. Johnson was named interim president.
“It’s been a big challenge both on and off the football field,” George told The Tennessean. “Trying to impact the lives of young men while also trying to win games but also trying to change the narrative around Tennessee State as a whole.”
Now, the team is primed to advance further in the FCS Playoffs.
Prairie View A&M University Does Not Renew Contract With Head Coach Bubba McDowell
The team decides to go in another direction a year after winning conference title last season
Former NFL player turned college head coach Leonard “Bubba” McDowell will no longer coach the Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) football team.
The athletic director announced that Bubba was leaving the position after Prairie View A&M University decided not to renew his contract. The former Houston Oilers player had been the head coach since 2022.
PVAMU Athletic Director Anton Goff released a statement thanking Bubba for his professionalism while directing the team for the past three seasons. “Coach McDowell’s commitment to helping our student-athletes succeed in life both personally and professionally is admirable and a true reflection of his character,” he said in a written statement.
Goff mentioned that they would begin the search for someone to replace him on the football field immediately. Assistant head coach Ashton Green will take over the position until a replacement is found.
HBCU Legends reported that Bubba told the media outlet that his departure is “the nature of the business.”
According to HBCU Game Day, the coach did lead the team to the SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference) West Conference Title last season, but having a bad season this year did him in. In three seasons as PVAMU head coach, his record was 17-17 with a 14-9 record in SWAC play. The team had a 5-7 record this past season, the worst record under the now-former coach. Bubba, who also played with the Carolina Panthers during his time in the NFL, played his collegiate career with the University of Miami (he helped the team win the NCAA National Championship as a starter on the undefeated team in 1987). After his time in the NFL, he became a long-time assistant at Prairie View A&M University before taking over the head coaching position when former head coach Eric Dooley left the school to coach at Southern University.
Rep. Ayanna Pressley Reminds GOP Lawmakers To ‘Keep MLK’s Name Out Of Your Mouths’ Over Anti-DEI Bill
How many reminders do they need?
Massachusetts Democratic Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley expressed her criticism over the name placement of civil rights activist Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in the Republican-sponsored bill, “Dismantling DEI Act,” which would weaken DEI initiatives in government, Fox News reports.
Pressley ripped the legislation during a House Oversight Committee hearing on Nov. 20, labeling the bill an “utter disgrace.” She summarized the bill’s provision as banning anything that acknowledges racism but, later on, does the opposite by addressing the presence of reverse racism. Pressley continued by chastising GOP members’ misuse of King’s words when his children have asked them to stop. “And I’d also like to take a personal note of privilege to say please keep Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s name out of your mouths. Your perversion of his words and his mission when his children have asked you to stop invoking his name and perverting his work when he was a proud and unapologetic Black man fighting for equality for Black Americans and all marginalized people,” she said.
“So you all are entitled to your opinions but not a denial of the facts.”
Republicans’ “anti-DEI” bill is a disgrace.
On one hand, it says that racism doesn't exist. On the other hand, it says there’s rampant “reverse racism."
This is the unserious work of the Republican Party.
The goal of the bill, created by Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), is to eliminate DEI offices in the federal government, end DEI requirements for federal contractors and grant applicants, and give supervision to guarantee tax dollars don’t go toward race-based policies and other “divisive initiatives.” Cloud feels DEI “undermines the progress we’ve made,” listing hard-fought battles — including the Civil War — the ending of slavery, and more as examples of ways “Americans worked tirelessly to right the wrongs of discrimination.”
The progressive “squad” member schooled her colleagues on the history of racism in the United States, going back to verbiage within the original Constitution. “Do you all know your history? Do you know American history? The original Constitution counted enslaved individuals as three-fifths of a person. During World War II, the federal government forcibly relocated and incarcerated 110,000 Japanese Americans,” Pressley reminded legislators.
“The FHA practiced redlining in the 1930s and 60s to deny mortgages to Black Americans, which is why we have a racial wealth gap today.”
Play Pits: Black-Owned Deodorant Brand Started In The Kitchen Is Now Sold In Target
Chantel Powell created Play Pits so parents wouldn’t have to settle for harmful ingredients.
Out of the mouths of babies often comes wisdom. For Chantel Powell, the wisdom to create Play Pits came from her then-six-year-old son, Kam, who was adamant about sharing her homemade deodorant with the rest of the kids at his summer camp. Powell made a kid-friendly deodorant after a firsthand experience with Kam.
“He came in the car smelling like a grown man,” she jokingly confirms to BLACK ENTERPRISE.
She began searching for a product she could give her active middle child. As someone with hand Eczema, Powell has been forced to be conscious of product ingredients to avoid irritating her hands. There was nothing on the market Powell felt comfortable putting on Kam’s body, so she created her own.
“I didn’t want to put toxic antiperspirants on him with all these different harsh ingredients, and the natural deodorants were boring,” said Powell.
Play Pits, a deodorant for children, was made in the kitchen with remedies Powell’s grandmother taught her so parents wouldn’t have to settle for harmful ingredients and products that barely worked.
A Fire Almost Destroyed The Business. Out of the Ashes, A Rebirth To Something Bigger
Powell received a call at 3 a.m. in September 2022 that singlehandedly changed everything with Play Pits. Between 2020 and 2021, the business grew 500%. By then, Powell had relocated to Atlanta from Maryland. She also moved into a warehouse to keep up with the demand, including the demand for Target Stores. Two years after moving into the warehouse, her neighbor called to tell her it was on fire.
“Me and my husband got up, no words and drove down. My body was calm, but my heart was racing. I could see the fire off the highway,” she recalled. “I lost everything.”
The loss included equipment she practically started with. The fire damaged 7,000 units, all of her fragrances, raw goods, and an $11,000 machine that made the deodorants. Even more devastating, she had to lay off some of her employees.
Powell, a faithful woman, tells BE that God told her that the fire would be just a part of their story and wouldn’t be the end. Still, it was a tough time for the mom of three who had given her all to the business, even quitting her full-time job in the entertainment industry. The most challenging part about the fire is that insurance didn’t fully cover the damages.
“Everyone kept saying, ‘Make sure you have high liability,’ so I had to have a certain level of liability. But nobody said, ‘Chantel, have you checked your property damage insurance?’”
The insurance company barely paid a fraction of what was lost. Then, if that wasn’t enough to bear, the insurance company dropped the business from the policy even though the fire wasn’t its fault. Insurance more than quadrupled for the Play Pits.
Two years after the fire, the business is still recovering. Yet, amid the challenges, Powell is pushing through. She has built relationships and partnerships with youth sports organizations in the community and expanded her products to adults who love them, too.
“Everything that could go wrong went wrong after that fire,” says Powell. “When people see the success of Play Pits [or] when they walk in Target and see Play Pits on the shelves, people just see the product. I see the obstacles. I see the challenges that I’ve overcome.”
Bigger Than Smelling Good. Play Pits Is Inspiring The Next Generation of Black CEOs
Customer service and giving back are the core of her brand, especially to the ones who continue to inspire her the most: children.
She says what sets her apart from other brands, other than providing parents with peace of mind for the clean ingredients she uses, is that she treats every customer with care as if they’re a member of her own family. Listening to children about what they want is also vital for Powell, so she ensures they have a seat at the adult table and meets them at the kids’ table.
“What makes us different and will continue to make us different is my ability to be in touch with my customers. I will sit on the floor with the kids at a round table. I don’t ever want to feel far removed from why I am here,” she says. “Kids have always been the center of it all.”
Powell doesn’t take her position as a Black woman CEO lightly. Growing up, the CEOs in her classrooms didn’t look like her. Part of her work in giving back to the community is also about showing up as her authentic self and being the representation to inspire the next generation.
“I know what it means when I walk into a classroom full of African American kids, and they see me walking in with Jordans, a t-shirt, and some jeans, and I say, ‘I’m a CEO,’” says Powell. “When I was a little girl, a CEO was a white man with a suit on, and it didn’t feel obtainable […] I’ve taken the path of continuing to do the work within the community.”
Former NY State Assemblyman Michael Blake Enters The Race For NYC Mayor
Move over, Mayor Adams!
Former New York State Assemblyman and Obama administration member Michael Blake has entered the race to unseat troubled New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
Blake is the seventh candidate to step into the ring to challenge Adams, who, ahead of his 2025 re-election campaign, is dealing with an indictment on federal corruption charges. The former vice chair of the Democratic National Committee launched his campaign on Nov. 22, pushing a robust agenda to uplift the middle class with his slogan, “Tomorrow begins today.” During his first public interview, Blake highlighted how his campaign will tackle the rising costs of living in the Big Apple and issues on quality of life. “New Yorkers clearly do not feel that their lives are getting better under his administration,” the 41-year-old said.
“Whether it be loss of funds in their pocket or loss of hope and trust, it is hard to see how the city moves forward given the current mayor.”
Like Adams, Blake has deep roots in the city, raised by Jamaican immigrants in the Bronx and attending NYC public schools. Out of the seven mayoral candidates, Blake feels he is more left than others, including former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, who is rumored to enter the race in the coming months. By implementing progressive and moderate policies, Blake views himself as a “responsible leader who is finding solutions in the middle.”
State assemblyman from Brooklyn, Brian Cunningham, agreed with the compliment, adding that Blake would be an ideal candidate for the job as he has made “meaningful investments in underserved communities.”
“He understands how to lift everyone around him,” Cunningham said.
According to NY Amsterdam News, the former sports journalist served in the White House under many titles during his tenure with the Obama administration. In 2012, he worked as the associate director of public engagement, deputy associate director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, and national deputy operation vote director. His mayoral campaign is not the first time he has dabbled in New York politics. During the 2019 general election cycle, Blake unsuccessfully ran for public advocate of NYC but lost to incumbent Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
The founder and CEO of the KAIROS: Democracy Project said that the running aim is to better the city’s residents. Outside of legislation, Blake thinks “prayer” is the best way to move forward.
“Prayer is a conversation with the Lord. It’s really about what is best for the city and if it can be a vessel to help in some way, and at the end of the day, if that answer is yes, then it’s on the people to decide,” he said.
“But first and foremost, you pray for the city, and you pray for the people. You don’t pray for yourself.”
If Adams resigns amid controversy, Williams would become the interim mayor, leading to a rematch between Williams and Blake.
‘Power’ Actor Michael Rainey Jr. Launches Financial Literacy Initiative
Rainey Jr. hopes to build greater financial futures for the next generation in Staten Island, New York.
Michael Rainey Jr., the actor known for his role on “Power” and its spinoff, has launched a financial literacy initiative in his hometown of Staten Island, New York.
Rainey Jr. started the “Educate a Student. Protect Yourself” initiative in partnership with The Restoring America Recovery Education (R.A.R.E) Foundation and Equifax. The $2.4 million charitable venture will help the youth in the New York City borough learn the tools and resources needed for financial empowerment.
To celebrate the program’s launch, Rainey Jr. held an event at Port Richmond High School in November. There, he spoke of his own journey with financial literacy.
He also encouraged the school’s senior class to make smart financial decisions as they enter the next phase of life and gave one piece of advice to the audience.
“If I was these kids coming from this exact room…,” began Rainey Jr. “The first thing I would do is go home and ask my parents what their credit score is. And then, as time goes on, you become an authorized user on their [credit card] and start building your own [score].”
Building one’s credit early is a clear key toward financial empowerment for the 24-year-old actor. Now, he hopes to build greater financial futures for the next generation in Staten Island.
Through the initiative, participants will learn more about money management, credit, and identity protection. The R.A.R.E. Foundation also specializes in financial recovery. The nonprofit pledged to sponsor 250,000 students alongside Rainey Jr. and Equifax with the knowledge needed to avoid identity theft.
Donors and students will get one year of Equifax Complete Premier to monitor their credit and identity. They will also receive two e-books, “The Power of Credit” and “Who Stole My Identity?” The latter was written by 7-year-old financial literacy advocate Preston “Kid Kredit” Luzunaris. Both focus on ways to safely navigate building one’s credit.
Moreover, a 12-course digital financial literacy curriculum will be available alongside a free credit consultation.
Bishop TD Jakes In ‘Stable’ Condition After Experiencing ‘Health Incident’ While Preaching
Jakes, who leads The Potter's House Church in Dallas, appeared to stop speaking during his Sunday sermon.
Bishop TD Jakes is in stable condition after he experienced a health scare while preaching a sermon on Nov. 24.
Jakes, who leads The Potter’s House Church in Dallas, appeared to stop speaking during his Sunday sermon. The famed 67-year-old pastor was seen lowering his microphone and pausing, alarming churchgoers as Jakes did not continue preaching. The footage also concerned social media users as the ordeal went public. The NeighborhoodTalk re-shared the clip.
After the medical emergency made rounds on social media, the Potter’s House released a statement on Jake’s condition. The Dallas-based church informed the public that Jake remains “stable” and receives medical attention for the “slight health incident” onstage.
“During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour-long message,” wrote the megachurch in a shared post. “Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals. The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community.”
Jakes founded the nondenominational Christian church in 1996, still serving as its Senior pastor. According to its website, the megachurch boasts a 5,000-seat auditorium on its 34-acre campus, with over 30,000 members under its domain.
Moreover, the acclaimed speaker has become a world-renowned preacher since starting the church. He has been influential to numerous leaders, including Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, who selected the pastor to lead the morning prayer service ahead of his 2009 inauguration.
Jakes has also released multiple albums and writings, including his famous self-help novel “Women Who Thou Art Loosed.” The story was adapted into a stage play by Tyler Perry and a film released in 2004.
As for Jake’s main job, it remains unclear when he will return to the pulpit or what he experienced during the incident.
Mielle Organics Founder Claims Influencer Got Paid To Spread Lies About Her Haircare Products
The company's Founder and CEO Monique Rodriguez explained the "very important message" on Instagram Live.
The founder of Mielle Organics claims that recent controversies over her haircare brand were prompted by an influencer getting paid to spread lies about its products.
The company’s founder and CEO, Monique Rodriguez, explained the “very important message” on Instagram Live. She detailed how a competitor brand paid an influencer to promote their products. While in the partnership, a creator went viral after spewing allegedly untrue claims about Mielle’s popular Rosemary and Mint Hair Oil in September. TheShadeRoom reposted footage of Rodriguez’s claims of sabotage.
“As many of you have seen, Mielle has been buzzing in the media lately… but here’s the thing: we recently discovered that the original TikToker creator who sparked all of those rumors about Mielle products causing hair loss and falsely claiming that the Rosemary Mint Oil formula has changed, that creator has been paid by one of our competitors,” Rodriguez explained.
According to Rodriguez, her team discovered that the influencer, Danesha Mo’nek, earned a commission. The CEO asserted that Mo’nek sparked the controversy to boost sales for the competitor and earn more money herself.
“This creator was earning a commission to promote a competitor’s products while spreading misinformation about our products for their own personal gain. Unfortunately, some who joined in on those conversations seemed to have ulterior motives as well,” revealed Rodriguez.
Rodriguez first addressed the scandal that same month, in which Mo’nek asserted that the hair oil causes hair loss. Fellow TikTokers also expressed similar stories of damage. Following the backlash, Rodriguez assured customers that its product quality never wavered.
However, Rodriguez decided to announce this latest update for “transparen[cy].” She spoke on Mo’nek, stating the beauty expert has since had her videos removed from TikTok. However, the controversies that stained the popular natural haircare brand remain across social media.
“It has reached a point where I feel it’s important to be transparent with you all,” explained the entrepreneur. “So, just to let you know, the originator of those false videos has since been removed.”
Queen Latifah Shares How Her Queen Collective Creates Growth In Hollywood Through Inclusivity
Queen Latifah shares how her Queen Collective initiative creates lasting opportunities for emerging directors from diverse backgrounds.
In the six years since Queen Latifah launched her Queen Collective initiative with Procter & Gamble, the program has provided over 300 jobs to emerging directors, more than 60% of whom are people of color.
On Friday, Nov. 14, the award-winning multihyphenate participated in an in-depth discussion at the 2024 ADCOLOR Conference, moderated by Jeroslyn JoVonn of Black Enterprise. She was joined by Eric Austin, VP of Marketing & Media Innovation at P&G, and Angelica Matthews, Brand Vice President at P&G, to talk about how the Queen Collective is fostering opportunities, visibility, and economic empowerment for diverse emerging directors.
Launched in 2018, the Queen Collective was created to increase the gender and racial equality of film directors in entertainment and advertising. The platform’s ability to reflect diverse audiences and authentic stories allows brands to reach and resonate with all consumer groups.
“Directors are decision-makers who build crews and talent rosters,” Queen Latifah explained during the panel. “And by widening opportunities for Black directors with programs like Queen Collective we will open the door to a generation of diverse creators.”
As part of its commitment to inclusivity in the entertainment industry, P&G launched the Widen The Screen initiative. With support from the Queen Collective talent pool, the initiative aims to expand the multicultural media ecosystem, enabling more effective engagement with diverse audiences. The program was developed to address significant gaps in Black creator representation–on-screen and behind the camera.
Less than 6% of writers, directors, and producers in American-made films are Black. P&G discovered that two-thirds of Black individuals feel their culture and identities are not accurately or authentically represented on screen. Furthermore, Black-owned media previously accounted for less than 2% of all U.S. media spending.
Yiva Erevall for AdColor 2024, California, Inclusivity, JW Marriott, Los Angeles, Main Stage, P&G
“That’s why in 2021 we’ve created “Widen the Screen” –-an expansive content creation, talent development, and partnership platform that celebrates creativity with an accurate portrayal of the Black Experience,” Austin said.
“It also enables the increased representation of diverse creators across the advertising, film, and media industry. It expands the multicultural media ecosystem so that we can reach diverse consumers with greater effectiveness. If we do this right, it represents a $10B opportunity for our business.”
Austin continued, “As we Widen The Screen, we Widen Our View and our reach by broadening the spectrum of the images we see, the voices we hear, the stories we tell, and the consumers we need to understand fully. “
He emphasized the success of Old Spice’s ad campaign featuring comedian Deon Cole, which significantly boosted the brand’s awareness and relatability among a broad audience, extending beyond the Black community. This achievement was driven by a Black female director—an opportunity that might not have existed without her presence in the creative process.
“The Queen Collective, as our signature program, is such a shining example of this as the initiative provides access and creates mentorship for Black and women of color to share their gifts and expand their creative footprints,” Austin said.
Queen Latifah shared her passion for being hands-on with Queen Collective directors, allowing them access on the set of her hit show The Equalizer, taking them to award shows like the NAACP Image Awards, and even to film festivals like Sundance and Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival.
“I do this because I see the talent and you also never know when one of these directors becomes my boss one day,” she shared.
Steven Matthews for AdColor 2024, California, Inclusivity, JW Marriott, Los Angeles, Main Stage, P&G
P&G’s amplification of the Queen Collective goes even further, with leaders like Matthews creating a mentorship program that transitions Queen Collective directors into the advertising industry, placing them as directors of record for major agencies. In its second year, the program expanded to provide “Shadowship” opportunities to HBCU students.
“Similar to the Director Shadowship program, this is aimed to give HBCU students an opportunity to learn about developing content to support large brand activations,” Matthews said.
As the country sees the drawback of many DEI efforts launched in the aftermath of 2020, Queen Latifah, Austin, and Matthews are hopeful that their work with the Queen Collective at P&G can serve as a changemaker for more major brands to see the value in hiring diverse talent.
“I’ve been in this industry for a long time and have been lucky enough to be a part of a lot of film and TV projects,” Queen Latifah said. “So I can tell you that when a director or writer or showrunner authentically knows the communities they’re trying to reach – it changes everything.”
