THIS IS THE CHRONICLES OF EFREM: The Daily Buzz For May 18

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Ta-Nehisi Coates’ ‘Black Panther #1’ is 2016’s Best Selling Comic

*Marvel Comics’ Black Panther No. 1, penned by writer Ta-Nehisi Coates, sold 253,259 issues in its first month to become 2016’s best selling comic to date.

Black Panther, Coates’ re-imaging of the first mainstream black superhero, just dethroned an issue of Star Wars: Poe Dameron, which sold 175,000 copies.

The issue has drawn rave reviews, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The character – a prince from the fictional African nation of Wakanda – is suddenly everywhere. In addition to celebrating his 50th anniversary, Black Panther made his film debut in “Captain America: Civil War,” currently in theaters. Earlier this year, Coates won the National Book Award for his memoir Between the World and Me and was awarded a MacArthur “genius” grant.

A solo Black Panther film is set for July 6, 2018.

VOTE 2016 Bernie gets Oregon and Hillary eked out a win in Kentucky!

Hillary Clinton got soundly defeated by Bernie Sanders in Oregon Tuesday night after she eked out a razor-thin victory in Kentucky.

With 99 percent of the vote counted in the Bluegrass State, Clinton was ahead by less than one-half of one percentage point — leading Alison Lundergan Grimes, chair of the Kentucky State Board of Elections, to declare that the lead would hold up.
Hours later in Oregon, several media outlets projected Sanders the easy winner there as he stormed ahead, 53 to 47 percent with 61 percent of the votes counted.
Although former Clinton has a virtually insurmountable lead in total delegates, she was hoping to turn the tide of several recent losses to Sanders with a momentum-building big night.

It was Sanders, though, who spoke like the victor. “Don’t tell Secretary Clinton. She might get nervous. I think we’re going to win here in California,” he said at a rally in Carson, Calif., predicting victory in the state’s June 7 primary.
He also demanded that the Democratic Party be more open.

“The Democratic Party is going to have to make a very, very profound and important decision. It can do the right thing and open its doors and welcome into the party people who are prepared to fight for real economic and social change,” he said.
Clinton, meanwhile, tweeted her thanks to “everyone who turned out” and gave her a victory in Kentucky.
She added, “We’re always stronger united.”
Clinton holds a commanding lead of nearly 300 pledged delegates over Sanders and a dominant advantage among party officials and elected leaders known as superdelegates.The outcomes in Kentucky and Oregon are not expected to change that, as Sanders picked up an estimated 53 delegates Tuesday while Clinton picked up 49.

Meanwhile, presumptive nominee Donald Trump won the GOP’s Oregon primary the only one of the night for the Republicans.

He took 70 percent of the vote.

#RHOA: Oh? NeNe is trying to have Porsha FIRED from R.H.o.A?

The drama continues for some of the ladies of The Real Housewives of Atlanta months after cameras stopped rolling for season eight.

While fans await the highly anticipated ninth season, NeNe Leakes found herself in somewhat of a feud with her co-star, Porsha Williams.

It all started when rumors swirled that Leakes was trying to get Williams kicked off the show. Leakes didn’t take long to not only shut down those rumors, but call out Dish Nation, the pop culture television series that Williams co-hosts. The show even had viewers vote on whether they believe Leakes wants Williams off the series.

While fans await the highly anticipated ninth season, NeNe Leakes found herself in somewhat of a feud with her co-star, Porsha Williams.

She fired back and tweeted Sunday, “Y’all so WACK! I know u wish I cared but I don’t. Go get yo ratings somewhere else & stop using my name…Put some RESPECK on my name! I get money! Not beefs…”

She also added in another tweet that she is “too busy” to care about the “rumor” mill.

As for the speculation, one insider told OK! Magazine, “I think there’s a little truth to it,” when it came to reports that Leakes is fighting with some of the ladies about whether Williams should return.

Still, they added that Leakes might not hold the weight she used to and that Williams could have more of say of if she stays or goes.

“[Williams] brings drama to the show and ‘Dish Nation’ ratings are through the roof with her. I don’t know if Bravo will get rid of her or if NeNE has that type of power she once did on the show.”

#EMPIRE: Bryshere 'Yazz' Grey wants to Flex his ABS for YOU!

“Empire” actor and Hip Hop star Bryshere “Yazz” Gray trekked it to his hometown to perform at the “Walk Against Hate” rally held at the Philadelphia Navy Yard over the weekend.

While temperatures were pretty low in Philly this weekend, Yazz was sure to heat things up. He had the ladies going wild pulling up his shirt to show off his washboard abs during his set.

We see you Yazz!

If you haven't heard, Yazz has joined the cast of the upcoming New Edition biopic, along with LaLa Anthony and Monica Calhoun, that is currently in production. He's set to portray Michael Bivins.

Check out a few clips from his SnapChat HERE

New Music Video: Justin Timberlake – CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!

Justin Timberlake has even more to celebrate now. Following the news of his brand new single “CAN’T STOP THE FEELING!” debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, the singer has premiered the official, fun-filled music video.

From a barbershop to a laundromat to the famed Randy’s Donuts, people of all ages and races just ‘can’t stop the feeling.’ Meanwhile, Timberlake busts a move at a diner and through the aisles of a supermarket, and even has a dance-off with an inflatable air dancer.

The song, off the upcoming Trolls soundtrack, debuted in the top slot, dethroning last week’s leader, Drake and his Wizkid and Kyla-assisted “One Dance,” which falls to No. 2. According to Billboard.

Join in the party with the video HERE

HOT! Justin is BACK!

Puff Daddy Announces ‘Bad Boy Family Reunion’ Tour With Lil’ Kim, Ma$e, Faith Evans & More

Following their reunion concert at the Barclays Center this weekend, Puff Daddy and the Bad Boy family are hitting the road Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour.

“This isn’t just a concert– this is a moment in hip hop and R&B history,” Diddy said as he made the announcement on Instagram. “The family and I are so excited to welcome you into this once in a lifetime experience.”

The music mogul recently revealed that he will be bowing out of music to focus on film, after he releases a final album, No Way Out 2. “I want to take a victory lap, to do a world tour and really enjoy it one last time,” he expressed.

Who all’s set to join him on the trek? Lil’ Kim, Ma$e, Faith Evans, Mario Winans, 112, Total, Carl Thomas, The Lox and French Montana.

It kicks off August 25th at the Schottenstein Center in Columbus, and will see stops in cities like Atlanta, Miami, Dallas, Houston, Philadelphia, before closing out at Oakland’s Oracle Arena on October 8th.

“This tour is 20 years in the making, and is a celebration of the hits and the Bad Boy lifestyle,” Diddy added on IG. “The Bad Boy Family has set the standard for concert excellence, and this tour will be a testament to that!”

See the full list on dates in the below photo.

Also while at rehearsal Lil Kim and Faith Evans had a little fun while getting ready for the tour!

Take a peek HERE: Courtesy of our friends over at the YBF:

#LilKim and #FaithEvans cutting up during the #BadBoy reunion tour practice.

A video posted by TheYBF.com (@theybfdaily) on May 17, 2016 at 5:15am PDT

NICE!

YAY!!!!! ‘The Carmichael Show’ Renewed For Season 3 By NBC

The show is renewed for a third season…

Deadline reports, An hour after NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt said that the networkwas hoping to resolve The Carmichael Show‘s renewal situation in “the next couple of days,” a resolution has been reached, and the comedy has been picked up for a 13-episode third season.

Johnny Gill Defends Arsenio Hall Against Shady Sinead O'Connor

While we all were running around trying to find Sinead O’Connor who was lost in the Chicago burbs Johnny Gill has come to the defense of Arsenio Hall, against allegations made by Sinead O'Connor that Arsenio was Prince's drug pusher. Gill sat down with HipHollywood on Thursday where he spoke openly about his feelings regarding O'Connor.

“With her, because that’s my brother and family always comes first and I’m always going to have my brothers back … All I can say to her is ‘if this is what you think, this is what you thought, at the end of the day, why are you coming now?”

He continued, “If I had to weigh out between this being honest and coming from an honest place and sincere place versus someone being a straight lunatic, I’ll take a lunatic for 100 million. F*ckin nuts.”

O'Connor's accusations came days after Prince's death in the form of a rant on Facebook. After the claims she made against him, Arsenio Hall fired back with a $5 million defamation suit.

“I talk to Arsenio everyday,” Gill said. “We’ve all been in the business for many years and have been attacked from something of somewhere or from someone or another, this is not the first. I think he’s doing it the best way he’s supposed to do it. Allow his lawyers to handle it and take care of it.”

So there you have it. If you ever wanted to know Johnny Gill's thoughts on the matter, there it is!

Look who’s coming back to Reality TV.Jim Jones & Chrissy Lampkin Returning

Jim Jones is re-entering the reality TV game. As you know, the rapper and his fiancee Chrissy Lampkin, were one of the original cast members of Love & Hip Hop. He’s since departed the franchise and shares during a Shade 45 interview that he and his fiance have a new reality show on WE TV. While he wouldn’t divulge details he said,

"I look forward to that in the summer time, check us out."

He also discussed how he’s the brains behind the entire franchise,

"That’s my whole template, I put that forward for them…It wasn’t nobody else’s idea…It was all my idea I just didn’t capitalize on my business at the time…"

He added,"That show wasn’t going in the direction that me and Chrissy was feeling. Shot out to everybody that’s making money over there…I hope you know why you making money (laughs). It ain’t Mona, you heard?"

He also dishes on Mona Scott-Young, how Yandy Smith began to work with him years ago and his fallout with Dame Dash.

Bakery owner says customer canceled cake order after finding out she was Muslim

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WXMI) -- A West Michigan bakery owner is upset after she says a customer canceled a cake order after finding out she and her husband are Muslim.

Zeinab Mohamed says when the buyer found out her last name she canceled the order, saying a her husband was a war veteran and would never buy a cake from a Muslim. Mohamed's husband is not only Muslim, but a war veteran himself.

Mohamed, the owner of Sweetcakez, says she received the customer's hurtful message last week. The message read:

Hey actually were [sic] going to order our cake somewhere else my husband just found out your [sic] Muslim. And I'm not against it but he is because he was in Iraq fighting for our country against your people. He even changed his new doctor because the new one he was referred to was Muslim and he just said somethings [sic] and said he doesnt [sic] feel comfortable having you make our cake. I'm so sorry.

"I was trying to understand it, trying to comprehend what I was reading and I was just in complete shock" said Mohamed. "My only response to her was 'My people? What does that mean?'"

The sender claimed her husband fought in Iraq and doesn't feel comfortable with Mohamed making their cake.

"My people aren't from Iraq, I am from Somalia" said Mohamed. "I just couldn't comprehend what she was saying . I was baffled. I really didn't have a response for her."

Mohamed's husband, also Muslim, fought for our country, serving three years in the United States Navy.

"When I heard it I was let down, but also really just hurt by it because I had thought we've moved away from some of that" said Javon Borst, Zeinab's husband. "To have it hit so close to some was hurtful."

Borst was a Navy medic, and says it didn't matter a person's race or religion when someone needed help during his time of service.

"I remember when I was working at Andrews Air Force Base, we lost one guy on Christmas Day as he actually landed back in the states" said Borst. "I was holding his hand, you know? We both had our dog tags showing because it was hot and it was very busy. We're unloading him and he's holding my hand and to think that none of that mattered, no one's religious identity mattered. All that mattered was you were brothers and family. I was hurt because that's not the broader view. I was just really let down that that could actually happen."

Both Zeinab and Javon were left hurt, trying to understand why they were targeted for their beliefs when they have much more in common with the customer than they thought.

"It's almost as if their husband didn't realize that he fought amongst Muslims too" said Mohamed. "There are a lot of Muslim soldiers that are fighting right next to him and it's as if that didn't even matter."

But Zeinab doesn't want to show the person's name, saying she knows the backlash they'd get. With hurtful words already thrown at her, she doesn't want the cycle to continue.

"The problem isn't so much the person, it's the message they're portraying" said Mohamed. "I feel like unless we deal with the message, there will continue to be another person that will say the same thing. There will maybe be hundreds more that feel the same way that this person feels if we don't fix what the message is."

Zeinab says it's disheartening to know that she's going to encounter people like this while doing what she loves, making cakes, but that's not going to stop her from running Sweetcakez. She hopes the person will open their heart and accept everyone to stop any cycle of hate.

DISGUSTING!

Police Capture Third Killer In Death Of Nine-Year-Old Tyshawn Lee

Tyshawn Lee, a nine-year-old from Chicago, made headlines last year after he was brutally executed in a gangland style murder inside an alleyway near his grandmother’s house. Two men, Dwight Boone-Doty and Corey Morgan, were arrested and have been in custody since last November. A third man, Kevin Edwards, was an accomplice who eluded police capture over the last seven months. Today, Edwards was arrested in Dansville, Illinois, about 150 miles outside of Chicago.

“Captain Michael Hartshorn of the Vermilion County sheriff’s office tells PEOPLE that Edwards was a passenger in the backseat of a car stopped for a traffic violation and allegedly ran off during the stop. A police officer chased him down about a block away. Edwards allegedly gave a false name to the officer at the scene but then gave his real name while in custody, at which point officers discovered his warrant in Chicago.”

Tyshawn was a target of the three men because of his father’s, Pierre Stokes, gang ties. Stokes was charged with aggravated battery and weapons charges for the shooting of three people, one of which said to be Corey Morgan’s girlfriend, on “the same day authorities held a detailed press conference on Tyshawn’s death.

It’s far-fetched to believe the capture of Tyshawn’s killers will bring any major relief to his family. At the very least, they may finally be able to have some closure.

Mariah Carey, Laverne Cox, Lee Daniels & More Hit The Carpet at The GLAAD Awards

Fresh off her “Sweet Sweet Fantasy” tour overseas, Grammy Award winner Mariah Carey headed to the 27th Annual GLAAD Media Awards at The Waldorf Astoria in NYC over the weekend. The annual event celebrates and honors various branches of the media for their outstanding representations of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and the issues that affect their lives.

The songstress was presented with the Ally Award by her good friend/filmmaker Lee Daniels who introduced the iconic singer with a touching introduction speech.

She was presented with the Ally Award by her good friend/filmmaker Lee Daniels.

Taking center stage, Lee picked Mariah up before she started showering her friend with love, pointing out that he changed her life when he put her in his 2008 film Tennessee. She went on to share how nervous she was that she would mess up the LGBTQ acronym, so she decided to give it a little remix as she described all of the people gathered in the room.

“I had to learn a whole new alphabet to introduce and not un-include people,” Mariah said. “I don’t want to do it wrong. I decided that if I have to memorize it, I might as well elaborate on it. So we have L: legendary. G: gorgeous. B: beautiful — all of you beautiful people! T: tantalizing, and even Q for quality!” she said.

“Thank you for the unconditional love, because it’s very difficult for me to have that. I haven’t experienced much of it… I wish all of you love, peace, harmony, and as my five-year old son (Roc) likes to say: boobies and butts!”

Ha! Cute.

On the carpet....

Mariah, who's currently filming for her upcoming reality show "Mariah's World," flossed her curves in a sheer shimmery gown as she sashayed down the carpet. Looking good MC!

As expected, her soon-to-be husband James Packer was right by her side whispering sweet nothings in her ear.

“Empire” co-creator Lee Daniels was all hugged up on the carpet with his stylist boyfriend Jahil Fisher.

“Orange Is The New Black” starlet Laverne Cox, who was tapped to host the event, came to slay honey! Chick strutted her stuff in a red super sexy cut-out gown by MIKALED paired with Kenneth Cole heels and an EmmKuo clutch before getting to her hosting duties.

For her second of the evening, the EMMY nominated actress kept it sleek and chic in an emerald green Michael Costello gown, Kenneth Cole shoes and she accessorized with Forevermark and Simon G jewels. Gorge.

Hollywood actor Robert De Niro brought his lovely wife Grace Hightower as his date for the evening. Robert has a few new films coming down the pipeline, including The Wizard of Lies and The Comedian.