Bruce Springsteen for Esquire - Winter 2019
Bruce Springsteen has never shied away from expressing his political views onstage and in his music, and the rocker's most recent interview is no exception -- especially when the conversation turned to Donald Trump.
For Esquire's December cover story, Springsteen invited the magazine backstage at the Walter Kerr Theater, where he's in the midst of his Springsteen on Broadway run. The show is a combination of memoir and song, in that the star reads from his own writings about his childhood, his family, his career and his love, and stripped-down musical interludes separate these throws to Springsteen's memories. Several times, he turns to the Vietnam War, 9/11 and other events that have shaped modern American history and identity, and he took the opportunity to explain his perspective on what's currently going on in the United States and what Trump and the "dark angels" who support him represent.
"I do feel that people feel under siege, and sometimes for reasons that I don’t agree with and that are unfortunate," he told Esquire. "Like I say, whether it’s the changing face of the nation or... I think those people legitimately feel under siege. Their way of life is somehow threatened... that’s always been a part of the American story. It continues to be a part of it today."
He speaks of how “these are times when we’ve also seen folks marching, and in the highest offices of our land, who want to speak to our darkest angels, who want to call up the ugliest and most divisive ghosts of America’s past. And they want to destroy the idea of an America for all. That’s their intention.”
Springsteen then spoke on Trump, specifically, the rise of the alt-right and those "invested in denying the idea of a united America and an America for all."
“[He] has no interest in uniting the country, really, and actually has an interest in doing the opposite and dividing us, which he does on an almost daily basis." he continued. "So that’s simply a crime against humanity, as far as I’m concerned. It’s an awful, awful message to send out into the world if you’re in that job and in that position. It’s just an ugly, awful message. You are intentionally trying to disenfranchise a large portion of Americans... And then there’s just the rise of -- whether it’s the alt-right or the folks who were marching in Charlottesville with their tiki torches and all of that coming to the fore again, you know? Which our president was more than happy to play into and to play to. So these are folks who are invested in denying the idea of a united America and an America for all. It’s a critical moment. This has come so far to the surface, and it’s so toxic... It’s a scary moment for any conscientious American, I think.”
Still, Springsteen is hopeful that "we'll survive Trump." His hope for the future, and a request to his fellow Americans: "Let people view themselves as Americans first, that the basic founding principles of the country could be adhered to, whether it’s equality or social justice. Let people give each other a chance.”
Springsteen on Broadway closes at New York's Walter Kerr Theater on Dec. 15 and will hit Netflix in the form of a special for the streaming network on Dec. 16.
#RHoA: WOW! Kenya Moore Shows Off Her Belly Three Weeks After Giving Birth
Kenya Moore Shows Off Her Belly Three Weeks After Giving Birth And Says Her Baby Is Worth Every 'Battlescar' - Kandi Burruss & Cynthia Bailey Congratulate Her, But Some Fans Believe She Got A Tummy Tuck
Kenya Moore shares a photo on her social media account for her fans and followers. She shows off her fantastic figure just three weeks after she gave birth to baby Brooklyn.
Kandi Burruss commented, saying that Kenya’s snapback game is serious and Cynthia Bailey said that she looks amazing.
A lot of fans said that Kenya definitely got a tummy tuck after giving birth.
More fans are asking Kenya to show her baby to the world, and she will probably do this when she considers it appropriate.
#Empire: Episode 8 Master of What is Mine Own
Tonight! Running Lyon Family Management starts to put pressure on Cookie and Lucious' relationship. When Kingsley pulls a power move of his own that has major financial repercussions for Lucious, Cookie thinks back to their early struggles. Kai becomes upset when Jamal announces their engagement on live TV and Tiana hits a crossroad with Hakeem, who refuses to set aside his beef with Blake. Meanwhile, Candace becomes vindictive after feeling betrayed by Cookie and Giselle uncovers a key to her future.
We’ll discuss the episode after you view it tonight!
#NewMusic from Trey Songz He drops a Double Mixtape ‘11.28’
In celebration of his 34th birthday, Trey Songz surprises his fans with a double mixtape titled 11.28.
On 11, Songz sets the mood for the bedroom with slow-tempo songs like “Lay Yo Head,” “Keep It Right There” and “Let Me Know.” It also includes his Ty Dolla $ign and Tory Lanez-assisted track “Shootin Shots.”
Meanwhile, on 28 Songz switches up the vibe with more upbeat and party-like tracks. The feature-heavy project includes collaborations with Chris Brown, Jeremih, Dave East, 2 Chainz, Yo Gotti, Jacquees and Swae Lee, to name a few.
STREAM IT HERE
11.28 is Songz’ first project since 2017’s Tremaine. Although 11.28 is not an ‘official’ project, it should definitely hold over fans while Songz continues to work on his next album.
#HipHopNews: Meek Mill Says He’s Is Open To Working With Drake Again
In a new interview with Vulture, Meek spoke about his on-stage reconciliation with Drake. According to him, the two were already talking long before they reconnected in the public eye.
“Me and Drake have actually been communicating for the last year,” he told Vulture. “Even before I went to prison. It was based on the right time. We ain’t have nothing going on but a rap beef, we didn’t cause harm to each other.”
He added, “I think it took both of us going through some ups and downs, me in my career. It made me stronger. I’m moving off love right now, so it was only proper to link with someone I actually did business with before and called my friend before.”
Meek was then asked about whether the two would ever collaborate on music again. The Dreamchasers leader revealed he could see it happening before speaking more about his concert reunion with Drake.
“I think that’s possible,” he said. “What we did was genuine. We didn’t just do it for the love of the people ‘cause we could’ve been done that. We waited until we were ready and did that.”
Meek is scheduled to release a new album titled Championships on Friday (November 30). The LP will feature guests appearances by Cardi B, Kodak Black and Ella Mai.
The Icon Janet Jackson Inks New Global Partnership with Paradigm Talent Agency
Janet Jackson is taking her career worldwide again. The music icon has landed a global representation agreement with Paradigm Talent Agency to expand her horizons in touring, theatre, film and branding.
“Janet Jackson is one of the most iconic and culturally significant artists of all time and we are thrilled to partner with her to create global opportunities for her as an artist and for the art she creates,” said Sam Gores, chairman and CEO of Paradigm. “We will also seek inspiring opportunities to support Janet’s long history and dedication to social activism and female and gender advocacy.”
This collaboration between Jackson and Paradigm is quite ideal. With a dynamic legacy that spans more than 30 years, Jackson has solidified her role as a global icon.
The legendary artist lives up to her role as a global ambassador with a Latin-inspired version of her latest single “Made for Now” featuring Daddy Yankee. The Afrocentric version, which was released in July, was meant to bring people together. The release is part of Jackson’s forthcoming EP, which features production from Harmony Samuels.
LISTEN HERE
“I worked on most of the EP,” Samuels said to Rated R&B in August. “Each song has a different feel. Each song has a different style. She bodies it! She does her thing.”
#POLITICS: Nancy Pelosi Wins Democratic Speaker Nomination
WASHINGTON ― Despite a group of Democrats vowing to block her, Nancy Pelosi cruised through an internal House Democratic Caucus vote Wednesday to effectively secure the nomination of her party to return as speaker.
Pelosi won the caucus vote 203-32, with three blank ballots and one absence, in an uncontested race. (A total of 239 votes were cast because Democrats allowed ballots from delegates, who won’t get to participate in the House floor vote.)
The Democratic leader came away with a slightly stronger vote than expected, but, as the 32 votes against Pelosi indicate, her work isn’t done.
Pelosi will face a floor vote on Jan. 3, when she must get a majority of the whole House, 218 votes. With Democrats expected to have 235 members, that means Pelosi could lose only 17 Democrats and still be elected speaker ― if every Republican votes against her and none of the Democrats currently opposing her vote “present.” (A “present” vote would, in effect, be a half-vote for Pelosi, as it would lower the majority threshold.)
Pelosi’s Democratic detractors promise they won’t vote for her on the floor, and with 16 Democrats currently signed onto a letter making that promise, on top of about a half-dozen freshman Democrats who ran for Congress by vowing to not support Pelosi and continuing to say they’ll uphold their promise, Pelosi still has a vote problem ― albeit one that she potentially has ways out of.
The anti-Pelosi group has been in a scramble lately as it tries to tamp down members in the group from defecting. Already Pelosi has flipped two members who had signed the letter pledging to not support her ― Marcia Fudge (Ohio) and Brian Higgins (N.Y.) ― as well as dozens of incoming freshmen who were shaky during the campaign on whether they’d support Pelosi.
Pelosi has also gotten some iffy signs from Stephen Lynch (Mass.) on whether he’d support her to be speaker, and she won over Albio Sires (N.J.) and Robin Kelly (Ill.), who had signed an earlier letter with Pelosi detractors pushing to delay leadership elections.
But Pelosi still faces hard opposition from about 20 Democrats ― with other Democrats signaling on Wednesday that she isn’t their first choice for speaker.
The votes against Pelosi might not mean much, though. Pelosi’s team actually pushed some freshman Democrats who said they wouldn’t support her to vote against Pelosi in the caucus election ― that way they could tell their constituents they had upheld their word to oppose Pelosi.
There was even word that some Democrats would tweet pictures of their ballot from the closed-door caucus election. While such tactics look like a slap in Pelosi’s face, the idea may have originated from some of Pelosi’s allies, as there was some talk of recording each member’s vote in an effort to allow freshman Democrats who ran on a pledge to not support Pelosi to show they upheld their pledge ― in some way.
What matters to Pelosi much more than Wednesday’s caucus vote is the floor vote in January, when Republicans will also get a say over the speaker. Pelosi’s win in caucus has never been in doubt, but with more than 20 Democrats continuing to say they won’t support her on the floor, Pelosi still has a problem.
That doesn’t mean she won’t become speaker. She’s the heavy favorite to do so. But she may have to make some more promises to flip individual members, or vow that this will be her last term in order to flip a large chunk.
Already the group of Pelosi detractors looks eager to make a deal. Leaders of the group ― Reps. Tim Ryan (Ohio), Seth Moulton (Mass.) and Kathleen Rice (N.Y.) ― met privately with Pelosi on Wednesday afternoon, and there’s some talk that a key number of the anti-Pelosi Democrats would support her if she promised to make this her last term.
“Moments ago we met with Leader Pelosi and tried to engage her in a reasonable conversation about leadership transition,” Rice said after Wednesday’s meeting. “Unfortunately, our concerns were dismissed outright. We remain united behind our goal of new leadership and intend to vote against Leader Pelosi in Caucus and on the Floor of the House.”
Pelosi doesn’t look eager to make another deal, particularly if she doesn’t have to. She already made a deal with the so-called Problem Solvers Caucus ― a bipartisan group of lawmakers who wanted specific rules changes to open up Congress ― even though that group had already vowed to not support Pelosi if she didn’t agree to their rule changes, in writing, by a deadline of nearly two weeks ago.
Alternately, Pelosi could promise nothing to her remaining detractors, dare these Democrats to vote against her and see if they can withstand the pressure.
#POWERCOUPLE: Julius Tennon & Viola Davis Sign First-Look Deal With Amazon
Viola Davis and her husband, Julius Tennon, have signed a first look deal with Amazon Studios!
Under the pact, the couple will produce feature films under their JuVee production company.
In a joint statement, the power couple said:
We’re beyond excited about our new relationship with @AmazonStudios.
We share the same vision of creating a vast and rich array of narratives that are inclusive and reflective of our world.
Congrats!
Black Excellence: Omari Hardwick Posts Pic With Michael B. Jordan and Others, Fans Praise Black Men Supporting One Another
Michael B. Jordan is probably still wearing a big old smile on his face since his film “Creed II” already racked up over $55 million dollars in opening box office sales, making it the biggest debut for a Thanksgiving weekend release ever.
But before those numbers came in, Jordan received major support from people like Omari Hardwick, who posted a photo from the New York premiere. TV host Terrence J is also in the shot, as is Steelo Brim from the MTV show “Ridiculousness” and Senior Vice President of A&R at Roc Nation Lenny Santiago.
Omari Hardwick and others praised for supporting Michael B. Jordan at Creed II premiere
In the caption space, Omari stated that he was proud of Jordan and included an emoji of two bumping Black fists to show unity.
“The 5 Heartbeats? GangGang,” wrote the “Power” actor. “Thanks for getting us all out, lil bro. “@michaelbjordan #PROUD. #CREED.”
Women didn’t only like seeing all the men in one shot and dressed to the nines, they also loved the support they gave Jordan, and the guys appreciated it too. Especially in entertainment circles were jobs for Black actors are scarce, and it’s typically every artist for themselves.
“A group of sexy brothers in harmony and enjoying a laugh together. Thank you for this beautiful pic,” one person wrote.
“Love to see brothers coming together and it’s all happiness,” wrote another. “God bless you all.”
“I love y’all bond,” wrote someone else.
There were also people who loved the fact that everyone in the photo is successful, and the men were called perfect examples of Black excellence.
Ozzy Osbourne Doesn’t Get Why The Kardashians Are Famous: “They Don’t Do Anything”
Eleven years after the Kardashian klan’s catapult to fame, Ozzy Osbourne is still unclear as to why the family is famous.
In a recent interview with The Big Issue, The Prince of Darkness opened up about his confusion, admitting that he asked his wife, Sharon, to explain the hype.
“I said to Sharon the other day, ‘What the f*ck is the deal with these Kardashians? They don’t sing, they don’t act, they don’t do anything.’” He revealed. “She told me, ‘The trend now is that people want to be celebrities and make money for doing f*cking nothing.’ And I was like, ‘Oh.’”
As he continued, Osbourne went on to wish the family well, explaining that all that mattered was their happiness.
“I mean, I don’t want to put them down and if i was to start slagging them off they would say, ‘So what?’ Good luck to them, if they’re happy with it then I’m fine with that.”
Sony Builds Out Spider-Man Universe With A Spider-Women Film
(Deadline): Sony Pictures is taking its Spider-Man universe into a new direction in a #MeToo moment where Wonder Woman is being followed by a growing number of female superheroes. The studio is working on an animated Spider-Women film that will focus on three generations of women with Spidey powers. Bek Smith will write the script.
One of these characters could very well be Spider-Gwen, a breakout character from the Spider-Verse. This all builds on the buzz preceding the animated Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
Amy Pascal will produce, and it’s likely that Avi Arad and Phil Lord & Christopher Miller will also be involved as will Christina Steinberg.
The studio is also already moving forward on a Spider-Verse sequel that will continue Miles Morales’ story. Joaquim Dos Santos will direct.
Smith is rewriting an untitled LEGO movie for Rideback and Warner Bros and most recently she worked on production rewrites on Captain Marvel, this after spending a year in the Marvel Writer program. She is repped by Verve and Kaplan/Perrone.
LL Cool J Reportedly Sues Concert Promotion Company Over ‘Rock the Bells’
LL Cool J is embroiled in a legal battle, attempting to stop promoters of a US hip-hop festival from trademarking the name of one of his songs.
According to The Blast reports, LL Cool J says the concert promoter and its founder, Chang Weisberg, filed to trademark “Rock the Bells” back in 2004. LL released a song called “Rock the Bells” in 1985 and launched a SiriusXM hip-hop channel named Rock The Bells Radio earlier this year.
He claims Guerilla filed for the trademark without his permission to use for a hip-hop music festival, which launched in 2004 and ran through 2013.
The rapper says he petitioned the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board to cancel all of Guerilla Union’s trademarks, which the board granted last year.
Despite the board’s decision, he says the concert promoter continues to try and trademark the name for various purposes.
LL Cool J is demanding a judge grant an injunction prohibiting the promoter from using the mark and for unspecified damages.
Bobby Brown Sues Showtime, BBC for Appearance in Whitney Houston Documentary
Back in August, Showtime released Whitney Houston documentary entitled Can I Be Me?
Directors Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal weave never before seen video, candid interviews and behind the scenes performance footage into a raw and uncensored portrait of Whitney Houston, who died suddenly at age 48 after years of struggling with addiction. Exploring her far-reaching impact, the directors focus on Houston’s central dilemma: even though she had made millions of dollars and was recognized as having one of the greatest voices of all time, she still couldn’t do what she wanted, either professionally or in her personal life.
Bobby Brown filed a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against Showtime and the BBC over their film Whitney: Can I Be Me.
According to reports, “The film contains footage that Brown and Bobbi Kristina Brown has never consented to have released,” states the complaint. “Brown and BKB appear in the film for a substantial period of time, in excess of thirty (30) minutes. The footage was actually recorded prior to the divorce in 2007 between Brown and Houston. Brown never signed or executed a release for the airing of the material that appears in the film. The footage of Brown is approximately fifteen (15) years old.”
Brown claims that the film amounts to a misappropriation of publicity rights as well as a violation of the Lanham Act.
Although the lawsuit states that filmmakers usually obtain releases from those who speak on camera, the First Amendment provides a broad defense to works of expressive speech. Nevertheless, in a complaint that alleges filmmakers tried without success to get an interview with Mr. Brown, he will attempt to overcome such free speech impediments. For instance, Brown’s lawsuit discusses how his name, persona, and likeness were utilized by producers in marketing and promotion of the film.
10 Suspects Charged Over Series of Burglaries That Included Rihanna, Yasiel Puig, Christina Milian
Last month, Police arrested Jshawne Lamon Daniels, 19, Tyress Lavon Williams, 19, and Damaji Corey Hall, 18, after they were pulled over on Sept. 27 in South Los Angeles after allegedly robbing Los Angeles Rams receiver Robert Woods’ home in Woodland Hills.
LAPD alleges that the suspects were also responsible for the recent burglaries of homes belonging to Rihanna and Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig and Christina Milian as well as her boyfriend French singer Matthieu “M. Pokora” Tota.
Here’s an update on the situation. Court documents show 10 alleged gang members face felony charges in connection with a series of burglaries that targeted the Los Angeles homes of celebrities including Rihanna, Dodgers star Yasiel Puig and Rams wide receiver Robert Woods.
City News Service reports Tuesday that the men are charged with conspiracy and numerous other counts including burglary and home-invasion robbery.
Police announced four arrests at a news conference in October where they displayed recovered items including handbags, jewelry and cellphones.
Three of those four were released pending further investigation — and two of them were re-arrested and are among those charged.
Investigators found a list of additional targets that included Lebron James and Matt Damon.
Officials say the victims were chosen when their social media postings and schedules indicated they’d be away from home.
‘The Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin’s Detroit mansion sells for Only $300K!
DETROIT — A historic Detroit mansion owned by late singing legend Aretha Franklin has been sold.
The Detroit News reports that, according to public records, the 5,600-square-foot brick home adjacent to the Detroit Golf Club fetched $300,000 in a sale last month. It was built in 1927.
The newspaper reports Franklin bought the home in 1993 but nearly lost it in 2008 due to unpaid property taxes.
Franklin estate personal representative Sabrina Garrett-Owens says “there are no other Detroit properties” that were owned by the Queen of Soul.
Her 4,148-square-foot Colonial-style house in suburban Detroit’s Bloomfield Township still is listed for $800,000.
Franklin died of pancreatic cancer in August in her Detroit riverfront apartment. She was 76.
Jenni ‘JWoww’ Farley’s son Greyson diagnosed with autism
Jenni “JWoww” Farley opened up about son Greyson’s recent autism diagnosis, telling Hollywood Life he has “made leaps and bounds when it comes to speech.”
“He has co-therapies [every] week but we’re going to step it up a notch soon and get him ABA [Applied Behavior Analysis] treatments, speech therapy,” the “Jersey Shore” star explained.
“He’s understanding words better which was his issue. Not that he couldn’t speak, but he would never know what his shoe is or if you said, ‘Greyson,’ he actually didn’t even know his name at one point until he was a little over two,” she revealed.
Farley, 32, initially discussed her 2-year-old son’s struggles during the premiere episode of “Jersey Shore Family Vacation” earlier this year.
“To find out Greyson is ‘behind’ or ‘delayed’ crushed me … but only for a moment … that moment came from wanting to have ‘perfect children’ and ‘how could this happen to me?’… but Grey is PERFECT and it CAN happen to anyone,” Farley wrote on Instagram at the time.
The mother of two, who also shares daughter Meilani, 4, with estranged husband Roger Mathews, remains hopeful about Greyson’s progress.
“It was really heartbreaking and frustrating as a mom when you see other two-year-olds that are speaking and living their best life,” Farley explained. “Greyson is living his best life. He just doesn’t know what you are saying!”
A rep for Farley did not immediately return our request for comment.
Disgraced Gymnastics Doctor Larry Nassar Pens Letter from Prison Begging to Avoid Deposition from Aly Raisman
Convicted sex offender Larry Nassar wants no part in a deposition conducted by the legal team of Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman and is requesting that a judge shut down the potential grilling from behind bars.
On November 26, the former Team USA gymnastics doctor wrote a letter (in all caps) to the federal judge presiding over Raisman’s ongoing civil lawsuit against Nassar, and others who she is holding responsible for the repeated abuse of scores of gymnasts.
He filed the letter in response to Raisman’s request to allow her to take his deposition while he serves very hard time in Coleman, FL.
Nassar argues that he is still currently appealing the 60-year prison sentence and as a result would invoke his fifth amendment privilege, if he were ordered to appear for Raisman’s deposition, making it clear he wouldn’t answer a single question.
The letter ends with signatures from both “Larry Nassar” and “Lawrence Nassar.”
As we reported, Raisman is seeking information about “where Nassar’s molests occurred, how many times, who knew about those molests, when those individuals learned about those molests.”
She plans to use the information acquired from Nassar to continue litigation against the other defendants in the case, including the United States Olympic Committee and USA Gymnastics.
The judge has yet to decide on whether Raisman can depose Nassar in the case.
AND FINALLY FROM THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART FILES
‘ELFIN MAGIC’
Not gonna lie, I’m actually pretty intrigued about this Elf Rave you were attending.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Gio Black
Meet Gio Black! So you know what to do to see them goods. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PICS and remember they’re NSFW!
DISCLAIMER: WE DO NOT OWN NOR ALTER any images posted on this blog. All images are found online or submitted.
You’re Welcome!
HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYBODY!!!
EFREM
No comments:
Post a Comment