Eddie Murphy for Backstage Magazine - December 2019!
How many actors can say they’ve only had to land one audition ever?
“That’s got to be some kind of record,” says Eddie Murphy, who at age 18 booked a career-launching gig on “Saturday Night Live,” then, at 20, earned a Golden Globe nomination for his film debut. As he readily admits, “It’s the closest you can come to walking out of heaven and into Hollywood.”
Chatting at the Four Seasons hotel in Midtown Manhattan, Murphy is thoughtful and wry at just above a whisper—when he’s not launching into a hilarious bit. Maybe it’s because the Brooklyn native is now 58, having worked consistently as a comedian-singer-actor for exactly four decades, that he’s looking back at his unlikely success in quiet awe. “I feel grateful, and I know that this is rare. The way everything in my life happened? On paper, it could never happen.” He cites his favorite statistic: The odds of each of us being born, factoring in the probabilities of ancestors meeting and the many combinations of DNA, are apparently 1 in 400 trillion.
“Everybody you look at, even the bum in the street, is a walking miracle!” he exclaims. “Now, to get here and to make something of your life and connect with other human beings and find who you are and get a career—each thing that you do, the odds are slimmer and slimmer. What are the chances of becoming a fucking actor? And to become an actor who becomes known globally… That’s a super rare thing.
“And,” he adds for emphasis, “you’re black!”
Murphy is one of those prolific artists whose career has lasted so long it must be categorized in multiple arcs: an explosion onto the comedy scene with “SNL” and his subsequent leather-clad standup specials “Delirious” and “Raw”; leading blockbuster films (“48 Hrs.,” “Trading Places,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Coming to America”) and supposed duds (“Vampire in Brooklyn,” “The Adventures of Pluto Nash,” “Norbit”); and a family-friendly era (“Mulan,” “Doctor Dolittle,” the “Shrek” franchise). He’s also sung as a solo recording artist, and his electric vocals in the “Dreamgirls” movie musical earned him an Oscar nod.
And in 40 years, just the one audition. He’d forgive you for counting the time he had to put himself on tape, though. In pitching his 1996 remake of “The Nutty Professor,” Murphy wanted to again play multiple supporting roles in different makeup, an homage to his idol Peter Sellers. Studio heads were not convinced. “I think I had a couple movies that had flopped before that, and the studio was like, ‘Should we get somebody to play all these characters?’ ” he remembers. “But I saw it this way. To get the studio to see it, I did makeup tests where I got Rick Baker to make me up as all those characters and put it on video and send it to the studio. They said, ‘OK, we get it.’ ”
Pitching a pipe dream to the powers that be feels reminiscent of Murphy’s grand return to the screen as Rudy Ray Moore in Netflix’s “Dolemite Is My Name.” Directed by Craig Brewer with a script from Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski and co-starring Tituss Burgess, Keegan-Michael Key, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Wesley Snipes, the film tells the stranger-than-fiction tale of how Moore’s 1975 blaxploitation classic “Dolemite” became Hollywood’s unlikeliest cult smash. Moore’s rhythmic profanity as the kung fu–wielding pimp Dolemite, which he developed from an old oral tradition, eventually led to him being recognized as the “Godfather of Rap.” (Snoop Dogg, who makes a cameo in the film, has said, “Without Rudy Ray Moore, there would be no Snoop Dogg, and that’s for real.”)
Murphy, whose performance in the film just secured him his sixth Golden Globe nomination, portrays Moore as a talent with a vision so raunchy, ridiculous, and unconventional that few others can see it. “He doesn’t have the good looks or the charm or any of that stuff that people associate with being in the movies,” explains Murphy. “But he wants it all. And he believes in himself. And that’s his biggest talent: belief in himself. He is relatable to anybody who was a dreamer at some time in their life.”
“Dolemite Is My Name” is not only Murphy’s first movie since 2016’s modest indie “Mr. Church,” it seems to be part of a shift back into the spotlight—or, as he’s put it, off the couch. Earlier this year, he made a much-buzzed-about appearance on Jerry Seinfeld’s “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” Now, “Dolemite” has him in the throes of a full-blown awards campaign. Plus, the long-awaited sequel “Coming 2 America,” also directed by Brewer, will arrive in 2020; another “Beverly Hills Cop” is in the works; and this very Saturday, Dec. 21, the actor comes home to “SNL” to host for the first time in 35 years. (“There will be Gumby,” he guesses. “What else did I do? Buckwheat! James Brown…. Who’s the other one? Velvet Jones.”)
Is this all a planned comeback? “If you were planning, that would mean going into the movie knowing the movie was going to get received the way it was, which you can’t,” says Murphy. “Things work in cycles. ‘Coming 2 America’ was in development for six years. ‘Dolemite’ was in development 15 years ago. And [the new] ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ has been in development since ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’...or ‘III’? Did we do a III’?”
Get the full interview HERE!
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailry Flew to see her Fiance because she has THE FLU!
Cynthia Bailey has a message for all the couples out there this flu season ... she says there's nothing wrong with snuggling up with your sick partner!!!
Cynthia Bailey arrived at LAX Monday and asked how she's holding up during her bout with the flu ... and Cynthia says her symptoms won't stop her from planting a huge kiss on her fiance, Fox Sports host Mike Hill, who she was on her way to see.
Cynthia is totally open to debating whether couples should sleep in the same bed if someone is under the weather ... but she says there's only one right answer, and married folks better uphold their vows!
Lucky for Mike, Cynthia thinks she's no longer contagious ... but it sounds like she's ready to take care of the sportscaster if she gets him sick.
As Cynthia puts it ... that's real love!!!
#Empire: Empire boss reacts to season 6 midseason finale cliffhanger!
The first episode of Empire's sixth and final season began with a shocking nine months later flash-forward scene, showing Lucious Lyon (Terrence Howard) being shot and seemingly losing consciousness.
Then, in episode four, a flash-forward to the same period showed Cookie Lyon seemingly blown-up when her car exploded.
But the show's midseason finale on Tuesday night (December 17) ended on another cliffhanger, with Tracy (Amanda Detmer) pointing a gun at Lucious and Cookie.
It's all a lot to take in, but luckily Empire boss Brett Mahoney has shed some light on how the midseason finale could connect to the future events.
In an interview with TV Line, Mahoney was asked if the flash-forward scenes had robbed last night's cliffhanger of some of its suspense.
"It could. But we don’t know that those two things aren’t connected in some way," Mahoney answered.
"It’s not beyond the pale that they could be connected. But I will tell you that in our midseason premiere you will see who shoots Lucious [in the flash-forward] and you will also see who is responsible for the car bombing of Cookie."
Addressing what we've seen of Cookie's fate, Mahoney said that he could "neither confirm nor deny" whether it was really the end for the family matriarch.
It looks like we'll have to wait until spring 2020 when Empire returns for its final 10 episodes to find out.
Empire airs on Fox
#NewMusic from Tamika Scott of Xscape Releases Debut Solo EP “Family Affair” !
Tamika Scott of the legendary R&B group Xscape has just released her long awaited debut solo EP “Family Affair”. Her booming vocals are on full display on the six song set featuring all new material.
Included on the project is the most recently released single “Go Outside in the Rain” which is a cover of the song originally recorded by Milira Jones in 1991. Tamika also released a video for the song.
LISTEN HERE
The singer has been preparing this project for quite some time now, and it released via her label Brolic Entertainment in partnership with Twenty Two Recordings, LLC.
Earlier this year, she put out the two other singles “Almost Over” and “Tonite”.
#HipHopNews: Young Thug Readies New Album For Early 2020!
Young Thug is coming back with more heat in 2020.
The prolific rapper has revealed that his next album will drop early next year. During an interview at the premiere of Uncut Gems, Thugger shared the timeline.
“I’m dropping an album in January, February,” he told “HipHollywood.”
He wouldn’t say much more, but earlier this year, he announced that his next album would be titled Punk. The project, which he has called his “best album,” will take a more introspective tone than his most recent album So Much Fun.
“The difference from that and Punk is Punk is me letting them in on my real life,” Thug told Rolling Stone. “Me letting them know all the situations I’ve been through. Opening up, letting the fans in, I feel like I never let ’em. I feel like I was always quit about certain things, because of people.”
He credits Tupac with inspiring Punk. “My best album would probably be Punk, because it’s more like real life. It’s more like Tupac,” he said. “Tupac could be one of the biggest rappers in the world, because he rapped what he rapped about. I had conversations with JAY-Z and he told me, ‘We gotta learn how to continue what Pac had going. Pac was a teacher. Pac teaches.”
In August, Thug released So Much Fun, which became his first No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The YSL Records boss is also working on a sequel to 2017’s Super Slimey with Future, Lil Baby, and Gunna.
#IMPEACHMENT: Donald Trump Impeached On Charges Of Abuse Of Power, Obstruction Of Congress!
WASHINGTON ― For the third time in history, the House of Representatives impeached the president, placing a permanent asterisk next to the name of Donald J. Trump and setting the stage for a Senate trial on removal.
House lawmakers voted Wednesday evening 230-197 in favor of impeaching Trump for abuse of power, with two Democrats — Collin Peterson (Minn.) and Jeff Van Drew (N.J.) — voting against impeachment alongside every Republican, Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii voting “present,” and former Republican (now independent) Justin Amash of Michigan also voting to impeach the president.
The House then voted 229-198 to impeach Trump on a second article, obstruction of Congress, with every member voting the same way except for Rep. Jared Golden (D-Maine), who voted with Republicans on that charge.
“December 18: A great day for the Constitution of the United States. A sad one for America that the president’s reckless activities necessitated our having to introduce articles of impeachment,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said during a news briefing shortly after the votes were tallied. “I could not be prouder or more inspired by the moral courage of the House Democrats.”
Trump learned of the news while onstage at a rally in Michigan on Wednesday night, and launched into a vitriol-filled tirade against Democrats, who he said were conducting a “lawless” effort that would be a “political suicide march.”
“Every single Republican voted for us,” Trump said. “We didn’t lose one Republican vote.”
Democrats accused the president of corruptly soliciting a foreign government to investigate one of his chief political rivals, former Vice President Joe Biden, and conditioning $391 million of security aid on the launch of that investigation. They also charge Trump with “unprecedented, categorical and indiscriminate defiance” as the House sought to investigate his behavior. The White House refused to turn over any documents related to the impeachment inquiry, and a number of Trump administration officials ignored subpoenas to testify.
The key evidence supporting Democrats’ charge is a July 25 phone call between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. During that call, which took place as U.S. military aid to Ukraine was suspended, Trump asked Zelensky to “do us a favor” and look into supposed Ukrainian interference in the 2016 U.S. election — a debunked conspiracy theory — as well as investigating Joe Biden and his son Hunter. Republicans view a rough transcript of the call as exculpatory, while Democrats see it as obviously damning.
“In America, no one is above the law,” House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said on the floor Wednesday. “Donald J. Trump sacrificed our national security in an effort to cheat in the next election. And for that and his continued efforts to seek foreign interference in our elections, he must be impeached.”
Democrats sought to maintain a somber tone. Pelosi, who wore all black, reported at the beginning of the day that she was “sad” and said on the floor that Trump “gave us no choice.”
“If we do not act now, we would be derelict in our duty,” Pelosi said. “It is tragic that the president’s reckless actions make impeachment necessary.”
Pelosi noted the absence of one prominent lawmaker during Wednesday’s votes: Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), who chaired the House Oversight Committee until his death in October.
“We did all we could, Elijah,” Pelosi said. “We passed the two articles of impeachment. The president is impeached.”
Time and again, Democrats offered that this was a solemn occasion. At least a half-dozen Democrats described the impeachment as a “sad day.” They avoided taking victory laps.
But the day was still marked by partisanship.
On the Republican side, GOP members offered unhinged defenses of the president. They railed against Democrats over the process — at one point, Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) claimed that Jesus Christ had received more due process than Trump — and they accused Democrats of having decided to impeach the president even before he took office.
This “weaponized impeachment” was brought upon the House by “the same socialists who threaten unborn life in the womb, who threaten First Amendment rights of conservatives, who threaten Second Amendment protections of every American patriot, and who have long ago determined that they would organize and conspire to overthrow President Trump,” Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) said.
As he walked away from the lectern on the House floor, fellow Republicans thanked Higgins. “Good speech,” said Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.).
House Judiciary Committee ranking member Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., speaks as the House of Representatives debates the articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019. (House Television via AP)
The Trump defense offered by Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) included the claim that then-President Barack Obama had enticed Russia to invade Ukraine, which prompted House Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) to say it was concerning to see a member “spout Russian propaganda on the floor of the House.”
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) argued that history would not be kind to Democrats. “You are the ones interfering in America’s election,” he said. “You are the ones subverting America’s democracy. You are the ones obstructing justice. You are the ones bringing pain and suffering to our republic for your own selfish personal, political and partisan gain.”
And it wasn’t just the GOP’s fringe members who offered frenzied arguments. The fringe has taken over the Republican Party. It seemed on Wednesday that every GOP member who came to the floor was accusing Democrats of a “sham impeachment” or a “complete charade” or a “kangaroo court.”
Republicans presented the process as completely political while failing to acknowledge their own political motivations for defending Trump. Even as Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.) decried impeachment as a “political hit job,” he said he would happily impeach Adam Schiff for abuse of power and Democrats in general for obstruction.
Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) asked for a moment of silence for the 63 million voters who were being “disenfranchised” by impeachment. He did not note that Hillary Clinton received nearly 66 million votes in the 2016 election. And as Nadler pointed out at one point when another Republican said Democrats were trying to undo the election, Vice President Mike Pence would simply become president if Trump were impeached and removed from office.
Bizarrely, Republicans in the chamber cheered at that line.
Republicans made sport of jeering at a number of lines near the end of the debate. When Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said “Democrats did not choose this impeachment, we did not wish for it,” Republicans groaned.
When Hoyer noted there was only one member who spoke on the floor who was not a Republican or a Democrat — Amash of Michigan — Amash’s former GOP colleagues sneered at his name, too.
In truth, Trump faces little threat of being removed from office. Senate Republicans seem determined to quickly acquit the president, perhaps without even hearing from witnesses. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has made no secret of his view that impeachment is political. “I’m not an impartial juror,” McConnell said this week, adding that he’s been taking cues on a Senate trial from the White House.
McConnell declared last week that there was “no chance” the president would be removed from office, and he said Tuesday that the chamber would not call any new witnesses, despite a request from Democrats to subpoena Trump aides who have so far refused to testify. McConnell said that Democrats hadn’t given “one solid reason” why more officials should be called before lawmakers.
During her press conference Wednesday, Pelosi said she wouldn’t name any impeachment managers — the House members who would argue the case for impeachment to the Senate — until McConnell agrees to a “fair trial.”
“So far, we haven’t seen anything that looks fair to us,” Pelosi said.
But Democrats decided it was important to take such a historic vote even though it seems certain to have little impact on Trump’s behavior.
Only two other American presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson in 1868 and Bill Clinton in 1998. Johnson and Clinton were each acquitted in the Senate. President Richard Nixon was on the cusp of being impeached in 1974, but he resigned before a vote as a bipartisan tide of lawmakers turned against him over the Watergate scandal.
“The framers gave us the power of impeachment for exactly this reason,” Nadler said Wednesday after the vote. “Today we took action to hold President Trump accountable for the serious and undisputed risk he poses to our free and fair elections, and to the separation of powers that safeguards our liberty. A President should not be allowed to become a dictator.”
The historic nature of the vote on Wednesday was clear. When Democrats gave floor speeches, many addressed their words to their children and grandchildren. After Rep. Joe Kennedy (D-Mass.) said that justice had won ― that the House had done its job, kept its word and stood its ground ― he added, “I love you. Listen to mom.”
Lawmakers seemed to recognize that their words might define them for the rest of their lives. In that spirit, many Democrats adopted a loftier tone.
“We are being tested on something greater than our ability to toe a party line,” said House Rules Chairman Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). “Something more than our ability to score the next great television soundbite. This is a democracy-defining moment.”
Camila Cabello Apologizes For Past Offensive Language: 'I Was Uneducated'!
Camila Cabello has addressed some previously unearthed social media posts, where the former Fifth Harmony singer used racially insensitive and problematic language.
"When I was younger, I used language that I’m deeply ashamed of and will regret forever," the singer, 22, wrote via Instagram Stories on Wednesday (December 18). "I was uneducated and ignorant and once I became aware of the history and the weight and the true meaning behind this horrible and hurtful language, I was deeply embarrassed I ever used it."
Cabello went on to admit that she has previously apologized for her language, but wants to apologize for it once again as she would never want to intentionally hurt anyone. "I'm 22 now, I'm an adult and I've grown and learned and am conscious and aware of the history and the pain it carries in a way I wasn't before," she continued. "Those mistakes don't represent the person I am or a person I've ever been. I only stand and have ever stood for love and inclusivity, and my heart has never, even then, had an ounce of hate or divisiveness."
Cabello's lengthy apology comes after screenshots of since-deleted, offensive 2012 posts recently resurfaced on Twitter and went viral.
Marc Anthony’s 120-foot yacht destroyed by fire while docked at Miami marina!
A yacht owned by singer Marc Anthony was destroyed Wednesday night when it erupted in flames at a Miami marina, a report said.
The two-time Grammy winner was not aboard the 120-foot vessel — but several crew members were — when it caught fire and capsized at the Island Gardens Marina off Watson Island, according to WSVN.
All those aboard made it off safely, the report said.
Footage shot by the news outlet shows roaring flames shooting from the yacht.
“It’s sad,” a family member of the marina’s owner told the network, “for us, as the marina, and for the boat.”
“Right now everything is under control,” he said.
Last April, Anthony was spotted on a yacht in Miami partying with over a dozen models in their 20s while docked next to Seaspice Brasserie & Lounge, an insider had told Page Six.
The 50-year-old superstar ordered bottles of champagne and dined on oysters, ribeye and a sizable seafood spread on the vessel.
It’s unclear if the yacht he was celebrating on in April was the one that caught fire Wednesday night.
Diddy To Receive Grammy Industry Icons Honor!
The hip-hop icon will be honored with the 2020 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons award during the annual Recording Academy and Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, the night before the 62nd annual Grammy Awards.
The multi-hyphenate mogul, who recently celebrated his 50th birthday, will be honored for his “trailblazing career and continuous influence on the music industry.”
“It’s personally so gratifying that Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs is this year’s icon. He fully deserves this wonderful recognition,” said Davis, co-host of the pre-Grammy Gala. “From his past innovative and creative contributions right from the very inception of the hip hop revolution, to his many memorable appearances at the pre-Grammy Gala as both speaker and performer, it’s all come full circle. I couldn’t be happier for Sean as a dear friend and colleague.”
During his 25-year career, the three-time Grammy winner has landed five No. 1s on the Billboard Hot 100 and 15 top 10s as a recording artist. Bad Boy has charted at least 70 albums on the Billboard 200 and more than 100 songs on the Hot 100.
Diddy is in good company. Past recipients of the Industry Icons award include David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, JAY-Z, and last year’s honoree, Clarence Avant.
Another hip-hop mogul, Dr. Dre, will also be honored by the Grammys next year. The Recording Academy’s Producers & Engineers Wing will pay tribute to the legendary producer during Grammy week on Jan. 22
Good Times' John Amos Makes Surprise Appearance on Live in Front of a Studio Audience Special
Viewers received a special treat on Wednesday night during a star-studded live restaging of a classic episode of Good Times.
As part of ABC’s second installment of Live in Front of a Studio Audience, produced by Jimmy Kimmel among others, a cast of current A-listers took on roles from the 1970s Norman Lear sitcom, as well as All In the Family.
During the re-staging of the Good Times episode “The Politicians” — which originally aired in November 1975 as part of the show’s third season — actors like Andre Braugher, Viola Davis, and Tiffany Haddish inhabited the legendary TV roles for one night.
In a surprise nod to the original series — which ran between 1974 and 1979 — original cast member John Amos made an appearance on the live broadcast. Instead of reprising his iconic role as patriarch James Evans, the 79-year-old actor played Alderman Fred Davis, a man running for local office.
The episode finds the Evans family in political disagreement as they lean individually toward voting for Davis or his opponent, played by recent Emmy winner for When They See Us, Jharrel Jerome.
John Amos and Andre Braugher in Live in Front of a Studio Audience ERIC MCCANDLESS/ABC
The politically charged storyline was fitting for its Wednesday night airtime, as the broadcast was interrupted several times due to updates from the House of Representatives’ vote to impeach President Donald Trump happening simultaneously in Washington, D.C.
For the All in the Family live show, actors Woody Harrelson, Marisa Tomei, Ike Barinholtz, Ellie Kemper, Kevin Bacon and Jesse Eisenberg also took on retro roles.
Also featured in the Good Times live staging cast were SNL alum Jay Pharaoh, This Is Us‘ Asante Blackk, and Corinne Foxx, daughter of Jamie Foxx, who starred in the first iteration of Live in Front of a Studio Audience back in May.
The first Live in Front of a Studio Audience scored huge ratings and earned three Emmy Award nominations. It went on to win for Outstanding Variety Special, which made Lear the oldest Emmy winner ever.
R. Kelly Pleads Not Guilty, Denies Obtaining Fake ID to Marry 15-year-old Aaliyah!
Disgraced ex-king of R&B, R. Kelly, pleaded not guilty on Wednesday in a federal indictment against him out of the Eastern District of New York.
Prosecutors have now included an allegation of bribery in addition to his racketeering case, pertaining to Kelly purchasing a fake ID for Aaliyah in 1994. Allegedly, the falsified ID stated that Aaliyah was 18-years-old, making it possible for Kelly to marry the 15-year-old singer on August 31, 1994.
Kelly joined the hearing via video from the Chicago jail, where he has been held awaiting trial. Kelly is facing several other federal and state cases in Illinois, Minnesota.
Demetrius Smith, R. Kelly’s ex-tour manager, has publicly confirmed on several occasions that he assisted Kelly in obtaining the fraudulent ID for his teenage bride and witnessed the two wed.
The case is set to go to trial in April 2020.
Tekashi 6ix9ine sentenced to 2 years after snitching on Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods!
Tekashi 6ix9ine was sentenced to two years behind bars Wednesday — despite all his singing to the feds.
Manhattan federal court judge Paul Engelmayer ordered the 23-year-old rapper to serve 24 months for his role in the Nine Trey Gansta Bloods — as he bashed him over the “lives put at risk because you had been dissed” while running with the street crew.
The hip hop provocateur had begged the judge for mercy but appeared rattled in court by the presence of his estranged father, whom he hasn’t seen since he was 9 years old.
“Is this a f–king joke, [with] everything that I go through?” a shaking Tekashi asked after spotting his 58-year-old dad, who is also named Daniel Hernandez.
Before the sentence was handed down, his father raised his hand from the gallery to speak on behalf of his long-lost son, but was forcefully shot down by the judge.
“It’s way too late to show up and speak on his behalf. You squandered that right many years ago,” Engelmayer told the elder Hernandez.
Tekashi’s father hasn’t had a relationship with him since he was kicked out by the rapper’s mother, but said he showed up to tell him he loves him.
“I’m trying to look out for him,” the elder Hernandez told The Post. “I want to tell him I love him.”
Tekashi faced decades in prison following his guilty plea on racketeering and other charges, but the deal he cut with feds allowed Engelmayer to impose whatever sentence the judge wanted.
Prosecutor had asked for a lower sentence and lauded his “extraordinary” cooperation against his former Bloods associates.
“The people against whom Mr. Herandez testified were leaders of Nine Trey.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Longyear said, adding that he “will forever have to look over his shoulder.”
The judge also commended the rapper’s “courage” working with feds — but pointed out that Tekashi sought out the violent street crew in an attempt to ride their coattails to fame.
“It wasn’t the gang’s business model to go after a rapper,” the judge said. “The crimes were undertaken for you or your benefit.”
He will get credit for 13 months of time served, but will also have to serve 300 hours of community service and pay a $35,000 fine.
“Bruce Springsteen sang about murder incorporated. You, Mr. Hernandez, essentially signed up for murder incorporated,” Engelmayer said.
During the hearing, the rapper pleaded for leniency by promising that he would commit to a life of inspiring low-income children and leave behind his reputation as a public nuisance.
“When people see me, they see Daniel Hernandez, not Tekashi 6ix9ine,” He said. “I failed these people. they believed in Daniel Hernandez. And I was too busy making the negative image.”
He mentioned one fan in particular who he had disappointed — a 5-year-old boy named Franklin with terminal cancer who he visited in the hospital.
“I realized I was not just a kid with rainbow hair and 69 tattoos. I was hope,” the artist said.
Tekashi’s lawyers had asked for time served for the rapper, who will be sprung from prison in late 2020.
“We’re disappointed,” his attorney Lance Lazarro told The Post.
The “GUMMO” artist, whose famed rainbow mane has almost completely grown out behind bars, was at times tearful Wednesday in the courtroom, where he was wearing blue jailhouse duds and white Nike sneakers.
It’s not immediately clear if Tekashi will enter federal witness protection following his release from federal custody. Prosecutors have cited unspecified safety threats faced by the rapper following his highly public testimony at the recent trial of Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods Anthony Ellison and Aljermiah Mack.
The rhymester revealed earlier this year that he flipped just a day after feds busted the gang.
In a letter to Engelmayer submitted last week, Tekashi said the arrest saved his life.
Kanye West And Jay-Z Have Reportedly Ended All Their Legal Beef!
Just a few days after Kanye West and Jay-Z publicly reunited at Diddy’s 50th birthday party, TMZ reports a possible reason for their friendly dispositions. The two rappers, who were feuding over royalties from the Tidal streaming service, have apparently reached a behind-the-scenes agreement and ended their respective lawsuits.
At the beginning of the year, Kanye reportedly sued EMI and Roc-a-Fella Records, while in 2017, Kanye also went to court against Tidal, which he said owed him around $3 million in royalties. However, according to TMZ, both rappers are satisfied with the outcome of their agreement, which has since led to exclusive Kanye content such as the “opera” Nebuchadnezzar appearing on Tidal for streaming last month.
According to TMZ, though, their meeting at Diddy’s party was only the most public time they crossed paths this year. They reportedly met up with no apparent static on those occasions as well, with the festive atmosphere of the party likely contributing to their elated expressions. More Tidal content is also reportedly in the works, but apparently not the surefire fan-pleaser that a sequel to Watch The Throne would be. Due to Kanye’s intention to continue making entirely religious music from here on out, it seems unlikely that the two would ever link up to record another joint album.
Kanye, meanwhile, is planning on a new tour with a different partner: Television megapastor Joel Osteen. They’re set to bring their tag-team church service to stadiums nationwide next year.
‘Remember the Titans” Coach Herman Boone Dies at 84!
Herman Boone, former T.C Williams High School football coach, portrayed by Denzel Washington in the film ‘Remember the Titans’, died today at the age of 84.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Boone became the team’s head coach in 1971; this was the first year the school had been integrated.
According to Alexandria City Public Schools, Coach Boone “took the coaching position at T.C Williams after being told the town was not ready for a black head coach.”
Due to the recent integration, Boone faced several challenges, as the integration caused racial tension.
But despite those tensions, Boone was still able to lead the team to the state championship as well as an undefeated season.
Boone passed just months after his assistant coach during the 1971 season, Bill Yoast, portrayed by Will Patton in the film. Patton died in May.
Boone coached T.C Williams until he was fired for allegedly verbally and physically abusing players in 1979, Boone denied all allegations.
Michael B. Jordan Rumored to Be Dating Swedish Singer Snoh Aalegra!
*Inquiring minds want to know if Michael B. Jordan has a new lady in his life?
Rumor has it that the actor is dating Swedish artist Snoh Aalegra.
Uh oh, does this revelation mean more backlash from the sisatas who have a problem with him dating Beckys? That’s a whole other topic. We’ll see how this plays out. In the meantime, here’s a breakdown of who this chic is.
According to cheatsheet.com, Aalegra, 32, is “known for her sultry R&B tunes and honeyed voice,” the outlet writes. In a 2018 interview with HighSnobiety, she noted her musical influences are Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.
“I just fell in love with music,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in a later interview. “There was never a plan B.”
When she moved to the United States to pursue a career in music, Prince allegedly served as her mentor before his death in 2016.
“I really found my identity when I moved [to the US],” she told ELLE. “I got to make the music that I love personally and got to fall in love with music the way that I always dreamed of. I get to work with the best musicians. Soul and R&B has its roots here. I thought it was important to come here and become more one with my biggest love.”
In 2017, Aalegra released her debut album “Feels,” and followed up with 2019’s “-Ugh, those feels again.”
She’s been romantically linked to Jordan for months. The “Black Panther” star even plays the singer’s love interest in her music video for “Whoa,” which is on her latest album.
Meanwhile, when he’s not slamming rumors that he’s gay, Jordan tends to remain mum about her personal life. Earlier this year he told the Wall Street Journal Magazine that he’s single, saying, “LA isn’t the best place to date.”
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘HAMMING IT UP’
Christmas hams are on sale at Walmart today.
EGGPLANT NATION: Meet Pedro Bear
Meet Pedro! You can see more when GO HERE TO SEE THE PICS! And remember they’re NSFW!
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Enjoy!
HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ALL!!!
EFREM
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