Lecrae For Rolling Out Magazine: He Says Why Cancel Culture Can’t Stop His Cause!
Lecrae’s career can’t be reduced to a controversial sound-bite. The Atlanta-based rapper by way of Houston has dedicated his life to speaking truth to a generation while also backing up his talk with action.
Following his turbulent days as a youth during which he found himself on the wrong side of the law on multiple occasions, Lecrae decided to turn his life over to God and used music as a tool to reach the masses. In turn, he would name his record label Reach Records and go on to become one of the top artists in hip-hop and gospel music. In 2004, he would release his debut album, Real Talk.
“I always believed I was making music for everybody,” Lecrae said during an interview with rolling out. “I don’t really embrace the gospel rap title because at the end of the day, I’m just making music where the subject matter connects with all people in all walks of life. So, there are people who are Christians and non-Christians who can track with the music, and I think that is a testament. People just want to hear music with some substance. For somebody like myself, I grew up in an era where a lot of hip-hop music had a lot of substance, so you can’t go from listening to Aquemini and then the radio era is full of music that doesn’t even touch the soul or touch on deeper concepts.”
Lecrae’s music can reach the self-proclaimed street thug and also become a guide for the young kid who is fighting temptation while seeking the right path. His formula proved to be effective as Lecrae was able to create music that reflected his truth while gaining mainstream success. In 2013, Lecrae made history by becoming the first hip-hop artist to win a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Album with his sixth project, Gravity. He also became the first artist to score a No. 1 hit on Billboard’s Top 200 and Gospel Album charts in the same week.
But even with the accolades, Lecrae always made it a point to make music that speaks to societal issues.
“Marvin Gaye wrote ‘What’s Going On,’ and he was talking about what’s going on in this world,” Lecrae said. “And I think people want music that connects with them on a deeper level. People want something that does communicate the truth I believe in, but I don’t necessarily attract [them] with gospel music. I don’t really listen to a lot of gospel music because it’s not my flavor. I want to listen to what I like, but no one was really communicating stuff that I wanted to hear.”
Get more at Rolling Out!
#RHOA: Cynthia Bailey Is Giving you Body In A 2 Piece Bikini!
Cynthia Bailey, 53, gifted her Instagram followers with new snaps of her wearing a black bikini. The reality star began her series of photos with the caption,
Had to drop some dead weight @cbvior #50cynt #sundayfunday
Gorgeous!
#NewMusic from PJ Morton – I Can’t Wait!
Veteran singer PJ Morton has created an anthem for all of those out there missing their special someone on his new single “I Can’t Wait”. This is the first official single he has released since his win at this year’s Grammy Awards for Best R&B Song with “Say So” featuring JoJo.
“I Can’t Wait” reminds us that you should not take the good times for granted and appreciate what we have in the moment.
LISTEN HERE
This comes on the heels of Morton releasing his “The Piano Album” live album earlier this year. He also made an appearance on the impactful Q. Parker song “I Need You”.
Morton has stayed active during the pandemic, launching a weekly live trivia show called The Culture. He was also recently nominated for a BET Award for Best Gospel/Inspirational Song.
#HipHopNews: T.I. Challenges 50 Cent To A Verzuz!
The Trap Muzik architect has yet to find a suitable Verzuz opponent this quarantine season and he feels like Fiddy is gonna need a lot more than Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ to beat his track record.
“For your birthday I offer you a challenge, sir,” T.I. boldly stated on social media on Monday (July 6). “Pull yo ass up, man with 20 of your records, man and sit cross from me and get this work, man. But I understand if you don’t want to answer to that challenge because last time you got challenged, Kanye West dusted yo ass off so, you might not want to do that!”
The L Tip is referring to is the album sales battle 50 Cent spearheaded in 2007 with his third studio album Curtis going against Kanye’s third studio album, Graduation. At the time, 50 Cent was shifting music industry conversations toward sales analytics and marketplace reach and arrogantly proclaimed he would retire his career if Kanye’s first-week sales bested his own.
Both albums dropped on September 11, 2007 (a Tuesday) and after a full seven days, Kanye took the sales and Billboard 200 victory by a considerable margin: 957,000 copies sold to Fiddy’s 691,000 copies.
And … there was no retirement.
If both Hip Hop legends were to enter the Verzuz arena, fans would get their proverbial money’s worth. After solidifying their names on the mixtape circuit in their respective regions, both stars would go on to sell millions of records and have more than 20 Billboard hits apiece. As for 50 Cent’s famous co-signs that will forever be attached to his legacy, once again, T.I. doesn’t care.
“Guess who ain’t scared of your muthafuckin’ ass, 50?” T.I. mocked as he wrapped up his backhanded birthday salute. “Bring your hit records with you. You and Dr. Dre and Eminem and gotdamn G-Unit … y’all bring y’all’s asses out. Come see the king.”
But wait, there’s more. Still trolling the birthday boys, T.I. hit up Kevin Hart, who is celebrating 40 years on earth. After wishing him peace, prosperity, health and wealth, the Grand Hustle genius passed on the crystal clear message for his would-be nemesis.
“I know it’s your birthday and I celebrate you but if you get a chance, please tell 50 to bring his ass out here and get this smoke.”
An “incredulous” Kevin Hart couldn’t believe his ears.
While Fiddy has yet to respond as of press time, Verzuz co-founder can be found in T.I.’s Instagram comments instigating the situation with eyeball emojis
Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, says she has COVID-19!
ATLANTA — Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Monday that she had tested positive for COVID-19.
“COVID-19 has literally hit home. I have had NO symptoms and have tested positive,” Bottoms, a potential Democratic vice presidential candidate, tweeted.
She told MSNBC that she decided her family members should get tested again because her husband “literally has been sleeping since Thursday.”
Bottoms, in her first term as mayor, has risen to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has been noted for her earlier criticism of Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on his slowness to order Georgians to shelter in place and his quickness to lift that order.
She was an early and vocal supporter of presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden, speaking on his behalf in Iowa before that state’s caucus. The former vice president has been considering Bottoms as his possible vice presidential running mate in his own presidential bid.
Bottoms has supported protests against police brutality and racial injustice that have been widespread in Atlanta, urging protesters to get tested for the virus.
Rickey Smiley's Teen Daughter Shot Multiple Times in Alleged Road Rage Incident!
Rickey Smiley's 19-year-old daughter is recovering after being shot multiple times in Houston, Tex. on Sunday night.
The comedian shared details of the incident on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show and social media, later confirming that Aaryn Smiley had successfully made it out of surgery on Monday.
According to Smiley, the teen was unintentionally caught in gunfire while driving to pick up food from Whataburger.
"My daughter was shot last night," Smiley explained in a YouTube video. "She was on her way to Whataburger to get something to eat. I think she was at a stop light and some guys got out of the car and were shooting at each other and she got hit twice."
"Today could have been different," he said. "I could have been down there at the funeral home."
According to the Houston Chronicle, three men and one woman, identified as Aaryn, were wounded by an individual who opened fire at an intersection in an apparent act of road rage. Aaryn, who authorities state was not involved in the altercation between the assailant and three men, was struck as she waited for the red light to turn green.
Aaryn, who attends Baylor University and is studying medicine, shared a graphic photo of a blood-soaked car seat to her Instagram Stories, writing, "Words can't describe how grateful I am to be alive right now."
"This is the most terrifying thing that has ever happened to me," she wrote. "I won't be out of the hospital for a while nor will I be able to walk for a while due to nerve damage."
Aaryn also shared a photo from her hospital bed and wrote, "Scariest part of all of this is the fact that I'm alone. They won't let me see my parents or let anyone in because of COVID. I'm terrified."
Later Monday, Rickey said he was flying to Houston to be by his daughter's side as she recovered.
"My daughter made it out of her operation. She's doing great!! Thank you for your prayers!!!!" the radio personality shared on social media.
Aaryn is the youngest of Smiley's four children.
Local reports state that authorities are still searching for the suspect.
Halle Berry Apologizes After Announcing She May Play A Transgender Man: I Vow To Be An Ally!
Halle Berry has released a statement addressing some of the reactions to this potential role. In the statement, she says:
I now understand that I should not have considered this role, and that the transgender community should undeniably have the opportunity to tell their own stories. During a recent interview, the 53-year-old actress shared that she may play a transgender character.
“I’m thinking of [playing] a character where the woman is a trans character, so she’s a woman that transitioned into a man. She’s a character in a project I love that I might be doing.. This project got pitched to me right when I was the brink of making Bruised, but I so was in the mindset of getting in the body to play that, and I don’t know how long I can play an MMA character, so I had to get that out… but this got pitched to me, and I thought, after I do this movie, that’s the character I’m going to play.
Frederick Douglass Statue Vandalized On Anniversary Of Famous Speech!
A statue of Frederick Douglass was vandalized and ripped from its base on Sunday, the 168th anniversary of one of his most famous speeches.
Here's what's left of the monument in Rochester, New York. The statue once stood in Maplewood Park along the route of the Underground Railroad, where Douglass and Harriet Tubman, among many others, helped slaves escape to freedom.
On July 5, 1852 Douglass gave a now-famous speech titled "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" to the Rochester Ladies' Anti-Slavery Sewing Society. The abolitionist and former slave criticized the celebration of Independence Day in a nation that allowed the enslavement and oppression of Black people.
In part, he said: "This Fourth [of] July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn." He added that, to a slave, Independence Day is "a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim."
Police say the statue was found about 50 feet away from its base, near the gorge of the Gennessee River. Carvin Eison, a director of the project that brought the statue to the park, told the Rochester Democrat & Chronicle it's too damaged to be fixed, but that it will be replaced. He also questioned whether the destruction may be related to the recent vandalism and destruction of Confederate monuments.
Police say they're still investigating the incident.
Congratulations! Papoose Reveals He And Remy Ma Are Expecting Another Baby!
Congratulations are in order. During an interview with Claudia Jordan on Fox Soul, Pap speaks about the good things that are coming out of quarantining, including spending quality time with his family.
“I’m just making the best out of it, and we’re moving forward. Some good things are actually coming out of this, we’re gonna’ have a new child real soon,” Pap revealed.
This baby will be Remy and Pap’s second baby together, as the couple had their first child, The Golden Child, Reminisce MacKenzie, on December 14, 2018.
Congratulations to the beautiful couple
Super Bowl Champ Patrick Mahomes Inks Record Extension Worth A Half-Billion Dollars!
While 2020 has been a year to forget for just about everybody else, Patrick Mahomes begs to differ. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback won the Super Bowl in February, and today he signed the richest contract in NFL history.
The 24-year-old Texas Tech alum inked a 10-year extension worth $503 million — with $477 million guaranteed — that will keep him with the AFC club until 2032. The deal negotiated by uber-agent Leigh Steinberg, which includes a no-trade clause, eclipses the 12-year, $426.5 million contact Angels outfielder Mike Trout signed last year as the biggest ever in American team sports.
In two full seasons plus one game with the Chiefs, Mahomes has thrown for 76 touchdowns and more than 9,400 yards. He was named the MVP of Super Bowl LIV, leading the Chiefs over the San Francisco 49ers for the franchise’s first NFL title in 50 years.
Now it’s just a matter of getting out on the field. While the NFL has released its schedule and continues to hold firm on its mid-September start date, the recent spike in coronavirus cases around the country could sack those plans. That said, Mahomes and the Chiefs are slated to host the Houston Texas in the 2020 season opener on Thursday, September 10.
If the NFL season is played, there are numerous storylines to follow, including all-time Tom Brady moving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — along with unretired tight end Rob Gronkowski — and former league MVP Cam Newton joining the New England Patriots to replace Brady. Also the Radiers will play their first season since moving to Las Vegas, and Los Angeles Rams and Chargers will open and share the massive SoFi Stadium near the Forum in Inglewood
Kanye West’s Yeezy Company Got At Least $2 Million From Government’s Paycheck Protection Program Meant For Small Businesses!
Kanye West’s company Yeezy received a $2million-$5million loan from the government meant to bail out small businesses struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Small Business Administration revealed Monday that the loan helped Kanye’s sneaker and clothing brand save 160 jobs.
The Paycheck Protection Program is meant to help small businesses with 500 employees, or less pay their workers, and save jobs.
But there was controversy earlier this year when big chains like Pot Belly and Shake Shack qualified for the program through a loophole and used up the funds.
Other well-known fashion brands, including Oscar de la Renta and Vera Wang, also got loans between $2 million and $5 million, the SBA revealed.
The news of West’s Yeezy Brand loan comes after Kanye announced his partnership with the GAP, which will have the rapper design clothing sold in over 1,000 stores around the world.
This also comes as Kanye, a one-time Trump supporter, announced he will be running for president this year.
Madonna Goes Topless & Poses with Her Crutch!
Madonna is showing off her body in a new photo that she posted to Instagram.
The 61-year-old entertainer took to Instagram on Monday night (July 6) and posted a selfie she took in the bathroom of her home.
Madonna went topless in the photo, wearing just her black underwear, a hat, and some jewelry. She also leaned on her crutch and captioned the photo, “Everyone has a Crutch……………. 🛠.”
Madonna has been using crutches for the past few months while recovering from a knee injury that she has been battling ever since she launched her Madame X Tour last year. Last month, she was spotted using crutches while attending a Black Lives Matter protest in London.
Monyetta Shaw Shows Off Her New Fiancé!
Just days after Monyetta Shaw, Atlanta socialite and Ne-Yo's ex-fiancé, announced she's getting engaged, she's revealed her man for all her followers who have been asking. Plus, the couple share their proposal video. Watch it all inside.
Monyetta's officially engaged again, and maybe this second time will be the charm.
She posted her reported business owner fiancé - who Nicole Murphy called "Heath" and Monyetta calls her "Heath bar" - with a sweet caption about what he means to her.
After showing off her ring a few days ago, the mom of two is now showing off the full proposal video. Her parents, friends and family were all there for the surprise:
Congrats to the couple!
Breonna Taylor’s Family Believes Her Home Was Targeted As Part Of City’s Gentrification Plan!
Breonna Taylor’s family claims that her home was targeted, and her subsequent shooting death is the result of a city operation to clear a neighborhood undergoing gentrification.
The Taylor family’s attorneys filed court documents to amend the wrongful death suit against Brett Hankison, Myles Cosgrove, and Jonathan Mattingly. These three cops killed Taylor while executing a no-knock warrant on her home. The documents state that the raid on Breonna’s home “starts with a political need to clear out a street for a large scale real estate development project and finishes with a newly formed, renegade police unit violating all levels of policy, protocol and policing standard.”
The lawsuit alleges that a task force was formed specifically to clear out a neighborhood in west Louisville, Kentucky, so that a real estate developer could build a “high dollar, legacy-creating” development. However, the “primary roadblock” to the development was Taylor’s ex-boyfriend, who rented a home in the area.
The task force led the police department to believe that the area was crime-ridden and drug-infested, home to the city’s largest drug rings.
Taylor’s home was over 10 miles away from the neighborhood in question, and her death could have been avoided by running the tags on the cars in front of the home. It would have been clear that the cars belonged to Taylor and her boyfriend, not the suspect listed on the warrant, her family insists. Per TMZ, the first five no-knock warrants of the year, including Taylor’s home, were executed for this project alone.
“Connecting the dots, it’s clear that these officers should never have been at Breonna Taylor’s home in the first place, and that they invaded the residence with no probable cause.” attorney Ben Crump tells TMZ, “The officers who robbed Breonna of her life — and Tamika Palmer of her daughter— exhibited outrageous, reckless, willful, wanton and unlawful conduct.”
A spokeswoman for Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer called the allegations “outrageous” and are “without foundation of supporting facts.”
“They are insulting to the neighborhood members of the Vision Russell initiative and all the people involved in the years of work being done to revitalize the neighborhoods of West Louisville,” Jean Porter said in a statement.
AND FINALLY FROM “THE CRAZY PEOPLE SHOPPING AT WALMART” FILES
‘PAPER OR PLASTIC?’
They say you’re only as fast as the slowest member of your herd and I feel like this virus has really highlighted which humans are falling behind in the pack.
HAVE A GREAT DAY ALL!!!
EFREM
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